to be a direct violation of His Britannic Majesty's Rights, as they unquestionably existed before the Treaty, and has an immediate tendency to interrupt and in its progress to destroy that good understanding which has hitherto subsisted between His Britannic Majesty and the United States of America. I therefore desire you to desist from any such Aggressions. DORCHESTER. FROM THE DUKE OF PORTLAND TO J. G. SIMCOE. WHITEHALL, 15th July, 1794. Lt. Govr. Simcoe. Sir: Inclosed I transmit you a duplicate of my letter of this day's date to Lord Dorchester, with a copy of Lord Grenville's letter to Mr. Hammond therein referred to, and in case you should not have previously received Lord Dorchester's orders to conduct yourself in conformity to the directions contained in my within letter to His Lordship, I am to signify to you His Majesty's pleasure that you should forthwith take the necessary steps for fulfilling on the part of H. M. the agreement entered into by Lord Grenville and Mr. Jay as stated in the inclosed letter from me to Lord Dorchester. I am &c. Endorsed:-Drat. To Lt. Govr. Simcoe. July 1794. (No. 1.) My Dear Sir: FROM JOSEPH CHEW TO ALEXANDER MCKEE. PORTLAND. My Son William was at Niagara when Capt. Brant and the Deputation from the Nations assembled at Miamis arrived there, and was present when they delivered their Messages or Speeches to the Commissioners from the States, and by means of Capt. Brant got the purport of them, and a Copy of the Commissioners Answer, had not this been the case no account of this Transaction would have been 1 From June 8, 1791 until August 7, 1794, Henry Dundas had been Secretary of State for Home Affairs, and First Commissioner for India, or practically Secretary of State for India, and as Treasurer of the Navy he controlled its finances. He was at the same time responsible for the conduct of the war. On August 7, 1794, the Duke of Portland took over the Home Office, which thenceforth was limited to British, Irish and Colonial affairs. Dundas became Secretary of State for War, and William Windham succeeded Sir George Yonge as Secretary at War. Yonge was appointed Master of the Mint. William Henry Cavendish Bentinck, third Duke of Portland, 1738-1809, who was twice prime minister of Great Britain, was educated at Eton and Oxford, and as Marquis of Titchfield sat in the House of Commons from 1760 until 1762, when he succeeded his father as Duke of Portland. He formed a warm political alliance with the Marquis of Rockingham and acted as lord chamberlain in 1765-6. He was appointed lord lieutenant of Ireland in 1782 and was prime minister from April until December, 1783. He afterwards became the recognized leader of the Rockingham Whigs but joined forces with Pitt in 1793. He was elected chancellor of the university of Oxford in 1792, and was Home Secretary from 1794 until 1801, when he became lord president of the Council until 1806. He was again prime minister from 1807 until 1809. As Home Secretary he was distinguished as an efficient and careful administrator, not wanting in broad statesmanlike views. Rec'd at the Superintendant General's Office. I cannot account for Colonel Butler's omissions. I am perfectly sure the Superintendt General from what he writes to me, expects every information respecting Indian matters will be transmitted to his Office as early as possible and will on his return be displeased if it is not so. I have given him all the matters you have communicated to me, and let him know how very attentive you have been. I still hope to see him this fall, if not it will be early in the Spring. The late arrival of the Ships and contrary winds, has been a vexatious business to the Merchants & Captains. The Indian goods are not all Landed. I hope they may be in a few days, and as soon as they are got to La Chine, and surveyed, for which I have a warrant, such deficiency in your requisition, as can be made up from this supply, shall be forwarded to you, when I shall give you every intelligence in my power. I earnestly wish the American Commissioners may make such offers of a Boundary Line, that may be just and Equitable, and such a one as may be agreeable to the Indians. I confess I have my doubts-by a letter published in a Philadelphia paper from an Officer at Ft. St. Clair dated the latter of April, it appears they were supplying their Posts & very alert, which makes me believe the Indians had good reasons to suspect them of taking advantage of the intended treaty to strengthen those Posts, and I think it will be the Case. There is also a publication in a Philadelphia paper of the 20th of June last, for supplying Rations for the year 1794, at all the Posts and passes in the Indian Country, in which the Field of Action November 1791, the Miami Village, the Rapids, and where the Miami falls into Lake Erie are mentioned, this does not look as if they expected to Relinquish any part of that Country. We