Sir: FROM ALEXANDER MCKEE TO R. G. ENGLAND. RAPIDS, 14th August, 1794. The enclosed speech from General Wayne with Miller's instructions came here this morning. I overheard him telling the Indians that the designs of the Army were against the English and when I spoke to him about it in public he readily agreed to take the enclosed oath in the presence of the several Nations. As soon as I am informed of the determination of the Indians upon this message I shall lose no time in acquainting you of it. I have the honor to be, &c. A. MCKEE. Colonel England, &c., &c. Sir: FROM R. G. ENGLAND TO J. G. SIMCOE. DETROIT, Aug. 14th, 1794. I had the honor at six o'clock on the 8th Inst. to forward to your Excellency by Express by land a letter which I had that moment received from Colonel McKee, accompanied with the information of William Griffin, a Deserter from the Army of the United States, under the Command of General Wayne. I then informed your Excellency that I proposed to send fifty men of the 24th Regiment under the Command of Major Campbell to reinforce Fort Miamis, and early the next morning I embarked two strong Companies, with eight men of the Royal Artillery, the Recruiting party and Recruits belonging to the Queen's Rangers under the Command of Lieutenant Givins, who all sailed immediately in the Chippawa. With this reinforcement, I sent two small Howitzers mounted on grasshopper carriages, with a fresh supply of ammunition, and one hundred barrels of provisions, which I conceived would be requisite for the Indians, though a large boat attached to Colonel McKee's Department had sailed two days before with provisions, and another large boat, also attached to his Department, was loading and then preparing to sail. At six o'clock on the morning of the 10th Inst. I received a letter from Colonel McKee, a copy of which I herewith enclose Your Excellency, in consequence of which I immediately hired two small schooners belonging to the Merchants here (none of the King's vessels being then here) and sent them also to Turtle Island, laden with two hundred and fifty barrels of provisions, inclusive of a large supply of Indian Corn. Finding by Captain Stiell's report to me that he had ordered all the Troops into the Fort, though the buildings for their reception were not in any degree of forwardness, nor the casemates prepared for his provisions and ammunition, and knowing from my late visit that the work was incomplete, and the wood in the front and flanks of it necessary to be burnt away, I procured with the exertions and influence of the Honorable Mr. Baby, one hundred volunteer Canadians without Arms to go and work there for fifteen days, on promising them payment. They sailed from hence two days ago under the direction of Mr. Francis Baby, and at the same time fifty volunteers from the new settlement on Lake Erie, with Arms and ammunition, under the Command of Lieutenant-Colonel Caldwell, sailed to reinforce the Fort if necessary, or to be employed as Major Campbell may direct, who has orders to be particularly attentive to them, and not to permit them to commit anything hostile against the Army of the United States except he find it absolutely necessary; and knowing from his discretion and prudence that he will not be the aggressor, I had no difficulty in entrusting those men to his care. this assistance to the work I hope it will in a short time be in a respectable state of defence. With The letter I enclose from Colonel McKee is the last I received but I am in hourly expectation of hearing from Major Campbell, who, from the winds that prevailed after he sailed, must have had a quick passage. From my not hearing from him I conjecture General Wayne has not advanced further than the Glaize, where no doubt he will build a redoubt. Commodore Grant in the Chippawa, well armed, with the Seamen and Artificers and the Gun Boats under his direction, is stationed off Turtle Island to protect and forward to the Fort, stores and provisions as may be necessary. Runners with painted tobacco are sent from the Indians assembled at the foot of the Rapids to all the neighbouring Tribes to come to their assistance, and I understand that they intend to endeavour to stop the progress of General Wayne's Army. I am concerned to mention that by Captain Stiell's last report he lost by death some of his detachment, and that forty-six of the 24th Regiment were that day in the Surgeon's report, exclusive of some of the Royal Artillery, and the Military and other Artificers under the Command of Lieutenant Pilkington. Major Campbell had directions previous to his leaving to send here immediately all such cases as in his opinion and the opinion