there the place appeared to be in such a defenceless situation that with the concurrence of Captain Denny and the officer commanding at the Fort, we remained there some time and employed the troops in rendering it tenable. It may now be considered as defensible, provided the number of men is encreased. The garrison at present consists of twenty-five men, one half of whom are unfit for duty, and it is my opinion that double that number would not be more than sufficient, considering the importance of the safety of the settlements on French Creek. At Fort Franklin General Wilkins and myself wrote to the Cornplanter to attend there, that we might have an opportunity of explaining to him the nature of our business, and of obviating any difficulties that might arise in our proceedings, however, he did not come as was expected, having gone some days before to a council of the Six Nations at Buffaloe.

With this letter you will receive a copy of their message, presented by General Chapin and Mr. Johnson to Captain Denny and myself, with our reply to the same. I leave to yourself to consider the propriety of a British agent attending a considerable number of Indians with a superintendant of Indian affairs of the United States to order the people of Pennsylvania to remove from those lands which had been ceded to them by treaty by the King of Great Britain and since that time regularly purchased from the Six Nations and punctually paid for. After repairing Fort Franklin we proceeded to this place, and are now beginning to strengthen the works here so as to render it a safe deposit for military and other stores, and in doing which agreeably to instructions œconomy shall be strictly attended to.

The line described by the Indians on the map, will take from the State of Pennsylvania the Cassewago settlement, being part of the purchase of 1784, and the whole of the purchase of 1788. But with respect to this claim, they can be serious only so far as encouraged by the British agents, and the countenance shewn them by the late interference of the United States.

The objection made by Brant to Gen. Chapin that the establishment at Presqu'Isle would cut off the communication between the Six Nations and the western hostile Indians, and thereby diminish their mutual strength, is the strongest argument that can be urged in favor of that establishment. Gen. Chapin and myself are of opinion that all difficulties between the State of Pennsylvania and the Six Nations might be accommodated by treaty-which treaty ought not to be held in the neighbourhood of any post occupied by the British, the United States or this State at present, and that Presqu' Isle is the most eligible place for such a treaty.

(Unsigned but undoubtedly written by Andrew Ellicott.) (Printed in the New York Daily Gazette, 19 July, 1794.)

FROM J. G. SIMCOE TO LORD DORCHESTER.

NIAGARA, June 30th, 1794.

My Lord:

I do myself the honor of transmitting a letter of Captn. Schoedde's, Commandant at Oswego, together with two enclosures.

In respect to Mr. Williamson's expressions, who has always intimated to me

his intentions of building a Vessel at the Sodus, I enquired of Mr. Bertzie, who is at this place, whether he gives any credit to the report? He says he does not think it unlikely, from Mr. Williamson's expressions, who has always intimated that he will obtain the free trade of the Lakes. It was designed to build Vessels in case of hostilities somewhere opposite Kingston, I presume Hungry Bay.

Mr. Bertzie, on my questioning him what pecuniary advantages or prospect of trade could induce Mr. Williamson to undergo such an expence, said that he apprehended somehow or other, it might be of consequence in the fur trade; the smuggling of which is carried on in the most scandalous manner by persons of all descriptions in this Province.

Rt. Honble. Lord Dorchester.

I have the honor to be, &c.

J. G. SIMCOE.

NIAGARA, June 30th, 1794.

Officers recommended to Lieut. Govr. Simcoe and whom he offers to Lord Dorchester, as proper for Commissions in the proposed Canadian Regiment, agreeably to the qualifications required by His Lordship.

Captn. John McDonnell, on the half pay of Sir John Johnson's Corps, and Speaker of the House of Assembly, to be Major.

Dear Sir:

FROM ALEXANDER MCKEE TO JOSEPH CHEW.

RAPIDS, 30th June, 1794.

My own small boats, which are indispensible for the communication between this place and Detroit are so much shattered by long and hard service that I now find them dangerous to go on the Lake; and as I cannot get any to purchase as I have heretofore done at my own expence, I must request the favour of you to apply to His Excellency the Commander in Chief for his permission and direction to have a light Batteau built for me in the yard at Detroit suitable for this service. With great regard and sincerity

I do myself the honor of transmitting to Your Lordship the enclosed list of Officers who seem most likely to be of public service in the raising and disciplining of a Canadian Corps. Should Your Lordship be inclined to confer the rank of Lt. Colonel, it is presumed that Mr. A. McKee will come under Your Lordship's Consideration.

In recommending Captn. McDonnell for the majority, I do it under the apprehension that he is the most proper person for that appointment upon all considerations within this Province.

I have inserted the name of Mr. Baby, because I esteem it of very great consequence to engage a Canadian Company if possible at Detroit; this Gentleman is at this time absent, but his brother, a most respectable member of the Executive Council, seems to think that a sufficient number of Canadians might be obtained, in particular if their Service was limited to four or five years, and that they were not to be removed far from their places of residence. I think it proper to state this circumstance to Your Lordship. I offer Captn. Elliott and Captn. Johnson of the Indian Department, upon principles which in a former letter I have communicated to Your Lordship.

