Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

Should this place become the Capital of the Country, the facility which the main branch of the Thames gives to the access of the Indians from Lake Huron, and its other streams to those from Lake Sinclair, and the Grand River would render it extremely easy for the King's presents to be delivered to all the nations at a given Season; such excepted, which might be mutually convenient to be issued elsewhere.

In stating for your information, Sir, the system which appears to me to be the best calculated to Consolidate all the Advantages that may be expected from this important Colony, I am to represent to you that I cannot possibly venture to occupy the Capital without a competent force; and tho' in my original communications to you, Sir, and to his Majesty's Ministers, I suggested the propriety of a force adequate to those purposes, which circumstances of general Consideration, I presume rendered inexpedient to be adopted; yet, as since that period, his Majesty has thought proper to augment the Establishment of his Army, a sufficient force is thereby already provided to embrace the whole extent of the system which personal observation has most eminently confirmed. If therefore, The Regiments now in Upper Canada shall be compleated early next year to their full complement, and the Arrangement in consequence of such addition left to my discretion, I shall be enabled without alteration of the present Garrisons of Oswego, Niagara, and Detroit, to occupy London with three hundred men, and Long Point and York and the necessary Posts of communication with sufficient detachments.

I need not point out to you, Sir, how far this disposition of Posts is pr. paratory also to the withdrawing of the King's Forces from the Barrier Forts, an event, that must take place sooner or later if the Government of the United States hold their present language; unless it may be thought worth while to enter into a War for their preservation, the Line of Communication I have proposed, will be of such a nature, as that the Troops of the Colony may be collected to operate wherever it may be thought expedient for its security, or for Offence.

It is to be observed that no Military Assistance whatsoever can be expected from the Inhabitants of this Frontier in case of Indian Hostilities, and very little under existing circumstances should there be a rupture with the United Statesbut whatsoever might be the assistance to be drawn from the Country it certainly would accumulate by the appearance of a central force.

Upon the first news of the rupture with France, I determined to withdraw the Queen's Rangers from the unhealthy Vicinity of Niagara where they were encamped, and to occupy York. I submitted to the Commander in Chief my Intentions and desired his Sanction to Authorize me to construct a Block House to defend the Entrance to the Harbour, detailing to him Its properties and the security it would afford to the civil Government of the Province, at the same time stating in the Capacity of Civil Governor, that was I not obedient to his Authority, I should instantly occupy and in some degree secure that Post, for the residence of the Civil Officers of Government, and that the only protection of the Country should not depend on such a miserable fortress as Niagara, situated within the Line of the United States.

As Major General Clarke was in expectation of the arrival of Lord Dorchester, He was not inclined to issue any Orders relative to the Points which I had stated to him, but permitted me to avail myself of such assistance as I had pointed out might be procured from some old cannon that had been condemned (but which yet might be of specific service) and some Carronades to give the appearance of fortifying the Harbour.

The lateness of the Season has prevented me from building Storehouses to

lodge the Cargo of the Scipio and other Public Stores consequent to the erection of the Government-these I propose to Construct in such a manner as to serve for the defence of the Harbour and I wish to be authorized to occupy the Post at Long Point in a similar method. The Posts at Bois blanc and Maisonville's Island. seem well adapted for the same species of Fortification. I am well aware that all expences for Military fortifications agreeably, Sir, to the Instructions on that Head, should pass in the regular channel of the Commander in Chief to the Board of Ordnance, to receive the Ultimate approbation or rejection, but, Sir, I am convinced it will not escape you that the very peculiar Circumstances of Upper Canada form an exception to that General Principle, the last year I hutted the Queen's Rangers as well as possible near to Niagara, and I fitted up the King's Barracks and Storehouses to contain the Officers of the Government, and to accomodate the Legislature of the Province, who must for some time have their annual Assembly at that place. These temporary buildings I thought it a great public saving to refit, as it is most probable they may be required hereafter for various Governmental purposes, or sold advantageously for the public benefit.

As the Buildings were originally military, and in a great part intended for military purposes, the Commander in Chief, General Clarke, convinced of their necessity, admitted them under that cogent exception as Military Works-but it Appears that such an admission has been thought improper, and the Expences of these buildings must rest upon my responsibility as Civil Governor.

The Occupation of the Harbour of York I totally take upon myself in that Capacity; and I should forthwith proceed on the Storehouses which I propose to erect, as is most proper for the Public Service, but at the same time being convinced that as permanent Storehouses may be so built as to contribute essentially to the Strength of this important Post, and the whole Colony, and the incorporating such a Military purpose into the arrangement of what is necessary to preserve the Public Stores bringing it under the cognizance of the Board of Ordnance, I feel myself much embarassed.

