Bay (The La Tranche and the Head of the Lake), would be the most useful to us, and the most profitable to them. That the sale ought to be made in London, and the produce vested in the British Funds, the annual Interest of which should be paid to the uses of their old People and Children. I must observe that Brant's remarks in the Letter No. 2, on Sir John Johnson's wishing to obtain part of the lands which I have just described, are very improper, as it is fully understood here, that Brant was very willing to give these Lands to Sir John Johnson for his private use, and refused them only when he understood they were asked for the benefit of the Crown and the People at large. From Brant's conversation I apprehend the Senecas are seriously turning their thoughts in case of accident to repair to the Grand River. Brant has said that the offers of Congress to him, were a Township for himself, as much lands as he chose for the Indians, and a guinea a day for himself for life.1 Captain John of the Mohawks and his Village settled in the Bay of Quinte, received their Title Deed with great expressions of thankfulness, and not without observations on the improper Conduct of Brant. My opinion of Brant is, that he is true to the Indian Interest, and honorable in his Attachment, where that is not concerned, to the British Nation, that he sees the Calamities which in all probability must ultimately attend the Continuance of the War, unless by some means or other Great Britain shall take a direct part on the protection of the Indians. When in my Speech I mention the liberal construction of the Government of Sir Frederick Haldimand's promise I refer to the extension of the Grant of Six Miles on each side of the Grand River, as far as it ran, and arranging with the Missasaguas the limits of our purchase. Until I saw this promise of Sir Frederick Haldimand in Brant's possession, from the proceedings of the Land Board of the District, and the Plans I had received at Quebec, I had of course supposed that the Boundary of the Six Nations had not extended so far to the Northwards. I think it may be agreeable to Your Lordship to see the observations of Mr. Hamilton on the Lands on the Grand River. He is a very respectable Person in this Province, and they were communicated to me on my being desirous of obtaining every possible light on this important Subject. I therefore enclose them for Your Lordship's perusal. Rt. Honble. Lord Dorchester. I have the honor to be, &c. J. GRAVES SIMCOE. 1 Washington had stated in writing his wish that his government could convince Brant of its equitable intentions. Brant positively affirmed that he had been offered a thousand guineas and double the sum he was receiving annually from the British government if he would support the claims of the United States. As these practically were the terms of the treaty lately made with McGillivray, his statement does not seem to be at all improbable. My Lord, FROM J. G. SIMCOE TO LORD DORCHESTER. YORK, Decmr. 6th, 1793. I think it proper to mention to Your Lordship that on the request of Mr. McDonnel,' Speaker of the House of Assembly of this Province, I made an application to His Majesty's Ministers for a number of Highland Broadswords, which Mr. McDonnel represented to me were by the late Lieut. Governor Hope required for the purpose of arming the Militia of the County of Glengarry, who are Highland Emigrants. It appears to me that the compliance with this request would be of Public Service. It is just now reported to me by Major Smith that the Wharf at Fort Erie was almost entirely carried away by the late storm. I am to do myself the honor of acknowledging to Your Excellency the receipt of some papers relative to the claims of Mr. Street' on Government lands at Mississagua Point and at the Landing, now Queenstown. That Gentleman has hitherto failed in his prosecution of the Engineer, Lieut. Pilkington, the decision of the Court of Common Pleas in this Country having been in favor of His Majesty's rights: but should any further proceedings take place, the papers which Your Excellency has had the goodness to transmit to me, will I trust be found to be of great utility. The Land Boards of this Country having placed different interpretations on the orders and regulations of the Governor and Council of Quebec, I am to request Your Excellency's opinion on the validity of the claim which is insisted upon by some of those Gentlemen, namely: "That all lands which were granted by due authority previous to regulations of 17 Feby, 1789, are not subject to those regulations, and in consequence, the individual owners