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Les diagrammes suivants iilustrent la mithode. rrata o leiure. □ 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 r- t 1 f ■^-Jw « i I A mini Erie P] * //^ YIEWS ON LAKE ERIE, COMPRISING. minute aad interesting account of the Conflict on I.akc Erie— Military Anecdotes—Abuses in the Army- Plan of a Mill a ry Settlement— View of the lake coast from Buffalo to Detroit. By SAMUKi. R- BRuWN. « MVIiTUM IN PABVO." TROY, N. Y. PRINTED BY FRANCIS ADANCOURT. 181J \ /6 CS'C> 1 ^ L Minute and Interesting Account ^ of the Naval Confiict on ■ I.A1.E EBIE- . T>-»rrv arrived at Erie in JunCi Commodore Perry amv^ ^^^^^ ^^^^_ with five small ^«^ff '^J^ Lady Prevost, were The aueenparlott«an(ll.aco^ ^.^^_^^^ cruising off Long Pomt to mW ^^ ,^^^^ passed them lu the mght i^'P^J^^ ^„ the Urence ^^.f J^f ^"^^ Jmade to expedite stocks— every ^'^^f' „,':„„„„* and early m their buif ng »^^^.y t" 2" B"^ ''''% August they were leacy ^^^^^^ ^f necessary to pas^Jj^, "^^ ^ was but six feet the harbor, over vrtu^ljec^ ^^,^^^ ^^^.^.^^^ ^vater, and *c/>yg' «'«^.^^ fonhe purpose fleet appeared ort the ^aboi ^^ 1^^^ of pieventmg °"^^ J'u" ^S^ officers to take The means emplojed "y °". j^ug ^nd de- 4V,o hrifs over the bar, were iiig^" . tveSon. . T- l-5^t feefd ep^w^S ^^"^■^A^'t'y wf firlfiUed witlf water prepared— tliey weic ^ vessels U then floated Bj^g^S^yTere ,j^^„ ^^ur- i„ a parallel d^^^^epieces of hewn timber "f ''^rXart S wKh both ends pro- fSt SoA port holes across the scows ; lie space between these timbers and the l.oai 1 bemg secured by otb.rpiecesproperjy arran.r-l ed ; the water was then bailed irom the scow?, thereby g.ving them an astonishini? liftin- power It was tlius (hat the bar was pas "d before the enemy had taken the propei- step, to oppose .t One obstacle was surmounted but the fleet was not in a condition to seek he enemy at Maiden. There were nol at ns tune more than half sailors enough to man the fleet. However, a number of I^ennsvlva- nia militia having volunteered their services the commodore made a short cruize offLon.^ Point, more perhaps, for the purpose of ex- ercising his jnen tlian seeking an enemy. About the last of August commodore Per- ry lelt trie, to co-operate with gen. Harrison i.". the redurtion of Maiden. He anchored otT the mouth of Sandusky river, and had an in- terview with gen. Harrison, who furnished urn with about seventy volunteers, principal- y Kentucbans, to serve as marines on board i^he fleet. Capt. Dobbin, in the Ohio, was or- dered to return.to Erie for provision" The Amelia had been left there for want of men to man her. Exclusive of these he had nine sail mounting in all fifty-four guns. The British fleet at Maiden, consisted of £x sail and mounted sixty-six guns. ' Com. Perry appeared before Maiden, of- fered battle, reconnoitered the enemy and 'T^ rettred to Put-in-Bay, thirty-five miles distant from his antagonist. Both parties remained a few days inactive ; but tiieir repose was that of the lion. Ontlie morning of the 10th of September, at sunrise, the enemy were discovered bearmg down from Maiden for the evident purpose of attacking our squadron, then at anchor in Put- in-Bay. r^ot a moment was to be lost. Our squadron immediately got under way and stood out to meet the British fleet, which at this time had the weather gage. At 10 A. M. the wind shifted from S. W. to S. E. which brou 6 with carronades, at five minutes before twelve- the Lawrence opened upon the enemy-^the other vessels were ordered to sup[K)rt her, but the wind was at this tune too light to enable them to come up. Every brace and bowline of the Lawrence being soon shot avyay, she became unmanageable, and in this situation sustained the action upwards of two hours, wittiin canister distance, until every gun was rendered useless, and but a small part of her crew left unhurt upon deck. At half past two the wind increased and en- abled tlie Niagara to come into close action — tlie gun-boats took a nearer position. Com. Terry left his ship in charge of Lt. Yarnel, and went on board the Niagara. Just as he reach- ed that vessel, the flag of the Lawrence caine down ; the crisis had arrived. Capt. Elliot at this moment anticipated the wishes of the commodore, by volunteering his services to bring the schooners into close action. At forty-five minutes past t\Vo, the signal was made for close action. The Niagara be- ing very little injured, and her crew fresh, the coinmodore determined to pass through the enemy's line ; he accordingly bore up and passed ahead of tlie Detroit, Uueen (Charlotte, and Lady Prevost, pouring a terrible raking fire into them from the starboard guns, and on the Chippeway and Little Belt, from the lar- board *ide, at half pi-:tol /?hot di-:tance. Tl^e r ^^ :e twelve- rny-^— the L her, but enable 1 bowline iway, she situation o hours, gun was irt of her d and en- action — n. Com. irnel, and he reach- ice came pt. Elliot hes of the 3rvices to he signal iagara be- fresh, the rough the e up and C'harlotte, )le raking [IS, and on n the lar- ice. TUe ■nail vessels at this lime having got withm Hnall ^^'=?^ ;;. . distance, ke()t up a well ■rape and ^^f '^^^ ,^^^^^ The action no w SlotU hav i h>Ht her commander and sev- ^r^lus4wiU.outthe^^^ fc^e flags of the petroU,Q^^^ iiieen Char- Lihle— the nags oi luc i^<.w.».., ■- I ,! „„,i T -,Hv Prevost veie struck in r..pia lolte and Lad> 1 it^^^^i j schooner Buccession. lUe ung uuni^ .i„,i ,„ fnllow rhinnewav, were soon compelled to lol ow n,P Pxamole Tlie Little Belt attempted to Kape to Maiden, bnt she was pursued by Kwo of the «un-boats a.id surrendered about Keiniles distant from the scene oi action. I The writer of this account, incompany wUh fivlothevs, arrived at the tead of P»<--;B|y ■ kland on the evening of the 9th, and haa a vLw of «>e action at the distance of only ten miles The spectacle was truly grand and Zm The fi ing was incessant for the space of hr'ee hours, aSd continued at*ortin er- vals forty-five minutes longer. In less than one hour after the battle began, most of the vessel of both fleets were enveloped ma cloud of smoak. which rendered the issue of the acSon uncertain, till the next inorning. S'hen we visiledthe fleet in the harbo-n U^ opposite side of the island. The leaUer ww \\ I I i 1 ■ ! I ''I ft easily .in(ii»c of our solicit iide to learn tlie reJ suit There is no sentiment more painful tlian| suspense, when it is excited by tlie uiiceitain| iosuo of an event like this. If the wind had continued at S. W. it was! the intention of admiral Barclay to liavel boarded our sqiiadron ; for this puipose he had taken on board his fleet about 200 of the famous 41st regiment; they acted as marinesl and foui>;ht bravely, but nearly two thirds of them were either killed or wounded. The carnage on board the prizes was pro- digious — they must have lost 200 hi killed besides wounded. The sides of the Detroit and Queen Charlotte were shattered from bow to stern ; there was scarcely room to place one's hand on their larboard- sides whhout touching the impression of a shot — a great many balls, canister and grape, were found lodged in their bulwarks, which were too thick to be penetrated by our carronades, un- less within pistol shot distance. Their masts were so much shattered that they fell over- board soon after they got into the bay. The loss of the Americans was severe, par- ticularly on board the Lawrence. When her Hag was struck she had but nine men tit for duty remaining on deck. Her sides were completely riddled by the shot from the long guns of the British ships. Her deck, the \il ■^\ 9 moniinf; after the conflict, wlienT first went on board, exliihitod a scene that defies descrip- •,(,11 for it was literally covered vvilh )lood, which still adhered to tlie plank in do! a —brains, hair and fragments of bones were still stic;kin<^' to the riggina; and sides. The surgeons were still busy with the wounded — inough ! horror appalled my senses. Among the wounded were several brave fellows, each of whom had lost a leg or an rm — they appeared cheerful and expressed hope that they had done their duty. Rome nd Sparta would iiave been proud of these eroes. It would be invidious to particularize ins- [ances of individual merit, where every one ^o nobly performed bis part. Of the nine bamen remaining unhurt at the time the jawrence struck lier flag, five were immedi- itely promoted for their imshaken firmness such a trying situation. The most of these md been in the actions with the Guerricre and lava. Every officer of the Lawrence, except the fommodore and his little brotlier, a promit:- ig youth, 13 years old, were eitiier killed or rounded, a list of whose names are given at lie close of the account. The efficacy of the gun beats was fully Y li- 1. »< ■ I.* t 10 proved in this action, and the stems of all the prizes bear ample testimony of the fact. They took rakinff positions and galled the etu emy severely. The Lady Prevost lost twelve men before either of the brigs fired on her.