route, imprudently attacked the Fort on Monday the 30th of last month, and lost 16 or 17 men, besides a good many wounded.

Everything had been settled prior to their leaving the Fallen Timber, and it had been agreed upon to confine themselves to marking convoys and attacking at a distance from the Forts, if they should have the address to entice their Escort out, but the impetuosity of the Mackinac Indians and their eagerness to begin with the nearest prevailed with the others to alter their system, the consequence of which from the present appearance of things, may most materially injure the interests of these People, both the Mackinac and the Lake Indians seeming resolved on going home again, having completed the belts they carried, with scalps and prisoners and having no provisions there or at the Glaize to subsist upon, so that His Majesty's Posts will derive no security from the late great influx of Indians into this part of the Country, should they persist in their resolution of returning home

so soon.

The immediate object of the attack was 300 Packhorses going from this Fort to Fort Grenville, in which the Indians completely succeeded in taking and killing all of them; but the Commanding Officer, Captain Gibson, sending out a Troop of Cavalry, and turning his Infantry out in front of his Post, the Indians attacked them and killed about 50 among whom is Captain Gibson and two other Officers.

On the near approach of the Indians to the Fort the remains of his garrison retired into it, and from the loopholes killed and wounded as mentioned already.

Captain Elliot writes that they are immediately to hold a Council at the Glaize, in order to try if they can prevail on the Lake Indians to remain, but without provisions, ammunition, &c., being sent to that place, I conceive it will be extremely difficult to keep them together.

The Mountain Leader, the Chickasaw Chief, was killed two days before the attack and Wells and May, as I am informed, were both killed on the 30th, with two more Chickasaws; by the reports of three prisoners who were taken, there were 60 Chickasaws with the Army, viz. 20 at Fort Recovery, 40 at Grenville, and that large bodies of Southern Indians were shortly expected to join them. The bearer of this letter or his reports are not to be depended upon.

With great respect I have the honor to be &c.,

Lt. Colonel England.

A. MCKEE.

LETTER FROM MONTREAL TO A PERSON IN NEW YORK.

A letter from Montreal, dated July 5th, to a gentleman in this city (New York) July 23, says:

For this week past they have been carting to Lachine all Governor Simcoe's stores, the best part of which is for his new fort on the Miami. There are 4 very large field pieces and 2000 stand of arms for it. They are recruiting here with a great deal of spirit. In two weeks they have got upwards of 60 recruits. The bounty is 15 and 20 guineas.

(From the Gazette of the United States of Philadelphia, 24 July, 1794.)

No. 30.

Sir:

FROM J. G. SIMCOE TO HENRY DUNDAS.

NAVY HALL, the 7th July, 1794.

I have the honor to transmit a resolve of the Executive Council of this Province, approving of the enclosed table of fees on Grants of Land, which has been notified to the public as having been transmitted to the King's Ministers for his Majesty's confirmation.

Soldiers discharged in this Country & Loyalists, U.E. having their patents free of expence to them, under the Royal Instructions, The Council have recommended that Government should pay half fees to the respective Offices for their trouble on such Grants, none of them extending to a sum beyond what might be paid for half 1200 Acres under the above Table of Fees. I have the honor to be Sir,

with the utmost respect your most

Right Honorable Henry Dundas.

Obedt. Servant.

J. G. SIMCOE.

Endorsed:-Navy Hall-7th July 1794. Lt. Govr. Simcoe. R. 17th Octr. No. 30. Ansd. 7th Novr. (Three Inclosures.)

My Dear Sir:

FROM JOHN JAY TO ALEXANDER HAMILTON.

LONDON, 11th July, 1794.

I am still unable to say anything decisive relative to the objects of my mission. Appearances continue to be singularly favourable, but appearances merit only a certain degree of circumspect reliance. The delays occasioned by the new arrangement of the ministry cannot be of long continuance. Circumstances must soon constrain them to form some ultimate system relative to the United States; and although I have much reason to hope that it will be favourable to our wishes, yet I confess I am not without apprehensions that certain points not by us to be yielded will occasion difficulties hard to surmount. Personally I have every reason to be satisfied, and officially I have as yet no reason to complain.

