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CHAP.I, NN Arrival of Sir James Heury Craig. Meetin of tbe Provincial Pérlia - ment. Dion Amy rl Judges : gation.—Elections and Meetings of thé:New
Public-domain full text preserved in the Mountain Man Mining Library. Original source: archive.org.
Le RUE ra MILITARY.
y
. In The Canadas,
During The Late War Wita The United States.
Encluding Als0,
The Political History Of Lower Canada, ; Adninistration. Of
Sir James Henrÿ Crai Ru
G, TT : f X 7 PEN £ 2 PSN Je
And
Sir George Prevos
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Contents. :
. CHAP.I, NN Arrival of Sir James Heury Craig. Meetin of tbe Provincial Pérlia - ment. Dion Amy rl Judges : gation.—Elections and Meetings of thé:New Provincial Parliament —Further discussions on the Election of Judges
andJews—The Assembly dissolved—Elections.— Meeting of the New Parliament. Offer. the The
appointnent of in En aid an fu Pré eye t ointment of an Agent and considered: cting à Judge. —Secons dun ele ne
Measures of the ad nistration M res sara ; rsOns, ; The Governdr's Proclamation. - Pro gs of the Court of Kiage # Bonch at Quebec. The Judge (De Bonne) declines his election. Prisoners; st Montreal released. Meeting of the New Provincial.
Parliament The Governor's Speech. - Answer of the Assembly.
2 ns rer reply. rt bre ar g Judge lsble to a seat in.
Assembly. P. n- lament. T vernor's Deper-
ture for England. His Character. L
OU CHAP. ux. s -
Arrival of Sir Géorge Prevost.… Major General Broci. db pos dés of U Le creme makes the tour of Ge. per-District. eeting of the Provincial Parliament. of rem n A Pt ve Ase map ea ï
War -WOvernor mDies. the . Aruy Bill Act. Canvas. Capture of Michillimackinac. In.
pper-Canada. the Enemy. of Capture of Detroit, Armistice. lu rejection by the Ame .
the American army under
Gene + Incursion of the enemy at La Cole. 'General
mie attempt to invade U Hocting of the Provig- Cial Parliament. Proceedings of the Assembly. Pro
rogation. CHAP. V. .
Battle of Frenchlown, and defeat of the Americans under Genéral Win. chester, The Governor visits Upper Canada. Attack upon nsburgh. of York by the enemy. Attack and reduct n of. Fort George by the Americans, Expedition against Sacket's Ha
4 bour. Battle at Fort Meigs. Brilliant attack upon the enemy's Camp DR at'Stoney Creek by Lieut. Colonel cures Affair at Beaver Dans.
: 'Attack upon Black Rock by Lieut. Colônel Bishop, and death ot that Officer. Atfack upon Lower Sandusky. Capture of the Growler and
Eagle near Jsle Aux Noir. Reduction of Plattsburgh, Champlain an -. MI Swanton. Affair of Goose Creek. Death of Captain Milnes, Naval ; occurrences on Lake Ontario. À ] , Ne 4 LT . Naval Engagement on Lake Erie. Evacuation of Detroit bythe British. ! - À Battle at the Moravian Village and defeat of General Proctor. The , British raise the investment of Fort George. Invasion of Lower-£a- ' 4 c nada by Gen. Hampton, and the defeat of the enemy at Chateauguay 1 by Lieut. Col. De Salaberry. Wilkinson's Expedition. Battle of. . '% r! Chrystler's Farm. Retreat of the Americans to Salmon River: Gen. 4 Drummond assumes the: Command in Upper-Canada: Americans à "M . evacuate Fort George. British surprise and capture Fort Nia- 4 . CHAP. VIT. 1 Meeting of the Provincial Parliament. present proceedings. — 4 Chief Justices Impeached. Proceedings of the British and American ". UE 'Governments concerning Hostages for certain Traitors, taken by the ; ; British at the Battle of Queenstown. . Indian Embassy to Quebec.— À : re of the Americans under General Wilkinson upon the La Cole Arrive ë à : men : CHAP. VIE and Occurrences during the winter 1819-14. Attack upon Os Inve- Mai sion-of rs by the American forces under Genefä#l Brown. rl Capture of Fort Etie. Battlè of Chippawa. Battle ot Lundy's ? New Lane. Assault Pre Erie. : Capture of Prairie du Chien. Éx- . appc pus int chillimackinac by the Americans. Operations by ing : + ir John C. Sherbrooke. Expedition to -Plattsburgh. Sortie from e Fort Erie. Evacuation of Fort Erie by the.American Forces. Mis- L cellaneoys occurrences. Meeting of the Provincial Parliament, £ Recall of Sir Geprge Prevost. His departure from Quebec. F4 + RS à T POSTSCRIPT. : 1 u Proceedings relative to Sir George Prevost, after his return to Engtand of Mr ', APPENDIX. . at Qu N Æ of Go 3.0 $ $ abs v é Sr 0 4 stant BRRATA. proba Page 105.—Mr. M'Lean, who was killed at the battle of York, was ac
Clerk of tlie House of Assembly, not Speaker of the House of Assembly.
cmy's Camp ever Dains. deata of that Growler and amplain an
ines, Naval
ythe British. roctor. The , f Lower-£a-
'hateauguay
Battle of- .
River. Gen. Americans e Fort Nia-
pceedings.—
nd American taken by the 0 Quebec.— the La Cole
Inva-
e FowWn.
ot Lundy's Chien. Exerations by Sortie from 'forces. Mis- Parliament. ec.
o 4
to Engtand À
À MEMOIRS af the Adininistration of Sir Jauds
Hennx Craie, and Sin. Groncr PRevosr, inthe Province of Lower-Canada, from the Autumn of 1807, until the Spring of 1815;
compreheñding the Military and Naval. oper He rations in the Cananas, during the lste War
with the United States of America.
Chapter I.
Pa
Arrival of Sir James Henry Craig. Meeting of the Provincial Parlia-
ment. Discussions inthe Assembly relating to the Election ofJ and Jews.—Prorogation.
vincial Paiament—Fifther discussions on the Elections of Judges
- )
WO years in:which-me meet with 29 remrkable
occurrence had elepsed under tbe Administration Mr. Den, when Sin-Juezs Hennr Caire je at Quebeç-in the: Autumn of 1607, assurted the reins
Nm
7%.
. €mbody the Militia, until an emergency should at énce
ment of the colo#f;, and his s Ccessor must therefore
have found affairs in suspence on\\his arrival.
The- American Government at\ that time began\ to breathe a hostile spirit towards G at-Britain; but, although an appeal w as made.to the alty of the P
ple by his Predecessor, the Governor was averse
demand and justify the measure. It does not appear that he mistrusted, on the contrary, he expressed on
. Various occasions a confidence in the loyalty of the
province ; and the hereditary animosity. of the Canadian to the American character, was a pledge of their
fidelity, which he, howeyer, seemed willing to avoid: (from what motive it is not well understood) putting to
the test.
His first measure was to convoke the Housé of Assembly which met at Quebec on the 29tb January, 1808. Here a question was agitated, which, for the two pre-
_ceding Sessions having considerab]ly engaged the atten- 'ion of the Housé, excited the public feeling, and ulti-
mately led to the troubles which afterwards embittered bis administration, .:
À Judge of the Court of Kings Bench for Quebeey
had for the present, as well as for some former Parlia-
ments, been returned as representative for the County
Of Quebec, and a doubt having been started of the eli-
gibility of Judges for seats in the Provincial Parliament.
- the House divided in opinion. One party maintained
it 10 be incompatible with the rank of a Judge, to can-
'vass for votes in a County in which ke was in the daily ° :
habit of administering justice. That many ofthe Elec-
"
ADMINISTRATION Or. [1808
Ferre
ot appear pressed on ilty of the the Canaze of their
to avoid : putting to
sé of As-
ary, 1808.
{wo prethe attenand ultimbittered
Quebec}
r Parlia-
County f the elirliament, intained to can-
he daily ' :
he Elec-
1808] Et James Hery Craig. Re
tors overawed with the appréhension of incurring the.
… displeasure of the Judge, who in his judicial capacity
might pervert the lends of Justicé to gratify personal . pique, could not be presumed t6 be free, and uninflu-
enced by such a candidate. / That in England the
Judges were ineligible to a seat in the House of Com- ':mons, and in fine, hat the artifices and intrigues incidental to popular elections, were unbecoming in a Judge and a mere prostitution ofthe judicial dignity.
These and similar arguments were industriously pro-.
… pagated, and gained ground'rapidly in the public opin-
ion. _Fhe oppdsite party contended that no such dis-
ous to admit the ri tin x constitutod body, ta amend "or modify in the smallest degree the act of the consti- - tuting power, upon which the very existence of the
former dependéd, and therefore, that the Provincial - Legislature was incompetent to disqualify any descript-
ion of His Majesty's subjects fem being eligiblé to a seat in the House of Aube former opinion prevailed in the Lower House,
t was discountenanc-
ed in the Legislative Council.
à Another question somewhat similar to this was agi- . tated during fhe present Session. A Jew of repütable
character häving been elected and returned (où the-. Town of Théee-Rivers, it was contended that his reli-/ The Act of the British Parliament 31, Goo. 8, ébap. 81, which pre tothe Canadas their present Constitution " Lea
À
e re LAS
"#
8 ©' ADMINISTRATION or
OUus persuasion created an i -a Member, of the House 0
Members exerted themselves fence of the House to exclu
bate, rather relating to "qualifying the Member Propriety of the measure resolution prevailed, and — 'ofthe Jewish
FE." with some encomiums on the diligence and liberality of DT; V the Assembly, prorogued the Scion, which termine.
@d the fourth Provincial Parliament. L .., Uohappily for the tranquillity of this administration 'a party spirit had gained ground, and was irritatedby the odious and reiterated reflections of an eminent : : 'Journalist in the metropolis of the colony, upon the -! manners and customs of the Canadian population, as "well as upon their religious and political opinions. His sentiments in the minds of those who were, or rather, who.conceived themselves essentially injured by them, : were considered as of a party Anti-Canadion, uay, even . + ©f the Government itself} À few individuals, indi nant ! 24. 8t the front, incurred the expence of prôcuring à . À press, with a viewof counteracting the influence which À the labors of the Editor might produce, to the political
- / : : € ."
berality of 4 terminat-
inistration ritatedby à eminent " upon the -! dation, as, ions. His or rather, bythem, vay,even . indignant 'curing a - ace which political
/
aie ; ox A LAS
1808] Sin James Henay Craiq 9
détriment of the Province. From this-Press a weekly Paper, calléd Le Canadian, issued in the French lauguage, which soon acquired_popularity with the denomination of awüpposition paper. A newspaper strife.
far from harmoniing parties, by reciprocally enquiring into the causes of their misunderständihg, inflamed
the growing evil, and the odjous sense applied to the
istinctive-of parties, gave uneasiness to all who earüestly cültivateu a good understanding with their fellow cititens. From the novel aud hardy spirit of
this publication, many who were 'connected with the
adnibistration of the Colonial Government, or depen-
os mme and Anti-Canadian,-Choyen and Demo- - .cral,
dant upon it, affected to suspect a conspiracy on foot, -
and that secret funds were furnished from abroad for
the purpose of alienating the minds of'the people from
their 'allegiance, -and to revolutionize the Province.
Some ancient and respectable citizens, known to have contributed towards the purchase of the press, were"
disinissed from their rank'in the Sedentary Militia ;
among them Mr. Panet,the Speaker of the. Houseof Assembly, 4 gentleman of the most unimpeachable in- . res althoüugh of little importance _in itself, created froni its barshness, an interest in the public, which strengthened the party already. formed-in
. Opposition to the measures of the administration.
tegrity. This me
In June, the elections. for the ensuing -Parliament
took place, and were donducted in most counties with
unanimity. The late Speaker presented himself for the
Upper Town of nie the resident Militäry, and
dependants on the several Military Departments ia Quebec, entitled to vote, ioflu ced by the example 6f
Kowever, elected in thé mean time for another County.
, À + Er Pu"
their Chiefs, turned the scalg against him. He wès
Fr
Ÿ /ABNINISTRATION 07 [so
"were commenced this Summer; and'the foundations of ing across the commanding ground
€xtraordinary state of affairs in Europe, . combined with the American Ewbargo, turned an unusyal tide ; 'ofcommerce into the Canadgs, and their resources and 4 utility to the mothér Country were exemplified, far be-
ligent speculater.
'On the 10th of April,
". Péople'were on'the tiptoe of anxiety, a report having &one abroadithat His Excellency would not concur 27 with the House, should their choice :be in favor of the
some time before dismissed the Militia.
Lj
was, however, almost unanimously ch the Goverhor approved of his election.
The géntlemian n Speaker, and
victory
the ] sieh among themselves, or of the Government, which could have no other object
k ' Lregret gentlemen,*
L: Materia] improvements tothe fortifications of Quebec.
: in front of the walls, west of the city, were laid. The '%
Yond the expectations of the most sanguine and intel. 1 ;
809, the House of Assembly 4 % met pursuant to the Govefnoi's Proclamation, and the :
- Speakerof the late House of Assembly, whom he had '
nr ing, De 4 ju, Mens: arnesok Miele VE: Pare Si Fm RATE : A
ment A ROME
Lun [1809
ns of Quebec.
undations of ding ground
laid. The
. Combined unusual tide sources and fied, far be- € and intel-.
f Assembly 4. 4 4
on, and the :
ort having not concur
avor of the .
om he had gentleman >eaker, and
it, the Goture of af- ; and the by Great. " y of Por- British at d from the embers of iselves, or er object ntlemen, stances,
r which Æ
4
a
À
4 A
18097 am JAMES HENRY CRAIG._ 5 'am well awaré, must be highly inconvenient to many {of you : this consideration dwelt s0 strong upon my ' mind, that not seeing any particular. objeet of public ' service that indispensably required. your iminediate ' attention, Î had it in contemplation to defer your 'meeting 'ill a period of less prejudicial consequence 'to your private accommodation, but, on referring to 'the Act of the British Parliament on which the Con-
:_"stitution of this Province is founded, I felt reason of
' hesitation, at least as to the grounds. à which I sup- ' posed myself able to do 50 ; Ï have bfore been in- ' duced to rely on your cheerful atquiescence in the ""iniconvenience under. which Your may labor, rather ' than give rise to possible doubt as to My intention "of infringing on a right so valuable to You as that of ' our annual Assembly. And this I have done under ' the circumstance of being precluded from-giving quite - that notice which has beenin some de sanctioned "by custom, and which, although not called for by any 'express law, is, nevertheless a précaution for the pre- . ' servation of that mutual confidence which is s0 desir- ' able, by guarding against the possibility of any sus- ' picion, as to_ the 'intention or circumstances under ' which you may be assembled," :
The House, after an address in answer to His Excel- IN "lency's Speech,
into which it was endeavored to intro-
duce an indirect reproof for the hints which had fallen from him, resumed with warrath, the question concerning the Judge and the Jew* The more determined Members were for expelling them by resolution, but a motion for the expulsion of the Judge in this mode, was négatived by a considerable ,mnajority, part of
+ These Gontnes haben 6 -clctr et at te
AE % j A DA a 7:
S ESS a: rs
Fa Cn
12 Administration Of - [1809 - !
whom, though disposed to disqualify J judges from being ouse, were averse to the
/ ap &. LA ®
'6 a ® lt) æ ea ® ns)
ed i
. means proposed, insisting that nothing less than au Act Æ givi efthe Legislature éould operate such a disqualification, 7% five Others strongly urged that the Electors were, and of dise right ought to be, the sole constitutional judges of the the s competence of their delegate, and that his expulsion 6 at : under any form, would amount to a gross violation of :%Æ , res the most sacred rights of the people, and be' an act of 'ane
arbitrary power, incompatible with the freedom of the: "Constitution. This <effort having failed, a committee was appdinted to enquire into, and report to the House, the inconvenience resulting from the election of Judges to sit in the House of Assembl and in the mean time,
a disqualifyMg Bill was introduced and read for the 1
: first time. The enquiry was carried on with persewgr- : is ance, and proved rather to the disadvantage of the in- € ébs
- dividual concerged, for which reason we refrain from 'to d any reflection on the subject. The exclusion of the ' tent Jew was more closely. prosecuted. : The, House renew- 4 for ; " ed the resolution which had been taken against his ad- 'in w 'mittance to it and vote in the last Session of the pre- fare ceding Parliament, and a Bill to disqualify Jews from 4 beci being eligible to a seat in the House of Assembly was #/guch introduced, and underwent two readings. The lapse À as it of five weeks in the prosecution of these measures ex- . à Û gove hausted the patience of the-Governor, whose-Military D 'have education and habits, may on this occasion have iofu- : to p €nced his better judgment.: The spirited perseverance ' forb of a deliérate body in a favorite measure, appeared ' ciall: to him like the refractory spirit of a body of soldiers, ' stood which he seemed determined to crush. Re. FSto ad
CCE à
Un 'the 16th of May, he went down in state from the ù
ss '
We romane e
es from being versé to the
s than au'Act
qualification.
were, and of judges of the
is expulsion
violation of :!
be' an act of
edom of the: a committee À
D the House, on of Judges mean time, ead for the h persewgr- e of the inefrain from sion of the use renewinst his adof the pre- Jews from emily was The lapse
Pasures ex- .!
se-Military have influrseverance appeared f soldiers,
efromthe
L]
[1800-
'
' reason to doubt ' and I therefore these
' the general harmony of :the-provi ce, and a carefül ' ébstinence from whatsoever might have a' tendency to disturb it ;:for due and therefore indispensable at- ''tention to the other 'branches of the Le stature, and for prompt and cheerful co-operation and assistance : 'in whatever might conduce to the happiness and welfare of the Colony. ' All this I had a right to 'expect; because such was your constitutional duty ; because '#'#uch a conduct would'bave béen a lastiog testimony, #asit was the onlyone sought for by His Majesty's ' government, of that loyalty and affection which you "have s0 warmlÿ professed, and which I believe you 'to poisess:; and because it was. particularly called ' for by the critical conjuncture ofthe times, and espe- ' cially by the precarious situation in which we then ' stood with'respect to tbe American States. I am sorry ! to add, thät 1 have been disappointed ir all these ex- "bectations, and in every hope on which I rclied.
Ne 470 2 ommnire e LE RARE AN
Administration Of ' [1809 !
© "+ You have wasted (continued he) in fruitless debates, ï excited by private and personal animosity, or by fri- À ' volpus contests upon trivial matters of form, that time ! 'and those talents, to which within your walls, the F. public have an exclusive title. This abuse of our À functions you' have préferred 6 the higb and import- 'ant duties which You owe to your Sovereign and to ! "your constituents, and you bave thereby been forcèd 4 to: neglect tlie consideration of matters of moment ' and'necessity which were before you, while you have # 'atthe same time virtually prevented the introduction 'à '-of such others as maÿ have been in contemplation: If : "any proof of this misuse of Your time were nécessary, Ë bave just presented it in having been called on after a'session of five weeks, to exercise his Majesty's prerogative of assent, to orily the same number of bills, 'three of which werethe mere renewal of acts to which
'you stood pledged, and wbich required no discus- ii
'sion. So much of intemiperate heat has been mani. ! fested in all your proceedings, and you have shewn "such a prolonged and disrespectful attention to mat- 'ters submitted to your. considération by the other , branchés of the Legislature, that whatever might be ! 'the moderation and forbearance exertised on their parts, a general good understanding is scarcely to be 'Jooked for without a new Assembly. Eee ce.
Eshall not (he added,) particularly advert to other 'acts which appear to be unconstitutional infringe- ' meñts of'the rights of the subject répuguant to the: ' very letter of the statute of the Impepial Parliament, fundér which you hokd Your seats: and to have been :. matured by proceedings, which amount to a derelic- ! : "tion of the first principles of natural Justice." He con- À
[1809 1805] SIR JAMES MENRY CRAIG. sitless debates, D Cluded this speech with his acknowledgments to the Lesiy, or by fri- M gislative Council for:the unanimity, zeal, and uuremitorm, that time ! tiog attention, they had shewn in-their proceedings. our walls, the me
abuse of your D Toa portion of the House.of Assembly, he also ex- b and import- À bressed his thanks, and trusted they would believe he ereign and to 1 did them the justice of a proper discrimination in the y been forcéd sense he entertained of their efforts, to avert that conrs of moment 'Æduct of which he had so -much reason to complain. bile you have PR: By this, gentlemen,? (said he, addressing himself to - introduction 'he minority who had purposely assembled together on emplation. If More side of the room) You have truly manifested your
re nécestary, ° affection to His Maÿesty's government, and your just alled on' after estimation of the real and permanent interests of the ajesty's pre- SE: Province. rt ober of bills, ? Hs - or actsto which 25 This hardy and decisive measure astonished the lead- "
d no discus. ing members, who, at the utmost, anticipated no more s been mani {than a prorogation, A dissolution 'attended with such
have shewn pointed and almost personal censure, far exceeded their tion to mat- expectation, and they
returnéd to their 'constituents<: by the other covered with the opprobrium of having incurred the
er might be SGovernor's displeasure ; a matter of no little moment sed on their Win the eyes of the multitude, as Jet unaccustomed to : arcely tobe he freedom of the Constitution, The country people + °° ho were at: first disposed to think favorably of the recent measures of the Executive, gradually altered + Mhcir opinions, and. were finally persuaded that the fie A OUse of Assembly bad been divolved for having uant to the: MF"POused their interests, in oppotition to',the encroäche Parliamen F ments of the Crown. The press was put into violent tte becs ction, and the C: teemed with able but sarcas- o a dérelic- Mic strictures on the Governor's speech at the dissolu- He con- M0; and with strong animadversions upon the public L measures. The preamble tosthe Bill of Right
Ÿ chui À che bors Ue : È reel Ve
Ÿ 18 ADMINISTRATION OF .: 1809]. 181 ln allusion to the Governor's measures with respect to is +, the Assembly, was inserted as a rotto at the head of À Spe : that paper, which was industripusly circulatedthrough- 15 . out the province. Among other reports, it was said, ae and at length currently believed, 'that the Governor ! ee . had been influericed and deceived by the intrigues of 5 °!'P . 8 favorite judge, whom, having discovered the craft- 1 re 'nes and duplicity of his character, he now intended à "2 to dard . Fhis belief materially contributed to re- ! ns instate and confirm the credit of the Jate members in à open the pois of the peoplé : a In the middle of June, the Governor left Quebec on je ""°" tour through the Province, attended with a numer- TE : ous suite, and travelled in magnificent style. /Several to th of the citizens of Three-Rivers, Montreal, Saint Johns, À ra and William Henry, succèssively received him with. al la: Addresses of applause and thanks, for the interposition ev of the royal prerogative in dissolving the House of À 1. Assenbly. These addresses being inserted inthe pub- 1 Am! ic prints,| were criticised in the Canadian with much # pe asperity and abuse.* 4.4 ul Hi g . In the month of. October the election for the ensu- oo . ing Parliament took place, and the people having had vof K ample time to reflect upon affairs, re-elected, centrary pese ns to the expectation of government, most of the late re- F : peste presentatives; removing some who were supposed to D the s 'have been tdo passive, and substituting others of aless ? +4
in their stead, NE
su Re à ne
th respect to at the head of : latedthrough- À , it, was said, the Governor ! e intrigues of red the crañti- À now intended ! ributed to remembers in ??
yle. /Several Saint Johns,
ved him with. interposition 7 the House of à d inthe pub- ? n with much À
or the ensuhaving had ed, centrary
the late re- #
supposed to hers of a less ?
e the times, the
fromhis Ofice,
st conductasa kable. Hèwes ontreel: ÿ
4 Fsuch acts as might enable the execu ft Quebec on
ith a numer- !
-spect to the question which had led to-the dis,
4 sentatives had been much agitated ; that this question
D Mn Pal
l"cising functions in those Courts, from their being un
have to decide, Whatever (ssid:be) might be myown opinion on the subject, I neverthelesé hold the right ' of choice in the people, and that of being chosen by
! ' … 2 En
1810] Le SIR HENRY JAMES CRAIG. The House 'of Assembly met on the 29th January, 1810, pursuant to the Governor's" Proclamation. The
. Speaker of the last Assemblÿ (Mr Panet) being re-
elected, was approved of bY the Governor, whoin his speech to the legislature adverted to the unfavourable dispositién of America towards Great-Britain. He complimentéd them on the capture of. the Island: of ' Martinique, and the battle of alavera, which, had torn from the French that character of invincibility
they imagined themsélves to have possessed in the
opinion of the world. He recommehded a renewal ôf ive government . more eflectually to discharge its duty, in guarding against dangers which could scarcely be remedied by the common course of law. He called t eir attention to the practice of forging foreign bank bills, which, from the want of a remedy in the present code of penal laws, had of late, grown to a verÿ dangerous extent, to the-prejudice of the neighbouring States of America, as well as to our:own subjects. With reolution : of the preceding: Assembly, he observed, " that during 'the two last Sessions, the question of the e iency "of the exclusion OL His Majesty's Judges of the : ourt . of King's Bench, from a seat in the House of Repre-
'rested on the desire of precluding the possibility of. 'the existence of a bias on the minds ofipersons exer-
. der the mecestity of soliciting the votes-of individuals, ' on whose persons or property, they might afierwards
© Administration 07 [810
gh estimation to ho. '#elf, had the question'ever co E- à 'sponsibility of giving His Maj
?
L € early disposal of the question may be of utility, and therefore, in
il for rendering His, of King's Bench, in: to a seat in the House of Assembly, hoüses may Concur,".
This speech, far from conciliating, tended to inflame e Commons, who construed ibin Cipitancy and error in
nant at the late dissolution. The first measure of the . House was 10 pass a resolutio
…
Ts Pa
ent to the put-
f any class of
hich it is im=
rived by any 4
rrence of the t thethannel
icé, should be Ë
ontamination, eople, not to as solely that ssary to that
the minds of À
8 latter view, rly disposal therefore, in
iteration, I !
jesty"s pleaed in giving
d to inflame wal of pre- Parliament, vernor had exercise of. Assembly, still indigsure of the ry attempt
Re
public expence.
drawn up to the King,
Apr Are One
the conduct of one part ofits members and disapprov-
23 sion of the Governor's
M vince. The minority affected to discover a deep dendering His, [2
8 Bench, in: !
f Assembly, of fifty thousand pounds (as it was reported with a view
of marring the measure) ftartled the country
si A dent de 5 ET IPS RU éd HA TES 20 ds. né ri DAS NSS % à $ 11 1 RARES À BE Fa Jr
'of the executive government and of the other branches 'of the legislature against this House, whether in dic- ' tating or censuring its procéedings, or in approving.
1810] "Sir James Henry Craig.
'iog the conduct of the others, is a violation ofthe sta- ' tute by which this House is constituted ; a breach of
' the privileges of this House against which it cannot ' forbear objecting : and a dangerous attack upon the
' rights and liberties of His Majestÿ's subjects in this
' province" This resolution was aimed at the cencluspeech at the late dissolution.
The discussion of the civil list was taken up by the House, and it was maintained that the province was now capable of relieving the mother country of this burthen, which the majority plausibly urged, would inevitably, at no very remote period, devolve upon the province with accumulated weight. To anticipate the charge would therefore prove a saving to the pro-
sign in the measure,
and opposed it with some Warmth. "The idea of levying
additional revenues to the amount
people, who, on the other hand, were instructed that the House
of Assemblÿ having the provincial revenues at their disposition, would, in the. event, retrench a number of pensions, and by that means considerably diminish.the A resolution was passed by the House, that the: province was able to supply hands for the payment of the civil list, and loyal addresses were . Lords, and Commons of Great-: the House expressed a sense of the -colony had experienced from the
Britain. In these, mauy favours the
f
Ft Lire TN
20 anmimisrmärion or [1810
beneficence of'the mother country, and of the loyalty and prosperity of the prôvince, by which it was enabled to take upon itself the charge of the civil expenditure of the Bovernment ; a step to which they had
been particularly infuenced by reason of the long and . 4 _€xpéhsive war, wherein Great-Britain had been, and:
Still was çngaged for the common protection of everÿ
branch of her extensive empire. 'The House of Assème
bly presented these addresses to the Governor, requesting _he would be pleased to' lay them before his Ma-
Jesty's ministers for the purpose of submitting them 4
to the King; Lords and Commons of Great-Britain. .
To answer to their request the Governor-observed, that the addresses were somewhat novel, and réquired reflection—that the constitutional usage of pârliament, recoghised by the wisdom of the House of Commons of the:United Kingdom, forbad all, steps onMthé part of the'people towards grants of money which wére not
recommended by the crown'; and although by the same
. Parliamentary usage, all grants do origigate inthe
"Lower House ; yet, that they were ineffectual without the toncurtence.of the Upper House : that no precedent existed to of Lords, gr House of Commons, separateÿ byx single branch.of a -cofonial legislature: that for these
(] œ
reasonsÿhe conceived the addresses to be unprecedent- À
ed, imperfect in form, and founded upon'a resolution of the House of Assembly, which, until sanctioned by
the concurrence of the Legislative Council, must be!
his knowledge of addresses to the House .
PRESS ES cn ct AE TR POCHE se
inefectual ; ex@pt as a'spontaneous offer on the part. °
of the Commons of Canada : That be regretted he. .. Could not take upon himself to transmit these addres-
ses to his Majesty's. ministers, impressed as he was
of the loyalty
h it was ena- e civil expenhich they had
l the long and . à ad been, and:
tion of every
use of Assème :
"nor, requestfore his Ma-
mitting them À
t-Britain. .
or'observed, and réquired fparliament, f Commons outhé part ich wére not by the. same
ipate inthe
tual without M no prece-
0 the House .
y by'à sinit for these
iprecedent-
resolution ctioned by
il, ,must be
[1810 !
pn the' part. :
gretted he 'se addresas he was
1810] es SIR JAMES HENRY CRAIG. 21
with a'tense of his duty, and added that the ministers
were not the regular organ of communication with the
4 House of Commons, unless by his Majesty's command.
1H He concluded however, by informing them that on the - present Gccasion, he thought it right to transmitto the King this testimony of the good disposition, gratitude
and generous intentions of his subjects in the pravince of Lower Canada. He-said; he thought it right also,
that his Majesty by their own/act, should be formally
apprised of the ability, and of the-voluntary pledge 1 and promise, which the people of this province by this ti address, had given to his Majesty, to pay the civilexpenditüre of the province when required 50 to do. For
these reasons he engaged to transmit their address to
the King. He observed that their zeal for the welfare of his Majesty's government, deserved from him every
mark of acknowledgment, and he regretted that any circumstances should have compelled him to express himself on the subject in a way that might Carry within, an appearanceé, however little intended, of opposing any check to the manifestation of the sentiments un- dèr which he was persuaded they häd been actuated.
The appointment' of a colonial agent in England,
had been contemplated bythe late Houte of Assembly,
and the subject was again taken into consideration in the present.session, but without effect, The advantages proposéd by this measure, were a regular and direct intercourse between the House of Asse bly and the Commons of Great Britain, and a check upon the executive ofthe colony. A bill to this intent was framed-
E but did not arrive at maturity, The expedience of : providing. in future for the: payment of the members: of the House of Assembly during their attendance at:
A
' . done . 1 ul
'22 ADMINISTRATION or " geo
the Sessions was also discussed, but this measure, which À with certain modlifications might have been judicious, was however, successfully opposed. PAR 4
a A FRE Res © "is F di à Tr Pre
In the mean time à bilkfor rendering Judges ineli- 4 gible to seats in:the House of Assembly was drawn up, © and having passed below, was transmitted to the-Up- '1: per House, Here the bill was amended by EE 4
duction of a clause postponing the period at whi Hits should take effect, until the expiration, of the. présent CL Parliament, the Judge whom we bave already had oc- 0 t Casion mention, having been returned as a member at the late elections. The House, 'indignant at the amendment, and resolved at all hazards to expel the : 4 Judge before the amendment was disposed of, passed Ÿ a resolution " That P. A. De Bonne, being one'of the F Judges of thé Court of King's Bench, could not sit nor 1 vote in that Houéfftand declared his seat vacant. 'À This measute bre itthings to a crisis and placedthe ! Governor in a dilemma: To acquiesce with the House À in this instance, would have been a felinquishment of the principles which the Governor had hitherto. maintained and published at the opening of the session, at À once inconäistent with himself and with the dignity of . his post. On the other hand, a second dissolution of : the House, he was sensible, must be attended with m public inçconvenience and engendef dj oitent, bowever determined, ÿn the latter, an J CORRE February) went dowifto the Council MS Pr Eth 'usual soleïhnities, and sent a message to thé House of ; ©. Assembly requiri their immediate attendance at the À WU 7,5 bare r he Members withthe Speaker in ol @bedience to the message, proceeded to mel the Council Chamber, where he informeéd : them, that he had come down for the ur-
é Du
"à di
, F f "4 L 4) 'à l s" [1810 ! fiv d hi ' ait
1810]. sun SAMES HENRYÉGRAIG. " ss.
measure, which 1 pose of proroguing the Parliament, and that upon a, ? een judicious, Æ mature consideration of the circumstances which had"
— '1 taken place, he had determiñed again to refer to the sense f'tbe'beople bÿ an immediate dissolution.
; Judges inelivas drawnup, 4% , ed to the Up- !% by the intro- )d at whi its … PPS RP re f the. présent as a member 0. Mois gnant at the VÆ The House of Assembly have /taken upon. themto expel the: 4: selvés without the participation of the other branches d'of, passed VA: of the legislature, to pass a vote, that a Judge of His . 6 one'ofthe A: Majesty's Court ôf Kings Bench cannot sit nor vote
Id not sit nor M 'in their House: : & ee eat vacant. YA "a Ne Re d placed the 'However I might set aside the personal feelings
h the House 0: which would not be unnatural in me, as to the mode vishment of ei which this ttansaction has-been conducted towards: herto_main- "myself, there is another ad infinitely higher consid- °ss0n, at D: eration arises out of it which I must not overlook.
e dignity of Re NE
sbolution of
"Et is impossible for me to consider what hs been. done in anÿ other light, than as a direct violation of fan ,agt of the Imperial Parliament : of that'Parlia-
ment which conferred on you the constitution to wbich
' you profess to owe yo sent Prosperity ; nor can
' I do otherwise than considér the House of Assembly 54 'as having unconstitutionally disfranchised a, "Ko "portion of his Majesty'sisubjects, and rendered ineli- € gible by an authority which they do not possess, ang- 'ther not inconsiderable élass of the community.
d with much Ment.
€
x RER LÀ gr . L + x + Ki : NE MA
YSuch
RE re sie
' Gentlemen, (said he, :
cannôt; dare not, render myself a
"Rition of an act of the-Imperial Parliament, and I- "know no other 'way bÿ which I can avoid becoming 's0, but that which Jam pursuing/ 7 8 :
/
ch satisfaction in the consci- / such steps as Ï thought most, ed L thought would do away à n to a measure that seemed to à and that in itself m 'in the mind of any re rm 'the Judges, arises from the on ne ' produced by the necessi y No well grounded itting in the House, ntrary, their talents er'them highly -use- £ ful, and were it not for other considérations, highly de- -"sirablé Members. L cannot but exceedingly lament, © "that a measure which: I consider as beneficial to the ' "country should not:have taken effeet. The people, :"however, in the 'disappointment of their expectations "wilkdo me the justice to acquit me of being the cause . "ofit, as they must equallÿ acquit me of being the cause "that so Little ofthe public blineé vas, b
? ee 4
[1810 21510] sin JAMES HENRY CRAIG.. 7 25
rate feel my- ! e: but in çon-. :
On his entrance| and departure from the Council Chamber, the Governor was cheered by the populace r for the coun- eudly to his measures, with loud and repeated acclatation of that ations, while the crest-fallen Members and their be necessary friends retired with silent indignation. The Governor's ion of another military promptitude, which they 'considered in civil
: Maffairs as verging upon despotism, again over-reached
their expegtations and the Canadian public (a very gréat majority of the population) universally expresed their resolution of re-electing the late Members,
with. injunctions to persevere in the same measures,
Po strongly were they prepossesed of the opinion, that Phe Governor, influenced by his favorite, only wished :
o screen him from the ignominy of an expulsion.
ment, and Ï id becoming
Upon a cool survey of the questions that led to the
I r À
Vo nisunderstanding between the Governor and the House Snbre pie of Assembly, we may at this late period be indulged in Ithink est the' assertion that thesituation ôf the Governor was ligibility of -Mritical, and trying is the extrême ; and it is difficult thafma : be. t6 conceive, how to could otherwise have consistently
nder, of s0- : ! Il grounded
the House, heir talents
highly use- : L
highly de- y lament, icial to the
extétaped himself from the embarrassing dilémma, into which he bad been urged. AT
After the dissolution, studied addresses prepared by agents of the administration, flowed in upon the Go- Vérnor from all quarters. The city and county of Quebec, the city:of Montreal, the town of Three-Rivers, and the Borough of William Henry, and the coun-
he people ties of Warwick and Orleans, were conspicuous on pectaiiôns the occasion. The late Members assisted by their 'the cause friends, in the mean time, exerted théselves diligentsthe cause Fy'to secure theirelections; Songs Adapted to the vul-
aitmié
gar taste, and calculated to rouse:the public spirit . LY P P
+
26. Administration Of [1810
were-composed and circulated with harangues, addresses and currences of the day, tive while onthe other hand, the d bals and plans of ir seriously whip. tration. At_on
De Q
French minister in America had supplied large sums in gold, to promote the à da ; at another that the whole of his correspondence had been intercepted. by some confidential agents of . Our government,
less, and held in Contempt bythe a fabrications of i
less, evidently inténded to prepare the some eventfüul crisis. À
/ ne / À di , 244 Of the many anonymous productions published at the period, one À addressed to the publicin a flying sheet of the Canadian, signed l'Ami À Sincere, exçited much a tention, and creat uneasiness in the mind of à the Governor, who it seems made up his mind, from the moment of is : appearance to seige the anadian Press. {See Appendis Letter A.
[Es
+ 7 Fe / F on à [1810 1810] /siR JAMES HENRr car A ; Le tee É madman teemeü £ Rd ee 26 iogs on the oc- 1 . er of the execu- À ne
covery of ca- ##à ion, were mys- f the admiuisured that the ed large sums tious in Cana- !
' Chapter Ii.
Measures of the administration and imprisonment of séveral persons. . The Goyernor's Proclamation. Proceedings of the Court of King's 'Bench at Quebec. The Judge (De Bonne) declines bis election. Prisoners at Montreal released. Meetings of the New Provincial Parliament. The Governor's Speech. 'Answer of the Assembly.
rréspondence The Governor's reply. Bill rendering Judges ineligible to a seat in tial agents of k the Assembly. "Prorogation of Parliament. The Governor's Depattterly ground ure for England. His Character. . 1 e-party a
party as th
ere neverthe- 1blic mind for E approach a period in the annals of the_co- Jony,upon which, from the contrariety of pubic opinion as to the measures by which it is characterised, we enter with diffidence and respect. The storm that had becn gathering for some time, was now
ready to burst. The-elections were now approaching,
and the executive seemed determined to strike-a blow : that would crush ail spirit of opposition in the people,
and awe their leaders into silence and submission.
à the period, one be an, signed l'Ami À ssin the mindof he moment ofits : ix Letter A.
On the 17th day of March, a party of soldiers head- d by a magistrate and two constables, proceeded to he Canadian Printing-Office in Quebec, under the anction of the executive, where having forcibly seized he press, and the whole.of the papers of everÿ de- :
ription found in the house, they conveyed them from hence to the vaults of the Court-House. The printer. Df the Canadian was apprehended, and after examina- , tion before the council, was committed to prison. The guards in the mean time were strengthened, and pa-
Fe
"
Ll:
Administration Of .. 1810]
roles were sent in all directions through the city, as if an immediate and universal insurrection of the peo- À
%
'ple'had been expected. 1
he public, struck at these bi ji
appearances of unusual Precaution, remained in silence N 2 LS û ; Q £ 55 Li and suspence ; while the discovery of plots, cabals 22"
'and conspiracies, Was Confidently asserted ;'and an À . official promulgation of some deep laid Conspiracy was À anxiously expected. The' Montreal Courier was de: x _tained beyond the usual time, with a view, as it was ! pretended, of preventing any report of the measures # resorted to, until the expected discoveries were rade, Three successive days were occupied by the magistrates and crown offcers in examining the old : papers 'à seized at the Canadian Printing-Ofiice. On the 19th Of March, : three Canadian gentlemen of distinction* were apprehended by a _Warrant, signed by three & Members of the Executive Council and cast into prison. # Three others in the district of Montreal + shared the # samé fate, under the indefinite charge of being guilty . Of freasonable practices. These commitments were made under an annual act, entitled, " An act for the better preservation of his Majesty's Government," which, 4 from the measures now related, fell into disrepute, and (à was not renewed after the present administration. No Mmportance resulted from thesearch î
'were artfully ci "stood, that gov
1 Messieurs Laforce, (Notary Publié) Papinean of Chambly, and Cor: À bell, of Isle Jesus m2 : 1
Le
5 Æ - k ge
1810]
. 1810). sm HENRY JAMES CRAIG. 29
ne Fire à the circumstances of the supposed conspiracÿ. There
struck at ee Mis however to this day, no satisfactory proof before the.
jained in silence "Spublic of the slightest plan to subvert the government ;
f plots sr "MEand the reader, in the absence of even the lightest
é #grounds to create such a presumption, as well as from Ras he enla sement of the prisoners without any trial, is ourier was de. Bel to judge, whether the extraordinary and mystery-\ iew, as it was PPUS proceedings resorted'to on the occasion, were the f he measures 2 suit of well grounded apprehensjon of public commoes were rade ion, or merely to colüur an act, which otherwise, canby the ma gi : t but be considered as an exertion of power. he old papers : On the 21st of March, the Governor issued a procla- © Onthe 19th nation, unique in its kind, and somewhat verging on of distinction* 4 romance. In it he admoñishes the Canadian subjects:
med bythree PMR° beware of the arts (without furnisbing any proof of ist into prison. jf hèir existence) employed by designing men, to mis- [+ shäred the Wead them. He expatiates on the benevolence of the f being guilty Jimother country towards the colony, and on the paternts were made Pal solicitude of his Sovereign and himsélf, for the prafor the better iotion of its welfare. He descants upon the tales re-
ent," which pecting himself, which he is informed have been cirisreput e, and ( uläted with a view to influence and deceive the péo- istration. No Ple; and thus vehemently apostrophizes the supposed omthes earch VButhors of them, ' base and daring fabricators of falseress ; but the (MR hood : on what part or äct of my life do you found tire 5 "gave 0 'uch assertions ? Canadians, ask of those to whom you be TR that 2 formerly looked with attention and respect : ask the rally under. JF heads of your church who have opportänities of ession of al] DE kuovwing me. These are men of honor and know- " D ledge; These are men from whom You ouùght to seek
nbers ofthe late M Of information and advice :. the leaders of faction ;
QE the demagogues of a Party, associate not with me : - ambly,and Cor (ME they cannot know me.*
FL See Appendix B.
8." Administration 07 [1810
: The earnest spirit which fows through this production, shews the determination with 'wbich he intended à to persevere in his measures, as they were evidently the result of a consciéntious conviction on his mind of F - their expedience at this crisis. Messengers were dis- - patched in all directions throughout-the Province to distribute copies of the proclamation ; and the sound of insurrection and rebellion in Canada, went 'ebroad, . and:fvas echoed round the world, at a period, which À
does not even aford the solitary instañce of a trial, À
. much less a conviction, of a single individuel in the
. €colony, for treason or seditijon. The clergy were ' summoned to support the adwinistration on the pre- 4 sent occagion, and the proclamation, in obedience to L the wish of the executive, was publishéd in some in à
Stances, in the church, during divine service, in others
atthe church door after its conclusion. It was confdently expected bÿ the ublic, that his Lordskip the ! Catholic Bishop of Quebec. would on (Sunday) the ; day succeeding the issue of the proclamation,. give a À discourse suitable to the occasion. : An eager multitude _pressed into the Cathedral, but they were disappointed. À 7°. The zealots took umbrage at the seeming indifference of the worthy Prelate. The Cathedral was.on the
- Sunday following again .crowded : the proclamation à was read, and his Lordship delivered to'some thou- À sands of. spectators an able and impressive discourse; 4 suitedto the complexion of the times : he adverted with becoming spirit, to the hasty ueal, which had in- s duced some .to 'condemn the supiness of the Cle , à
Ar
m
who,:he observed, were not:less loyal, véalous and in.
structed in their duty tewards their Soyereign, than at . the period of the revolution of the neighbouring colo- ;
mies, when the fidelity ofthe Canadian Catholic Clergy k.
€
ie
gb this produc- had been irrefragably established. . He expounded bich he intended À with _clearness and precision, the duties of a subject were évidently D 3 christian, in the salutary submission'to the laws, son fs mind of D 1 à he constituted authorities of the land. From : ngers were dis- he state of_the public mind at this juncture, the diffi- - the Province to Z ulty ofreconciling parties, heated by a series of elec-
and the sound RE into that political animosity incidental to free went abroaû, D ernments, is easily conceived. ; period, which Re . je é ance of atr ial, "à À The Chief Justice et the opening of the Criminal Ë dividual in the ©. sidhsin March, in delivering his charge to the Grand e clergy were à sry, called their attention to. the tendency of the où the pre- M cirrences, that had given room to the proclamation, : obedience 40 D hich he read on the occasion. The: Grand Jury, in d in some LE gwer to his speech, drew &p an addiéss to the Court, vice, in others which they animadverted strongly upon certain dE vas conË- D bers of the Canadian, and other productions is- " Lordship the ing from. that press, as dangerous to the peace and (Sunday) tbe D Curity of the colony. They in like manner expressed Jation,, give a À $
1810] ins SIR JAMES HENRY a 41
. pcir displeasure at divers productions in the Quebec ager multitude ; rqury calculated. to excite Jealousy and distrust in disappointed, he minds of his Majesty's Canadian subjects, leaving . & indifference to the wisdom of the court to adopt such measures : al was on the '
ereupon, as might be found expedierit ; and concluded : "disclaiming a wish to encroach 'upon the genuine Lo's0me thou- Qrccdo'of the press, but that the abuse of this inestimive discourse, Ë ble-privilege, which could only. tend to a subversion he adverted :
proclamation à
order, was the subject of their animadversion.* which had in- Ar RC Re the Clergy, D 11 April, an.ineffectual effort was made in the Court alous and in- DB! King's Bench to obtain a Hobeas Corpus for one of eign; than at ne gentlemen detained in prison, under suspicion of during colo- jf
hal; AE. This presentment has (perhaps unjustly) been reproñched as an act sole Clergy k [of cowardiy compliance with power. CRE S
ere RÉ à dt UNE 2 x - me © RE À eur Fo ba Cie 2: Etice "ed rs rpm Lames / Pre e a aan u:" I à à r .
F
nr
dre RS
me
3 + de: è EH SEte 22 nt res nent :
eue loc Ch: more £
APMISTIATION or - [1810 1810
treasonable practices. The failure of this application left no alternative to 'the prisoners, who were left. to pine in solitary confinement, until the Governor should À be pleased to bring them to trial, or release them. In. July following, one.of the gentlemen confined in the dl
jail at Quebec, became seriously ill from length of con-
'finement, and was released by the Council: another 4
was also shortly after released from the same cause; !
and the printer was in the month of Aagust, also turned out of prison.. They however, previous. to their en-
largement, gave security to appear to answer to such
: bill of indictment as might be afterwards found against! _them : a precaution probably intended to save appear-|
ances, no bijl having ever afterwards been presented}
ywn oflicers ; nor does it 'appear that the. Go-|
vernor atany time seriously intended to risk the test
of a verdict upon their guilt or innocençe, which in the event of an acquittal, must have covered the adminis-#
tration with ignominy.
