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An Indian,

measures against the United States, would not have needed a disavowal, had the system of spoliation, so long practised towards those wretched people, been as well known in Europe as it is in the British parts of America. The Indians cannot exist without their hunting grounds: these are continually cut down, and encroached upon, by the white borderers. It is true, purchases are sometimes made; but it is not less true that, where one acre is held acres have been extorted by force. no matter upon what provocation,-kills an American citizen; a thousand presses* lend their aid to spread the exaggerated tale, and the whole republic is up in arms against the savage and his tribe. An American citizen,- out of mere wantonness, and with as little remorse as if it were a wild turkey,-shoots a poor Indian: the yells of the widowed squaw and her children rend the air in vain; no publicity is given to the murder, unless the civilized barbarian may choose to disclose to his friends that which, he well knows, they will either treat as a jest, or view with indifference.

Scarcely a village in the U. States is without one.

CHAPTER II.

Description of the Canadian lakes, and the chief military posts in their vicinity-Notice of the declaration of war-British regular force in the Canadas-Surrender of Fort Michilimacinac Previous hostile preparations on the part of the American government-Invasion of Upper Canada by general Hull-Capture of the American Chicago packet-Skirmishes between the Americans and Indians-Anecdote of the American captain McCulloch-General Hull's disappointment, and his return to the American territory -The first battle between the British and Americans-Scalps taken by the American militiaAbandonment of Fort Chicago-General Brock's advance to Detroit-The surrender of that important post, and the whole of the Michigan territory-General Hull's trial-Effects of the loss of Detroit on the cabinet at Washington-Sir George Prevost's impolitic armistice.

As our Canadian frontier was unfortunately destined to bear the brunt of the war declared against us by the United States, it will be assisting the reader to give a brief account of the towns and military posts distributed along the

extensive stream of water, through the middle of which the boundary line runs.

The most remote piece of water on this frontier, worthy of notice, is Lake Superior; a collection of fresh water unequalled by any upon the face of the globe. Lake Superior is of a triangular form, in length 381, in breadth 161, and in circumference, 1152 miles. Among its several islands is one nearly two-thirds as large as the island of Jamaica; but neither its islands nor its shores can yet boast of inhabitants. Out of Lake Superior a very rapid current flows, over immense masses of rock, along a channel 27 miles in extent, called St. Mary's river, into Lake Huron; at the head of which is the British island of St. Joseph, containing a small garrison. This post is nearly 1700 miles from the lowest telegraph-station on the St. Lawrence, and about 2000 miles from its mouth.

Lake Huron is in length from west to east 218, in breadth 180, and in circumference, through its numerous curvatures, 812 miles. Except the island of St. Joseph, and one or two trading establishments belonging to the north-west company, the shores of this lake, also, are in a state of nature. Lake Michigan is connected with Lake Huron, at its western angle, by a short and wide strait; in the centre of which is the island of Michilimacinac, belonging to the United States. This island is about nine miles in circumference;

and, upon some very high ground, has a fort, in which a garrison is maintained. The distance from Michilimacinac to St. Joseph's is 47 miles.

Lake Michigan, which, in length from north to south, is 262, in breadth 55, and in circumference 731 miles, belongs wholly to the United States, the boundary line passing from Lake Superior, along the centre of Lake Huron, in a southerly direction, to the entrance of the river St. Clair. This river flows for 60 miles, till it expands into a small circular lake, about 30 miles in diameter, and named after itself. The beautiful river Thames, in Upper Canada, opens into Lake St. Clair; from which lake the stream, as the river Detroit, in width from one to three miles, and navigable for vessels drawing not more than 14 feet water, pursues a course of 40 miles into Lake Erie.

Upon the western side of the river Detroit, is situate the American town of that name; containing about 200 houses, and, among its public buildings, a strong fort and military works. About three miles below Fort-Detroit, upon the opposite side of the river, is the British village of Sandwich, containing about 40 houses; and, 16 miles lower, and within three of the mouth of the river, is the British village of Amherstburg, containing about 100 houses, and a fort, where a small garrison is usually stationed, and where our principal vessels for the service of Lake

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Erie were built. The distance from Quebec to Amherstburg, by the nearest rout, is 1207 miles. The American village of Brownstown, stands opposite to the latter..

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Lake Erie, from its south-west end, is in length 231, in breadth 64, and in circumference 658 miles. Its greatest depth of water is between 40 and 45 fathoms; but a very rocky bottom renders the anchorage unsafe in blowing weather. Except Amherstburg, the British have no harbor or naval depôt upon Lake Erie; while the Americans have two or three excellent ones. Presqúile harbor is situate on the southern side of the lake, not far from the entrance to the Niagara. It is a safe station, but has a sevenfeet bar at its entrance; as, indeed, have all the other harbors on this lake. The town, named Erie, is situate on the south side of the harbor, and contains about 200 houses, besides several storehouses, and a dock-yard, at which the Americans built their Lake Erie fleet. To the eastward of the town stands a strong battery; and, on the point of the peninsula forming the harbor, a block-house, for the protection of this naval depôt. The Americans have also a strong battery and a block-house at the mouth of another harbor, named Put-in-Bay, situate at the opposite end of the lake. Most of these works have been constructed since the commencement of the war. The rivers Raisin,

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