act time of our making war, until its actual declaration: the British had therefore, almost as early intelligence of it as our executive. It is also said, that the American messenger, was somewhat detained by an unforeseen accident.

The arrival of Hull, was little more than in time to save Detroit, which the British were on the point of attacking. A few well directed shot, compelled them to abandon the works which they had erected on the opposite side of the river. Hull, who had received discretionary power to act offensively, resolved to posses himself of the British post on the opposite side of the river, by which means, he would at once end the Indian war, and cut off the communication with the North West establishments, and the lower Provinces. The American garrisons and forts on the Wabash, Mississippi, Lakes, &c. would, in such event, be completely protected. By obtaining a firm footing in this country, another object would be also secured; the inhabitants chiefly emigrants from the United States, would be induced to join the American standard, and facilitate the active conquest of the country.

On the 12th of July, Hull, with the principal part of his forces, crossed the river, and after a feeble opposition, took possession of Sandwich. Here he issued a proclamation, in which, he stated his force to be sufficient to look down all opposition," threatening destruction without mercy to all who should be fighting by the side of an Indian, and offering protection to the inhabitants who would join his standard. But this proclamation, was followed up by no prompt and vigorous measures against the British garrison, which at this time

was in condition to resist a vigorous assault. He contented himself with detaching Colonels Cass, and M'Arthur, to take possession of the country along the river Thames, and loitered away his time in useless şkirmishings. A sharp skirmish took place a few days after the landing, at the river Aux Canards with a party of the enemy stationed to guard the bridge, which crossed the river on the road to Malden. The enemy was com pelled to retire, with the loss of eleven killed and wounded; but the passage appeared to be gained, with no ●ther view than being immediately abandoned.

Hull, now concluded, that Malden could not be taken without heavy artillery, and a regular siege, and in consequence sat about making preparations which ought to have preceded the invasion. While his proclamation was figuring away in the United States, and every day was expected to bring the news of the taking of Malden, and the vast advantages which would necessarily follow, this General was fast losing the confidence of his own troops, by his want of decision, and incapacity for command. It appeared that he had either become superanuated, or that his merit in a subordinate station during the revolution, was no just criterion of his talents as a leader. The British officer, General Brock, who was a man of talents, was not long in discovering the kind of adversary he had to deal with, and from being at first apprehensive that he could not withstand the great superiority of the American force, began to conceive hope of being able to take advantage of the incapacity of the American. He threw light parties of regulars, and Indians under the celebrated chief Tecumseh, on the road between the State of Ohio and Detroit, so as to intercept the American supplies. Hull was compelled to turn his

attention to keeping open the communication, while the preparations for the siege of Malden, advanced at a snail's pace. It was not until the first of August, that two twenty-four pounders and three howitzers, were mounted, and even then, he appeared at a loss what to do with them. Dangers and difficulties appeared every moment to thicken around him. On the 23d of July, he received intelligence, that Michillimakinac, had surrendered to the British. Lieutenant Hanks, who commanded this important fortress, was suddenly encompassed by a body of the enemy, and a great number of the Indians, which to him was the first intimation of hostilities. As it was in vain to contend against so great a superiority of force, he was compelled to capitulate. There being nothing now to keep the Indians in check, and the men in the service of the North Western Fur Company, being collected, a considerable reinforcement might be expected by the British General. Hull, alarmed at this danger of his situation, which were greatly augmented by his fears, dispatched a messenger for assistance to the Governor of Ohio, and to General Hull, 'commanding at Niagara, The astonishment excited by this news was universal; the morning which had been so fair in hope, was thus suddenly obscured with lowering darkness.

To a man of mental resource, the situation was not yet desperate. The force of Hull was vastly superior to that of the British; his heavy cannon was at last prepared and mounted on floating batteries; and the American officers and soldiers indulged the expectation, of soon attempting something, to merit the applause of their country. The day was actually fixed for the meditated attack, but to the inexpressible astonishment, and

universal indignation of the brave Americans, orders were given by this wretched commander, to abandon the British side and retreat to Detroit. At once every hope of renown was-dashed from them, and they had before their eyes, the hateful prospect of becoming the scorn of their country, and the ridicule of its enemies. The British general, was at the same time, fully confirmed in the opinion which he had formed of the Amcrican commander. Hull, in his disgraceful retreat, abandoned to the mercy of the British, the deluded inhabitants who had confided in his pompous offers of protection, and effectually prevented any future co-operation on the part of the Canadians, who otherwise might have been induced to join the United States and assert their independence.

Shortly before this, a party had reached the river Raisin, with additional supplies for the American camp, under captain Bush; but in consequence of the road being infested by Indians, were obliged to halt, and wait until escorted by a sufficient force. A detachment of one hundred and fifty men, was dispatched under Major Vanhorn, who was attacked near Brownstown by a superior force of the enemy, and after a severe contest was compelled to retreat with the loss of nineteen killed and wounded; of the former, captains Gilcrease, M'Culloch and Bostler, of the latter, captain Ulry.

On the return of this party, it was deemed an object of serious consequence to make an effort to clear the road. While the enemy well knowing that another attempt would soon be made, posted a much larger force of regulars and Indians, at a place called Maguaga, in advance of the former scene of action. For this service, which had now become of the first importance, the American

General selected the veteran Colonel Miller, with three hundred regulars of the 4th regiment, and about two hundred militia. On the 9th of August, the day after Hull had evacuated the British territory, the gallant Millar although advancing with great caution, was attacked by the enemy from an ambuscade. His advance guard under captain Snelling was suddenly encompassed on all sides by Indians and British; but he kept them off, until succoured by the main body. An animated action took place; after keeping up a warm fire for some time, Col. Millar ordered a charge upon the British regulars, who fought under cover of a breast work of logs and trees. They were immediately routed; but the Indians under Tecumseh in the woods on each side, maintained the contest for some time longer. The enemy was finally compelled to retire, and were driven to their boats in which they precipitately embarked. The American loss in this affair, was fifteen killed and fifty wounded; that of the British was about the same. The American force was so much fatigued by this action, which lasted three hours, that they halted on the ground, and the next day, received orders from Hull to return to Detroit. It had been resolved to open a communication with captain Bush through the woods, and for this purpose, Colonels Cass and Miller, were detached with a strong detachment of four hundred men.

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By this time, the British general, had resolved upon the bold attempt of invading the American side, and attacking Hull. He took a position opposite Detroit, and on the 15th sent over a flag demanding in form the surrender of the American garrison, in which he magnified his force in regulars and Indians, in the most fright