The September Session of the criminal court elapsed without any attention to the prisoner remaining in con-ÿ fisement* who solicitous for a trial;had repeatedly refuse: ed, with mañly resolution, a précarious enlargement# without the opportunity of vindicating bis reputation by} the verdict of a jury-He maintained with inflexible per-
_severance, the integrity of his conduct SA pas
opinions, and disclaimed the imputation of treason ot
disaffection to the person or government of his Sove reign ; and the stern Vicero Hinself has. been hear to express an involuntary Steem for the consistèncy# of his conduct. Ds Fo $ " e are arrived has been sarcas}
à
icall
[1810 D 1610] SIR JAMES HENRY CRAIG. + his application car]; termed the reign of terror. The peremptory. ao were left 10 EE sures of the Governor struck the. opposition jh overnor should À dismay ; but though he had suppressed, yet he hadu. ease them. In St efectually subdued the spirit of the people. The confined in the ESections for tie new Parliament took place in April,
a length of con- ER, 3 the late inembers again prevailed, almost univeruncil: another y. throughout the province. he same cause; ! NE Le - EE
just, also turned 7 The Judge upon whose account the present dificulous. to their en- D bad originated, under the prospect of being called answer to such 'the Legislative Council, did not present himself as ds found against D candidateé in the county he had recently representtosave appear- DE. He however was not aflerwards called to the . been presented tiré Council as he éxpected ; and we are left to : car that the Go- ours, whether he declined his re-election through" # "to risk the test llacious promise fromthe administration to that pur- çe, which in the se, in oder io induce him to retire, and by that red the admiis-S ns; but àn end to all strife with the Assembly on is E er whether disgusted, with the intrigues
al ( ri elapsei] iky of'the times, he consulted his tranquillity 1] coul $ 2 4° ce t. - remaining in.con- pt 24 rene
repeatedly refuse- A pause ehsued, in which alf parties seemed desirous ous enlargement$ rm the fruitless contest in which they had bis reputation by ." The prisoners céfined at Montreal, ith inflexible pe crc they bad suffered all the inconveniencies and À comforts of a damp and"'unhealthy prison, and the eritÿ of a surly janitor, were successively released. . ne of' them" is said to have died of illness contracted 108 DEEE: Ming his'imprisonment. : The Governor in the mean he OEM turnedhis attention to thé improvement ofthe in." - 1 or oftlie province, as well as to the cities bfQuehas been sarca :and'Montreal ; to bich he appointed chairmen 8%
Ts . +
ser
x
4. — Administration Of ' : [1810
topreside in the Courts of Quarter Sessions, with annubal stipends. He caused a rode to- be opened from St. Giles, in the vicinity 9f Quebec, to"the township of. !
: Shipton, near the provincial boundary line; a dis': 133 tance of upwards of sixty miles, by à detachment of troops, which afforded a short and.easy commünica- ! tion {or the industrious settlers in the new townships, À with the Quebec market. RC ÿ
umed the'admin
government-of-the-provin F so-hé-reliedwith_| 'equal assurance, that he would nèt fai to tupérince ; "the same principles in thàât which he was then ad- 'dressing ; and that inthe confident expectatiop that À {they -were änimatéd by. the" best intentions to pro- ' mote the interests of 'his Majesty"s government, and 'the welfare of his people ; he should look for the
" happy effects of such a disposition in the tenor.of à
' their deliberations, and the dispatch of the public k. n. business" AURA + SR , h
Re: desire to call your attention (said_be) to the.tem- à
better preservation of-his Majesty's À : government, as 'by:law. happily established 'in. this À - " province, and to that for establishing regulations re- " -"spetting aliens, or certain subjects of his Majesty à
' who have resided_ in France. No change has taken
…" place in the state ofthe public affairs that cau war- L
" porary act for the
. iso!
ons, with annu- ! ened from St. - 4 e township of: À Y line; a dis': M detachment of à Y.commünica- ! ew townships, k
o "ee è was then adectation that ? lions to prornment, and À
look for the À the tenor.of
the prie 4
#
taie tem 4 is Majesty's k hed in. this À
ulations re- :
is Majesty e has een at çau War-
diate. consideration.'
810] si JAMES HENRY CRAIG. "35
rant a departure from those Precautions,and that vigilance which have hitherto induced all the branches
of the Legislature to consider these acts as necessar Y. 20 saying-that they are important t@ the interests of
his Majesty's. government, you will not, I am confident, : for a momept suppose, that Ï mean to divide. these from the interests of the public : they are inseparable, Thepreservation of'his Maÿjesty's government js the safety of the province and'its security, is he only safeguard to the public tranquility. de hese_considerations L'cannot therefore but recomnend them, together with the act making temporary
provisions for the regulation of trade between this prince and the United States, to your first and imme-
Le]
He-intreated diem to believe," that-he should-have…-#
eat satisfaction in cultivating that barmony and bood understandingwhich must be so conducive to the
prosperity and happiness of the colony, and that he should most readily and cheerfülly concur in évery
measure which they might propôse, tending to promote those: important objects" 'He concluded by bserving 'that the rule of bis conduct was to dis- Éhârge his duty to his sovereign by a constant attenion to the welfare of his subjects which:were- committed to his charge, and-that be felt these objects
to be promoted by astrit adherence to the. laws, and to the principles: of the :constitutiou, aad-by main-
taining-in-their just balance the rights and privileges so
germes Fe legal
Ted after delivering his meteh au, a e.to:the : House byra member of tbe. executive
ADMINISTRATION Or [1810
Council, intimating that Mr. Bedard, returned to serve À a$ a member for the county o! _in the common jail for the di warrant of three members o Council, bÿvirine of the act '{or. 'tion of his Majesty's governmk established in this province, It was evident Speech;,:and his s
on. - "On the \more then
consequen
fairs-abrodd, that would'warrant an alteration of the provisions of the provincial temporary: act, à which provided for:the:better preservation of his Majesty's Bovernment ;; yet that they thought ittheir duty t6 inform his Excellency, that:the fears 'and appre- ! bensions which prevailed 'among a great number :of his. Majesty"s loyal and 'faithful subjects 'in 'consequence of the 'execution of' this net; would: demand À
[iso turned to serve À , was dctained ! uebec, under a À
ty's Executive 2
etter preseïva- 4 y law happily 4 able practices. be Governor's À he House, that À € insisted upon"1 l'he sentiments :# out doubt, enremet 4 Be at once an À s\expedience, tion. On the
of the Gov- À mness of..the to'the Gover- À pticurred with 1 place in the À nt an altera- À mperary act, t'ittheir du- ! 'number 'of à ts'in conse-
810} 7 sm JAMES HENRY CRAIG. HSE
its continuation in the whole of its present forin and. nor, would insure that confidence between his Majewt y's gosernment and his subjects in Canada, which is : safeguard of the former, and of the interests of the sblic, in themselves inseparable" They however edged theniselves' that the present act and that re-. pecting aliens, would become the object of their most rious corsiderationt fully convinced (said they) that is the.most sérious.wish of your Excéllency to culjate that harmony and-good understanding which is conducive: to fhe prosperity-and happiness of the ony, we shall chéerfully.concur in'any measure ding to_promote those important objects; objects hey observed} more difficult to be obtained in this ovince than in any other of his Majesty's colonies, pm the difference in, opinions,-customs and prejudi- s of his Majesty's subjécts residing therein. Were- . t with paid: on the efforts which are made-to reprent in false colours,_ and in à measure wide of truth,
: dpinions aud sentiment of the diférent classes of
s Majesty's subjects in Canada. Following your xcellency's example, let every one fuifil his duty to r august Sovereign by ai unremitting attention to _interests and happiness of his subjects in this col- y, and he will feel that a strict adherencetothe las d principles of the constitution, and a firm support the equal rights. and principles of every branch of e legislature, are the means of securing to his Majes- . subjects, the full and entire enjoyment of their limty,religious opiniens,and property,and which cannot more perfectly confirmed to them than by the free wstitution, which it has pleased his most gracious ajesty and his Parliament to grant to this province,"
Words can scarcely imply a more direct disapproval
38 : Administration 0 : 1610]
of the recent measures of the'Governor, who felt the À . force of their reflections, and replied in a way which À
: Left no room in their minds to doubt of his earnest resolution to prosecuté the renewal of the act in question. À He feturned them his acknowledgements for the sent; ï. ments. of loyalty, and the good intentions 46 promote
the interests of his Majesty's Sovernment, and the wel-}
: fêre of their fellow subjects, expressed in their address. ."T shall at all times (said he)'receive with attention any® 'information or advice that the House of Assembly may : think proper to convey tome : in the present instance, : "however, I feel myself called on to observe, that my: "information of the state of the Province does not war- "rant that which yoursay you think it Your duty to give À 'me, of thé existence of fears and apprehensions, with ! 'relation to the éxecution of the act for the better' pre-} 'servation of his Majesty's BOVernment, 'at least as ap- "plied tothe people in general. If such fears and ap-À
_'prehensions exist, are they not confined to those who à 'are aware of the possibility 6f themselves becoming À 'obnoxious to the operation of the act; the voice À 'of such will be always loud; and may 'not their cla- 'mor have misled you to suppose them more numerous 'than I supposethey really are ? But with regard to the 'good people of the Province, I am s0 far from think- À "ing that they feel any apprehensidns on the subject, : 'that I date the 'subsiding of the ferment that then "existed, and-the restoration of the calm that has since 'prevailed amoñg them, precisely from the n nt 'at which the execution of that act took place, im- !
. ''ilar means to those former] : employed might again à +" 'revive the one, and disturb the other, -and none
©. fperhaps would be more efléctual for_the purpose
'then infusing "amongst them, the fears and appre- he
Hp Ts Lrq
: Da
5 1610] 810] : Ser James Iienry Craig. 29
nor, who felt the À hensions to which you-have alluded. Simple and" in a way which Muninstructed as: they are however, I shall trust f his earnest re- to their good sense for its being found difficult to
e act in question hake their confidence in His Majesty's Govern-
ts for the senti- nent, because they find it exercising for their protec-
ions 46 promote ion, the means with which it is intrusted by Law, or
ent, and the wel- Because they seé that 'Government grmed with the
in their address. Bower, and ready to step forward should it be neces-
th attention any Mary to crush the arts of faction, dr to meet the ma- .
f Assembly may Mhination of treason. Viewing your Address in the resent instance, ht of an answer to my speech, I must remark that . serve, that my have been misunderstood in'it. -- , e does not war- "rs 4 .
ur duty to give 1: The harmony and good understanding which I exehensions, with Bressed myself desirous of culfvating, was thAt- barthe better pre- hony and good understanding between me and the 'at least as ap- ther branches of the Législature which must beso con. - ! fears and ap- Bucive to the prosperity and happiness of the Écolony. d to those who Whereas I perceive you have applied the expreision Îves becoming ore generally to the existence of these principlesin the t; the voice Sommanity at large, This would be no otherwise of "not their cla- PSonséquence than as it has furnished you.with the opnore numerous Portunity of bringing forward. a sentiment in which I h regard to the Paire most cordially and trulÿ to express my entire ar from think- bncurrence. I shall join with you in feeling pain in n the subject, very-instance in whieh the passions of any one
nent that then K His Mojesty's subjects shall lead then to-repre- "that has since ent in false colours, and in a manner wide of truth,
the moment he opinions and sentiments of any part.of their: fel- k place, Sim- bw subjects, Without any_référence t0 example, let L'might again Avery one as vou say do his duty to the King and to r;, and none he Public, and as you express yourselves aware of
-the purpose he Greater difiiculty that exists in this Province in 'and appre- MBhe attainment ofthe important object in question, 0
f ; FUUE
En
40 ADMINISTRATION OF : !_[igue
à 'I confidently trust L shall find you on all occasions! 'exerting with advantage the superior oppottunit " which is afforded you by your situation as represe ' tatives of the people for promoting and cultivatin ' those true principles of affection and attachment th ' may unite us as a free and happy people" This sarcastic reply of the Governor nettled thei House but they were too well acquainted with his frin À ness to proceed to extremes on s0 nice a point. The acts recommended by the Governor were first introduced and passed in the Legisletive Council, 'fro whence they were sent down to the Lower House
was confin . Could not be a remote rence. notwithstañding this in the act, still persisted in ë
[sie 811]: SIR HENRY 5AMES cs
on all occasions? etaining the welébers in coufiuen {ent during the Ses-] rior oppoïtunity on without affording bin the " sans of Rss LE tion as represen- if by a trial.
1 attachment that 2 À bill. to disqualify Judges from being dlecied
pe Ne Ling a seat in the House of Assembly was introduce( Ad having met the concurrence of both Houses
nor nettled the ived the Royal Sapion This-subjéct of strife
ted with his frin Re dis sed of, busi pas carried on with dilige
e a point. The id dispatch, and yery useful laws were enac
were first intro" the course of the # ssion, The Goveraor w
: Lower House ernment in pursuance (it was said) of his own d, although th "Aest. On the 21st March, 1811, be progued the Parli Prison was the ent, and as his speech jon'the occasion, is the be: This obnoxious stimony to which we ét resort {or his own opinion ed with a salvo} the character of the times, and of his adminis a Il by the Lower A ) : 4 either House, va 4 Legislature ; its
mber of either Mesty Assent, the: : is one which 1 have seen with pened during the buliar satisfaction. Î mean the act for disqualif ing tér of which he he. judges from holding a seat in the House of ed to the House mbly. It i is not only that 4 think the measure right
the consent 0 nt or detention.! j .parpôse; as a complete renunciation of the e n this instance! eous principle, the acting upon which, put me Administration Mhe necessity of toire te last Parliament, Li recent exercise
of His Majes.À 1 Gentlemen, you ne me AE Lo nn à à with: wbich ik me and to mix again in the common mass of ÿ total extinctior ow citizens : let me entreat you to reflect.
1e Government: L good Île may arise from your eforts to inculcaté ill persisted is ROse true principles of regularity and submission to
Apministration Of
Pa
[sa
+
of happiness, which is attainable in the present state
gress of prosperitÿ.: riches are pouring in upon the people, but their attendant 'evils, luxury and dissipa-
+ of these is too well known to require that I should - detain you by enlarging upon it: it will demand ak
the efforts of religion, and of the magistracy, with the scarcely less powerful influence of example and of ad-
vice in the well disposed and better informed, to coun-
.… feract theireffects, to preserve the public morals from sudden relaxation, and, fpally, to bar the entry to
æ
crime and depravity. es A large tract of country, hitherto little known, has
intelligent, and they cultivate their lands with a productive energy, well calculated to increase the resoùr- ces of the colony. Let them not on these grounds be objects ofenvy, or of jealousy ; rather let them be examples, to be:carefully watched and imitated, till, in the whole province, no other difference of fertility
vr difference of climate. DO de.
mend;-that as, in an early part of the session, you your-
. selves took occasion to observe on the-difficulty.of the
to do 'away all mistrust and ênimosity from among !… yourselves :—-while these.are suffered to remain, all'ex-
can exist to a cordial union--religious differences present, none—intolerance. is. not the disposition.of the
.. Of society. Your province is in an unexampled pro- .
tion,. will inevitab}y accompany, them :; the; danger
been opened to you ; its inhabitants are/industrious and
shall appear, but what may arise from variety of soil,
# And now gentlemen, L'have only further to recom= task, youwill proportionally exert your best endéavours :
ertion for the public good must be palsied. _No:bar
DS ie bé nb a né à: itrases, ; A ei
: LE ni rt
. Sâr James Henry Craig. T4
[sun . : de . a present times—/and, living under one government, event-state joying equallyl its protection and its fostering care, in led pro- - - the mutual intércourse of kindness and benèvolence, all A ji pon the others will be (Ound to be ideal. I am earnest in'this dissipa- advice, gentsémen. It is probably the last legacy of a A anoos. - - verÿ sincere well-wisher, who, if he lives to reach the y danger É FE . è , l E L should presence of his Sovereign, would indeed present himand ak self with the proud: certainty of obtaining his approwith the bation, if he could conclude his report of his adminis-: [4 d of ad- : tration, with: saying—I found, Sire, the portion of. . lea cou: your subjects that you committed to my charge, divided ah om among themselves, viewing each other with mistrust x ntry . and jealousy, and animated, as they supposed, by fe. .j, 2 parate interests. . I left thèm, Sire, cofdially unitedin .' / 'the bonds af reciprocal.esteem and confidence, and wn, has rivalling each other only in afféctionate attachment to ous and. your majesty's government, and'in, generous exertions " ) a pro- : for the public good.' Ce Fe resoür- : re LE nl foss RO 7 unds be "Æthis, as well as in bis former speeckes to the le-' n'bè ex- .gislature, we find:the sentiments ofa man of frankness ill, in and of character. Although he is thought by manyto_ fertility have been.under the. influence of party, he was cer- EU of soil, " tainly unconscious of it, as nothing appears to have, : '': ë "4 been more despicable in his. mind than party intrigu£" 2 recom- . 4. Shortly after the prorogation of Parliament the pri- u ÿour- " son door was left open to the ember in confinement, of the N:_. without any explanation of the cause of his imprisonavours . ment, or ofthe motives of his enlargement By some, amoug : D his releasé was attributed to orders from his Maÿjesty's 'all ex- ministers to-that effect by others to a éonviction in No: bar the mimd'of the Governor of his innocence, or at least, . es pre- of his having made ample atonement for his errors (if of the ._&ny) by the length nt.
and duress of his confineme
La Ê "À
# '
ADMINISTRATION or. {18H
On the 19th of June 1811, be embarked on board "His-Majesty's Ship Amelia, for England ; leaving Mr.'
. Dunr in charge ofthe Government of the colony, and Lieutenant-General Dauuuonp. in -Cormand, of the.
forces in the Canadas, consisting of 445 artillery, 3,783
regular troops, and 1,226 Fencibles, in all 6,454 men.
- He seemed disbusted with the cares of a government,
in which he' had experienced. but crosies. and mortif:
his departure, an ambiguous réfection on fhe deception, and' ingratitude ofamankind : whether his observation were intended to be general, or aimed at some
cation. : Heis said to have à rdeion on moment of. :
of those immediatelÿ concerned with him in the con- : :
health'had long been wasting away-with a dropsy and
duct of public br mat are left.to imagine, His other infirmities contracted in the service of his coun-
try, and he doubted whether he should live to see the . end ef his voyage; whicli he. however survived some .
. months. , The feclings of. the public were, upon his departure for England, variously expressed, according
… tothe opinions and prejudices of parties, which, ünder : his administration had been inflamed to a greater pitch than at anÿ former period since the conquest. . His ad-
.ministration was certainly unpopular among the great mass of the people ; aûd although' tenacious of and
: consistent in his mgasures, he was evidently influenced
bythe councils originating in timid and vissionary ap- . Préhensions\of danger. / The severity of his measures
gave just grounds to expect some conclucive evidence'
of 'the guilt of those who had concurred his displea* sure, but we bave riot even seen an attempt to palli-
ate that exercise of power, which in the total absence " of any vindication of its expedience, we must attribute. 40 the fervour of party heat. Rigorous às they were
A81E
they
. the C - dispo
gesti in th issuec
+ unde: but n
we h:
. bis in
tions,
.… almo: . of da
°- prop:
trate Thef veïno
- force,
he ha result istrati
ss
à
[i8n on board ving Mr.
ny, and
1 of the. Y; 3,783
154 men.
-mortifi:
pmént of:
decep- s obserat some
he con- : '
e. His psy and 8 coun-
see the . Â some . Jon his ording
, Ünder r. pitch His ad- f and ienced Ty ap- 'assures idence isplea*
palli-
isence ribute. ywére
1811] nE SIR JAMES HENRY cRaïa. 45 .
they might 'iave been. réndered still more 50, hag
the Governor been less sensible of the general good
- disposition of the colony, or listengd' more to the sug- , gestions of those whp had involved him. imperceptibly
in their: quarrel with the people. The Proclamation
issued at the period aîluded to, shews the conviction "under which.we may fairly believe him to have acted ; : : but whën we reflect upon the animosity of the times, .
we have cause to suspect,'that the sourcès from whence:
- his information was dérivéd, are liable to some objec- ,
tions, which however, it must have been difücult, nay,
… almost impossible for bim to have discriinated pntil it / wastoo late. On the eve of his departute,/än action.
. Of damages was instituted'on.the part of sève
: proprietors of the Canüdian press, against.the magis-
ral of the
trate who bad seized it... This action: provêd abortive.
The fact is mentioned, às it must: have caused the Go- _veïnor ta reflect, that although he had put down with. - force, the animosities which agitated his administration, .
he had struck a: blow, probably more important inits results, than the most hostile adversaries of. his admin. istration could.have wished.. S 2
Sir Jaures Herar Cparc had been from his youth in
the service of his country, and owed to merit alone,
his rank and consideration:in the army, He had upon
several occasions distinguished himself as.an able ge- a - neral. He was Corpülent in person, and-rather below
the middle stature: hf features were strong and regu- . lar, bis aspect severe and imposing: his deportment was manly and dignified: in society. he was polite, frank and affable, "He is said to have been positive.
in his opinions, and therefore prompt and decisive in.
his measures To a clear and comprehensive judgment,.
ÊE ke united the best qualities of the heart; and though
Rq
ge : Ex se) PE AS FF : nee K s à à ë RS MR RE. fn Ÿ + ent A EE 7h So 6 à pe M ue TU RNEE +556 M CRE NS +-HÈPE À Haras vertien 2 er + Doug ME 7 ET Te F Les. ii ;
ADMINISTRATION .Or e HOT
basty in temper, he was easily reconciled to those who might have involüntarily incurred his displeasure. In fine, he seems to have possessed all.the sterling and'un- . disguiséd virtues that distinguish the soldier, and some of the qualities that constitute an able statesman. Men differ widely in opinion with respect 6 his administration, yet few will deny him the merit of disinterestedness and integrity in the discharge of his public duties ; and although in the performance of the important and complicated functions of his post, be may have erred, we cannot but do'his memory the justice to beliéve, . that he was guided by sincerity ; and that the objects of his administration, however fallacious the means he pursued for their attainment, were the concord, the prosperity and the happiness of the people intrusted -: 40'"his care, : ÉOR ES RE
[isus hose who sure. In and.unnd some
an. Men
ministraterested- c duties
tant and e erred,
beliéve,
objects.
means he ord, the
ntrustec
La
Let
.… Sir James H. Crarc in the chief command of the Bri:
motéd, afforded a hope that the present administration
C'Chapteriie
Arrival of Sir George Prevost. Major Gène ral Brock assumès the go vernment of Upper-Canada. The Governor makes the tour ofthe Upper-District, Meeting of the Provincial Parliament. Proceedings of
fho Assembly. Prorogation. Henry's Mission. Militia Embodied.
Declaration of War by America. Governor Assémitiles the Legisiature. Army Bill Act. Riot at Lachine. Capture of Michillimackinac. Invasion of Upper-Uanada. Retreat of the Enemy. Battle of Mague- 80. Capture of Detroit. Armistice. ts rèjection by the American
AUS . RER , à È + Nr
: A FTEÉ an interregnum of nearly three months, Sir À Grôoncc Prevosr arrived at Quebec, and assumed the Government of Lower-Canada, having succeede
tisli North American Provinces. The known mildnes Of his-character, and îhe popularity of his administra! tion iÀ Nova-Scotia, from which he had been just p
- Of the: gôvernment in Lower-Canada would prove"
'more auspicious to the internal union of 'the people than the préceding. - The trying juncture into which the policy of America hurried these provinces, itnpressed the people with serious apprehensions, and all parties seemed to concur in a desire for unanimity, as the chief barrier of the public security.
. To succeed in abolishing the strife which had 50 rapiäly gained ground during the late administration could scarcely have been deemed attainable ; but an indifference and disregard for party animosity, and
. SE Pnau t re
ADÈINISTRATION Or
might in a moment of common. danger, reconcile and unite parties in the commbm defence. Such seems to
tration. , À war with Great Britain had been long
ble moment only was sought for, to grasp at these provinces which they had fallaciously been induced to
- engrossed the attention and resources of the mother country, and the Canadas were necessarily the less _amply provided with means to encounter the struggle '. in which they were likely.soon to be engaged. : The coffers were exhausted, nor were hopes entertained of
' Jar forces were too thin to preserve an extensive fron-
enmy, which, if united, must become irresistable, and
attached to' their constitution, might from recent occurrences'be fairly presumed to have been s0 far disgusted, as to' leave a doubt of their hearty co-opera- . tion and seal inthe cause. Such was the gloomy pros-
tion, and the Governor must have forescen that. his re-
population, than in the hope of early reinforcements
of something more thah ordinary genius...
Soon añer the Govemor's arrival, General: Brock:
8 fair, impartial diétribution of the royal confidence,
have been the policy studied. by the present adminis- ; 1. contemplated by the rulers in America, and a season-
believe were ripe for revolt, and would therefore fall à Willing conquest to America. The peninsular war-had
their being speedily replenished from home : the regu- _fier of some hundred miles against the pressure ofan
the Cänadians though paturally brave and hardy, and
of affairs at the outset of the present administra- /
more in the loyalty and, patriotism of the Canodian
"4 from home. To develope the resources and combine : [,JaminS energies of the country, required tbe efforts.
that e achieve
Été
fidence, :
cile and eems to
idminis-.
en long
easona-
ege proced to
e falla var-had
mother he less
.." tion of the Empire have witnessed, but as remote ne ue awfül scenes which desolate Europe; "and while Britain ' built by nature for herself against "infection and the hand of war,' has had her political:
1812], sm &oncz PREVOST. f49
was appointed President and Administrator of the Governmént in Upper-Canada, instead of Lieutenant- Governor Gore, had who retired from the Govern
. ment of that Province, by permission. To obtäin a
local knowledge of the frontiers of the lower province which were likely soon to be the theatre of wi , Site
. George on the 26th September set out with his suit
and visited the District of Montreal, and the forts 6f
. St, Johu's, Chambly, William Henry and the military
positions in their neighbourhood, From the period of
. his arrival until the opening of Parliament, we meet
'with no extraordinary occurrence.
The Parliament met on the 21st Februarÿ, 1812.
The Governor in hisgpeech informed the legislature, that having been appBioted by the Prince Regent to the Chief Command ofthe British American Provinces,
be had hastened in obedience to his orders to assuz.::
the AdMinistration 'of Lower-Canada, but. that bis Commission not having arrived, he continued to adini:.
sister the Government ühder a provincial authority to
that effect. He congratulated them on the brilliant achievements which had attended the British armsin
the deliverance of Portugal, and for the rescue of Spain
from the tyrannÿ o$the Ruler of France.' Notwith- ' standing (said he) the astonishing changes that mark ' the age in which we live, the inbabitants of this por-
' existence involved in the fate of surrounding nations, ' you have 'hitherto, uhdisturbed in the Habitations of " your fathers, viewed without alarm, the distant storm 'which nôw seems bending its course towards this peace
D Rs
Ps
+ De — 7 ue ee Se re nié ae 5 rs
vert to any procée
Htytoithe Province, and oféVincing their. real
60 ADMINISTRATION or [1818
' ful & happy region.' He recommended an increased and unremitted care and vigilance in securing the colony from eithér open invasion or insidious aggression, and he hoped the Parliament would"testify its loyalty by an early attention to those acts, *had proved essential for the preservation of his Majesty's government, äs also by its readiness in supplying
&overnment with such aid as should be suitable to the
exigence of the times, by eénabling the loyal Canadian 'subjects to assist in repelling any sudden attack made by a tumultuary force, and effectually to participate in the defence of their country, against a regular invasion at anÿ future period. The Assembly in answer, assur-
which experience :
ed'the Governor that they would give their attention
. to those acts, whichihe règarded as essential to His - Majesty's government, notwjhstanding the repugnance : they might feel from an improper use of one of them,*
and the bad effects which might have resulted there- : from to his Majesty's government, had it not been for
the unshaken"fidelity of his Majesty's loyal Canadian
subjects, and their conviction of.the goodness of his go-
vernment, and the transient inconveniencies which from the common fate of human things. were inévitable ; assuring him however, that the confidence they placed in his Excellency, considerably diminishied their fears
" offfle use, which might thereafter be made of this act,
'In reply to this, the Governor briefy expressed his regret, that they should have thought it expedient to recedings which had taken place under äny one of these acts, and carnestly recommended to them as the most effectual means of ensuring tail
(4)
*'Menning the 4 Act fer the bettsi Preservation of His Majesty's. Government," 43
#-
vs
rthe "
Ro
: increased 1g the colggression, its loyalty
experience ' his Majes-_
supplying
ible to the
Canadian tack made ticipate in r invasion ver, assur-
'attention
al to His
pugnance -
of them,*
ted there-
t been for Canadian
of his go=
hich from lévitable ; ey placed heir fears f'this act, ed his rent to rice under ended ta
an al for the: :
1 Majesty's.
Ed
Ÿ 1812]
… 'mal goodness, m
Sir George Prevost. . 51
public good, to direct their attenti solely tothe pre-
sent situation of affairs. Although the meaning of the
Governor's reply could not be misüunderstood by the Assembly, they were too deeply concerned in the events Ofthe last administration to leave them at rest, and' at an advanced period of the Session, they came to the "ractér of bis Majesty's Canadian subjects, that some ' measure should be adopted:by the House, to acquaint 'his Majesty of the events that took place in the Pro-
. résolution, 'that it was a justice. due to the good cha-
. 'vince' under the administration of Sir J des Hehry
'Craig, its late Governor, and the causés which gave SJ . " rise to the same, in hispater- À
ould prevent
'a recurrence of which tend-
o &
e
.. 52 ADMÎNISTRATION or '. "piste
: ingan agent in England was resumed by the House i in the'present session, and the expedience of providing a tion. fund for the payment of the Members of the House of : .gued Assembly was also discussed, and a Bill was introduced Rte to! that effect, which however failed. The Militia Bill . In passed after much debate in the Lower House. The. . they Governor was authorised by it to embody two thou- tiq, s sand Bachelors between the age of eighteen and twen- there ty-five years for three months in the year ; and in case He a of invasion or imminent danger thereof, to retain them badr for one year, relieving one halfofthe number embodi- by ti ed, by fresh drafts at the expiration of that period. In 'exige the event of war, invasion, insurrection, or imminent danger thereof, lie was empowered to embody the Ab whole militia of thé province, should it become ne-_. ed by cessary. No substitutes were allowed, nor were com- ernm À missioned officers permitted to take. any militiamen as on th servants, under a penalty of ten 'pounds for every lutiot offence of that nature. 'These provisions from their 'union harshnèss and inconsistency were howéver winked at . man in actual service. It was made penal to inlist any mili- by bi tiamen into the regular Yorces, and such enlistments youth were declared null. Twelve, thousänd. pounds were ! he we . gränted by the Legislature, one moïety thereof for. then . drilling and training the local militia, the other moiety ceedi for other purposes of the militia act. Twenty thousand grate: Le pounds were granted, to be' employed for such servi- . ate hi 7 ces as the safety of the province, and the exigence of this P . the times might require, and the further Sum of thirty a vien thousand pounds currenicy, to be at the Governor's of Up disposal in case of war between Great Britain} and enoug . America. These liberal supplies enabledthe Govern- trigue ment to meet the approaching contest with confidence *ceedin
in the patriotism and support of the provincial Legis-
Ü A PA à ARTE AU PAS OT FE sb : us te
pere
House in
oviding a
Houseof
itroduced Hilitia Bill
se. The.
tain them
r embodipiod. In
imminent
body the
come ne-
ere comiamen as
or every.
'om their
yinked at .
any mililistments nds were reof for. x moiety thousand ch serviigence of of thirty vernor's ain} and Governnfidence 1 Legis-
1819)
Sir George Prévost, .
tion. On the nineteenth of May the Governor promo-
;; &ued the House of Assembly. Le
In his Speech he thanked the House for the labour they had bestowed upon the improvement of the mili-
tidi system, and for the increased means they had
thereby afforded him for the defence of the ProYince :
He also expressed'his best thanks for 'the proofs he bad received of their confidence in his Administration, by the very liberal provision .they'hät; made for the "exigencies of the public service. ve pe " AE e FER
: We. FO
.… About this time a ferment existed in Ameribà, excit-
, ed by the discovery of the Henry Plot, which the Government of that.Country exaggerated into an atte pt
on the part of this Government to bring about a revolution among the eastern states, and to dissolve the union. John Henry, a needy adventurer, though a
man of some talents and address, is said to have been. . by birth an Irishman, and to have emigrated when à
youth to America, whege, through the interest of friends
he was appointed a Captain in the militia, and from
thence bore the name of Captain Henry. Not suc-
ceeding in America to the extent of his wishes, he mi-
grated to Montreal, where he found means to ingrati-
… ate himself with some of the principal personages of
this Province, and commenced his studies at law, with a view of qualifying himself for a seat in the judiciary of Upper Canada, te which, he was already ambitious enough to aspire, He easily. worked himself by in- t'igue into the Governor's notice, who, from the pro-
*ceedings of the Federal Faction in the eastern states,
63 FE lature, and of the whole mass of the Canadian popula-
had room to pes the existence of a desire on their NW
4 + Administration Of 812]
a part, to form a political.connection with Great Britain.
up
An order therefore to-ascertain the state of parties and the
their views, Henry, being acquainted with the country, An
and considered a man accomplished for political in- nor
'trigue, was selected, who, with a view of turning it to ' 'crit
his advantage, readily accepted of the mission, and ten
proceeded to Boston, where he sauntered away his _:the
time in the public houses and brothels of that city, - Sta
writing from time to time to Canade.* His studied " -whi
and ostentatious epistles, must rather have amused this
than instructeil the Governor, who iudeéd, derived less con
information from them, than public journals tain
ofthe times. Henry, however estimated his services ly :
mucb beyond anything his employer was disposed to. mis
admit of, and therefore resorted for a compensation to . : upo
the Gove t.at home. In a Memorial to Lord witl
L Häverpool, stating his services, he suggested that the whe
4 '(appoïintent of Judge Advocate Genéral of Lower war
4 Canada, with the salary of five hundred pounds per the " ": :annum, or a Consulaté in the United States sine cura,
. + would be considered by him as a diberal discharge of T
auy'obligation that Governmentgentertained in rela- org,
s tion to his services. The prudént Minister held the . si tue
royal favors in too high estimation to prostitute atF
them upon 2"mercenary and intriguing vagrant, and man
". ceolly referred him to the colonial Government, then irie
in charge of Sir George Prevost. The proud spirit, ville
or perhaps the indigence of the adventurer, could not Con
braok the delay and fidiférence of the Minister, who, four
he clearly saw, by referring him to the colonial gov- Lie
"erament, only wished to:evade a direct refusal to his ap- whic
De plication. Ubargrined with disappointment, he made 'the;
LE, . his way to America, where (as it is confidentially said) . refle
Le adia
+ This happenéd in the course ofthe winter of 1800. à
Britain. ties and country, ical in-
ing it to on, and way his
at city, -
'studied amused ved less journals services
osed to . ation to : :
0 Lord hat the
Lower
ads per he cuga, arge of n rela-
eld the .
ostitute nt, and M, then d spirit,
uld not .
r, who, al gov-
his ap-
Jy said) .
1812]
nomiuated) was 'clamoured_ through America, as a / 'crime of the deepest dye on the part of Great Britain/
- the union, and to 'destroy the independence of/the
the universal contempt of mankjñd.
' tue ofthe late Act. The'first Battalion rendezvous'd
the young-meù submitted to the restraints.ofdiscipline, . +
À
1812] - Le) "SIR GEORGE PREVOST. pe 55.
"upon recgiving a stipulated sum, be, in resentment to . the British, delivered up his correspondence to the American Government. The Henry Plot (it was so de-
tending to disorganise the. Government, to dismembér
; /
Stags. The fictious and exaggerated importance -which the American Government affected to atfach to this trivial matter, had however, some influence in confirming.the spirit. ef hostility-towards Great Brily after broke out in @èn war. This felf-sufficient + 12 miscreant D taken ample vengeance a upon the govern #6! his native codntry,. could not ke with any degreë of decency remain id the States, from 20 _whence he sailed for France in anAmerigän sloop of ' :1 war, carrying with him the reward of his treason, and
+
The Governor by a Gene pal Order of the 28th May # 'organized four battalions of éimbodied militia, in vir- "1
at Point aux Trembles fear Quebec, under the Com- 10) mandof Colonel-De Salaberry, the second, at Lapra- '4 irie near Montreal, commanded by Colonel De Rou- ; ne ville, the third, at Berthier inthe District of Montreal, Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Cuthbert, and the fourth, at St. Thomas near Quebec, commanded 'by Lieutenant Colonal Taschéreau. The alacrity with which they were filled, and the cheerfulness with which
reflécted'écredit upon the military character ofthe Canadians. This proof of the zeal and the loyalty of the
- bad incu
Fa
99... ADMINISTRATION OF … [1812 181 people sgust have inspired. Government with-hopesof [mer a succe@lul résistance. against the approaching war, sued and a reciprocal confidence between the Governor and : port the people seems to -have resulted as much from-ihe of J the danger of the moment, as from änÿ studied policy : .
on the part of the present administration. They who:
rred the displeasure. of the late Governor were treated with confidence,
of Major Dé Salaberry
Rd de ee
the fatiguing duties on'which it was unremittinglÿ RE Déclaration " On the 18th June, the Auwerican Govern-' ÆWarhy A men@declared War against Great Britain,
merica.
e Fe a &a
business. The Province was however now in some
'measure prepared for defence : yet so bold a meësure :
onthe part of America-necessarily freatéd a'belief that the cabinet of Washington must have relied upon some unkhown resources, which when developed fof action,
would séoure the conquest ofthese colonies, À notifica:
tion 'was immediately made by the police, that alkAmerican citigens must leave Quebec:By the first. of July, and be out of that district
month. : On the last day of° June,:the period was ex
ne tended by the Governor's proclamation : fourteen days
: weg.allowëd to such Americans as were in the province, they. being principally pésons who had entered the same in gobd faith, and in the prosecutipn of com-
and gradually aphointed'to'situations of trust. À Regiment of Canadian Voltigeurs was recruited, and placed under the command Le of (8e 60th:regiment of foot, " which in he coûrse of the war became eminent for . Æ
" and on the 24th, the event was known at Quebeë, where-it caused: an inhediate stagnation in.
the third of the sage
F (1812. À: 1812] - . sm cronce PREVOST. Ne Va
hopesof L' mercial pursuits. On the same day, proclamations is- ' :
Ing War, sued imposing an embargo upon the shipping in the' : nor and 'port, and convoking the House-of Assémb} ; on the 16th : Léo se un -
rom-the d policy s hey who: overnor
Britain,
own at :
ation in
n some
meäsure
iefthat
n some
action,
otifica=
HAme-
f July,
e sage :'
Vas 6Xx-
n days
e pro-
entered rene Er 2 F com- Legislature in this measure was indisperisable, es well: ':.
Administration Of [1816
them. : Two private and confidential Messages were sent to the House of Assembly by the Governor; one, submitting:to #s consideration the necessity of immedi-
ing him with authority to suppress any attempt-t0 produce disorder or insubordination, and: for immediate
ndänger the public tranquillity, which be trusted-the
ing martial law toits fullest ettent; and from the persuasion which he trusted was entertained by the House, that in seeking from them a partial exercise of it, he
tion of the tranquillity and welfare of the province: with the least possible injury to the public convenienté.
establisliments, and the impossibility of prociring mo-
an opinion and advice of thé Executive Coancil, as to the most efectual mode of resource from which a deficiency in the circulating medium wight 'be supplied,
: recommending the issue of Army Bills under certain conditions to the amount of two hundred and fify thousand pounds currency. He therefore called upon
'7 ed expedient for the accomplishment of an object, ren- ©' dered more peculiarly important by the present extraordivary crisis Of public affairs, and strongly. recom-
ER ë de. Fe to insure their curréncy;, as.to provide funds for the .— payment of the interest that might become dué upon
Sately strengthening the hauds of government, by arm- -
punisbment of any offences which might intérrupt or Legislature would have the less hesitation in doing, '
from its conviction that be could at all times, by:virtue : ofhis commission, avail himself of the power of declar- …
could bave no other object in view than the preserva-
The other represented the want of spetie to satisfy . : the demands of the increasing militia and military :
ney.to the extent required for government bills of : exchange. He at the same time laid before the House,
! the House of Assembly for such aid as might be deem- .
(ist
for the lé upon
es were r.; one, immedi-
by arm- - .
t0.promediatæ
rupt or
sted the
doing, ' y :virtue : declar-
he pér- House, fit, he
eserva-.
ovince, niencé,
satisfy nilitary :
ng mo-
ills. of House,
h a depplied, certain d ffy
L'upon
deem- :
t, renextra- ecom-
D)
should 'inspire confidence in the persons. taking these
the possibility of any loss to arise from tes.
declined any measure tending to sanction a recurrence to martial law, or at least, to-have left the responsibility with the Governor, . of exercising in the event of
ed in virtue of his commission : the same House bow- __ever in-the following session resolved thai martial law could not be legally resorted toy'unless with 'the auchority of the Provincial dpomtinll ea
- À Bi to facilitate tie circulation of Arnÿ Bills was
Surpassed the hopes of the Executive. 'Fifiéen thou-
sand pounds were granted to pay the interest that,
might become due upon Army Bills, of which two bundred and fifty thousand pounds were authorized to be put in circulation, (large Bills of twenty-five dollars, and upwards, bearing interest at the rate of four: pence per day for every one 'hundred pounds.) : They were
of 4 legal tender, and were redeemable at the Army Bill Office, either in cash, or Government Bills of Exchange on Londen, at the option of the commander of
in which any distinction should be made between Ar tion of five years, all those who might then pes bolders
ASI2T sm GEORGE PREVOST. : "
'mended to them the. adoption. of such measures as
: The Hobse of Anienbly: à appèars from its 'étede où the subject of the former message, to have cautiously
7 'need, those powers with which he thought himself vest- -
introduced, and'the-liberality ofthe House of. Assembly .
made current in the Revenue, were to have the effect
my Bills and cash, were to be yaid; and attheexpira- ,
'. bills,'and guard both the public and individuals against
the forces. Small billsof four dollars. were ât alltimes payable in cash at the Army Bill Ofice. AHcontracts
' ? ; 5
+ 72
me Soore msen esters 544
, ; . ; SE tn aie 6 ment sé
5 Atos 2 ni ST ps TUE EEE PRE AT er os
ri Re
RENE ge Ye) RENE 7 Les RÉ PRE. PPLES ART M dis:
ee
Fr
4"
+
60 ne ADMINISTRATION OP se [1812
of such Army Bills, were entitled to receive the amount ofthe same with interest due upon them, out of the
Provincial Treasury. To defray the expence of the Army Bill Ofice in issuing, circulating and concealdogthe Army Bills, the Legislature also granted the - further sum of two thousand five hundred pounds per anuum, On the first day of August 1812, this Billre- 1 Céivèd the Royal Sanction, and te Governor prorogued the Parliament, with acknowledgements for thie 1 lberal aid.they had gransed him, to meet the exigencies "#£_the public service. This se
minds of the Canadi ther country towards the colony, that would have in- :. duced a despondency
aspect. The sedentary militia re-
_gularly attended drill and exercise ; and All classes trate;
manifested an ardent seal for the public service, verg- with t
" ing upon-ehthusjasm. <On the 6th of July, (the re- ,swer,
gular troops having previously left Quebec for the dis: the mi É . trict of Montreal) îhe_sedentery militia of Quebec nok- a D: Commenced garrison. duty, and-the Montréal militia militia s00n followed the example. On the 6th, the whole mili: peätec
tia of the province, were, by-a general order, come . dy, on
: manded to hoïd themselves in readiness to be embodis ©. enemy
ed, and-march to such. points as might berequisitefor The fe
the defence ofthe: province ; and the flank companies vantag
ef the Montreal. militia, were formed.into à battaliow : 'fore r
and u]
nez
amount t of the
e of the À
concealnted the nds per
Billre-
r promo- For the agencies jision of to meet he pubsis must and this
tinthe ….
the moave in=
montreal itia reclasses the rehe dise . Quebec militia le mili- y) COM: nbodis. ite for panies taliou -
hi.
: Se 191 #
day, a mob assembled at Lach
Fr
hood of Montreal at this time, the pro-
ajwhereof, was however promplly checked by the
interposition of the military, deserves to be mentioned. . Some young men who bad been drafted into the em-
died militia from the parisb of Point Claire, refused
ur of the delinquents were apprehended after some opposition by their adherents, who having rescued one, _threatened to assemble and proceed to Laprairie, and briig away such of their friends as had already joined
: lo jo tbe battalion into which. hey mère drafed : fou
the embodied militia at that depot, On the ensuing À
Ca
between three and four hu (some estimate tliem at a greater number.) "f whom, nearly eighty" were . armed with fusils a remonstrance, it
proceeded from Montreal, accompanied'with a magis-
_trate; who: upon arriving at Lachine, remonstrated
with the rioters upon their misconduct. They, in:an-
swer, gave him to understand, that they were informed 'the militia bill had not been sanctioffed by the Gover-
-nor and Eegislative Council, and that necessarily, the
militia law was not in force. They, however, with re-
peäted shouts of Vive Le Roi, déclared they were rea-
dy, one and all, to serve the King against the common _enemy, should the Governor call for their services—
The fernient was already too high, to hope for any advantage from argument. The Riot Act being there-
.: fore: read, the magistrate ordered them to disperse,
and upon their refusing to comply, a round shot was
BIR GLORGE rREVOST, ju 6
de rs rjot which occurred in the neighbour-
fowling piecès: being deaf to was judged eéxpedient to call out the - military, and accordingly the light company of the
491 regiment, and a detachment ofartillery with two . field pieces, under the command of Major Plenderleath,
+3
de ADEMETRATION or ' fisis
fired by the artillery, too high to doinjury, inorderto intimidate them. This was instantly returned by the mob-in a tpirited manner, with small rains : a volley was then fred by thetroobs with grape and small arms; but still purposely too elevated to do any harm: this was also returned by the mob. From this determin: ed resistance, decision be ame absolutely necessary, and the-troôps were orderedto direct their fre against the rioters who almost immediately dispersed, keeping up a straggling fire from the bu hes, and conceeledhy the darkness, which began to set in. One man was - found dead, and another dengerously wounded. A few _Prisoners were:taken and sent to Montreal. On the - following day a detachment of the Montreal: militie, 'consisting of four hundred. a Gfty men, marched for
Point Claire, and from thence $ St. Lawfént, in the *.rear of the Island-of Montreal, and 'brought into town, fwenty-four of the delinquents, who, with thirteen: al- —" ready in custody, made thirty-seven in all, Many others came into Montreal to crave the Governor'spardon, which, after reproving their misconduct and point- 'ing out the danger wherein they had placed themselves, he granted, upon condition of their giving up the deserters of the embodied militia, and declaring the ringleaders of the rot. Twelve or fgurteen of these delu-" . … ded men were afterwards brought to trial and convicted of rioting, and were condefnned to fines an imprisonment,. ar " hs 1 LEE a Hostilities had in the mean time commenced in Up-_ : 7 Per Canada, and the most- brilliant success dawned upon the British arms in that-quârter. Captain Roberts who was stationed at.the small post or block house ef St. Joseph's, situated on an Island in Lake Huron,
Re RE ue
(si À''te12). (si GEORGE PREVOSr. . 69
n order to. D. 40 the north west of Mackisac, and at about forty-five miles distant, on the eighth of July received from Gen. : Brock, com in Upper Canadä, a notification dated on the 28th June, of the déclaration of war,-with orders make an immediate attack upon Mackinac if _practicable ; or, in the event of an attack by the Americans upon St:Joseph's, to-defend it to the utmost, or - retreat upon St. Mary's, a post belonging tothe Nortki-_ West Company at no great distance, and to make the "best possible defence. He at the same time received from that officersanother letter .dated the 21th June, -suspending the orders given in the former letter, from 'his uncertainty of the declarationof war. Onthe1lth Of July, he-again received defpatches from Sir George Prevost, dated at Quebec on the 25th June, and from
or'spar- 1d pointmselves, ) the delie ring- the declas se delu-' '. eat B tain, desired . convict- me pt and effectual measures to possess himself impri- of Mackioac, and directed him, in order to effect his A. to: call to hig assistance:the Indians within his is influence, as well as the gentlenien and dependants of in Up- se No 'West and South West Companies, who might : dé 'be at, or near his post. The contrariety of instructions pe
ÿr
k house empting to seize upon a-post of the strength and im- Huron, dates Mackinac to the United States, which there -
Robert
his. discretio to adopt either, offensive or defensivye measures, as prudence might dictate. Froin this last despatch,:coupled with his instructions frow the Com- £ mander of the forces, ofthe 25h of June, in which no allusion: was made to an attempt upon Mackinac,
- capt Roberts felt
that the whole responsibility ofthe
R
nd sixty-
f' which
when & an [h -Brock,
irely at
efensiye his last
e Comckin
hich no ofthe
1812] sm GEORGE PREVOST. Hoi AR
entérprise devolved upon 'himself, and that incaleulable evil must result to the 'Upper Province in the event of à failure, Finding bis men in high spirits, he was deter- . mined to persevere at'all 'événts and on the A6th of" à July he set out with his flotilla. of boats and 'Canoes, convoyed by the. Caledohia brig ponuns, to the … North West. Company; Toaded wi res and p + visions, On the ensuing ! morning, ing before ÉD gr out Fe
æ
on Rte: in rite di: an En against" Mackinae, had imposed an embargo-upon all boats and hi ns t St. Joseph'é, by whictr-means all. 'communi- Cation wäs.cut-off,, nor had the American officer £ any certain intelligence of the declaration of v War previous to the arrival of the Britisté before Mackinac# À. D. quantity of military stores of every de suit ie à : able Rs Tadian trade" was fou
à carte ni tons (arret ne . edf à Cale Conan br 78e ——.
f'
66 D ADMINISTRATION or [1812
tributed to the succéssful struggle dfterwards Maintain- 'ed against the American arms in Upper-Canada. Gen.
