were observed over the side, plugging shot holes. A few shot struck our hull, and a little rigging was cut, but nothing of importancenot a man was hurt. I was much disappointed that sir James refused to fight me, as he was so much superior in point of force, both in guns and men, having upwards of 20 guns more than we have, and heaves a greater weight of shot. This ship, the Madison, and the Sylph, have each of them a schooner constantly in tow, yet the others cannot sail as fast as the enemy's squadron, which gives him decidedly the advantage, and puts it in his power to engage me when and how he chooses. I have the honour to be, &c. Hon. Wm. Jones, Secretary of the Navy. CANANDAIGUA, September 14th, 1813. SIR, A large number of the patriotic citizens of this and the adjacent towns, anxious to do their duty in a crisis so interesting to the nation in general, and to this part of the country in particular, have associated themselves to volunteer their services to the United States for the residue of the campaign at least. In order to effectuate their intentions, however, it will be necessary that their movements should receive your approbation and sanction, and that they should be assured of, that the corps, whether a company, battalion, or (as is possible) a regiment, should be received, organized, and countenanced by your order and authority. The lateness of the season, and the anxiety of the members, induce us to request an early and authoritative reply, that the association may be equipped according to law, and be useful to their country this season. It may not be hardly decorous for us to say it, but we must observe, that the subscribers will prove to be obedient and brave soldiers. Major general Wilkinson, SIR, In their behalf, I am, &c. or the officer commanding at Fort George. DANIEL RODMAN, U, S. NAVY YARD, PORTSMOUTH, I have the honour to forward to you, by the mail, the flags of the late British brig Boxer, which were nailed to her mast heads at the time she engaged, and was captured by the United States' brig Enterprize. Great as the pleasure is that I derive from performing this part of my duty, I need not tell you how different my feelings would have been, could the gallant Burrows have had this honour! He went into action most gallantly, and the difference of injury done the two vessels proves how nobly he fought. I have the honour to be, &c. Hon. Wm. Jones, Secretary of the Navy. SIR, ISAAC HULL. BLACK ROCK, September 17th, 1813. In consequence of encouragements from general Boyd, that a general and decisive movement was about to be made by the army, and that an additional force was desirable, we repaired to fort George about five weeks ago, with 500 men, consisting of volunteers, militia, and Indians. Most of us remained here for twelve or fourteen days, but our hopes not being realized, the men continually dispersed and went home, not however without expectations, again encouraged by generals Boyd and Williams, that we should be shortly called on again to aid in operations, which the people in this part of the country, so long harrassed by the calamities of war, feel so strong an interest in forwarding. Under similar expectations many of our friends in the interior have intimated to us their readiness to join with respectable reinforcements on the shortest notice: and we are informed that one company, about 70 strong, is actually on its march, and will arrive here to-day or to morrow. We are at this moment much at a loss how to act, and our difficulty is increased by the various rumours and conjectures circulated by the different officers daily arriving from head quarters, some of whom represent that no offensive operations are to be undertaken on this frontier, but that the regular army is immediately to be marched, either to the east to attack Kingston, or to the west to join general Harrison. Others state that an attack is to be made on the British forces in the vicinity of this place. Under these circumstances, we are induced to inquire of you whether such a force as we have it in our power to raise is desired by you to effectuate your plans, and if so, in what numbers, and at what time? If your object be to sally out upon the enemy at fort George, we could bring you a respectable force. But, on the contrary, if you meditate an attack at some other point, and the withdrawal of the regular troops from fort George, and placing this frontier on the defensive only, by means of militia, we would observe that our prepared force is of such a character as could not be engaged in this service. Upon the supposition that you intend to withdraw the regular troops from this frontier, we beg leave to submit a proposition for your consideration. We believe we are not incorrect in saying that it would require nearly quite as great a force to defend this line of frontier against a given force of the enemy, as it would to attack and subdue that enemy. Sir George Prevost has ordered the militia of the upper province to be called out en masse. They are to assemble on Saturday next. And if, after your departure, the enemy opposite here should take it in his head to retain all his regular force, and play off his skill against the inexperience of our militia, we might have occasion to fear a repetition of former scenes in the present war. Our proposition (in case of your leaving this place) is, that we be permitted to raise, between this and the first of October, a volunteer force of from 1,000 to 1,200 men, exclusive of Indians. That we add to it as many of the militia stationed on the lines as may be willing to join us. That we be furnished with a small train (say 4 pieces) of field artillery, with experienced officers and men to fight them; and that with this force we be authorized to invade the enemy's country. Should you think proper to confer such an authority on us, and direct that the volunteers shall be furnished with arms, ammunition, provisions, &c. and receive pay while in actual service, we pledge our lives that before the close of the season we will occupy the whole of the valuable and populous peninsula opposite this river, and either capture, destroy, or disperse all the enemy's force in this quarter. You may perhaps make it convenient to send an answer by the bearer, captain Hall. We are, sir, most respectfully, &c. PETER B. PORTER, Major general Wilkinson, GENTLEMEN, tion