-— Their fire was quick and precise. Let us hear the enemy. The general order of Adjutant General Baynes, contains the following words: « His [Perry's] numerous gua boats, [four] which had proved the greatest annoyance during the action, were all uninjured," The undaunted bravery of admiral Barclay entitled hun to a better fate ; to the loss of the day was superadded grievous and danger- ous wounds ; he had before lost an arm ; it was now his hard fortune to lose the use ot the other, by a shot which carriied away the blade of the right shoulder ; a canister shot made a | violent contusion in his hip : his wounds were ' for some days considered mortal. Every possible attention was paid to his situation. — When com. Perry sailed for Buflalo, he was so far recovered that he look passage on board our fleet. The fleet touched at Erie. The citizens saw the affecting spectacle of Plarrison and Perry supporting the wounded British he-* ro, still unable to w alk without help, from the beach to their lodgings. On board of the Detroit, twenty-four hours after her surrender, were found snugly stowed away in the hold, two Indian Chiefs, who had I V; the courage to go onboard at Maiden, for the purpose of acting as sharp shooters to kil our officers. One had the courage to ascend into the round top and discharged his piece but the whizzing of shot, sphnters, and biti ot rig- o^infic, soon made the place too warm for him 1-he descended faster than he went up ; at the Tnoment he reached the deck, the fragments of a seaman's head struck his comrade's face, and covered it with blood and brains. He vo- ciferated the savage interjection « quoh I and both sought safety below. The British officers had domesticated a hear at Maiden. Bruin accompanied his comr rades to battle — was on the deck of the Detroit during the engagement, and escaped unhurt. The killed of both fleets were thrown over board as fast as they fell. Several were wash- ed ashore upon the island and the main during the gales that succeeded the action. Com. Perry treated the prisoners with hu- manity and indulgence ; several Canadians, having wives at Maiden, were permitted to Tisit tlieir families on parole. The British were superior in the length and pumher of their guns, as well as in the number of men. The American fleet was manned with a motly set of beings, Europeans, Afri- cjins, Americans from every part of the Uni- l m M I ft. r f1 li 12 ted States. Full one fourth were Hacks, I sa\v one Russian, who could not speak a word of English. They were brave— and who rould be otherwise under the command of Perry ? The day after the battle, the funeral obse- quies of the American and British officers, who had fallen in the action were performed, in an appropriate and affecting manner. An opening on the margin of tlie bay was selected for the interment of the bodies. The crews of both fleets attended. The weather was fine— the elements seemed to participate in the solemnities of the day, for every breeze was hushed and not a wave ruilled the surface of tlie water, llie procession of boats— the neat appearance of the officers and men— the music— the slow and regular motion of the oars, striking in exact time with the notes of the solemn dirge— the mournful waving of the flags- the sound of the minute guns from the diiierent ships in the the harbor— the wild and solitary aspect of the place— the stilness of nature, gave to the scene an air of melancholy grandeui, better felt than described— all ac- knowledged its influence— all were sensibly aflected. W hat a contrast did it exhibit to the terrible conflict of the preceding day ! Then the people of the two squadrons were engaged in tlie deadly strife of arms. Now they asso- ciated like brothers, to pay the last sad tri- bute of respect to the dead of both nations. /| \ 13 f*ive ofticers were interred, two American and three British. Lt. Brooks and midship- man Laub of the Lawrence ; capt. Fmnisand It Stokoe of the Queen Charlotte, and lieut. Garland of the Detroit. The graves are but a few paces from the beach, and the future traveller of either nation, will find no memento whereby he may distinguish the American from the British hero. The marines of our fleet were highly com- plimented by Hie commodore, for their good conduct ; althqvgh it was the first time the most of them had seen a square rigged vessel, being fresh from Harrison's arm^. The Ken- tuckians proved, on this occasion, as has the commodore since, that they can fight on both elements. Capt. Elliot certainly deserves great praise for his bravery — it is to be regretted, however, that he overacted his part. When he w ent on board the Scorpion to order her to take a near- * er position to the enemy, he ordered captain Almy below, and struck sevbral of the men in their faces with his speaking trumpet, by which means he gave them much pain and in- delible scars, without accelerating a moment, her motion or her fire. Such freaks of passion and tyranny must be exposed, however pain- ful the task. The Scorpion had been well fought, and neither her captain or crew dor served the treatment they received. Afte^ B I W s*ts '..'iK f.\ f 14 the action, commodore Perry afFemcI captain Mmy the conmmnd of the Lady Prevost, but he declined the honor, and requested that a court martial migjit liecide on liisffuilt or in- nocence. Capt. Turner, of the Caledonia, signalized himself— he brought his ship into action in an able manner, and contributed, no doubt, his lull share towards the success of the day He IS an officer of CQurageand skill ; but the man- nei HI which be treats his men# detracts much Irom his merit as a naval commander. Where kimaijityk wanting, all other virtues shine with diinaiished lustre. The men who fought spgloriously onlheever memorable 10th of beptember— who risked their lives and re- ceived honorable wounds—who generouslv Tolunteered their services, and whose heroism will . celebrated through distant a^es, oudit not to he flogged, cruelly flogged like doers, for trivial, or rather for no oifenceL-. at all-^ Men whose services are greater than the na- tional gratitude or recompense can requite ought not to languish in sickness— to sink in death without one effort to save them— with- out the least attention to alleviate their suffer- ings. • '"' The following pertinent motto lias exere^, James Helari, do. slightly, George Cornell, carpentcr'^s mate, slightly, Thomas Hammond, armourer, ao. Wm. ^ompson, searim^ se^erd% George Vartinm, da, air. James Moses^, . do, do. Willidm Roe, d». do, Joseph Denning, do. do. William Daring, do. do. John Clay, dok rf»^ Stephen Fairfield, do. do. George Williams, do. do. b2 «f . ) a V \ I ■ ' On board ike \Som€r^, WOUNDED. Charles Ordecn, Godfrey Bon}nmfi,'—2^ On board the Ariel, KILLED. John White^ boatswain's mate—1, WOUNDED. William Sloss, o. s. slightly^ . Robert Wilson^ s. do. John Lucas, landsmatif do. — 3. On board the Trippe, WOUNDfiD. Isaac OrccHy soldier, iiHh rcgt badly, John Niks, do. Mth, slightly On board the Porcupine, none killed of Wounded. On board the Scorpi&n, KILLED. John Clark, midshipman, * John Sylhamaimr, landsman. — 2. On board the Tigress, none killed or wounded. Recapit'idakion, (Two days previous to the action, fif^-^iVM men mfit for service in the small vessels. J II I 21 KilUd, Woundedy Total, IjOwreneei 22 61 83 Niagara, Caledonia 2 25 3 27 3 Sotmrs Atul 1 2 3 2 4 Trippe Sovrjno» 2 2 2 21 "W 123. ,(,f<-\iS''' -i^^^--*** --■r.«a(S«SM» I •'- i Military Anecdotes. The celebrated aboriginal wamor, TeciiuM sell,* was ,n the 44th year of his ajre, when hi Ml a the battle of \he Thames. ' He was of the Shawanuoe tribe, five feet ten huhe. high fe?^.[r wK- 1"!: ^«^tlvity and the endurance of fatigue, which he was capable of sustaining in! a very extraordinary degree. His carrifge' was erect and lofty-his motions quick-hfs ej'es penetrating-his visage stern with ani a r of hauteur in his countenance, whichi arose from an elevated pride of soul-it did| not leave him even in death. His eloquence I was nervous, concise, impressive, figurative ^ and sarcastic, being of a tacitu^ i?abi7of| speech, his words were few but alwav to f le purpose. His dress was plain— he was never! known to indulge in the gawdy decoration of I his person, which is the general practice of the ' Ef"'' ,»«,^»'-«' on the day of his death a ^^ Jee^skm coat and pantaloons. It is saw -«= i.^ could readand write correctly; of this i-owever, I am doubtful, as he was the irreconcilable enemy to civilization, of course wouldnot be apt to relish our arts. He was I sound of r, v*^as, to take no prisonirH, aiul strictly rlhe red to the sanguinary purjms- o<* his soul-^he neither gave nor accepted larters. Yet, paradoxical as it may \e\r\y to tlie prisoners made by other tribes, was attentive and humane. Nay, in one [stance, lie is said, to have buried his toma- Lwk in the head of a Chippeway cliief, whom found actively engaged in massacre ing nne of Dudley's midii, after they had been lade prisoners by the British and Indians, — had long Ijeen a favorite project of this as- piring chief to unite tlie northern, western and >utliern Indianji, for ^he purpose of regaining lieir country as far as the Ohio. Whether his grand idea originated in his own, or his )i other's mind, or was suggested by tiie Bri- iish, is not known — but this much is certain, |ie cherished the plan with enthusiasm, and u.ially visited the €reek Indians, to prevail ►n them to join in t lie undertaking. He was dways opposed to the sale of the Indian lands. -In a council at Vincennes, in 1810, he was iid equal to the insidious arts of a diplo- latist. In one of his speeches he pronounced general Harrison a liar. He has been in al- lost^^very battle with ihe Americans from the time of Hamper's defeat to that of the Tliames, He has been several times wound- id, and always sought the hottest of the fire. ^ few minutes belore he received the fetal '*,■> '••Tlfc. -'^^afc* ■rJS-'^ # Si. SK4 fore the treaty oi >'^t " Vp was reputed one of the boldest f **'^;"t'cky,hewaspecullar- ly active in ^^^ Jd careymg oft their leaning the Pa?f S Cuent incursions in- property *^V"4hewouW invariably mur- io Kentucky, wterete^^^^ ^.^^^ 3I der some of *e f tUe'san K.^^^^ eluded horses laden with P»J;^i passed would pursuit, and >vhent«^j,^X* P„,i„g passion retire to the ^^n Xrv-he was careles of seen.s to "f iSfSunderings and sub- wealth, and although his J" » ^ ^^^^^^ ^^^ preserved ^t^ to^m ^^^^ ^^^ ^ ^^ed i,„ the 5th ?f,2l5v the officers and soldiers with great "rterest ^y tn ^^ ^.^^ ^j„,^ of Hamson s f/P/- " ,vas sulficiently re- - Ae identity of his pe^^on w ^^^ ^^.