Hull, after the capture of his army and the fall of De
troit, in his official despätch, relative to these events, Attributes his disasters to the fall of Mackinac; dfter the surrender of which, almost every tribe and nation " ofIndiahs, except a part of the Miamies and Delawases,
north from beyond Lake Superior, west from beyond the Mississippi, south from Ohio and the Wabasb, and; - .
£ast from every part of Upper Canada, and from all
the intermediate country joined in open hostility against
y,
the army be commanded. : :.
Prévious to the declaratiôn of-war, the American go-
.vernment had concentrated ibeir army at Detroit, and
à the Michigan Territüry, under the command of Bri- '
&adier General Hull, (an officer bredin'the revoluti- {Onary war,) with the intent of following up their decla-
. ration of war, by an immediate invasion of Upper Canada, and by that means to intercept the British -
'influence over thé Indians, as well as to-maintain co-
- operating relations with such forces as might be else-
here engaged against the British Provinces. Pline. On the 12h of July, this Officer, pos-
œ of Uppèr- sessed of discretionarÿ authority from his
: "7. government, and having, as he thought, a sufficient force to secure: an easy and victorious phoget the Upper Province, crossed without opposion from Detroit to Sandwich on the British side "with an army of about fifteen hündred men, Here he esta-
blished his head quarters, and issued a Proclamation} memiorable for the positive and pompous tone in wbich
he anticipates the easy conquest of. Canada, and the hostile threat .of extermination and indiscriminate
'181:
…. slams
fight
. upon
sued for tl that
diate : semb
Can: Proc
: to: as:
of Li Ge
prete:
paign an ea a sup
+ burgh
condi! The'A
as yet
deavo
ce thoug]
becan from h
.-backb do dians, ' miles
seize, i detach
- was p
[isi2
aintainla. Gen. lof De- à events, c; after d nation beyond … sb, auds - from all 'against ican gooit, and of Bri- ' evoluti- r decla- Upper British - ain Co-.
Je else-
r, posrom his ught, a us pro- Dpposile; with
e esta nation which nd the minate
ASS SIR GEORGE PREVOST, Heu .… 4 " slaughter of every .White Man who should be found À
upon receiving this proclamation. at Fort George, iss :
that of the American, for its présumption. He immé-. F
'sembled on the 28th at York, the capital of Upper' 1
: to assume thecommand at Amherstburg, then in change
. à supiness : — burgh lay bus eighteen miles below him, and the mud
as yet.,a single Cannon or mortar mounted, and to en- . thought inexpedient, : During this delay his situation.
. back by a handful of.the 41st regiment and à few In- ' . dians, from the bridge over the river Canard, three : Le ' miles from Amherstburgh, which they endeavoured to Æ
was put to flight by a small. party of éighteen.or
fighting by the side of an [ndian.* : General Brock,
sued on the 224 July; a proclamätion as remarkable
for the solid reasoning and dignity of its language, as
diately convoked the Provincial Parliament, which as-.
Canada ; and in the mean time despatched Colonel] Proctor with such reinforcements as could be sparéd, -
of Lieut. Col. St. George. nue.
General Hull remained for some time inactive, under j pretext of making preparation to prosecute the cam- : fi paign with vigour; but it was the fallacious hope of an me Here in bis favour that lulled him into "7
atal to the safety of his army. Amherst- Fr 'à
and picKeted fortification of that post was not in a condition 'to make resistance against. a regular siege, The' American, confident of an easy conquest, bad not,
'
devour to:take it at the point of the bayonet, he
"
became more and more precarious : three detachments from his army were, on three successive days, beaten
seize, in order to open the route to that post. Another : detachment, in attempting to ford the river higher up,
See Appendix C. . 213
#
: Administration Of [1812
twenty Indians who lay concealed in the grass. The enemy; panic struck at-their sudden and hideous yell, fled with precipitancy, leaving théir' arms, 'accoutrements. and baversacks. The British sloop of war æ'Quéen Charlotte,carrying eighteen twenty-four poun-
ders, lay in the Detroit River, opposite the month of
the river Canard, :s0 that it was impossible for the Americans to conveyÿ by waterto Amherstburgh any artillerÿ, of which after much labour they had at last
mounted two twenty-four pounders. Lieutenant Rol- :
lette commanding the armed Brig Hunter, had on the 3d of July at about ten o'clock in the forenoon, by a bold attempt in his barge, with onlysix men, succeeded in capturing the Cayahoga* Packet bound from Miami river to Detroit with troops, and loaded witb baggage, and the Hospital Stores ofthe American army, the loss of which was now severely felt. Michilimackinac in his rear, had been taken since the commencement.of the invasion, while the Indians from bat
quarter were flocking into the British standard. Our The merit of this gallant action which greatly contributed to mar the
plans of General Hull, by the total loss of all his hospital stores, has. à
been more than once undeservedly attributed to a person who never : saw thé Cayahoga until Lieutenant Rollette had brought her safe into harbour; tothe surprize and admiration of every one présent. Itis no more than justice, ta which Liéut. Rollette js strictly entitled, to assert that his services upon Lake Erie, while he commanded the Hunter, and until he was compelled as a Provincraz Orricer to fall in the rear of the Lieutenants of the Rovaz Navy, were uniformly successful, and have not been excellédby 'any thing performed on the Lakes bythe \oflicers of the navy, wi superseded the provincial officers. : The for- \mer wère perhaps superior in tactics, and cherished a ° héärty though Luc contempt for the Americans, in which they have been. since wofully undeceivéd. Thgprovincial officérs wère surely not less brave, though more prudent than the former, and as things have turned out, Ourfleets on Lakes Eric and Champlain. might as well have been entrusted to provincial, as navy officers. The former with one or two exceptions, have been always more successful où the lakes than the latte,
[1812
ss. The ous yell, ccoutreof war
Ir poun- :
nouth of for the rgh any l'at last
ant Rol- .
d on the ni, by a succeed-
id from.
ed witb ican ar- Michilihe com- On that JR : TS o mar the
ho never : safe into . Etisno to assert mter, and he rear of ssful, and es bythe : The forty though een. since ess brave, rned out, been.en- r tWo exhe latter,
: tachment of volunteers from Ohio under Cap Brust with a convoy of provisions for the army. In this affa
. to the Secretary ät War, fell à
ion of the-Hunter sloop.of war. In the interim, the.
1812] (SIR GEORGE PREvosT. . 69
. naval force being superior on 'the lake; Colonel Proc-
tor pushed ovèr to Brownstown, a village nearly oppo-
siteto Amherstburgh, twenty miles below Detroit, a
small detachment of the 41st regiment under the command of Captain Tallon, with a few Indians, who
op the 6th of August surprised and rented a party of t 8 'hundred Americans under Major Vanhorne, on the;
way from Detroit to the River Raisin, to meet
é ï k # È: L'
a quantity of booty, and General Hulls despatchés
gne hundréd of the 41st regt. with some militia and four bundred Indians, the whole commanded by Major Muir, @nder protect-
American General received a despatch from General Hall on the Niagara frontier, intimating that he could not éexpect a cooperation in that quarter, which would have created a diversion in his favor. Such, was'the hopeless state of things when the 'American, General began to be sensible of his danger. His army hemmed in.on every side, cut off: from itss resources, hd hourly wasting away with defeat; death, sickness and fatigue, unsupported by an insurtection oftthe country. people, in his favor, and unaided bÿ any co-operating army, and. above all dismayed at the report of Gen. Brock's resolution to advance against him ; his schemeg of conquest vanished, and. in the sinking state of his Hullsretreat Affairs, he saw no other alternative than a from Upper retreat to Detroit, under pretence ofthere . nur concentrailog his main army, and'afer re-
en
à
: ' Ve:
Pre
tress they had thrown:up on the British. side, a little
detachèd. a body of six bundred men under Lieutenant-
. Col. Miller to: dislodge the British from Browistown, ' and open th&communication with the rivers Raisin and Miami, upon which the existence of the army depended. Battleof Ma, On the ninth, this detachment was met by guego. % the British and Indiansunder Major Muir,
'after à desperate battle, in which the Americans lost
sevéaty-five mef, were obliged to retreat with inconsi-.
. derable loss compared with that of the Americans. On the sevènth Lieutenant Rolette with the boats of the:
f the latter, Âattacked and captured a convoy of eleven:
e.: and boats, having on board ffty-six of their
wounded, and two English prisoners, on theirway from
. Maguago to Detroit, escorted by two hundred and # fifty American troops on shore.
Es Amidst these reverses of fortune, the American Gen. éral was startled at a summons to' surrender the Fort of Detroit, by General Brock, who, after baving clos-
collecting a few regulars 'and_militia, with incredible exertion, had reached Amherstburgh on the 13th of
Augüst,_ So resolute a demand, truck the American
'm, ADMINISFRATION or 4 . [i8i2
below Detroit, re-crossed the river... General Hull now"
Quên Charlotte and Hunter, under cover of the guns .
opening his communication with the River Raisin and . à Miami, through which he received the whole of his sup 4 plies, to resume offensive operations against Uppet-._
men, and a-few amtillery léft in charge of a small fok-
ot Maguago, between Brownstown and Detroit, who, '
ed the public business: prorogued the Parliament, and
all now itenant-
Stown, sin and ended. net by Muir,,
ns lost consi- 18. On of the:
guns. .
eleven: f their y from d and
E
Gen Fort clos-
, and ..
bible th of. rican
AE Ve
Commander with dismay, who, at the worst had never . contempläted a pursuit into his own tèrritory by the British. He still however maintained sufficient pre.
sence of mind to return a prompt and positive refusal, upon reteipt of Which, the Britisb, who now occupied
{the ground lately in possession of the enemy in front
Spring Wells, three miles below Detroit, under cover of the Queen Charl
ght, and took (at the distance of a mile) a position in 'line, \in front of the 'American fort,.into whicif the énemy\ had retired, . &ssault, when, to the surprise of bo "af ies, a white . Flag was seen fying upon the walls of thesFort, and à Messenger âdvancing with proposals from the, Amér. … ican General to capitulate, 'Lieut:" Colonel ! Donell of the Militia, and Major Glegg of. the 49th regiment, Aid-de-camp. to General Brock, iminediatély - proceeded by his orders to the tent of the American General, where they, in a few munis À LL d - :
1812] : SLR GRORGE PREVOST. ' LE ne
of Detroit, where they threw up a battery under the 3
. Here every preparation was mana do immediate
dictated" the
"ai C4, ADMIN tnÉrron or
&. , terms af. ce en
.… ica Srmy, incl
and fifty men un
re Surtender-of pdtched sé Detroit to escort the}
! tain Brush ffom thence ta. De Vhépar
Gr war; and Detroit, wi the Michigan ter rrendered duthe British @. vit the
lilitia. The tnilitia were
return fiome,, on co dition . a gra
ï present war. The reÿlars, ignoi
l't0 Québec. The British force, d- spac.
'acknôpledged by.the enemy t0 avé Bis P
d' of, nlÿ'one thousand and thi men! Por: vince
ut: Our. on, and, perhaps the more cerr@t : . : man
à Fep orts)ÿtate it to have consisted of thrée hundred and . ; À pare
ÿ Ly rêgular troops, : four hundred militia, - and, six … ' marc
S udred Indians, ho;"upon the. present occasion, are: e d bly:i
said not, to have 'sullied 'the gl &lory Ô£ the day by any his fo
" Wanton acts of saÿage Panne incident to the Indian comp
": 'mode of warfare. T'wentye ve pieces of iron and eight À tend pieces of brass -Crdnance, (the laiter -chiefy of those ane
j: 'taken from 'us in the revoltion) with: an, immense . Thel
: 'quantitÿ of stores of every description, and one arm- and : Den de brig,: called the as Adams (afierwards named: on th bug ; étroit) fell into the ands of the British, ns À °thioug Fr & & ful m È à. 'Thus ended this rash and imbecile attempt at te -. minal : conquest of Upper Canada. ' The loss Of Mack joutse à and Detroit, wah the flower oftheir army at Le. bowe
"set of the van. w me that filled 'the k due t
'sin GEORGE prevosr. ment with constérnation and alarm, astheir plans hndisement were not only totally defeated, but Mole #estern frontier laid open to the inroads of
sé le Jndians, and at the: mercy of a people still warm
J' 'with ittlignation at the late invasion.
éheal Brock having issued a" proclamation, ad- à Wed to the. inhabitants of the Michigan Territory, SpBrining them in the full enjoyment opleir property, laws and religion, ft Colonel Proctér in Command of Detroit, and réturned to York, where he arrived on the 27th of August, maidsé the heartfelt acclamations of . a grateful people, rescued by his promptitude fromthe ' ignominÿ of sübmitting to a coudueror. In the short space of nineteen days, he had with the assistance of . Bis Parliament, settled the public business of the Pro- ' vince, underthe most trying circumstances that a com- ! mander could encountér, and baving united ami prepared his little army, had effected a long and-fatiguing
and. sx. À ' march of some hundred miles ; and with means incredi-
ion, are: bly limited, had repelled an invading enemy of double . by any bis force, pursued him into his own territory,ahd ffally Indian compelled him to surrender his whole army ; thus ex- :
d eight tending'the British dominjon without bloodshed, over
f those anextent of territory almost equal to Upper Canada. : nmense … The humbled, the fallen General Hull, with the officers
le arm and men of his army, were introduced into Montreal, named: on the.evening of the 6th September,'in a triumphal vu À 'tliough mock procession, amidst the.shouts of 4 scornful multitude, indignant..at Kéftbreat of exters . mination he had\ ft his procl: pain at the - \outset of his invi ion 'The onde à the forces however, receivAll him withheyery mark of afenfion: °°. due to his rank, and + allowed hi & 'returÀ st, sé
€ '4 j au
A Te 'ADMINISTRATION 07 ne (812
e
to!the States upon his parole ; but his officers with few exceptions, were sent to Quebec.
Our little Davy où lake Erie, and on lake Ontario,
© though'the enemy were making the most active exer-
tions, still maintained a-decided ascendency, and upon . it depended the safety of Upper Canada, and the future fate of tlie British Provinces. - General] Brock in-
tended to have followed up his first success by an attempt on Niagara, a fort nearly opposite to Fort George; which in all probabilit , as well as Oswego -. and Sackett's Harbor, the nugsery of the psc fleet and forcés, would have yielded to the terror of bis name and the tide of success that attended bis arms; but controlled by his instructions, he was prevented from:
adopting. measures, wbich probably, might have-for :
everblasted the hopes of Americain the Upper Province.
The Commander of the British forces, conscious of the inferiority of his strength, and certain of reinforcements from home, seemed to have adopted a de-: fensive system, räther than incurthe risk of wasting
failure might lead 10 disasters ruinous to the Provinces
entrusted to his charge. Forbearance towards Ame-
rica had long been the known and favorite policy of 'Great-Britain, and there'is cause to believe that Sir George-Prevost acted in the present instance, pursuant
to directions from his Majesty's government, which in
the hopes of a spéedy terînination of the differences with America, studied by temporizing, to avoid mea, sures tending to widen the breach, or give room to the
American people to embark in the quarrel of their government. " ;
"his army in hazardous enterprises, which in case of a
comp
tilitie:
ted $ Amer
- torÿr
of dif
. à cor
çan g ed to
he sai
cretar gover into w
Britisl
prospe tify tt been €
' tween
with few
Ontario, ve exernd upon
[the fu
rock in- y an atto Fort Oswego y's fleet is name 8; but 4 from: ave-for : ovince.
ious of f rein-
vasting 14
case of
vinces Amelicy of at Sir rsuant ich in rences . to the "their
(812
" the Forces of the United States, had soon after the
. Here, he received towards the end of July or in the : "
. bearing a flag of truce, notifying the repeal of the Or- LL _ders in Council transmitted from Hallifax by Mr. Fe ï 1° 4
utilities, until the pleasure of the President ofithe Uni- E
torÿ"measure, removing the alledged principal "y
8 Corrésponding disposition on the part of the
he said acted under the/immediate directions of the Se-
. British Cemmander, and probably fushed (with the
. been dgspatched to Upper Canada to inform General
tween the B
SU pie
1812] SIR GEORGE PREVOST, M ut m8
Major General Dearborn, Commander in Chief of ne
commencement of hostilities fixed_his head quarters at... + Greenbush near Albany; which was converted into'a : 4 military depot, with a view of collecting an armÿ 10
erawe Lower-Canada,and by preventing succours to ss TH upper province, afford General Hall a facility in l his accomplishment of the Conquest of that province. neue 1
commencement of August, despatches from Sir Grorcr Prevosr, by the Adjutant General, Colonel Baynes,
'ter the late Minister in America. . A proposition ac : À ' ComMmpanying these, of the propriety of suspending hos- :
ted States should be known, was submittéd to the, American General, under the hopes.that this concilia-
of difference between the two nations, would be
etby -
meri- ; ne <an government. Genéral Déarborn readily consent- ; '3 ed to an Armistice, {exce a8'to General Hull, who, +.
government, which misconstruing this friendly proffer, into weakness, or a sense of danger on the part of the
cretary at War,) and forwarded the despatches to his.
prospect of subjugating Upper Canada, refused to ré tify the Armistice, Messengers had in the meah time
Brock of the provisional Armistice agreed upon be- , ; b and can Commanders, butthe À
vas some months after is return to tie United" nd'efter having been regularly exchanged, tried by a Letah - à court martial for his misconduct in this campaign. He was found at ty and senténced to/be shot, but being n aéçount. of his service 'in the: eur war, by Pen ofth United States. 1 RAR A 2
nt
. CHAPTER iv. î EX LE din
Various occurrences. Battle of Quesntowal Death'of. Gen. Brock, His Character. General Sheaffe assumeithe Command in Upper-Ca" iada. Atta at St: Begis. Advance of the American army under "General Deafbôm, Incursion of the enemy at La Cole. Genèral "Æ Smyth's a attempt invade Upper-Canada. Meeting'of the Provin- $ à cial Pertiaent, -Rrocoedings of de nue d L de à
KE el ; ë LR: L'#I à +.
NHE CT à ment, ai with dsape
Fes. : Pointment id the disgrace of the late campaigh,
% which, even 4 un estimati operstel ; gloriès of the évalu itionary root 40 strai
si. every #inew to retrieve' the faded f:their rains.
+ ape tire ofthe. Grenier, y HE Uni
ss it before
the United - )y à general: found guil: count.of his resident
"céntestibly established.
1812] ne SIR GKORGE PREVOST. cn
derthe immediate command of General Dearborn were,
iucreasing rapidly, and threatened Montreal with in-
vasion by St. John's and the Odletown rond. Their
force at Niagera, and on the Niagara frontier under
nv General Van Reneslaer, was already for-
midablé, and afforded good grounds of apprehension to General Brock of a speedy irruption from that quar-
F ter; #hile General Harrison was actively employed in
collecting an army at the River Raisin near Detroit, from the Ohio, arid the State of Kentucl y. The na-
:, valestablishment at Sacket's Harbour iffthe mean time -increased, with prodigious celerity, and the ascenden- -. éy of theïfifleet on lake Ontario was, by the indefatiga- " ble-exertions of Commodore Chauncey, now almost in-
'It vi as yet uncertän: at what point their main
be directed ; or whether their object was
:Lbyavcom ed movement to overwhelm both provinces …… at the'samestant. The shewey legions they had as- MÉTE However, rather disdarmed than dreadedby the British for ho were supported by a brave and loyal militia, "afin
al militia, äimated to enthusiasm in the cause in which they were engaged, while the Americans,averse by education, and their independent habits of life, to
' the wholesome conétraints of discipline, and the sub-
ordination of a'camp, Could hardly be organized into …, the semblance of\an army; which nothing but the al-
D: luréments of a speedy conquest, and an abundant har-
vest of spoil, could prevent from dispersing. î A: Cordon was Téfined: along thé frontiers of Lower
Canada;:from Yamakka to St. Regis, where the line of
separation between the United States and Lower-Ca- . nada touches the St. Lawrence, consisting of the Ca. Fc Ne : :
Fe
prevent a ru from that quarter. The ry perseverance, eflected :. very short time, : mmanding officer . NP ? A / .
.… Meserve to be noticed. 7 /
Stitutes, organized themselves into four companies of.
1812],
Sr George Prevost, 79
Voyageurs, which was dishanded in the ensuing spring,
while the. merchants and tradesmen of the Istbattalion
of Montreal sedentary militia, in order to avoid the .
:rigour of the militia laws. which admitted of no sub-
: -volunteers for garrison duty and field service in case
. of emergency.
É Parsr
He Froni the capture of Detroit and the American army
a se
under General Hull, w have nothing of any import-|
: ancé t0 relate until the battle of Queeustown. The!
prégatorÿ. incursions of/the enemy in the mean time,
: On the sixtéenth of September, à brigade of bat- Mdr 'about one hundred and ee pe
_teaux loaded with stores out a thirty eight troops, under the:command. of Major
Heathedat ofthe Royal Newfoundland Féncibles, were
/
/
-surprised and nearly taken by a party of five hun- : dred An Fee Faute 10 Canada. /The enemy having crossed over before day
mericans; at' Matilda, in their route to Upper
.ligbtin the morning from the Ameriean side, elected
ù
-' a länding unperceived. upon a small island at, a little
distance from the British shore. They: concealed
themselves in,the bushes, and sent a party to secure a
ue of Toussaint, the only inbabitant
upon the Island. Early in the morning, the-Hätteaux
'were seen advancing, and in the eagerness of the A-
mericans to observe them, through a broken glass in
bis but, Toussaint sole. oùt and reaçbing the shore, Ânto bis canoe unobserved. The ; Ho R ne
Pré ring his escape fred upon) fm #hile be, by
'*#houting and making signals, apprisetélle.
/f
Pas
their" danger, which then precipitately m
80 Le + Administration Of.
Fan shore, A.gu
n boât which:escorted : his party, inime jud'the Island dnd while two. large ère seen crossing from the aKing for the upper end of the sland and the British
and
a: intre
tu "à + he S ct 3 à 1 t À Ÿ Capt: cl F : À
de ' . 5 je ; L . ie r s : : ne à -[812. -#: SIR GEORGE PREVOST. À . , 81.
: À Ie
, inime= pd and large : rom the dofthe 'shoré; rs n flank. 1 enter- Etain
. One
other : tfpreunded..
r cover cement ® À aptain sidera- +... seven y com= .
: From the. frèquent interruption.of the convoys froni '17° Montreal, 'er rather. Lachine, te Kingston in Upper Canada, by.the Americans at Ogdensburgh, opposite , 4)
+ Prescot ;- Col. Léthbridge. commanding. thé latter, . À formed the design of dislédoing the.enemÿ and posses- : À... ing himself of Ogdensburgh, : With: a view to efféct : À F ° his purpose, he assembled # force of sevèn-hundred and D fifty men, regulars dnd militia, And having colectede L :."sufficient nunfber of battéaux, he pushed off in the forenoon of the 4tirof October, under cover.of 4 cannon- 1h : ade from Prescot, . with twenty-five-battéaux escorted "by two gun boats;* They' advanced without opposi- . "tion, until mid-channel, when the enemy.opened atremendoüs dische ge of artillery,. which. checked their . : M _progtfss.…. A confusion immediately ensued, and they. . _'wére compelled to make à precipitate retreat, with the + Joss of three'men Killed and four wounded. The Americans were comihanded by Brigadier General Brown, . . , andrart said to have behaved with-much cbolness and: ," : _intrepidiy.. SR RP ENT AIRE without the. .… sanction ofthe Comsfänder of the forces, was cenftred: By; and the public opinion céfdemned it aé rash. ùd piéthatu ANS A me TL. le
under over." below f fifty LS sand ng the :
-e
es À
k up " #4 Pre
Et
: On the 91h of October, the armed brig Detroit, res": cently taken at Detroit, and.the brig Caledonia gith ARANUE quantity of Furs belonging to the North-West Éëm- acts 2] penÿs having anrived de precoding day frob De. éntéd : "U … troit with prisoners, wêre boarded opposite Fort Erie . cuit, N . : béfore the da of day by:a party of upwards of'two : äutér- : D : - hundred Ameÿjcans in boats manged by seamen, notice : Ÿ They sucegeded intéutdng the cables, and the vemels wried" : ' drifted towards tie American shore. The Caledonis x 9" grounded'at-Black Rock; and the Detroit upon Squamr- :
v € aa PEUT PE
à a RE 82. ADMINISTRATION OF © : [1812.
'Island a small distance from the American side. The
"3 crew after a severe contest being made:prisoners, 2° /party of men from Fort Erie succéeded in boarding and dismantling her in a fog, under warm fire ef the. :__;Tenemy, and at about ten at night she was-blown up. Ge me lives were lost upon this occasion ; among the imericans a Major Cuyler, who was killed bÿ a shot: from Fort Erie, as he was riding along the beach on k
the opposite side of the river. ee à I
7 E General Brock, who,.with unwearied diligence had"
Niagara frontier, commanded by Major Genéral Van Rensselaer, was convinced from the movements he had
te the motions ofthe American army upon the
observed on the American shore, that an invasion Was :
' Premeditated, 'and kebt his little army. upon the aleît. : Onthe fourth of Octobér an Âmericai spy 'was sent over to the British side, who returned with information to the American General, that General Brock had : moved on to Detroit with all the force that could be $pared. : Encouraged by this false news, every preparation was* taken for a descent upon Queenstown, on the morning of the élev h: their forces were con-
centrated at Lewistown, opg osite Queenstowb, with a
view of making an immediate. attack upon the latter ; ' but through the neglect ont, of the-officer entrusted with preparing and onducting the boats to the place of embarkation, the attack miscar-
ried. Early ip the morning of the 13th, their forces
were again concentrated at Lewistown, and the troops: embarked under cover of a Commanding battery of two eighteen and two six pounders. This movement being
80on discovered, a brisk fire was opened upon them
thé British shore, by the troops, and from three
Q
batte to sw visior landi
Bat Queen: an ei; comp
the n ing tt
. river charg perse: landi posed upon Britis pellec Brocl monie : land neral B
Volu
remai
: |Inthe + of the "re the er . ed to "he €
MR, 'À "+ Li ' n"
s
[1812 es The
ners, a° adding ef ïhe.
vn up.
ng the a shot l ich on
e had"
on the e had
n Was :
alert. sent ation had : Id be preown, con-
itha ter ; icer oats
are rces : )OpS two ing
bem
res
1812] SIA GEORGE PREVOST. NE Es
de batteries. The NT Cétorsénced a cannonade to sweep the shore, But with little effect. The first division under Colonel Van Rensselaer,' effected their landing 'unobserved under the heights a little-abovë
Battle of Queenstown, and mounting the ascent with
Queenstown. firmness and alacrity, attacked and carried . an eighteen pounder battery, and dislodged the light company of the 49th regiment. The enemy were in
. 'the mean time pushing over in'boats, and notwithstanding" "the current and eddies, which. in this part of the.
river are numerous and rapid, and a tremendous dis- ; : charge of artillery, which shattéred many of their boats, 4 pérsevered with dauntless resolutiôn, and effected a landiñg close upon Queenstown, where they were op- . . posed by: the grenadiers of the 49th regiment, and the. à © York Volunteer Militia, with:a determinat{on verging . V3 upon desperation. The carnage became terrible. The : British being overwhelmed with numbers, were compelled to retire some distance, into a hollow. General, D Brock having heard the cannonade, arrived at rh 00 mouient, with his Provinial Aide-de-camp Lieut Cet. po 0"
s M'Donell from Niagara (at the grey of the . À and having rallied the grenadiers of his favorite 49th '1 Death ofGe- Was leading them on to the charge; when he OT
neral BrocK" received a muskét ball in his breast, whi be. almost mue terminated his existence. Th oû+
fer) Br Lo me time. in the power: g pis éne vÀ |1n theïnterim, the light company supported by a party! ' of the Yorkers ralliéd, and, re-ascended. to. dislodge 7 + . the enemy from the heights. They formed and advanc- T5. 40 .… ed to the chärge exposed to a smart' fire, but finding d ln mn posted sers iEe so that a RE : FA LU FE : k Y
À RE L , 4 er ER
#4 Le ADMINISTRATION 07 + [1812 1812 could haveWlittle effect, they desisted,.and separating, in the posted themselves in like mauher; ansb kept up a smart "ensué : $ fire for some time: Eieut Colonet M'Donell who sible D had joined them while forming: for the charge, and was cendi Li poussins the, men, received a: ballin his back, as der w 14 ; a, his horse, which had been wounded, was in the act of :-prop Fe - :. Wheelinge He survived his wound twenty-four hours \Gene in the most excruciating pain. The Americans hav- ; bury '1.7 ing effected their landing with an'overwhelming force, : F. deaux the British were obliged to give way, and suspend the. À Gene fight until the arrival of reinforcementt,_Ieaving-'the Majo Americans in possession of the heights. Geeral nine Sheañfe soon came up with à reinforcement of three: Jours hundred men of the 41st regiment, two companies of is co! " Militia, and two hundréd .and fy Indians. : Rein- woun forcements having also arrived from Chippawa, the Bri- val tish General collected his whole force amounting to moñi E upwards of eight hundred men, and'leaving two field thous D . pieces with' abôut thirty men: under Lieut. Holcroft of" testés D the Royal. Artillery in front of Queenstown, as check eneñ : to'prevent the enemy from occupying the village, pro- of th .ceeded by. a. circuitôus route to gain the rear of the. Shea heights upon which the enem were postéd.. The In- his tr dians being more alertithans hé:troops, first surmount- Fe à 4 ed the bill, and commenced the attack, but were repuls- sh Dr ed and fell back.on the min body, who formed with 2 militi E , celerity, and upon:the wo rd, advanced t6 the charge onéte under a heavy shower of it ketry.." The British sat ART PE up a.shout, accompanied with the. war-whoop/ of the PAS 150 Indians, and advanced at the double quick, op ruanin F :heigl '10 . pace, when .the Americans, struck with terror, gav : . © way and fled in all directions, some conceali g them-\ judm LS :sèlves in' the bushes, others precipitating themselves bé wi 4 :dowa the precipice were killed by the fall, or drowned. do
arating,
a smart ell who
and was
ack, as
r hours ns hav- ; force,
nd the.
ngthe reheral three nies of 'Rein- 1e Briing to o field roft of" check x pro- f the: 1e Inount- pulswith large h sat (: the nin
[181
1812]
"in the attempt to s#wim the river. : A terrible slaughter -
. ensued, by the Indians, whose vengeance it.was impos-: . _sible to restrain, until a white flag was observed as-
cending.the hill with offers of an unconditional surren- .
der whichwere accepted.An arinistice ofthree days was
proposed by the American and granted by the British \General, in order to take care of their wounded and
bury their dead, on_condition of" destroying their batfeaux, which was immediately complied with. Onè
ee General Oflicer (Wadsworth) two Lieut. Colonels, five : ' " ; Maÿors, a multitude of. Captains and Subalterns, with
"nine bundred men, one field. piece, and a stand of Co-- lours, were the fruits of this im ortant victory ; and it
is computéd_ that the enemy must have lost in killed, wounded, missing and prisoners, -upwards of fifleen hundred men. The action lasted from four in the . moñding until near four o'clock in the afternoon,@nd_ '
though vanquished, the obstinacy with which they cod tested the. honor of the day, reflects credit upon the
enemy. General Van Rensselaer, before the arriva]
of the Yeinforcements from Niagara, under General
Sheaffe, finding the fate of the day still undetermined, 'his troops. almost exhausted with fatigue, anc falling short of #immünition, had returned to the : .shore, to urge' across a reinfor cement frôm the embodied militia, büt 'they, notwithstanding every menace, and entreaty on his part, unanimousky refused. .. In this di- Aemma he wrote a note to Géheal Wadsworth, who
remained "withy the Americans on' the" Queenstown
"heïghts, informing binv of the situation of things, aid leaving 'the course, to be pursued, much to his own
*.judgment; assuüring him if he thought best to retreat,
he would send'as niany'boats as he could commañd, and cover CE retréat by every fire he could make,
È Ah
sm GEORGE rRevost, Le à "65. :
erican
#
CS . : ABMINISTRATION. or [1812
But before the latter had time to resolve upon any.
ter imp:
mode of security or retreat;the spirited advance ofthe À HE ie
+ British had décided the fate of the day. ' The British" Ë dier he :
At Fort Erie under the command of Lieut. Col. Myers, … decisive
silenced the 'enemy's fire at Black Rock, and blew Up À 'was stro
int. ge @ bätrack with a considerable depot of amuüunition. robust a 7 "%#"The Calédonia lately captured by the Remy wasal- D Govéine most 'destroyed at her moorings, A well directed fire fine, wh
+. froû Fort George also .silenced the enemy's Batteries a Soldie
on the other side of the river, from whence they fred. 0 bis
" " Ted hot:shot upon the wooden buildings in the neilèe. who floc
"borhood of Fort George. ae 7 dont c Ft Thus ended, ià their iotai discomfiture, the second prodigal D 2 attempt of the Americans do invade Upper-Canada, the early L 1! (C2: The loss of the British is- said to have been about Sallant Ç Mc tenty killed inclyding Indians, and between fifty and ored witl no sixty wounded.: The fall of Géüeral Brock the idol of : can, as v L: the army, and of the people of Upper-Canada, was faithful 2 : an irreparable loss, and Cast a shade over the glory terred in
+ Of this dear-bought victory. He was a native of Guern- October,
sey of an ancient and 'réputable family distinguished and a gi
in the profession of arms. He had served for many ; LL with ven
Years in Canada, and iisome of the principal cam: paigns in Europe. He cÂmmanded a detachment of bis favourite 49th Regiment, on the expedition to Copenhagen, with Lord Nelson, where. he distinguished. himself. He was one of those €xtraordinary men who
__seem born to influence mankind, and mark the age in. which they live, Conscious of the:ascendency of his genius over those who surrounded him, he blended the mildest of manners, with the #everity and discipline of
à Cgmp, and though his déportment was sémewhat
À 5 Brave and imposing, the noble frankness of his FAPRUE
[] '
ishable n
The di
now dev
and fello ,paroled pal office Amongt were four born sub) - This gavi
[1812
"A A812] sm GEORGE PBEVOST, © Li: FES à OR any. ...t@r imparted at once confidence and respect to those, eofthe +. ; who had occasion to approach his person. Asa sol. . British "dier he was braveto a fault, and not less judicious than Myers, decisive in his measures. he energy of bis character lew up 'as strongly efpressed in his countenance, and in the 0 mition. robust and manly symmetry of his frame. AsaCiyl." . , 'R} Sn DS Govéïnor, he was. firm, prudent and equitable. In :. Lu ed fire 'fine, whether we view him as a Man, a Statesman or , ' . + BU itteries à Soldier, he equally deserves the esteem'and respect y fred. À + of his contemporariés and of posterity. The Indians, nn neilèer who flockedte his' standard, were attached to him with RS © almost enthusiastic affection, and the enemy even ex-
+... [ pressed an involuntary regret at bis untimely fall. His : econd: prodigality of life, bereft the Countryof his services at U nada, the early age of forty-two years. The remains ofthis ; ( about _Sallant Officer, were, during the funeral service, hon- ve y and ored with a discharge of minute guns from the Ameri-, - . dol of - can, as well as British batteries, and with those of his 4 e , Was faithful Aid-de-Camp Lieut. CL M'Donell, were in- l lory terred in the same grave at Fort Gesrge, on -4he-16th. à ñ uern- October, amidét thé tearé of an éctionate soldiery. ished and a gratefal people, who wifl cherish his memory: - ; ue Naby ; DL 'with venération, and hand to their posterity thetnper- nn : cam ishable name of BROCK, : us
t of Pin - AM Lie LEP
Co The civil and military .commands in Upper-Canada
hed. now devolvèd upon Major Genéral Shea, & friend
who and. fellow soldier of his illustrious predecessor. He
ein paroled General Wadswôrth and some of the princi-
bis pal officers ; the remainder were sent to Quebec.—
the Among' the American: prisoners, twenty-three men
e of were found, who Inving \declared themselves British
hat born subjects were sent to England for trial as' itors. . "4
ner - This gave occasion to retaliate upon British p isaners a A
4]
Admnistration Of [1812
' ñ % x . sé fe 'in America, 'and a like number of the latter were put , thems into .close confinement as Hostages for the safety of the" soner. traitors, by ôrder of the Americän Government, This . en
cireumns ance led to disc ssioris that shall{be noticed . in their proper place. Ne ",
EE On the 18th of October, General Smyth assméd the æ Command at Niagara, and applied to the British Gen- ' eral for an Armistice which was agreed upon, and to continue until thirty pus after notice of its termination 1. NT On the 234 of October, a party.of near four hundred Americans from Plattsburgh under Major Young, surprised the piquet at the Indian Village of St. Regis." .Twenty three men wère made prisoners by the enemy, 'and Lieut. Rottotte and a sergeant : M'Gilivray and six men were left dead. The piquet. consisted of a detachment of Canadian Voygeurs. The Americans ' À in plundering the Village found an Ensign or Union
#
against
4 Jack, in the house of the resident Interpreter, usually kept où 1 hoisted upon a flag staff at the door of the Chief on of Nov D: "Sundays or Holy-days, which, saïd tbe American Ma- of vessel jor in an order issuéd upon the occasion (not a little chasing proud of thé -achievement) were the Jirst colours taken nouade during the war. This occurrence was however coun- receivec terpoised by au attack upon a party of Americans at . edof, a Salmon river near St. Regis on the 234 November, Point, a by detachments of the Royal Artillery, 49th regiment tack at and Glengary Light Infantry, amounting to .seventy . _ensuing : inén, with detachments from the Cornwall and: Glen- the Cha gary Militia of near the same number, the whole un- Lake, w der the:command of Lieut. Col. MMillan. Inthisaf from Ni:
air, the enemy took to a. block house, but finding : l° , Le
Hi ta
nd
U
e : 5
1 , SA ÿ o 20 LE 4 Pete) 7: vent # ; FE EN RE Re NU Ah
Séélirtes
x NE SEE AE ADR ,
iéd the h Genand to rmina-
long,
Regis.
nemy, :
y and
d ofa
MiEANs Union sually ief on n Ma- à little "taken coun-
:mber,
ent
venty :
Glenle unhis afnding
A 1812], SIR GEORGE "a nie LAURE:
t ee Les. een LR
: themselves surrounded, surrender themselves. pris et " SL 'sonérs of war, One Captain,two Subalterns, and forty+. - si
one men betame prisoners of war, and four batteaüx, and fifty-seven stand of arms were taken.
Notwithstanding the vicissitudes of war, and the inificulties with which the American government
truggle, the most active preparations were Carrying on to invade the Catiadas. Major General Dearbofïn was at the head of ten thousand men on the confinés of Lower-Canada : our fleet, though superior to them in the spring and summer -on Lake Ontario,
.-dare/not now even contest with the Americans for thé :dominion of the Lake.
General Smyth had an army of six thousand men on the Niagara frontier, apd Gen,
ison on the river Raisin, over-awed Detroit with:
ntucky m From these hostile ap pearances it was evident that the énémy still-neditated a combined movement, but the uncertainty of the point against which their main strength would be aimed
kept our army constantly on the alert.. On the ou - nn of N ovember,the American fleet copsisting of. seven salf 6, of vessels, with a considerablé number of troops, after
chasing the Royal George into Kingston Channel, can- ' nonaded her for some time; being however; wärply .
received by the batteries as well as the ships, they haul-
ed off, and beat up under a heavy fire to Four. Mile
Point, and anchored, with a view ofrenewing the at: - tack at a more favoräble opportunity.. Early on the
ensuing morning they got under way, and beat out of "the Channel under.a heavy press, of. sail to the open : Lake, where they fell in with the Governor Simcde, '"
from Niagara runeing for Kingston; and _chased her
Nor
$
Trs Apt Lue
% ; ". es nl 0 into the Harbour ; dk eluded their pursuit bÿ rune ning over : 4 reef of rocks under a heavy fire. from thé Governor Tormkiÿs, the. Hawiilton, and Juliana, which did her some injury. The weather" becoming boisterous, the fleet bore away for Sacket's Harbor, after having taken in their cruise two Schoongrs, i in, -oné of sd Capt. Brock, Paymaster of ihe 49h regt.
. was made prisoner. He was paroled by Commodore Chauncéy, who meritorously restored the. Plate and Effects found in his possession, Poe. to his late : nn us relative General Proc: .
; Le
Agvenle of The American be Pre Gen. Dear. + General born in the mean time gradually approached the frontier of Lower Carada, and early La the morning of the 17th of November 1812, Major (haïjeut. Colonel) De Salaberry, Superin- Fanadian Voltigeurs, commanding {he Sy oi anced posts on the lines, received in- : Pt. Philips, that the enemy to the düme ber of ten th0t sand were advancing to Odletown. He ; immediately despatched two companies of the Volti- , gears under the command of capt. Perrault ofthe same 2 regiment, with three hundred Indians under 'Captain D: Ducharne of the Indian Department, to reinforce ma-' 4 jor Laforce of the 1st battalion, Embadied Militia, who was posted witb the two flank companies of that bat- : talion at the river La Cole;* This detachment, after a fatiguing march ofthirty-six. miles, 'chiefly through mo- 'yasses and abbatis, arrived early in the afternoop ofthe _samè day at Burtonville, and took a position. within the river La Cole, a mile distant from it, in conjunction with a party of about thirty Algonquin and Abenaki Lie and a few di ander apr in
) nl 3 me + or Se 'O À ! " ; : anirinon or é Le 1912]
'agent
gears follow
:. Voya
four
. parist "'Aca plain
earne. currec ing, :
. three the ri cotk
had s
, Bern:
+
had s a voll
'the ro
dians ranks cans 1
'eath for td
hour,
own p
to Ch
+ three 'on the
ed of and wW
ee Thi:
gave. A
Dear
oach- , and 1812, xerin-
gihe
ed in- .
fes "
Voltisame ptain e ma-" ; who ( bat-
fera. :
h moofthe within
action .
enaki
'Kay, .
Voyageurs, commanded. by lieut. col. M'G
a Bernard Panèt, of their Fr danger, when the ee who
Cas) omommentierenn 2 OÙ
o a gentleman: of the North-West pay : in 'hé Voyé : é gears corps." - Major de Salabérry arrived on the da following with the remaïnder ofthe Voltigeirsi
four companies of the Volunteer Chasse Ù parishes of Chateauguay, St. Constant, st "lAcadie, Inthe meantime the enemy occupil plain Town, two or three miles from the lines earnest invasion was momently expected. Nothing ds curred of any consequence until the20thin the morning, when capt, M'Kay, visiting. the piquet between
. three and four o'clock, perceived thé enémy fording
the river La Cole, and at the samé instant heard tem "cùk. their firelocks in: the surroundin bushes.. He had scarcely time tô apprise the picquet under capt. :
the roof and éonsumed the Ars "The Militia and Indians discharged their pieces, and dashing through the ranks of the enemy, escaped unhurt, while the Ameri- ' cans who had forded the river in two places, mistaking 'eath other in the arkness and confusion of the: night
+
for the enemy, ke brisk fire for near half an
'own people. ' After discovering their erhor they retired to Champlain Town, leaving five men wounded, and . three or four, killed, who were found by the .Indians 'on the same day: This party is said to have consisted of fourteen hundred, men and a troop of Dragoons, and was commanded by Colonels Pike and Clarke. : This movement, or. rather i incursion of the enemy gave. room to expect another more vigorous are
hour, in which they hilled and wounded Sr of their.
Image Evaluation. Test Target (Mt-3)
] SE ms as
23 West Main Street
(716 1872-2802
Weëster, N.Y. 14580
Ne.
b
e ,
92 : ee ADMINISTRATION or [1812
to invade Lower-Canada, and on the 22d, the Governor by a General Order directed the. whole Militia of the province to consider themselves commanded for active service, and to be prepared to -move forward to meet the enemy as soon as required. Lieut. Colonel Deschambault was ordered to cross the St: Lawrence at Lachine to Cahnawaga, with the Point Claire, Riviere du Chene, Vautreuil and Longue Point Battalions, and to' march upon l'Acadie. The Volunteers of the 1st Battalion of Montreal militia, the flank companies of the second and third battalions, and a troop of militia dragoons crossed the river to Longueil and Laprairie, and the whole mass of population in the dis- "trict of Montreal made a spontaneous movement towards the point of invasion with an enthusiasm unsurpassed in any age or country. Gencral Dèarborn, .. Who, no doubt was well informed of the state of the public mind in Lower-Canada at this crisis, foresaw
from the multitude assembled to oppose his progress, "
and'the hostile spirit of the Canadians, the fruitlessness of an attempt to invade Lower-Canada, began to withdraw his sickly and already enfeebled host, into . witer quarters at Plattsburg and Burlington. Whether" '.'! he ever earnestlÿ contemplated am invasion, or only
'intedfled this movement as a feint to. create a diver- r. siop in favour of the army under General Smyth on the © Niagara frontier, remains a question. All apprehensions of an invasion of Lower Canada for the present 'season having disappeared, the troops and embodied militia were on the 27th November, ordered into winter quarters. DO
The armistice concluded between General Smyth and Sheaffe after the battle of Queenstown was tepmin-.
Gen. attem, vade Canad
at th
Ée effect of fo:
men Erie
by L . Lam
thirt; ants . being ing tl
men
cans deter to se
[1812
Goverlitia of for acjard to colonel wrench re, Ri- Battalinteers comtroop il and he disnt to-.
gress,
itlessan to ether only liver- n the bhen. esent died
win-
nyth min-.
immense trouble and expense by land,
ee command of that Lake.
Armistice without Pre any presenf tee proved in the event of material prejudice to the British. on Lake Erie. The Americans availed Kbemselves of s0 favorable an occasion to forward their Naval Stores
'unmolested from Black Rock to Presque'Ïsle by water,
which they could not otherwise have affected, but with nd equipped at lcisure the fleet which afterwards w Fested from us
Gen. Smyth's Gen. Smyth (of proclan tion memory}
attempt to in. had during the _armistice
vade Un
Canada 7 in preparing boats for another attempt to" + invade the Upper Province,
at the foot of the Laÿe of the same narme.*
Éarly on the morning of the 28th Nov. the 'enemy effected a landing on the British side with a division of fourteen boats rowed by sailors, with about thirty. men each,at the upper end of Grand Isle between Fort Erie and Chippawa. They were resolutely opposed
. by Lieutenant King of the Royal Artillerÿ, and Lieut. . Lamont and. Bartley with detachmerts o thirty , and .
thirty-five men each, of. the 49th Regime : ants King and Lamont were wounded, ahd theif being overwhelmed'with numbers gave way after spiking the guns; these two officers with about thirty three
men wére made prisoners and Sént over to the Ameri-
can side. Lieutenant Bartley in the mean time after a determined resistance by whicli his force was reduced: to seventeen efléctive men was coinpelled to retire, be-
See Appendix D.
