gently, where a mistake has occurred, for the really culpable party. To the present period, therefore, have we desired to vindicate Sir George; the relation of subsequent events may, perhaps, compel us to exchange the language of apology for that of censure; if so, we shall endeavor to deal with his errors in the same spirit of fairness which has impelled us to the attempt to clear his memory from faults unjustly ascribed to him.

Before following General Brock to the NiaArrival of Indians, as gara frontier, we must a reinforcement, at Detroit. not omit to observe that

service (the transportation of the irregular forces of General Hull to Buffalo, there to be disembarked preparatory to their return to their native State, Ohio,) and to these were added the Detroit and the Caledonia, a fine merchant brig. I do not recollect who was appointed to the command of the Detroit, but the Caledonia had her own captain, Mr. Irvine, a young man of a peculiarly retiring and amiable disposition, yet endowed with great resolution and firmness of character. These two vessels, having reached their destination for landing the prisoners, were then lying in the harbour of Erie when, one dark night, wholly unprotected and unsuspicions of danger they were assailed by two large boats, filled with American sailors and troops, which had dropped along side without being perceived, until it was too late for anything like effectual

there was some shadow of truth in General Hull's statement respecting the force of our Indian allies, although the necessity of surrendering such a post as Detroit on that account may well be questioned. Besides Gen. Hull yielded, not to the actual strength of resistance. The Detroit was almost immedithese allies, for he surrendered before their ately carried, but the young captain of the arrival, but to the apprehension of their arriCaledonia, which lay a little below her, val. Major Richardson observes, "Mr. Robert | aroused by the confusion on board his consort, Dickson, a gentleman to whom long intercourse prepared for a vigorous, though almost entirely with the Indians had imparted a knowledge of personal resistance. Hastily arming himself, their character, and influence over their minds, and calling on his little and inexperienced which proved highly beneficial to the British crew (scarcely exceeding a dozen men) to do cause, was then actively engaged in collecting the same, he threw himself in the gangway, some of the most warlike tribes; while the! and discharged a loaded blunderbuss into the first advancing boat, now dropping from the Detroit to board the Caledonia."

present Col. Askin of London, at that time, in the Indian Department, was already within a few days journey of Detroit, with a body of two hundred and seventy warriors, under their Chief Big-gun. This little detachment had set out expressly for the relief of Amherstburg, and, in its passage down in bark canoes, encountered much peril and difficulty, having had to cross Saginaw bay, nearly fifty miles in extent, and for many hours in their frail barks, even out of sight of the land. Such was the celerity of their movements, that they reached Amherstburg in the remarkably short period of six days from their departure from Michilimacinac." Whether the fear of these allies was a sufficient excuse for General Hull's abandonment of a strong post we leave to the reader to decide.

After describing the gallant though unsuccessful defence made by Mr. Irvine, Major Richardson continues, "The intrepidity and self-devotion of Mr. Irvine, whose single arm had killed and wounded no less than seven of his assailants, met with that reward it so richly merited. The heads of the naval department anxious to secure so gallant an officer to the service, tendered to him, on his exchange, which took place shortly after, the commission of a lieutenant in the Provincial Navy, in which capacity he continued to serve during the whole of the subsequent naval operations."

The surprise of the Detroit and Caledonia was considered a very brilliant feat, but, withIn speaking of the capture of the Caledonia out seeking to disparage the American charCapture of the Detroit and Detroit by the Ame-acter for bravery, we cannot look on the ricans, Major Richardson exploit in the same light in which they would remarks, "The two armed vessels already have it considered. Both vessels having been mentioned as having covered our landing, on simply employed in cartel service, were unthe 16th, were put in requisition for this provided with other than the common means

and Caledonia by the Americans.

Towards the latter end of August, Major Muir was despatched with Expedition against a small force against Fort Wayne, which it was deemed expedient to attempt the destruction of.

ment of enterprise.

The time selected for the attempt seemed most favorable, as the tranquillity of the Canadian frontier had been just secured by the surrender of Detroit, and the occupancy of the adjacent districts. According to reports also received, the garrison of this post consisted only of a hundred men or thereabouts, not

of defence peculiar to merchantmen, while
their crews were not only weak in number,
but composed of a class of men, French Cana-Fort Wayne, abandon-
dian sailors and voyageurs, who were ill
qualified to compete with two full boat loads
of practiced and resolute American sailors and
soldiers. Moreover, both vessels lay in a
supposed perfect security, and in utter absence
of any kind of preparation. It was not con-
ceived necessary to be on the alert, as it was
supposed that the pacific character in which
they appeared, would have shielded them from
all hostile attempts. At the moment of the
surprise both vessels had on board the priso
ners brought from Detroit for the purpose of
being landed at Buffalo,-how, therefore, the
Americans can be justified, in violating the
sanctity of the flag which continued to float
as long as there were American prisoners on
board, we cannot perceive.