^ tatotyoftodfj- Ther^ ^^^^^^^ cious pleasure, "J- J, TL^^Vje contour of his pression, i" 5^°"^^™P'Sic even iu death, features, which 7*^, disgraced themselves lomeofthepntv^kiansdis^^^^^ Ahundredinstance^ofthe daring valor of ,.iae^p^-^ 25 the Kentiickians might be cited. On oui march from Maiden to Sandwich, a volunteer in the flank guard, discovered an Indian at the distance of 200 yards, in the act of levelling his rifle at our men; he instantly left the ranks, made for the Indian and received his fire— -the Indian retreated, but was closely pursued by the volunteer, who soon gained on his foe ; he fired and brought him to the ground —but the Indian had previously re-loaded his piece, and in his turn fired on the volunter, who received the contents in his leg — he was at this time half a mile from his comrades — but did not retreat till he had dispatched the woimded Indian and secured his scalp, which he bore in triumph to his company. The danger of an ambush probably never occurred to his mind. There were two sons of Lieut. Col. James Johnson, in the battle of the Thames ; the eldest but 16— the other U years of age.— Such was the ardor of these young Spartans, that the officers had frequently to check their impetuosity. They were both mounted and often foremost in pursuit. Capt. Ellison, of the mounted men, received several rifle balls in his clothes and saddle — When we broke through the British ranks, a soldier of the 41st attempted to fix his bay- onet — at one stroke of his sabre, captain Ellison severed his head and brougUt C ^ ji 1^' ^?* 26 V,tn to the ground •. a second made a ski w oj ^Jance and shared the same fate. Shortly 'ftlnvarfslhe captahi ledhis company agamst Kb^S^nis'orS^'S attempted a blow ShW tomahawk. The sabre again prevail^ Sand the Indian lost his scalp. A * iV,P -it and se- ought i(^ "ACT ! tliat ouv, Mills to eciajly at unheallhy, are a ffiies [le British seeUy and correctioit n frontier^ vate, to as^ ^rutiny the Lion of the Its of intercourse. The stench of the canip* was insupportable ; men sickened and died in their tentri. Tlie little medical aid they re- ceived was administered in most cases by downright quacks. At Detroit, several hous- 38 were occupied for the benefit of the rick ; iiey were dignified with the name of hospitals! The smell of the rooms was enough to make well man sick in five minutes. It was as liiuch as one's life was woilh to enter them ; et the sick were sent there to recover their calth! Poor fellows! I In an army, death soon loses its terrors. — he loss of a soldier excites very little inter- est. The surgeons and doctors are not very solicitous to evince their professional ekill^ ven if they chance to possess it. The officers fared very little better. Even col. Johnson suffered beyond measure, in hig passage from the Moravian town to Sandusky. t)ne of governor Shelby's volunteers was shot Ihrough the neck : ten days afterwards his wound had not been dressed ; his situation^ jivas distressing. We left him at Portage ; Ifvhether he lived or died I know not. He was H promising young man and bore his pains with the greatest fortitude. part of thfi |i T1h3 disease most fatal in the army, is th^* rrossed his %ix, or camp distemper, malignant and iD<:;u- Bot io h^b- iiabie in most eagas, when opposed by inipiri* 9^" ff i f;. 1^ ' ) . •5S .al i serve their counlry, which they most faithfully peTforoied. I will not attempt to describe my feehngs, when 1 saw such men borne by their comrades to a rude and solitary grave. From what I have heard and seen, I am in- duced to believe that the loss by disease, sus- tained by the northern army, is in the same nroportion. It will follow then, as a necessa- ry consequence^ that the recruiting serVK;e must be briskly pushed to fill the vacancies in ^tbe ranks occaBioned by sickness, to say m- I t^ » ! II till i:'i 1^ ! »> '36 thing of losses by the sword, to wliich all ai^ mies are subject. The eneimy have been equally unfortuna^ in preseiTing tne health of their troops, as tlie f raves of Maiden and Burlington will attest. Vehave the official avowal of sir George Pre- vost, that disease had made an alarming pro- ;ree calling for hnmediate remedy." The :Pritish central army lost nearly 500 men by sickness, in the months of August, September and October of last year. I have already said that there were local situations on both sides the lakes extremely unhealthy. Yet I will contend that there ex- ists no physical necessity for the mortality ex- perienced by the troops of both nations — that the cause is less in nature than in management^ as I will prove by reference to a few facts. The fatigues of surveying are as great as those of military service, except on particu- lar occasions. In 1798, the Holland Compa- ny surveyed their purchase (lying on a part of lake Ontario, Niagara river, and a part of lake Erie) into townships. Joseph Ellicott, theo of Philadelphia, was engaged to supenn- •i :■ . itwd tlie suv\%. About three hundmhneu n ere f3mployed i.t the work froiti May till Decern- ?}er ; hix oi eight of the liands employed in the traver>je of Chat aqua lake and Cataragjus river, took the ague and fever; but not oaic of the whole three hundred died— they enjoy- ed the best possible state of health. ' Tlieir livini( was bread, pork and chocolate. In the ftuuimersof 1799 and 1«00, about the same numl>ei' of men were employed in surveying the townships into lots, and they enjoyed the same de^'ee of health. In the surveying'of the lands of New-Connecticut and the western parts of Pennsylvania where I was personally employed, no instance of death, by sickness, incurred. Of the 23 persons, who accdihpa- nied capts. l^ewis and Clark, from St. Louis td the Paciftc Ocean, only one died. They* werd more than two years absent — their sutlerin^ are well known. «« - , Pol.,MM^on's corps of m^uut^d m^jn* ajtalJl times 1000 strong, traversed the. Indiana an4» Michigan territories in quest of the eneiiiy-j passed into Canada to the Moraviau toivki anij} returned to Detroit. They had been six months in service and lost only three men by sick- ness. They were always on the alert, and rarely breathed the pestiferous air of the ctimp. The French army of E^ypt, of 40,000 men, always on the move, and m a warm and unwholesome climate, did not suffer as umch by sickness in two years, as we have Ipst at D =x;Tnr^.„ •.m:f^f W m k l ^38 fiiclS .onie particular posts in one. ;Ti)^^:e fiic are of immense importance to the Ainencan "ron,r.^aresu.^^^^^^ of the n.ost ample prpoft Tlie officers of the American army are gcr.-^ .^3lv DO 83«^cl of huninnity, and indulgent f4l,!^^?«en there is here and there an ep- ^S^d'^^cS^-'eBtitute.fft^i.^- he ice of Spitsbergen is of heat, but even these are notable to kill men by mere dnit^t ?l*v if a nroDercamp discipline wasadopt- ^"SfnS The'ratic^.sofo«r.rmy are good. Havins briefly pointed out Ihe eyii, I leave lhe*^tocovery and application of the remedy* ta tte pr«p^autho.^'ies-to congress and tl* war department. j&r general, witU a^""""^ , Rubstitute proper perBons in f SbuVpta^t^lVoners to epg«ge .n «.e serv icc 1 ((,,1,,, lu'i» ' .ifiwriii u «- ;* ese faclft "Lmerican )st ample Y are gei> indiilger.t ire an ep- Feeling as^ but even ire dint of ^vaaadopt- our army viii I leave le remedi^^ ess and tlm nilitary board rst physicians that of a ma- ig the whole »per persons in ice skilful auM c.f! ,,.,,, - i. •^"'''"I'fheVf tave all Perfonned long and son and otheis, ^^fj ' UAvm country for tedious ■"^'•^i^;"'^,>t^the enemy : but their the purpose «f ^^^^^^^^ to the ex- success has not been t „„,,ii,dued and The causes ^vhicl. ha^^ ^^^'i}^^^ editions abor^ve are o^^^^^^^^^ ™ • they can disperse and collect atpleas- .TwWle our troops are obliged to keep to- ^ther and to move slowly and with the ut- most circumspection, to avoid ambush and Trorke It most generally happens that be- fore om- troops can^ find an enen.y, their pro- visfonrbecome exhausted and they are com. 4» H •! I 111! pelled to return home without having accoiM^ plislied any thing but fatiguhig marches. — They are then disbanded and the frontieas left open to savage incursion. There is a bill before congress, which has for its object the better security of the fron- tiers of the state of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois ^rritories. It proposes to appropriate a strip of tlie public lands, thirty miles wide, and more than four hundred long, beginning near the moutii of the Sandusky on lake Erie, and running a little south of a westerly course, till it intersects the Missisippi near the mouth of the Missouri. The bill proposes, in sub- stance, to grant this extensive tract of public land to actual settlers, in donations of half a feection (320 acres) to every individual who shall reside on the samt^, and equip himself with arms and accoutrements, and hold him- self liable to perform militia duty during the war. To say nothing of the folly of giving away nearly 20,000,000 of acres of public lands, there are several other weighty objections to the bill : 1. Adventurers will flock to those lands, who will locate the best tracks, but will be found cunning enough to evade the most es- sential provisions of the law, by feigiiing ex- 41 cuses of absence, whenever there is fighthig to be done. 2. The settlements will necessarily be weak and insulated and exposed to be cut off in de- tail, 3. If the inhabitants unite in an expedition against the Indians, it will prove fruitless for the same reasons that those already projected have failed. 