. 8
sS # Er re es 3 à s # É & pute 4 nd F
SR ee nn roc
Re d
94, # Administration Of
' ing threatened by a movement of the enemy upon his flank. In'the interim the boats with the prisoners and as many Americans as could crowd into them, return-
Gèneral with a few officers and about forty men, who moved down the shore of the river, but being pursued by Major Ormsby from Fort Erie, where made prisoners after a feeble resistance. At about seven o'clock 'in the morning, another division of eighteen boats, were seen advVancing to effect a landing two miles lower down thañ the former. Colonel Bishop haviug upon the first alarm, moved from Chippawa, had now
: formed a junction with Major Ormsby from Fort Erie, and commanding a force of nearly eleven hundred men, ; consisting of detachments of the 4lst, 49th and Royal Newfoundland Regiments, a body of Militia under
, Lieut. Col. Clark and Major Hall and some Indians, . Wäited for the enemy on the shore. Their approach
was welcomed with three cheers, and a steady and ef-
factual fire opened upon them from musketry and a six
Royal Artillery,) which destroy
of their boats, threw 'the remainder into conf
#, and compelled
N
vue of Fort Erie, tosave the effusion of human blood,
[1812
se ing, left Captain King Aid-de-Câämp to the American "
poundér (under the command of ain Kirby of the
"to in
:.. the S ' fruits tion c 'territ the h suran in the ' ment Qquair
1°" conf
Cana the re ivsidi. govet fects mend (he o
by th:
[1812
on his rs and eturn- . erican :- 3, who narsued , risonclock boats, slow- 1g up-
Erie, imen, Royal under dians, roach
nd efofthe boats, elled part own.
d'un- 4". f
into iring time,
e surlood, bman
e for
ning
Pe
. 1812] . . fn GEORGE PREVOST, 95
of the 1st of December, but through mismanägement in embarking their troops, and.a deficiency of provisions, the project miscarried, and the troops were ordered to re-land and hut themselves for the/Wintcr.
: Murmur and discontent crept into the Ameriéan camp, and General Smyth was obliged ta take:
F ght to save himself from tbe indignation of his army, which from death, sickness and defection, soon ceased to be.a subject of apprehension to the British in their neighbourhoëd. This was the termination of the third attempt
to invade Ujper:Canada, and the result of the formid- "able preparations of the American government to con-
quer the Canadas.
The Legislature of Lower-Canada assembled on the 29th 6f December. The Governor at the' opening of
the Session, expressed his confidence in the peoplé, the ' fruits of whose loyalty were the honourable termina-
tion of the campaign without eflusion of blood, loss of
'territory, or a recourse to martial law. ' He thanked
the house in the name of the Prince Regent, for the assurance of attachment and support:they had promiséd in their answer to his Speech at the opening of Parlia-
'ment in tlie preceding month of February, and: ac-
quainted them that " His Royal Highness placed that
->confidence in the courage and loyalty of his Majesty's Canadian subjects, which made him equally fearéss of
the result of any direct attack upon them, and of any ivsidious attempts" to alienate their affection from his government." ; He informed them of the beneficial effects resulting from ithe Army Bill Act, and recom-'
mended it to their further consideration. "He had ' ü
(he observed) according to the powers vested in him by the Legislature, called forth the. Militia to assist in
ADMINISTRATION, Or [1812
ing satisfaction had been.a witness of that public spirit, that steady order and'that love of their country, their Religion and their Laws, which they bad manifested on this occasion, and which by animating and uniting all classes of his Majesty's subjects, could not fail under Divine Providence to make them safe at home and respected abroad." He recommended a revision of the
. Militia Laws, and concluded by urging the D Éeae
St
of Spas in pneu the public business: a be Among the: first. proceedings of the House of "Aeme
sembly i in this Session, was an enquirÿ into the causes.
'and injurious consequences that might have resulted from the delay incurred in the publication of the laws of the Proviücial Parliament passed (in the Session
the delneë of the Province: ant with the most cheer-
1812] ed T!
resum
à postp.
. ! ineom
ed in per c 'per a
. wards,
per ci that el
rejecte
:… thereof, begau' and holden on the 21st Februarÿ "71 à ES
ceding. This measure was for some time persevered in with unremitted assiduity, and with the obvious intention to palliate the guilt of the rioters at Lachine. Among those summoned on this . attend the
bar of the House of Assembly, were the Clerk and :
other officers of the Legislative Council, which not having been previously consulted by the Lower House, refused to allow their servants to be e mined at the 'ba@of the latter. The Legislative Council however, after deliberation permitted them to be examined by the House of Assembly-änder a species of protest, from a desireto remove every possible obstacle to the im- ' mediate discussion of measures requisite for the defence of the Province; reserving for a more convenient occasion the question of their privilege in this respect. Nothing of any importance resulted from the enquiry,
"ù which,after some poranaton was totally relinquish-
The 'into ce + by his
Men
we ee
House Govert -tial Le toaré was: pounds in orde pointec of Excel upon a ment. Parlian and tw the! war
Wv£ hs gre
Date
[1812 1812], smcrorcEPREvosr. : 97 4 Dee ed. The subject of appointing an Agent in England was spirit, resumed by the House in the present Session, but was vi their : postponed. "To support th& expence of the war, aû : # fested : ' Îneome tax upon salaries from government was propos: - biting + D" ed in the Lower Huse, in the proportion of fifteen under . per cent upon verÿisalary of. Æ£1500 and upwards 1 2. Pl ndre- - 'per anuum, twelfé "C@t upor £1000 and up-- [TS of the -' wards, ten per cent upon £ 500 and upwards, and five essity per cent upon every 1250 and upwards. A bill to OR that effect was passed in the Lower. Housë, but was ;
rejected by the Legislative Council. tes $sem- Ne : . ue APTE ue rss The House resolved'itself into a Committee to take OR sulted ' 'into consideratiô _therpower and. authority exercise 4 laws :.by his Majesty's Courts in this Province,under the deession 5 momibation of Rules of Practice. The result or rather L ; pie- 7 "Progress of this enquiry during the subsequent Session, F vered À À 'we shall have occosion to notice in its turn. The sin House lin taking into consideration that part of the chine. Governor's Speech, in which reference was had to Mar... d the -tial Law, came to certain resolutions strongly adverse Set UE to a récourse to such a measure. The Army Bill Act h not was: renewed . and extendéd ; five hundred thousand . ouse, pounds were authorized to be put into circulation, and t the in order to secure their credit; Commissioners were ap- és. Lt ever, pointed to establish at regular periods the current rate -d by of Exchange, of Bills upon London, which the holders, from upon application were intitled to obtain from Govern- À e im- ment. Fifteen thousand pounds were granted by the 4 fence Parliament to equip the embodied Militia, one thou- ni. DCCa- sand pouñds to provide for hospitals for the Militia,: . #1 pect. and twenty-five thousand pounds for the support of : à uiry, the war. The further sum of four hundred. pounds
uish- was granted to improve and facilitate the communica-
Administration Of , [1818
tion between Lower and Upper Cañada. But no amendment was made to the Militia Laws, owigg to a disagreement on the subject between the Lower and ; Upper Houses, A duty of two and a balf-per cent : upon all Merchandise (provisions excepted) imported into- the. Province, and two and a half percent more,
: upon Meïchandise imported into the Province by per- 'sons not actually therein resident six months previous to such importation, was granted for the support of the war. The present Session of the Legislature was prorogued on the fiftcenth of February.
d
(Ha1s
But no
fgtoa, er and er cent
pported t more, by per-
revious
port of
ure Was
T
Sir George Prevost.
-: Chapter V.
é
Battle of Frenchtown, and deféat of the Americans under General Win
chester. The Governor Visits Upper. Canada. Attâçk upon Ogdensburgh. Capture of York by thè enemy. Attack and reduction of
. Fort George by-the Americans. Expedition against Sacket's Harbour.. Battle at Fort Meigs. Brilliant attack upon the enemy's Camp at Stoney Creek by Lieut. Colonel Harvey. Affair at Beaver Dams. Attack upon Black Rock by Lieut. Colonel Bishop, aud death of that Officer. Attack upon Lower Sandusky. Capture of the Growlerand
. Eagle near Isle Aux Noix. Reduction of Plattsburgh, Champlain and Swanton. Affair of Goose Ses Death of Captein Milnes, Naval éoccurrences on Lake On :
Ca
# s
chigan Territory and over-awed Detroit, where Col.
Proctor with an inferior force was left in command after the-reduction: of that post by General Brock. r . the 19th of January, information was received at
'attleof _troit by the British Commander, that a
Frenchtown. yision-or brigade of the American army
HE American armyunder the command 9f Gen. Harrison still hovered onthe border of the Mi-
under Brigadier General Wiñchester, was encamped at
Frenchtown on the River Raisin, twenty-six. miles from Detroit, having driven in a body of militia and- Indians posted there under Major Reynolds of the militiä, .wlio, after some resistance with a field piece, fell . 'back upon. BroWwnstown. Colonel Proctor promptly .
detepmitied to. attack this division before it could be ' Dior cer by the main nn under General D
a
A
bis ot ET, ON à ie di
APMINISTRATION Or [1813
three or four days "érch in the rear ; & assembled his dispaseable force at Browhstown on the 21st, consisting of five hundred'regulars, seamen and militia, and. about six hundred Indians. He advanceë the same day twelve miles, to Stoney Creek, and at day break the next morning made a resolute attack on the enemy's camp. General Winchester himself, fell soon after the commencement of the action into the hands
- of.the Wyandot Chief Roundhead, who surrendered
bim to Colonel Proctor, The Americans had retreated to the houses and enclosures, from which they were making a desperate resistance through fear of falling
into the hands of the Indians ; but upon its being represented te General Winchester, that unless a speedy surrender were made, the buildingsWould be set on fire - and that no résponSibility would be taken for the con-
duct of the Indians, he sent-à flag of truce to his men, :
and agreëd on their part to a surrender, upon condiion of their being protectéd from the fury of the Sava- . ges, and allowed to preserve their-pfivate property.
An this affair. the enemy lost in killed betwecn three :
and four hundred men, and one Brigadier General, three field Officers, nine Captains, twenty Subalterns
and upwards of five hundred men in prisoners, The
loss on the British side was also severe : twenty-four killed and one hundred and fifty-eight wounded. This spirited ahd vigorous measure completely disconcerted the arrangements made by General Harrison for, the recovery of the Michigan Territory, and secured Detroit from any inimédiate danger. In recording
this gallañt exploit, it must be regretted, that the un- .
governable ferocity of our Indian allies, (who on the day after the battle, are said to have slaughtered in spite Of the British, such of the wounded prisoners as
were of th sacr opet
. excu citie: of in vage
Can: for t carr empl victo cers,
: Yoth acco
[1813
emblem it, conmilitia, ed the at day on the Il soon
'hands
udered
etreat- y were falling ng repeedy on fire e con-
smen,
condi- Sava-
perty.
neral,
Îterns
The
y-four , This ncerton for, cured rding
e un- .
n the d in rs as
' - 1813] SIR GEORGE Paques 2 10
were unable to walk,) should have tarnished the honok of the victory. Humanitÿ revolts at the idea of a mas: sacre of defenceless and wounded prisoners: taken in. . open and honorable warfare, and we can only find an
excuse for the guilt.of the tamé spectators of such atro-
cities, in their apprehensions of à similar fate, in case . of interference to rescue the the unhappy victims of sa- Vage vengeance. The House of Assembly. of Lower
Canada passed a vote of thanks to Colonel Proctor,
for the skill and intrepidity with which he planned and carried into execution this enterprise, and fortheexemplary humanity displayed by him in the moment of . victory.* . À vote of thank was also passed to the officers, non-commissioned officers and privates belonging o the line, marine and militia forces who assisted inits accomplishment, and Col. Proctor was immediately
promoted to the rank of Brigadier General by the ; . Commander of the Forces, until the pleasure of the
Prince Regent should be known, who was pleased to approve and confirm the sppoipiment
The Courses having closed the Session of the Le.
gislature, left Quebec on the 17th February, on a visit for Upper Canada. Iu''his rout thither, Lieut. Col. Pearson in command at Prescot, proposed tohimas he passed,: Pbse # the American post at Ogdensburgh, in retail for an excursion by the enemy from thence upon Brockville some days previous. n The Governor did not deem it expedient to order an. . attack upon that post, but as two men had \deserted on
_the evening of his arrival, and gone over to the enemy,
When this vote of thanks was passed, the facts aludèd . to, were
certainly not within the knowledge of the Assembly, esit is more than
probable they would bave beeu silent on the score of humanity. s Se '9 F E ; à
V à ® - (102 'ADMINISTRATION OF [1813
who might Üpou ascertaining the arrival ofthe Gover- . hor, way-lay him dn his route, it was determined that Lieut. Col. Pearson should proceed an the ensuing morning with his Excellency to- Kingston, while Lt. . Col. M'Donnel, second in command at Prescot, should make a demonstration-on the ice in front of Ogdensburgh, as well with a view of engaging the atteñtion of the , as by drawing out their forces, to ascertainthie strength of thé garrison. On the ensuing morning (224 February) as the Governor departed, Lieut. . Col. M'Donnel moved with his party across.the river . on the ice, towards Ogdensburgh ; the enemy perceive- 'ing the movément, were prepared ta receive him, and . attackupon: Lieut. Col. M'Donnell impelled/by that Ogdemburgh. spirit characteristic of British Soldiers, turned the demonstration into æ real attack:
The enemy was driven from the village after a short
contest, leaving about twenty killed, and a consider- . able number wounded. Four brass field pieces, seven pieces of iron ordnance complete, with several hun-
À dred stand of arms, and a considerable quantity of
stores fell into the hands of the victors, who lost seven
killed, and seven officers (including Lieut. Col. M'Don-
nell) sd forty-one men wounded. After having de-
stroyed' two small schooners and two gun boats left there to winter, they returned to their quarters at .
Prescot.
During the winter the greatest exertions were made to be in a state of preparation for the ensuing campaign. In Maréh a draught of militia took place, to _filup the militia Battalions. A Battalion (the 6th) was embodied at Quebec fromthe city Militia for gar-
ÿ
Le M:
à : anne. dou. 1) EE
/ l
. ' Lee
à 1813} ss SLR GEORGE PREVOST. 103 [1813
pe /._rison duty. The Canadian Régiment of Féfcibles, the Gover- Glengaries and the Voltigeurs recruited with 'diligence edthat and success; and the 104th (or New-Brunswick-Reginsuing ment) marched through from Fredcricton for Upper-' ile Lt. Canada, some hundreds of: miles, with extraordinary should celerity in the month of March, though their route from gdens- Fredericton 1o the river St. Lawrence, Jay through an tetion uminhabitedSwilderness buried in snow, and never be ascer- fore practised by troops. k morn-" Lieut. The American forces. în the mesh time augmented river daily ät Sacket's Harbour, and their fleet being supeerceiv- rior to that of the Britisli, a descent upon Kingston or m, and 'its neighbourhood was confidently expected ;.the Ame- )y that - rican government however, déemed it too hazardous Er idiers, , a gamé,to stake the fate oftheir Lake armament upon ' AS .an eñterprize against tüe principal depot of the British ne in the Upper Province, where they must expect a des- . ashort perate tesistançe, and resolved to direct their efforts insider- against the more distant and vulnerable. parts on the ,) seven Lake... Commodore Chauncey having accordingly . al hun- equippéd his flcet for àn expedition, and received on tity of .… board bpwärds of seventeen hundred troops under the : t seven , 7 command of Generals Dearborn and Pike, sailed from M'Don- Sacket/tarbour on the 25th April, and on the following de- _'ing evening appeared off York with fourteen sail of ats left ed vessels. On the ensuing morning (27h) 'the enerters at. de commenced a debarkation abaut three miles tothe CES west of the town, but the wind blowing fresh from the : eastward, they fell considerably to leeward of the po- e made CRE: sition fixed upon for landing (the site of the old French." g cam- Fort Toronto) while they suffered much froni a galling ace, to fire of the British troops posted in'a wood. They howje Gth) ever Anne their' re and compeled the ; Dr gar- ne à ) nee.
u813
. Battle & Cap. 'British to rétire with loss. The Grenatureof York." diers of the 8th Regiment, who lost 'their Captain-M'Neal, were, after a degperate contest almost annihilated by the overwhelming numbers.of the enemy. The latter having made their landing, formed upon the beach under the immediate orders of General ' "Pike, while the schooners worked up to the Forts un: der 'a heavy cannonade, and assuming a position at the distance of six hunred yards from the batteries ._inorder to make a simultaneous impression upon the works by water and by land, opened a heavy fire upon : them, which did great execution. The Jand' forces under General. Pike advanced through.a little wood tothe main works, when, at the distance of sixty rods from them, a tremendous explosion took place from a magazine previously prepared, which discharging, an 1 immense quantity of rubbisb, $pread havock among D their troops and killed a number of their officers and 4 men. General Pike, an officer much esteemed in the American army, and who seems to have been a géti- .'® tlemgan of an amiable character in private life, received a contusion from a large stone while leadinÿ on his men, which in a few. hours put. a period to -his existence. General Sheaffe finding his small force-unable to resist that of the enemy, retreated at two o'clock in the afternoon, leaving Lieut. Colonel Chewit ofthe militia " - to treat with the enemy; and a Capitulation immedi- . ately ensued, by which York was surrendered to the Par Américan fôrces, and the militia, to the amount of more F" than two hundred men with their officers, surrendered prisonérs of war, on condition that all private property should be respected. The public stores of every description fell into 'the hands of the enemy, with the ee armed schooner Duke of Gloucester undergoing re- ñ
; Administration Of
s :
ST SN Une
ENS Red: où A 2m de) 2m 2m se
Le
©, ba D,
Grena-
t their
almost e ene=
ormed
eneral '
rts uns
ion at
tteries on the forces wood
y rods
rom a
g an. mong. sand
in the eived men, lence. o re- n the nilitia medi- o the more
lered .
per very h the œ re-
ns1s
Va
"embarked and ue 0
Lo SIR GEORGE PRÉVOST. Fe 105
: pairs. A new ship which had injudiciously. been laid
down at this open and defenceless Post, the preceding winter, and now almost completely planked, was, with the naval stores set on fire by the British previous to their retreat. The loss of thé British was severe,
amounting to about one hundred and thirfhwnen in kill-
ed and wounded, among 'the former Mr. M'Lean, the
Speaker of the House of Assembly of Upper Canada, .
who had volunteered his services with a'musket. The loss of the.enemy, though not correctly ascertained,
must have been proportionally heavier than that of the :
British. The enemy having secured their _booty, ré= © à SEX for. Niagara."
s 9
The people, hithierto ER RN to hear'of re-. verses, were irritäted at this/success of the enemy, and Æ
as usual upon such occasions. clamoured against the
General commanding, who a few.weeks afterwards was.
succeeded in the Administration. of. the Civil Government of Upper Canada by"Major General De. Rotten-
burg, and op his return to the Lower. Province assuïp- ed the command of the forces in the District of Mon-
treal. 'Itis not ascertained whether bis removal was the result of the displeasure of:the Coinmander of the
forces, but upon a cool survey of the event of the bat-
le of York, it must be owned that the honor of the British arms was strenuously and ably maintained by tlie
small party of men under his comriand, who, including :
Regulars, USE and Indians, did not exceed six. huudred.
Ttie des fleet having landéd the troops at
-. Niagara, returned to Sacket's Harbour for reinforce-
ments, and on the 25h May, their whole fleet having
ef
r "4 ' . LS
Ee] — "
+
b+
106 © © Administration Of. (815 L
7" _:proceeded by detachments, were again assembled at _/Niagara, and General Vincent commanding, at Foit / George, foresaw that an attack was intended shortly # Altack and t0 be made upon hi$ Post: Commodore pieiur of Chauncey despatchéd two of his vessels "to cruisé vigilantly off Kingston, and concerted his arrangements /with Gen. Dearboru for a combined attack upon Fort George. Early in the morning of the 27th May the enemy:commenced a combined dtaëk upon that Fort, haviiig previously, on the 24th and 25th, materially injured the works by a warm cannenade from their ships and batteries. À ' body of about eight hundred riflemen under Colonel Scott landed near the two Mile Creek, while the fleet . ranged up in the form of a crescent, extending from . the North of the light'house to the two Mile Creek, so as to enfilade the British batteries bÿ a goss fire. The riflemen, after forming and ascending the bank, were met hy the British, and compelled to give way in disorder and return to the beach, from whence they kept up a smart fire under cover of the bank. In the mean time, another body of upwards of two thousand men, under tlie direction of General Lewis, made a landing,and formed on the beach under coyer. ofatremendous cannonade of round shot, and-showers of grape and canister from the fleet, that sw pt the adjacerit plain, and compelled the British herbe Gen. Vincent finding the works torn to pièces by the enemÿ's.;" artillery, and no longer tenable against so overwhelming a force, caused the Fort to be dismantled, and the magazines to. be blown up, and retreated to Queenstown, leaving the Americans to take possession of the ': .œuins ofthe Fort. The British loss consisted of Gfytro killed, and upwards of tree hundred wounded and u Tri
du ag ure ve
" gt ea 0e 0 onu an tua os ME
À
ù is € Ed : : ; Û
[1815 1813] : StR GEORGE PREVOST. 10? led' at missing. The American accounts state their loss at tFoit thirty-nine killed and one hundred and eleveu wounded. ' shortly eu OR POS ®. adore General Vincent on the ensuing day having collectessels . ed the whole of the forces from Chippawa and Fort , and Erie, and destroyed or rendered useless the posts and" irboru stores along that frontier, commenced /his retreat torly in wards Burlington Heights at the head of Ontario. un iced a pe ART Re jously, The arrival of Sir Jaes-L. Yeo from England at rks by Quebec, on the 5th May;with' several. Oficers of the ss. À Royal Navy, and. 450. seahien for:the Lakes, -cheered colonel the drooping spirits of the public. /Captoins Barclay, e Îleet Pring and Fiunis, with five Lieuteénants of the Royal : from Navy having previously arrived dver land from Hali- be ek, so fax, with some seamen, were already at Kingston, and ss fire. putting the fleet in a stte of-pyeparation to meet the bank, enemy. Sir George Prevost proceeded from Monay in treal to Kingston with Sir James L. Yeo, who arrived_:. e they at the latter place in the short term of six weeks from. In the bis.embarking at Portsmouth. sand ; AE De ade a : The two Commanders being now at Kingston, the. atre- public was on the tip-toe f expectation for some deci-. rs of sive dasb upon.the enemyÿ's fotilla, + An attack upon
adja- Expedition Sacket's Harbor in the absence of their
nst Sac-
Gen, :ket's Harbor. feet at Niagara was resolved upon. - A emy's.;- body of eight hundred: or a thousand men were emhelm- _barked on the 27th May, on board.of the British flo-
1d the He tilla at Kingston, consisting of the Wolf 24 guns, Royal jeens-. George 24, Earl of Moira 18, and four schooners ofthe : "bering from ten to twelve guns each, with a sufficient
ty : number of batteaux, and at noon on the next day they sn" mr. W6r$ Off Sacket's Harbor. The weather was propitk.
Fa + &" ,
f 'a
195 . ADMINISTRATION Of LL ous, and the troops were transferred to the batteaux se ; 40 make their lañding under an:escort of two gun- fi : "boats, commanded by Captain-Mulcaster, the whole a under the immediate direction of the'land and naval ec Commanders in Chief. They had procéeded but a of short distance when a convoy of American boats load- a ed with troops were descried doubling Stoney Point, °w on their. way from Oswego to Sacket's Harbor: 'The ar Indian, who bad previously landed on an Island, fired in upon them. as-theÿ/passed and threw them into confu-- vi sion, while the' boats and batteaux bore down and cap- sc tured twelve of them with about 150 men : thé remain- .©F der escaped into.Sacket's Harbour. The fanding was di then deferred until the next morning, while the Ameri- fle cans raised the alarm, and withdrew a.-detachment of pu 'their troops| posted upon Horse Island at the mouth of . A 'the Harbour, and assumed a position on the main, op- of posite a ford leading from the Island to the main land, ba where they were reinforced by a body of militia under th Genéral Brown, and prepared for a vigorôus defence, CT The night was dark and rainy, and at day. break next an morning 'the boats were so scattered that they were (the unable to effect a landing'ias intended, before the ene- "sig my should lave time to line the woods. They first at- as: tempted to land on the mai, in.a :cove formed by me Horse Island, but on approaching it they found the cis enemy prepared for them by'a heavy fire of musketry to from the surroundingwoods supported by a field piece.
They then pulled round and landed on.the outside of the Island, with little-or no loss, and pushed forward : to the ford, in the f@e of a hot fire of muskefry and the field piece; which they carried in a few moments after landing, with a tumbrel and'aTèw founds of ammunition. The enemy retréated, and posting them-
De Ce
1613] . . Sir George Prevost.
selves securely behind large trees, kept up à smart. fire upon, the British. The féet in the mean time, ag as well as' ä small yessel with two six pounders, intend-. ed to have been landed in time to support the advance of the troops, were, through|light and adverse wind, a long way in the rear. Under these circumstances.it waf impossible to wait for the arrival of the artillery, and Col. Baynes, the Adjutaht General of the Forces in British N. America, wbo was charged with this ser- ; vice, ordered the détachment to divide, in order to '. scour the woods by pursuing two paths which led in , °opposite directions round a rising ground. The enemy disigdged from the woods at the Boint of the bayonet, fled te their fort and blockhouses, whither they were "af Qi by the British, who set fire to their barracks. At this juncture it was thought by the commanding officer, that the enemy's block houses and. stockaded .… battery côuld not be carried by assault, even with the assistance of field pieces 'had they been. landed. The fleet were still out of reach to render any assist- . ance-in battering them, while his men were exposed"to (the fire of the enemy sécure within their works. . The "*'signal of retreat was therefore given to the indignant assailants, and the entérprise was abandoned at a moment when the enemy had so far calculated upon a de-. cisive victory on the part of the British, as to/set fire to their naval store houses, hospital and marine bar-- racks, by which all the booty previously taken at York, and the stores fot their new ship were consumed. They had also set fire to a frigate on the stocks, but on discovering the retreat of the British, they succeeded in suppressing the fire and saved her. The troops were humediately re-embarked and retuined to Kingston. The loss, though heavy on both sides is not correctlg
0 "ADMINISTRATION Op. [t813
ascertained ; 'among the British; Capt. Gray, Acting
Depy. Q. M. General, was much regretted. Ho fell :
: whïle reconnoitering the eneniy's works in the ope of discovering some openinkÿ to favor an assault,
.… Thusterminatedthis expedition to the disappointment ' - efthe public, who, fromthe presence and co-operation of the two Commanders in Chief, fondly flattered themnselves with a far more brilliant result. Phis miscarriage with other reverses at the commencement of the present campaign, destroyed in the opinion of the enemy; the invincibility our arms had acquired the preceding autumn. - CS
Batleat From these bumiliating occurrences, we: Fort Meigs. turn with. pride to more cheering scenes of action, which efféctually retrieved the honor of the British arms in Upper-Canada. General Harrison, notwithstanding the defeat of a division of his army under General Winchester at Frenchtown in February, still persevered in. his préparations to recover the Michigan territory, and. in pursuänce of his views had towards the spring, taken post near the foot of the —- rapids of the Miami, where ke only waited' for reinforcements to commence active operations against the British. General Proctor aware of his views, determined to dislodge him before the arrival of his reinforcements, and proceeded for the Miami. He arrived
-at the neighbourhood of the enemy's position on the 26th of April. The Americans had however, secured themselvés by block houses and batteries so as to render every effort of the small artillery of the besiegers. mnavailing.
, Acting
Hefell hope of :
intent "
eration d them-
arriage
he preenemy;, ceding
es, we:
scenes
of the prison, army ruary, er the ys had
Hot
Pe,
of the
reinist the deterrein- rived
n the
cured
gers.
ie 1813] L SIR GEORGE rnévuss. dit
{nt the morningyof the th of May, a reinforcement, conisting of two regiments amounting to about twelve hundred men under Brigadier General Clay, having
rapidly descendeg the river from Fort Defiance, some
distance above Fort Meigs (the America position) made a sudden attack, and surprised the British batteries on the West side of the river, seconded.by a'resolute and simultaneous sally from the garrison. Having carried the British batteries, they unwarily pursued the Indians, who fell back skirmishing with the enemy, while the main force coming up, by a hast; and judicious movement, circumvented the 'Americans and intercepted their retreat to the river. After a desperate contest, the enemy. surrendered, and upwards of 500 men were made prisoners. They whohad sal-. lied from the Fort alone effected their étcape, and be- . took themselves to their fortification, The Indians, although disposed to sacrifice the prisoners according _to their mode of warfare, after some-excesses, were with difficulty restrained from slaughter by the Bri-. tish, two or three of whom fell victims to the fury of : the Savages, in their endeavors to protect the defence-
less prisoners. By this partial success the enemy be-
came 50 crippled, as to be unable to prosecute the ..campäign with any prospect of recovering Detroit, and General Proctor drew off his forces. and returned to Sandwich, under the apprehension of being abanned by the Indians, who after a battle, according ta heir custom, retire to the enjoyment of their booty. 4 this affair, the British loss amounted to one officer '(of the militia) and fourteen men killed, and one oficer and forty-five'men wounded.
. Jmmediately after the capture of Fort George by
ee 74 a — —- er 3—— —
ve
112 ADMINISTRATION OF : cet
the enemy, General Dearborn pushed boiward a 'Hate of Of three thousand infaptry with nine Stoney Sie pieces and two hundred à and say cav: dry ;
Jlodging General Vincent, wo' had assumed- -a at Burlington Heights at the head of Lake Ontañ®9, to prevent a junction of the forces under Genèral Proctor with those of General Vincent, which tie A- mericans understood had been agreed upon by-the British. .On the 5th of June, General Vincent, was _apprized of the advance of the enemy, by the retreat of his advanced picquets from Stoney Creek: Lieut, & Colonel Harvey, Deputy Adjutant General, immedi- \ately moved forward with the light. companies of the 8th and 49th Regiments, and having reconnoitered the éniemy's position, proposed to General, Vincent a nocturnal attack upon his camp, which was approved. At eleven in the-eveniog, the' General moved' up with the 49th Regiment, and a part of: the 8th (his whole effective force only 704 firelocks) toward.the American camp, distant about seven miles. Lieut. Col, Harvey led on the àättack in gallant style, and completely succeeded'in surprising the enemy in the midst ofhis Lu who, notwithstanding:the darkness of the night, and the consternation and disorder into which they were thrown, evinced a state of order and discipline highly creditable to themselves, ii repeatedly. forming, al though compelled as often to 'disperse before the resistless energy ofthe British bayonet. Two Brigadier Generals, (Chandler and Winder:) séven officers ofin-, 'ferior rank, and one hundred and sixteen men, with 'three guns, one brass bowitzer and three tumbrels, fell into the hands of the British by this brilliant and intrepid action, which, ds it reducedthe Americans from
ered the t a nocproved. up with. s whole
, 1818]. sun oconce PREVOST. 8
Tt
was known, he watched his movements, and afforded mme the earliost rs
é Offensive to defensive operations, was probably in its result of more real importance to the salvation of the Upper Province than any other occurrence during
the present campaigu. The British were ordered to
retreat before day light, lest their small strength ex-
posed to the view of the enemy, upon the return of day might be overpowered by their superior numbers.— Fioding that the British had retreated, they re-occupied their camp after sun-rise, and having destroyed all their incumbrances, commenced a precipitate retreat to Forty-Mile Creek, ten miles from the scene of action, where they were reinforced on tbe following day by General Lewis, with a detachment of the army
from Fort George. The loss of the British in this af-
fair was one Officer and twenty-two men killed, and twelve 'Officers and one hundred and fifteen mea. wounded, and fify-five men missing.* :
Ia General Vincent's Ofcial Déspaich the following well earaod tribute of applause is bestowed upon the Officers and men engaged ia this memorable achievement. + ,
"l cannot conclude this despatch without calling your attentionte ' the followingOficers:— 2.
" To Lieut, Col. Harvey, the Deputy-Adjutant-General, my obliga. :
information. To him, jpdeed, Lam indebted for the suggestion and plen of operations : nothing couldbe more clearthen his arrangements, me gore vompletely successfal in the result. The conduct of Major Flenderleath, who coimanded the 49th Regiment, was very conspi. cuous. By his decision and prompt efforts, the surprise of the eüemy's d TS and all his efforts to make a stand were render.
party of the 49th with Major Plenderleath nt their head valet} cha :
L pieces, and brought 'ff {wo six poundere,
compe-
highly distin-
1 49th Regiment, the other part moved to
anxenerarion COS [1815
: Onthe.evening ofthe séventh, the British fleet hove in sight, and on the ensuing morning approached the shore and fired 'a few shot upon the enemy, whom they summoned to surrender prisoners of war. This was refused by the American Officer, who however, deemed it expedient to fall back upon Fort George, while the British, _as they retired, prose upon their rear and
we've. of their'_
batteaux which 'accompanied the army onits retreat, containing principally officers baggage, fell into the hands of the British fleet, which occasioned the enemy 4or the present, no other inconvenience than by enabling the British troops to advance with si rit and to urge
ue retreat ofthe Americans.
On the 24th Jüne, a party of about six hundred of the enemy, under Lieut. Colonel Boerstler, wbo had been despatched the precelisg day by Gen. Dearborn,
he sight and attacked the enemy' s if flank, which decided our midnight contest. L 'have also received the greatest assistance from Major Glegg, Bri- . Major to the Forces, andbeg leave to mentionthe names of Capains M'Doual and Milnes,. your Excellency's Aids-de-Camp, who aclompanied me t6 the attack, and üpon all occasions 'have volunteered. heir services. Ihave likewise to acknowledge the assistance of Capt. . 'Chambers of _the"#st Regiment ; who had arrived some days before rom Amherstburgh, and Mr. Brock, Pay- -Master of hé 49th; who as- . #isted me as Acting Aid-de-Camp.. ' To Mr. Hackett, Acting Staff-Surgeon to bis any, 1 feel rien: latly indebted, by which the wounded have received À attention, ' 'and are most of them likely to be restored to the 4 It.would'be an act of injustice, were I to: ondit & your Excel that gallantry and discipline were never more conspicuous a déFing our short service ; and I feel the greatest satisfaction in $ qu 1g ou that every Officer and individüal séemed Anxious to rival ach other in his efforts to support the honour of His Majesty' arms, d to maintain the high character of British troopest
En a
(1815
eet hove ched the om they l'his was deemed yhile the ear-and
of their . .
retreat, into the pabling |tourge
'
rdred of who had >arborn,
me me
our mid-
ilegg, Bri- . xs Of Cap-
, who aclunteered.
e of Capt. . ays before
r, who as-
particuattention,
your Exnspicuous
? à
faction in o É à 3 E à
Fe
5 to-rivel tÿ's arms,
1819] de SIR GEORGE PREVOST. : 115
by way of Queenstown, with a view of dislodging a "detachinent or picquet, posted at a place called the
. Beaver Dams, (a few de from Queenstown) were
surprised on their route by a party of Indians under capt-Aerreons after some skirmishing, believing them-
Affair at selves hemmed in by superior numbers, sur-
Beaver Dams. rendered to/it. Fitzgibbonsofthe 49th regt. This Officer, arriving at the conclusion. of the business,
with à small detachmentof forty-six rank and file, com- K
pleted the"victory, and'the Américans' surrcndered themselves prisoncrs, after negociating a capitulation
with him in the naine of Major De Haren, by whom . he induced the euemy to believe themselves surrounded with considerable foree.. The latter officer, though + not immediately on the ground, was however in tlie
neighbourhood, and advancing with the light compa-
ny of the 8th Regiment, and the two flank companies of the"104th, with,a small body of Provincial cavalry
under Capt. Hall. The prisoners taken, were five
hundred and twelve in number, including twenty-five officers,, with two field pieces, and a stand of colours.
The enemy, by these partial successes of the British, 7 were compelled to confine themselves to Fort George
and its invirons, and before the 1et of July the-British bad formed a line extending from Twelve-Mile Creek
on Lake Qutario, across to Queenstown,on the N niagara
river. From Chippawa a descént was made on the
American Fort Schlosser on the opposite side of the,
river, during:the party of militia and soldiers under Lieut. Col. Clark ofthe militia, who surprised a small guard at that post,
land brought away-& bass six-pounder, upwards of fif-
igbt of the 4th of July by a small .
ty.stand-farms, a small quantity of stores, withagunboat andtwo batteaux. ; RL
À
Mod dd de dd A
k
Lieut, Col. Bishop lately commanditi at Foit Erie, at daÿ break in.the morning of the eleventh of July,
_Atacgpon baving . obtained the approbation of the Black : General Conimanding for the execution of an enterprise, which he had previously proposed, cross-
ed over with 240fén,consisting of a small party of ilitia, and detachments of the Bth, 41st, and 49tb regimentf They effectually surprised the' enemy's"post at Hi Rock, where they burnt his block houses, storf) dr racks, dock-yard and a vessel; but while '0 in _securing the stores to Carry them, away . batteaux, the enemy with'a reinforcement of militia
and some India in their interest, uüder cover of the turrounding woods, opened'a smürt fire and compelled the British: basten their retreat, with'the loss :
of thirteen men killed, and a considerable number
SAS De: : è
5 ' : 4 ' , . nr 116 ADMINISTRATION OP. . ' [1813" PU 4 Are €
a
A 4 È 9 Les KR è 4 4 2, " 4
A ss FA LE
LU D pb 7: -
their, e
wounded;. among the latter, Capt. : Saunders of the
. 4ist regident severely, and Lieutenant Colonel ,
Bishop. mätaltÿ,. an officer of. distinguishéd merit, whose 1958 was much regretted by the militia of Upper "Canada, with whom FA 8 to have been a favourite,
Inspecting Field Officer. _\Seven pieces of\ordnance, :two hundred stand of small krn
'which he occ
an afsault upon that Fort was immediätely to take icquets, several of
tre, 'à
ms, and a.great quantity
Reste En Lens
das
Foi Erie, h of July,
on of the
ecution of sed, crossrty of, hiliregim
Lu A de]
a militia er of the
and com- b'the loss : 4
ngmber rs\of the :
Colonel. éd. merit, of Upper favourite, rdnance, quantity
ther, re-
anderof
eduction
8, tion demon-
gof the. 7 nt, as if .
to take everal of
their W @
The Go- . à
assault.
eu
is 4 "11 À 74 No
Siworonce VOST. : Tr
which were takellfand advatiéed within a fW hundred yards of the enemy, who; although mr by a fire
1813]
"_intothe il The Conniander ofthe Forces did not deem it adviseable to risk a trial fôr the recovery oftliat "pos& which, by the little utility, the enemy cooped up:
within the Jimits of the fort, derived from its occupa-
tion, was not of suflicient moment to compensate for :
+ à
the loss, the British must have experienced from an. The whole force in the neighbourhood of. . Fort George at that period did not exceed" 2000 men,
tile front assumed il the British intheir igiboutood 7
Gen. Harrison in the mean time was on n tie Sandüsky river, maki s vigour in the Michigan territory, as soon as the. fleet
. . fitting out at Erie (Presqu'isle,) undér Captain Perry,.
who had.'Heen dispatched' thither. by Commodare
Chauncey towards the end'of. May,. should be in suf--
ficient strength to co-operaté with the läod forces. ' General Proctor again reso]ved to 'iake another. effort
': to defeat his purpose, and immediatelÿ invested the American. Fort. at Lower Sandusky then undér th&. : : jrs at command' of Mäjor Crogltian, with a. force F5. 2 7 consisting of near five hundred, men includ-*-
ars and militia,.and'between- "three 'and four thousand Indians under Mr. Dixon and the célebrated:
Indian Chief Tecuméeh. After a sniart 'cannonade on. L
the. el of Er from. five six Polndèrs a: a
preparations to"prosecute the war With °
#
Paces of the enemy's works. :" diafély opened, which at first threw the assailants into.
nn. enltes - AN ADMINISTRATION OF . !, [1813 s Se if sf: Ê : Père.
De Ce
having previ- ; of the enemy's fire) led.on by Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Short, ad-
:-vanced unperceived by the enemy under cover of a . '
-Cloud'of snïoke to the distance of eighteen or twenty
À heavy fire was imme-
digbrder: they however immediately ralliéd, and hav-
ing advanced to the Outer works, began to leap into
the ditch, when a fire of grape slugs was opened from a six pouñder (which bad been previously arranged so
dealt destruction among the assaïplants, and compelled them to retreat with precipitancy, leaving their gallant leader, Lieutenant Colonel Short with three. Oficers and fiffÿ-two men killed and missing. The wounded amouïted'to fortÿ-one including three Officers.. General Proctor, after this affair, finding his force inade-
; quaäte, the Indians unaccustomed to the European
mode of warfare and the delay of a siège, growing impatient, and General Harrison at no great distance
with a respectable force, thought proper to raise the à
siege and retire to Atnhe Capture ef The "events in the Lower Province deserve
tbe Growier our attention, . The old fortifications #t the:
Messe JlesAux Noix, empbatically térnéd the key nes sf Lover-Cnada, had been repaired,
for the purpose of 'effecting a breach in the : ' -enemy' works, the British (the Indians :: ously ithdrawn themselves out of reach
as ons thé ditch) supported 'fith musketry, that .
A
# .
iaving previfthe enemy? 8 . Short, ad-
'cover of a .
n or. twenty e was immesailants into. d, and havto leap into ened from a arranged s0 ketry, that 1 compelled ieir gallant ee Officers e wounded ers.. Genrce inade- European rowing im- t distance 'raise the
Ps z
te deserve ris at the
[1813
reach in the :
4 en
: 1813] ee 'sm GEORGE BFREVORT: E 119
ance from the former, hitherto concealed by the inter-
leagues above the Island. This unueual appearance
. created an alert in the garrison, at that time commanded 'by Lieuténant Colonel George Taylor, In- 'specting Field Officer (then Major in the 100th Regiment) who apprehending from previous private information, a combined attack from the naval force on Lake Champlain, and the troops in the neighborhood of bis post, commanded by the Brigadier Generals,
Smith and Clarke, determined by a decisive coup de main to anticipate the views oftheenemy. He lostno / time in equipping the three gun boats lying unemployed for want of seamen, carrying each a carronade (one / of them an eighteen, the two others twelve pounders : and baving manned them with sôldiers from his Regi ment, with three artillery men to each boat, proceed to engage the enemy : on doubling the point abovéthe garrison, another vessel was discovered a short dist-
jvening land. This discovery did not however deter-
" Lient. Col Taylor from persevering in bis former reiolution, and the boats having advanced, spi gagement s00n etisued, which, after some ce was suspended from a deficiency of ammunition, that was however, speedily supplied from the when the. action revived with augmented vi Col. Taylor er À on red ga ris
ance to We é bi in'the event of eir being eithér sunk ük disabled io the éngagement, 'or/te assist in . boarding if it should be found necessary ;/ but 'on see. ing fe 'énemiÿ manœuvring up the rivér with a light soutliérly bteeie, by.which'they alternatelÿ approach Li out df'theriver; (here mûre
[813
directed the he East, unhe other on aptain Gor-
atil opposite
ms from ei-
he point of
In aground the Ameri-
afterwards
tly by orfitted out ch carryxes,) long h complimpany of m Chamnent; the 1e United uct of the Gordon, nm, Hum- Lowe:of on this
SIR GEORGE PREVOST. ad
1813]
occasion, were bighly- applauded in Lieut, Colonel
Taylor'sofficial despatchThelossoftheenemy was considerable : the prisonersamounted to one hundred men, - of whom many were wounded : the killed weré thrown overboard during the action. Of the captofs, not a
. man was killed, and only three severely wounded.*—
The naval fôrce of the enemy on Lake Champlain was, by.the capture of these vessels,almost annihilated, while
At afforded the British immediate and effectual means
for offensive operations on that Lake, and checked the invasion meditated on the Lower Province. The
intention of the enemy, by thus venturing s0 near to
ile-aux-Noir, where thé river becomes s0 arrow as
scarcely to afford room to manœuvre with safety, has
. Reduction
. Champlain n
never been clearly ascertained. Ît was thought his
"plan was to have attempted to carry the fortifications
of the Island by surprise, or that this approaclrof their Sloops of War was, more probably, to secure the pro-
gress of a regular land force, actually in mdvement :
with the supposed intention of reducing the post by a regular siege. TU AE Me
The American Government, with a view. of Plattsburgh, Of prosecuting the war against Lower-Ca-
en expence in erecting Barracks, Hospitals
and Magazinés at different points along Lake Cham-
plain, particularly at Burlington, Plattsburgh, Cham-
plain and Swanton, in the neighbourhood of the fron- In this affairno morethan 108 men were en ed on the part of the NA a It is worthy of notice, that this was the fret action in which
the 101th Regiment had been engaged; an auspicious omen ofthegal- : . lantry afterwards displayed by that meritorious corps în common with the other troops at Nisgnra. It is also a.gingular fact, that the gans bene FE His Mujesty's Sloop of War Alert, some time previously
c by the U. Stutes Frignte Essex, were on board these verscls. 4 :
nada, had been at considerable pains and
PE pete
"1 122 : Administration Of +
tiers ; 'and it-was deemed- expedient by the Commander of the Forces
€ gun-boats, which had soon 4
Put in a competent state of repair after the HE ninth of July, this small fleet.
and baving
in command, 103d R
array, In- x Noix for
: The expedition proceeded up the Lake. with much
without opposition at Plattsburgh, from 1
as well as to e Upper-Prv- 'aptur "ho was sent oted:to them auder. Capt. : f War, havwas ordered le-aux-Noix,
the Comman- )n at Isle-aux-
ver
Command of
ich had soon ir after the
small feet. 4
ed on board tachment of Wlliams (of some: comunder the ''taylor and of the ex. drdon, and men, the Irray, In- Noix for
ith much Dsition at th'a'Con- : een hun- h of 'the Cviously
1813]
.embarked all the ie Stores, o able quantity was foundlin the Al and having de- : :: stroyed sûch as he could not conveniently take away,
men.
:Finlay, esq. Deputy Assistant Con K General,
Sir George Prevost. 123
which a consider-
set fire to the enemy's Arsenal, public buildings, Com-
" missariat Stores and Barracks, recently erected, and
capable of accommodating from four to' five thousand While the troops weré thus employed, during that day and the whole of the night, Captains Eve-
1 … rard and Pring, in the Growler and Eagle, with a gun-
boat, proceeded to Baorlington, where Gen. Hampton
4 lay encamped with four thousand men, and threw.that # place into the utmost consternation. Having captured {and destroyed, within sight of the enemy's forces, four.
vessels, Capt. Everard returned to Plattsburg, where É the troops were re-embarked, and proceeded to Swan- . ton. Col. Murray, while on the way thither, sent a de-
À: tachment to Champlain, for the purpose of destroying the Barracks :and a Block House at that post.
The main body having visited Swanton, and effected the
xcellency's orders, returned to, Isle-aux-Noix, where cy arrived on the fourth of August. es
Ein of the expedition to the fullest extent of His KE
Te army, acting upéa the eitenivé line of operations along the frontiers of Lower and Upper Canada, (atthelowestcomputation,onethousand miles from Lake Champlainto Michilimackinac) was,by the able arrange
ments of the Commissary General, Sir W.'H; Robin-
son, and the :unwearied'exertions of the Department ' under his directions, copiously-supplied at every point with provisions and coïmissariat stores of all descriptions 'The small post at Lachine Wwas-ço vertedi into a depot, and placed under the su ce of John.