* At this crisis General Brock, anxious to assume the offensive on the Niagara frontier, lost not a moment in returning across the Lake, ordering down at the same time, not only the Toronto Militia, but those troops of the 41st., who had preceded and accompanied him to Detroit. The Queen Charlotte, principally laden with the regulars of the captured army, had sailed on the very evening of the surrender, and General Brock the next day embarked in a very small trading schooner, on board which were about 70 Ohio Riflemen, guarded by a small party of militia rifles which composed a portion of the volunteers from Toronto. During the passage none of the guard were on any account permitted to go below, either by day or by night, and not more than half a dozen Americans were allowed to be upon deck at the same time-the hatches being secured above the remainder. It was a duty of some fatigue, and requiring the exercise of the utmost vigilance on the part of the little guard. One morning, about day break, when by their reckoning they judged they were close to the harbor of Fort Erie, they found themselves suddenly becalmed, and in the midst of a fog which had commenced during the night. As the sun rose the fog began to disperse but the calm prevailed, and gradually, as the wreathing mists rolled upwards, the guard discovered, to their dismay, that they were close upon the American shore near Buffalo. The danger was imminent, for a number of persons were already assembled, evidently at a loss to discover to what flag the vessel belonged, and wondering what had brought her into a position

entirely out of the usual course of navigation. In this emergency, the officer commanding the watch (Lieut. Jarvis, now Superintendent of Indian affairs) hastened below to acquaint General Brock, threatened the vessel, which it was impossible, by who was lying on his bed, with the danger which reason of the calm, to get farther from the shore. General Brock immediately sprang to his feet, and rushing upon the deck, saw the situation of the He was extremely angry, and turning to the master vessel was precisely what has been described. of the schooner said, "you scoundrel you have betrayed me, let but one shot be fired from the shore and (pointing to it) I will run you up on the instant to that yard arm." The master, though innocent of all design, was greatly alarmed by the stern threat of the General, and as the only possible means of extricating the vessel from her perilous situation, ordered several of his crew into a small punt, attached to her stern, the only boat belonging to her. In this they attempted to tow her, but made so little progress that one of the guard asked permission of the General to discharge his rifle, in order to attract the attention of the Queen Charlotte, then lying at anchor between point Abino and Fort Erie, to a signal which had been previously hoisted. Apprehensive that the shot might not be heard by their friends, while it might be the means of informing the enemy of their true character, General Brock at first refused his sanction, but as the man seemed confident that the report of his rifle would reach the other shore he finally assented, and the shot was fired. Soon afterwards the answering signal was run up to the mast head of the Queen Charlotte and that vessel seeing the doubtful situation of the schooner, on board which however they were not aware the General had embarked, immediately weighed her anchor, and standing over to the American shore, under a slight breeze which was then beginning to rise hastened to cover the little bark with her battery. Taking her in tow she brought her safely into the harbour of Erie, greatly to the joy of those who, aware of the invaluable freight with which the schooner was charged, had, on the weighing of the Queen Charlotte's anchor entertained the utmost apprehension for the safety of the becalmed vessel, and watched with deep ininterest the vain attempts of her crew to bring her off."

very efficiently furnished with the means of Americans, who instantly flew to their arms, defence, and hard pressed by the Indians, who 'and assumed a posture of defence. The Inhad closely invested it. The reasons for at- dians, however, held out their hands in token tempting the destruction of this post were that of amity, and were suffered to enter the cirit served as a dépôt for stores, from which the cle. Here, pretending to be in the American enemy's troops on the frontier could be sup- interest, and describing themselves as hunters, plied. on their way to one of their villages, they succeeded in lulling the suspicions of the officer, who in return, communicated to them that the party he commanded were scouts preceding the advanced guard of an army of 2,500 men, then on their march for the Miami village, and only distant a few miles."

In consequence of this intelligence, the expedition was forthwith abandoned, and a retreat determined on. On deliberation, however, Captain Muir decided on awaiting the approach of the enemy in order to gain a correct account of their force and destination.