are impatient for an arrival from London, what European news we have by way of New York, is vague and contradictory, from everything we hear from the States, and from their publications, I really apprehend their unlimited & great partiality to the French, will make them be considered as a party in the dispute, and not as a Neutral Nation. In a little time, we shall be able to form a Better Judgment of their Proceedings, be assured I am &c. Colo. Alex. McKee. JOSEPH CHEW. Endorsed: without date, Joseph Chew Esqr. Recd 13th Sept. 93. Answered 20th Octr. FROM J. G. SIMCOE TO R. G. ENGLAND. NIAGARA, July 16th, 1794. Sir: I am to acknowledge the receipt of two dispatches, the one a duplicate by the Ottawa on the 14th at night, and the original by a French Man, on the 15th in the morning. Your letter of the 9th July seems to include all the particulars on which it is necessary for me to observe. It is to be regretted that Captain Elliott and the Traders were obliged by the Indians to take the field. I do not understand from any accounts in this quarter that the Militia of Kentucky are intended to exceed eleven hundred men. I wish some means could be devised that the Vessels which sail from the Miamis might not be delayed to call at the Mouth of the River for letters when it is intended that they should immediately proceed to Fort Erie. I am sorry to learn that the Miamis Fort is not yet in a situation to make a defence but I hope that the Artificers who accompany Lieutenant Adye will speedily accomplish the necessary purpose. I hope among the Indian stores a sufficient quantity of Vermilion has been sent to answer Col. McKee's demands, but should that not be the case I shall most readily agree with you as far as I have authority to relax a rigid adherence to general custom in this hour of necessity, and beg that you will only restrict yourself by the good of the Service and furnish all such supplies as in your judgment Colonel McKee properly requires. There is neither Vermilion, Tobacco, or any goods in the Stores of Niagara. In respect to Captain Steele desiring you to give him orders as you are furnished with a copy of the Instructions under which I occupied the Post at the Miamis, and my opinions founded upon those Instructions relative to the best means of rendering the position effectual for the purposes of self-defence therein contained, I can give no further directions but must naturally confide in your discretion and local knowledge for doing that which shall to your judgment appear the best for the public Service. I duly transmit all your letters to the Commander in Chief. I have but little doubt but that Wayne will attack the Post should he arrive there in force. I should presume he would not effect this purpose suddenly nor before the works will be provided with Artillery as directed. This force I understand does not at present consist of more than sixteen hundred Continental Troops. Colonel McKee's information to me is merely a transcript of his communication to you. He by no means intimates any apprehensions of the Chickasaws or Light Troops moving on so rapidly. Indeed I should hope that such an event would be too hazardous in fact and to venture a judgment at this distance, it appears too premature in theory. I cannot sufficiently commend your prudence in respect to the Indians. There is no reason that in compliance with any arrogant pretensions of the United States we should withdraw from them our customary protection, nor should we in our transactions with them be ostentatious in displaying an enmity to the States. Mr. Jay, I have good reason to believe, delayed his departure for some time in order to collect information at New York of the hostile interference of this Government with the Indians in respect to the United States, and it is said he has been furnished with ample proofs. I cannot but hope with you that circumstances may bear a brighter aspect and that the prospects of an honorable peace may encrease between the Indian Nations and their encroaching Neighbours. Lt. Col. England. (Draft.) Sir: FROM LORD GRENVILLE TO GEORGE HAMMOND. DOWNING STREET, July 17th, 1794. Your several dispatches to me inclusive have been duly received and laid before the King-The shortness of the time which I understand to be allotted for the sailing of the American ship which carries this dispatch and the uncertainty of the consequences do not allow me to enter into the particulars of what has passed since S.C.