Î
124 . ADMINISTRATION OF . [1813 Ë 4 o
from whence the whole supplies for the Upper Pro-,
vince, were, by that gentleman, forwarded to Kingston,
"*#"with the most indefatigable diligence. To intercept 7 the convoÿs of batteaux with provisions from that post
43 to Kingston, the Americans had sent several cruisers : and privateers from Sacket's Harbour to the vicinity
Of Prescot'and among the Thousand Islands. On the 20ih July, the enemy baving succeeded in surprising and Capturing at day break, loaded with provisions under convoy of a gun-boat with which they retired several miles up Goose Creek, on
die SeRof the Be Lawrence, below Gananoque, . 4
"three gun-boats under the command of Lieut. Scott of the Royal Navy, were despatched from Kingston with
a detachmentofthe 100th regt. under capt, Martin, with a view of intercepting them on their return to.Sacket's Harbour. The proceeded to the lower end of Long Affair at Jsland, where, having ascertained the re- Goose Creek. treat of the enemy, ihéy immediately push-
A ed for that Place, but before they came in sight of the
r American vessels, the evening was too far advanced to make an attack with any prospect of success: it was therefore determined to defer the attack until {he next morning. L : ——
Anothe gun boat arriving in the course of the
.eveding with a detachmént of the 41st Regiment, un-
der Major Frend, that 'Officer assumed the command, - F and'at three o'clock the next morning, procteded up---
the Creek with the gun boats; in the hopes of gaining the enemy's Position at the dawn of day. +They proceeded until the channel becäme 50 narrow, that the gun boats could neither use their oars nor turn, s0.as to bring their guns to bear upon the banks, and it was discovered :that the enemy had taken precautions to
a brigade of batteaux
e Upper Pro-, d to Kingston, To intercept from that post veral cruisers : o the vicinity ands. Ou the lin surprising e.of batteaux gun-boat,with
se Creek, on .: Gananoque, ,
ieut. Scott of Kingston with Martin, with n to.Sacket's end of Long ained the rediately push- à sight of the ar advanced ccess ; it was intil {he next
urse of the egiment, un-
e.command, - À
rocteded up. Of gaining They prorow, that the turn, s0.as , and it was eCautions to
[ins À
1813]
. Sir George Prevost. - ; 195
obstruct their further progress by felling large trees
Ÿ © across the Creek. In endeavouring to rembve these
_tancy to their log intrenchment.
impediments they were fired upon by the American vessels, and left bank, supported with musketry from the surrounding woods. ÂÀ'few of the soldiers who had landed on
the right bank having re-embarked in the sternmost
boats, leaped into the stream and carrying their mus-
kets on their heads succeeded, after wading through the water and swampy soil contiguoës thereto, in ef-
_fecting a landing onthe left bank, and led on by
Lieutenant Fawcet, of the 190th Regiment, drove the enemy in gallant style, who retreated with precipi- This spirited ad- 'vance saved the gun boats, the foremost of which (the : only one that bore upon the enemy) exposed to a galling fire had been disabled. Major Frend finding the
. €hemy strongly posted, and, from the impracticability
of bringing the other gun boats into action, that a - further perseverance must be attended with a greater sacrifice of lives, than the nature of the enterprise séemed to justify, re-embarked the troops and retired from the unequal contest. In this affair Captain Milnes, Aid-de-Camp to the Commander of the Forces, was mortally wounded. This gallant young' officer, : had accidentally met Major Frend in pursuit of'the : enemy, and impelled by a thirst of honor had voluatesred his services to assist in accomplishing his purpose. 'The enemy emboldened by this momentary success, continued to cruise with impunity in.the same
'neighborhood to the annoyance of the Commissariat
transport service, when a movement of troops fronr ; the Lower to the Upper Province, afforded a momen: ñ : 11 Di Hot
from.a gun which they had landed où the -
L—
…
: service on Lake On
126 Administration Ô0F [1818
tary opportunity of checking their temerity. Seven
Coinpanies of the 100th Regiment under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Taylor, on their route from
Isle-aux-Noix, to Upper Canada, arriving in the middle of August at Prescot, Lieutenant Colonel Pearson
_iu command at that post, had previous orders to form an expedition in conjunction with the detachment un-
der that Officer, and about eigbty seamen that were
to have been there at the same time, (on their route
from Quebec to} Lake Erie, to: man the fleet on-that
Lake under Captain Barclay,)* in order to dislodge
the enemy from Goose Creek, and to scour the Thou- : sand Islands infested_ by his Privateers. The seamen
not arriving s0 soon as expected, and the urgency of the service in the Upper Province, requiring the immediate advancé of this reinforcement of troops, there was no time for delay, and the expedition consisting
a
of five gun boats, with upwards of 400 men under the
command of Lieutenant Colônels Pearson and Taylor, 'immediately sat out for Goos Creek, which -the enemy. precipitately abandoned upon their approach. From thence they cruised for some time among the Thousand Islands, and visited Gravelly Point in the
vicinitÿ of Sacket's Harbot. This excursion proved_. of material-importance to the security-f- the transport of provision.and stores destined for the Upper-Pro-_- vince, as the enemy's cruisers did not for the remain- . 'der ofthe present campaign infest these waters.
On Lake Ontario the two Naval Commanders strove
with indefatigable emulation for the dominion of the .
It has been asserted that the Seamen bere alluded to, never reached 'Lake Erie, es it was found dxpedient tQ detain them at'Kingston for the
Là e
rs
Te A Ds Ro Ue Pr Ce
pe
[1818
ierity. Seven
the command ir route from
ng in the midlonel Pearson
rders to form etachment un-
nen that were
on their route
r to dislodge
ur the Thou- - The seamen :
ie urgency of ing the immetroops, there Dh Consisting
en under the
and Taylor, ich 'the eneir approach. " among the Point in the
sion proved À
he transport
Upper-Prothe remain- .
vaters. nders strove inion of the
never reached Kingston for the
Sr PES
1813].
% Ontario. fleet on' that AT ntario
… SiR GEORGE PREVOST.
'Lake. Commpdore Chauncey after the capture of Fort spon a to Sacket's Harbour to await
'the equipment of his new ship the Pike, while his adver-
sary Sir Jamés Yeo, scoured the Lake, and supfli
the British.armÿ in the neighbourhood of Fort:George with abundance of stores. In the early partof July,
Sir Jèmes fitted out an expedition.of boat for Sacket's Nav Leur Harbour, with a view of cutting out their renceso£ake new. ship, then. almost rigged: and rea-
re
unobserved at the vicinity of that port, and would '-
probably have effected his purpose bad. not the escape of two deserters from his party; which-had land-
ed for refreshments, and in order to remain. concealed
until night. should: favour the enterprise,' given the
alarm to the enemy.. This unlucky incident induced. him to relinquish the undertaking and return to Kings-
ton. Towards the end of July the American fleet again
appeated with. augmented force upon the Lake, and .
€ommodore Chauncey having received a company of artillery, with.a considerable number of troops under Colonel Scott, proceeded for the. head of the Lake,
. with a view ofseizing and destroying the stores at Bur: 4 Jington Heïghts; the principal depot of the-army-on-the ir LR
Niagara Frontier, then occupied by a small detachment under Major Maule.. The. design of-the enemy against this depot being suspectéd, Lieut. Col. Batters-
by, commanding the Glengary regiment, upon being notified to that effect by Lieut: Col. Harvey, Deputy
Adjutant General, moved forward from York, and by a march of extraordinary celerity arrived with a rein-
forcement in time to save the depot, which the enemy,
on finding the British ready to receive them, did not
et
dy to appear on the. Lake. He arrived
: à
Dar 128 "ADMINISTRATION OF pes : deem it prudent to attack: Commodore Chauncey on learning that York, by the advance of Lieüt. Col. Bat-
4 ne tersby to Burlingtoh Heights, was left destitute of 4 fs troops, seixed the: opportunity and bore away for that M. Port, which he entéred ôn the 31st of July. Here the À À A y
Americans landed without opposition, and having taken. posséssion of the small quantity of stores found at that & " place, they set fire to 'the barracks and public store 4 no Z houses, and having re-embarked their troops, bore 0e + 8wayfor Niagara: Itis a coïncidence of circumstances + worthy of notice,that on the same déÿin which the Amg- D. : rican Commander D dr burning the bar- Ps Facks and stores at York, Lieut" Col. Murray was not SRE less actively employed on the same-business at Platts- #1 burgh. The British fleei sailed from Kingston on the .… last day of July, with supplies for the army at the head Sn ofthe Lake, and on the eighth of August looked into 7 D: : 'Niagara, where the enemy"s "fleet lay iioored. The : BOULE latter hove up,. and-Rpre down upon tlie British fleet E with which theÿ mañœuvred until the tenth, when a. partial engagement ensued, in which two small vessels, . of forty men each, {the Julia and Grôwler) were cut SEE off and captured by the British. ROSE Commodore Chauncey somewhat disheartened with the loss of these, and two _other small vessels, the À 771777 Scourge-of eight, aid Hamilton of nine guñs, upset by À '+ a press of sail to escape, with the loss of all hands, 'ex- , , Cept sixteen men picked up by the British, bore up for Niagara, from whence he saïled almost immediately . for Sacket's Harbour, where he arrived on the thir- " teenth of August. Here he provisioned his fleet, and instantly made sail for Niagara, where he remained at anchor until the British fleet appeared of that Hare L.>
p8is
e Chauncey on
ieüt. Col. Batft destitute of away for that ily. Here the
d'havingtaken.
found at that d public store troops, bore circumstances
hich the Amg-
ning the bararray was not ess at Platts-
ngston on the
ny at the head t looked into ioored. The: British fleet enth, when a small vessels, er) were cut
artened with -vessels, the mis, upset by Il hands, 'exbore up for immediately on the thir- 8 fleet, and remained at fT that Hare
ee Ad
k
Le
York, bound for Kingston, where an attack wad'appre- :
PP TP j RS EC t sé FRE , $
1819]
bour : early in the morning of the seventh of Septem- - ber, when the American fleet again weighed and bore down upon the British, with which. they manœuvred until the twelfth, when the latter returned into, Amherst Bay near Kingston. During these five days, but few shots were exchanged between the larger ships, without any injury to either side. The Americans, however, had much the advantage in-weight of metal and long guns. The fleets again.met.on the 28th of September off York, when an engagement ensued for near two hours,'in which.the Wolfe, commanded by Sir ee L. Yeo, lost her main and mizen top masts,
Sir George Prevost,
and would probably have been:captured, had not the
Royal George, commanded by. captain Mulcaster, run
upwards of 250 men of De Watteville's Regiment-from'
D à
4 cite
a —
Du M v! re : à 480 "améisraarios 07 ' [i85 À 2 hended. Thiéloss, though apparently trifing in itself, , v
was severely felt, by reason ofibe few forces in theUp- Pr #r-Province. For the remainder of the season noth- s ] à "ing of moment occurred on this-Lake ; and indeed tte. 4 7, Naval Comimanders appear to have considered the À t el sh uestion of too great importance to their respective ' Z (C
""#governments to stake the fate of warin Upper-Canada, ' 4 o
j: " , upon a decisive naval engagement. . + 15 NE rh ; t . 4 r 4 a
cr longer €
. CHAPTER Vi.
B w CR "is ne FU à A Naval Engagement on Lake Erie. Evacuation of Detroit by the British! À P Battle at the Moravian Village and defeat of General Proctor. Thé Fe: al British raise the investment of Fort Gecrge. Invasion of Lower.Canada by Gen. Hampton; andîthe defeat of the enemy at Chateauguay M by Lieut. Col. De Salabérry.. Wilkinson's. Expedition. Battle of sq ' Chrystler's Farm. Retreat of {he Americans to Salmon River, Gen. : # th
: Drummond assumes the- Command'in Upper-Canada. Americans
tvacuste Fort George. British. surprise and capture Fort Nis- n "
; he ns CA ms 4 te
8 die bi
PO ee si : 5 oo
j be campaign towards the autumn assumed a more B
8ystematic and menacing character. At the be- #7 bc
Sinning of September, the forces at Burlington (Ver- À pe
mont) under General Hampton, moved across Lake : ot
Champlain to Plattsburgh, with a viéw of penetrating W
into the district of Montreal, while General ilkinson % or gr RU : (
# $ $ 4 ' : bi
forces in theUpbe season noth-
and indeed the .
considered the
heir respective : Üpper-Canada,
. roit by the British? ral Proctor. Thé sion of Lower-Ca- y at Chateauguay dition. Battle of
Imon River, Gen. -
nada. Americans
uns À trifling in itself,
apture Fort Nis- %
and crossed the Bar, Ÿ my ready forthe Lake, and to0 powerful for his small squadron, he bore äway for Aniberstburgh, to await
Li SR 7 ' iii Mr te f
1813] Sir George Preyost,
"x : og with 10,000 men at Sacket''s Harbour, was \prepar-
ing under the immediate direction of General Armstrong the Secrétary of War, a nuümegous flotilla of batteau and Durham boats, for an expedition supposed to be destined either agaipst Kingston or Montreal, General Harrison with an army of eight thousand men
on the Miami river, only waited for the-equipment of
the American fleet 'fitting out under Commodoré Per-
ry,.at Presqu'Isle, to move his fofces against Detroit, .
and to carry on offensive opérations against the British in the neighbquthood{of Lake Erie. Captain Bar- €lay, who had early in the summer, assümed the com-
the Auïiericäÿ fleet, s0 as to prevent their crossing the
Bar at Presqu'isle (which the enemycould qe .
without uoshipping their guns,) until the conclusion of. August, when having occasion to-beat away for Long Poitit, the enemy. seized: the. moment: 'of his alfsence Finding on bis return the ene-
the equipment of the Detriot recently launched. Com- :
-mand of the British squadron on Lake Erie, blockaded : :
moore Perry sailed shortly after him for:the head of -
the Lake, and -appeared at the commencement of Sep- .
tember, for several days successively: off Amherst-
burgb,in defiance of the Bri
every evening to' his anchor at Putin-Bay. Thé British forces in the Michigan Territory, and its neigh- . bourhood, falling short of supplies for which they de-
pended safely uponthe fleet, Captain Barclay had no
d. _other alternative than to risk a general 'engagement, 2 With this resolution, he made sail from Ambherstburgh
on the 9th September; manned with only fifty or sixty
a squadron, retiring
…
ee As LL äs &: Fe J me CE anannistæarion or ri [1813 &
seamen; (including a small reinforcement of thirty-six L: men from Lake Ontario) and Detachments, fromthe ! Naval éction_41st; 'and Royal Newfoundland Regiments,
on Lake Erie. the enemy's fleet were descried at anchor in Put-in-
On.the British squadron, while the wind blowing a . &entle breeze from the South West, véering round to "the South Eäst;, gave the enemy the weather-gage, At '' 'a: quarter before twelve, the British commenced fring, "which was in ten minutes afterwards returned by the enemy who bore up for close action. The engagement continued with unabated fury until'half past two,
when the enemy's principal ship, the Lawrence, being -
rendered unmanageable, Commodore Perry left her in charge ôf his first Lieut; Yarnal, and hoisted his Pen. . dant ôn board the Niagara.. Soon afier this officer had
left the Lawrence her coloùrs were struck, butthe Bri-:
tish from the weakness of their crews and destruction. of their boats, were unable to take possession of her. Et was at this avxious and interesting juncture, that the. fate of the day seemed to poise in favor ofthe British ;. and Commodore Perry even despaired of the victory,. when a sudden breeze revived his hôpes, and turned the scale in his favor. This fortunate Commander find. ing the Niagara had suffered lightly in-the engagement, made a desperate effort to retreivethé fortune of the day, and taking advantage of the breeze, shot ahead of the Lady Preyost, Queen Charlotte and Hunter, raking theni with her Starboard guns, and 'engaged the - Detriot, which:being raked in all directions soon be- .: €ame unmanageable. The Niagara then bore round ahead of the Queen Charlotte, and hauling up on the
as-marines. On the tenth in the morning
Bay; which: immediately weighed and bore down up- :
We
Erps +
Lies ! nent of thirty-six à
hments, from-the
iland Regiments,
h in the morning ichor in Put-in-
wind blowing a eering round to ather-gage, At mmencéd fring, returned by the
The engageil'half past two,
F4 %
Ed
re
ñ
awrence, being - #
*erry left her in oisted his Pen this officer had
SIR GEORGE PREVOST. starboard tack, engaged that Ship, £iving at the samé
time a raking fire with her larboard guns to the Chippawa and Little Belt, while the smaller vessels closing
to grape and canister distance, maintained, a tremend- 'À ous and most destructive fire, This masterly, and but 1 bore downup- #
too successful manœuvre decided the contest. Capt.
Barclay, being severely and dangerously . wounded,
#
Captain Finnis of the Queen Charlotte, killed, and every Commander, ands Officer second in. command, either killed or disabled, the Detriot and Queen Charlotte, perfect wrecks, after a desperate engagement of
upwards of three hours, were compelled to surrender,
By this decisive action, the whole of the British squadron on Lake -Erie was captüred by the €nemy, who now becamé uncontrollable masters of the Lake.
4 The enemy lost in this action twenty-seven men in kil-
k, butthe Bri- : 4
nd destruction: session of her. cture, that the ofthe British f the victory, nd turned the nmander find. à the engagethé fortune of ze, shot ahead and Hunter, 'engaged the ons soon be- 1 bore round
1g up on the
led and ninety-six men wounded: The British 'lost
three officers and thirty-eight men killed, and nine ofi-.
M cers and eighty-five men wounded. -
F
v LP?
The Prisoners were landed at Sandusky and treated with the greatest humanity by the American Commodore, who paroled Captain. Barclay, and treated that gallant officer with all the kindness and attentiomwhich his unsuccessful bravery deserved. ee æ. The army. in possession of the Michigan Téfritory and the'neighbourhood of Detroit, by this dite trous defeat, were deprived of every prospect of obtaining
future supplies from Kingston by waÿ of Lake Sn
le rio, and a speedy evacuation of Detroit and a retfeat
towards: the head of that Lake, became inevite le. Commodore Perry, 'as soon after the engagement a
138:
tee 134 ADMINISTRATION OF [1813 à
circumstances would admit, transported the American 1 for 'forces under the command of General] Harrison, from À, Portage River and Fort Meigs, to Put-in-Bay, from ! ac
whence :they were .conveyed to' the neighbourhobd of Amberstburgh, which they occupied on the evening of the 23d of September, General Proctor having pre # 'viously falleñ back upon Sandwich, after settingfireto À 4; the Navy Yard, Barracks and Public Stores, at the for: L 'met place, . General Proctor seeing the-enemy deter- % mined to follow up his first success, by an immediate march upon Detroit, found his troops void. of. resour-
668,100 reduced in numbers-to:make a ständ and dispute occupancy of that Post against the- overwhelming
: force of the enemy., He thbrefore determined to retreat along the river Thames toward the head of Lake
Evacuation 'Ontario. On September 26th.he evacuated ù ris by Detroit and Fort Sandwich, and com- À : mencedhis retreattoward the Thames,hav- 4 ; ing entirely destroyed the public stores at those posts..
In this reverse of fortune. the Indians @ider Colonel: À
Elliot of the Indian Department, with Tecumseh, still 'À
adhered to his standard with unshaken fidelity, and co- !
vered his retreat: Harrison occupied Sandwich on À
the following day (the 27th Sept.)-and on te second.
at of. October marched in quest of the shattered remains ed ef.the British Forces under General Proctor, escort- Bat ed by a number of batteaux, and three guu-boats, un-
der the immediate direction of Commodore Perry, On the 4th of October, he came üup-with the rear guard of the British, and succeeded 'in capturing the whole 4 of their ammunition and
under this second reverse of
left destitute-of the means
fs À 1813] j SIR GEORGE PREVOST. 155
ted the American al Harrison, from Put-in-Bay, from ?
neighbourhoëd o
4 nant of his small army on a generäl engagement. He
À accordingly assumed.3 position on the right bank of
A! lage,) the left of his line resting on the river and sup-
tor having pre- Nported by a field piece, his right on a swamp, at the
fter setting fire to tores, at the for: : the-enemyÿ deter-
by an immediate
. void. of. resour-
4 by the whole Indian force attached to the division. The intermediate ground covered with lofty trees, was dry and somewhat éelevated.. In this position he wait:
'Hed the approach ofthé.enemy, who having on the morn-
a ständ and dis- Wing of 5th of October, passed the river at a rapid, 12
he-overwhelming 2 miles
stermined to rehe head of Lake th.he evacuated ich, and comhe Thames, hav- 8 at those posts. s Wider Colonel
Tecumseh, still.
fidelity, and co- à d Sandwich on L'on thie second attered remains
roctor, escortguu-boats, un-
adore Perry, !
the rear güard ring the whole neral Proctor, which:he was:
4 three boats and a few Indian canoes found on the spot, À and by krossing a number ofinfantry behind the Morse- À men, came up with the British in the afternoon of that % inglorious day. General Harrison dréÿ up his men 4 in two lines, and secured his left flapk which was op-
: À posed to the Indians, by a Division thrown back en Po-
1 tence, and without any previous engagément by Infan- À try, ordered his mounted Kentuckians (accustomed
at full gpeed upon the British, which they effect-
Battle at tbe fire. . Bythis cavalry charge of the eneporvian VE my, the troops, worn down with fatigue and -lage, and de- À. à à ' .
feat of Gene. hunger, and dispirited by the unpromising ra Prostor. appearance of the campaign, became totally rauted and for the most part, surrendered them- 4h selves prisoners, while the General, and his personal Æ Staff, sought their safety in fight. The Indians, in the
24 rñean time, carried on the contest with the left of the
1 found himself compelled to stake the fate of therem- à the Thames, at the. Moravian Town (an Indian vil-
on the evening of ne
4 distance of near 300 yards from the river, and flanked
ow the Moravian village, by means of two or
from their boyhood to ride with extraordinary dexteritythrough the most embarrassed woods) to charge
ed before tlie latter had time to discharge their third :
pren 2
St ÿé 7
Ep
PAP png
/
LA rule : & . ds À ;
ï 336 A ADMINISTRATION LE [1813 Rs . À s ; ae line, with furious SAR but these 4
faithful allies, finding all hopes-of retrieving the day to. D 5 be in vain, yielded to the overwhelming numbers of the ? . enemy, andrelunctantly left the field. Theyhoweverremained in the neighbourhood, and harrässed the enc- ; my on his retreat to Detroit and Sandwich, whither be . : returned immediately after the action.' The British are said to have lost twelve killed. and twenty-two-wound- <d. The Americans stated their own loss at seven killed and twenty-two wounded. Thirty-three [indians "a "were found dead upon the field ;. among themthe
famous chief añd warrior Tescumseh, not. less celebrated for his humanity, a virtue little &nown among Indiamsin a state of war, than by his bravery, his elo-
-quence, and his influence among our Indian allies! Upwards of six hundred of the British, including twenty- D — five officers, were madé prisoners of war. They who # t& escaped, made the. best of their way to Ancaster, at 'À " the head ofthe Lake Ontario, exposed at an inclement season, to all the horrors of a dreary wildertiess, of hunger- and famine. On the seventeenth of October, they
-rendezvoused at that place to the number of two hun- ' Œ na dred and forty-ix including the General and seven- ne teen officers* PU MR SOS The American official statement of the number of pésoners taken 1 in this affair, almost exactly coincides with the British accounts. Gen. tan Harrison in his Official Despatch; says, 4 I left the army before an of. A ter, :_ficial return of the prisoners, and that of the killed and wounded was E "il "made out. ft was however ascertained that the former amountedto °(% 'six hundred and one regulars, including twenth-fiveofficers. Our loss ' 44 1! is seven killed and twenty-two' wounded, five of which died since, %# Da Of the &ritish_troops, twelve were killed and twenty-two wounded, The Indiaus suffered most-—thi
d n having been found up. "on the ground, besides those killed on thg retreat." The-British loss can be assertèined from'the following extraét from
[1813 1813]. . SIR GEORGE PREVOST. 137 dk] 4 : Ÿ "à : : ; ation ; but these This disaster of the nu arms in that quarter, . eving the day to. d Seems.not to have been p Hiated by those precautions, gnumbersofthe À and that 'presence of ind, which, even in defeat, re- l'heyhoweverre- flectà" lustre upon a Conimandér. , Tlie bridges and arrässed theene- roads in the rear of the retreating army were left enwich, whither he . # tire, while its progress was retarded by an useless and The British are !# cumbrous load of baggage. Whether the neglect Rty-two-wound- % sprung froni à erroneous coutempt of the 'enemy, or Ps loss at seven kil. from disobedience of the orders of. the Comwanding y-three [indians Officer, is not well understood ; but the. defeat led 40... à mong them the :% the harshest recrimination, and involved the divisionof sa À. y not. less cele- À the brave troops té had hitherto served with hongr . : 04 e known among ? in the Michigan te itory, in undeserved disgrace. à ravery, his elo- 4 - a re dian allies! Up- Notwithstanding these events the British still ret chading twenty- are - FRE ar. They who % the General Order of the Commander of the Forces of the to Ancaster, st vember, 1813, relative to General Proctor's defeat on
M ber, 1813. . bn :
AT 7 lement À Killed, ounded, and missing in the retreat and-in action of the iR Ê derriess,ofhun- 2 of October, 1818. SE n. fOctober, they © 1 Inspecting Field Officer, 1 Deputy-Ass t-Quarter Master Ëe- # S 5 er of two hun- ' !# . neral, 1 Fort Adjutant, 1 Hospital-Mate, 1 Lieut. Colonel, 6 Captains, 4
"#4 12 Lieutenants, 8 Ensigns, 1 Pay-Master, 1 Assistant Surged n, 34 Seral sad 2 AN joants, 13 Drummers, 569 Rank and File, 46 Horses. A EN et f
ae Le un Ansembled at Ancaster on the 11h October, 1814. Ÿ Fr": 'of prisonerstsken ! 1 Major-General, 1 Major of Brigade, 1 Aid-de Camip/ 1 Staff Adjutish accounts. Gen. ! tant, 3 Captains, 5 Lieutenants, 2 Ensigns, 1 Adjutan Quarter Masarmy before an bf- D ter, 2 Assistant: Surgeons, 16 Serjeants, 9 Drummers/ 204 Rank and
and wounded was 1 File, 63 Horses. j ré ") HE er amounted (to Total strength of'the Right Division on the 10thlef/Sfy ember, 1813.
officers. Our loss 1 Major-Generol, 1 Inspecting-Field-Officer,/ 1/Mhjor of Brigade, Y which died since. + Depaty-Assistañt-Quarter-Master-General, 1.Aid-de/C: mp, 1StaffAd. -/.
nty-two wounded. jutant, 1 Fort-Adjutant, L Hospital-Mate, 1 Liéu colonel, 9 Captains,. / aébeen found up. IE 20 Lieutenants, 5 Ensigns, 1 Pay-Masier, 1 Adjufant, 1 Querter.Mas-v: ; 4 à ter, 4 Assistant-Surgeons, 67: eants, %1L F. mers, 994 Rank and / Wing extraétfrom DE File, 99 Horses. À : ar 7 ges 0 : 1 To,
138 ADMINISTRATION or - Las
ed possession of Michilimackinac, which secüred our
influence. over the Indian Tribes of the West, and tho* General Harrison coñtemptated an expedition against
© that post, he found the season too far advanced to uu-
dertake the enterprise With. any prospect. of success. For this reason, aud from a belief," that the. garrison
of that post, cut off from all resources must necessarily À
fall of itself, he âbaudoned the project, not aware that it might, though with some pains be copiously supplied by way.of York er the' Ottawa River. 'His dispose-
able forces were therefore conveyed from the head of :
Lake Erie to Bufaloe, from whence they were for-
warded to Niagara and Fort George to supply. the"
detachments which had moved from nue to ARUr Harbour. à : Ë à / Fes
The Commande of 'the Forces, ie ie de ters were at Kingston, liaving cause 40 suspect an at- 'tack at that point, 'bÿ the armament preparing at
Sacket's Harbour, re-calléd Major General De Rotten-
burgh with a part of his force from the Niagara frontier, leaving Major General Vincent to continue the in- 'vestment. of Fort George. No s0oner had these or- . ders been crried into effect for the security of Kings- , ton, than General Vincent ascertained by sevéral suc-
sessive expresses from General Proctor, his vetreat À : from Amherstburgb, and his total discomfiture at the. !
brin Vie So ciraumstanced, he .judged it
expédient for the fuccour of the broken remains of the î right division retreating towards the head of the On-,
tario, as well as for the safety of his army, to raise the investment of Fort George and to fall back and concentrate his forces at Burlington Heights, lest General
- Heus
ch secured our West, and tho*? edition against advanced to uuect.of success. at the. garrison
lust necessarily 2°
not aware that iously supplied . 'His disposeom the head of they were for-
e to supply the
nce to Sacket's
se Head Quarsuspect an at- t preparing at
ral De Rotten-
Niagara froncontinue the in- r had these orurity of Kingsby sevéral suc-
or, his setreat À omfiture at the. !
, be, judged it remains of the
: Jence and with good order,
'armies.
à security of Upper:Canada, -
1813]. Sir George Prevost.
enemy, would place him between the two hostile :
Ta retire with order and safety, 'ata moment when
. the'enemy emboldened by recent triumphs, and the .
advantage of superior numbers, might by a decisive
: À stroke, have dispersed our forces on the Niagara fron-
tier, was a movement ofthe utmost consequence to the
The British line, éxtending in front of Fort George :from the Four-Mije Crèek on Lake Ontario; to the cross roads and St. Davids, was s0 extremely weaken-
edby sickness as to be-starcely able from threé or four thousand men to'exhibit one third of that number .
of effective firelocks in case of emergency: but the
superior advantages of décision and method in effecting the retrent, ami #ingvided for the safety of the movement: Early in the morning of the 9th of October, the main body with the baggage fell back in siwhile the picquets remain-
ed at their Posts in front of Fort George, in order to
engage the attention ofthe enemy, who were not aware'
ead of the On-. :
my, to raise the back and conts, lest General
1% lected for the occasion,
British -raise Of the retreat until the evening, when the
the investment picquets fell back upon seven companies CREVER of the 100th Regiment under lé où. Ætaylor, which were send with thé light company of the 8th Regiment and a few Indians, the whole attached to the command of Colonel Murray, constitut-
mand of Lieutenant Colonel
La
139 : 7
Harrison, by a bold and rapid march, or by a 'sudden descent in the fleet from Amhersiburgb, should pre-occupy that important position, which if effected by the
Administration Of. [1813 €
marches, and though closely pressed for several days : À
by a Brigade of 1500 men rider Brigadiers 'General: & . _M'Clure and Porter, from Fort George, s0 effectually" À À checked their pursuit as to afford time to Gen. Vincent ! to collect the remains ofthe right divisien under Gene- "
ral Proctor, and to prepare himself against an attack
ât Burlington Heighte,.. 1: 0" un 'After a few days march and constant manœuÿring with M'Clure's division, the rear guard finally assym- ! ed A port the already celebrated Stony CÉek 1 from which the enemy did not think it. prudent to at: À
temp to dislodge 'them. Et
Re
A ES 5 …. 4 Fe À
The Commander of the Forces having left Major ! General De Rottenburgn in cuarge 2fthe Sivil and à iümilitary commands in Upper-Canada,returned to Mon- *treal towardSthe end of September, to meet the invasion with which the enemy threatened the Lowgr Pro- 'vince. Gen. Hamptoh, after having transported his force across Lake Champlain, lay encamped for some 1 days at Cumberland Head, near Plattsburgh. On the 20th of September, he entered Lower-Canada, (his advancedh guard having surprised a small picquet early à in the morning) at Odletown, at the lower extremity of
Lake Champlain, with upwards of five thousand men. +
The road leading from thence to l'Acadie, and the open country in the Ra of Montreal, lies thro' 4
- d dus
[1813
tréat sf the main , and which dur- !
n all the fatigues.: rice, proceeded:' + and deliberate{ #:
for several days igadiers 'General
ge, so efflectually to Gen. Vincent L sion under Gene-
against an attack ant manœuvring
rd finally ed Stony
ving 'left Major
1 xe © gite Sivil end
jeturnel, toMonmeet the inva- :
the Lowér Pro- 5 season, '
transported his ie S
camped for some À At this momentous crisis, tie Commander of the burgh. Onthe À Forces issued an animating Proclamation, calling for Canada, (his ad- À the exértions of the people in repelling the threatened
Il picquet early wer extremity of
é thousand men.
' €
4 under the direction of capt. Mailloux. These were
t prudent to ,at- À
À preceding campaign. lie, andtheopen ; É ses D itreal, lies thro? 4 '
$ Ga
pt .
Bones PREVOST. 141 swampy wood of upwards of five leagues which had been Cut-up and rendered impracticable by abbatis 'since the preceding campaign, by tlie Voltigeurs under Lieut. Col. De Salaberry, and was now guarded by a 'few ofthe Frontier Ligh£ Infantry, and some Indians
'
#
D immediately reinforced by the flank companies 'of the - '4th battalion ofthe embodied militia under Major Per- À rault, and the Canadian Voltigeurs under Lieut. Col, ® De Salaberry who commanded the advance. Had : Hampton immediately sent forward a body of rifemew #% through the woods, he might, without mucb difiicuity, have obtained a footing in.the open\country near St, 4 John's; which, ifhe could have succeeded in occupying,musthave led to the surrender of'the Isle-aux-Noix, Hehowever seems not to have been aware of our weak- À. ness, or to have placed little reliance in the discipline and perseverance of his troops. On the 224 September, he evacuated Odtetown; and moved with his whole force 4 westward, toward'the head of Chateauguay River, .un- 1 der prétext of the impracticability of advancing thro? tie Odletown roadifor want of water for his cavalry and cattle, owing to the extraordinary drought of the
invasion; and'thie militia in the district of Montreal, turned out witli the'same ardour and alacrity asinthe
12*
-_Chateauguay,
skirmished with is enemy until after dark.
de: Ê ADMINISTRATION OF
Lé
Lieut. 'Col.
Four Corners.
sible dislod
qe
RECICR Lieut. Col. De Salaberry, with the Ca- À De Salaberry nadian Voltigeurs,on ascertaining the route :
pute the enemy had pursued, moved in like mar
ner to Chateauguay, where he was ordered by the Commander of the Forces, to proceed to the enemy's camp at Four Corners, at the head of the in order to create an alarm, and if pos- # -bim by a surprise. 'To effect this ser-
vice (the accomplishment of which appeared quiteimpracticable to Lieut. Colonel De Salaberry, withthe
very limited force under his command) he proceeded through the woods along the Chateauguay, "with one : hundred and fifty of his Voltigeurs, the Light Company.
Of Canadian Fencibles, and about one hundred'Indians
under the direction of capt. Gaucher ; and onthe after- ! moon of the first of October, artived, unobserved, at he vicinity of. the enemy's camp. By the indiscretion /of one ofhis Indians, who had discharged his piece, an
arm was created, when Lieut. Colonel De Salaberry
hding himself discovered, immediately collected fifty
SO AE VU Ce
ofhis Voltigeurs, with which, and his Indians, be pushed into the enemyÿ's advanced camp, consisting of two !
Light Battalions of about 400 men each, and drove
them for 'a considerabledistance, until perceiving the
main body vof the enemy making movements to circumvent him, he fell back, and took up his former position
De Salaberry again made another charge, but the
alarm being now universal in the camp, and the Indians having, fallen to the rear, his men were obliged ! " to retire, leaving him and Captains Chevalier Duches-
ney and Gaucher, with a, few:trusty Voltigeurs, who Of'the
'at the skirt of the woods. From this point Lieut. Col.
rt
À
"prets À y, with the Ca- À taining the route
oved in like man- F
e he was ordered à o proceed to the LE
the head of the larm, and if pos- # o effect this ser-_!
peared quiteimaberry, withthe
1) he proceeded uguay, with one :
S ÉtPeS + Re
Light Company. # hundred'Indians andonthe afterunobserved, at
the indiscretion 7 # ence of the English and Chate à threw up.temporary breast works of logs, covering his. front and right flank by extended abbatis, whie bis left
red his piece, an el De Salaberry
y collectë fifty
r
Sir George Prevost.
18131] : "143 Americanf, one officer and one man were killed, and only one wounded, by their nat à statement ; tho' other more probable ho state cr loss at rentre
men, 'which a few days sferye 8 they so rs exem-
plified under their gallant leader at Chateauguay. Foie to Chateduguay, take
After this rencounter he return ing the precaution of breaking up the road in his rear, and acquainting himself with the ground over which.
: Hæppton was expected to-make\his way into the pro-
indians,he pushonsisting of two ! ach, and drove ! 1] perceiving the
ments to circumformer position
oint Lieut. Col. :
harge, but the !
ap, and the In-
n were obliged À
évalier Duches- 'oltigeurs, who
R té
Ca
vince, and finally assumed a judicious position in a thick. wood; on the left bank of the Chateauguay river, at: the distance of two leagues abové the Fork or confluay rivers, where he:
was secured by the river. Here:he rcolved t to await the everty and maintainhis ground with a handful of Canadians, against the whole strength ofthe invading army. In his rear there was a small rapid where the river was fordable : this he covered with a strong breast work and a guard ; keeping at the same time a strong picquet of the Beauharnois militia in advance on the right bank of the
river, lest the enemy-approaching under. cover ofthe forest, might cross the Ford, and dislodge him from his '
ground. The occupancy of this position, Hampton sd considered of the cha Fetes to the ulterior
è
COM ADMINISTRATION OF ! qeusl
yet in readiness to move.
' dividethe attention of the British, directed Col. Clark
practicable road from his position at Four Corners, (a distance 0/24 miles) through woods.and morasses, which Lieut Col De Salaberry on returning from
.''abbatis, the whole of his artillery (10 field pieces) and stores were brought forward to his new position, about seven miles from Lieut. CoL. De Salaberry's post.
+
-object of the campaign, as the country fcorh thence to the mouth of the Chateauguay, being prinéipally open # and cultivateéd, afforded no strong points to check his # progress t the St. Lawrence, and prevent his jiaction R with Gen. Wilkinson's Division, which i in fact was not À
General Hamptonin then mean timeç-to distract and
to carry on a petty wärfare on the Eastern side of! bi # Lake Champlain, and hat ruthless Depredator accord- his ingly infested the settlements in Missisko Bay, wbere ; jfmer he plundered the inhabitants : in the TS man- tot der. EE Mie
On the 21st d "Dätober: Gen. no again en- Be
tered Lower-Canada, having early in the morning of nus that day dispatched his light troops and a regiment of à, bf à the line, under Brigadier General Izard, to dislodge a ! small picquet of sedentary militia, and a few Indian warriors; at the junction of the Outarde and Chateau à guay rivers, where the main body arrived on the 224. :Onthe 24th, having opened and completed a large and
Ver
Four Corners, had broken up and embarrassed with
pate of From this point he despatched Colonel Ehateauguey. Purdy with a light Brigade, and a strong body of Iafantry of the le, at an early pour in dd
an
Lu
Fe " nes! 1813] GEORGE PREVOST. 145
try from thence to Bright of the 25th, with orders to gain the Ford, and . ; principally open # all on the rear of Lieut. Colonel De Salaberry's pooints to check his Mition; while the main body were to commence the atrevênt his junction Mack in front. "Purdy's brigade proceeded, but were h in fact was not Mhisled and bewildered in the woods, either through the Mgnorance or treachery of the guides, and did not gain ne. Mie point of attack as directed by the commanding off- , 0 eçto distract and er. General Hampton however advanced next morñ-_ rected Col. Clark Æng (26th Oct.) under the expectation of hearing the e Eastern side of fintended attack at the Ford, and at ten o'clock made epredator accord- his appearance with about three thbusand five hundrèd iskoui Bay, where ÿ k sen, under General Izard on the high road, leading nost wanjon man- to the abbatis, and drove in a small picquet of twentÿ- … five men, who falling back upon a second picquet made ose solute stand, and maintained a smart fire upon the Far Bain en- nemy. Lieut. Col. De Salaberry, upon hearing the. a.tùe morning of l bmusketry, promptly advanced with the light compañy
à
sud a régiment af MMbf the Canadian Fencibles, commanded by captain, :
a creer"
ang à lew ndian EE nded by.c Chévalier and L. Juchereau Duch-
date … sus; Test ofthee companies he posted on the leted à large à d igbt, in frônt of the abbatis, in extended order, is à Four a : Might skirting on the adjoining woods and abbatis, de end: Es among which wcre distributed a few Abenaqui Indians. er on HCapt. Chevalier Duchesnay's company of Voltigeurs nbaross ss extended order, occupied the around from the left field pieces) a pf this company to the river Cheteauguay, an ; RS bovt hird company under captain L. Juchere:
p° .. ay, with about thty-five sedentary hi
perse POSE Mt Longtain, were thrown back en Potence along patched Colonel he /margin of the river, for the purpose of flanking, or
breventing a flank fire from the enemy in the event of
e, anda + j appearance on he opposite side of the river. The ; : AE Peine k & fe 4 re
arly hour in the:
pal
1]
les)
Va
ee pers
M6 Le. ADMINISTRATION Gr
nell, while Li Guerr
u ' LG
re [1813 813]. sim croncr PREVOST. 145
"with steadiness in! nusket Sr Æompelled him in bis turn to fall back. Having repulsrged his rifle as a 4 Captain Daly's Company, they were moving où in a mounted officer @verwhelming numbers with eagerness and speed close d and a quick fire Pa the bank of the river, until'opposite to Captain L. emy who wheeleg Muchereau Duchesnay's Company, which hitherto lay 'in Battalion vol- Moncealed,' and now at the word of command from r line, was almost Mieut. Col. De Salaberry opene so unexpected and anadians, and of flectual a fire upon the enemy' as to throw hingnto on changed thèir. acing to the right sagement became ishers, rather ad. _mistaken by the t -ensued, whict : id the reinforce Colonel M'Don
Ty. as à ruse de
intervals, in the
1 the desired ef.
nemy, who: Ë
tin vas seat arrived on the ground, and witnessed in person, the juoise of the en- dicious arrañgements and successful exertions of Lieut. division on-the Mi Colonel De Salaberry and his gallant <omrades and & driven in the countrymen, whose prowess on the occasion called forth
precipitate retreat.
certed by the total route of the division ox the right bank, withdrew his forces in gooë order at half past
effort to carrÿ the abbatis and entrenchments at the point ofthé bayonet, leaving Lieut. Col. De Salaberry with scarcely three hundred Canadians, masters of the
Captain Bru- M the warmest -ençomiums of the Commander of the :
t which Lieut, -MR Forces, and gave (em a just claim to the disinterested ht company of 1 and impartial applause of history. 1 nder Captain. D : Gt Ë ; abandoned by Capt. Daly, while leading on his men, received twe npañy crossed M vere wounds. Upwards of forty of the Americans
in With, and : M 'were found dead on the field. The loss of the Cana-
\mericans up- x
ou the main body, which: still pressed forward and
Ithe.utmost disorder, and te occasion a tumuiltuous and . General Hampton finding his arrangements discon- .
two in the afternoon, without having made a single
field of action. Towards the close of the engagement, Sir George Prevost, with Major General De Watteville,
D.
N. run 148 : ne © ADMINISTRATION oF Se [1813
dians-amounted to five killed and twenty in wounided and missing.* es k + General Hampton having-ré-occupied his late position, called_a council of war, where it was determined LE . to fall back and'occupy the former position at Four- Corners, to secure their communicatign with the United à States ; from thence either to retire into widr quar- D 'ters or to be ready to re-enter Lower-Canada. Pur- M suant.to this determination the army retired to Four- Corners, while the Canadians hung upon their rear and D, harassed their retreat. D
From the fatigues and privations 'xperienced by this 1° division, exposed for severàl weeks to the inclemency of the season, the enemy's traops s00n assumed the native rawness of recruits, and they were no more capa- à ble of co-operating with Wilkinson's division in the À combined movement against Montreal. They shortly à after fell back upon Plattsburgh and retired to winter Quarters.
The plan of the campaign adopted by the American Government, as subsequently developed by the pub- - Jication of " Sundry Documents submitted to Con- " gress in obedience to a resolution of that Body of
The Comniander of the Forces was pleased to aclmowledge the " distinguished port which Lieut. Colonel De Salaberry experienced
from the seal an exertions of Captain Ferguson of the Canadian Fen- " cibles, and from Captains Chevalier and L. Juchereau Duchesnay, from Adjutants O'Sullivan and Hebden, and Captain Lamotte of the Indian warriôrs. Sir George Pfevost, in his official despatch on this occasion, solicited from the Prince Regent, as a mark of his gracious approbation of the Embodied B, ttalions of the Canadian Militia, five pair of Colours, for the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4h, abd 61h Battalions.
Ls
jou
fe, sn! : LR: VER wt
Lr … [1813
21613] SIR GEORGE. PREVOST., / 149 wenty in wounded the 31st December, 1813, tending/to etplain the : ; causes- of the failure of the American arms on the : 1 Bied bis late nc: % Northern Frôntier," was, by hastily withdrawing #4 gs a Mheir forces from Fort George to Sacket's Harbour, TES DÉNrE €. Ao make a sudden descent upon Kingston, before "the PORHON at Four. British forces could be called in fromthe N niagara fron- D on with the United à ier ; while Hampton was to make a simultaneous move- ss ment on Lake Champlain, indicating'.an intention of 4 attacking Montréal and its dependencies, and really "4 to attack. them if to reinforce the Upper: Province, 5 kese posts should be materially weakened. The lin- "gerihr plègress of the armament at Sacket's Harbour à 4. Mal tire to call in reinforcements to Kingston, ip " Es at 4 F some discussion between General Wilkinson . ; assumed the : ie and the Secretary of War, it was determined, atthein--. # re no more caba: stänce of the latter, to leave that post in the rear and s division is 4 Mproceed doiaithe St. Lawrence for Montreal, The dl. Thèy short merican fortes to about ten thousand men accordingretired A Vi Y My rendezvoused towards the end of October on Grena: T Mer Island, in thé' neighbourhood of Kingston, where MCencral De Rottenbufgh confidently expecting an at- - : Mack, was prepared for the event. From thisipoint, afby ee era Mer experiencing much foul weather, Wilkinson comae 2 sd pue nenced his movement under cover of the American of that Bod " leet, and on the 3d November slipt into the St. Law- YO rence with a flotilla of upwards of three hundred boats 4 to acknowledge the of various sizes, escorted by a division of gun-boats, : . , j re seen € proceeded to within three miles of Prescotandland- Se 1 rorsi Duchesnay, his troops on the American shore, who proceeded. : tain Lamotte ofthe Plownwards by lard to a Bay or Cove, two miles below ial despatch onthis that post,'in order to avoid the British batteries, while, : eu Pate be flotilla passed them in the night of the sixth, with. ttalions. out sustaining any material injury-in their passage by the cannonade, rs 18 è
into witi r quarer-Canada. Pur- y retired to Fourpon their rear and
à 4 Ho
€
Lt
— do",
Burgh detached a small force from that post,
: d'u Lieut. Col. Morrison with the' gun-boats visit.