The force destined for this enterprise consisted of a small detachment of troops, a howitzer, and two field pieces, and was embarked in boats and proceeded to the Miami village, situated about fifteen miles beyond the entrance of the river of the same name. For the further progress of the expedition we will quote from Major Richardson, who was present:"Being there joined by the body of Indians destined to form a part of the expedition, the detachment continued its route by land, and along a track of country bearing no mark of civilization whatever. Our only covering was The whole of one day was thus passed, and the canopy of Heaven, or rather the arches fears began at length to be entertained, that formed by the intermingling boughs of the the Americans, apprised of the vicinity of an forest through which we moved, and not even enemy's force, had taken a different route, the wigwam of the savage arose to diversify with the intention of cutting of a retreat. the monotony of the scene. The difficulty of This would have left the little detachment in conveying the guns by land, caused their the heart of the enemy's country, destitute transportation to be a work of much time; and the river, from the point where we had disembarked, was so extremely low as to ren der the progress of the boats, following the sinuosities of its course, tedious to the last degree. Having at length, after much toil, gained that part of the Miami, where it was intended to disembark the stores, every obstacle appeared to be removed, and the capture of Fort Wayne, then at no great distance, an event looked forward to with confidence. Fate, however, had ordained otherwise. About Early on the morning after our arrival, a nine o'clock on the evening of our arrival, party of Indians appeared along our line, conthe shrill cry of our scouts was heard ducting a prisoner they had found straying in echoing throughout the forest, and soon after- the woods, at a short distance from the enemy's wards seven Indians issued from the wood on camp. From his account it appeared that the the opposite shore, and leaping through the information given by the American officer was river, reached us. The account they gave perfectly correct. The force of the enemy of their adventure was to the following effect: consisted of 2,500 men, under the command -At a distance of a few leagues, while advan- of General Winchester; and were destined for cing cautiously along the road, they observed the Miami, where it was intended to construct a party, five in number, in a glen, and seated a fortification. On arriving at the spot where round a large fire, where they were busily their slaughtered scouts lay unburied along occupied in preparing their food. After a the road, an alarm was spread throughout slight consultation they proceeded towards their columns, and deeming a numerous the group, and had approached within a few enemy to be in their front, it was thought paces before they were perceived by the prudent to entrench themselves where they

of resources, with an overwhelming force before them, they were consequently ordered to retreat on the old fort of Defiance, situated about half way between the Miami village and the point from whence they had commenced their retrograde movement. Having crossed the river at this place, a position was again taken up at a point beyond which the enemy could not effect a passage unperceived. We again resume Major Richardson's narrative:

were. For this purpose trees were immedi- "The Indians appear to be adverse to reately felled, and in the course of a few hours, treating, without first making a trial of their with that expedition for which the Western strength. Should they continue to afford a Americans, with whom the axe is almost as willing co-operation, I entertain not the smallindispensible a weapon as the rifle, are re-est doubt of the result that awaits this second markable, an enclosure with interstices for attempt to turn my right; but your Excelmusquetry, and sufficiantly large to contain lency will easily perceive that doubts and their whole force, together with their baggage jealousies have already seized their minds. and waggons, was completed. It being evident The officers of the Indian department will, I from this intelligence, that the object of our trust, be able to remove all such impressions. enterprise was entirely frustrated, and that an Although, from the daily observation of attack on the enemy's entrenchment with our what is passing on the opposite shore, a sinfeeble force, if unsuccessful, must necessarily gle man can ill be spared from this line; I compromise the safety of our own posts, Capt. have, notwithstanding, determined to send Muir decided on returning to Amherstburg, the two flank companies of the Royal Newwhich fortress the detachment at length reach-foundland Regiment to Amherstburg. Fresh ed after a fruitless absence of three weeks. "Although little or no mention has ever been made of our retreat from Fort Wayne, before so overwhelming a force as that which we so unexpectedly encountered, and by which we ought to have been annihilated, the utmost praise is due to Captain Muir for having accomplished it, not only without the loss of a man of his detachment, but even without the abandonment of any of his guns or stores, which, as has already been stated, were being transported with great toil and difficulty. Every thing was brought off and, at no one moment, was our march precipitate. Indeed us. So, I imagine, if we continue to show of the bold affront assumed by the detachment, a bold front-but, in the event of a disaster, some idea may be formed from the exagger- the love of plunder will prevail, and they may ated accounts which appeared in the American then act in a manner to be the most dreaded papers, even during the time we were retiring by the inhabitants of this country." upon Amherstburg."

*

troops are daily arriving, supposed to belong to the Pennsylvania quota, of two thousand men, known to be intended for the frontier. After the whole arrives, an attack, I imagine, cannot be long delayed. The wretched state of these quotas, and the raggedness of the troops, will not allow them to brave the rain and cold, which, during the last week, have been so severely felt.