Shortly after my arrival I dined with Lord Grenville. The cabinet ministers were present, but not a single foreigner. On Monday next I am to dine with the Lord Chancellor, and on next Friday with Mr. Pitt. I mention these facts to explain what I mean by favourable appearances. I think it best that they should remain unmentioned for the present, and they make no part of my communications to Mr. Randolph, or others. This is not the season for such communications; they may be misinterpreted, though not by you.

I fear the posts may labour, but they must not be left. We must not make a delusive settlement; that would disunite our people, and leave seeds of discord to germinate. I will do everything that prudence and integrity may dictate or permit.

I will endeavour to accommodate rather than dispute; and if this plan should

fail, decent and firm representations must conclude the business of my mission. As yet I do not regret any step I have taken. I wish I may be able to say the same at the conclusion. Yours affectionately,

JOHN JAY.

5th August. This letter was inadvertently omitted to be sent when written. Appearances mend-give us a fair chance.

(Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay. Vol. IV, pp. 29-30.)

Sir:

FROM R. G. ENGLAND TO J. G. SIMCOE.

DETROIT, July 7th, 1794.

Within this hour I received a letter from Col. McKee, a copy of which I have the honor to enclose to Your Excellency.

The Indian, who brought this Express, you will perceive, Colonel McKee cautions me against crediting, says most positively that Captain Elliot and all the Lake Indians had returned to the Foot of the Rapids, on their way home before he came away. All of this I must confess I expected they would do, after having struck, even if they were successful. It is much to be regretted that their impetuosity induced them to attack the Fort, their defeat there will be a matter of triumph to the Americans, though it appears that they have suffered considerably.

I send this account express by land, as there is no vessel here but the Ottawa who I reserve for further information that I am led to expect to-morrow from Col. McKee, when she shall sail with a duplicate of the Colonel's dispatch to me, and with any further information that reaches me.

Apprehending that there may not be provisions enough at the Foot of the Rapids I dispatched on the 3rd Inst., a supply in the Felicity, for the Indians, but as Col. McKee does not mention her arrival, I have directed provisions and other articles which he may immediately require to be put on board the Brazen Gun Boat and propose that she shall sail this evening for the Foot of the Rapids.

The wind has persevered for several days at North East, which prevents all communication by water from the Miamis, I have therefore been obliged to send some expresses there by land.

You shall hear more fully by the Ottawa, when I will send you copies of former letters from Col. McKee. I have the honor to be, &c.

His Excellency Lieut. Gov. Simcoe, &c., &c.

R. G. ENGLAND.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LIEUTENANT PILKINGTON TO HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNOR SIMCOE, DATED FORT MIAMIS,

7TH JULY, 1794.

In consequence of former alarms here, we encompassed ourselves with an Abbatis of fallen Trees, and now we are accomplishing what is requisite for our defence to be from the Fort; the present state of the Works I will endeavour to give your Excellency some idea of, and with the assistance of the inclosed Plans, to express my future intentions, the general form of the Work and the manner in which the Plan of the outline which I have traced on a Survey of the position. The Plan of the Fort exhibits the disposition of the several Buildings; the Barracks forming a part of the Rampart, and are the lining of it, they are roofed with Logs 12 inches thick, and those on the longer faces of the work, have Loopholes for firing in the reverse. The Bastions have casemated Flanks, and the whole interior part below of each Bastion may be considered as a casemate serving for a secure lodgment of Stores. The Bastions will be somewhat superior to the other parts of the work, and each of their Platforms will be capable of receiving Four Guns, which may be directed variously, each Bastion having six Embrasures. The flat Bastion on the water front I have not raised with Earth higher than the Platform of it, as I purpose the remaining part to be of Log work, as represented in the section, pierced with Loopholes and Port holes, and to have a Machicouli Fire, proposing by this to have a perfect defence for the water front, with a formidable Battery commanding the River and opposite shore, this work being but little advanced, is not exposed to view from either Flank. I have availed myself of a hollow in the ground, before the left face of the Ravelin by making a covered passage under the Glacis for a communication with any work on the adjacent rising ground, and it gives easy and secure access in receiving of Stores into the Fort from the side of the River. present state of the work is such that in four days from hence the body of the place will consist of an elevated Parapet of Earth, the casemates of the Bastions and Flanks perfectly formed, the whole completely fraised and surrounded by the ditch requisite on the Land side. The Barracks on the water front are in great forwardness and the casemated Flanks ready for receiving Cannon.