'and took possession of a consideräble quantity
/ .the mean: time followed up the eneimy,
7 Vie
© ADMINISTRATION or 2 The movement of the flotilla down the St. Lawréàcè
being ascertained at Kingston, Gencral De Rotten-
'ipg of the49th Regiment, commanded by Lieuf.
at Ce à Q "is Plenderleath, thè 89th Regiment and some Vaolti eurs, / À
which when reinforced by.Lieut. Colonel Pearso with
party of. the Canadian Fencibles from Pr . ämounted to about B00 rank and file, the whole com-
ended by Lieut, Colonèl Morrison of the 89th Regi-"
ment, a accompanied by the Deputy Adjutant-Gene- :
ral. is corps of observation proceeded uñdéer the
escort ôf a small division of gun-boats, cominanded by":
Captain Mulcaster, R. N. in 'pursuit of the enemy, and ;
: \ef the 8th came up with them at Point Iroq ois. Ge- ! .\neral Wilkinson had on the preceding day directed Colonel Macorhb to land on th
h
ifen, in order to clear the coast down to the héad of the. Long Sault, of the militia collecting along the shore froi various parts of the Country . ' On the 18tb this
division wäs reinforced by Brigadier General Brown''s
Brigade, with a body of Dragoons from the 'American shore. On arriving at the head of the Lorg Satilt,the
whole ofthe pffective men, except such as were redhired :
© for navigating the boats down thetrapid, were landed 4 ' under the orders of Brigadier fieneral Boyd, Who:was 'to proteed down by. land. in the rear of General
Brown's division to the foot of''the Long Sault. On the
the fmericän post at Hamilton: where he landed
pio- 7 /visions and stores, belonging 'to the American army /. with two pieces of ordnance. Lieut, Col. Harvey in
: x pont mm mn eee ne à ROC EELSE Le
gcot, LS
e British shore with 1200 !
pr — En éd Dsis
hé St. Lawréàcè ral De Rotten-
1813] °Sir Beorge Prevost,. : 151
evening:were observed advancing from 'the woods in, considerable numbers witha body of. cavalry,. 'but, up>"- on receivingéa few rousds from three field pieces, probably fi indins their pursuers better prepared #
ome Volti eurs, / à they expected, fell back for the night.* On the'ensu- .. el Pearso with à Batle of ing day, Lieut. Colonel Morrison pressed
from Préscot, 1 ° Ro so closely upon the rear of General Boyd's : the whole com- À "" :, divi ision, as to compel him to couçentrate Le the 89th Regi-° his forces and give battle, a description of which çan- : :, Adjutant-Gene- , à not be-inôre accuratly conveyed than by Auoting Eté eded uñder the Colonel Morrison's oflicia] despatch on the occasion. é commanded by' The: énemy's force, consisting of two brigades of In-
the enemy, and, D. fantry, and'a Regiment of cavalry, anounting to be-" Ioqdois, Ge- tween three and four thousand men, moved:forward & dey Girected 1 about two o'clock in the afternoon from Chrystle"s hore with 1200 Point, and attacked our advance, which. grâduallÿ fell ne FE the head of the. back to the position selected for thé detachment to éc- 4 long the shore L' : cup}, the right resting on the riyer, and the left on:a n the 18ththis pine-wood, exhibiting about: 'seven humdred yards. The. L'. eneral Brown's ground being É a the reg peines diposed: a s ] a 1 the American mo. Ru oïig Salt bithe Ne : Thé Flank Compsnis of fe 49h Rogimept the de- " were redhired t&hmont of the Canadian Régiment, with: one field $ were landed / -piece, under Lieut. Colonel Pearson, on the right ; ARE er Joyd, Who was -ittle advanced on ihè road Three' companies of Ve. - l r-of General S9th. Regiment,. under Captain Barnes, with a gün. l]
'Sault, On he formed..in echellon with the advance on its, left, sup- 200
.waiting it. The 49th'and the 89th thrown more to ..: 4
th rear, with a gun, formed the main body and re- PA 'serve, extending to.the woods on the left; which Vis : were occupied by the Voligeurs,. under Maj Her- ' . ,
Some smart cantionading 1 in the à time "took plâce between the gun- Fute Ù À
er à
Cuti
is. 8 4" "A "4
be
Dr . mL ; ' À
' '152
: riot, and thè Jndia ", . At ab
the line was
. from the 'ene their guns posted opposite to our Céssary when within a short distance of them, to check this forward movement, in consequence of a charge from their cavalry:on the right, lest they should wheel about, and fall Upon.the rear, but they were received in so gallant a n'anner by tlie'companies of the S9th ! under Captain Barnes, and the'well directed fire of the %Æ Ârtillery, that the quickly retreated, and by a charge from those un Rs one gun was gained.—The enemy immiediatély concentrated their force to check. Our advance, but such was the steady countenance and. well directed fire of the troops and artillery, that. about half Past four, they gave way at all points from an exceeding strong position, endeavouring by their. light infantry to cover their rétreat, who were soon driven away by a judicious Movement made by Lieut. Colonel Pearson, The detachment for the night occupied the &round from which the enemy had been driven."
This, (called the battle of Chrystler's Farm fro
nant Anderson— me general, when .À rward a Bïigade #
Was repulsed b ce With the' 49+h
Ccasionally fring 4
directed against ment, the 49th on, in Echellon, af musket shot, at irregular fire cted_ to charge
it it became ne-
them, to check
ce of a:charge
4 should wheel
Were received À
ies of the 89th -Cted fire. ofthe
nd by a charge
gained.—The orce to check. untenance and artillery, that. 1 points from ring by their . Oo were soon ade by Lieut. the night ocmy had been
1813]
the ground on which it occurred) is in thé estimation _ofmilitary men, considered the handsomest affair dur- à ed in the course of the action; by the adverse côm- manders; and when we consider the prodigious preparatives of the American government for that éexpedition, with the failure of which their hopes of/conquest vanished, the battle of Chrystler's Farm ed as an evtnt-ofithe first importance in
M these provinces.* io
The American division after Jeaving the field, re- '
# émbarked in haste, while the dragoons, with five field piecesof light aftillery-proceeded down towards Cornwall, in the' rear.of General Brown's division, who, unaware of the battle, had continued his march for that
cs Lieut., Colonel Morrison concludes his despatch by thé following
testimony, of the zeal and bravery manifested by the officers and men under his command. FU
" Itis now"my gräteful duty to point out to your Honor, the benefit 'the Service has receivèd from the ability, judgment, and active excrtions, of Lieut. Colonél Harvey, the Deputy Adjutant General, for sparing whom to accompany the detachment, I myst again publicly express my acknowledgements. To the cordial co-operation arid exertions of Licut. Colonel Pearson, commandingithe detäcement from Prescot, Lieut: Colonel Plenderleath, 49th Regiment, Major Clifford, 89th Regiment, Major Herriot, of the Voltigeurs, and Captain Jackson, of the Royal.Artillery, combined with the galfantry of the troops, our grues séocegs may be attributed ; every man did his duty} and I believe.
cannot more strongly speak their merits than in mentioning that our small force did not exceed eight hundred rank and file.
Department,,;I am under the greatest obligations
Farm fro
. have received from them ; their zeal and activity, have been unremitting—Lieut. Hagerman of the Militia, and Lieut: Anderson of the
Indian Department, have àlso for their services descryed my public acknowicdgments." : + :
Sir George Prevost. 153
'ing the late war, from the professional science display ::
"To Captains Davis and Skinner, of the Quartér Mastèf General's ec for thé assistance LE
+ Ces
ui
ADMINISTRATION ; QE FE [1813 place. The enemy lost an able officér in the person of Brigadier General Covington, who, while animating his mén to the charge, received a mortal wound, which à he survived only two days.. The loss of the enemy, À "by their own official Statements, amounted to three' 4
officers and ninety:ni
General Wilkinson, who, during the action,. lay confined to his barge, from a protracted illness, in his official despatch to bis government, bears faithful tes- ; timony ofthe loyalty of the inhabitants on the Canada side ofthe Saint Lawrence, and of the brayery and 7 discipline -of the troops he'had to contend with at. . Chrystler's Farm. . ne ir.
The day after the €ngagement, the American flotilla proceeded down the Long Sault and joined near Cornwall the division which had moved on under Gen. : Brown, towards that place, where General Wilkinson 'tonfidently expected to hear of the arrival of General Hampton on the opposite shore, to whom he bad writ- . ten on the ôth, to that effect, not being then acquainted with his late defeat. Here, to hisunspeakable mor-
tification and surprise, he receivéd à letter from Gen, : Hampton, informing him that the division under his Command was falling back upon Lake Champlain. —
This information, with the countless dificulties mo '
cer in the person ; while animating tal wound, which i. 58 of the enemy, ! counted 'to three and sixteen offi- à
e men wounded, Lo three officers
nt and Lieuten-
twenty-one men
dred'and thirty=
the action. lay d illness, in his
ars faithful tes- :
s on the Canada he brayery and
ontend with at.
%
American flond joined near on under Gen, eral Wilkinson val of General
om he bad writ- ,
then acquaintpeakable morter from Gen, sion under his Champlain. — ificulties mo
0 pres
1813] .SIR GEORGE PREVOS. gently crowding upon the American army, effectually blasted every prospect of further süccess, So circy stanced. the American Commander immediately Held 24 a council of war, in which' it was unanimously rekolv- Led " That the attack upon Montreal should be aband- #f oned for the present $eason, " Cornwall should immediate " rican shore, for taking up-/winter quarters," which, -6n the ensuing daÿ, was accordingly carrie into effect, by their proceeding for: Salmon. River, /where their 'boats and batteaux\ were £ uttled, and gxtensive barracks for the whole\arm
dinary celerity; and surrgunded on all isé impracticab
lated from the Island of Montreal,
'the City of Montreal.
of danger ha! ing subsided, 'the Forces dismisi ed the Sedentar:
Militia, by a . with acknowl
digments of the cheerful alacrity, with
éhicountering the enemy.
With thése operations terminated the Campaign of 1813, in the Lower Province, but new triumphs still awaited /the British arms in the Province àf Upper- Canada
and that the army near: be crossed to the Ame-
were erected/with extraor- … . née sides.by abbutis, ibh was to have landed on the Isle
by a small channel, Jver which he il ended to throw a '" bridge-of boats, and from thence to fight bis way for
which they had: repaired to their Posts, and. the loy- >alty and zeal they/had manifested at the prospect of .
e &
Ÿ
156- né ADMINISTRATION QF : . [ist
. Major General De Rottenburgh was relieved in the!
command of Upper-Canada, early in December, HE À
Lieut, General Drum
cumulated horrors of Canadian winter. Th Colonel. Murray, scar men, inclu®ing Indians occuthe Âme- €Xasperated Frontier, of retaliation, rummond promptly availed himself after the Occupation of Fort George, by adopting the resolution of carrying thé merican Fort Niagara by surprise, da
ef". fiétol was relieved in the y in December, by 4
oceeded from King-? e head of the Lake
1813] : .__SIR GEORGE PREVOST._ di 157
Having énly two ve at his disposal in the. Nia-
gara river, he deferred the attack until a sufficient number: of batteaux Could bé conveÿed. over land, several niles, from Burlington at the head of the Lake, which
à eee à ° È ge sn. a But di Quarter. Master General's Department.
prise and cap Having 'made every necessary. arrangeprb. ort Ni: ment, the batfeaux were launchéd, and the #2 à 'troops were embarked on the night of the . 18th December, consisting of a small détachment. of Royal Artillerÿ; the grenadier company of the Royal- IScots, the flank companies of the 41st' and 100th regiment, amounting in the wholé to five hundred and fifty men, under the immediate command of Colonel. Murray. This small force having crossed the river ÿ War, most inhu-: assisted by the Provincial Corps, as boatmen, Handed reto the flourish- with the utmost silence and good order at the Five out one hundred Mile Meadows, distant four and a half miles from the to ashes, leaving ESFort. From this point, Colonel Murray moved towith upwards of wards the Fort, having previously detached the adposed to the ac- Evance of his division, under Captain Fawcett and Lt. inclemency of a Jawson of the 100th regiment, who gallantly executed the command of he orders entrusted to them, by cutting off two of the. to five hundred enemy's picquets, and surprising the centinels on the. mediately occu-. Glacis and at the Gate, from whom the watch word icy of the Ame: was obtained, and the entrance into the Fort, thereby rk, exasperated 1 eatly facilitated, which was rapidly effected through th Frontier, of Mhe main gate, before the enemy had time to sound the ral Drummond Milarm. The assailants having obtained possession of : ipation of Fort he works, the enémy made for some time a feeble re. f carrying thé istance, but finallÿ surrendered at discretion. The Le ; Valour of the troops engaged on this service, particularly of the 100th regiment, under Lieut. Col. Hamil-
% à
acuatèd that Post d rétreated across irsuant to the di-
ras effected by the exertions of Captain Elliot, 'of the XS
158 ADMINISTRATION: or . [I81$
ton was highly conspicuous. The loss of the British
amounted: to only one officer (Lieut. Nolan,) and five
men killed, and two officers (one of them Colonel Mur. ray, bÿ a musket shot through the wrist,) and tbrecl men wounded. The loss of the enemy in slain amount.
ed to sixty-five men, (all with the bayonet,) and tw:
oflicers and twelve rank and file wounded. The pri-
— soners amounted to moré thaï three hundred effective men ofthe regular arby.of the United States. An im. mense quantity of Commissariat Stores, with upward of three thousand stand of ris, a gréat number 9
'rifles and several pieces of ordnance, of which twentyseven ofdifferent calibres were mounted:on the works, fellinto the hands of the victors. Majot General Rial! who had crossed over immediately xfter Col. Murray, with the whole body of Western Indianÿ" and the 1st Battalion of Royal Scots, and 41st Regiment, in order to supbort the'attack, upon. ascertaining its success,
: immediately marched along the rive#üpon Letisbmh
where the enemy hac 'established & force, and ha _érected batteries with the avowed purpose of destroying the Town of Queenstown situated directly oppogite.
: The enemy, upon the approach of this division, abandoned their position, leaving two'guns, a twelve and:a six pounder, which féll into the 'hands of the British, with a considerable quantity of small arms and Stores.
- In retaliation for the conflagration of Newark, the in
dignant troops: and auxiliaryÿy Indians were let loose
upon the enemy's frontier, and Lewistown, Manchester, and the. circumjacent country were laid_in ruins.
General Drummond determined to follow up these suc-
<esses, which he could not deein complete until-he had
chased the enémy from the whole frontier, and taken
F c: OSHBasy SIR GEORGE PREVOST. 159: loss of the Britis\ EE mple vengeance for his éruelties oward the inhabi-
it. Nolan,) and five ants of Newark. He therefore : moved his forces up : them Colonel Mur:@,, Chippawa, where he fixed his Héad Quarters on the' wrist) and threhas December, #nd onthe follow ng day approached
my in slain amount, within two miles of Fort Erie, where having reconbayonet;) and two poïtred thé enemy's position at. Black Rock, he detér-. ounded. The pri ined to attack him inîthe-c.
e hundred effective ordingly directed Goff
ed States. Ani im- our companies of té 3 egiment "and the ab ores, with upward ompany of the S0trRÈR PÆut. Col. Ogilvy ; two a gréat number o% Lndred and fifty: men OPEL st, and the grenadiers - Of which twenty. of the 100th Regiment,? "Mider Major Frend, together nted, où the works, with:about fiiy Militia' Volünteers. and'a body of In-.
General Rial! lian warriors. This division completed its tanding:
r Col. Murr ray, about midnight, tw6 miles below Black Rock, its adan and the 15 anced guard having surprised. and caplured the greattegiment, i in order er pars of a a pic uet of the -enemyÿ, and: 'secured the : js, its dès / Conguichity Cre #, from which the.
upon wisto wi, enemÿ several attempts to dislodge them. The : a force, and ha boats and batt aux after having' crossed his. division, .; irpose of destroy-.e tracked Up as high as the foot ofthe rapids below directly oppogite Fort Erie, in/order :to cross the Royals under Lieut. : is division, aban- colonel Go lon, . who were destined to land. above " 15, a twelve and.a ds of the British, k osition, while he should be attacked i in Lrù nt, arms and Stores. roops who had landed below. The delay otcasi Newark, the in, y the grounding of the boats, which detained them s were let loose until morning, and exposed .them to the open fire of. stown, Manches-Bhe 'enemy, caused the Royals some loss, and preventre laid in ruins Bed them froin effecting a landing*in sufiicient time tolow up these suc- fully aecomplish the object : intended... At day break" lete until-he had Major General Riall moved forward; the King's regt. atier, and taken and Do EOmpanr of the"B9th hleading, and the sn
Res
7 :
' 160 & Administration Of " [1813
and Grenadiers of the 100th forming the reserve. On Ba
gaining the:town, a very spirited attack was made up- in}
onthe enemy,. who were in great force and strongly ing
posted, and on the arrival of the reserve, the action flo:
became general. - The enemy, naintained his position set
L with obstinacy for some time, I t:upon the advance te D. cs Li of the British he' was comfelledto give way, and . — wasdriven throughhis batte#is, in Whichwere atwen-, üre L + RE 'pounder, three twelves and a nine -pounder. of re "#From Black Rock, the fugitives were 'pursued to the vic ' town'of Buffaloe, about two miles distant, where they he:
rallied and shewed a large body of infantry and ca- wr
. valry, and attempted to oppose the advance of the thie
British by the fire of a field piece, posted on a height ner
commanding the road; finding this ineffectual, they
retreated in all directions, leaving a six-pounder bras Ê
field piece, one iron eighteen, and one iron six-pound* ish
er, and hetook themselves to the woods. Lg pec
Ha ne é 'pre
.… General Rial having dispersed this force, immediate- pro
1y detached Captain Robinson ofthe King's Regiment, '
with two companies, to destroy three vessels of the ..; À
enemy's Lake squadron, a short distance below the _anc
town, with their stores, which he effectually accom- mo
plished. 7. flag
£ rie LR À def
.. The Americans in this affair;/ were not less innumber the than 2,500, and are supposed to have lost in killed and Pre wounded, from three to four hundred men... Only one vag hundred and ,thirty men wefà made 'prisoners, and par . @mong them Colonel: Chapin. The British lost 31 pell men killed, and four officers, and sixty-eight men cisi wounded, and nine men missing. The small towns of pro
+
RSR TE. dt id M de og
+ us
reserve. On
was made upand strongly je, the action d his position the advance ive way, and were a twenine -pounder. ursued to the , where they ntry and cavance of :the on a height ectual, they ounder bras n six-pound-
, immediate- 's Regiment, vessels of the .:: below the lly accom-
ss innumber n killed and Only one icoerés and tish lost 31 eight :men ll towns of
Baffaloe and Black Rock having been dés ted by the _inhabitants, were, with all the public stores, contain-
ing. considerable quantities of clothing, spirits and -
flour, wbich could not be conveniently brought away,
set on fire and entirely consumed. F
L]
These decisive and retaliatorÿ measures 'almost en- ,
tirely crushed the power, and destroyed the resources of the enemy on the Niagara frontier, and although victims of the retributive x vengeance brought on their heads by the barbarity of their own Commanders, the wretched inhabitants are said to have acquiesced in tlie justice of the measures -parmed by the British General. e n
ish arms in the Canadas, and cheered the hopes ofthe people at the close ofthe campaign, which a few weeks '
" previously, -threatened the total Heure of these .
provinces. Ample vengeance having been'taken by the spirited
and judicious promptitude of Lieut. General Drum- :
. mond, upon the Niagara frontier, for the wanton conflagration and the cruel outrages comfnitted upon the defenceless inhabitants of Newark, the Commander of the Forces, on the 12th of Junuary, 1814, issued a Proclamation, in which he strongly deprecated the savage mode of warfare to which the enefhy, by a departure from the established usages of war, had compelled him to resort, "He.traced with faithful pré cision and.correctness; the conduct that had marked the progress of the war on the part of the enemy, and con-
14:
1813] È sIR GEORGE PREVOST. 161
$
Such were the rapid saccesses that'attendad the Brit
ñ
à 5)
Lisa. cluded by lamenting the necessity imposed upon him a
of retaliating upon thé süobjects of America, thé mises ries inficted upon the inhabitants of:-Newark, but at the same time declared it not to be'his intention fur-
ther to pursue a system of warfare 50 revolting to his own feelings and so little cogenial to the British character, unless he should be 50 compelled by the future.
- Measures of the enemy.) CHE
' 162 Administration Of
"Attack of the Americans under Cole Mill, : à
F
ot
O° the thirteenth of January, the Legislature met for the dispatch of public business. The Go- VErnor Congratulated the Parliament on the defeat of the enemy àt Chateauguay, by a hagdfül of brave Ca- ", nadians ; and on the brilliant victory obtained bythe ". small Corps of observation on the banks of the St. ' Lawrence, over the formidable armament commänded by Major General Wilkivson, :
5 mens. A ln ER CS RE mA SRG
ca, thé mises wark, but at ntention furrolting to his British chaby the-fature.
ÿ Proceedings. ] h and America rs taken by the issy to Quebec. upon the La .
lature met The Go- 1e defeat of brave Caned by the ' . of the St. ' command-
1814]
which it had My or expedient to introduce into
, Of Kinñg's Bench in-the Province from being summon-
- ©rdér to carry on the public serviceS'heïhad found it: :-
ing the provisions of the Army Bill Act. 'Thé House
'in, was introduced, and having passed the Lower
that the matters contained in je Bill, were unparliamentary and uuprecedented, ;
The Governor, in a secret and confidential message to the House'of Assembly informed: body, that in
7" "Sir Geqrge Prevost.
indispensably necessary to direct an issue of Army Bills to a gréater amount than five hundred thousand pounds (the sum authorized by the late Army Bill Act) and recommended to the"'immediate and-serious consideration of the House, the expedience of extend-
accordingly. took the subject into consideration, and passed a Bill extending the issue of Army Bills to fifteen hundr@d Ÿthousand pounds. The Militia Laws underwent some discussion but were not altered, the th Legislative Coynéil not concurring with some clauses
the Bill, sent up fof"their concurrence. A Billto dis- 2 À. qualify the Chief Justices. and the Judges of the Courts rs"
ed to the Legislative Council or sitting or voting'there- :
House, was sent up to, the' Legislative' Council for their concurrence, Here it was unanimously resolved
d intrenched uponthe prerogative of the Crown and the rights and privil. ' : edges of the House "and it was therefore also unani-
mously resolved to procegd no further in the consider-
ation of the Bill. The House of Assembly upon find-
ing it to have been laid aside, apgointed a Committce
to search the Journals of the Legislative Council, to ascertain officially what proceedings had. been taken "+ with respect to the Bill in question. The Committee
having taken iuformation on the subject, reported the
D
. gr Ÿ
NN ds
164 ei"? ADMINISTRATION. OF (814. EE
fate of the Bill 8 collected from the Journals of'the
: Legislative Council, and the House among other coun-.
ter resolutions, indignantly resolved ' that the Legislative Council by their refusal to -Proceed on that Bill had excluded from'their consideration à measure high-
meriting the attention ofthe Legislature ofthe Proen the Legislati
vincé and had therèfore afforded additional evidence
" of its expedience." A Bill was also introduced'as in the preceding Session to grant 'to his Majesty fa duty on the Income asising from Civil Offices, and on* Pensions, 10 be applied for the defence' of the Pro
rica." This bill was rejected by the Legislative Council The Bill for the appointment of an Agent -in
Es:
' ke vince int present war with thé United States of Ame D
Great Britain was also sent up to the Legislative Couu: a
cil, where it was laid aside:
The House of Assembly unanimously passed a vote of thanks to Lieut. Colonel De Salaberry, and the officers under his command for their distinguished exer-
. fions on the 26th of October 181$, in theaction onthe Chateauguay river, and directed the Speaker to signi-
ffthe same to Lieut, Colonel Salaberry and the offcerg present on that occasion, and that the House bighly felt and acknowledged the distinguished valour and discipline conspicuously displayed by the non-commis-
sioned officers and private soldiers and militia-men of
the little band under. his immediate command in the signal defeat of the American army under General Hampton at Chateauguay. To Lieut. Colonel Morrison of the 89th Regiment and to the officers and mer under his command a similar vote of thanks was passed for {heir exertions on the 11th November 1813,
ournals of: the
ng other coun-.
hatthe Legis-
d on thaï Bill.
measure highre of the Pro-
pnal evidence
roduced'as in
is Majesty fa fiices, and on: of the Pro=à
ates of Ame-
lative Couugun Agent 'in
lative Coun-
assed a vote ry, and the wished exer-
ction on the.
er to signind the ofti- House highvalour and ou-commis-
itia-men of
and inthe r 'General . lonel Mor- "s and mer 8 Was pasiber 1813,
"xsta. D 1614]
…. :tricts of, Quebec and. Montreal, were re Gered to lay before the House, certified à ' 'Rules of Practice. of those Courts. On the 4th of: ::
Fe De £ $
".Sir George Prevost ? 105
cat Chrystler's Farin in the defeat of the American ar- .
my under General Wilkinson. : Lt re Æ NA
LÉ. The Housé of Assembly at an sarly period of the à
Session, on motion of Mr. J. St art, resolved' that'it would take into consideration the pc wer and-äauthority
. exercised by the Courts' of Justice, in this Province, - under the denomination of rules of practice, and the
€lerk.of the Court of Appeals, as well as the Pr&thon- "otaries of the Courts fof Kifig's Bench for the Dis-
tively oropies of the
February, the subject having been previously discus-
".:sed'in Committee, the House "adopted several resolu- "tions concerning nue Rules .of Practice, which it
considered rather iy the Lau of Législative enactments, and therefore an encroachmént on the. privil-
eges ofthe Legislature, than as simple rules qr regula-
tions for the guidance of judicial proceedings. The
rules in question had first been framed and introduced
\into the Provinciaf Court of Appeals {where the Chief
ustice of the Provincé, and the Chiéf Justice of Montreal, alternately preside) in January, 1809, andin the same year, the Gourts of King's Bench at Québec and Montréal, followèd'the exampleé of the Courts of Appeals, under the Mr of an Act of the Provincial Legislature, giving the di rent" Courts of Juüdicature 4 in the Province, powé#/änd authority to make and . " establish Orders:and Rules of Practi ju'the said & Courts:.in all civil matters, #puching all services of . # process, executions and returns of all writs, proceed-
" "iogs for bringing causes to issue as wellin termtimeas . : + ô CALX tr 2
:% + 14
ny, 10: thèse ru is Mayéet®"s subjécts, me of the lawstofthe p
"the lat 0) ÿ Sir J. Hi Craig, téndingi) \Kofficer in the exercise (à " . people and alienate t ëM sovérjiment, in oïder (ashit :.L"". the\progress of American fluence in the Province, the two Chief Justicès-wer ® .formerly impeached by. ° '.'the Comons of Lower-Cangda. api Res C si se : LC Ë è C 4 : Mr. J' Stuart was, appointed Agent for the purpose of proseçuting\{he Tpeachments with effect,:on behalf Of the Common of Lower-Canada,- who, in a money Bill, appropriated\the sum of two thousand pounds, in order to enable him to' proceed to England, in .consequence of which the BH! was réjected by the Legisla. tie Council.* . The Impà echments having been digest. Fed into seventeen differen beats against the Chief. Justice of the Province, and\into eight -heads against the Chief Justice of Montre: charged\ among other . "a ? AUE promoting andé@lbiiog certain criminal. D.
'" ec k e This B (ll contained a grant of + D for thé Mültie, and a like
SR. sum for the support ofthe Jen. à
& 4 # à ., L î 'à
ee SE
ere Ë otrary : PE is À
an Address 16 the Prince' Regent_drawn 'up: for the: %Ministers, to be laid before
"_veïnor, prayinghim to tränsmit the impéachmènt, witlr
occasion, to His Majestÿ:
Vthe Prince Regènt: °T ley at the same time suggest-
misdemean- 1@ course of ernment by leceive that - oppress the s Majesty's
'. sure should be known. Eee. 2 ets
A $ 4
opportunity of transmitting the Address, with the arti-
d) to favor cles of'accusation against the Chief Justices, to HiÿMa- . Province, Lies Ministers ; but hat li did not think it expedient eached by. to suspendthe Chief Justices from their offices, upon an. . : Addrèss to that effect from one bränch of the Legisla-
Se : ture alone, founded on articles of accusation, on which
; repose the Legislative Council had not been consulted, and in on behalf which they had not concurred. This answer gave 'umpese d brage"to tbe: House, which, upon returning from the Pounds, in° D: À
Castle, among: other resolutions, reiolved that His . Excellency the Governôr'in Chief, by his'answer to the Address of the House, had violated the Gonstitutional
, in .conse- e Legisla-
dos A rignes and privileges thercof" On-the seventh of dei ÿ March, the House, probably influenced by a sense of 28.against justice tds rar di: sc" Gosernor, whole conduct it had #0 ong. other CRE RS RTS à Sa A dé -X EE © censure, i igation of its late resolution,"
à criminal. 7777" 7 SeDsureS 1 biomue, Hi: again resolved, % that n à, and a Ré
otwithstanding the wicked and
"+ œ
#ject ofthe Gonstitutionë} rights ar priti gesof that
ed thè propriety df suspending the Chief Justices from. their public funétions, until the Prince Regent's plea- a
Thie Governor replied that he would'tahe an early. :
8" perverse ddvice given to Hs RE the sub- .
aa
Administration Of.
"to lead-him into error,and toembtoil him with his Ma- " jesty's faithful Commons of this Province, the House
"ever entertained of the wisdom of his Excellen y's ' Administration, and that it was determined to
" port of the Government and'the defence of the Pro- " vince" : . Fe ne :
RE RAS The House also drew up an Address to the Prince
. of the war with the United States,
À 2 tions ofthe people and the urgency of éarlÿ assistance 'were briefly nee ARE Peu: ;
Such werethe principal affairs that occu tention of the House of Assembly during Session which on the seventeenth rogued by the Governor.
jo the atthe present of March was pro-
k
4 / It has been already hentreu that among the pri- AS Ve du Sopers taken at the battle of Queenstown in the au- jé tumn of 1812, twenty-three men were recognized as + déserters, and. British born subjects. As traitors to : their country, the commander of the , them to England for legal t being made known tothe Ame
ial. This circumétence ican government by the
The strength of the six battalions of\ Canadian Embodied Militia* amouuted in the month of December, is $ mitted to the House of Assembly, to 2893
tiguers, the Froutier Light Infantry, and other Militis and Provincial Corps. . a. ee 4
fé
[1814
- House, and the endeavours of evil disposed advisers
'had not im any respect altered the opinion it had
4 " ÿ d dopt , : : "the. measures it had deemed necessary for the sup-
- Regent on the state of the Province, and the-progress in which the exér-
forces had sent
American Commissary of priso ers at London, General. ;
ccording to a return suba en, exclusive of the a
Dear equal
this m ralor
gent t
missio
for th gover vernm suffer
who b instruc Non-c
CS 2814] sm aronûe paévosr. 169
>0sed advisers Dearborn was ordered by. his government to put an n with his Ma- equal number of British soldiers- 'into close confine- : ice, the Ho € D ment as hostages, for the former. -Ïn consequence of aion it had D ii measure, the cofimander of the forces, by a gene- . Excellen Y$, 1 ral order of the 27th of October, 181$, made it known ined to adopt LE that he had re eived the commands of the Prince Re- une y for the sup- gent to put forty-six American.officers and'Non-Com- ne "of the Pro- missioned Officers, into close confinement as hostages, ai : A fr the twenty-three soldiers confined by the American goyernment, He at the same time apprised that go- : vernment, that if any of the British soldiers should Te suffer déath by reason of the kuilt and execütion : of the fraitèrs found in arms against their country, who had been sent to England for legal trial, he was / instructed to select out of thé American officers, and LS
. Non-commissioned officers. detainetf. as hostages, dou-
mic d'the at- ble the number of the nd who might be
to the Prince the-Progress ich the exér- rlÿ assistance
ch was pro-
tie present $0 unwarrantably put to death, and°to cause them in retaliation, to suffer death immediately. In transmitting.tbis information to the American government, the commander of the forces also notified them, that the commanders of His Majesty's armies and fleets on the coast of America, had received instructions to prosecute the war with unmitigated severity against all cities, En towns and villages belonging to the United States, and 3... against th Linbabitants thereof, if after that informa- eat
ong the pri- à in the aucognized as s_traitors to ces had sent
ircumstance |tion should have reached the American government, ment bythe JE they should not be deterred ffom putting to death any
on, General pie soldiers detained as hostages.
ibodied Müléia se N
0 a return subis On the tenth of December, the commander of the ,
ive of the PAPE eived a communication. from Major General Ps
nd Provincial
Dh'by Colonel Macomb, of te United States
a es
is : ADMINISTRATION OF [1814 À 1814] army, bearing a flag of'truce, stating, '(hat the go- trial as . vernment of the United States," adhering unalterably D ratified : to the principle and purpose déclared.in the commu- Lear, nicationusé AE born On Le eulect of the D vernme +" 28#Æiterican prisébèrs 'of wat, sent to England Æ 6: 'to be tried aÿ criminals, and the confinement of a like number of British soldiers 4 prisoners selected. to "abide the fate of the former, had, in consequence of the step taken by the British 'government, ordered fôrty- +. 8ix British officers into close Nr is and that they should not be discharged t erefrom until it shôuld be known that the forty-six American ôfficers and noncommissionel officers in question, were jo longer con-. fined" In; conséquence of this, tbe Goyernog ordered allthe American ces pébner of\war, out exception Of rank, to be immediately placèd ini e
confinement as hostages, until the number vf
six were completed over and above those already Confinement. Er pursuance: of this order, Genefals Wiäder, Chandler and Winchesiér, weré conveyed froniétheir quastérs in the country ai Beauport, to a apprivateh use in Quebec, where their confinement was "Æenderét as littlelinconvenient as their situaio: admit of ie à RS f eënth # April following, after some nebeprétn, ColoneMBayr s {he adjutant-gene. cellency bfädier- neral Willer, on the part of the D audience ner 'a convention \vas cel into D theCaut
Roi, by which. it was mütually agreed, to re- : e"Mostages and make an exchange of prisoners, M + TRE n the American &overnment relinquishing its pretensions "hace
ÿ . D vost, who . to rctaliate for the prisoners sent to England, Le legal Me. ant f —
eo
n the coimu-
subject of the
à to England finemept of a
rs selected. to
equence of the ordered fürtyent, and that until it shôuld
ré
greed, to reof prisoners, s pretensions
nd, te legal
[1814 (Hat the gopg unalterably
"on the part of the British goyernment.*
.of all descriptions w
month of February.
conveyed à : eauport, to a 7" LAN ne
finement was Æ In the month of March an Embassy of Chiefs and tuati , could Du from the Ottawas, Chippawas, Shawnees,
-Winabagoes, arrived at 'Quebec to visit and to Council with Ve
cellency on. the fifteenth of that month gave them an audience, fand held a Tafk or conference with them at thedDastle of Saint Lewis. Their speeches were prin-
1814] e " SIR GEORGE PREVOST. : 171
trial a8 traitors to their copntry. This convention was ratified in July at Champlain, near the lines, by Col. Lear, deputed for that purpose vernment, and, by Colonel Baynes and Mr.
The most active exertions were made duringthe win-
ter to be prepared N # ensuing campaigh.. Stores
regiment, command-
ed'by Lieut. Colonel Robertson, marched through the
woods: from: Fredericton to the St. Lawrence in the
bs, as far the nature of the roads would permit.
lawares, Mohawks, Saiks, Foxes, Kickapoogi}
the Commander of the Forces. HM
0e The negotiation was opened at the solicitations of the American government in a letter from the Secretary of State, to Sir George Prevost, who consented to the exchange of Brigadier-General Winder for the purpose of negocietifg. :
by the American go- Brenton,
F all ere forwarded.to Kingston, from . Quebec and Montreal on sleighs at prodigious expence, Thesecond battalion of the 8th re
f A reïenforcement of two bundred . 'and tweñty seamen for the Lakes came by the same route, 'To.expedite the Progress of these reinforce- D meûts, the Legislature of New-Brunswick voted three D hundred pounds, ad the City of St. John gave a simi-
SE ldsum to defray the expence of conveying them on.
M: LE Ba en in SGA RE eg à dd di
Pre - Save Re
RE TE orne
Dr Ae Apr
Ta
A2, anmmsrmaroN@r [1814 cipally complimentary . and'expressive of their joy on O beholding their Father, and meeting bim in Countil. a G. They expressed their poverty, and requested that Prin peace might not bé concluded with the American go- D pe _vernment, until they recover the ancient bounds of padi their territories of which the enetÿ had deprived them E refüt - "by fraud and by violence. :They represented the loss D their theÿ liad experienced of their young men in the war, and : but expressed their detergfination to persevere, and so- À first licited arms for their Warriors, and clothing for their À Salal women and children. "The Americans (said one of M unde: 'the Chiefs) are taking our lands from us every day, High "they have no hearts, father, they have no pity for vices : #us, they want to drive us beyond the setting Suns DE Forc "but we hope, although we are few, and are here as it D deter " were upon a little Island, our great and mighty father lours J .… # who lives beyond the great Lake, will not forsake iog th D "us in our distress, but will continue to remember his secur re " faithful red children." The Governor in answer, D to suc Strangly 'xhorted them to persevere in the: contest D. of the against the common enemy, in order to regain the ter- D hones titory lost in the last campaign. He expressed his M disap} sorrow for the loss of one of their Warriors (Tescum- Æ mains -Seh) and for that of many other-valiant Chiefs during Æ , the war. He charged them upon all occasions, to An #pare and shew,mercy to all women, children and pri- D bourh: ..Soners that should fall within their power, an injurction D of Ma to which the listening Chiefs unanimously murmured D trict 0 approbation. After some days residence 'at Quebec Æ divisio : they were loaded with presents, and despatched fér the sed L. Upper-Province in their way homewards, to prepare D Arœman "À lestati
their tribes for the approaching campaign. /
F5 "424. LEE ADMIN STRATION OF css LEE R [gr EU :
LL ef à Mila stoné building which had been converted into
:@ Block House. : On the morning of the thirtéenth of
Me R es 2 -". March, (General Macomb baving suddenlÿ withdrawn 'ah "his division from St; Armands, and rejoined the main bei + body) thé American forces consisting of five thousand: : éd !
'men, commauded by. eneral Wilkidson in person, en-
3 any
'tered. Odeltown. Maj Handcock, commanding at : Æ': aux tbe Mill, received intelligence at eight o'clock in the an Morning of the approach of the enemy, and immedi- arm :…ately sent off 'à -despatcké to the Isle-aux-Noix fra QU 5 is reinforcement, ' Jon: arri
post about two miles from. the 'and
for a short time at the village, LE: ''inof .… and then made a demonstration ppon Burtonville with D but à part oftheir force. Their advVänce in that diréction À: 'gai was checked by part of thé'grenadiers of the Canadian 'À : the *Fencibles 'under Captain Cartwright, gl a few of '4 N gr Frontier Light Infantry under Captain Barker. Cap, M Ou
Blake's picquet Learing the fring, côincluded fat the figu whole of the enemy's force had taken that road id +. Han In'conséquence rétreated to thé Mill, from whence 5 tot
again advanced and'took.post in advance. . The éne"# . +. my: shg#ly after appeared in considerable force; thé . ' :.picquet fred three vollies and retreated to the Mill. : pes At one o'clock the :,enenÿ was seen deploying in the
vanc : Attackupon WOod, with thé "intention" of surrounding and : 1,1 2e Cole Mi thé Mill; à fre was immedfhtely commenc- 'discl 12. 4. ed which tBey did not retürn for some tinie; but ap- that , :. peared determined 'to Carry the place by assault as te. : +: they advanced cheerinig one another : the heavy fire? : Fe Ni : :: obliged them: to relinquish theirplan and retreat to the: hundr ; & AE wopd, where they'were completely ibeltered. Atwelve. state t
vy :
té) vs"
verted.into..
hirtéenth of
withdrawn d'the main
e thousand "2 persôn,.en-
Canadian a few of t a er, Capr., :
d that the
force; thé . the Mill. :
ng in the rrounding commenc-
e; but apassault,/ag '. heavy fire? :
'eat to the
Atwelve.
" L me:
"
Cet DE:
A8] SIR GEORGE PREVOST. 175 pounder was brought 10 bearupôirthe mill, but s0 bad
es being within the range of musketry.the artillery'suffer- do ed severely, and':in fact were unable to take aih with" any degree bf:precisiqn:. "À gun-boat from the Isleaux-Noix; commande: by Lieut. Hicks;:R. N. keptup an incessant fire upÿn:the spot where the American army was posted; but frôin the distance anfi the height -o£. the idtenvéning. woods: little or no execution was
ue
figuers just no aréiing f ir ,: Handcockwprdered thèm support the flank companies of the I3th:Regiment in a second charge, to which.
ing from Burtonville, Major
they advanced in column. sections". The Americans had now concentrated théir 'whole force close to the
gun, but did not attempt to fi@tillihe British had ad-
vanced to within twenty-fivé Yards of their centre, 'and were completely flanked' on both sides : the first 'discharge of the enemy was s6*eflectually déstructive "that these-companies'were ntirely broken, and com:
? forcements which arrived during the] action, amountéäi to about two hundred men. Some accounts (which havébeen considered.probable) state the American loss at 13 killed, 'ahd 123 woundéd and 30 missing.
'y served, that during. a.canhonade of two hours and He 'a half, only four shots struck the building; the gun
'@ie " ru HART TE ! : : 4. Û Fr 4, The force.in the Mill when atta ked, was 160 men. The rêin-
' Vu
RAC TER " ÿeh i i "à
Re © ADMINISTRATION 08 … Ets1a 181
: CE pelled to retreat from the woods in the greatest dis- ., l'order. AÏl attempts to rally them were ineffectual, ce. and they were recalled by the bugle to the Block : House. 'It is conjectured that the gun was spiked by the enemÿ during the first charge, as it was not made Deck any use of afterwards. The. Americans exhaustèd ps with cold and fatigue, and finding it impossible to car- Ca ry the place without hea y artillery, which fromthe La a State of the roads, could not be brought forward, with- LÉ "drew their forces in good order from the contest, at Fo five o'clock in the afternoon,. without being pursued "cel lu the retreat—The British Joss amounted to ten men "5 killed and four men missing, and'two offcers and fortyfour men/woynded. The American loss, though considerable! has not been precisely ascértained. Having : failed in the attempt to carry a Block House scarcely N deserving the appellation of a military post, the enemy t fell back upon Champlain town, from whence they À conf soon retired ti Plattsburgh. General Wilkinson.after °B-: troo! … 'this abortive attempt to retrieve his, military fame, cessé. Seéms to have bèen removed from his command, or to the cc have sought a vo ntary retirément, from a service in ted b which he had expe eral's
ienced nothing büt disappointment
and reverses,
… (i814 greatest disineffectual, the Block is spiked by as not made s exhaustèd sible to catch fromthe Ward, withcontest, at : 1 pursued to ten men s and fortyhough con- 1 Haviog se scarcely the enemy rence they inson after lary fame, and, or to sérice in pointment
Xo
+ Recallof Sir George Prevost.. His departure from Quebec. .
F à
M uee dk Lecce Upper "
! Occurrences during the winter
€confined to incursions reciprocal
1814] SIR GEORGE PREVOST. w j
&
Chapter Vi.
Les
1818-14. Attack upon Oswego. Inva- : : sion of Upper-Canada by the American forces ünder General Browii, A Capture of Fort Erie. Battle of Chippaws. 'Battle, of Lundy'e 5 Lane. Assault upon Fort Erie. Capture of Prâjrié du Chien. Ex- 1.5
pedition against Michillimackinac by the Americans. Operations by. PER Sir John C. Sherbrooke. Expedition to. Plattsburgh. . Sortie from
Fort Erie._ Evacuation of Fort Erie by the American Forces. MH- + cellaheous octurrénces.
Meeting of the Provincial #rliamént.
" - s
œe— e Re CoUe, # En
; Upper-Canada the occurrences during the wine ter. were of small importance, béing principally .
ally ' practised by, .the eh troops in advance along the fr Gerg with various suc- Ho cess. Orie of the most successful enterprisés effectéd in the course of the present. séason, wabplanneë and executed by Captain Sherwood, of the QuarterMaster:Gen- RS eral'$ Department. That officer it a subaltérn, anda °° ï small detachment of. tvepb ren nd file ôf-the Mas rines and ten men of the embodied militià, énder Cap... , : . tain Kerr;-proceededover the St. Lawrence, on thè- ' night of the Gth of February, front Cornwall in Upe per-Caïada, to Madrid, on Grass River, fourteen milés beyond the village of Hamilton, and brought away a! È consideräble quantity. of merchandige (hiaving pressed. all the horses and sleighs he could find,'for that pur, : pose)-plundered from British merchants near Cornwall} :.
sa
Low
LÉ PL F 4 s ; Ê Rue pl : ES is eur 12 F ur " a'. L re [5 M à L x 0 '
+
…
Late a
—
Fr
#8. Administration Op (1814
"4
Canada. These effects were to have been sold on ac-
count of the United States Sovernment, notwithstand-
ing an agreement for their restitution entered into on the 10th of November, by Judge Ogden and-Mr. Rich-
ardson on the part of the United States, and Lieut.
Colonel Morrison and
poüstation of these effects, ôr did t
to Madrid. à -
A slight loss waÿ experienced in an unsucceséful ef-
fort made by a detach ient consisting : of the flank "Companies of the Royal Scots and the light company of the 89th Regiment, under the command of Captain Barsden of the Sth, for the purpose of dislodging a ' strong party of the enemy who had taken post at Longwood in the advance at Delaware town. The énemy had secured themselves On a cowanding emje. nenté- behind log entrenchments,' and wére attache at five. o'clock in the afternoon of the 41h of March
byÿthis force, supported by a flank movement to
thé "Fight of a company of .militia Rangers under Captain Caldwell, with a detachment of the Kent Mi.
ÿ: rience any molestation from the party, who; at-two o'clockonihe ensuing day retured to their quarters with the:most va: : luable of the Merchandise for which they proceeded
we
" RES ie 7 A Te [1814 . 1814]. : sim GEORGE PREVOST. De 179 à
n sold on ac- EE .twelve men killed, 'and three rÈ and forty-nine 4 otwitbhstand- . Æ men wounded, including an officer and six men of" the s 4 lered into on Kent Militia Volunteers, who distinguished tliemÿelves DR : d-Mr, Riéh- on the occasion. ae ae ue and Lieut. . Le bonus ns Re Rue HU (Royäl Na- °Æ . 'The campaign was opened in Upper Çanada by Sir. 4
Gordon Drummond and Sir James L, Yeo, underithe ' - "- 4
at. In- : € 6 re :
rience any clock on the
the:most vaproceeded '
ccéñful ef-
f the flank ht company of Captain islodging a en post at own. Thè
nding emj-..
e attack of March
vement to
ers under
e Kent Miof Indians. .
nsuccéssful ntest of an 'severely,
object of importance to intercept the enemy's suppliés, F0 andby that means retard his preparations forinvasion. fe il
An expedition against Oswego"was therefore deters Re mined upon, and Gen. Drowmond having embarked M: 0 considerable force, consisting ofsix companies of De " nu. l
Attack upon Watteville's regiment; the light company of Re
Oswego. se the Glengaries, the second Battalion of thé , 4 A, Royal Marines, with a detachment of Royal Amtille- : + (À
. most cheering auspices. The 'American 'forces alon - the Lake Champlain, after leéving small garrisons at Plattsburgh, Burlington and Vergennes, moved early in the spring towards Lake Ontario and the Niagüra .
frontier, with a view of resuming offensive operätigns_- it against the Upper Province, as soon as the fleet /aË 7 Sacket's Harbour (considerably augmented duringihe winter) should be in 4 state to goperate withthe 0
land forces The principal Naval Stôres for the equip- : 'Æ° ment of the\ fleetwere forwarded to Sacket's Har our
A bythe way Oswego, and as the British Naval force at Kingston, strengthened by two additional ships, the ' é là Prince Regent and Princess Charlotte, were readyto : ' appear on the Lake early' in the season, it became an 14
Set
. #Y and two field pieces, a detachment of a Rocket
company, with a few. Sappers and Miuers, set sail from Kingston on the fourth of May, and at nôdpon the . Holiowig day, made the port of Oswego, when a hes-
Lr D
De
186%. 2 ADMINISTRATION "or #
Co vy galo from à the N orth West sprung üp,.and obliged
. the squadron to gain the 'offing. On the morning of
tbe sixth, a landing was eflected. by about one huñdred
"and forty.of the troops under Lieut. Col. Pischer ; and two. hundred seamen, afmed with. pikes, under the: 'à
command of Captain: 'Mulcaster, R. N. än'front of a
heavy discharge-of round and grape from the battery, Y 'and of musketry from a de achment' of about 'three. k Haies: A army, posted on the. D -brow of the bill, and in thé skirts of the neighbouring : À. : wood. : The British,on landing, pressed üp the hill.to+ : wards the enemy's battery, which the Americans (ap ù à on'finding the British deterinined to carrÿit by storm) :Æ : relinquished, leaving about sixty. men, prihcipally ' LE.
hundred men of the :Amertéai
wouhded.
" The Land and Naval commanders having tâken pose session of the stores found in the Fort and in its neighe :
bôurheed, and having dismantled the fortifications, and déstroyed the barracks, re-embarked on-the seventh of May, and returned to Kingston.