4. Considerable time must elapse before tiny thing like concert and organization can exist in the colony, 5. A militia system cannot be depended upon, as 1^ proved by the events on the Ni- a2:ara frontier. ^» 6. The line of defence is improperly loca- ted. The Indians from whom we are to expect \he fijreatest annqyance in future, are those in- habiting the waters of lakes Michigan and Hu- ron. They are under the influence of Dixon, and are capable of much mischief to our fron- tier settlements, ' . ' ■ ( • - ■ • ' 1 ■ ' ; . ', , J. V i ) • . ■> ,.1 . K.I .J .. \ '. t ' 1 I will briefly giv^the outliiiel^of^a pMti fbt a MsLiTARY Settlement, which might, if prop- erly- encouragesj and supported, oppose a» '.'•SHJfc »'!«*.*»-.=.'«' ■, ^, ,#«—«-•■■■' ■^^ fa ''f ) \V^ \%'m m •HI 42 effecltial barrier to Indian hostUity, east of the Missisippi. Tl)e country bordering on the southern wa- ters of Take Michigan present, peculiar ad- vantage' for a military settlement Nature hafdifpen"edherbountiesmtha iberalhand. The clLate is mild--t he soil fert'l^-lJ^.J^^; Station uncommotdy luxuriant. 1 he ioi ests fit fiUedwith game the waters are covered witl fow . Perhaps there is no section of the TT States more favorable for a new settlenieni, S"en if itweve to be purely agricultural.- Here Uien, let congress fix on the .«M'.enev- er such a force and Rich an institution is dis- p ayed on the southern shores of lake M.chi- fran, we shall have little to fear from the sava- ges. But why locate this settlement on the soulhern shore ot lake Michigan, i"^ Prefer- ence to Tippecannos or the banks of the Illi- nois ' Because, there are many powertui rea- sons to induce the prefei#nce. Uil m, 1 The Patawatamies and Winnebagoes^ Indians of very bad faith, live on the eastern and western waters of this lake, and to territy and overawe themit is necessary to be m their neigliborhood. !IH. v..:^'^^ 2. The shores of the lake are adihirably calculated for cavalry movements, and there are immense prairies in the direction of Fort Wayne, Tippecannoe and the lllmois, upon "^"^'^IwWS^-^ 44 which the mounted men could act to great ad vantage and make rapid movements ; so that on wlmtever point tlie enemy should Jionact^ an attack, the advantages of . i MTV would be altogether u^ favor of this ): uon, 3. Forage, stores and supplies of every kind could be sent safely by water from Uma numerous settlemerrts on lakes St CJair and Erie, 4. The flotilla could co-operate with ef- fect, ^. There exists strong political i-easons foi- preferring the southern waters of lake Michi- Iran to any other place, Lake Sup>erior mni/t become the theatere of naval operation. The north-west company will niake desperate ef- forts to retain the monopoly of the fur trade, 6. The Indians ^'ill not remain between two fires, or, in other words, they would not continue (in a state of hostility) on the waters of the Miami of the Lakes, Wabash and Jill- noi8,wbUe expedition^ fromOhio and Indian- na, could co-operate with the troops of the military settlement. 7, Horses superfluous baggi^j^e secured in block houses« nid a substantial log fence two miles long» extending from Portage river to Sandusky )ay, was built to secure the horses during the )pe rations of the army. On the 17th gov. Shelby with 4000 volun- Leers, arrived at head quarters. This formi- lable corpi were all mounted ; but it was^ loeined best for them to act as infantry, and [eave their horses on the peninsula. On the )tli general M'Arthur's brigade, frpm fort ^leigs, joined the main body, after a very fa- [iguing marcli of three days down the laka joast. * From (lie 13th of September, until the returu of the Irmy to Detroit, after the battle of the Thames, the writer |f this work served as a volunteer, for the most part, in fol. Ball's legion, and was an acter in the eventa narra^ Bd, 1! ^.r •Ai-^ia^l \'t M 46 ■"' ^rhvS n oXnce ,J%ssu .Uh tioit l»y '^"^\f" ;„.:(,«• who was to move m the commander in chit ,wn , ,^, j „{ boats tl"ough the sland^ to M^ ^^ ^ ^^^^ The British p^one.^ S^o "chlucXl , action of the Wth, weie .em j^^^j g„avded by a l)art "^ '^°7^^;(ii „. 'fSe dif- 1 If Penmyl^anta^eUc^AZ^-oHhe lake, were lett m V" i»-ii ^owhrid covered eight Fort Meigs, which till no ^ ''f^irdimension, acres of land, was leduced ^n ^^^ .^„^ ,,^., stores. .1 .;;^i .■ Every thing being nowreachs the emta^^^ »ip 23-^ «^ 17 Bumbcv of boats, not more than one Ihiid of the army could embaik at once. There is a range of islands extending from the tead of the Pemnsula, to Maiden. 1 hese knds retiderthe navigation safe and attord ll'e armv convenient depots for baggage and stores, as well as halting places. Put-in-bay island, sixteen miles from Por- ta^e,>vas selected by the geneml as the hr.t Doint of rendezvous-the fl.st stage m his pas- Ze across the lake. The weather was ^- vof able. As soon as the first division of boats reached the island, men were immediately de- tached to take back the boats for a ftesh load. Such was the eagerness of the men to accele- rate the embarkation of the whole army, that he V. in most cases, anticipated this regula- tion by volunteering their services to return with the boats. Every one courted fatigue. ".'The fleet of commodore Pen-y, was busily engaged in transporting the baggage of the avinv! In the course of the 22d the whole armv had gained the island, and encamped on the margiit of the -bay, which forms nearly a semi-circle. ' ; , The Lawifencp, ind the six prize ships, cap- lured froni theenemy, weee at anchor inUie centre of the bay, and in full view. With vyhat ineffable delight did we contemplate i**"' ^1 w 4S this interesiitv( .spectacle ! The curiosity of the tioMi).> wad amply induls^cnl ; every one was peniiUted to jro on board the prizes to view tlie eiiects of tlie battle, fhc luen were hiiililv plei^.^ed with this indulgence of the general and the coi«rnodore. The scene was calculated to inflame their mdilary ardor, which was visible in every countenance. The anny wa? detained at Put-in-bay dur- ina the 23d and 24tli by unfavorable winds.— On the 24th, a soldier of the regular forces was shot for desertion. He had deserted three times— had been twice before condemned to suffer death, and as often pardoned ; he met his fate with stoical indifference, but it made a very sens^ible impression on the Iroops.-- Two platoons fired on him, at the disti iice ol five paces, and perforated his body like a sieve.* On the 25th the army again euibarkqd partly in boats and partly on board the fleet, > It is worthy of remark that but %tvo solflicrS were shot k the norlh-western army ; and sounfrcqurnt was de s.rtion, that from the time I joined it, tilt U8 depaijurc for fort Georee, not a solitary insiftHce octurred ; at least Bone came to n^ knowledge, althoi^h I made frec^eii enquiries as to the fact. I am not willing io attribute this cxtraordiaarj' felelity to the pHbUc service, to the supe- rior patriotism ()f the people of the west,, or H ^^^^ of the force of moral obligations. The cau^e is eviUent t.Hhe officers .are generally, more Attentive t« their mefi, thaft tljoBe^^rthp uorth^B.army. lisi^iiljii* ''"■' j;;*i- k _,^ *«^>%^-'m'3 « their staving. 1 J g^^^\ai ^^^e of the en • in the Anel, «™^ea leco ^.^^.^ ^ emy's coast and app j„ft„„e3,, was dis- distance of MflWen. V'^V , ^f ^ur pro- patched to ap^me «^oi. Joto«> ^.^av- gress. Gen. Cas», ?"'••„ ^nd number, gleiland were bu^J^" ^^//XTake had risen ing the ^oats. Atjun ^^ ^j,^ violence of several feet »ndced;^'^,tained serious fears SSil^d^UwXTn^relievedourap- prehensions. ^ .1 oTi\i it nine in the morning the ar- . O" "J^ ;i Snfl embarkation. The day was *y made its Anal em ^^^^ ^^^. fine, and a P«>P»Y"' nastime. It « as a ■^ ub- ,,gea 7tffiKS^ to behold .ix- i::^so^uisr.h^fs«eS;: TLeco. •i ii f't^*. i % ■ i I s 56 :.?and and animating iu U.e looks of tl.e .nen. TlZc was an air of confuleme m every iSnance. The troops panted for an op- .orTunUy to rival their naval brethren in feats 7cZrie and skill ; they seemed to envy ?lJ^ood fortune of our brave tars. Ihey trfTgnorantof the flisht of the enemy, and LSvexneetedalisht; indeed the be- TftscSren among th^ troops that the en- emy were in great fo?ce ; for it ,vas believe thatBfxon's Indians as well as Tecu.ttseh* Here at Maiden. AVe landed in perfect order of battle at 4 P M three miles below Maiden. The Ken- tucky volunteers formed the r ght wing.- b£ legion and the frif"dl>- "dmns 1*^^^^^^^^ Ire— the regulars on the left. 1 he troops were almost'^instantly inline and shortly cmu- menced their march, en- echelons, for Maiden. The troops had been drilled to marclung in and odTboats and to forming on the beach Every man knew his place ; and so well were Ly masters of this very necessary piece of seKthat a company would march into a Wt debark and form on the beach th less Ihan' one minute, and that too without the least confusion.* » This DToficierwfy is applicable only lo ^^^^^"^5^ ,„d I^vrmLh. Toluuteers. The n.iUtia officers d.d Bot attend to it. 51 r.s. and to "np';"* "^fjvernor Shelby, who They ^--.Su lL«by"Luring them that r ca^l oltlke V.«r on women and dul- di^n but to protect them. The army eni-ed AlaWen Jy -^^^ trnrth^h^"Jdrof'^'"eei,oole." The ruto of the fort and j^h^^l^jS JS^ ings were still -smoking A" ^'^/^f,, retreat. Sts followed the B^J^'J^^^y ^"t have cost The fortilications of Maldei- mu ^^^ the BrUish government a va^umn^^^^ ^^^^ issurroimded by » ^f P^are high e»nd the of heavy pickets; ^he waUs ^ »^ ^^j^^^ "'iTninrSanJ theV were unable to ca?ry"wayw"resunkinthenver. dark and as g'«/^f ^Jagkdoes, Scotch, itants are '^o'^P^^^Vrpm^ Very few men Irish, and 9''"^^'^"/w invariably French, were to be found andihosem^ to attempt the fj '^ m i] « H 52 where so few remained at home. I will then only mention one fact. A well known hor- rid tratic has so completely blunted the teel- irio-s of humanity, that the exhibition of scalps inthe streets, in the most terrific forms, by the Indians, produces no emotion of horror even in the female bosom I The ^ectacle has become so familiar to the eye, that it has lost the interest of curiosity— and is beheld with as much indifference as we view the pel- try of a furman. Opposite the place lies the island of Bois Blanc, on the lower end of which was a heavy battery which defended the entrance of the harbor. The enemy in their haste had left an 18 pounder in this battery. Perhaps there is not a place in America that possesses so great convenience for ship building as Maiden. The descent of the ghore is in proper angle forlaimching -.besides, the water is deep and the timber can be float- ed to the spot in any quantity and at a short distance, except pine which is found on the Thames, on the St. Clair river and on th^ shores of the lakes. They had collected a considerable quantity of timber, which they attempted to burn, but witliout success. The country is settled to the distance of twenty miles "^below Maiden. Col. Ellic: 's house stands on the bank of the river, half a 53 mile below the village-he has an extensive ™chard and a park, his house was deserted.