of the Surgeon did not promise to be shortly of use to him. It was with a view to stop this prevailing disease that I directed a little Rum to be mixed with the water for the men when I was at Fort Miamis, which the Surgeon not only strongly recommended but said it was absolutely requisite and necessary. However favorable this attempt may have proved it was by no means intended to have continued it, knowing it was not authorized by His Excellency the Commander in Chief, which I request you will be pleased to inform His Excellency in your next letter; but in this time of general exertion I conceived a trial so strongly recommended by the Surgeon should be made to preserve the health of the Troops, which in my mind is at all times the first object to attend to. I now write by the Beaver, a private vessel, which is in a hurry to sail, and did not till this morning acquaint me with her intentions. I send in her the Deserter, William Griffin, mentioned in this letter. I detain Mr. Newman, the Militia Quarter Master, for the Dunmore, one of the King's vessels, which I propose to send by the way of Turtle Island as soon as possible. She only this morning arrived, is not yet unloaded, and the Officer who commands her reports that she makes so much water that she will require careening before she is fit for service. Your Excellency is already acquainted with the very reduced state of this Garrison, and will best judge if any reinforcement to it is requisite, or if you can spare any. I remain here ready to move if I find it necessary from Major Campbell's next letter, though I must confess that I should feel unwilling to leave the King's provisions, stores and vessels that resort here without some protection. The few Troops that are here are constantly employed in the repairs necessary for Fort Lernoult, particularly in removing the old sally-port that has fallen in and occasioned a breach in the work. All means in my power are tried (though perhaps not perfectly legal) to prevent Rum being sent to the Indian Country. I have prohibited it by proclamation and beat of drum. You may be assured of hearing from me by Express on the first news I hear. Mr. Baby' is anxious to know if the approach of the Army of the United States to Fort Miamis is to be considered as an invasion so as to justify him to call out the Militia. We are much at a loss for the last Militia Bill. I have the honor to be, &c. R. G. ENGLAND. FROM JAMES BABY TO J. G. SIMCOE. His Excellency Governor Simcoe: DETROIT, August 14th, 1794. The critical position of affairs at this period in our neighborhood makes me very anxious to hear from Your Excellency in what manner I should proceed. We know the American Army to have been for some days past on this side of the Glaize. A messenger arrived here four days ago from Colonel McKee's Station, who brought intelligence they were to be that night or the day following at the Rapids. There is, however, reason to believe the report to be groundless, as we did not hear from that place for these four days. Finding as yet no aggression, I fear I would not be found justifiable were I to call out the Militia to take them partly or bodily to Fort Miami; should the army upon the other hand come to the Rapids or to the Fort, it might become difficult or too late to give any assistance to our people. I have asked Colonel England's advice upon the subject, but I find him at a loss as well as myself. I will take care to get his approbation in anything I may have to do in my public capacity. Being entirely at a stand, when we heard the enemy approaching very fast, I have tried to take a medium, by sending something more than one hundred young men as artificers, who are joined by fifty more under Captain Caldwell; in case of an attack they would be found in readiness for the defence of the place. It has also this good effect, that the people here expect to be called out; part of them are already warned to be in readiness. I flatter myself they will give no reason to Your Excellency to be displeased. According to Your Excellency's direction, I have mentioned to Mr. Antoine Lasselle what had been written against him and to be more upon his guard for the future; he was a great deal surprised and denied everything; he has tried to come at the knowledge of his accusers in order to clear up his character, but he has been denied their names. To give some proof of his zeal he has gone, as well as his nephew Jacques Lasselle, to the Miami Fort with seven or eight of their men to be employed at the works. He expects this little circumstance will be noticed with a favorable eye by Your Excellency, and the more so, as he has put off a very long journey on that account. I shall expect Your Excellency's instructions with great impatience, as I am left in a great dilemma. Mr. Reynolds having declined the acceptance of the office of Register for this District, for want of time, as he told me, and knowledge of the French language, 1 Hon. Jacques Baby, Lieutenant of the county of Kent. 2 Thomas Reynolds, Deputy Commissary at Detroit. I would beg leave, should there not be too much presumption, to mention Mr. J. BABY. P.S.