L Ï ÿ + PR HU 4 : NThe loss of the British troops amounted to one Cape tain (Holtaway of the Marines) and eighteen men kil-
led, and two Offcers and sixty men wounded. That.
of the Navy amôunted to three men.killed, and four : Officers and seven men wounded. Captain. Mulcaster, while entering the Fort at the head of his men, receive
ed' a very severe and dangerous wound, Captain
Popham was also severely wounded. Although the
"service. derived much benefit from this Expedition, the
main object in contemplation was not accomplished, the principal part of the Naval stores being saved À
' [18M.
me œ æ
re '[iei 4.
nd. obliged morning. of ne huñdred
scher; and under the.
'front of a
hé battery, bout 'three. ted on the … ighbouring the hillitos ricans (aps: by storm) .: vihcipally Æ
taken pos its neighe
tifications, n- the se-
ï Li ) One Cape 1 men kil-
d. That.
and four Tulcaster,
river.
for the equipment of thé
'quest of the enemy's boats, tained to have taken shelte
! destroying them:if the atte
re "ù
181)" om GEORGE, PREvOSr. 161
. by the enemy, who had taken the precaution of deposit- à ing them at the Falls, some miles from Oswego, up the
'The flotilla at the : Isle-aux-Noix, under the com.
:. mandof Captain Pring, proceeded up the Lake Chan; + :*.plain, on the ninth df May with a detachment of Ms- : _rites, for.the purpose of capturing or destroying the ' new vessels recently launched at Vergenues, or of in- : tercésting the 'stores and' supplies. intended for their :-armäment and equipment, On the 14tb, Captain : Pring reachéd bis destination at Otter Creek, but finding the enemy prepared for his reception, he judged L' it expedient-to abandon his intended plan of. attack, : A. and returned to the Isle-a
-Noix.
" The British squadron 'having for the present a Fa :d ascèndency 6n Lake Ontario, blockaded. Sacket's : Harbour, lin order to intercept the supplies whi might, from time to time, be forwarded from Oswego,
American fleet. On the
Mmernihg of the 29th of May, a boat läden with two 24 pounders and a large éable for one of the American -ships of war, was Captured on the way to Sacket's Harbour from Oswego, from whence it had sailed in company with fifteen other boats loaded with paval and militarÿ stores, This intelligence induced the Naval Commander to dispatch Captains Popham and Spilsbury, with two gun-boats and five barges, in
which, these officers ascer- r in Sandy Creek, whither.
they proceeded with the resolution of capturing or mpt should be found practi-
fie
ing of the 31st of May, the boats uadron entered the Creek, and Cap-
tack, which althoügh aware of the hazard of the enter- À L- : prise they detefimined to risk, as the stores in posses-
armament/of their squadron. The boats advanced . y up the Creek to within half a mile of the N cnemy/ when parties were landed'on either bank, who Er advañced on the flanks of the gun-boats, to a turning 3h whj h'ôpened the enemy's boats, full to their view: It
ight pounder carronade in the bow of the foremost /'&un-hoat being disabled, it became necessary to pull
upon the enemy. The Americans mist king this movement for the commencement of a retreat 'advanced with their whole force, consisting of one. hundred and fify riflemen, near two hundredIndians, n of militia and cavalry; who-after a short though desperateæsntest, from which it was impossible to effect a retreat, overpowered the British about two hundred men, of which, it is said, eighteen. his official despatch to Sir James L. Yeo, on this affair, L -..!" acknowledged withthe warmest gratitude;.the humane exertions of'the American Officers of thé Rifle Corps
many of the officers and men, whom 'the Americ MER soldiers and Indians were devoting to. slaughter.
The American forces concentrated at. Buñaloe,
Spilsbury, having_reconnoitred determined'ôn an-immediate at-
sion of the eÏemy were ofthe utmost importance tothe Æ
/ ù Was at this juncture, when, by some accident, a sixty-
her round to bring the 24 pounder in her stern to bear
and a strong body
party, consisting of
were killed and fify We Captain Popham în J
commanded by Major Appling, in: saviug. the lives'of
Inva: - Upper da,
'ation Ontar per-C. enemy landin strong two pc each a
. the cor Officer of defe ventÿ ! of cau: than fo 'siege, v been in
--Of-time my/Qu 4 been'o! ral Ria The ab ces und directio
. ticipate
ced,'we gress of to-have disperse
°C re Fort ns
géré 84 Ab s tégigs à û (pie e Nat ten 1 bar à
Fan
fiers F1814] sm GEORGE PREVOST, 'pg3 0 . É 1e œ : Re w le AE a st à Lay, the boats Invasion of Black R 113 and other places on the Nia- è o Ash % #ek, and Cap- : upper Cana" gara fro tier, under the command ofMa- ht, -reconnoitred È
jor General Brown, in Momeutary expect- re 'ation of the co-operation of! tlie. squadron on Lake 7." Î Ontario, were readylat the-e 1d of June to invade Up-.. pe per-Canada. Onth morning of the thirdof July,the 1. enemy embarkéd'in boats-a battéaux and effected a: ue '0 landing on the Eanadks side w thäutopposition, withtwo strong brigades unde re iers Scott and Ripley, at- RS two points on the shore above and below Fort Erie,. a 4214 each about a mäle'distant ffom that 'post, then under - the command'of Maj! Buck-bfthe 8th Regiment.. That Oficer had been active in Puftiig Tort Erie into a state : of defence, and with a sm Il detachment of. about se-
immediate at- 'of the enter-
res in posses-
ortance tothe ats advanced a mile of the bank, who , to a turoing ir view: It lent, a sixtythe foremost
ssary to pull Æ ventÿ men was left in chargé of it, more with a view. stern to bear D of causing a témpo ary check tan invading force 1g this move- Æ than. for the: purposé of d feuding it against a regülar . lvanced with À siege, which was not inte ded. 'It would indéed have g red and fity À been impossible to paintäin nor ae for any length. strong body - of time against the over helming Sr@gthof the ène+ . though des- mysQut a: resistance of even a few hours might have . le to effect a
'been'of material Conséquence and have enable Genë- ral Riall tà' have repelled the 'invasion at the outset. 4 NS The able dispositions hich had been made ôf the for
consisting of id, eighteen.
Poplam în Æ ces under that Offc , along the Niagèra line bythe .. is n this affair, direction of Lieut. General Drummond, who had an- sfr the humane Æ tidpated ap invasion at the point where it commen- CR r Rifle Corps Æ ced;-were such, that the least impedimerit tothe pro- ..
the lives"of D gress ofthe invadèrg would have de Gegeral Rial e Americ to-have concentrated his troops, an 6 fall'üponand : À ughter. disperse the enemy-before they could have time tobe 7. :. ts © capture of prepared for in effectual resistance. Un- : mea
t Buñaloe, D Fort Erik. death se circumstances, it is much to be 4.
1 S ta
ae 1614]
ADMINISTRATION OF [84 regretted, that Fort Erie was tamelÿ surrendered ly fell : o the enémy withôut firing a shotor making even vent : a, show of resistance. The Americans after the H'byatf acquisition of this impgrtant post, - advanced with inforc confidence in the "afternoon of the 'ensuing day gara to the Plains adjacent to Chippawa, and. were mak-: D Creck {ing preparations to carry that post, when General for a 4 Rüiall, to anticipate- their design, having collect- to tha: ed his forces, marched on the évening of the fifth ever r from his lines and gave them battle. 'The enemy had À cureñ {Bottle of Much advantage in nuinbers. and fougtt their : Chippawa/or with determined bravery. : His right rest. army, Streets Led on some buildings and orchardsonthe KE bly to brink of the Niagara, and was strongly supported by Niagar artillery. His left was skirted by a wood with a con- (who w . siderable body of Indians and Riflemen in front. The ; tish los Militia and Indians engaged the enemy"s riflemen, who, men ki at first checked their advance, but being supported by LR Colone the ârrival of the light troops consisting of the light LE bundre companies of the Royal Scots and 100th Regiment, cer and L: with the 2d Lincoln militia, under Lieut. Colonel Pear- lôès at. 41 son, they were dislodged after a very sharp contest, Ù bundi D Twe ight twenty-four pounders and a howitser were, D ing. brought into action against the enemy's. right, which Æ -. bo was also engaged by the King's Regiment, while the The .: Royäl Scots and 100th Regiment, after 'deploying Æ along L with the utmost steadiness, opened a heavy fire upon 'Æ whénée Ni bis left'and advanced to. the charge, with the most in- 'and Mi trepid gallantry, under a destructive fire: To-this at who ha …….tempt they suffeted s0.severely that it was found nec 'alert, a
sary to withdraw them and desist from:4 contest, which from the -great superiority of the enemy's numbers, . must have been unavailing.. Genéral Rial according-
'desisted
: Gene
Ct
pis.
urrendered king even after the
iced with
uing day were make :
n General
g collectthe fifth
memy had
fought right rest. rds on the ported by
ith a con-
ront. The men, who, ported. by
tbe light
Regiment, nel Pear-
p contest. :
itter were,
ht, which while the
leploying fire upon
+ most in-
nd
st, which:
numbers,
scordinge
a. .
7 Colonel the Marqüis
1814] : SIA UEOnGE PREVG
ly fell back upon Chippi veut 'the enemy from : by a forced march (as M inforcements as he could s gara and Mississaga, ai wenty-Mile Creek, on the route to Burling € he prepared for a vigorous stand against the prügress of the enemy to that post. The Americä squadron was not how ever ready to appear upon the Lake during these oc- Curretices; a circumstance peculiarly fortunaté as their appearance would have s emboldened their
army, far süperior in numbers to the British, as 'proba-
Ww such. george, Nia-
bly to have led to tlie reduction of Forts George and Niagara. : The militia under Lieut. Colomel Dickson,
(who was. wounded) behaved with gallantry, The Bri- .
; tish lost six Oficers
nd one hundred and forty-two y-six Oflicers (among them Licut. of Tweedle, severely) and two bundred and ninéty-five men woundèd, and one 'Ofcer and forty-five men missing. The enemy state their ls at seventy men killed, and nine Officers and two
men killed, and twen
: ing.
. hundred"-and forty Ne and nineteen mis-
.! The enemy after this affair, gradually advanced . alongithe Niagara, and océupied Queenstown, from
whénée he made demonstrations upon Forts George and Mississaga, but finding Lieut. Colonel Tucker, who had been left in Command of those posts, on the
'alert, and determined to make a resolute defence he
desisted from further Fa carry them. .
General Brown sole a stouter resistance than he ° : ; ; 1 Le ë : L a
\Lse f 4 -
+.
- F LT . : FÊÈFÉ 2 ] . Wæ ' MU
(716) 672-450 -
23 West Main Street Webster, N.Y. 14580
sù
M
Main à
©
: F Fr ME Z k x k Ge , : ; À Se Pate à
166 Administration. Of & 1814
. lie 4 181: . expected, fell back upon Queenstown,* from whence on j the 25th of July, he retreated with his whole forcé up- ' fr où Chippawa, having previously set fire to.the village 'sat AE of Saint David's. 'General Riall immediately put his ' mi advance in mo l "wi 5 shc Tu bai 'ab 'of 'pa 'Na 'or "ed "où ; ï : sth fought action. Me ; , a Battlé of 'I embarked on board His Majesty's 'wit Lundy Lane 4 schooner Netley, at York, on Sunday ; "'evening the 24th instant, and reached Niagara at L day-break the following morning. Finding from Lt, 'bar /%"Colonel Tucker that Major General Riall was un "Es 4 7 € dérstood to be moving towaïd£ the falls of Niagara ' gar ' to support the advance of his division, which he had ' age " pushed on to that place on the preccding evening, I ' the 'ordered Lieut. Colonel Morrison, with the 89th regt. 'an "and a detachment of the Royals and King's, drawn "toJ This it would seem Lbowever, was contrary to the orders and in- eY struction of the General Commanding, who in general orders, expréss- 'I ed his displeasure at the Circums{ance, and desired Lieut. Col, Stone, m commanding'at that village,-to retire from the army in consequence 'ene of his conduct. This officer was afterwards dismissed the service on 'ly I account of this business, without a hearing —The village at Gong ' Mo Point, was also reduced to ashes by these incendiaries.
3 LL a
/
: J ñ eo & : &
Ti814
whence on le force up- -the village tely put his support the y .wheeled rces before ents which, mond, with
arrived at ings which t be more own oficial e, which is F that hard
Maÿjesty's on Sunday Niagara at g from Lt, ll was un- f Niagara ich he had evening, I 89th regt. g's, drawn rders and inders, express- . Col, Stone,
consequence he service on
ge at Gong
1814].
SIR GEORGE PREVOST. . 157 PER o à : : ne A D È ' from Forts George and Missiséaga, to proceed to the
' 'same point, in order that, with the-united force, [°
might act againstthe enemy (posted at Street's Creek, ' with his advance at Chippawa) on my arrival, if it should be found expedient. IL éordered Lieut. Colonel 'Tucker, at the same time, to proceed on the right 'bank of the river, with tliree hundred 'of tlie 41st,aud ' about two hundréd of the Royal Scots, and a body
'of Indian Warriors, supported (on the rivey) by a.
' party of armed seamen, under Captain Dobbs, Royal "Navy. The object ofthis movement was to disperse capfure a body of-the enemy which was cncamp-
"fe at Lewistown. Some unavoidable delay having
" octurredäin the march ofthe trocps up the right bank,
'the enemy had moved off previous to Lieut. Colonel 'Tucker' arrival. 1 have to express myself satisfied -" with the exertions of that officer. j
L Having refreshed the troops at Queenstown, and
"having brought across the 41st, Royals and Indians, " Esent back the 41st and 100th regiments to form the
' garrisons of the Forts George, Mississaga, and Ni- " agara, under Lieut. Colonel Tucker, and moved, with
[Etes
'the 89th, and detachments of the Royals and King's, k-
" and light company of the 41st, 'to join Major General Riall's division at the Falls.
' When arrived within a few miles of that position, ' I met a report from Major General Riall, that the
'enemy was advancing in es orce, -Ï immediate-
1y pushed on, and joined the hchd of Lient. Colonel ' Morrison's column, just as it reached the road leading ' towards the Beaver Dam over the summit of the hill
n all about 800 men, '
"gave him, however, "troops which had been forced back formed in the rear
"In the centre,
Administration Of
[1814
'at Lundÿ's Lane. Instead of the whole of Major ' General Riall's division, which 1 expected to have
found occupying this position, Î found it almost in the
' occubation. of the enemy, whose columns were within 600 yards of the top of the hill, and the surrounding ' woods filled with 'Major General Riall's division, consisting of the ' Glengary Light Infäntry, and Incorporated 'Militia, " having commenced their retreat upoñ Fort George, '1 countermanded thesé corps, and formed the 89th ' Regiment and the Royal Scots detachmeñts, and 41st light companies, in the rear of the hill,-their left ' resting on the great road; my two twenty-four pound- 'er brass field guns a little advanced, in front of the ' centre on the summit of the hill ; the
"Infantry on the right, the 'battalion of Incorporated
Militia, and the detachment of the King's Regiment :--
"on the left ofthe great road ; the squadron, 19th Light ' Dragoons.in the rear ofthe left, onthe road. -I had ' scärely completed this formation, ' front was. warmly and closelÿ en; 'my' principal efforts were directéd'against our left 'and centre, After repeated attagks, the troops on 'the left were partially forced back, and the Remy ' gaiñed a momentary posttssion of the réäd. This no material advantage, 'as the
The ene-
' of the 89th regiment, fronting the road, and seturing 'the flank. It was during this short interval -that ' Major General Rial], having received a severe wound, ' was intercepted as he was passing to the rear, by a 'party of the enemy's cavalry, and madé prisoner, the repeated and determined attacks
Ps '
his light troops. The-advance of
Glengary Light -
A the whole .
"of : ' det: f com /° stea con: "tern 'our 'the '€the. 'of " traoi Fincid 'ed b Sutes "only . ' poun 'the e F gethe - Four? 6 ders : "one © "which ' thoug ' tainec
' Ab Fed at ' during 'in brir "he sho "troops 'Jantry 'of Ma
of Major d_to have
not in the
ere within rrounding
dvance of :
g of the d'Militia, t George,
'the 89th .
ents, and their left r poundnt of the
ry Light :
rporated
tegiment ' -
th Light . -L had
he whole :
'he ene= our left oops on Remy "This 'as the therear eturing al -that wound, r, by a risoner. attacks
[1814
1814]. ."Sir George Prevost.
'of the enemy were met by the 89th Regiment, the\ ' detachment of the Royals and King's, and the light f company of the 415st regiment, with the most perfèct steadiness and intrepid gallantry, and the enemy was " / constantly repulsed with very heavy loss. In so de- . ' termined à manner were these attacks directed against ' our guns, that our artillery-men were bayoneted by $ thè enemy in the act of loading, and the muzzles of 'the ençemy's Buns were advanced within a few yards "ofours. The darkness of the night, during this ex- "traordinary confict, accasioned several uncommon 'incidents: our troops having for a moment been pushed back, some of our Buns remained for a few min- ' utes in the enemy's bands ; théÿy were, however, not ""only quickly recovered, but the two pieces, a six pounder and a five and a half inch howitzer, which - L the enemy had. brought up, were captured by us, to- F gether with several tumbrils ; and . in limbering up our guns at one period, one of the enemy's six pounders was put, by mistake, upon a limber of our's, and 'one of our six. pounders limberad'on ône of his; by ' which means the Pieces were exchanged ; and thus, ' though. we Captured two.of his guns, yet, as he ob- ' tained one of our's; we have gained only one gun.
si
firing, the enemy was employed 'in bringing up the whole of his remaining force, and "be shortly afterwards renewéd his'attack with frésh "troops, but was every where repulsed with equal gal- About this period the remain er : Rialls division, which had been 16 f
et, m0 apes BE L .
190 Administration Of {1814
'ordercd to retire on the advance of the enemy, con- ' sisting of the 103d Regiment, uader Colonel Scott :
'the head-quurter division of the Rôyal Scots; the
' head-quarter division of the 8th (or King's:) flank ' Companies 104th;-some detathments of militia, un-
" der Lieut. Cologel Hamilton, Iuspecting Field-Of-
La
''cer, joined the troops.engaged ; and NAS them
'in a second line, witl the exception gf the Royal
DC Scots, and flank companies. 104th, with which I pro-
'longed my front line on 'the right, where I was appre- 'hensive of.the enemy's out-flanking me. The ene- ' my's efforts to carry the-hill-were continued un il ' about midnight,when be had suffered so severely from
D
' the superior steadiness and discipline of his M jesty's "troops, that he gave up the-contest, and réfreated
' with great precipitation to his camp beyond the Chip-
'pawa. On the following day be abandoned 'his
' ing set fire to Street's Mills and destroyed the bridge
. "at Chippawa, continued his retreat in great disorder
'towards: Fort Erie. My light troops, cavalry, and ' Iñdians/ are detached in pursuit, and to harrass his
' retreat, which 1 doubt not he will continue until he . : " reaches his own shore. .
2 Le
" The loss sustained by thé enemy in this severe ac- "tion cannot be estimated at less than fifteen hundred ' men, including sèveral hundteds of prisoners left in 'our hands; his two commanding Generals, Brown and Scott, are said to be wounded; his whole force,
. ' camp, threw the greatest part of his baggage, camp- . 'équipage, and provisions into the Rapids; and hay'
+ m0
"which has never been rated at less than five thous- -
Zend, having been engaged, Enclosed, I have the
'hot $ bee ' der ' cee 'und
© "two
'In ly wc priso obtai left o tring
Ge neck,
circu:
grour tion. Lieut
."Regir
office:
.Of the … Celled
mond,
to exp
detern tained
' Nothi
than t
the en
ruptec sound:
kemy, connel Scott :
Scots ; the
's:) flank
ilitia, un-
isa
Field-Ofced_ them. the Royal
ich I provas appre- The eneued until rely from Majesty's
re stated the Chip-.
loved 'his ge, camp-
aud hav-'
he bridge disorder lry, and grass his
à
evere achundred rs left in s, Brown le force,
ve thous- -
bave the
until he.
1814]
' honour to transit a return of"our loss, which has
' been very. considerable. Th
"two thousand eight hundred of very description.'
+
ÿ
General Drummond received a severe. wound in his neck, from a mufket ball,
ground, cheering on his men until the close of the action. Lieut. Colonel Morrison of the 89th Regiment, Lieut. Colonel Pearson, Capt. Robinson, of the King's , Regiment, (commanding the militia) with several other officers of merit were severely wounded. The bravery Of the Militià on this-occasion, could not have been excelled by the most resolute Veterans. General Drum-
mond, 'and other Oficers of rank, have been known: 'to express their astonishment and admiration, at the
determined resistance which they for some time maintained, against the overwhelming force of the 'encmy. 'Nothing could have been more awful and impressive than this mid-night contest. : The desperate charges of 'the enemy were succeeded by a dead silence, interrupted only by the groans of the dying, and the doll sounds of the stupendous Falls of Niagara, while the
Sir Georgë Prevost. 191
tiunber of troops un- ' der my comurand, did not fo the first threc hours, ex- ' ceed sixteey hundred.men.y/the addition of thé troops
'under Cofoñét cott did n£t inèease it Lo morc thau
He however, concealed the "circumstancé frôm the troops, and remained on the,
Administration Of
. arms. These.anxious pauses were suc + blaze of'muskeffy along the lines and by …Qf thedmost desperate charges from the e the British receivéd'ätfrthe-most unsha by-tlieir own statement, arôunted rank and file killed, including eventeen woundofficers, and among them Generals Brown and. Scott. The command of the American forces in the absence of Generals Brown and Scott, who retired for the recovery of their wounds, devolved upon General Ripley : the enemy retreated on the 27th, with his whole force to Fort 'Erie, and threw u intrenchments in the neighbourho . secure himself against the British, vested their works : General Gain proceeded from Sacket's Harb command at Fort Erie. ne
ceeded by a: a. repetition -
The Americañ loss;: to one hundred and sixty -twelve officers ; and five hundred and s ed, including fifty
od 'of that Fort to. who immediately in-\ es, in the meau time, Our, and assumied the
On the 1st of August the American fleet Sacket's Harbour, and after looking int sailed.for the head of the Lake ; from whence
returned to port, upon finding the army far from be ing ina state to'co-operate, cooped up at Erie, and in. capable of holding any direct communication w naval force on Lake Ontario.
The successful result of an enterprise by Captain. pon Dobbs, of the Royal Navy,
the night of the 12th of Aùgust, with his me batteaux, (conveyed over land from the
in capturing in.
D 1814] : Niag: " Ohio: posé mount ty-five mond, detern Hé ac the thi materi he ma Three in 'mov "lonelF of the compat detachr … Drumm _flank cc a body (R. N.) Regime by two column: . enemy's the two right of umn hac day-ligh gained p umo of tangled : and wer
Ÿ
É 1814] SIR GEORGE PREVOST, 193 ae
[1814
Do
discerned Niagara river,) two of the "enemÿs scliooners, the
n of their. Ohio and Somers, lying close to Fort Erie, fo the pur-
ded by a: posé of flanking the approachesto the-Fort; each '4
repetition mounting three loug twelves, with complements oftlir- D
ny, Which ty-five men, gave spirit-to the army. General Dyun- à nn firmness. mond, after having reconnoitred the enemy's position, . amôunted determined to{storm the American entrenchmefñts. "4 including He accordingly opéned a battery on the morning of.
nwound- the thirtecnth, and on the ensuing day, finding that a
Generals material effect had been produced upon" their werks,
American +] he made the necessary. preparations for an assault.
nd Seott, Three columns were in the night of the fourteenth put É
, devolv- in 'Movement : one under the command of Lieut. Co- ts À -d on the lonel Fischer of De Watteville's Regiment, consisting Le té thbrew up of the Sth and De Watteville's Regiments, the flank Ho 1 . Fort to. companies of the 89th and 100th Regiments, with a FR ately in-\ detachment of artilléry. Another under Lieut. Colonel ve
Drummond, of the 104th Regiment, consisting of the 1 . flank companies ofthe 41st and 104th Regiments, and ' 4
a body of seamen and marines, under capt. Dobb's, #4
(R. N.) and the third under Colonel Scott of the 103d
med the
/
led from Regiment, consisting of his own Regiment, supported +2
ingston, -by two companies of the Royals. The first of these û
he-0on. columns was ordered to attack#anid turn the left of the
rom be . €nemy's intrenchment on the side of Snake Hill, while 1 A
, and ink. the two other columns were to attack the Fort and the
with th right of their intrenchments. C'oisnel Fischer's col- Us
nr umn had gaïined the point of attack two hours before Fe day-light, and, the head of the column had actually
Captain. gained possession of the enemy's batteries, but the col- #3
uring in. umn of support in marching too near the Lake, en- #40
with his tangled themselves between the rocks and the -water,
rom the.
and were, by the repulse- of the flank companies of
ak:
ou,
His gi
Ess ,
Be,
s D are 194 © ADMINISTRATION OF
the King's Regiment, (which, for want of. timely sup-
port were compelled to retire upon them,) thrown into .
utter confusion, and suffered most sevérely by the fire of the enemy. The two other columns advanced as soon as the firing upon Lieut, Colonel Fisclier's column was heard, and at the same momeïit stormed thé-Fort and intréhchments on the right, and after a desperate resistance succeeded in making a lodgment in the Fort, enemy took to a stone building which they maintaine
with determination for upwards of an.hour and a half, against the guhs of the Demi-Bastion, which the British had turned against them, until some animunition under the platform on®which the guns were placed, taking fire (whether accidentally or by design, is not well understood) a most tremeñdous explosion eusued, by which, almost all the troops who had entered the
'through the embrasures of the Demi-Bastion. T er
: Fort, were dreadfully mangled. An immediate panic_
was communicated among the troops who could neither
be rallied by the surviving officers, nor be persuaded
that the explosion was accidental. Fhe enemy after
having repulsed Lieut. Col. Fischer's cplumn had or. 'dered reinforcements from the left and centre of their
lines, to the assistance of the Fort, who taking advantage 'of the darkness and confusion of the moment,
: pressed forward with a heavy'and destructive fire, and
compelled the assailants to retire from the works they had so gallantly carried.
In this assault the loss of the British was most severely felt. Colonels Scott and Drummond, fell, while
storming the works, at the head of their respective col-
umns. Four Oficers and fifty-four men were returned
1814]
as kill and ei ported
men,
"recent
the sma --t0 haza by cont tion wit enelny t dered tl the. Cain
Michi a detacl M'Doua tawasag struggle: 'which at his desti: noes loa: of the ga
From
. [1814 nely sup-
rouninto :
y the fire vanced as rs column théLort desperate the Fort, on. Theaintained od a half, ithe Briimunition e placed, en, is not ù eusued, tered the
ate panic_
Id neither persuaded. my after
n had or
e of their g advanmoment, fire, and orks they
most seell, while. ctive col-
returned
makes it eighty-four in 2 /
… however ño more than barely sufivient to
1814] Sir George Prevost, 19
as killed, and twenty-four Oficers and two hundred and eighty-five men wounded. The missing were Ported :at nine Officers and five hundr
Men, 'afterwards ascertai
0 5 . . ÿ + re . 1 killed. The American statement Of their own loss, +
Y or two af.
T this assault, by the arrival of" the Gth and 82d 1: egimentS; {rom Lower-Canada. . This reinforcem
ent was supply the "recent tasualties, and General Drunimond did not with ; the small force under his command, decm it expedient ; _…"S
to hazard a second attempt to recover Fort Erie, but by continuing its investment he cut of all communica- ' tion with the adjacent Country, and in compelling the
" €neiy to draw his resources from his own Country, rendered the"occupation of that Post for the remainder of the Campaign, of no service to the invaders.
"-
Michillimakinac, Contrary to the expectation of the Enemy had, early in the Spring, been reinforced with a detachment of troops and seamen, rider Lieut, Col.
M'Douall. This Oficer proc@id by way of the Nottawasaga River, and after g for several days. Ne struggled against the ice, and tempestuous weather,
'which at this season agitates Lake Huron, arrived at his destination on the 18th of May, with his open canoes loaded with Provisions 'and Stores for the relief of the garrison. er
From Michillimakinac, Lieut, Col. M'Douall dis.
muets nm a ben
- g Mae Rs gs Tr x xes re à pr ae :
: ,
ue — h. : n ® à 196 ADMINISTRATION OF Chpture of patched Lieut. Col. M'Kay of the Indian drsirie du ' Department at the commencement of July, ù uen.
(of which 120 were Michigan Fencibles, Canadian
Volunteers 'nd Officers of the Indian Department, the
retainder, ludians) to reduce the Post of Prairie di
Chien on the Mississippi. Lieut. Col M'Kay arrived at that place oh thg 17th July. Here he found the ene-
my in occupation Qf à small Fort sftüated on a heigft,
. with two Hlock-Houses mounting six pieces of cannon,
and in the middle of the Mississippi immediately. in ' front of the Fort, a large gun-boat, mounting fourthên : \pieces of sinäll artillery. Lieut. Col. M'Kay sent a
pat
his being refused, he opened à fre from one gun upon the enemy's gun-boat with such effect after an ace tion ôf three hours, as to compel her to cut her cable and run down thke.stream, where she took shelter under
an Island. Iü'the evening of the 19th, Lieut. Colonel .
M'Kay having throw n up his breast works at the dis- "tance of four hundred. and fifty. yards, was prepared to open a capnonade upôn the enemy,' with a single gun
which he had mountéd for the purpose, when the enemy
hoisted a white flag and sent an Oflicer to acquaint the
. besiegers 6f their surrender, who immediately took: .æ, Possession of the garrison. The epemÿ's force çon- D TT
sisted of three Officers/and 71 men. . The reduction of
… this Post which waS eflected without the loss of a single '. 'man, was of the utmost ifiportance to'the British Tra- . ders and_effectually secured the British influence over the Indian tribes of the West. °00)
n
te - , : The enemy upon ascertaining that Michillimakinac
[i814.
with a force of six hundred and fifty men
+ Nag of trucé;*emandüig an immediate surrender.— :.
Wasp Expt against illimacl by the. icans.
.… Comp dared joined 'dred ; foreno
® M'Do: leaving
Major
Thot Michilli neighb, for the and Sc of the 3 Septem Worsle
Bulger
carried plement illimaki
Duri ral Sir in Nova
Ÿ
[814
ic Indian t of July,
fifiy'men
Canadian ment, the
Patrie di ,
y arrived d the ene-
a height,
f cannon, lately in fourthë y sent a
"ender.— :.
+ Gun uper an ace her cable ter under
Colonel .
the dispared to ngle gun le enemy paint the
ely took:
rce çonuction of 'a single ish Tra-
nce over
Es
makinac
'Was put under the command of Lieut. Col. Croghan—
.… Company, he wantonly ordered the buildings to be re-
Major Holmes.
Bulger of thé Royal Newfoundland Regiment.. Th
in Nova-Scotia, was succes D 17
M'Douall was such as to compel them to re-embark,
n : L (il
La
te CSP
+ bad been reinforced, fitted oùt an Expedition which
1814] . sIR GEORGE PREVOST
Expédition À.\detachment of this free uuder the com- " sgninst Mich- and of Major Holines proceeded ta Saint illimackinac 5 - . © 4 by the Amer. Marie's, where, after plundering the whole "4
icans. of the stores belonging to the North West
duréd T6 ashes. The main body after it Itad_ been joined by this detachment-cônsisted of about nine hundred men. This force effected a landing near the: Fort of Michillimakinac on the 4th of August in the forenoon, but the spiritéd opposition which it experi- 'enced from the handful of men under Lieut. Colonel
leaving seventeen men dead on the shore, among them
Though the enemy had failed in this attempt to carry : Michillimackinac, they kept their small cruisers in the neighbourhood so as to intercejit all supplies déstined for the garrison. Two of these vessels, the Tigress and Scorpion, were/Cärried (the former on the.evening of the 3d, and thé latter, on the morning of the £th of September) by a small party of Seamen under Lieut. Worsley, (R/N.) and a party of Soldiers under Lieut.
s
They. '4 carried each a long 24 pounder on a Pivot, with'com- "4
plements of thirty-two men. Afer their capture; Michillimakinac was left unmolested. à
Les
During these events it Upper Canada, Lieut. Gene- Ve ral Sir John-Coape Sherbro ke, then Lieut. Governor A ully engaged in'reducing " £ . di À 4,
n ; ÿ
VE $ e
/
+ / ñ # UE : 198 F "ADMINISTRATION OF ;
ne
-@ verppopülous and extensive portion of the enemy"s
"territories adjacent to the Province of New-Brunswick. "He detached a small force from Halifax, under Lieut. Colonel Pilkington which, with the Ramilies, commanded by Sir Thomas Hardy, took possession, pn the 11th July, of Moose Island in Passamaquoddy Bay : the
°:garrison at Fort Sullivan consisting of six Officers and
Æigbty men under the command of Major Putnam sur-
Operations erendering Théselves prisoners :of.war.— : bySirJohnC. On the 26th of August, Sir John C. Sher-- … Sherbrooke. Lrogke having embarked 'at Halifax, the ' whole of his disposable forces on board of tén tran-
'sports, set sail accompanied by a small squadron, un-
'der Rear Admiral Griffiths, for Castine on. the Penob-
scot River, where he arrived on the 1st September, and took possession of the Batteries at tliat place ; the enemy finding: it impossible to retain the post, having
_greviously blown up the Magazine, bnd retreated with : . the fie pieces: The United States' Frigate Adams, had some days previous to the arrival of the British at Castine, run into the Penobscot, and for security
'had gone up as far as Hamden, where her guns had "been landed and a position taken, with a view of protecting her. 'Captain Barrie of the Dragon, with a
" suitable naval force, and 600 picked men, under the - command of Colonel Jobn of the 60th Regiment, were
-detached up the River for the purpose of obtaining pos-
#ession-or destroying the Adams. The enemy; who at first offered a spirited resistance, after setting fire to ; the Frigate, fled in all directions, upon finding the
British: resolufely advancing against their - positions.
"Several pieces of ordnance and three stands of colôurs 'fell into the hands ofthe British, whose loss amounted
[is14 ie
1814]
#0 no
£
Afte
1. tou W
chips, "by tha
treated ordnan Lieut. into tt} commu ing the the cor serve 2 © This, 1 and pr 'a cessa 'populot miles a of cout Lovwer- British of treas
Amon
the Mon _mer, the member ably vig the mov. Connoitr
lieu
enemy's runswick. ler Lieut.
ies, com-
on, on the
ay : the ficers and inam sur-
f.war.— C. Sher--
lifax, the tén trandron, un- e Penobptember, lace ; the t, having
ated with :
Adams,
e British 'security
guns had w of pro- , With a
mder the
ent, were
ningpos-
y; who at g fire to ding the positions. f colours unounted
1814] Sr George Prevost. 199
'Seven men wounded.
Z
Cs
After the capture of Castine, Lieut. Colonel tou was despatched with a brigade of troopy
chips, which was taken possession ef on th 'by that officer ; the detachment in lort Q'Brien haviog on the approach of the British, epenes retreated from the Fort, leaving twentÿ-six pieces of
Lieut. Col. Pilkington wäs où the Pôint of marching into the interior of the Country when he received a
ing the District, engäging that the militia forces within the county of Washington. should hot bear arms or serve against His Britannic 'Majesty fuine the war. This, with a' similar offer made y the Civil Officers a cessation of arms. By these judicious measures a 'populous extent of territory, stretching one hundred
miles along the sea coast, including a valuable tract of country, partly séparating New-Brunswick from Lower-Canada, passéd under the dominion of the
. British arms without eflusion of blood or the least waste
of treasure. . Among the casualties in advance along the Lines on
-mer, thé death 6f captain Mailloux deserves to be re- . membered. This brave Canadian had been remarkably vigilant, and was of essential service in watch the movements of-the enemy. He {ell while on a recopnoitring party, into the hands of the énemy, who
+
no more than one man killed, and one officer and,
ordnance with a quantity of small argfgnd ammunition.:
communication from Licut. General Brewer, commandand principal ivhabitants of the county, brought on- -:
he
the Montreal frontier in the coutse of the present Sum- .
ng ..
-&Dministration Of
bad laid in ambush for him—He received several balls through the body, of which he languished some-däys,. … receiving however the greatest attention from the Ame- . ' rican Surgeons, as well as from those of the British, who were allowed by the enemy to cross the lines to . attend him. The body, after his decease, was sent to" the lines escorted by a party of the American Military) with the honors of war, and every niark of respect for, the memory of the deceased.
la ! à É 4! ;
The arrival of a atrott reinforcement of near sixteen tliousand men from the Garonne, of the Duke of Wellington's army in July and August, determined Sir : George Prevost to invade the state of New-York by
way of Lake Champlain. The flotilla at Zs/e-aux "Was necessary to co-operate with the land forces, and à. the. Commiséany General and Quarter-Master General, in order to expedite the new Frigate (the Confiance) .were directed to suspend every other branch of°the public Service which _interfered with its equipment. Sir James L. Yeo' was urged by.the Commander of the Forces, (early in August) to put this division of his command into an effective state, for the contemplated' In answer to this, he was acquainted by the
Commodore, that the squadron on Lake Champlain
was. already ninety men over complete, and immedi-
ätely superceded Captain Fisher, who with much exer-
& tion had almost prepared the flotilla for active service, appointing Captain Downie from the Lake Ontario squadron in his stead. " The Commander ofthe Forces,
1814
AS ee f
specti of tlie
. Sir a brig Was al
sh: d
- betwe 'diate Altho' finding -to rein check Mmovem first oi occupi doned
the 4th : burgb. vancin drier. g: low an Fomer. enemy
: upon P
disappointed in not receiving a reinforcement of Seamen from Lake Ontario, applied to Admiral Otwaäy and Captain Lord James O'Brien then at Quebec,
for the Brisbar border:
[1814 : ral balls --: ne däys,, the Ame- . British, linesto s sent to". Military L pect for,
F
Jear six- Duke of ined Sir Cork by ur-AVoix ces, and à. General, nfiance) h of'the aipment. nder of pnofhis mplated' d by the mplain immedi- Ch exerservice, Ontario Forces, of Sea Quebec,
"
: burgh. through a:woody. coun
1814] STR GEORGRPAE VOST. 201 ré who furnished a strong seuifôrcement from their re- " spective Ships (the Ajax and W spite) for the service
of tlie Flotilla. 1. x
Sir George Prévost having sent to Upper-Capada, - a brigade oftroops under Major-General Kempt, who .
was authorized to make a descent upon Sacket's Har-
: bouÿ before the close of the Season, if such a measure concentrated his army "between Laprairie and fort Chambly, under. the imme- 'diate command of Major: Generat De Rottenburgh. . Altho' the flotilla.was scarcely ready to co-operate, finding that a strong division of the enemy?s forces un- . der General Irard;. had: marched: from. Plattsburgh - to reinforce: the troops at Fort Erie, he;in order to.
should be thought practicable,
check, the advance of this division, put.bis army. in
movement: and° crossed the lines at ,Odeltown, on the. vanced and. eneiny abans-
first of: September:. On the third, h occupied: Champlain Town, which t
doned upon his.approach..
From thif poiatthe wholé British" orce marched om —
the 4thin two columns, by-parallel ads upon Plattsvancing by: the-western road, (more elevated and on. drier ground. that the road. next the lake, which was low and. swampy,;) commanded by. Major. Generals. Power and Robinson. was. smartiy 'opposed by.the enemy's militia.. It however, -drôve the: enemy back
: upon Flattsburgh. on the sixth;:and apened the way for the: left brigades commanded 'by: Major Genera}:
Brisbane by Déad Greek, æstrong position upon the border.of Lake Champlain, which. the enemy had:6c 17 à j
The column. ad-
ST Se ; ; es s UT. PS
, RQ se ie — mu + Te cŒ "
Rhin 5 … +
, … 202 ue : ADMINISTRATION OF [1814 1814
/ cupied in force, after destroying-a bridge over the suce NES Stream, which in this place was not fordable, having so the] . distributed their gun-boats, (ten in number, six of which utmc
carried each one long twenty-four, and an eighteen : my, : o pounder carronade, the others a long twelve each,) as sally : to take the British/{in flank on their approach. The widen American squadrôn, consisting'of the Saratoga of 26 sels, !
guus, Brig Eagle, 20 guns, Schooner Ticonderoga, 17 eerie
guns, and the Cutter Preble of 7 guns, lay anchored La. manc
io-the Bay, then within reach of the protection of three : Staff, batteries and redoubts, on a ridge 'of land on the south thath
Ofthe Saranac River. This position being'turned, sel al
the enemy fell. back upon their redoubts beyond the. À *-rican Saranac, keeping a vigilant outlook upon the Fords of ber, &
the river with strong picquets of light troops.' 'On the from ; , Seventh the heavy artilléry being: brought forwa d, … for se + eligible situations were choseñ toplacethem in battery) squad - when it was observed that the squadron had changed intent their.position fronr that ofthe precéding day, 'and trance were"anchored out of reach. of their own, as well as E gägin of the. British batteries. . The commander ofthe for- Jatisfy ces had previously acquainted Captain Downie, (who undér
wasmoving graduallÿ up the Lake,with his flotilla, him- atthe selfinthe Confiance.rather unprepared for action, with Georg a crew entirely strangers to her officers) of the: posi- him 'tion of the American squadren ; and that the attack : morni
" by land and water might be stimultaneous, he deferred hopes -#an attack upon-their werks antil the arrival oftthe the sq squadron. . This' resolution: (it ts said) was adopted. aod nr with the unanimoës. concurrence of the General Ofi- united 'cers present. ':"Fhe &séape of the enemy's fleet:to the fired w parrow.chançpels-ät thethead. éfthe Lake might render note. was, k
# impracticable to: engäge them with auy prospect of
+
Cs
1814] sir GrorcE PRevosr. / 203 success : a final decision of the naval ascendency, on
the Lake at the present juncture, was therefore of the utmost importance to the ulterior operations of the army, and the expediency ofsuch a measure was universally acknowledged, particularly as the'strongest confidence prevailed in the superiorty of the British gessels, their weight of metal, and in the capacity and.
perience of their eflicers and crews ; and as the Con- , mander of the Forces was informed by an officer:of his Staff, who-had been dispatched to Captäin Downie;
thathé (capt. D.) considered himaglf, with his own ves.
ght.on the 9th of September, Sir George Prevost received a communication from Captain. Downie, statigg that he was prepared . for service, and proposed getting under weigh with his . Squadron the same night at twelve o'clock, with the intention of doubling Cumberland Head. (at the entrance of Plattsburgh Bay,) about day break and en-
gégingthe enemy'ssquadron if anchoredin a position to ÿütisfy such & measure. The troops at dawn of day were under arms, but there being no appearance of the -fleet '
atthe expected hour, they were sent into quarters. Sin
George wrote a note to. Captain Dounie, acquäinting him that the army had been held in readiness. that
morning for the expected arrival, and expressing his
_hopes thatthe wind only had delayed the approach of ; the squadron. The brave Doynie, who te: the noble and manly virtues -characteristic: of his profession,
-united the nicest sense of honor, is said-to have been fired with indignation at.the reflection:conveyed in the note. No communication subsequent to that of the 9th
was, however, recéived from him at Head Quarters:
+
24, © Administration Of
._troops were put under arms, dnd at. seven o'clock its approach was announced by the scaling of-the guns of the Confiance, which rounded Cumberland Head, with aleading breeze, leaving the other vessels and gun-
"boats far in her wake. As 8 o'clock the whole fire of the
énemy's squadron, moored in line, was directed 'upon
the Confiance, which moved gallantly into action without returning a shot, (Captain Downie intending to Jay his ship: -athwart hause of the enemy's largest
: ship) until within two cable lengths of the American : ne, when, having two anchors shot away, andthe wind
. bafiling, she came toanchor, and opened a destructive
fire 'upon: the enemy. The Linnet and Chub, some
time after, took their stations at a short distance, but the Chub having had her cables, re main
boom shot away, became unmanageable, and drifting
within the enemy's line was obliged to surrender..
Shortly after the commencement of the fire from the Confiance, her gallant commander fell, and the-com-. mand ofthe squadron dévolved upon Captain Pring
of the Linnet. The Confiance, after the-fall af Capt.
Downie:fought for some time most gallantly under the- e command of Lieut. Robertson, but was compelled to .
strike her colours to the enemy's ship, the Saratoga, which at one moment bad slackened her'fire, several of - her gunsibeing dismounted ; she however, cüt her ca+ ble, winded her Jarboard broadside s0 as to bear on
Abe Confiance, which, beisg much sbattered in her bull:
ET injured. in ber rigging, edeavoured in vain to ef: fect \the sätne: manuœvre. :'Fhe Finch strack on a.reef
of rocks to.the bastward of Crab: Island early: in tbe
Y %
© (1814 °
Atthe dawnof day on the 11th, Ve wind being observ- . ed to be favorable for the advance of the squadron, the"
St
"4
1814] actior : Linne "that ti ject a: of act disast ly con colour
. tive fr
ter; t of whi officer ance.
. The agains enemy the fro fire of
from a À
jor-Ge:
- rear oO
movem some d througl cinity prepar: assault
The sc 'was so the col: througl
© (1814 °
observ-
dron, the
clock its he guns d Head, and gunre ofthe ed upon jon withnding to largest merican the wind structive b, some nce, but nd main
driftiog -
rrender.. rom the he-com-.
Lr
from a Block-House, à column of assault, añder Ma-
-rear of their bivouacs, the better to conceal their
was s0 distributed as to create a diversion in favor of 4
Cr
5. *al
A
: k / Î
Re —
1814] as SIR GEORGE PREVUST. 206
ss
1 À
action, and was of no service in the engagement. The Linnet onlÿ remained; byt Captain Pring, finding 'that the gun-boats had shamefully abandoned the object assigned to them, and were. flying from-the scene of action, while'not a hope reimained of retrieving the disaster of the day, his men fälling fast, was reluctantly compelled to give the painful orders to strike the colours. The fire on both sides proved very destructive from the light:airs and the smoothness of the wa- . ne ( ter; the British:loss in killed and wounded was 129! of which 3 Officers and 88 men were killed.and one El officer and 39 nien wounded on board of the Confi- o 4
ance. du RE ee 4
Le Res En.
re
ne
Le
. The batteries on shore were put into opération against the enemy's line of fortifications, sos asthe. à enemy's ships commenced firing. As the /a proach to ji the front of their works was rough and D ed to a L4
jor-General Robinson, was ordered to move by the
movements and cross æ ford. previously reconnoitred.. some distance up the Saranac ; thence to penetrate through a wood to a clear space of ground in the vi- : 4 cinity of the enemy's position, whére the necessary "4j préparations might be made to carry their works by assault on their reverse front.
The second brigade under Major-General Brisbane,
the column under Major General, Robinson, which, through the mistake of the guides, had been led up:
, & +
in the evening, with 1
nr
en 1. + ADMINISTRATION or pa
206 (1814
on a wrong path and missed: the ford. B fore the er-
ror was rectified by:aÉountermañch, shoyfs of Auzzah
was distinctÿ heard by-this-column in the direction of the American works. To have carried these fortifications would bave been: no difficult task for the brave: troops composiog this column, but their attainment,
after the loss ofthe squadron, could not haye been at-
tended with any permanent advantage, Orders were therefore: sent to General Robinson (who upon hearing the shouts, had halted and sent to Head-Quarters, to ascertain the cause and to receive such further or-
. ders flom the Commander of the Forces as were ne.
cessarÿ) to return with his column. The loss of the: squadron gave the .enemy, the means of conveying their troops to such points as might be deemed expedient, and the numerous reinforéements which moment ly crouded in, gave the a great disposable foreé, whose superiority in numbers'was suth, that a delay of a few hours might have placed the British-in a criti-
. cal situation. So éircumstanced, the afmy, indignané
at being obliged to retire before-än enemy their inferior. in disciplite and renown, fell back upon Chazy é molestation from the Americans. On the ensuing day they continued their tetreat towards the lines, bringing away sucli of the ord-
e
; nance and commissariat stores as had not been injured by" the rain, which, from the commencement of the in-
vasion, and during the retreat of the army, had been
. almost incessant..
: Thus terminated the luckless and humiliating expedition to Plattsburgh, with the loss of the squadron,
(the gun-boats, owing to the misconduct ofthe officer in.