- We found excellent peaches, of which w« made free use, without et.quuuig the price. Three miles above the fort is an Indian vil- lacrl Xh we found deseited, and so sudden- Kr many essential articles oi Indian mr- S ure. such as brass kettles ^^«t.Sil sS houses. Here we procmed a P^^n^ "J. «"P ply of green corn, potatoes, &c. 1 ws village was not burnt. In the evening after our arrival at Maiden. Col Ball .1-spatched an officer and _twenty men to prevent the enemy's destroying the bridge across the Aux Cannards. , The ene- my were found on the bridge, haying just set fire to it. Our party fired on them-they dispersed and the bridge was saved. On the 28lh we passed the Av x Cannards, and encamped two miles beyond tnc river, in a neat French settleinent. A small party ot British horse shewed themselves at the bridge and then scampered off. The next day we reached Sandwichat two o'clock in the afternoon. At the same ti^ the fleet came up the river to Detroit. Ihe general made dispositions for passmg the riv- er. Governor Shelby's corps lemauied at Sandwich, while Ball's legion and Uie brigades r' *lB»'if * " ^ I *' 54 of generals M' Arthur and Cass passed over toUetroit. The Indians appeared in groupes, on the bank of tlie river below Detroit ; a few shots from the gun-boats caused them to dis- [)erse. The Indians did not leave Detroit till the boats containing the troops were half way across the river. Just before Y\*^"'^!?r the American side the inhabitants hoisted the United Stales ilag amid tlie acclamations of tliousands. We were received bv.the inhab- itants with demonstrations of unfeigned joy. Thev had suffered all that «»t/«2erf and sa- vage tyranny could inflict, save death. The Indians Imd lived at free quarters for several months. It was natural for them to hail us as deliverers. The enemy had set fire to the fort, but the w*lls and picketing remained entire. 1 he public store, a long brick building near the wharf was injured only in the roof, which our men soon repaired. Ipthecour^ of the night there was an alarm in camp, the fires were ex- tinguished, and the men ordered to lie onthew arms. On tlie 301h col. Johnson's regiment arriv- ed from Fort Meigs, they immediately com- Menced the passage of the rivers boats. S5 (Jen M'Arthur with tlie mass of the regular troops was .:harged with the defence of De- iroit It was the general opinion ot the in- hahitants that there were 1000 Indian wai- rk)rs, under Marpot and Split Log, lurking m the woods between the river Rouge and Hu- ron of Lake St. Clair. The friehdly Indians had taken several prisoners m the immediate vicinity of Detroit. On the 2d of October every arrangement was completed for pursuing the retreating British annv up the Thames. The force se- lected for tins service were tlie mounted regi- ment of col. Johnson, three companies of co . Ball's legion and principal part of gov. (Shel- by's volunteers. From Sandwich to the Moravian Town is eio^hty-four miles. We found the roads for th? most part good. The country is perfect- ly level. The advance of the troops was rap- ifl_so much so, that we reached the river Rie- cum, which is about twenty-five miles from Sandwich, in Uie evening. The enemy had neglected to destroy the bridge. Eaily in the morning of the 3d, the general F<>ceeded with Johnson's regiment, to prevent the de- Ttruction of the bridges over the different SaS that fall into lake St. Clair and the Thames. These streamsare deep and muddy and are unfordable for a considerable distance into the country. A lieutenant of dragoons }■' I in I 11 m 4 Am 56 and thiiteen privates, who had been sent back bv creneral Proctor, to destroy the bridges, were made prisoners near the inoutli ot the Thames; from them the jreneral learnt that the enemy had no certaui information ot om*. advance. The bat^o-as^e of the army was brought from Detroit in^'boats, protected by a part of com- modore Perry's squadron. In the evening the army arrived at Drake's faim, eight miles from the mouth of the Thames and encamped. This river is a fine deep stream, navigable tor vessels of considerable burthen, after the pas- ^ao-e of ihe bar at its mouth, over which there k generally seven feet water. The gun-boats could ascend as far as Dalson's, below which the country is one continued prairie, and at once favorable fov cavalry movements and for the co-operation of the gun-boats, Above Dalson's the aspec. of the country changes ; the river, though still deep, is not more than seventy yards wUle, and its banks high and woody. i \i Chatham, four miles from Dalson's and xxteen from lake St. Clair, is a small deep reek where we found the bridge tdien U]> and the enemy disi>osed to dispute our pas- sage and upon the arrival of the advanced cruard, commenced a lieavy fire from the op- posite bank as well as a flank fire from the right bank of the river. The army b^l Wd and 57 fonnecl in order of battle. The bridge waa repaired under (he cover of a fire frornXwo six pounders. The Indians did not relish the (ire of our cannon and retired. Col. Johnson bein^ on the right, had seized tlie remains of a bridge at M'George's mills, under a heavy lire from the Indians. He lost on this occa- sion, two killed and four wounded. ^ The en- emy set (ire to a house near tlie bridge con- taining a considerable quantity of muskets ; the flames were extinguished and tlie arms saved. At the first farm above the bridge we found one of the enemy's vessels on fire, load- ed with arms and ordnance stores. Four miles higher up, the army took a position for the Y^la[\i — here we found two other vessels and a large distillery filled with ordnance and other stores to an immense amount, in flames. Two 24 pounders, with their carriages, were taken, and a large quantity of ball and shells of vari- ous sizes. The army was put in motion early on the morning of the fifth. The general accompani- ed col. Johnson — Gov. Slielby followed with the infantry. This morning we captured two gun-boats and several batteaux loaded witli provisions and ammunition. At nine we had reached Arnold's mills, where there is a ford- ing place, and the only one for a considerable distance. Here the army crossed to the right bank — ^the mounted regiment fording, and the infantry in the captured jpoats. The passage, * I 58 *hm,"«Sf- ./^"fg^^,. tl,e diate S'-7t*^n3 a,ick v^*^^e'4 "tti; un- trees are loftj^ and thick, «»" j • f ,„;,„ or the swamp. . Acrossthisnarrows.ipoflaiid^J.^B^^^^^ force was drawn up '" ^^^"fX relung on the veiit our advance, ^j'""^^,? '^igg of cannon river, X^tntf wl'^^eTwTXr pieces.- ie":r\?« 1^: British line was covered rer is a ling all ilerme- el; the ttle un- man or (lers on ; British , lopre- g on the cannon )iecea. — covered 59 by a large Indian force, who also lined the margin of the swamp to a considerable dis- tance. Tlie British troops amounted to 600 — the Indians probably to 1200. As it was not practicable to turn the enemy in flank, it became necessary to attac k tliem in front. General Harrison did not long hes- itate in his choice of the mode of attack. It was as novel as it was successful. The troops^t his disposal might amount to 3000 men ; yet, from the peculiar nature of the ground^ not the half of this force could ad^ vantageously engage the enemy. About 150 regulars, under col. taul occu- pied the narrow spaces between the road and river; they were ordered to advance and amuse the enemy ; andj if an opportunity of- fered, to seize the cannon of the eneirty. A small party of friendly Indians, were directed to move under the bank^ Col. Johnson's, jre- giment was drawn up in close column, with its fight at a few yards distant from 4he road, with orders to charge at fiill speed as soon as the ertemy^elivered his fire* The Kentucky vol- unteers, under major general Henny, were fonned in the rear of the mounted regiment, in three lines, extending from the road to the swamp. Gen. Desha's division covered the left of Johnson's regiment. Gov, Shelby was at the crochet formed by the front line andgenr i fh iff 15 -t 60 Desha's division. TI«b was a^" "J^^^^l^^ S. General Cass ^"•l^'^SaSon who ?l„U,eredas «dB^U> jen^^^^^^^^^ of placed lunisei; "Viho movements of the cav- Such was the order of battle. The army moved in thi^ order tm^^^ mountedmen received tl.e me oime e , „t the distance f,„f? ^Xuae wercin mo- :^^^^;l^ai%3-t"?hSon bylie»t. tion at nill speea ii«- -e , i^ ^^ gnt. col. James .Johnson .^^l^JSrlhe enemyV; ish lines and formed in their rear, the e j^^ pieces wf « ''!^°:J f;;;^S at'discreAion- twelve aiK unexpected. 1 h^y r^nolSeSed^Ji^^^^^^^^^^^ cutaown uy u«r was not general. — ^ n:Cmy Bh" n IheTeas" symptom, of Had the enemy « ,^ through their Unes, !f '"'*'*" i!'rSrtw<5ud have been destroyed, ttie greater pan ^^""7 . ^ Vieev. Never ^"* ry„7mor:Trirdep^'^"'^'4„„,|,^„fficeiswere countenances M men. E^^^^^^^^ " "-"-I fe'^'r mr^ It^o doubUhat they exp.ct.d riant *erry , who ne of } cav- )port. II the nemy. charge in mo- ^ lieut* Brit- lemy's: i were stion — Le. In 1 killed li regu- They :e tram- 5rs were tve shot leral. — )tom!