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Sir:

FROM E. B. LITTLEHALES TO CAPTAIN SEWARD.

NAVY HALL, August 2nd, 1794.

A considerable quantity of ammunition and ordnance stores having lately arrived at Kingston from Lower Canada, I am to acquaint you that I am directed to write to the Commandant of that Garrison to order the non-commissioned officers in charge of stores and the rest of the Artillery Men at that Post to be employed in making up musket ball cartridges to the amount of thirteen barrels of powder, which order you will be pleased to facilitate in its execution by any further instructions you may think proper to give the Artillery at Kingston, of course, not contravening the orders of the Commanding Officer there.

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His Excellency the Lieut. Governor, having thought proper to order Captain Smith's Company to be hutted at the Forty Mile Creek, I am to desire that you will order Ensign Pearce, with any Privates or Non-Commissioned Officers of the Company at York, to be sent immediately to join Captain Smith, who will arrange with you all internal matters.

Captn. Shank, Queen's Rangers.

I have the honor to be, &c.

E. B. LITTLEHALES.

Sir:

FROM ALEXANDER MCKEE TO R. G. ENGLAND.

RAPIDS, 2nd August 34 past Eleven O'clock at night.

An express arrived this moment from the Glaize informing me that a deserter came in this morning, but from his dress he does not appear to be a common person, and he tells the Indians that he left Fort Recovery yesterday morning; that 1,100 troops and 400 Militia were to commence their march this morning for Kettle Creek, where they have decided to build a Fort. In the meantime the cavalry are to push immediately for the Glaize, but he thinks it probable in consequence of his desertion, that the Light Horse will be at the Glaize this evening or to-morrow morning. I send this by express that you may be apprised of this information with all possible dispatch. I have the honor to be, &c.

Colonel England, Detroit.

A. MCKEE.

Sir:

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

CHIPPAWA, OFF TURTLE ISLAND, 2nd August, 1794.

I am thus far on my return from Miamis Fort which I left at seven o'clock this morning, and now write by the Ottawa, which I directed should meet me here, as well to communicate the latest intelligence from the Miamis Country to Your Excellency, as to take on board Lieutenant Pilkington, who previous to my leaving Detroit, requested me to have an opportunity of returning to Niagara.

My visit to Fort Miamis at this time was principally occasioned by a report I received from thence that the Detachment was in general sick, that consequently the work there went on very slowly, and that Lieutenant Pilkington was tired of his situation, and seeing no probability of the work he had undertaken being accomplished in proper time, was anxious to leave it. I took with me some fresh noncommissioned Officers and men, reduced the duty there and the detachments on Turtle Island encouraged the men by an allowance of Rum, desired an exertion of a few days, and while I remained there made considerable progress in the different works, and prevailed on Lieutenant Pilkington to remain at least ten days longer with his artificers, at which time the Fort will be well out of danger of assault. As Lieutenant Pilkington said he had your directions to return and bring away the men of the Rangers, his delay was occasioned more by entreaty than by order on my part, but his going away at this time would be attended with a severe check to the work, and the very desirable end of putting the Fort out of danger of assault not accomplished.

While I was at the Fort three six pounders were mounted, and one Nine pounder left there to be mounted whenever the proper place was prepared for it, which by report will be in three days. The other Guns directed by Your Excellency are on board the Gun Boats, laying here, waiting the orders of Captain Stiell, and I expect before Lieutenant Pilkington goes away that the whole will be mounted properly.

Both he and Lieutenant Adye have solicited me to send to Fort Miamis two Howitzers that I have mounted at Detroit on travelling carriages, but I did not wish to send any ordnance that Your Excellency did not direct, and informed them that I should wait for your orders on the subject. They may be of service, but if the number of their pieces of ordnance is increased they should have more Artillery

men.

