THE CORRESPONDENCE OF Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe With Allied Documents VOL. II-1793-1794 EXTRACT FROM THE UPPER CANADA GAZETTE, 1st, AUGUST, 1793. Navy Hall, Aug. 1st, /1793/ A few days ago the first division of His Majesty's Corps of Queen's Rangers left Queenstown for Toronto (now York) and proceeded in Batteaux round the head of Lake Ontario by Burlington Bay; and shortly afterwards another division of the same Regiment sailed in the King's Vessels, the Onondago and Caldwell for the same place. On Monday evening' His Excellency, the Lieut. Governor, left Navy Hall and embarked on His Majesty's Schooner, the Missassaga, which sailed immediately with a favourable gale for York with the remainder of the Queen's Rangers. Sir, FROM J. G. SIMCOE TO ALURED CLARKE. York, August 2, 1793. I do myself the honor of informing Your Excy, that the Queen's Rangers were assembled at this place when I arrived on the 30th July. I have this day been honored with Your Excellency's letter of the 8th July in which you have the goodness to intimate that you will submit Captain Markham's opinion to Lord Dor1 July 29, 1793 1 chester when he shall arrive, on the practicability of building again the large vessel at Kingston. The officers on this Lake, in general, seem to be of the same opinion. I beg in a particular manner to recommend to Your Excellency's interest and future favor the son1 of Capn. Bouchette. He is now in one of the gunboats. By employing him in surveying the coasts and harbours I propose to render him a most useful servant to the Crown in that Branch of Naval Duty so essential to the navigation of the Lakes. Captain Glasgow has now arrived here, and I shall consult with him on his proposal of placing the condemned cannon in such a manner as may be of a certain additional security to the Bay, and particularly at this juncture, may bear the aspect of that strength which it may not be possible for Your Excellency to supply me with. I therefore propose to avail myself of your permission to remove some of them from Carleton Island. A few heavy cannon and Howitzers have invariably appeared to me necessary to command all our Posts on the Lakes, but especially in those which ought and must, sooner or later, become our arsenals. I apprehend that Captain Porter must have executed some former order as it is merely from the artillery and thro' Capn. Glasgow that I have as yet received any accounts of his having destroyed the carriages at Carleton Island, and which has been rather unseasonable to my views. H. E. General Clarke. I have the honor to be, &c. J. GRAVES SIMCOE. LORD DORCHESTER'S REMARKS ON THE SUGGESTIONS. Lord Dorchester's Answers to the Requisitions and Statements for the Province of Upper Canada, as submitted to Mr. Dundas by desire of Col. Simcoe; without Date, but endorsed 31 July 1793. Answer to Article 1st. This should have been submitted to Major Genl. Clarke specifically, with the Reasons for the Demand: had he approved, he might have supplied those wants from Lower Canada, or have applied for what might be wanted from home. 2d. I know not what Establishments are intended nor what is the Object Alluded to: in general Artificers are very useful in all new Countries. 3d. I know nothing of Commissary McGill's Commission, I suppose he belongs to the Military Department; if so, seperate Province creates no Difficulty; it would seem that he must receive his Stores and Provisions from the Chief Commissary, and that, regularly, he should account to him. 4th. This Article is involved in obscurity to me who knows nothing of the Gentlemen or their Commissions, nor for what Services they are destined. I presume it means, not the Governor, but Lieut. Governor, and must observe that the assuming Titles the King's Commissions do not authorize may be attended with much Mischief to His Majesty's Service in distant Provinces. 5th. This may interfere with Major Holland's Commission. 1 Joseph Bouchette, 1774-1841, lieut. Provincial Marine, 1792-3; lieut. in the Royal Canadian Volunteers, 1793-1802; Surveyor General for Lower Canada, 1804; major commandant of the Quebec Volunteers, 1812; lt. colonel on the militia staff, 1813; author of "Description topographique de la province du Bas Canada," 1815, "Statistical Tables for Lower Canada," 1831, "British Dominions in North America," 1832. 6th. Clergymen of good Character and sound Principles deserve to be encouraged; such are most likely to be found at home. 7th. Emigrants of sound Principles will be of advantage at Detroit, and all through the Country. 