"Between two and three hundred Indians have joined and augmented the force on the other side. Their brethren here feel certain that they will not act with any spirit against

A despatch from Sir George Prevost to Sir Despatch of Sir George Isaac Brock furnishes us Prevost to Sir I. Brock. with additional reasons for our assertion that, up to this period, Sir George Prevost is not as blameworthy as most writers of that day have described. We give the despatch at length :—

Sir Isaac Brock, in speaking of this expedition, observes, "I am inclined to think Captain Muir acted judiciously;" and, with reference to the advance of the American party, states, "It appears evident the enemy meditates a second attempt on Amherstburg. The greater part of the troops, which "Captain Fulton arrived, on the 11th inst., are advancing, marched from Kentucky, with with your letter of the 7th: the intelligence an intention of joining General Hull. How you have communicated by it convinces me they are to subsist, even for a short period, of the necessity of the evacuation of Fort Deis no easy matter to conceive. This difficulty troit, unless the operations of the enemy on will probably decide them on some bold the Niagara frontier bear a character less inmeasure, in the hope of shortening the cam- dicative of determined hostile measures against paign. If successfully resisted, their fate is your line in their front than they did when inevitable. you last reported to me. You will, therefore, be pleased, subject to the discretion I have

* Dispatch to Sir George Prevost, Sept. 9th, given you under the circumstances to which I

1812.

have alluded, to take immediate steps for

evacuating that post, together with the terri-ation of Fort Detroit. Such a measure would tory of Michigan; by this measure you will most probably be followed by the total exterbe enabled to withdraw a greater number of mination of the population on that side of the the troops from Amherstburg, instead of tak-river, or the Indians, aware of our weakness ing them from Col. Vincent, whose regular and inability to carry on active warfare, would force ought not on any account to be dimin- only think of entering into terms with the enemy. The Indians, since the Miami affair, in 1793, have been extremly suspicious of our conduct; but the violent wrongs committed by the Americans on their territory, have rendered it an act of policy with them to disguise their sentiments.

ished.

"I have already afforded you reinforcements to the full extent of my ability; you must not, therefore, expect a further supply of men from Fence, until I shall receive from England a considerable increase to the present regular foree in this province; the posture of affairs, particularly on this frontier, requires every soldier who is in the country.

"In my last despatch from Lord Bathurst, he tells me that his Majesty's Government trusts I will be enabled to suspend, with perfect safety, all extraordinary preparations for defence which I have been induced to make, in consequence of the precarious state of the relations between this country and the United States; and that, as every specific requisition for warlike stores and accoutrements which had been received from me had been complied with, with the exception of the clothing of the of the corps proposed to be raised from the Glengarry emigrants, he had not thought it necessary to direct the preparation of any further supplies.'

"This will afford you a strong proof of the infatuation of his Majesty's Ministers upon the subject of American affairs, and show how entirely I have been left to my own resources in the events which have taken place."

With the various despatches containing full and particular accounts of the actual state of affairs in the Province, before us, we do not see how with justice it can be asserted, "that it is the acme of assurance to insinuate, that Ministers were to blame for any insufficiency." Yet this is the language too commonly held by Veritas and other writers of the day.

The latitude, also, allowed to Sir Isaac Brock, should not be lost sight of, and it is certain that he made use of the freedom of action thus permitted him. We have only to quote his despatch of September 20th, to prove this:-"I have been honored with your Excellency's despatch, dated the 14th instant. I shall suspend, under the latitude thus left by your Excellency to my discretion, the evacu

"Could they be persuaded that a peace between the belligerents would take place, without admitting their claim to the extensive tract of country, fraudulently usurped from them, and opposing a frontier to the present unbounded views of the Americans, I am satisfied in my own mind that they would immediately compromise with the enemy. I cannot conceive a coalition so likely to lead to more awful consequences.

"If we can maintain ourselves at Niagara, and keep the communication to Montreal open, the Americans can only subdue the Indians by craft, which we ought to be prepared to see exerted to the utmost. The enmity of the Indians is now at its height, and it will require much management and large bribes to effect a change in their policy; but the moment they are convinced that we either want the means to prosecute the war with spirit, or are negotiating a separate peace, they will begin to study in what manner they can most effectually deceive us.

"Should negotiations for peace be opened, I cannot be too earnest with your Excellency to represent to the King's ministers the expediency of including the Indians as allies, and not leave them exposed to the unrelenting fury of their enemies.

"The enemy has evidently assumed defensive measures along the strait of Niagara. His force, I apprehend, is not equal to attempt, with any probability of success, an expedition across the river. It is, however, currently reported that large reinforcements are on their march; should they arrive, an attack cannot be long delayed. The approach of the rainy season will increase the sickness with which their troops are already afflicted. Those under my command are in perfect health and spirits."