FORT GEORGE, September 18th, 1813. Your letter of yesterday which reached me last evening, gives you a claim to my acknowledgments, and to those of your country. But as I am altogether unauthorized by law or instruction to sancyour plan for the levy of a body of volunteers, and as your anticipations, propositions, and suggestions embrace a range and a character upon which I have neither right nor authority to deliberate, I have considered it my duty to transmit a copy of your letter to the secretary of war, now at Sackett's Harbor, by express, for his deliberation and decision. I hope he may find it convenient and proper to meet your views, and have only to add, that you shall be advised of his answer without a moment's delay, after it may reach my hands. With high consideration and respect, JAMES WILKINSON. To Peter B. Porter, major Cyrenias Clapin, and Joseph M. M'Clare Extract of a letter from general Wilkinson to the Secretary of War, dated September 20th, 1813. "I am well again, and that's a good thing, for I have been during my sickness somewhat of a smell fungus. Now indeed would be a fine time to slip into the St. Lawrence if Chauncey could keep sir James blockaded above Kingston, and command the river below at the same time, and our preparations were completely matured, but it is an herculean task to extract order from chaos. No time has or shall be lost on my part; but we cannot, when prepared at all points, controul the winds. It was last night only the transports from Oswego arrived; and if I am not hardly opposed by weather, I hope I shall have 1000 men afloat by the 26th, and complete my embarkations on the 30th, after which, until we reach Grenadier Island, I must look to our squadron and the heavens for safety. "Chauncey tells me he is liable to be blown off from his station, and in such case sir James may slip out by him, but promises to follow him. It is material, to prevent the enemy from following and cutting our rear, that some competent force should take post on the St. Lawrence below Kingston; and I pray of you to make this arrangement with Chauncey. Before I left Sackett's Harbor, I ordered a dozen slip keel boats to carry 50 men each, and to row 30 oars, to be armed with a light cannon in their bow. "This armament is to sweep the St. Lawrence of the enemy's gun boats, and to take post in advance when and wherever it may be advisable. I beg you, if necessary on your part, to give effect to this order. "We have just received advice confirmatory of a naval combat on lake Erie, in which it is said Perry has taken the whole British squadron on the 10th instant, and brought the vessels into "Putney harbor at the islands"-his own vessel, the Lawrence, barely capable of being floated. The action lasted six hours. This will cancel your news from our commodore. "The enclosed letter from general M'Clure breathes a good spirit, but he will not be up for several days. In the mean time I shall prepare his orders, to be ready to give him the command. "A body of horse, a small one at that point where the fate of the island is to be decided by combat (for believe not that we shall get possession of Montreal without a battle) will be invaluable. Burn has been ordered hence sometime before my arrival, to recruit his cavalry and prepare them for action, and I shall order him by express to-morrow to incline by indirect dilatory marches towards Hamilton, there to look for further orders, somewhere about Antwerp or that quarter. From Denmark or Champion he is to advise the commanding officer at Sackett's Harbor of his move ments. "De Rottenberg is under the full belief that I mean to attack him, and I shall keep up the delusion as long as possible. "The snail's pace of the reinforcements approaching this division, and, pardon me, their direction and route occasion me surprize. Of what avail will be the detachments under colonels Randolph and Coles, which are, I learn from Washington, on their march to this place, where they cannot, or will not arrive before the 15th proximo. If these detachments had been ordered on by all the available water communications from Annapolis to Albany, they could have reached Sackett's Harbor in season, and a column of 800 men would have been found an important desideratum in our impending operations. Where also are the 1000 men reported to me by colonel Duane as being ready for march before I reached Philadelphia? I must hope near Sackett's Harbor. I put these questions to you that I may apprize you of facts, that you, with whom it rests, may apply the remedy, for I find we possess little military subordination or respect, and that a chief of an army is obeyed more from courtesy than principle or professional obligations. "I send this by the privateer Fox to commodore Chauncey, with a request that he accelerate its progress to you. This place neither stops a gap, extends our possessions, nor covers or protects a country; it is good for nought, but to command the ground it occupies, and therefore I shall dismantle and abandon it." Extract of a letter from the Secretary of War, to general Wilkinson, dated DEAR GENERAL, SACKETT'S HARBOR, September 22d, 1813. "Your letters of the 16th, 17th, and 18th instant, have been this moment received; I hasten to answer them. The main ob ject must be prosecuted; Chauncey is not broken down; he can and will command the lake, and while he does so, our position at Fort George may be maintained. If the enemy's sick list amounts to one thousand four hundred out of three thousand, the enemy can undertake nothing with effect. In this view of the subject, close with P. B. Porter's proposition, made in the following words, viz: Our proposition (in case of your leaving this place) is, that we be permitted to raise, between this and the 1st of October, a volunteer force of from one thousand to one thousand two hundred men, exclusive of Indians; that we add to it as many of the militia stationed on the lines as may be willing to join us; that we be furnished with a small train (say four pieces of field artillery with experienced officers and men to fight them) and that with this force we be authorized to invade the enemy's country.' Rodman's corps may join Porter. Any volunteers you may have with the army, whose times are near expiring, and who are desirous of continuing in service, may do so also. We will cover |