^ of }k lines, stroyed, Never on the eiswere ^ " quar- BXpected 61 to he massacred, believing that the Kentucki- ans would retaliate the bloody scenes of Rai- shi and Miami; but nothing was farther from their intentions, except it should be on the persons of Proctor and Elliot — these, neither the authority of Harrison nor of Shel- by could have saved, if they had been found in battle. On the left the contest was more serious. Col. Johnson, who commanded on that flnnk of his regiment, received a terrible fire from the Indians, which was kept up for some time. — The colonel most gallantly led ihe head of his column into the hottest of the enemy's fire, and was personally opposed to Tecumseh. — At tins point a condensed mass of savages had collected. Yet regardless of danger, he rusli- ed into the midst of them, so thick were the Indians at this moment, that several might have reached him with their rifles. He ro#5 a white horse and was known to be an officer of rank ; a shower of balls was discharged at him — some took effect — liis horse was shot under him — hU clothes, his saddle, his person was pierced with bullets. At the moment his horse fell, Tecumseh rushed towards him with an uplifted tomahawk, to give the fatal stroke, but his presence of mind did not forsake him in this perilous predicament — he drew a pistol from his holster and laid his daring opponent dead at his feet. He was unable to do more, the loss of blood deprived hi:n of strength to A' "•'1 f /' 62 Sere Tecu.«.eh was killed and be trains ot Wood almost covered the grouwl. The Indians Continued a brisk fire from tl.G S-thd.^fire soon became too warm for the ^ !Lv \ mrt of Johnson's men having gam- enemy. Apai'^oi-!"! , ,. y tj^e rout. ed the rear part of the Indian^un ^^^.^^^ SSef rL triage by running up !l=;afdS"TheIudiansfo^^^^^ o^ipiidKti . -^j a severe loss m killed SvoUerTtdeathof Tecumseh was to them an irreparable loss. The American army had fifteen killed and n.ivtv wounded. Among the slam was col. VV .itlev of the Kentucky volunteers, a man nfTOveai^o acre.and a soldier of therevo- luS He wLu. easy circumstances athome, and possessed an excellent character. Among the trophies of the day wer* six 63 > brass field pieces, which had been surrendered h V Hull- -I read on two of them this p easn.g motto: "Sarrmdcrcl bj, Burgmync at Sara- toga-''* The day after the battle a part of the army took possesBion of the Moravian to>vn, where we found 'nost kin.ls of vegetables in abu.ul- Lce-theBC were acceptable to >««";;;}'« '«J fm-vPveraWlays subsisted on fresh beef, with- S tSl or sk We found ple'jjy "^ g^;^^^, corn; the ftelds were extensive .and our hoibes had an excellent range. The town was deserted ; eo P^mc struck were some of the women in their flight, that rhev are^id to have thrown their children Into the Thames, to prevent their being butch- ered by the Americans !* This village is situated on the right bank of iK/Tharne. about forty miles from its en- hance tto lake St. Clair, The town was built by emigrants from Muskingum, andcon^ SI at th? lime of tbebattte near y 100 V1ml^P^ mostly well built. 1 iie itev. joim Si from Bethlehem (Penn.) was establish- ed here a a missionary. Many of the mhabi- tantl speak English-tliere was a school house » ,v,a |,.i8 fact from an American gentleman, who ». OHfo 1 w hen " roctor and the Imirans passed I .'P 04 and a chapel. The gardens wer^ lu^turiant and cultivated witli taste. The town was destroyed as well as the corn- iicldrf HI its vicinity, by the troops previous to their leavino- it. Auiono; other reasons assign- ed to lustifv the measure, it was alledgedthat these 'Indians had been among the (;)remost ni massacreing our men at the river Raisin, and that the town, if it was spared, would a lord a convenient shelter for the British allies during the winter, and from which tliey could easily pass into the Micliigan territory to rob and murder the inhabitants. 1 have yet to learn, tliat it is either good policy or justice, for the American troops, in every instance, to burn the Indian towns that fall into their powe*'. Are the Indians to be reclaimed by fire ? ft ■ Gen<"i al Proclor abandoned his army at the very moment Johnson's Vegiment beat tlie charoe. About forty dragoons accompanied him as a guard. In twenty-four hours he was sixty-live miles from the Moravian town. A few of the mounted men pursued him and at one time were within one hundred yards of him, but they were too weak to attack his u-uard. His carria";e and papers were taken. Three waggonsloaded with specie escaped, but might have been overtaken, if proper 05 mPisuios had been taken to pursue the fugl- ^v:r A Vuot ..f ;W0 barrel, ot Hour was wWrm a day's march of the Moravran town. The distance from the Moravian town to i ihe l^ad of lake Ontario b 1 10 miles. The road kaves the Thames at the In.han town. ^1 strike- it again at Delaware, twenty-five n Uef< rfant, where it crosses, passes through London Oxford, &c and crosses Grand nver, near the Mohawk villa* FI1W,"-/,MT'f."-" - 69 noints to admit vessels of 400 tons burthen to unclior within twenty yards of the shore. 1 he south half of the island is covered with b ack walnut and honey locust. From the pods of the latter, which are about twelre niches long md one wide, is made a liquor resembling uethes^lin. The process is simp y bruising andfemientation ; one tree will often yield U or 20 bushels of pods. The soil is a deep black mould, resting on a bed of lim^tone similar to that of many parts of Kentuck). Nearly in the centre of the island is a cave in- to which several of us descended, and at tbe distance of 200 feet from its mouth found a subterTaneanp.,ndof thepurertwater. 1 w^lve or fifteen feet from its entrance, one is oblig- ed to creep for eight or ten feet, ff^^y^^!^- ter a spacious room about 170 leet ^ong and 40 wide ; its left side rises like an amphithea- tre • the angle of descent from the entrance to Le'pond islbout 15 degrees. It wa. wi to dif- ficulty that we could preserve our lights ; we could neither ascertain the depth or extent of the water, for it etfectually prevented our further progress. We bad furnished ourselve. wUl a pole 25 feet long, for the purpose of riling it. It unquest onably commuai- cates with the circumlluent lake. 1 he place appeared to have been much I'equented by Im i-u s No place is better adapted to the * laiii" of sheep, as the wolves were never known to ven ure over from the main and the E y seed sown by Mr. Edwards lias pro- I M X i i % i LiU. ..1 ■? 70 duced a meadow of tlie most luxuriant growtk The people employed on Mr. E's. plaiitatio« enjoyed good health. There is one serious evil, howerer, to counterbalance so may ad- vantages. There are a great number of rattle snakes ; so plenty indeed, Uiat they would erawl into our tents and conceal themselves under our baggage. An officer of Shelby's corps found one under his pillow, wlien he awoke in the morning. I'he proprietor of this island died in the autumn of 1012. Qaery . Are not political considerations sufficiently •weio-hty to induce the purchase of this island by the United States] The contingencies of ^aV— events, now in the womb of futurity, may render this island of great national im- portance. There is an excellent scite for a navy yard, and timber in sufficient quantities within rifle shot distance from the shoi«. These islands in most places present a beautiful white beach ; here and there you perceive rude clifts of limestone rock curious- ly excavated by the surf. They are not cor- rectly laid down in any map that I have seen. Melish's map of the seat of war, the best ex- tant, is incorrect in the position of these isl- ands. Put-in-Bay and Aux Fleurs actually but one mile apart, are represented at the dis- tance of iifteen on the map. The location of the Three Sisters is equally erroneous. Deer are frequently seen swimming from # I ' ition rious y ad- *attle ^ould elves lby> n he or of aery . entlv sland es of urity, al im- fora itilies ? you rious- )t cor- seen. ist ex- se isl- tually iie dis- Lion of ; from the point of the peninsula to the nearest isl^ Tmls where they range in uedisturbed secu- V V ' Thev have very sensibly increased m numbers since the declaration of war, by reason of the Indians having had no time to biint The velocity of a deer s motion m .vateV when swimming, if frightened and pur^ sued, is incredible. Few boats are able to overtake them. The " myriads of water snakes," which well) basking on the leaves of the pond lilly> It the time Cai-ver passed the islands, are not Sbe seen at this day. Neither has any one ever been able to discover his deleterious 'hissing snake."* men wdl he sagacious geographer Morse reject this fable ? Several families have settled on the Isle au riait for the purpose of raising cattle and hoo-s' which are found to do extremely well, andthatwithoutreceivingmuchattentionfrom ""^Thrmost remarkable of the different species that io- feat th s lake, fErie] is the hissing snake, wh.ch is ol the InfalUpec^^^^^^^ ami is about eight inches lor^g.- WheX thing approaches, H^f -f ^^JJ^S^ 1: ^ m ' ') \\ I -/ I { I* V . "^2 the owners^. One family often own tliree or four liundred hogs. The peninsula projects ten miles into the lake, and is formed by Sandusky bay and Por- tage river, which at their nearest approach are not more than a mile and a half apart The intervening land is a perfect level, of a rich black soil and not more than six feet above the surface of both waters. 