The climate in the neighbourhood of the Fort is now very unhealthy, as well to the natives as the Garrison. There are at present above forty men of the Detachment sick. The Surgeon who has charge of them reported to me that their sickness proceeded principally from remarkable thick fogs in the morning and evening, and constant work during the intense heat of the day, and strongly recommended some Rum to be given to them to qualify the bad water they are obliged to make use of, in consequence of which I have directed a proportion of Rum To be issued to them, relying on your orders to authorize it, as I am confident you will conceive the expence well applied if it preserves the health of the soldiers, and enables the Detachment at this particular time to accomplish the very desirable purpose they are employed on.

Should you not approve of a small proportion of Rum being occasionally issued to them I lay my account to paying for it.

I would be happy to hear from Your Excellency if possible previous to my sending for Lieutenant Pilkington, which I promised him should be in ten days from hence.

I refer you to Colonel McKee's letter which I herewith enclose for an account of General Wayne's Army, and the situation of the Indians of this Country. Nothing particular has transpired during my stay at Fort Miamis.

I should be glad the Dunmore was dispatched from Fort Erie with all convenient speed. I have the honor to be, &c.

His Excellency Lieutenant Governor Simcoe.

R. G. ENGLAND.

Sir:

FROM ALEXANDER MCKEE TO R. G. ENGLAND.

RAPIDS, 4th August, 1794.

I now send in the deserter mentioned in my letter of the 2nd, the force now on foot and the declared object of its advance to this place, seem to require that His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor should be possessed as soon as possible of the information of this man and it is on that account that I have forwarded him immediately to you. He may possibly assume the character he appears under to deceive us for it is not likely a young man like him would desert the Militia at so great a personal risk to look after a brother who by his own account was in security at Detroit.

Enclosed I send you the information and am with great respect, &c.

Colonel England.

A. MCKEE.

THE INFORMATION OF ROBERT NEWMAN, A DESERTER.

RAPIDS, 4th August, 1794.

The Informant says that he was born in Virginia and has resided near the Falls of the Ohio two years, that he joined General Wayne's Army with the Kentucky Militia, of which he was an Acting Quarter Master on the 23rd of July, and this Reinforcement consists of 1500 men well mounted and engaged for 21 months from the 11th July, and that he left the Army in hope of getting to Detroit where, as he had been informed by another prisoner who escaped, his brother now lived. That on the 27th General Wayne commenced his march with his whole Army, now 3,300 men and that at the time of his leaving it they were advanced 21 miles on this side of Fort Recovery, he having surveyed the road for the Army that distance to the River Miami where they were erecting a Fort. That General Wayne's intention is to advance forming a chain of posts first to the Glaize and afterwards to this place, where he understands there is a British Fort, which he has positive orders to reduce, and that his operations against Detroit will commence from hence in the Spring. That there are only as yet two Cannon (6 pounders) with the Army, and about 21 small howitzers, but it is expected their ordnance will be increased by the time they commence their attack on this Fort. That the number of Indians attached to their Army, was until lately, about 1500 but since the action

of Fort Recovery in which some of them were killed, they are reduced to less than 210.

He further adds that it was calculated it would take 21 days for the Army to get to this place from the time of their moving from Fort Greenville on the 27th July.

A. MCKEE, S.I.A.

FROM JOHN JAY TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.

LONDON, 5 August, 1794.

(Extract.)

"I am this moment returned from a long conference with Lord Grenville. Our prospects become more and more promising as we advance in the business. The compensation cases, (as described in the answer), and the amount of damages will, I have reason to hope, be referred to the decision of commissioners to be mutually appointed by the two governments, and the money paid without delay on their certificates, and the business closed as speedily as may be possible. The question of admitting our vessels into the Islands, under certain limitations, is under consideration, and will soon be decided. A treaty of commerce is on the carpet. All other things to be agreed, the posts will be included. They contend, that the article about the negroes does not extend to those, who came in on their proclamations, to whom (being vested with the property in them by the right of war) they gave freedom, but only to those who were bona fide, the property of Americans when the war ceased. They will I think insist, that British debts, so far as injured by lawful impediments, should be repaired by the United States by decision of mutual commissioners. These things have passed in conversation, but no commitments on either side; and not to have any official weight or use what

ever.