The

The works proposed by Your Excellency for Turtle Island have long since been finished. Only part of the Stores designed for this place, have been deposited there, the principal cause for the whole supply not being sent was I believe the report of the Americans having taken possession of Presqu' Isle. There might have been an impropriety in entrusting too much upon the Island with so few to defend it, while the Americans could approach by the Lake with facility.

I have not lost any time in forwarding the services desired by Your Excellency, but the apprehensions of some, with the ill health of others, have deprived me of so many of the better order of my workmen as to affect my progress materially; Mr. Adye has been for some time at Detroit, endeavouring to obtain more assistance, but as yet without success.

The men belonging to Your Excellency's Corps have been of great service to me, they all experience at this time a state of health we have not been accustomed to here.

Every persuasive argument has been made to prevail on the Indians not to desert their Great Father, and to leave him unprotected by them; but all in vain; they promise a speedy return and the several Nations have left runners at the Rapids to be despatched for them in case of any pressing emergency.

If no circumstance requires my particular attendance here, I purpose taking my departure before the end of the present month.

FROM ALEXANDER MCKEE TO JOSEPH CHEW.

MIAMIS RAPIDS 7th July 1794.

Dear Sir:

Early on the morning of the 30th of last month the Indians who had collected a force of about 2000 men took & killed 300 pack horses with about 60 drivers near Fort Recovery; these Horses had been brought the day before the Indians arrived loaded with flour-the escort intended for their return had not quitted the Fort when the attack was made on the Pack Horses but they turned out immediately on hearing the firing & were repulsed with the loss of about 50 men and 25 or 30 Troop Horses; the Indians followed them close to the gates of the Fort which they wanted to storm but met with a check from the Loop Holes of the Block Houses and then retired to a secure distance with the loss of 17 men killed and as many wounded-they kept the same position all that day & the night following, but from the want of provisions and ammunition, were obliged to retire to the Glaize, from whence all the Lake Indians as well as those from Michilimackinac have come hither, those latter cannot be prevailed to remain having accomplished the call of their Belts by Scalps and Prisoners, and are going home again-so that instead of deriving any advantage from these People and those of Sagana, the Indians in this part of the country will feel a sensible diminution of their strength by the example they shew all the other Lake Indians as well as those who are here as those who are expected and whom they must meet on their way home.

I perceive great danger of the security of His Majesty's Posts from the unfortunate separation of the Indians at this period, but having no authority to stop them or to keep the others together by giving them provisions & ammunition over & above the ordinary supply, I have only to lament what may shortly be the probable situation of this country; but that I may not neglect any thing on this occasion which I conceive to be my duty, I request of you to represent to His Excellency the Commander in Chief that there is an absolute necessity of sending Provisions and ammunition to some convenient place in the vicinity of the Glaize, provided His Majesty's Posts are considered by His Excellency objects of Import

ance.

From the Information I have received the Commanding officer of the Fort and two other officers were killed as was the Chickasaw Chief called the Mountain Leader and two of his men, the Indians took also about 30 head of Cattle about the Fort. with the greatest Regard I am, &c.

Joseph Chew Esqr.

A. MCKEE.

OBSERVATIONS BY ISAAC TODD AND SIMON MCTAVISH.

The Merchants in Canada Trading to the Indian Country send their goods from Montreal in the spring of the year to Detroit, Michilimackinac & the Grand Portage; where they meet their Clerks and Traders, who have wintered in the interior Country; receive their Furs & deliver to them British Goods, with which they return to winter again with the Indians.

Goods for this trade which leave London in the Spring of 1794 are sent to the Indian Country in 1795, and their produce in Furs does not come to the above