Under this difficulty, I have desired the Engineer, Lieut. Pilkington, who is now here, in his way to accompany me to Lake Huron, to furnish me with the aggregate of his Estimate of the Expence which the purposed Storehouses and Block House will cost, and which I consider as absolutely necessary for the defence and security of the Province entrusted to my charge, and in the most particular manner which His Majesty's Instructions direct, and which Public Exigency seems at this period most peculiarly to require, I am with all respect most anxiously to solicit your speedy determination thereon.

The Stores which I have been furnished with for the Erection of Public Buildings, Government Houses, &c., are now dispersed in such places as have with difficulty been obtained from other purposes at Kingston and Niagara.

If the bona fide completion of the Regiments in this Province to their full establishments shall take place early in the ensuing summer, I shall be enabled by the succeeding Spring to occupy the Capital and to carry into Execution the great business my Heart is engaged in, I trust, to the satisfaction of His Majesty's Ministers, by laying the foundation of a solid support to the Wealth, the Power, and the Navigation of Great Britain.

On the Other Hand, Sir, if existing Circumstances should prevent the Troops in this Province from being completed, to their establishment; or when completed, the additional Numbers beyond the present Garrisons shall not be left at my disposal by the Commander in Chief, should such be the case, I trust, that I shall be honored at an early period with your decision-and in that case I am to request that you

will be pleased to intimate whether I shall make use of the Scipio's Stores, and proceed in the Establishment of the seat of Government, in this important and healthy situation, or whether they shall be reserves for some future Arrangement.

I take this opportunity of enclosing the letter which I sent to Mr. Hammond in compliance with the directions in your dispatch of the second of May. I also transmit Colonel McKee's letter on the unfortunate termination of the Indian Treaty with the United States.

I am sorry to add that by late accounts tho' not from Official Authority, there is reason to believe that the Chippewas, Poutewatamies, and Ottawas have left the Indian Confederacy; as these Nations principally live within the British Line, the Success or failure of the Western Indians in their present expedition against the United States may hasten those important consequences, which are always to be dreaded, & must sooner or later happen from the Situation of the People of this Colony in respect to the United States.

I beg to Observe, that should my Plan be adopted and London made the seat of Government, a small tract of land must be purchased (as formerly recommended by Capt. Brant) of the Chippewas, and under the Circumstances of the Country I should think this a fortunate Event, as in the management of this business, I make no doubt I should be able to conciliate this Powerful Tribe (of whom no purchase has been made) by a triffling Expence to the King's Interest, and the benefit of the Colony.

I have the honor of being with the utmost Respect, Sir,

Your most Obt.
J. G. SIMCOE.

Endorsed: Upper Canada, 20 Sepr. 1793. Lt. Govr. Simcoe. R. 23d Decr. No 18. (Seven Enclosures).

FROM J. G. SIMCOE TO GEORGE CLINTON.

NIAGARA, September 20th, 1793.

Sir:

I was duly honored with your Excellency's letter of the 17th of August, relative to a murder committed by Jacob Valentine on an Onondago Chief with your request that the murderer might be delivered to the Officer of your Government, in case, as is suspected, he shall be found within Upper Canada.

I assure your Excellency that I shall use my utmost endeavor to have this atrocious murderer delivered over to justice and for that purpose have given directions that every assistance be afforded to your Officer who goes in one of His Majesty's vessels from hence to Kingston.

I am aware there are some legal difficulties that might be stated in this business, but I shall always be ready to stretch my authority to manifest any just abhorrence of so foul a crime against the law of nature and of Nations, and, cannot close this my first correspondence with your Excellency without assuring you of my most cordial disposition to promote on every occasion the most friendly intercourse and understanding between our respective Countries.

I have the honor to be with great consideration and personal respect,
Your most obedient and most humble servant,

His Excellency Governor Clinton.
New York.

J. G. SIMCOE.

mills.

REQUISITION.

YORK, UPPER CANADA. Septr. 21st, 1793.

Return of materials necessary for Government Service in Upper Canada. Fifty Axes agreeably to the form transmitted.

Cranks, Gudgeons & Rag Wheels, other materials to complete Three saw

Paints for Boats & other purposes.

A small Jack, middling sized Jack, & large Jack, with Hooks & Wheels & a Top for laying Ropes-used in a Rope making Business.

J. GRAVES SIMCOE.

Lt. Govr. of Upper Canada.

