My Lord:

FROM J. G. SIMCOE TO LORD DORCHESTER.

NIAGARA, August 24th, 1794.

In conversation with Captain Brant and by a report from Mr. Johnson, I find that Colonel Pickering and others, Commissioners, are intended to meet the Six Nations at the Treaty proposed. They will bring with them a great quantity of Indian presents.

I cannot but again observe to Your Lordship the necessity there is for the King's presents to be sent forward without a moment's loss of time.

I have been obliged to pay the Indians who accompanied me through the Country to the Miamis in specie.

To the Right Honble. Lord Dorchester.

I am, &c.

J. G. SIMCOE.

FROM WILLIAM CAMPBELL TO J. G. SIMCOE.

Sir:

As I consider the events of yesterday of such moment for your Excellency's immediate information, I have taken upon me to direct Commodore Grant, who is now off Turtle Island, to dispatch one of the Vessels under his Command to Fort Erie forthwith; and I now do myself the honor to forward by this conveyance, the examination of James Davis, a deserter, who made his escape into the Fort about two o'clock yesterday, and the information that he brought was afterwards corroborated by two more deserters who got in here in the course of the evening. They particularly agree with him in his account of the want of provisions. They did not hear of any express having arrived from Philadelphia, but they say there was an express arrived in Camp that morning, which they imagined was from Fort Greenville, but were not certain.

In consequence of Davis's information I instantly dispatched a copy of it to Col. McKee, who was with the Indians at Point au Chêne, and this morning great numbers of them are going upwards. As they are mostly mounted I make no doubt but they will soon fall in with the rear of the American Army, as the deserters think they would not march further than the Roche de Bout yesterday.

I also do myself the honor to enclose to Your Excellency copies of my correspondence with General Wayne since his Army came into this neighbourhood, lest those sent by Col. England, with whom I regularly communicated, should not yet have come to hand, and I shall be extremely anxious until I know that my conduct meets with your Excellency's approbation. I considered my situation a very delicate one, and perhaps I had more forbearance than an Officer of higher rank, placed in my situation, might have thought necessary. As I take for granted Col. England has constantly transmitted extracts or the purport of my correspondence with him, since I have had the honor to Command this Post, I will not now trouble you Sir with a repetition.

Permit me Sir to mention that Lt. Pilkington has been indefatigable in his exertions to put this Post in the best possible state of defence the circumstances of the times and the difficulty he laboured under would allow. For though Captain

S.C.-28

Stiell had rendered him every assistance that he possibly could his small Garrison was so worn down with sickness and fatigue that untill my arrival with a reinforcement of two Companies, the works could not make any very rapid progress. Col. England has also since that afforded every assistance he could possibly muster of Canadians, upwards of one hundred arrived in the course of a few days. But from the natural indolence and listlessness of some, and the timidity of others, who ran away when things were likely to become serious, they have not afforded that assistance which might have been expected.

I should be ungrateful if I omitted to mention to your Excellency the constant support and zealous attention I have received from Captain Stiell in the duty of this Post, and I have to except from my observations respecting the conduct of the Canadians, Capt. Rheaume,' with his Compy, 7 and thirty from the River Raisin, and a good many more volunteers who have remained in the Fort, and expressed their willingness to do their utmost. I further take the liberty to mention Mr. Shafflin, who has also remained in the Fort, and most zealously and cheerfully done everything in his power to make himself useful, and I am convinced had the Fort been attacked I should have found much assistance from him, as I had given him the Command of thirty volunteer Canadians.

Commodore Grant has been very attentive in ordering up our Guns and stores. Captain Harrow has used every exertion in bringing them to us. I have omitted to mention that Lt. Adye has been a very active assistant to Lt. Pilkington in the Engineer's Department, as also in the judicious disposition of his Guns.

I have this morning a letter from Captain Bunbury from Turtle Island, dated the 22nd inst., and I understand the Dunmore has been beating off the Island for several days with a contrary wind, with Troops on board for this place.

I am extremely sorry to say that sickness still prevails much amongst us here. Of Captain Stiell's original Garrison not a man has escaped being ill, and many of them have relapsed a first and second time. Before my arrival Captain Stiell sent fifteen of his worst cases to Detroit. Since I came I have sent twentyfive, and I have in this Morning's report of the 24th Regiment only, no less than 40. Few of them are bad cases, and I hope with change of air they may recover. I have the honor to be, &c. WILLIAM CAMPBELL,

Major 24th Regiment, Commanding at Fort Miamis.

Fort Miamis, 24th Aug. 1794.

P.S. Since writing the above another deserter has come in. I have the honor to enclose his examination. Eleven deserters have come into the Fort since yesterday.

His Excellency Lt. Govr. Simcoe.

STATEMENT OF RICHARD ROBISON.

FORT MIAMIS, August 24th, 1794.

The examination of Richard Robison, an American soldier, born at Newcastle in England, came to America seven years ago, and enlisted about four years ago

1 Probably Charles Reaume, afterwards an interpreter in the Indian department.

2 Probably Jacob Schieffelin, formerly a lieutenant in the Detroit Volunteers and secretary to the Indian department.

in the American Army, he left General Wayne's this morning six miles above the Fort. The Army is in great distress for provisions, not having more than fifty barrels of flour with it.

It was supposed to be General Wayne's intention to attack this Fort and that he was prevented by finding it was defended by heavy cannon.

General Wayne gives out that he means now to go to Fort Grenville, and to return in the fall with heavy cannon, and to build several Forts between the Glaize and this place. Many soldiers wished to desert from the American Army, but were deterred from the fear they have of falling into the hands of the Indians.

WM. CAMPBELL, Major 24th Regiment.

Sir:

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

DETROIT, August 24th, 5 O'clock, P.M.

I had just sent orders to the Felicity to get under way when I received from Major Campbell, the very important intelligence which I herewith enclose to your Excellency. The Major's second letter is spirited and proper, and I trust his conduct with General Wayne will meet your Excellency's approbation.

I have sent directions to Captain Bunbury to send him if possible some reinforcement, but desired him to remain in charge of Turtle Island. I don't know what Colonel McKee means by desiring all the force of the Country to assemble for the support of the Indians who have already in a dastardly, cowardly manner retired to Miamis Bay, and left the Fort totally unprotected, the only assistance I can imagine for Major Campbell, is such as Capt. Bunbury can afford him, which I fear cannot be more than half his detachment.

I have the honor to be, &c.

His Excellency Lieut. Gov. Simcoe.

R. G. ENGLAND.

My Dear Sir:

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

DETROIT, August 24th, 4 O'clock P.M.

In consequence of a heavy storm and violent head-wind the Felicity was detained until this moment. Since I wrote to your Excellency yesterday I have not heard a syllable from Fort Miamis, when I do, you may rest assured I will not fail to inform you.

I am &c.

R. G. ENGLAND.

I send by the Felicity three Americans taken prisoners formerly by the Indians. His Excellency Lieut. Gov. Simcoe.

INDEX

Abbatis of fallen trees for the defence of America, 361 note 2, 393 note.

Ambassador to the British Court, John Attorney General of Upper Canada,

421