of such Grants are entitled to such Spots as contain Mines, Minerals, Fossils, conveniences for Mills, and all advantages whatever." It is stated that they are confirmed in this Construction by the extract of Lord Sydney's Letter to Lord Dorchester, in the proceedings of the Council of Quebec on the 20 of January, 1790, which declares the Royal Intentions, "That the new Settlers in the Districts, now Upper Canada, shall at 1 John Macdonell, 1750-1810, born in Glengarry, Scotland; ensign and lieutenant, 84th Regt., (Royal Highland Emigrants), 1775-8; wounded in the arrest of Thomas Walker; lieutenant and captain in Butler's Rangers, 1778-84; Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the District of Luneburg, 1787-92; member and Speaker of the Assembly, 1792-6; Lieutenant of the County of Glengarry, 1792-1808; major and lieutenant-colonel commanding second battalion of the Royal Canadian Volunteers, 1795-1802; Paymaster, 10th Royal Veteran Battalion, 1807-10. 2 Samuel Street Sr., 1750-1815, afterwards Speaker of the Assembly. all events be placed on the same footing as their brethren of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick." In order to elucidate the proper Construction to be placed upon such a promise on the part of Government, I wish for information, which it is probable that Your Excellency can furnish, whether the settlers of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick received Grants of the Mines which may be found in that Country? for to this very great extent it should seem the present Idea would reach, and not be confined to what is of inferior and local utility, the reservation of Mill Seats and other Conveniences. The first settlers in this Province, by the monopoly of Lands in their respective vicinities, granted to them on principles of National Justice must have great advantages over the present settlers, but I conceive it will be an inequality beyond all reason, should they be entitled, not only to local conveniences, which the Government of this Province can, if it be thought prudent, grant to future settlers, but, also, the possession of those Mines which are in all Grants subsequent to 17 Feby. 1789, directed to be reserved for the benefit of the Crown, and from the disposal of which this Government is precluded. The exigencies of this Government appearing to me to require six Batteaux in addition to those at the respective Garrisons, as I understand they can be procured cheaper at Montreal, than constructed in this Province, I am to request that Your Excellency will have the goodness to furnish me with that number, to be at Niagara, as early as possible in the Spring. I cannot but feel an earnest desire that I should be furnished with a travelling carriage or carriages for the medium 12 pounders now on board of the Gun Boats, as by those means, in case of emergency, the Garrisons would be speedily reinforced with those formidable pieces of Ordnance, and that, at a time when either the present or future Gun Boats shall, from the nature of the operations, be incapable of rendering any material Service. I submit this request to Your Excellency, that if it be approved of by you, those carriages may be made at Quebec and forwarded to Niagara as soon as possible. They certainly would give the appearance of force without enhancing the Public Expence. I have the honor to be, &c. His Excellency, Major General Clarke, Quebec. J. G. SIMCOE. My Lord, FROM J. G. SIMCOE TO LORD DORCHESTER. YORK, December 11, 1793. I am sorry to inform Your Lordship that on the eighth inst., His Majesty's Armed Schooner, Onondaga, parted from her cable, as she was at anchor on the outside of the Harbour of York, and was driven on a sand bank and immediately bilged. Every exertion was made by Lieut. Earle,' who commanded the vessel to preserve her, in which he was assisted by Lieut. Paxton' of the Caldwell. Mr. Bouchette of the Sophia Gun Boat, and the Garrison contributed all the assistance 1 Hugh Earle, 1764-1840; 1st lieut. 1805; captain, 1812-13; married a daughter of Molly Brant. 2 Thomas Paxton, master of the Speedy, who perished in that vessel, October 7-8, 1804. 3 Joseph Bouchette. 