4 canal across this neck, which would cost but a lew thousand dollarsj would save boats nearly thirty miles of dangerous navigation. The head of the peninsula proves frequently a difficult point to weather. The west, south-west and north- west winds generally prevail: hence, boats often experience several day's delay in tlieir passage round the point. The peninsula contains about one hundred thousand acres and may at no remote period nourish a populous settlement : the soil is in most places a deep black mould, covered with black walnut, butternut, honey locust, bass- wood and oak ; the surface is apparently as level as the almost surrounding waters, though there is an imperceptible acclivity from the neck to its terminating point, where the bank is twenty feet high. Amiii a dozen families had settled on its eastern margin before the war, but the menaces of the Indians soon com- pelled them to abandon their habitations. — Those parts lying on the bay and Portage •73 have proved sicMy, while those ^shedW ZuL are favoraile to health. The peb^ bksoiiheheach as well as Ite rocks of ti.e shore are limestone : the same of the islands. ^anduskY bay, or rather the "LitlkLake," as it h termed by the inhabitants, i^ twelve :i long and eW wWe, .fil- nanws whpre it communicates with lake i!.ne, it is JoTmore thanhalf a mile wide It affords an excellent harbor for boats and light vessels. Clouds of ducks are at all times seen flymg a- hoiit the bay : fish can be taken m abundance. Ss island on which have resided several MSiilies. is situated - *« -j;^^-^: The bay receives the waters ot Sandusky ri- ver Cold and Pipe creeks: at the mouth of Cold creek stands a s,nall deserted Indian vmie bdondng to the chief Makoonse ; the IS this ehiefis of itself a fortune. The Sandusky is a considerable river, and bolbleabmitsventym^tes Its waters n^ iprweave with those of the Big Miami, its cour^fe»mits souire to the lake is^ nearly nSri Vessels of My tons burtten can „d as far as Fort |tephe„so.. 18 m^e^ ♦mm it9 entrance into the httte lake, ine „tZ» fer, is sluggish and opposes veiy Se .^sistance to boats going up : ind^d^t -* ""^Xe"'L"Ke*tai::!I:i:e"nc:Xe G i. ±L-\'- It J 74 Saints, Miami, Raisins, &c. have tlie reseni^ blance of those of tide-water streams. The land on both banks of the Sandusky is almost every where rich ; the first ten miles the timber is principally oak, with little nnder-wood ; the interval or bottom extends with little internip- lion from fort Steplienson to Upper Sandusky* a distance of forty miles, and its fertility is enough to astonish people, who have not trav- eJled'westwardly beyond the Genesee. The river abounds w'ith several kinds of valuable lish ; wild geese and ducks, particularly in spring and autumn, are so thick that one need never be at a loss for a shot at them^ The prairies are open and extensive ; they are al- ways surrounded by line oak and chesnut land^ which will furnish the best of rail timber.— The swales are covered with lynn, sugar ma- ple, honey locust, cucumber, red elm, &c. Farms mi^ht be so chosen that the proprietor could take equal quantities of bottom, open and heavy timbered lands. The country, af- ter you get ten or fifteen miles from the lake is found to be healthful ; and so even is its surface, that roads ean be readily opened in every direction. Besides, there is another ad- vantage, which no other, country this side the Missisippi possesses in an equal degree : 1 mean the range for cattle and hogs : — There is a natural mmdow independent of the im- mense prairies, ninety miles long and from two to ten wide, extending from tke mouth of i^dKtage to Brownstown. This meadow will \ 7f) aflovdairinexlsmisUVilciupply of grassor fifty ra sc or pvocu.e, probably for balf a century loconie. The carlh yields xv.ld artidiokes and wild i)otaloes i.i prodigious (l..anti(.e3; Cd Ibe niast has never been known to lad, becme, there arc so many kinds that every Sni favorable to some; there are !«c«y «ut, ha7le nuts, chesnuls, acon«, locust seed Sbackwalnuts. The prairies tl^^e^^^^^^^^ are covered with a redundant growth of grass Xch has been found a good subst.tu^ej^^ hay. When they are sufficiently plowed tl ey Sy take timothy and other hay seed-the ^ Va rich dry muck and produces corn flax, be.np, potatoes, &c. as well as the best OWo bottoml The celebrated vale of Tcmve was not more enchanting to the eye of the lavished beholder, than is the scenery of these beaSnl plains : An officer of thenorth-wes- lein ann/lhus describes an extensive pran.e Z!" Ifter travelling some scores of nules [froin Urbanna] through a thick and contmu- ed fore«t, and suddenly emerging from it into ibUexten^ive plain, the sensations produced ;L^!e uLd^are delightful beyond desenp- tion. The traveller is almost ready to ima- line himself suddenly transported into the &Wthe ancients' Letthe reader figure toSf a beautiful plain, extendmg niany miKen until the distant horisonterimnates wfvlew; let this plain be covered with the She^ verdure and the finest! mis of natnre ! t\ il w ..«..—»«► ♦—'■•• - 70 ) (i. I in it8 greatest exuberance, and variegated wilk distant clusters of trees, and he will have some feint idea of the grounds here described. In- deed tlie philosophic naind will rarely enjo^^ a richer feast than nature liere presents hiiiJ.'* A barrel of pork, beef or flour can be senti to Montreal for one dollar and seventh-five cents. The land belongeto the United States, and can be had for two dollars an acre.— These peculiar advantages have not escaped the notice of many enterjjrizing men, who had began to break ground just as the war com- me'nced ; — that event has necessarily suspend- ed the settlements; but they will undoubted^ ly be resiuTied the ensuing spring. Fort Stephenson is situated on the west bank of the Sandusky, at tlie distance of two hundred yards from Ihe river, whei-e the se- cond banks are about fifty feet high. Seven miles above the fort arc the Seneca and Dela- ware Indian villages. The distance from this post to fort Meigs is forty miles ; the road ])asse3 through ihe Black Swamp, wh* h is four miles wide. The country between this load and the great meadow is too flat for cul- tivation, though the soil is extremely rich. Portage river is a deep languid stream, fm- nishing an excellent harbor for small craft at its mouth. It rises in the Black swamp and is Bot more than thirty miles long ; but is one V 77 hundieil yards wide six miles fiom the lake ; the land on !>oth sides is rich. The reniaina of an IndiiUi village me to be seen on its lett bank, where there is also a peaeh orchard ; this river is a i>lace of great resort for wild fowl Habere is a United States store house on the JPorlai^e road from Sandusky bay tc the mouth of the river. There is very litt« thnber lh owing on the neck of the pemnsula. No white man has as yet hai' the hardihood to settle at the mouth of Portage, thoueiiiacee of a lake--- it ^oon became dark and wmJy, and instead af.*trikiiig' tlie mouthoftliebo^ we^naadek/ d Ss^,7e^3na iml€s too far to the right.- G 2 I / 7n It was about uikltii«jht when >vo landed ; we were completely lost, and tlie darkness rcMi- dercd it impracticable to correct our mistake before daviiglit. We therefore hauled up our' canoe and* concealed our^-elves in the grass till morning. My comrades slept soundly ; as for me, it was the iirst time 1 had been ex- .posed to the tomahawk, and every rustling J heard I fancied it was caused by the footsteps of a savage — my eyes never closed that night. At the dawn of day we rejwired to the beach and found our canoe completely tilled by the dashing of the surf. We had left every thing in the canoe butour nmsket, [we kid but one] i>ur amnmnition and provisions were com- pletely soaked. Hero we were ; in an Indian rountry with nothing to defend ourselves with but an ax and a musket which coidd not be discharged. I could not persuade my com- panions la bail the canoe and proceed by wa- ter; they preferred going down the beach of I he lake ; tiie distance was foily uiiles. We were then not more than one mile from the lake, and by forcing our way tlirough the grass of the meadow we coidd save several j5%iles travel ; this we attempted, but found the ij^'ass higher than our heads and as thick as a mat, confined together by a species of pea vine, which compelled us to tread it under our feet to make the least progress ; this opera- tion was too slow ; nd fatiguing to be long con- tinued ; besides the trail which we made was UyoconspicmusioY my then notions ofpruflence> is ami in till' t'oiiiR' of a lew rods wc liacl distur- bed several rattle sirakes— one ol'our party ^as barefoot, tlie rest in shoes. We retraced oin step-?, followed the !>each to the mouth of the bay and thence down the lake shore. About twelve we fouml our pro- oress stoppe.i by a deep dark stream, which fveatlirst supposed to be Porta and had but two blankets among five of^us. Not a moment's sleep for my eyes this night; but neither the danger of the rat- tle snake'ri f^ngs or the horrors of the scalping knife had any influence with my comrades ; they slept as soundly as tjiough they had been under their paternal roofs. But they had been so long familiarized to danger, that it had lost Hs terrors — I was a raw hand ; .hence the dift'erence. The geese, ducks and other fowl kept up an incessant noise the whole night.— The dew had the effect of a shower- our clotlies and blankets were as wet as though they had been exposed to a heavy rain. In .w morning, finding our progress checked, vre attempted an " oWiqne moven^nt to the left "but this produced no better succes; at ten o'clock we became too much exijaust^J /A 8t ,o couliiiue our eftbrts. " A «ouiicU of war" was held; the result was, evey one wa wj lini? to return to tlie mouth of the uver ami effect, its passage at every hazard. On our return to the river, we found fresh liorse ana Indian tracks, but whether they were made by friendly ot liostile Indians, wenever learirt, We had the good fortune to find a piece of drift wood sufficietly large *? sustamtbe rr^n that could not swim, our clothes, &c. Ot tDK 4 made a rude raft, with which we succeeded insetting over. Suffice it to sjay, m oonclu- sioS, that we afterwards found too n«ny op- portunities to becoiTMs thoroudil); acquainted with this immense meadow. It is no exage- ration to say that we met with rattle snakes every ten rods from Tous Samtsto I\>rtage liver The grass of this meadow is of a sott- er kind than the wild grass of the prairies and answers ail the purposesof h^^y "i'».P?