I think it very possible that Capt. Sherwood and Mr. Spencer, one of the most respectable Members of the House of Assembly, and Lt. of the County of Lennox, would raise their Companies from the States. The bounty is great, but I scarcely believe it will be a sufficient temptation for persons to enlist, as the pay is by no means adequate to the wages given for every species of labourers, and the Province is not so populous as to afford sufficient numbers of recruits, which without regard to the price of wages are to be obtained from larger communities.

Ensign Hay is the son of the late Lieut. Governor of Detroit. McGregor of McGregor of that place, who in a various manner, it has been represented to me, has been of public service.

The Officers are named principally by Gentlemen of the Legislature, who know them.

I presume the half pay Officers will take rank either as Subalterns or Captns. in their Corps from the dates of the former Commissions which they respectively held.

It is by no means easy to make any sort of computation what number of men may be raised in this Province.

I enclose to Your Lordship as particular a return of the Militia as can be collected. I gather from the several Officers that they are totally unarmed, the Canadian Inhabitants excepted, who have their own fowling pieces. The Militia Act exempted Soldiers above fifty years of age from Service. As this Clause deprived the Province of many of its best Soldiers, and opened a door for those to elude the compliance with the Act, it is now under a repeal.

The Districts are by no means accurately stated, the Adjutant General has communicated many animadversions on the Subject, but I trust that in a short time the returns will become more regular and precise. I am perfectly of his opinion that the present return is deficient by some hundreds; particularly I believe so in this District, with which I am best acquainted.

I beg to enclose a letter I have just rec'd, from a very respectable Gentleman, Mr. McLean, for Your Lordship's perusal. I have the honor to be, &c.

Rt. Honble. Lord Dorchester.

J. G. SIMCOE.

My Lord:

FROM J. G. SIMCOE TO LORD DORCHESTER.

NAVY HALL, July 1st, 1794.

Colonel Butler has brought to me an account which Mr. Coffin has declared to be inadmissible, and which I do myself the honor of enclosing to Your Lordship. It has been observed upon that Colonel Butler's pay has been directed to be stopped by Your Lordship till it is satisfactorily explained by him.

Upon Colonel Butler's representation to me that his income was not equal to the standing expences incident to his office, and totally insufficient to extraordinary ones, and in consequence, requesting that I would give him authority to procure some stores for the table, which he must necessarily keep at Sandusky, where he was going on the most important and critical business, I acquiesced in his desire, thinking it highly reasonable, and believing that the representations of the incompetency of his salary were strictly true. I have the honor to be, &c.

Rt. Honble. Lord Dorchester.

J. G. SIMCOE.

My Lord:

FROM J. G. SIMCOE TO LORD DORCHESTER.

July 3rd, 1794.

I do myself the honor of forwarding to Your Lordship the enclosed letter from Captain Pratt, which will explain the situation of the Indians and this Province as far as Presqu' Isle may be of consequence.

Mr. Williamson is proceeding at Sodus. I enclose extracts from the late Intelligence I have received from Lieut. Col. England and Col. McKee.

Lieut. Col. England states the amount of the Indians assembled to be at least sixteen hundred. I have the honor to be, &c.

I have received and laid before the King Your letters numbered 21 and 22, with their respective Inclosures.

I very much approve of the very prudent and pacific line of Conduct which you have adopted, in consequence of General Wayne's supposed approach to the vicinity of Detroit.

This Circumstance, added to the disunion which has been effected of the Indians, altho' it increases the difficulty does not by any means lessen the actual necessity of avoiding, if possible, proceeding to extremities, at a moment when it is to be hoped, that the presence of Mr. Jay, who is now here, may lead to a final termination of all disputes and a perfect good understanding between this Country and the States of America.

I am well aware that the consequence of Detroit may be affected without the Post itself being actually molested; but you will always bear in mind that the immediate protection of the Post itself, is the only object to be attended to. It may not be improper, whilst on this Subject, to inclose to you an extract from my Answer to Lord Dorchester's Suggestions dated the 17th July, 1793, so far as the same relates to the light in which the Posts on the American side of the Treaty Line are to be considered.

Having said this much I feel it quite unnecessary to add anything further on the Subject, especially as, in selecting the Places which you Propose to occupy in Upper Canada you seem perfectly well aware of the necessity of Conducting His Majesty's Service in that Province, upon a principle, that the Posts on the American side of the Treaty Line can only be considered as Temporary Objects; a final arrangement with the United States of America, in all probability, leading to their evacuation.

Your Observation in No. 22 upon the Chippewas being invited with the other Indians to the Conference at Venango, is exceedingly proper, and thoroughly evinces the expediency there is, on our part, both for preserving the attachment of those Indians, who are within His Majesty's Provinces; & for securing their fidelity, by occupying such places, as may render them most dependent on His Majesty's Government, and tend most to enable us to preserve with them, both a political and commercial connection.

Endorsed:- Draft. To Lt. Govr. Simcoe. July 1794.

I am, Sir, &c.

HENRY DUNDAS.