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My Lord:

FROM J. G. SIMCOE TO LORD DORCHESTER.

YORK, March 14th, 1794.

I have the honor of acknowledging Your Lordship's Letter and its enclosure Your Speech to the different Indian Nations assembled at the Miamis, &c., which I received last week.

I think it proper to set off immediately for Detroit, to execute Your Lordship's Commands, and only wait till the present intensely cold weather, which has suddenly set in, shall permit me to pass down the Lake to Burlington Bay. I mean to proceed to the Grand River, to have canoes built on the River Thames, and hope in six or seven days from the Grand River to be at Detroit.

It appears of great moment that His Majesty's Troops should be in possession of the Posts which Your Lordship intimates, before any part of Mr. Wayne's Army, shall, from the tenor of information received, approach thither.

From the tenor of Mr. Knox's Instructions and his Commands to Genl. Sinclair, there appears to me to be little doubt but that the Possession of these Posts will be construed into hostility; whether such shall immediately take effect may depend upon the temper of Genl. Wayne and his Force comparatively to the Strength of the positions which may be taken.

At present it appears to me that Turtle Island' may be rendered safe, but that any Post on the Continent if attacked, must be considered as necessarily sacrificed; but of these matters I shall be a more adequate judge by the information I shall collect at Detroit, and, if it can be done with propriety, by personal investigation. I have directed the Engineer, Mr. Pilkington, to accompany me to Detroit, and if, upon consultation with him, I shall find business at Michilimackinac to be of inferior moment, I shall suspend his going to that Post, agreeably to his general directions, to a more convenient Season. I will do my utmost to fulfill Your Lordship's Instructions, relative to the Naval Armament. The Detroit is not defensible as an Harbour against such an Artillery as Mr. Wayne is reported to have with him, and as he may easily draw from Fort Pitt in particular, as being frozen over during the Winter, it affords no protection but by an extensive series of fortifications impracticable to be erected on a sudden, and probably impolitic, as well as inefficacious in the result. I do not conceive it possible, My Lord, to draw any force from any part of this Country that may materially contribute to the defence of Detroit, and not leave the other Posts exposed to insult; nor do I think it possible by any collection of Troops in this Country to resist Wayne's direct attack, should he attempt to take possession of Detroit, with the force he is confidently represented to bring with him. In respect to the Militia, when I determined to communicate to Mr. Hammond by Major of Brigade Littlehales, that considering the River aux Raisin as in His Majesty's settlement, I should resist any attempt of the Armies of the United States to pass that river, I immediately made known my determination to Mr. Baby, the Lieutenant of the County, and in confidence to him and Colonel England, I desired that every attention might be paid to the Militia of that District, and that they might be called together and reviewed. In my former visit to Detroit, Mr. Montigni, at my desire, went to Detroit settlement; my wishes were to withdraw the Inhabitants, if necessary, over the Strait-They protested their Loyalty in ample terms. I know Colonel McKee is of the Opinion they are not to be trusted. The people of Detroit, as may be

1 Turtle Island, in Lake Erie, lies off the mouth of the Miamis, now the Maumee River, and Toledo City.

expected in trading communities, are divided into parties, full of petty emulation and trivial jealousies. To endeavour to reconcile them as much as possible to the King's Interest, I had intended, with my family, to have resided there for six months. The immediate duties which Your Lordship has directed prevent me from that measure, but I shall pay every attention in my power to that District, and shall be very happy if I shall be induced to entertain a different Idea of the fidelity and zeal of the Inhabitants than I am justified in doing at present. By the Opinion of the Military Commandant, the taking Post at the Miamis is certainly well calculated to call forth all their exertion as it naturally interests their Trade.

I had desired of Col. England to inform me of which Season, the Felicity could best be spared to go to Matchadash Bay, and also to enquire whether a small Vessel, whose construction I much approve, if necessary, could be purchased for Government purposes. The necessity of occupying Matchadash and Long Point, become to me every hour more evident, in particular as I know of no other Ports, in which our shipping could find shelter, should the Army of the States Occupy Detroit. The River Thames and the Grand River (Ouse), respectively, will always afford means of building galleys or boats to command Lake Sinclair, or assist in the defence of Erie; but I assure Your Lordship that in traversing the fine Country between the Grand River and the Detroit, as a Military Man, I was concerned to see how very indefensible it was against a superior Enemy. It is the most so of any space of the same extent that I have seen. I shall transmit a Copy of Your Lordship's Answer to a Message of the Upper Nations, &c., to Colonel Butler. Captain Brant being dangerously ill, I sent the Surgeon to visit him; it is doubtful whether he is now alive, tho' I am inclined to believe he is. I shall also give him Your Lordship's Answer. Should the reconciliation between him and the Senecas which was effected last year, be sincere, it might be of the utmost benefit to His Majesty's Service. I propose to return to Niagara by the last week in May, to meet the Legislature. I have the honor to be, &c.,

Rt. Honble. Lord Dorchester.