4 Named in honor of Simcoe's daughter. in their power. The inclemency of the Season has rendered every effort to no purpose, and the only hope that remains, which from the slightness of her materials, I am by no means sanguine in, is that she may be got off the ensuing Spring, for which every arrangement is made. Lieut. Earle proceeds in the Caldwell to Kingston, and Mr. Paxton in the Gun Boat to Niagara. Mr. Bouchette remains here in charge of such stores and materials as it has been thought prudent to take from the Vessel. Captain Betton,' being very infirm, Mr. Baker has had the command of the Vessel till this last voyage, from which he too has been prevented by illness. I did not get in from the Indian Country until the 7th Inst. and inclose the information of a deserter whom I brought here with me. There are various Accounts relative to the Present situation of the United States Army, some stating that it had retired and gone into their Forts, but others with more probability, that it was still at a Bridge about 6 miles on this side Fort Jefferson and Hutting for the Winter. The requisitions for the Presents for the ensuing Year is exclusive of the deficiencies of the Present One, and which I hope will accompany the other early in the Spring. The Vouchers for the distribution of Presents cannot now be sent, a small part only having yet been delivered, owing to continual alarms, which during the whole fall has been kept up in the Indian Country. Joseph Chew, Esqr. Secretary Indian Affairs. I am, &c. A. MCKEE. My dear Sir: FROM R. G. ENGLAND TO J. G. SIMCOE. DETROIT, December 14th, 1793. With much pleasure I have undertaken to obtain for you the information required in your letter of the 29th of October, and in order to make the return of the inhabitants as accurate as it should be for the purpose you require it, have applied to those in the different settlements best acquainted with them to furnish 1 Master and Commander David Betton, acting Commodore on Lake Ontario, 1786-94. me with very correct lists, distinguishing men, women, and children under fifteen years of age, all which I will arrange and send you by the winter Express. The return of private vessels with the imports and exports to and from this Post, which unfortunately comprehends all the trade in this country, is prepared and shall accompany the return of the inhabitants. The economical system now adopted prevents me from employing any one person to procure this list, as he would naturally require being paid for his trouble, as formerly has been the custom but which to my knowledge has been objected to lately. I congratulate you on your return from Matchedash Bay, and rejoice at the account you give of the harbour and the easy communication. Whenever you establish it you will ruin this miserable place and defeat the purpose for which I have taken much pains these twelve months past to form settlements in its neighbourhood, but this I will not much regret if a better purpose is answered. Our accounts from home have closed with the capture of Condé, Valenciennes, and Mayence, which the August Mail furnished us with. Should anything later have reached you and you should think proper to send me an Express have charity enough to let me know it. I am glad you think so well of Sir James Murray.' Though acquainted with him I did not probably know him well enough to form so high an opinion of his Military abilities. I know he has lately been in fashion at home. I am indeed very sincerely thankful to you for yet thinking of my unfortunate brother, who is really very, very much distressed and is a heavy weight on my spirits. I am a bad solicitor, but look to you to relieve him and me, for which I shall be ever grateful. I hope York has proved as healthy to you, Mrs. Simcoe and your family as you expected, and shall be happy to hear that you and yours have escaped the sickness that everywhere (I think) prevailed in the fall. A wandering Indian or two from your neighbourhood with accounts of your health and situation would be highly gratifying, and a matter of much comfort to the members of this Garrison. I request my best compliments to Mrs. Simcoe, and Mrs. England, with thanks for your recollection of her, begs to offer her compliments to you. I am dear Sir, very faithfully, His Excellency Lieut. Governor Simcoe. Sir, FROM THOMAS JEFFERSON TO GEORGE HAMMOND. PHILADELPHIA, December 15, 1793. I am to acknowledge the honor of your letter of November 30th, and to express the satisfaction with which we learn, that you are instructed to discuss with us the measures, which reason and practicability may dictate for giving effect to the stipulations of our treaty, yet remaining to be executed. I can assure you, on the part of the United States, of every disposition to lessen difficulties, by passing over whatever is of smaller concern, and insisting on those matters only, which 1 Condé had surrendered on 12 July, Mainz on 22 July, and Valenciennes on 28 July, 1793. 2 Chief of Staff to the Duke of York, commanding the British forces in Flanders. |