"The King observed to me the other day: 'Well, Sir, I imagine you begin to see, that your mission will probably be successful.' 'I am happy, may it please your Majesty, that you entertain that idea.' 'Well, but don't you perceive, that it is like to be so?' "There are some recent circumstances' (the answer to my representation, &c.), 'which induce me to flatter myself that it will be so.' He nodded with a smile, signifying that it was to those circumstances that he alluded. The conversation then turned to indifferent topics. This was at the drawing-room. "I have never been more unceasingly employed, than I have been for some time past and still am; I hope for good, but God only knows. The William Penn sails in the morning. I write you these few lines, to let you see that the business is going on as fast as can reasonably be expected; and that it is very important that peace and quiet should be preserved for the present. On hearing last night that one of our Indiamen had been carried into Halifax, I mentioned it to Lord Grenville. He will write immediately by the packet on the subject. Indeed I believe they are endeavoring to restore a proper conduct towards us everywhere; but it will take some time before the effects will be visible. I write all this to you in confidence, and for your own private satisfaction. I have not time to explain my reasons but they are cogent. I could fill some sheets with interesting communications, if I had leisure; but other matters press and must not be postponed; for

'there is a tide in the affairs of men,' of which every moment is precious. Whatever may be the issue, nothing in my power to insure success shall be neglected nor delayed."

(W. C. Ford. The Writings of Washington, 12, pp. 477-8. note.)

No. 29.

FROM J. G. SIMCOE TO HENRY DUNDAS.

NAVY HALL, August 5th, 1794.

Sir:
Having an opportunity by Capt. Vandeleur, (late of the Garrison at the
Miamis,) who returns to Great Britain on Promotion, I think it proper to avail
myself of the means, & of briefly stating to you the precise situation of this Country.

The Indian Nations after an Action on the 30th of May with a convoy in which they were successful, pursued their Enemy to the fort Recovery, where they met with some loss, which together with the Want of Provisions, their having got several Scalps, & having struck their blow, occasioned them in a great manner to Separate & return home; leaving Runners however, to call them together should Mr. Wayne advance.

Their principal Chiefs have called upon Lt. Colonel England for the Assistance of twenty Men and two Pieces of Cannon to attack Fort Recovery. The Fort at The Miamis is in a compleat State of defence.

The Troops of the United States have not established themselves at the Presqu' Isle.

The Corn Planter whose residence has been for some time past in the interior of the Country has sent, not to the Sachems, but to the Warriors of the Six Nations, to join him, to escort his Women and Children in safety to Cataragoras or The Buffaloe Creek as may be Thought expedient, & in all Appearance, Hostilities will commence between the Six Nations & the People of the States.

The Onondagoes have principally left the Genesee Country, & Messages have been sent to the Oneidas to invite them to rejoin the Confederacy.

The State of New York are establishing Posts at Fort Stanwix, Fort Brewerton, The Three Rivers Point, & Oswego Falls within twelve miles of our Post.-They also mean to erect a post to cover the Onondago Salt Works; a manufactory of considerable importance to them in case of a rupture with G Britain.—

The Inhabitants of the Genesees I hear, are quitting of that Country; no new Settlers arrive there, & many have emigrated into this Province.

Under a mature Consideration of the existing situation of This Country, & viewing it in the most favorable light, It is apparent that to the Westward, (the Detroit & Miamis) the Indians as they represent, cannot maintain their Country on a defensive System against the Chain of Garrisons or prevent the Advance of General Wayne without our Assistance. This Assistance must absolutely be extended to the demolition of Fort Recovery & if possible, that of Fort Jefferson, or the entrenched Camp at Grenville.-to effect this Measure Good Officers good Troops Secrecy, & Expedition are absolutely required—

In respect to Lake Erie the same reasoning holds good to prevent the Armies of the States from occupying of Presq' Isle, or remaining at Le Boeuf, or even Fort Franklin

The Ontario must be preserved by the destruction of the Genesee Settlements, & the assembling all the force that We can possibly collect both Naval & Military

S.C.-24

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