J. G. SIMCOE.

My Lord:

FROM J. G. SIMCOE TO LORD DORCHESTER.

YORK, March 14th, 1794.

In Answer to Mr. Coffin's letter by Your Lordship's directions of the 17th of Feby., I beg leave to say that due attention shall be paid that no lands be given away on the Ottawa River till Your Lordship shall communicate with me further on this Subject. It appears to me to be necessary that this Arrangement in respect to what belongs to the Indian Nations and what to His Majesty, be terminated as soon as possible, not only as it respects the general political Interests of His Majesty, but that Individuals from sinister purposes may not sport with the passions of the Indians, and by their particular Influence become injurious to the general progress of the Settlements.

It is with the greatest satisfaction that I now see the Onondago afloat, and that she will be in a capacity to proceed to Niagara, (where Mr. Bouchette, by a commendable prudence, seems inclined to convey her previous to her undertaking

her voyage to Kingston), so soon as the River shall be open. Lake Erie has been uncommonly frozen over this year; in this Port, had it been necessary, vessels with proper moorings might at all times have rode securely, and generally speaking, free from ice. I am very glad that Your Lordship has directed the Vessel now speaking of and at present building at Kingston, to be completed without delay; the material defects of the present model are too obvious not to be avoided; and in other respects it appears to me to be an useful class of transport.

In regard to any further Stores or Provisions being requisite for this Province, on which Your Lordship is pleased to require, that I should communicate my Ideas if I find such an Augmentation necessary, I must beg leave to observe that the nature of the Communication between the Lakes and Montreal as a simple consideration, certainly in my apprehension renders it eligible that Magazines of Stores and Provisions should be erected within the Province, sufficiently ample for its defence, in every variety of view that its peculiar Circumstances and Extent can possibly require, but in truth, such is the present Situation of the Province that it is difficult to say where they can be placed in sufficient security against desultory attack. It is probable that Niagara may afford this security, but I am by no means prepared to affirm that against such an Enemy as we may have to contend with, it is more than probable. But admitting this Fort to be capable of a tolerable or even a good defence, there will be no possibility of removing from it, any Magazines, whenever it shall be attacked, and if it should fall, all its deposit will become a serious acquisition to its assailants, a fatal, if not an irrecoverable loss to the Province and His Majesty's Interests.

The late orders which I have received from Your Lordship relative to the preventing of Ordnance Stores destined for one purpose, being applied to another, I think makes it peculiarly proper for me to state to Your Lordship my wishes, that in case it should appear necessary for me to direct any Military Stores from the Garrison of Niagara to any other quarter, some Line of Discrimination may be drawn by Your Lordship to regulate what may be considered as appropriated to the defence of that particular Post, or placed there as a deposit for general Exigencies. The same Arrangement I should be glad to have made in respect to Detroit. If a surplus also be lodged at Michilimackinac so as in this respect to render that Post independent of Detroit, it might possibly be of Public Advantage. I have the honor to be, &c. J. G. SIMCOE.

Rt. Honble. Lord Dorchester.

Private.
My Lord:

FROM J. G. SIMCOE TO LORD DORCHESTER.

YORK, 14th March, 1794.

The present state of Affairs seems to require that I should fully state to Your Lordship such Opinions as I may have formed on the means of protecting this Province, and have not been already communicated to you in those various suggestions which I have offered as a uniform system of defence, that I cannot but regret has not been hitherto adopted.

The divisions among the Indians operating to induce the remnant of the Western Confederacy to ask a Peace of the United States, will necessarily draw after it the submission of the Six Nations, to such terms as shall be dictated to them,

unless Your Lordship's Speech and the Post now to be taken shall encourage them to maintain their Resolution.

Colonel McKee has always maintained that it was unadvisedly done to discourage the Senecas from settling at the Grand River; he considers the Corn Planter as totally in the Interests of the United States. That Chieftain assured me to the contrary. He did not attend the late Meeting at Buffaloe Creek on account of illness, as it was said, and I am inclined to believe. He told me that the United States should not settle at Presqu'Isle. It is understood that he sold that land without a right to do so, and fearful of the upbraidings of the Indians and the consequent diminution of his Authority, is anxious to prevent the sale from taking effect.

I am told that Brant is likely to recover; I am convinced that he is at the bottom of the complaint made to Your Lordship against Colonel McKee. He has much at heart that some provision should be made for his family in case of his death.

