information given by Robert Newman, who calls himself a deserter from the Kentucky Militia under the Command of General Scott, and who Colonel McKee sent in here yesterday evening, as I conceived it highly necessary that Your Excellency should be in possession of this information as soon as possible, I now dispatch a private vessel (the Saguina) with it and will send a duplicate by land. From a variety of circumstances Colonel McKee apprehends that Newman is not the character he represents. I, therefore, immediately on his arrival here, ordered him on Board His Majesty's Armed Snow the Chippawa, where he is to remain till she sails to Fort Erie. I informed him that his being ashore would be attended with some risk and danger to him, and that he would be perfectly at his ease on Board, where I directed him bedding and a supply of provisions and told him that he should be forwarded to Your Excellency with all convenient speed. From the information he gives it is natural to suppose that something decisive must immediately happen in the neighborhood of the Glaize. I, therefore, avail myself of the Saguina sailing and detain the Chippawa for a few days to transmit any further intelligence that may reach me, and as I don't consider it perfectly secure to send Newman in the Saguina, I also detain him till the Chippawa sails. By a letter from Captain Hull I find that his Detachment continues still very sickly, and that those men who I report to you to have been taken to him are also in general attacked with the prevailing fever. I have, notwithstanding, sent him yesterday a few more men, and Lieutenant Adye, who came in from Fort Miamis with me, sent him eleven artificers and proposes to send him on Friday next eleven more that he has picked up here. I find that Lieutenant Pilkington is still very anxious to return to Niagara with his artificers, notwithstanding the approach of the Americans and the great exertions necessary to be made to put the Fort in a proper state of defence. I no doubt promised to send a vessel for him, but it was at a time when the Fort was not threatened, but I now hope to have your authority to detain him longer. I have spoken to Mr. Baby to collect some Canadians at the River aux Raisins, which I propose to send to Fort Miamis to clear away the wood and to assist in doing whatever may be considered essentially necessary for the Defence of the Post, and he has promised me every assistance in his Power. Should Your Excellency conceive a Reinforcement absolutely requisite, It must come from Niagara, as I have already sent from this Post every man that I think can with propriety be spared from it. I am pressed for the Howitzers, which I shall delay sending till I receive Your Excellency's orders. I was this morning called to a Council of some Huron Chiefs who made me a speech and returned the hatchet they received from Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton in the year 1777 or 1776. They were very peremptory and pointed in their demands for assistance in the Field from their Father and seemed discontented at its being so long delayed. I immediately replied to them and have the honor to send Your Excellency their Speech and my reply and also the hatchet which they desired should be returned, and which I promised them I would do. You will perceive that I was as cautious as possible in my reply, but suppose the time not far distant when I shall be able to speak out. His Excellency Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe. I have the honor to be, &c. R. G. ENGLAND. LIEUTENANT COLONEL ENGLAND'S ANSWER DELIVERED Children: I have heard what you have said and weighed it well. Children: I have heard what you say was communicated to you by your father, Lieutenant Governor Hamilton, when he presented you the hatchet, which you have now returned to me. Children: I have also heard what you say passed at the Council at Sandusky, at the conclusion of the last war, when the hatchet was hid under the leaves. Children: As I am very sensible that your Father in no one instance ever intended to deceive you, I am certain he will not withdraw from you the protection you say he promised you at the different Councils you allude to. Children: You cannot be ignorant that the war you say the Big Knives threaten your Father and his Warriors with, is occasioned by his friendship and alliance with you, and the jealousies and discontent that they feel in consequence of his uniform attachment to you. Children: You cannot be ignorant that your Father has sent some of his Warriors to take Post at the Foot of the Rapids where you will find the same protection that your Father's Posts always afford you, and such provisions and presents as you may have occasion for and have ever been in the custom of receiving from him. Children: You desire me to rise on my feet and lead you against the Big Knives and that you will all then rise up and follow me with a good heart. Children: It is unnecessary to acquaint you that though I am sent here by your Great Father to protect you that it is not in my power to march with his Warriors to war without his orders. Children: I shall this day send the Speech you have now made to me to your Great Father by one of his Ships, but lest the Winds may prevent her going as fast as I wish, I will also send it by land, and when I receive his Answer I will meet you and acquaint you with it. In the meantime I recommend it to you to be of one mind with your brothers at the Glaize to rise up immediately and to go and join them. You will meet Colonel McKee at the Foot of the Rapids, who is at all times ready to give you every assistance and advice in his power. Children: You may be assured that your Father will extend the same protection to your wives and children now that they have ever experienced from him and that provisions and clothing will be ordered for them. Detroit, August 6th, 1794. (A Copy.) R. G. ENGLAND. FROM JOHN BUTLER TO JOSEPH CHEW. Dear Sir: NIAGARA, 7th August, 1794. Two Indians of the 7 Nations of Lower Canada are arrived from the Westward, they request me to Mention to you that they have not received any Clothing at this post.-A Mohawk Indian is also arrived from the Rapids of the Miamis, he Informs me that the Chiefs are Assembled at that Place, and that a Number of the Warriors are hunting, that General Wayne keeps close in his Quarters, that the Indians keep a good Look out and are Determined to defend their Country. The Stationary for the Indian Departmt. is not yet arrived as we are in Want of it I will be glad you will send it as soon as Convenient. The Onondagas, Cayugas & Tuscaroras are Daily coming in from Old Ononda and Thereabouts where they have been Settled Since the Peace. I understand that the Onondagas have sold their Reservation near the Salt springs1-have nothing further to inform you of at present. Joseph Chew, Esqr. I remain, &c. JOHN BUTLER. My Lord: FROM J. G. SIMCOE TO LORD DORCHESTER. NAVY HALL, Aug. 8th, 1794. At the moment of the Onondago's sailing, I have received the enclosed letters relative to the P. Le Dru, who is ordered back to Detroit and out of the Province. Perhaps under present circumstances, it may be worthy of Your Lordship's consideration whether some truly loyal Clergyman might not be of use in the settlement at the River au Raisin, to counteract any improper opinions and transactions, if such a person can be found in Lower Canada. I have the honor to be, &c. Rt. Honble. Lord Dorchester. EXTRACT FROM THE UPPER CANADA GAZETTE, 8TH AUGUST, 1794. NIAGARA, August 8th, 1794. On Thursday last was held at this place a petty Session of the Magistrates of this District, consisting of Peter Russell, Robert Hamilton, Robert Kerr, and William Jarvis, Esqrs. When they appointed a Town Meeting to be held at Newark on Saturday, the 17th Inst. for the purpose of electing the Town and Parish Officers as directed by the late act of the Legislature. We hear that the same day has been fixed for the Electors of the Township of Mount Dorchester [Stamford] by Robert Hamilton and John Burch, Esqrs. 1 Syracuse, N. Y. 2 2 John Burch was born in London, England and emigrated to America at an early age. When the revolution began he was settled as a merchant at Albany, N.Y. His property was seized because of his loyalty and he retired to his farm on the east branch of the Delaware. A party of men was sent to apprehend him but he escaped and took refuge in a neighbouring swamp from which he saw his buildings burnt. He came to Upper Canada and was granted lands near the mouth of Chippawa Creek. He built the first mill at Bridgewater above Niagara Falls. On the organization of the "upper country" into judicial districts he was appointed a magistrate and superintendent of loyalist settlers. He died at his residence there, 8 March, 1797. Sir: FROM R. G. ENGLAND TO J. G. SIMCOE. DETROIT, August 8th, 4 o'clock P.M. I wrote to Your Excellency on the 6th inst. by the Saguina and now have the honor to forward to you a duplicate of my letter and also duplicates of the different enclosures sent you. I was unwillingly obliged to delay sending this express to you until this moment as I could not with the assistance of every one I could apply to, find a proper person to entrust my dispatches with. Since I wrote on the 6th inst., I have not heard from the Miamis which makes me imagine the advance of General Scott and his Militia is not so rapid as Newman mentioned in his information. Though I mentioned to you in my letter of the 6th Inst., that I could not with propriety spare any more men from here, yet conceiving the Post at