8th. It is to be wished they may be considered as English Subjects. 9th. It is doubted whether Carleton Island is within the American Line; the States however claim it; 'tis to be hoped this will be amicably settled. 10th. This requires to be explained; I know not what is meant by a Port in Upper Canada: I see no way to remove these Difficulties and many others that must arise from the Situation of the two Provinces, but by a General Government. 11. Col. Gordon of the 26th Regt. is also a senior Officer. 12. 'Tis to be wished the Frontier may be settled by Treaty agreeably to what is in contemplation; The weakness of the present is too visible; Four Thousand Men should be sent to enable the Canadas to make a tolerable Defence in case the Americans should attack them. 13th. Pensacola will be difficult to obtain, and impossible to protect in case of a War; moreover all Measures hostile to the States I think highly inexpedient. 14th. It would be useful to have all the Seamen necessary for the Lake Service enlisted as Soldiers. 15th. Two Battalions I think sufficient at present for that Purpose. 16th. The particular Defects should have been stated to Genl Clarke and a better Plan proposed. 17. The Seamen may be required to serve on Lake Champlain, or in the River, a Law of Upper Canada will not be sufficient. 18. Quakers are a useful People and of good Example in a young Country: Exemptions may be carried too far. 19. This is very probable. 20th. They are at War for these Rights which will be settled by the Treaty of Peace. 21st. I do not understand this Article: The Quarter Master General's Department receives Orders from the General entrusted with the Chief Command. DORCHESTER. Portsmouth, August 4th, 1793. Endorsed:-Lord Dorchester's remarks on Captn Stevenson's Suggestions. R. Augt. 5. 1798. My Good friend, FROM D. W. SMITH TO JOHN ASKIN. NIAGARA, 3d August, 1793. Your Common Pleas, I understand, is re-established & the Bench, I'm told, is to be filled by the Honorables Col. McKee & Mr. Macomb. There has been a dreadful cabal against the Contract Business-Petitions & Remonstrances one on the other very thick-if I had received your Letter of 11 July previous to closing of the Session, I should have been glad-I was alone a long time in my opinion-at length every Member in the lower House but myself consented to sign a petition & not being furnished with matter enough to turn them from it, my arguments, too, weakened by affliction, I signed with all the rest. I do not think myself that Government at home will alter the plan-& I shall take care to acquaint the Govr. with the liberal terms on which you receive the flour. D. W. SMITH. Mr. Robertson is gone to Toronto, the Govr is there.-he was wishing to arrange so as to make you a field officer of Cavalry. I regret the Difficulty & admire your feelings & Sentiments... (Unaddressed but obviously to John Askin.) (Askin Papers, Burton Historical Collection, Vol. II, p. 181.) FROM ALURED CLARKE TO J. G. SIMCOE. QUEBEC, 5 Augt., 1793. Sir, The cordial manner in which the address of our Assembly has been received by yours, cannot but afford real satisfaction, and I trust, will lay the foundation of a lasting mutual good understanding between them in all things wherein the honor and interest of either Province is concerned. It was an omission on the part of Col. Campbell, not directing an Officer of the Indian Department to proceed and continue with the Lower Canada Indians during the Council. Mr. Lorimier is ordered to proceed without loss of time to join them, and return with them when the business of their meeting is over. The tenor of conduct held by the Commissioners of the United States certainly does not redound to their own honor or that of the Mission in which they are employed. It is however satisfactory to learn that the impression made thereby on the minds of the Indians has been such as to prevent its having an improper effect. I am, &c. H. E. Lt. Govr. Simcoe. ALURED CLARKE. FROM J. G. SIMCOE TO JOSEPH BRANT. YORK, August 8th, 1793. Dear Sir, I have just received your letters from the Miami Rapids. It is with great concern that I hear from you there is any difference of opinion among the Indians. Peace appears to me to be the most desirable object; and I have always, as you well know, both in private conversation, and by public messages, endeavoured to impress a disposition and temper that may lead to that blessing among the Indian Nations, who have requested my opinion. 1 Doubtless referring to the recent death of one of his children and the illness of his wife. |