Endorsed: (in Lieut. Govr. Simcoe's of the 28 Sept. 1793)

(1)

The axes are to be made of the best material and of the Shape and size of the pattern sent. The Ax will then weigh rather more than five pounds but should it be found to be less, it must be encreased to that weight, preserving still the same proportion.

Particular Attention must be given to tempering of the Steel without which the Ax will be of no value as in the case of those already sent over. The little attention given to this particular in England has already deprived her of a great part of the manufactory of edge tools and will eventually deprive her of the whole. Those made in America, tho' not so neatly fabricated are of infinite more value to the several persons who use them. It is Customary with the Manufacturers in America to warrant the Quality of the tools they make for six months, and take back or replace those that are found insufficient.

This ought to be adopted in England.

Endorsed:-In Lieut. Govr. Simcoe's of the 28th Sept. 1793.

J. G. S.

(2).

FROM J. G. SIMCOE TO THE DUKE OF RICHMOND.

My Lord Duke,

YORK (late Toronto) 23 Sepr. 1793.

As I have obtained sufficient personal information of the Colony of Upper Canada to enable me to submit to the consideration of His Majesty's Ministers such a general system as seems to be most proper for its present security and future advantage, I have in obedience to the general tenor of my Instructions transmitted a comprehensive report upon this important subject to Mr. Dundas, accompanied by such maps and surveys as might elucidate my opinion.

I have therein also stated at length the reasons which render me unwilling to take upon myself the erection of such fortifications as I am confident the service of His Majesty requires, and which peculiar circumstances as administering the Civil Government of this Country, would most amply justify me in the immediate execu

tion of, did I not conceive that there might be sufficient time for the submitting my Ideas to the King's Ministers and obtaining of Your Grace military sanction and approbation. Upon this consideration I most respectfully beg leave to submit to Your Grace such a detail of the principles of the species of fortification which I wish to erect at York (or Toronto) and of the particular nature of the ground as it is in my power to procure. The general plan will shew Your Grace the position of the Harbour and Isthmus, which I propose to fortify, the plan of the particular point, the exact nature of the ground. Upon very mature consideration I have adopted as a general principle that in the establishment of this Province in its infant state, and taking into consideration the number of troops which are allotted for its defence, the force and the nature of the surrounding Nations, that Block Houses of stone to be placed on Islands, on points of land, are the least expence and most proper species of fortification. Such Block Houses and in the order I should wish them constructed at York, at the Island near the Harbour at Long Point, at the Islands Bois Blanc and Maisonville, in the Streight of Detroit, and on Missassagua Point commanding the Niagara River, and some point that may serve to command the Harbour and Town of Kingston. My first and principal object is that of erecting a Block House to command York Harbour, an explanation of which, allowing for those deviations that the situations of ground may occasion, may serve to elucidate the Ideas on which the whole may be formed.

To collect the numerous Stores for the Civil purposes of Government which are now dispersed into various places, as the necessity of the case has compelled, I propose that the Store-houses for these temporary purposes should be built so as to become the lower story of a Block House, which might serve for the Arsenals of the Country.

This Lower Story as applicable to a permanent purpose, I propose to make bomb-proof, as the position admits, with such doors and apertures for air, as in case of siege, might be a healthy Barrack for the Garrison to retire to. Upon the roof of this Story, as on a Cavalier, I propose to erect a Barbette Battery of the heaviest artillery, intermixed with lighter pieces, which might not only command the outworks and adjacent Batteries, but also the entrance of the Harbour and all possibility of any Vessel remaining there in safety.

I beg to observe to Your Grace that this is a material object, as there is no place within the Bay between Niagara and this place, where a Vessel that draws three feet of water can enter or anchor in safety.—

The Upper Story I wish to form as a Block House of Wood, musket-proof, but slight, and which might serve generally as a Barrack for the Garrison, but which might be removed with the greatest facility, and if occasion required it may be embarked and put together in any given point at the shortest notice.

The enclosed letter which I do myself the honor of submitting to Your Grace from Lieut Pilkington, contains the aggregate of his estimates. The particulars he left at Niagara, as his presence here was unexpected, my wishing him to accompany me across the communication to Lake Huron.

Added to the material which Lieut. Pilkington speaks of as easily to be procured, I trust that I shall be able to establish a brickyard at a very cheap rate, on a part I wish to level, near to the proposed situation of the Barracks. In the plan, Your Grace will observe the part marked out for Barracks. It is an exceedingly healthy spot, capable of being easily fortified and in that case of essentially contributing to the protection of the Harbour. At present, if it be possible, I mean to hut the Queen's Rangers so that their log buildings may serve as a good security against any attacks of the Indians, should such be meditated at their dispersion,

« AnteriorContinuar »