the Miamis to be in a critical situation, I have ventured to send fifty more men under the command of Major Campbell to reinforce that Post. They are to embark immediately in the Chippawa and I remain here until I receive your further orders. I propose that Commodore Grant should go in the Chippawa to Turtle Island where he will remain with her and the Gun Boats now there to act as occasion may require and to send up provisions and such stores as may be wanted for the Garrison. The Chippawa will be full armed. I venture to send in her the Howitzers that I before mentioned to be landed as Major Campbell may think necessary. I think they may be of great use in case of attack. We will not have a single King's Vessel here after the Chippawa sails. Therefore hope you will be pleased to direct that they may not be delayed at Fort Erie, particularly as detaining the Chippawa for the service I have mentioned will break in on the Transport. I shall not be sparing of expresses by land at this critical time. As Your Excellency already knows the strength of this Garrison and its situation I will not mention more of a Reinforcement for it than to submit the necessity of such a measure to you. I have the honor to be, &c. His Excellency Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe, &c., &c., &c. R. G. ENGLAND. Sir: DETROIT, August 8th, 6 o'clock P.M. I had just dispatched my express to you when I received the information from Colonel McKee that I have now the honor to forward to you. Major Campbell and his Reinforcement, which I will make as respectable as possible, will embark to-morrow. I don't conceive the use of tar the deserter says General Wayne has with him except it is for Boats and Batteaux which he proposes to build. His Excellency, Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe, &c., &c., &c. I am, Sir, &c. R. G. ENGLAND. No. 31. Sir: FROM J. G. SIMCOE TO HENRY DUNDAS. NAVY HALL, August 10th, 1794. At this crisis I think it necessary to communicate to you a Copy of the enclosed letter which I have lately sent to the Commander-in-Chief, Lord DorchesterMajor General Clarke had formerly transmitted to you, Sir, those very momentous Points on which I requested the Orders of the Officer, Chief in Command, whose office and responsibility in my judgment might necessarily enable him to illustrate or decide on what I desired an explanation. I did not make this application to the Major General, as I acquainted him, until I thought it probable that the Commander in Chief had arrived. On His Lordship's arrival, He, by his letter of the 7th of October, No. 1, to which He has lately been pleased to refer me, informed me, "The several answers given by Major General Clarke relative to Orders and instructions which appear to me to decide immediately on Peace or War, I think discreet and prudent, and there I shall leave that business for the present." The whole of the Letter I have formerly transmitted, Sir, for your Perusal. In a communication with me relative to the Claims of Mr. Ogden and the State of New York, dated January 27th, 1794, His Lordship says "Mr. Ogden, I take it for granted, will receive a proper Answer from Mr. Hammond, who is best qualified to speak the language that will be approved by the King's Ministers." The 17th of February is the date of His Lordship's Letter, in which he ordered me to establish a Post at the Miamis. His Lordship always choosing to consider me, not as selected for important Duties, but simply as Commanding the Troops in Upper Canada, and to use his expressions "Your situation as such not being liable to fluctuate as formerly I consider of no small advantage to the King's Service," most undoubtedly leaves me in respect to him, without any degree of Responsibility beyond that of an accidental Command, and under no kind of necessity of risking my character by any misconstruction of Orders issuing from his Authority and on which in my judgment Events render it most necessary that I should in due Season desire His Lordship's further Instructions; but which He thinks proper neither to answer or explain. I beg to enclose the Extract of a Letter from Lord Dorchester, directing me to send a Person to protest in the manner which His Lordship has pointed out against any Settlements being made by the People of the States on the Lakes. In Consequence I have immediately dispatched an Officer to execute this Order on the Sodus and other parts on this Lake—and I have transmitted the same to Lieut.-Colonel England for his Execution, if he deems it practicable. I have the honor to be with the utmost Respect, Sir, Your most Obedient and most humble Servant, The Right Honorable Henry Dundas. &c., &c., &c. J. GRAVES SIMCOE. Endorsed:-Navy Hall, 10th Augt. 1794. Lt. Govr. Simcoe. R. 13th Decr No. 81. (Three Inclosures). |