F
…æ
The the ar: pelled taught nadas, scruple miscon opinior and of
rily ha sir as give:
person tion of that he a state the For
. the flee: ries, up quence
was dir -teries h "would they mi on the. . other hs from be + is action at] bis trial -b;
hi ds 1 DE ee: : nou sr lit sis ANA. ds Ron 3 eee sauts à so Pas Tan si E +. kPa - F sh dut Ü MR ' dé LA ° , LI e .
4814] . Sir Gorege Prevost. 207
(1814 tie er-
huzzah é
ction of rtifica- e brave inment, een atrs were n heartarters, her orere nes
of the: veying
eir re- 1e ordnjured
thein-
À been
expeadron, icer in
<ommañd, excepted,*) and: five hundred men of the 2 Jand forces in killed wounded and missing.
The unfortunate result of-this expedition irritated the army, which felt }itself humiliated in being compelled to retire before an enemy which they had been taught to disdain. The Naval commander in the Ca-
scruple to attribute the loss of the lake squadron to the misconduct of the Commander of the Forces. . The opinion ofthatoficer, remote from the place of action, and of which-bie had no local knowledge, must necessa-
as given by those immediately concerned, an impartial
tion ofthe conduct of Captain Downie;it has been said that he was hurried into action before his ship was in a state to meet the enemy, and that the Commander of the Forces failed to give the promised Co-operation to . he fleet, by not commencing an assault on the batteries, upon a signal given by the Confiance, iñ consequence of which the whole attention of the enemy
'teries had been assaukted in time, the American fleet
-on the open lake to much better advantage. On the
from being hurried into action, entertained the fullest ae This Gentleman soon after his disgraceful flight from the naval his trial-by & Naval Court Martial.
nadas, in his official letter to the Admiralty, did not
rily have" relied upon the statements of others ; and .. WRehwe consider the variance in the relation of facts,
person will pause in forming an opinion. In justifica-
_was directed against the fleet. That if the land bat-
would have been compelled to leaye the bay, when 'they might bave been attacked by the British squâdron
__other hand it has been urged that capt.Downie, so far
ction at Plattsburgh, disappeared, while under arrest, preparatory to
. Administration Uf
confidence inthe superiority of hissquadron, and that he felt equally certain of success whether he should meëét the enemy on the open Lake, or attack them at anchor in Plattsburgh bay. That there was no signal agreed upon between the Commander ofthe land forces and Captain Downie; and that the circumstance of his scaling theguns was considered by the former as no more than:the usual precaution before the commencement of a naval action. T'hat the storming of the works
'on shore could not have been of any service to the Bri-
tish squadron, as the American sbips during the action, were moored out of rangé of the land batteries. That it would have been imprudent to have carried the American batteries before the naval ascendèncy should have been decided, as the enemy"'s squadron, after such an event, by retiring té the narrows in the Lake, before the British squadron should have been of Plattsburgh to intercept their retreat, might have secured them-
(1814 .
selves against every future effort to attack them to advantage. Amidst the contradictory relations of facts
and diversity of opinions, which have been given from respectable authority, spectators of the event, it-:is dif-
' ficult to say what were the grand errors which occa-
sioned the failure of the expedition to Plattsburgh, or whether it may not be considered as one of those misfortunes incidental to warfare, which human prudence
. Can neither foresee nor prevent. Et is confidentiy as-
serted of Captain Downie, that. he thought himself,
with his single ship, the, Confiance, a mätch for the
whole Amerffhn squadron, and when we advert to the circumstance of his having gone, asit wére singly into
action, while the other vessels, particularly the Gun-
boats, in his squadron, were far in his wake, there is|
Le
#
1814]
room t fallacis ting hi
The sTY Cor ferred any de "his con acrally pable © after tl my's © and tha tion hay their m him son
Sortie Fort Erie
: aware t
"been re
noon of
: the Brit their wt
sand me
- havingf ing in te
British ter a wa
ries. À
were sel works o
d'thathe uld meet t anchor l agreed ces and e of his er as no nmencehe works the Bri- e action, . That he Amé- uld have such an À before ttsburgh d them-
mto adof facts
ven from itis difch occaurgh, or ose misrudence ently ashimself,
for the
rt to the igly into
1e Gun-
there is!
(1814 :
#
Fort Erie.
aware that the British in their neighbourhood had not been recently reinforced, made a sortie in the after
noon of thé seventeenth of September, and attacked ' the British lines, extending through athick wood, with
1814] Sr George Prevost. 209
room to believe that this gaHant officer fell a victim to a
faltacious confidence of success, which, atter consecra-
ting his life toit, we cannot but respect.
The decease of Sir George Prevost, before a Milita-
4rÿ Court Martial. could investigate the charges preferred against hitñ, renders it impossible to speak with
any degree of certainty on the general propriety of
his contact on that expedition : but it seems to be gencrally admitted, by those who are supposed most capable of forming a correct opinion on the subject, that after the loss of the squadron his situation in the ene- Mmy's country, most have been extremelÿ precarious ; and that, although he might without any great exer-
tion have carried all the enemy's works at Plattsburgb,
their momentary occupation, which would have cost him some blood, would bave been uttérly useless.
The enemy at Fort Erie, on hearing the result of the expedition to Plattsburgh, and
… Sortie at
their whole force, consisting of upwards of five thou-
sand men. Atthe onset they gained some advantage,
were sent'forward, w
- having from the thickness of the weattier, (the rain pouring in torrents) suéceeded in turning the right of the_
British line of picquets without being perceived, and af. ter a warm contest, obtairied possession of two batte. ries. Às soon as raz was given, reinforcements
ho) drove the enemy from the works. of which ee had gained possession, and pur-
+ 8" 'fAb14 :" À
sued them to the gfacis of Fort Erie, cet they retired with precipitation, with the loss (by their own ac- …….counts}-in killed,.wounded and missing, of fivé hu n- dred and nine men, includifig eleven ofticers killed and twenty-three wounded. - The British losa amounted to three officers and one hundred and twelve men killed, seventeen officérs and one hundred' and sixty-one men wounded, and thirteen officers and three hundred aid i !
three men missing ; making a tôtal of 609 officers.and ?"
men, ' NE
210 Administration Of
ñ L
. General Drummond, after this affair, finding his troops encamped in à low situation, now re dered very: unhealthy by the late constant rains, gro! ing sickly, raised the-investment of Fort Erie, and fell back upon Chippawa, on the:-gyening of the 21st of September, without molestatififf by the enemy. de
Sir James L. Yeo, after much exertion, completed . the Saint Lawrence, a new ship of 100 guns, and on the 16th October, sailed from Kingston for the head of the lake with a reinfprcement of troops and supplies for the army ; Com moore Chauncey having previously retired to Sacket's Harbour, on hearing Yhat the British squadron was prepared for the lake. finding the American squadron incapéiloel - tingwithhim, canfffto the resolution QMASES .. # Erie, which-he accordingly did on fer ,V4%e after calling in his out-posts and destroying t {works at that post, and retired across the Niagara to his own territory, leaving the wearied Inhabitants of the pper Province Far more to their repose. . d n
; 'vér, #
Pre in the
ledge
baärbai 'vastati ed me Mat thing. given were r were le "ruffian cross ment : -treat b then fi their r this ex
a + The
vince : Decem " Yeo, a: came d conima the ev
ing his ed very: sickly, ck upon tember,
mpleted and on head of upplies eviously the Bri- . Brown -opera- . g Fort M 'ember,"" je whole gara to ts of the
The troops and embodied militia in the' Lower Pro-
d Fa]
Là , Ë s
a 4 Lu - +
7 L
1814] Sin George Prevost,
The American army throughout the present tampaign evinced a character and au improved state of disciple e far beyond what might lave been expected Gh-raw materials, Thebarbarous conduct of a does who 6occasionally made incursions into - térn parts of Upper Canada disgracéd however' éreputation which their regular army had acquired in the estimation of the British, ever ready to ack nowledge merit in a virtuous'eneniy. The Villages of Do-
- "vér, and Port Talbot were destroyed by these ruth bärbarians in the course of. th vastation which marked the cogrse of a horde of mount: ed men from Kentucky, under Brigadier General M'Aythur,,in the month of November, exceeded everÿ
thing. The Country through which they passed was
given up to indiscriminate plunder: the settlements
were reduced to ashes, "1 the miserable inhabitants :
were left to perish with coki and huoger. This band of "ruffians was arrested in'its progress, on attempting to "cross the Grand River, by a party of the 1034 Regiment and a few Indian Warriprs and their speedy re- 'treat before à party of the 19th Light Dragoons saved them from exemplary chastisement. They made good their retreat to Detroit from whence they'had set out on this excursion. APT
vince wcre sent into winter quarters on the tenth of December. General Drummond and Sir James L. '
: Yeo, after the campaign had ended in Upper Canada, came down to Montreal to concert measures with the
conimander of the forces for the ensuing campaign, in:
the event that the négociations then 'carrying on at
pi.
re
A Par Ta Tn Sr Fiat
2%
Fo Al
apaisramon 0 . [1815
Gent boul not terminate in a Peace. The creation of a naval force on Lake Huron in the ensuing season
was determined upon by these officers, as a place af- $ fording much greater security for the construction of. vessels than Lake Erie, where the enemy possessing
the dominion of the Lake could at any time destroy :
them.
The House: of Assembly met on the 21st January.
© Mr. Panet having been called up to the Legislative Council, Joseph L. Papineau, Esquire, was: elected Speaker of the Assembly. The militia Act was revised and amended by'admitting substitutes. . À Grant of -new Duties upôn Tea, strong Spirits, and on Goods sold at Auction was made to His Majesty to supply thé wants ofthe Province. One thousand pounds were granted for the encouragement of vaccine inoculation ; -upwards of eighty thousand pounds were appropriated for the improvement of the Internal Communications of the Province, and a further Sum of twenty-five thousand pounds for the purpose of opening a Canal from Montreal to Lachine. A'Bill was also introduced to make a provision for thg Speaker of the House - of Assembly, and to grant him a thousand pounds per annum, to enable him to support the dignity of his Office. This Bill being reserved for the Royal Sgnction 'was 'confirmed during a subsequent Administration.
The Assembly among other things came to a reso- Jution that it was expedient to appoint an Agent in Great Britain for the purpose of soliciting the enactment of Laws, and for transacting such public matters as might from time to time be committed to his care for
a
1815]
the go
music _Ssition nor of channe nada 2 they tt senbly
'The dissent solutio: the sub Prince asana at a foi which: Govern gislatur
Treaty
the Ist
The : and as : pay to ! vided fa rendere livelihoc dows an the war Regent, made to defence
fi81&
reation season
lace afction of. assessing
destroy .
anuary.
rislative lected revised rant of 'Goods supply ds were ilation ; priated ications nty-five à Canal ntrodu- ; House nds per his Ofgnction tion.
a resogent in
enactmatters are for
1815] ne SIR GEORGE PREVOST. '. 213 - gs S LS 5
. the good of the Province. This resolution was com-
municated to the Legislative Council, where, in oppo- _sition to the measure, it was resolved, that the Governor of the Province was the only fit and constitutional channel between the Legislative Bodies of Lower Canada and His Majesty's Government in Great-Britain : they therefore did not concur in the Message of the Âs- sembly. Un. :
'The Lower House, upon receiving information of the dissent of the Legislative Council, persisted in their resolution, and presented an. address to the Governor on the subject, requesting his Excellency to transmit to the : Prince Regent certain addresses. in their behalf, as well. as an address relating to the Impeachments preferred. at a former Session against the Chief Justices, and of which no notice;had. as .yet been taken by the British. Government.: Whilst théäattention ofthe colonial Le: gislature was engaged invhese concerns, news of the
Treaty of Peace was officially announced to them on:
the ist of March.
The Embodied' Militia were immediatelÿ disbanded, and as a gratuity, the Legislature grantéd eightÿ days pay to theofficers. An annuity of six pounds was provided far such Voltigeurs and Militiamen as Had Heen rendered, during their service, incapable of earning à. livelihood. A small gratuity was also made to the widows and children of those who had béen killed during the war ; and the Assembly in an Address to the Prince Regent, recommended that a grant of lands should be made to such Voltigeurs and Militia, as had served in
defence of the Province during the late war.
. 214 ADMINISTRATION 0 fi8t& 1815]
. The Assembly, as a mark of respect for'the charac- Sir ter of the Governor in Chief, voted him the sum of five ' beco thousand pounds sterling for the purchase of a Sérvicé John' of Plate. This measure met with the approbation of + bited
the Prince Regent, but was not carried into effect ; the ver S Legislative Council having refused their assent to a bill ed far for that purpose, which was sent up for their concur- Mont rence in the course of the epsuing Session. , minis re mond
minist Same " anda:
The business of the Session being conclüded, the "À is Governor prorogued the Parliament on the25th March: Æ He informed the Assembly that he had received the Ê d <ornmmands of his Royal ness the PrinceRegent, to
- returiito England for the purpose of repelling accusations affecting his military character, which-had been preferred by the late Naval Commander in 'Chief on the Lakes in Canada—an opportunity which he embraced with eagerness to justify bis pan pe
+
e Howèver intent (said he) on the subj st mhich-s0-— ' unexpectedly thus summons my attention, be aÿsured . "I sballbear with me a lively recollection-of the firm. : support Fhave derived from you, and I shall be gra- ' tified at ap early period in representing personälly to ' His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, the real and .… À loyalty évinced by every class of His Majesty's Sub- _"jects in British North América during my Adminis- ' tration, their attachment to his August Person and to 'his Goverament, and most particularly the mue ' devotion manifested by the People of the rex the late contest with the United States of Am
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[1815 characof five Sérice ation of ect ; the to a bill concur-
ed, the :$
March:
ved thè':/ 1
Fi gent, to : accusaad'been Chief on he emutation.
vhich- 80" aësured the firm. - |'be granally to Leal and y's Sub- Adminis-
n and to irit re
ee in. >efica.?.
de RE ps
1815] es SIR GEORGE PREVOST.. 215. Sir Gcorge Prevost accordingly departed from Que- : bec on the third 6f April, for England by way of St. John's (New-Brunswick) over the wild and uninhabited country between the Saint Lawrence and the River St. John's. On the day ofhis departure he received farewell addresses from the citizens of Quebec and. Montreal, expressive of their satisfaction with his Ad-- ministration. He was succeeded by Sir Gordon Drummond in the Government of Lower-Canada, as Ad-
-ministrator in. Chief, who arri ved'at Quebec on the . Same day, a few hours after the and assumed the Command,
Govérnoi's departure,
'an op, his che
POSTSCRIPT. ne . nie Sir Ja: Et is due to the public, and to the memory of Sir D: was, b; George Prevost, to give some statement of the pro- : ted fro ceedings, with respéct to that officer, after his return Sir Ge . to Englond, to account for his military conduct at . valoft Plattsburgh, in September 1814, at the instanceof Sir ing of! : James L. Yeo, commander ofthe Naval Forces on the © D 12th of . Lakes in Cariada. Some time after his arrival at home, … ofSir C he was induced, by the promulgation of the sentence impaire _of a Naval Court Martial, assembled for the trial of fected f : Capt. Pring and:the officers undér his command, for taperie , the loss of the British Squadron on Lake Champlain Country in Plattsburgh Bay, reflecting upon the conduct of thè - Lawren Commander of the'Land Forces, to address à letter uary, h on the subject to His Royal Highness the Duke of York. to regre 'In this letter he strongly protested against the decision reflectio r". Of that Court Martial so far as it related to himself, as not hav premature and unjust; his conduct, and that of the at Platt army under his command, not being properly the sub-
ject of their enquiry ; and because their opinion must Colo
have principally relied upon the bare statement and opportu <.._assertions of the parties whose conduct was in question, . brother, without any other than ex parte testimony.. He com- tigâtion ' plained of the peculiar injustice of this prejudication nas, ef his conduct, aggravated by the delay of his accuser his mem to bring forward his accusations ; and solicited' the ness the interposition of His Royal Highness with His Majesty's stronges Government, to compel him to produce his charges in family a D T'due légal form, and lien upon ei in order that. - quested
2"
of Sir
1e pro- :
return duct at e.of Sir on the home, ntence trial of 1d, for mplain
'of thè : : letter
York. ecision self, as of the
ie sub-
n must nt and estion,,
cation ccuser d the jesty's ges in r that:
"an opportunity might be afforded him of vindicating
his charactér and conduct.
A copy of the charges (four in number) given in by
Sir James L. Yeo, in consequence of this remonstrance,
was, by the Adjutant General of the Forces, transmitted from the Horse-Guards, on the 13th September, to .
Sir George Prevost ; and to afford time for the arri-
. val of the necessary witnessés from Canada, the meet-
ing of the General Court Martial was posponed till the 12th of January 1816. In the mean time, thehealth. of Sir George Prevost, naturally of a delicate cast, and
… mpaired in the course of service, became seriousÿ af-
fected from anxiety of mind, and the fatigue he had.
. *aperienced 'in his journey on foot over the uninhabited Country, covered with snow, between the Rivers Saint : Lawrence and Saint Jobn's ; and on the 5th of Jan-
uary, he died in London, leaving a disconsolate family
to regret his loss, rendered doubly grievous by the
reflections to which his memory was exposed, from his
_not having had an occasion of cleariog up his conduct
at Plattsburgh.
Colonel William Augustus. Prevost, anxious for an
opportunity to retrieve the injured reputation of his--
brother, from the obloquy which the want of an investigâtion of the charges preferred against Sir George Péevont, previous to his deceasé, must have cast upon his memory, in a letter addressed to His Royal High-
ness the Commander in Chief, after stating in the.
strongest light, the distressing situation in which the
family and relations of the deceased were placed, re-
quested that an investigation of his conduct might be-
Ve
Postscript. © 217
218 POSTSCRIPT. … ME de
ordered before a Court of Enquiry.* A reference to . ter an _the Judge Advocate was made on the subject, who 'thing was of opinion, that such an enquiry, could not be pro- - . interfe perly made ; jure the objections to an investi- fore w "gatiorr. after the death of a party, in sach an instance larly' s asthe present, appear to be,insurmountabje ; thè evi- Sa Led dence before a Court of Enquiry, not being taken on ; which, oath, nor could any proceedings with'a view to afford . Plattsl püblic satisfactioh, have had the desired effect, unless - throug the Prosecutors (whose characters must also have been taken " considered to acertain degree at stake) were allowed to gracio come DER with the whole weight of their evidence. he" ent Georg In consequence of this. determination, Lady Prevost mark 'addressed a letter to the Commander in Chief, repre- to the senting: to'His Royal Higlmess inthe most forcible EH Th terms, .the painful dilemqa ih which she was placed.— : HE : She dwelt strôngly upon the injustice 'sustained by the voi memory of an injured officer, whose life had béen devo- -ted to the service of his country, and whose exertions . - in that service: had been honoured with the frequent and unqualified- approbation of his Sovereign and his Country.—Honors, which, though the fruit of long :ndeb and acknowledged services, were now in danger of be- si à ing blasted by unproven and calumnious accusations. à Le Ar She therefore solicited His Royal Highness to extend an his favour and protection to herself and family, and im- "plored him to commiserate their multiplied afflictions, The and to éndcavour to obtain from His RoyalHighness, Army the Prince Regent, a gracious 'consideration of their feétual claims for such marks:ofdistinction as might be thought in the due to the memory of the deceased. His Royal High- The o: ness acknowledged the receipt of her Ladyship's let- Militia
equital -tire ma from tl confide concili:
Rte -mañds
5 " Re MR QU SRE Etes
rence ct, who t be pro- _investiinstance thè evitaken on to afford
t, unless -
ave been lowed to vidence.
: Prevost f, repreforcible
laced. —
d by the sen devo-
exertions .
frequent and his of long
er af beusations. :
o extend sandim-. fictions, lighness, of their thought al Highhip's let-
Le : POSTSCRIPT..
ter and assured nn he should be glad t to do any
'thing calculated to alleviate her. distr ess, but declined . -. inter rfering with the Prince Regent on'the subject, be-
foré whom, he was of. opinion, it could only be regularly' submitted by His Majesty's Ministers.
: Lady Prevost accordingly drew up a memorial,
. which, with a statement of the military occurrences at
Plattsburgh, she submitted to the Prince Regent . through the Ministers. . His Royal Highness having taken fhe same into consideration, was soon afterwards
" graciously pleased, publicly to express the high sense
he entertained of the: distinguished. services of Sir. George Prevost, conferring at the same time, as a mark of-his approbation, additional armorial 1peRtgs to the Arms of his. Fauily.
The administration of the Civil Government of Lower-Canada under. Sir George Prevost, was mild, equitable, and unquestionably popular âmong the en-
:tire mass ofthe Canadian population, in whose loyalty
from the commencement, he placed the most implicit confidence.. To their fidelity, and to the prudent and conciliating policy of this Governor, Great-Britain is indebted for the preservation of the Canadas, unavoid- . ably left destitute of money and troops at the oùtset of
hoôstilities with America, by reason of the urgent de-
-mañds of the war in Spain.
The Provincial Legislature, by giving a currency to
'Army Bülls, and guaranteeing their redemption, ef-
fectually" removed all apprehensions of a déficiency in the financial resources of the Colonial Government. The organization of a respectable force of Embodied ous: and the power delegated to the Governor, of
+
D nn TO
F À ronrsèmer.
turning out the whole of thé effective male population ù
ôf the Province, in cases of emergency, enabled him to withstand the efforts of the United States, during two
successive campaigns with scarcely any other resources
than those derived from the colony. They who had been partial to the pr eceding administration, and who
: probably may have been instrumental ia the arbitraryÿ measures with which it is reproached, were, as might
be expected, adverse to the policy of the present Go-
_vernor, and spared no pains to represent in England , the'affairs of the colony in the falsest colours. The
disappointments experienced at Sackes Harbour and Plattsburgh, gave occasion to his enemies to discredit his military character : but whatéver may have been his capacity.as a general, (which we leavé to the judgment of military men) it must be admitted that as: a
" Civil Governor, ât the head of a people irritated by _arbitrary measuresunder the preceding administration, he judiciously explored his way through a period of unprecedent:d embarrassments and danger, withouta
recurrence"to Martial Law, or the least exertion of arbitrary power. His manners are'represented by those who were familiarly acquainted with him as unassuming and social." His public speeches or addresses par-
took ofeven classical elegance. His smooth and easy : temper placed bim beyond the 'ordinary passions ef" -: men in power, apd though aware of the intrigues or . É ünprincipled and implacable enemies labouring at his .
destruction, and loaded with the obliquy of the. press, he is known t$ have harboured the former, and to have reaséned with that éoolness and unconcern with respect to the latter, which can only spring from a virtuous and ingenuous mind.
DR ANA AG ut 2 Ed 210
resentment against - MT
Of th rem. sup -A TO
7 M Les
inutiles.
jamais e: Succès. et vous pour fair Tout va Quéhec, en Franç avoir son l'ont sen assent, ç Représe:
la Liste (
Elections
Vous : vîte à ce l'affaire.
On va aux" taxe
ulation : ] him to ing two sources ho had nd who bitrary
s might nt Gongland , ,. The ur and iscredit
re been. e judg-
at as a ed by tration, riod of thout a
y those jassumes par-
id easy : ions. ef} ques of at his... press, à against -: : oolness ch can Le
+ On croit le moment favorable. la Liste Civile, et. que la promptitute avec laquelle vont se faire les 4
értr
APPENDIX, Of this production we insert the following extract : the
remainder of it, being directed against individuals) is 'suppressed': Nappe :
:A TOUS LES ELECTEURS DU on Hi.
Mes Compatriotes, : z
ES efforts que vousavez faits à la deruière Election u'ont pas êtk inutiles. . :
La Chambre d'Assemblée a eu plus de force qu'elle n'en avo jamais eu. Le payeineut de la Lisre Civire y a été proposé avec
Succès. . Mais l'effet en a 6L6 terrible; car le Parlement a &t&casé|
et vous allez voir des efforts incroyables à Ja prochaine Eloction pour faire abandonner les Représentans en qui VOus aviez confiance Tout va être mis en œuvre ; toutes les 'Gagettes: jusqu'à celle de Québec, sont employées : et on a encore mis une nouvelle sur pied en François 'Tous les gens en places et tous ceux qui veulent en avoir sont en mouvement. Le coup a été terrible pour eur, ils l'ont senti jusqne dans la moële des as : mais quelque chose qu'il assent, quelque chose que vous voyez, teuez ferme, et soùtenez vos Représeutans. Fa +
On epèré vous épouvanter par Elections, ne vous laissera pas le tems-de la rélexion.
Vous n'avez pas de tems à perdre, allez vons informer au plus. vite à ceux en qui vous avez confiance, et faites vous expliquer l'affaire. ë L k $
. On va vous précher le ménagement de votre bourse, on va crier aux" taxes.. Remarques bien qui sont ceux qui prêchent et qui
a)
à était 1 Mint à us a a À og EN Gé tt CE à
D ;
; ï Ë t ï 3 Î RC CCC Oo D Cm DO CAO
Lr
222 ). : ARPENDIX. è .Æ
' … erlent ainsi: si ce sont ceux qui ont costume 2 parler de es dé Il se ment et de crier contre les rs k et on: Ces personnes ne se sent pas técriées de voir'angmenter les. Dé- 4. # penses Civiles tous les ans ; elles ne se sont pas réeriées lorsqu'on a etdef de. ! proposé de mettre des taxes sur les terres, il y a quelques-années. tuelle: N,: Elles se soùt tonjours gardées jusqu'ici de vous parler de ces choses ; © pourra 'Iles jetfoient<les hants cris ces dernières années, lorsqu'on pu- ment à blia un ec por vous douner counoissance des Di prrre de la Province. : 4 Îls v cs $ vous T Gorges n'est pas le désir de mé er votre boue ui agile si fort, mais que c'est bien plutôt le déâir d'en avoir fe p Li RS NE Greffe ment eux-mêmes, et d'être les maîtres Ÿ supéenter la dépense. taut quaran qu'is voudront. 3 seroit nr En mil sept cent quatre-vingt quinze la prémière" fois que les Fa ue ke, comptes ont 616 envoyés à la Chambre, la Fp nse de la Proviuce se 'ne montoit qu'à dix rieuf mille louis en m huit cent, elle montoit Las à trente-deux mille louis ; et en mfi iQ bliés, nière année dont on ait les comptes publiés, € : . onze m " rate-trois sæmille louis. RATES -etil ne Tia vous diront : que vous linporte que la five nee ce ire ni n'est pes vous qui la me toute. . que su Il est vit qu'il y a une petite partie que qous ne payons paë, et a. qu'on se garde bien de nous faire payer, afin ide pouvoir dire que aous n 'avons pas le droit de se mêler de la dépense. ; Mais quand la dépense sera une fois augmentée autant qu'il aura plû aux gens én place, il faudra que quelqu'un soit chargé .de. la. "WI 'payer. Qu'est-ce qni doit en être chargé à la fin ?—Lg mère-patrie Pos n'a point établi de fond pour la payer ; ou tire ce qu'elle en paye writin actuellement, de la caisse militaire; eela ne pourra continuer tant this F qu'il ne s'agira que de Bagatelles; mais quänd les sommes seront lan. 4 revenues considérables, on nous dira : If est raisonnable qu'une Pro- expre F fl vince florissante comme celle-ci, paye ses propre dépenses ; la mère- Subi : 53 patrie est assez chargée des frais des guerres qu'elle a eu à souvenir D Je pour la protection de l'empire ; et cela sera raisonnable. lousy
affecti
TT ne à
ee A Fe SRE — AITIRE
' Fa b OO CE Arr - ; DD LD LOC mm mad COCA AC OC mn ECO PO
o
,
"Appendix, 223
ménage- Il sera tems alors, dissent les gens en places, de régler la dépense LA L et on aura le même droit-qu'à présent. — Mais quand la dépense sera f
cr trois ou quatre fois plus grande} il y aura trois on quatre fois antant LE r les Dé- de gens en places, qui auront trois ou quatre fois autant d'influence. ' AL + "qu'on a et de puissance, et qui crieront trois ou q'iatre fois autant ; et si acannées. tuellement on a déjà tant de peine à s'en défender, comment choses ; : Pourraït-on le faire alors ? Faut-il attendre qu'ils se soient entière- Ne ment einparé de Ja place, et qu'il soit impnssible de résister ? s€ he Ts vont vous exagérer les sommes qu'il Gndroit payer, afin de : La vôus épouvanter ; les uns dissent, il fant auginenter de ViNar-ciNQ - À M les - : MILLE Houis, d'autre de Quaranre AnLLe; on disoit avant hier au mpénage- : Greffe que c'était ving.cing mille, aujourd'hui on dit que c'est à ense, taut Tuargnle mille. S'il fallout se régler suc leur appetit, la somme ee ; seroit effectivement considérable ; mais/ce n'est pas là-dessus que ds ne la. Chambre -d'Assemblée se regler&, à moins que le nombre des - 8 sie HS He gens à places qui ÿ seront, ne l'emporte. montoit: La somme à payer uivant les derniers comptes qui ont été pust la der- bliés, servit de SEIZE MILLE louis. De ces. seise mulle louis, pitäqna- , . Onze mille seroient payés par l'acte des prisous en le coutitiuant,
et il ne resteroit-plus qué cinq milles louis—une conple de chelins Me niet sur le vin de Madère et le vin de Porte et quelques sols rür le éncre "i nenté, ce "blanc produiroient huit mille louis, ce qui seroit une somme plus : ce que suffisante, &e. &e. &e. "4 ns pas, et dire que B. OR ie Governor CRAIG's PROCLAMATION. qu'il aura j A D ee : D gédeln . Whereas divers wicked, seditious arid- treasonable ' . writings have been printed, published and dispersed in nuer tant this Province, with the care and government of which . es seront 1 am entrusted; and whereas such writings have been 'ane Pro- expreësi} calculated to mislead His Majesty's good , ke Subjects, to iinpress their minds with distrust and jeae soute
lousy of his Majesty's Gdvernment, to alienate their affections from His Majesty's Person, and to bring into.
es
Q
à js à él Le
FE 5 GE nm re per à # Love " mer Po Oo mm mme
°
224 : Appendix,
contempt and vilify: the Administration of Justice, and" ot
of the Government of the: Country ; and whereas, in shoul
igy 'of these wicked and träitorous pur- nee
poses, their älthors and abettors have not scrupled. that é audaciously to advance the most gross and daring falsehoods, whilst the industry that bas been employed, 'in dispersing and disseminating them at a very great
expense,; 'but the scource of.which is xot known,
, me ; and reas, Her with that du y, which re
I owe-to his Majesty, nnû that affection arid fègard the "a
with wbich + Jet th
"Inbabitants bf this Colon, à was inipossible for me any longer disregard or süffèr F practices $o it
tending. to fubvert the Government of the formér, and. ï o i
Ô
to destroy his of the Aatter, 1 do therefor re, glish
vance
stance prope
or unc
His Majesty"
advice and concurre nce measures have been a opted, and'that dué-information-having been given to: Three f of His Majesty's said Executive Counsellors, Warrants Re as by Law authorised, have been issued under which - sde somé of the authors printèrs and publishers of the w ritins aforesaid have Die apprehended and sécured. So
'have u |piness vernnx bave 3
Deepiy fupressed nn a desire to promote, in al respects, the welfare and bappiness of the most bene-. violent and best of Sovereigns, whose faithful servant 1
have bebn for nearly as long a period. as the oldest inhabitant has been bis subject, and, whose 'highest pren displeadre I should incur, if-I made any other than de ni that bappiness: and welfare the rule of my conducf, it . pen:
Laon
.welfare
F si A Le
Cours daemonpanahoor contre
APPENDIX. Le PS
e, and 'would indeed be with a very sincere concern, that I an mn should find reason to believe that the arts of these fac-… a nd tious and designing men had,produced any effect, and rupled. that doubts and jealousies should have found their way,
daring and have established themselves
in thé minds of delu-
ded Persons. É ere
: To these, if any such thére rade to the: public in general, I would recall.the istory of tbe- : hole period during.which they have been under His Majesty's Government: Let them remember the ue they were in when they became Brita Subjects ;/ ahd let them bear in their recollection the progressive adè- Vances theÿ have made to the wealth, happiness,/security and unbounded liberty which they. now. enjoy.— During fifty years that they have 'been uuder the English dominion, bas one act of oppression—has one in-
ps stance of arbitraryÿ imprisonment-—or of violation of. À
same property,. occurred ?. Have ÿouin:any one instance, opted, A or under any one circumstance, been disturbëd in the / Phree 4 free and uncontroulled:enjoyment of your Religion" "which *ediastly, while all Europe has been deluged in blog ne and wbile various of his Majesty's aber coils ad
possessions. have at: times experienced 'the hovroys Q £
war, and some even under the vicissitudes of that étate, ES have undergone a deprivation of the inestimable häp- in all _piness of living under British. Laws and Britiéh Go
cured.
bene- vernment, by becoming a preÿ to temporary gonquest,
vant Î have you not enjoyed the. most perfectsegurity and
oldest tranquility under the powerül protection Al that same
nepest ; government, whose fostering and paterhal care. has à - "RES
cl ge been equally employed in. promotiag your.internal ©. it. Ra en Fi;
. ;welfare. à . 19*
Le
Lot
: What then can be the means used by these evil dis: posed and wicked persons bÿ which they can hope to
bring about their traitorous and ambitious designs—,
by what arguments can they expect that a people, à in
: the enjoyment of every blesging that can contribute to .
hapbiness in this world,:shall renounce that happiness, … to embrace their wii ? By what argument can they expect that a brave and loyal people, hitherto impressed with the warmest and sincerest attachment to the best of Kings, whose whole reign has been one series of benefits bestowéd on them, shall abandon that loyalty and become monsters of ingratitude, fit to be held up to the detestation of the world, to promote théir projects ? It is true, the most base and diabolical falsehoods are industriously promulgated 'and disseminate- : ed. In one part, it is announced as my intention to embody and make soldiers of you, and'that haÿing applied to the late House of Representative to ena- . "ble me to assemble twelve thousand of you. for that
purpose, and they having declined to do s0, I bad
therefore dissolved them... This is not only, directly false, such an idea never having entered into my
mind, nor the slightest mention having ever been made -ofits but it is doubly wicked and atrocious, because
it has been advanced bÿ persons, who must have been
supposed to speak with certainty on the subject, and
was therefore the more calculated to impose upon you. In another part you ar told that 1 wanted to tax your Jands, and fhatthe late House of Assembly wôuld con-
'sent only fo tax wine, and upon that account, I had .
dissolved'the House. Inhabitants of St. Denis! this
'is also directly false; I never had the most distant idea of téjing you at all; such had never even bees for a
y
mome late H
have t
withou
. was tt
my kn
In
from vw
to do, "you.
an ass tentio! ly lool
these :
from v vice; ty, ass
For object, willhe
covere
accom
: ful pec
of hon
: oppres you ca
vil disope to igns— ple, in
pute to .
piness, n they mpresto the series at loybe heïd é thèir ] falseminat- tion to haÿing o ena- Dr that
Tbad
directto my
n made Jecause
Je been
ct, and
Dn you. Aix your Id con-
I had.
is! this
otidea pfora
Appendix, : , 221
moment the subject of my "deliberations, and whenthe late House offered to pay the Civil List, L. could not
have taken any step in-a matter of such importance
without the King's instructions, andtherefore it was still long before we came to the consideration of how it
. was to be paid. In trüth not one word was ever_to
my knowledge nee on the subject.
In other parts, despairing of producing instances from what I have done, recourse is had to what I intend
.to do, audit is boldly told you, that 1 mean to oppress … you Basé and daring- fabricators of falsehood, on
what part or what act of my life, do you found such an assertion ? What do you know ôf me or'of my in tentions ? Canadians, ask of those to whom you formerly looked with attention and respect, ask the heads of your church who have opportunities of knowing me ;
these are men of honor and knowledge, these are men
from whom you ought to seek for information and ad: vice ; the leaders of faction, the demagoguës of a par-
ty, associate not with me ; they Cannot know me. : .
For what purpose should I oppress F$: ? Isit to. serve the King? Will that Monarch, who' during ffty years has never issued one order that had you fes object, that was not for your benefit and happine willhe pow, beloved, honored; adored by bis subjects,
- covered with glory, destending into the vale of years,
accompanied with the prayers and blessings of a grate-
: ful people, will he; contraryÿ to the tenor of a whole life
of honor and virtue, now give orders to his Servants to
oppress his Canadians Subjects ? It is impossible that you can for a moment.believe:it. . You will spurn from
208. Appendix.
- and ti _vernir
you with just indignation, the miscreant who will suggest such a thought to you.
Is it for myself,.then, that I should oppress you ? theret For what should I oppress you ? Is it from ambition ? : to' act What can yen give me? Is-it for power? Alas! my dispos good friends ! with a life ebbing not slowly to its period, and 1 'under the pressure of disease acquired in the service best. of my country, É look only to pass, wbat it may please cendie God to sufer to remain of it; in the comfort of retire- right, ment among my friends. Î remain among you only inculc - in obedience to the commands of my King, What Kiog : power can I wish for? It then for wealth that 1 would '_oppress: you? Enquire- of those who know me, whcther Î regard wealth : I never did, when I could enjoy it: itis now of no use tome; to the value of your "à Country laid at my feet, I. would preferthe conscious- y neïs ofhaving, in a single instance, contributed to Lt bappiness and prosperitys
" Anc mand
all Ca Majesi diliger thors : traitor
These personal allusioüs to myself— These details, any in any othercase, might be unbecoming, and beneath . D '7 any me; but nothing can be unbecoming or beneath me, to dist that cau tend to save you from the gulf of Crime and that b,
: mon into pra mé men wroukd plunge you- in the '4. may d
Itis now my datÿ more pibticiilesty to advert to the whater intent and purpose. for which this Proclamation is is- of hap suod; E do, theréfore, by and:with the 'advice of His cui Majesty" s Executive Council;hereby warm, and éar-r .. Giver vastly.exhort all his Majesty?s Subjects, to be on their ) ". güard against, and to he/Cautiôns bow tbeÿ -listen to À 'ri
'the artful suggest d and wicked me À DE PSE engning. Lo r.
pete d épée it di da né Éd het dé de ous ni NÉ di NE ST D UE ST RE KL
ve APPENDIX.
ill sug- on who, by the spreading of false reports, and by seditious - and traitorous ritings, ascribe to His Majesty's Government evil and malevolent purposes, seeking only
+ su ; therebÿ to alienate their affections, and lead them in-
bition ? : to acts of Treason "une ellion, calling upon all well as! my disposed Persons, and particularly upon all Curates period, . - "and Ministers of God's Holy Religion, to use their " tien À best. endeavors to prevènt the evil effects of such in- Ô r pléäse cendiary and traitorous désigns, to undeceive, to set nt pe right, such as may have been misled by them, and to u only inculcate in all, the true principles of loyalty to the What King and obedience to the Laws. : der And I do hereby further strictly charge and com- j enjoy mand all Magistrates, in and throughout this Province, f your 'all Captains of Militia, Peace Ofüusers and others, His" scious- Majesty's good Subjects, that they do severally make jo yoûr diligent enquiry and search, to discover as well the authors as the publishers of all such wicked, seditious and traitorous writings as aforesaid, and of false news in" details, any way derogatory to his Majesty's Government, or ter in any manner te@ling to inflame the Public Mind, and Mh me, to disturb the public peace and tranquility ; to the end, Léa that by a vigorous exécution of the laws, all offenders in the premises may be brought to such punishment as eue PE may detér all persons from the practice of any acts St the whatever which may in any way affect the safety; peace ou ts happiness of his Majesty's Loyal and faithful Subof His Jjects in_this province. nd éar- . Givenunder my hand and Seal at Arms,at the Castle of Saint Lewis age in the City of Quebec, in the said Province of Lower Canada, cs their ; 1 his 21st day of March, in the year of our Lord 1810, and in the sten to f Fifticth Year of His Mojesty's Reign,
1 men, " J. H. CRAIG, Governor.
' Appendix. :
e te RU : among C. . A
General HULL'S Fvading PROCLAMA TION. Wealti
. y . any pe IxHavrreNes or Caxana ! 0 Lu
In tl After thirty years of peace and .prosperity the Uni- : my Go
_ted States have been driven to arms, The injuries : and proper: aggravations, the insults and indignities of Great- À 'your P Britain, have once more left them no alternative but your h:
ee nBnly resistance or unconditional submission. CRT À thers f enjoy. with us
an arm dial we
and op; free me
- YOUr as
every € all eppe
. The army under My comand, has invaded your 'country, and the standard of Union now waves over the Territory of Canada. Toithe peaceable un offending inbabitant, it brings neither danger nor difficulty. L come to jind eñemiés nôt to muke them, 1 come to, . protect, not to rpm Jos. ee:
Separated by an immense Ocean, and an extensive . Wildernéss from Great-Britain, you have no participation in her councils, nor in her conduct. You have felt her tyranny, you have seen her injustice, but 1 do anuch not ask you to avenge the one or redress the other. the ju The Uuited States are sufficiently powerful'to afford.. dated a you every security, consistent with théir rights, and: - your expectations. Î tender you the invaluable bless- : à...
. ings of Civil, Political, and Religious Liberty, and / 'Ifthe their necessary result, individual and general prospe- / be purs rity—that Liberty which gave decision to our coun- : citizens 'cils and energy to our .conduct in our struggle for in- will be : dependence, and which conducted us safely and trium- : À 7 phantly through the stormy period of the Revolution. . …. The That Liberty which has raised us to an elevated rank with the
Fe ties of v
he Uni- Û
ries and Greattive but
d your es ovêr offendficulty.
+
tensive particiou have ut 1 dô other.
afford.. .R
ts, and:
e btess- : :
Ly, and prospe- r counfor in-
À trium-
olution. ed rank
ÂPPENDIX. eau among the Nationsof the world, and which bas afforded us a greater measure of Peace and Security, of Wealth and Improvément, than ever fell to the lot of
any people. : 5
In the name of-my Country, and by the authority of
.0y Government, 1 promise protection to your persons,
property and rights. Remain at your homes—Pursue
'Your peaceful and customary avocations—Raise not . . Your hands against your bretbren—Many of-your fa.
thers fought for the freedom and independence we now enjoy. Being children, therefore, of the same family . with us, and heirs to the same heritage, the arrival of :
. an army of friends must be baïled by you with a cor... dial welcome, You will be emancipated from tyranny
and oppression, and restored to the dignified station of free men. ë
Häd I any doubt of-eventual success, I might ask
- Your assistance, but I do not. 1 come prepared for. every contingeñcÿ.". J have a force which will look down all eppoñition, 'and that force is but the vanguard of a
nuch greater. If, Contrary to your own interest, and the just expectation of my country, you will be consi- déred and treated as encmies, the horrors and Calami-
Aies of war will stalk before you...
ù If the barbarous and savage policy of Great-Britain be pursued, and the savages are let loose to murder our.
will be a war of extermination.
_citizens, and butcher our women and children, this war
ue '
The first stroke of the tomahawk, the first attempt
with the scalping knife, will be the signal of 'one in-
Da Parc Appendix,
&
discriminate scene of desolation. N. o white man found
fighting by the sie of an Indian will be taken. prisoner!* Instant destruction will be his lot. : If the dictates of reason, duty, justice and humanity- cannot preveñt "the empleyment of a force which .respects no.rights, and knows no wrong, it will be prévented by a severe and relentless system of retaliation. ù
I doubt not your 'courage and firmness : I "will n uot doûbt your'attäcement to liberty... If you tender your . services voluntarily, they will be accepted readily.
The United States offer you peace, liberty and se- À. ie curity. Your choice lies between these and war, sla- À sreai véry and destruction. Choose then, but choose wisely ; the and may he, who knows the justice of our çause, and. us who holds in his hands the fate of. falions, guide yôu You '10 a result the most compatible with Ju rights añd . United Here, Jour Li api prosperity. . es are to
; them th
: +! W. HULL. ps
-By the General, A.F. HULL, :
+ Capt. 13th Regt. U. S. Infantry, and Aide Cap. "You
nds st Sandwich, July 12, 1812. . : the
ST ee LV EX prop
Priv soldier battle,
But whatev AÏ! hor
wWaggoi or tlie
1 found
isoner
of rea-
ft"the
s, and re and
ill not
r your
ly. :
and se-
r, sla-. wisely ; e, and.
le you
its and .
æ
Appendix.
+
L] L # ; Ho D
Géneral SMYTH' PROCLAMATION.
on Previous to lie intended invasion, will give the reader
.some-iléa of this gasconading General. GENERAL SMYTE Eee To the Soldiers of the Army, of the Centre,
© +. CoMPANtONS 1N Arms !
The time is at hand when you will eross the streams of Niagara to conquer Cénada, and to secure.
the peace ofthe American Frontier .
+ You will enter a country that. js to be: one of the United States. You will arrive among a people who are to become your fellow citizens. It is not against:
them that we come to make war. It is against that Le
Government which holds them as yassals.
"You will make this war as little as possible distressful to the Canadian population. Ifthey are peaceable, 'they are to be secure in their persons ; and in their
properfy, as far as our imperious necessities will allow.
© Private plündering îs 'absolutely forbidden. Any soldier who quits bis rank to plunder on ,the field of
battle, will be punished ig the most exemplary manner.
But your just rights as soldiers will be maintained ; Whatever is booty by thé usages' of war, you shall have. All horses belonging to the artillery and cavalry ; all
" 'waggons and teams in public service, will. be sold
"or the benefit of ji captors. . Public stores will be
Appendix.
secure for the service of the United States. The Go- vérament will, with justice, pÿ you the value.
The horses drawing the Light Artillery of the enemy, are wanted for the service of the United States. '1 will order TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS for each,
to be paid the party who may take them. "I will also
"order FORTY DOLLARS to be paid for the arms and spoils of each savage warrior, who shall bekilled.
Soldiers ! You are amply provided for war. You are superior in number.to the enemy. Your personal © strength and activity are greater. . 'Your weapons are
longer. 'The regular soldiers of.the enemy. are gene-
rally old men, whose Ve years have been spent in the
sickly climate of the West-Indies. 'They will not be able to stand before you—you, who charge with the
. You'have séen'TIndians, such as those hired by
the British to murder women and children, and kill and
. scalp the wounded. You .have seen their dances and -
grimaces, a heard their yells. Can you fear tuex ? No, You hold them in the utmost chRenpe
Dis yal and träitorous men have endeayoured to dissuade you 'from your duty. Some times they say,
if you enter Canada, you will be held to service for five
years. .Ât others, they say, that you will not be furnished.with supplies. At other times, they say, that if
'you are wounded,"the Government will not provide
for you by pensions. The just and generous éourse
. pursued by government towards the Volunteers who
Pi
foûgl
any.
Fr moti
an "to mi .-depri
will s Gavin
- in the
© Soi strieve -selvés
.actior
Rewa
Conte! . frms
. "the cl when:
st word
Appendix. . '.
he Go- , foûght. at Tippecanoe, furnishes än answer to the D, last objection. The others are too absurd.to deserve Any ou me ae e ene- LES ne ee re States. . Volunteers ! 1 esteem Your generous and patriotic reach, motives. You have made sacrifices on the altar of your : I also D <ountry. You will not suffer the enemies of your fame RER ."*40 mislead yoù from the path of duty and honor, and killed. + -deprive you of the esteem.of a grateful count ÿ. You HAT "will shun the eternal infamy that awaits the man, who Maving come withiy sight of the enemy, basely sbrinks . You . in the moment of trial, Hi de pns are "Soldiers of every Corps ! It is in your 'Power to regene- grieve the honor of your country and to cover yourtin the :selvés with glory. Every man who performs a gallant not be . action shall have his name made known to the nation. ith the -Æs Rewards and honors await the brave. Infamy and red by. -Contempt are reserved for cowards. Companions in ill and Arms ! You came to -vanquish a valiant foe, 1 know es and - +, 'the choice you will make. Come'on, mÿ heroes! And
THEM £ "when you attack the.enemy's batteries let your rallying
" word be," The Cannon lost at Detroit'or Death" ALEXANDER SMYTH,
red to EN Re Brigadier General Commanding. y say Camp near Buffalo, 17th Nov. 1819. " k : : ; ,
for five ee ë be furthat if provide Course
a