-An Express arrived this very moment from the Rapids. The number of Indians already gathered again will make up for their late rash conduct, it is to be hoped. I am as confident as ever they will conquer their enemy. Knowing that Colonel England gives Your Excellency the particulars I will not intrude any further upon Your Excellency's time. Sir: FROM E. B. LITTLEHALES TO JOHN MCGILL. NAVY HALL, Aug. 14th, 1794. His Excellency Colonel Simcoe has received both of your letters of the 6th Inst. Directions are to be given for the forwarding the chain and small grapnell from the store at Kingston to York. You will order the Carpenter belonging to the Onondago to build a petty Auger for Lake Erie, either at Chippewa, York, or Niagara, which ever place will be the cheapest and best for this service. I am, &c. E. B. LITTLEHALES. En. & Adj. McGill, York. Sir: FROM E. B. LITTLEHALES TO JOHN BARNES. NAVY HALL, Augst. 14th, 1794. The multiplicity of public business which His Excellency Colonel Simcoe is at present engaged in, prevents his acknowledging the receipt of your letter, but he desires me to inform you that the want of seamen on the Lakes will render it absolutely necessary that some of His Majesty's Vessels should immediately be laid up, especially upon Lake Erie, which at this period will be attended with serious inconvenience to the King's Service. Major Barnes, Quebec. Sir: I have the honor to be, &c. E. B. LITTLEHALES. FROM E. B. LITTLEHALES TO JOHN SMITH. NAVY HALL, August 15th, 1794. You will please to order a detachment of the 5th Regiment under the command of Captain Bunbury, consisting of one subaltern, two sergeants, one Drummer and forty Privates, to proceed immediately to Fort Erie, and afterwards to the Westward-Captain Bunbury will receive his instructions from His Excellency, Colonel Simcoe. I have the honor to be &c. E. B. LITTLEHALES. Major Smith, Niagara. Sir: FROM E. B. LITTLEHALES TO ROBERT PRATT. NAVY HALL, August 16th, 1794. Your letters of the 14th and 16th insts., relative to the sailing of the Ottawa, are now before me, and I had the honor of communicating their contents to His Excellency Colonel Simcoe, who approves of the steps you have taken to forward the detachment under the command of Captn. Bunbury by the Saguina or by the first King's Vessel that shall arrive at Fort Erie, tho' I am induced to believe that it was His Excellency's intention that the Ottawa should have been ordered to call at Detroit with the Attorney-General &c., &c.: nevertheless, it is unfortunate that she departed previous to the arrival of Captain Bunbury. The party of the Queen's Rangers that have been lately ordered to your Post, are to practice continually with the artillery and field pieces, of which you will be pleased to give directions. Capt. Pratt, Fort Erie. I am, Sir, &c. E. B. LITTLEHALES. Dear Sir: FROM J. G. SIMCOE TO DAVID SHANK. August 15th. You will proceed without delay to Niagara Fort with every man and officer you can muster, leaving Quarter Master and your convalescents or disabled men to take care of the Barracks, Stores and Baggage. At Niagara I shall review the Corps. If Bouchette's vessel and Mr. Commissary McGill be not sailed, be so good as to embark the carronades on board of her. The other vessels will immediately return to York. You may bring your tents with you, Tomahawks and hatchets and your Schenectady Boats or Batteaux. It is probable that you will proceed in them round Lake Erie. If Mr. Graham1 would engage a few officers he may accompany you. If not, he may remain and proceed with his work. Endorsed:-To Captain Shank, August 15, '94. FROM R. G. ENGLAND TO J. G. SIMCOE. DETROIT, August 15th, 1794. Sir: I have the honor to forward herewith a copy of a letter I this moment received from Colonel McKee accompanied with several enclosures of all of which I send copies. I send this Dispatch to the Mouth of the River, in expectation of there overtaking the Beaver which sailed from here last night with my dispatches of yesterday's 1 Probably William Graham, formerly a Captain in the Duke of Cumberland's Provincial Regiment, Captain in the York Militia, 1798; Lieut-Col. commanding 1st Regiment of York Militia, 1812-14. |