-22 the arrival of Mr. Jay on the Subject of the important Commission with which he is charged. I shall therefore confine myself to the informing you that the general Language and Conduct of that Gentleman has hitherto been satisfactory to this Government, and that in consequence of a conversation which we have had relative to the supposed intention of His Majesty's Officers in Canada to establish a Fort on the Little Miamis River, the motions and apprehensions in which that measure may probably have originated and the consequences to which it may have led, He gave the most explicit assurance that Genl. Wayne had no orders that could authorize his attacking any of the Posts held by His Majesty since the Peace, and it was agreed between us, that during the present negotiation, and until the conclusion of it, all things ought to remain and be preserved in Statu quo; that, therefore, both parties should continue to hold their possessions, and that all encroachments on either side should be done away; that all hostile measures, (if any such should have taken place), shall cease, and that in case it should have unfortunately happened that Prisoners or property should have been taken, the prisoners shall be released and property be restored, and that both Governments should immediately give orders and instructions accordingly. Orders to this effect will accordingly be sent by the first direct conveyance to Quebec and I enclose you a duplicate in order that you may forward it to Upper Canada. In addition to the letter from Mr. Secretary Dundas to Your Lordship by which Your Lordship is apprised of the arrival of Mr. Jay, Envoy Extraordinary from the American States to this Court, I seize the earliest opportunity of enclosing a copy of a letter from Lord Grenville to Mr. Hammond. Mr. Jay has given the most explicit assurances that General Wayne had no orders which could authorize his attacking any of Posts held by his "Majesty since the peace, and it has been agreed with between His Lordship and Mr. Jay, that during the present negociation, and until the conclusion of it, all things ought to remain in Statu quo; that therefore both parties should continue to hold their possessions, and that all encroachments on either side should be done away; that all hostile measures, (if any such should have taken place), shall cease, and that in case it should unfortunately have happened that prisoners or property should have been taken, the prisoners shall be released and property restored, and that both Governments should immediately give orders and instructions accordingly." In consequence therefore of the above agreement between Lord Grenville and Mr. Jay, I am to signify to Your Lordship, His Majesty's pleasure that you should take the most immediate and effectual measures for fulfilling the same in every particular on your part, and Your Lordship will not fail to notify to Genl. Wayne without delay, or to whomsoever else it may be necessary, the Object of your instructions on this head with such other particulars as you shall judge requisite for the more speedily carrying the above Agreement into execution. Your Lordship will observe that the enclosed letter from Lord Grenville to Mr. Hammond will contain a duplicate of this, my letter to Your Lordship, and I shall by the same conveyance transmit a copy of it to Lieut. Governor Simcoe for his guidance and direction, in case he should not previously have received the necessary orders grounded thereon from Your Lordship, which you will however not delay to send to him as soon after the receipt of this letter as possible. I am, My Lord, &c. PORTLAND. Rt. Honble. Lord Dorchester. SURVEYOR GENERAL'S OFFICE. Notice is hereby given to all persons who have obtained Assignments of Land on Dundas Street, leading from the Head of Burlington Bay to the Upper Forks of the Thames River: and on Yonge Street, leading from York to Lake Simcoe, that unless a Dwelling House shall be Built on every Lot under certificate of location and the same occupied within one year from the date of their respective assignments such lots will be forfeited on the said Roads. Upper Canada, July 15th, 1794. (Printed in the Upper Canada Gazette, 1794.) D. W. SMITH, Sir: FROM J. G. SIMCOE TO JOHN SMITH. July 17th. It appearing necessary for the King's Garrison at Niagara, that the buildings which have from time to time been erected on the Beach should in the greater part be removed, I am to direct that you give intimation to the Inhabitants that without loss of time they remove themselves and families, and you will be pleased to take such measures as you shall deem requisite for the accomodation of Officers and persons on the Staff who have hitherto been permitted to reside upon the Beach. I have the honor to be, &c. Major Smith, Commanding at Niagara. J. G. S. Dear Sir: FROM J. G. SIMCOE TO GEORGE HAMMOND. NAVY HALL, 18th July, 1794. In compliance with the reasons which directed my official letter to Your Excellency of the 24th of August last, I enclose for your perusal a copy of a despatch I have just received and transmitted to Mr. Dundas, and the duplicate of which I beg to commit to Your Excellency to be forwarded to Great Britain. I have received no communications from you whatsoever since the Major of Brigade left this place, excepting your request that I would send a confidential |