I did not hesitate when he went to the Council to promise him, that I should exert my utmost influence to obtain, in case of such an event, the King's Bounty to be extended to his family and if in my passage thro' the Grand River Village I find him alive, I will still continue my promise. In case of the Western Indians not having made Peace with General Wayne, on the supposition that they should collect in Force to oppose him, that Brant and Corn Planter should be true, and that hostilities should commence between Great Britain and the United States, if such a combination of events had happened at this present Season of the year, I should have felt myself justified for the good of the King's Service, in attempting to execute the following series of operations. A similar conjuncture, is, My Lord, not likely now to happen, but it is possible that detached parts of the Arrangement may hereafter come under Your Lordship's consideration. I am sure that you will favourably receive the present communication, tho' nothing should be offered but what is perfectly familiar to Your Lordship, in respect to the defensive part of the Plan, or that may appear too hazardous in regard to Your Lordship's general View in that which leads to offensive expeditions. I had proposed in person with the Garrison of Kingston and detachments from the Queen's Rangers and Fifth Regiment, and a select party of the more civilized Indians, with every demonstration of Force, to have proceeded up Oswego River, and broke ground at Three Rivers Point, as if determined to erect a strong fortress there; at the same time, I should have directed a detachment from Niagara and Colonel Butler and Brant to proceed where the practicable road from Buffaloe Creek to the Genesee, crosses that which leads from Genesee to Niagara. On these points being occupied, I should have sent to Canandarque and have offered to the Inhabitants of the Genesee a neutrality or an Indian War, and have bought all their Cattle and such other Provisions as might drain the Country. If it had been accepted; as it most probably would be, the Corps at the Cross Roads should return. The Country in front of Niagara would be perfectly reconnoitred. That at the Three Rivers Point should also be withdrawn, probably on favorable Stipulations. The works at Oswego should be put into security adequate to the Post, by leaving part of the present works, or giving it other advantages. I should then give the signal for the Corn Planter to collect his People, so as to prevent any spies from approaching anywhere near Presqu'Isle, whither I should proceed with all expedition, taking with me select detachments and joining off Long Point one of the 24th, with two or three Howitzers, forming on the whole four hundred rank and file. The Corn Planter should be directed to surprise Fort Franklin. After his march,

the whole of the Corps, with a detachment of Brant's Indians, should follow, discontinuing the preparations for the occupation of Presqu'Isle. It is presumed that means might be contrived to fall down the French Creek in canoes or rafts.— If Fort Franklin should fall, under pretence of enlarging it, it should be demolished by a Corps of Pioneers and soldiers, who should have been brought thus far to assist in the conveyance of Provisions, and who might return to the Shipping at Presqu'Isle, or remain in part at the Post, as incidents should render most advisable.

In the mean time, by such means as should be found necessary, the Troops should go down to Fort Pitt, the apparent Object of the Campaign, if possible undiscovered, the Indians proceeding by their several paths, conveying to given points certain Provisions. Proper manifestos should be distributed wherever necessary; every species of canoe or boat should be occupied.

At Fort Pitt, it is reasonable to suppose, boats might be accumulated in sufficient quantity, by means of sending parties to the several Creeks for the whole Force. When that should be done, the Blockade or pretended attack on Fort Pitt, if it had not previously surrendered, should cease, and the Armament should proceed with the utmost expedition down the Ohio for Fort Washington.

The bendings of that River seem to admit of parties of Indians and active Soldiers being landed from time to time to destroy the craft on the several Creeks, or to collect Provisions by paying for them, which would do no injury to the Inhabitants, without any material delay of the Expedition. The destination might always be supposed for some intermediate Point between Fort Pitt and Washington.

The Shipping on Lake Erie at Sandusky, &c., and parties of Indians from the Western Army at different points agreed upon, might serve to communicate; so that as nearly as possible to my approaching Fort Washington, that Army should oppose Wayne, particularly to prevent his detaching or retreat.

Lieut.-Col. England, with all the force he could muster, leaving a small detachment in Fort Lernoult at Detroit and the guard of the Town to its Militia, should occupy the Miamis Rapids.

On my arrival at Fort Washington, Circumstances must determine whether that Post should be attacked, or whether the great Object of the attempt, starving Wayne's Army by breaking in upon his lesser Communications would not be more speedily effected. Such, My Lord, is the outline of the Operations which have occurred to me and was I at liberty to act at this very moment, and the Indians united, which I should certainly risk. I know it would be hazardous, but if successful, it would be decisive.

The present disunion among the Indians renders it impracticable. Circumstances may arise (and as I have spared no pains of body and mind, I shall continue my endeavours to make the best advantage of them), Circumstances may arise to restore the Union among these Nations, and if so, every step that Wayne advances, leaves him more exposed to the Consequences of the Movement I have sketched out. A movement possibly might be made to his rear from Sandusky.

In respect to the preparatory one in the Genessees, I must observe, that Niagara may easily be besieged; that any force can be collected for such an operation; that every Indian path furnishes the Enemy with the means of conveying their Provisions by driving cattle with two bags of flour and one of salt to salt it down. "Was I to do this, Colonel," said General Hull to me (when I declined to permit him victualling the Indians) "and salting cattle at Buffaloe Creek, build boats there and carry Provisions to Sandusky, would you not call it a good New England trick."

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