*<;"!' It is intermixed with wild oats, wild lye. wild peas, beans, &c. making it m short, the best range for cattle or horses I ever savy.— The Tous Saints is an unfrequented solitary river, and the best place for fowling this side Detroit. To those attached t9 this kind ot ,port!it is worth a journey of five hundred miles to view the feathered assemblage which almost coverthe surfaceof the riverand some- times darken the air with tbeir numbers, Miami bay, like that of Sandusky, resem- bles a lake ; it is about fifteen miles long and ja w 82 I'i ■^ twelve wide ; vessels of 70 loi)s^l3ur then can pass the bar at its entrance, sever Within the ho- acres constitute: soni of this bay grow several thousand oi'folleai'oine, {}\Md oats) which conh...^.. the principal food of the vast ilocks of ducks that frequent the place. It grows in about ?■ feet water ; the stalks near the roots are abe)ut an inch in diamater and gix)w to the hcj-ht often feet ; its leaves above the surface ol the water are like those of the reed cane ; m other respects it resembles the common oat staJk m every thine; but size and kernel, which is ot the nature of rice, and of which the French people make a free use in their favorite soup. Its yield is very abundant, being halt a pint, at least, from every stalk, lbs valuable aquatic graia is found at tlie mouths of ail the rivers which fall into the lakes west of Sandusky, as far as the south end of lake M> chio-an, and is the chiet subsistence oi t[.e prodigious number of water fowl which are found on these waters. The duck ha.« be « come singuUuly expert in phicking her iood from the folk avoine ; being unable to i eaci) the highest branches, she presses her breast against the stalk and with a violent efiort ol her feet causes it to >ield to her strength, which it readily does by reason of its slender fibrous roots —having forcf^d the top ot tlie stalk into the water, nhc keeps W under \m body until she lip (lni.-hrfl Wv repast. edge, i verdui lapids compc gular perpe versel banki also c peara worn was \\ Fo uearl here Tl right elevc flow! ley, 83 'the Miarai-of-the-lake is a fine river navi- ■rable for light vessels as far as tlie rapids, which are 13 miles from its mouth. It isfovm- Id bv the iunction of the St. Mary's and the St. Joseph's, which mingle their waters at foi-t Wayne; from thence it meanders through a rich level country to fort Winchester, (lately fort De(iance) where it receives the Au Ola.ze (•rem the south east; its general course is north-east ; its banks are regular-high, but not abrupt-sloping gradually o the water s ..dus 85 f , »<^, ;p« f he situation is peculiarly inanufavtoi es. 1 ne ^^^^^^„ ,vith an favorable ; '* «P^"f' ^^^^ry, south and west- ''"T^thTSSe" of locality, water, nav^ »oS:&^-.,rtKSaS 1^^'° ^KpK enchasing settlements on f vf Frie wUu4nder inanufactones jndispen- lake Ji.rie wm "=» .^ , affords a beautiful sable. Besi<*es, *»« P^*^^"iitt! ,- doubt but scite for a town ; and *«^ >;(,i ^ .^ fl„„rish- that, in a «hort^«"^. J^^'J ^here now stands ing village »« "L^fro" ^^^^ ^^^ a fort Mf f ^..S ,ett Lent on the river. ^T'fffSseVeraV miles «bove and below extending l?,';^Xou^s were all destroyed by the town. ^/«»^'if 'after Hull's suiiender, the enemy afew WeeMei » ^^^^^^ ^^ .^^ and nothing now ^^^^^Ximn'^s; The usu- forinerexwtence buj^ ^^ the acre.- ffie wi " a «-«" ^''"l^'^lr ThTs Iherewrt^ >,v>*vpd the same fete, ims SMSot:1.i^even 1^^^ arthi "^" '* -- '^"™^:'^ *^ '"' dians. iLU.ii three nito belo^^ fort Meigsy on the Abom ttii-ee nuit.^ -uing of tMt ancient tj ' # loit are Several beautiful islands ; the largest contains 500 acies, and has been cultivated. The distance by laiKl froni loi-t Meigs to the river Raisin is 34 miles. Four roiles this side ilaisin the little river La Loutre falls ihto lake Erie* Several families of l*'i*eneh Were established here before the war, but their hab- itations were mostly burnt slionly after the fall of Detroit* Tbi» stream aftbrds a good harbor for boat»» 1 was t<»ld by several of the inhabitants that the lasid about tlie head waters of tbic mer is very fertile-— that tlierc are several valuable mill seats near tis sour- ces. . .. Tlie Lake ci>^t from Sandusky bay to the mouth of the Raisin resembles fljat part be- tween tliebayand Portage river, already des- ci-ibed. Ihadfoi'gottento menlioh that the margin of the coast is several feet higher tban the plain in Us r^^ar^ this necessary mound ex- lends the whc4e length of the meadow — its summit is cohered with a row of trees, which in ♦heir timis in s^Ailawier are cov^a ed witli an impenotraye foliage of grape viae ;4he9e forna refte^ng shatdes — grapes are found in abun- dancf^y but they are of the j^ciee usually cal- led fox grapes. ,, The mound was evidently formed of Baxid, 'sfiells and peblee, wluch the violence of the . «urf hia&be^n^ecuniulatlfig foa* ages ; if it we*e i^v..,„:,sife;^ ■Im; iV'ltB •-' J.^iit^t-i^'^ ]/ X*elVttth"anf ^^ ^^ a few minntes «<>«^';;^f^^.t;„„tcTs and Indiana to be dehgiitbil- ^' ^ i^mn a eood dcra thrmigl. »'*,~°;X! is sHtled along harbor for ««f t'^",. ^J^^^ee of ^«el'« '^^^''" both banks for the ^?^^ "'S „,iies distant I ■:,-';) ■ 1' r 90 and drinking. AVhy it did not produce iiu s"a„t death f cannot conceive ; their children looked iniBerably. This w by far the wo r.t ooking stream tributary to Lake Erie. 1 1 e Sbered land liere, approacl.es withm a mde of the lake ; four miles from the lake Aux C.S has a brisk cmrent, and aflords situa- Sfavorable to the ereclion of water ma- cCery. The trees are lofty-the land high and arable. For the space of two miles between La Roche and Aux Cignes tlie meadow is inte*- lUDted by wood land which approaches to the S This situation is as hfgh as the islands Of aie lake and has the same soO^and timber. Six miles- from Aux Cignes, in the direction of Brownstown, comes in the river Huron * whicl. pursues a devioBs course vhr.ugh the LadoV a«d the foUe avome of tl^ 1-^^ ^ i-eouires an expei«nced pilot to tmd the en ^re into this^iver-it is not la^, down - inv Enelish map now m use. VVe- spent a SiUe niohl on a point of the meadow near HoutK the last of Octote 1813; tl«, rain fell in lorents the whole night and extin- . mished our fires; we had no tents and >.ere drenched to tHe skhi. I l«ie saw an intelU- TThere are three riversof this nam^the one in ques- .•.„n Huron running into the American side of lake St. cri;:™rCrthfl tall, into tokeErfe,t.!n»>,I« east of eanduslty b»y. Cignes. lyoppt iu-iiie- the ri^ diansl and w! and f( raise Mald( i\m' dictei looki! Fc little Tbe lake Isky Can 91 below MaWen is vi»il)le U ,m c Huron. The distance from Huron to Brownslown having g';»J^=J 1^ "^''^BrowUBtrnvn i. near- dianslwvc several »™^ indolence and fondness 101 .p" K j,^^^ ^ raise very 'f « ^^^'^^.njaous influence, on Maiden ^'^' " 7^2v^s They are much ad- thei-mmdsandinoials. iney j^ .^^^ dieted to intoxication, ana die looking set ofbeings. Pour miles above Brownstown stands the . ° -.1 „i ,>f Ma C/j f » \ 9fi[ of Maldea belongs to the Uninted States ; thxe channel passes hetweenthis island and Maiden* At no time since the declaration of indepen-^ dence till the capture of Maiden, has the Bri-^ tish flag ceased to " wave over the territory'' oi the United States ; from 1783 to 1794 the British retained the frontier posts of Detroit, Miami, &c; from 1794 till 1813,they had al^ ways kept a small garrison with a battery and flag staff on Bois blanc ! This fact cannot be controverted. The American side of the strait rcceives tli^ rivers Aux Ecorces and Rouge ; the first is at the distance of ten, the latter fire miles be- low Detroit. The Rotige is a deep slow stream, capable of admitting vessels of three hundred tons five miles from its mouth, where thei^ is a shipyard; The United States brig Adami^ was built here : its banks are thickly settled hf French. Several Indian villages are estab- lished on its head water. The mouths of Aux Ecorces and Rouge ai'e wide and contain ma- ny hundred nevesoifoNe avoinc. The road from Aux Ecorces to Brownstown passes on iarddry land and through several groves of lofty white oak timber. Three mites below Detroit are the Spring Wells, or Belle Fontaine. The -bffnk is li^re about thirty feetbigh, and presentsf one of the finest views imaginable. You have a full view <^ihe ihramnn shore for ^<;ft w "Bfi^aHf, miles, S!inc Hvind-mills The tow em bank c St. Clair a The town which are and two h often cro stands cor tlie bank, high. Th tending ii dred feet, pingi tlie States, an< unloading Fun ptiralj '^by cross wide, bul muddy in dation of most of tl house has ings are i1 ^ral eleg? fore the ^ rounded 1 there vrei the whan fence was |pdian«v ■■"(•I Hi """■.'", i. if 96 Indians lo state, that Airing their possession 5S ace. they conductelbetter than could reasonably have been expected from gayages. WhTthey wanted to ea*t thejr took without ceremony; but rarely- committed any other outrage. - • - The irfiabitants are pletitifuUy ^supplied «irhmanv kinds of excellent fish-the white bi3y -large as^ shad, are caught with Sstre^f^MFSe^^^^^^^^ i.„^ There i a kind of nunnery, a Roman ThWfor devotion and singing:, a wretched Sllne office in which rel gious French Cksfre printed in a rude style. Lea™»"^^ SlmStS,: neglected J" 1809, Ja«.esl^. S?w1th su£nf enco«ra|ement to con- tinue It beyond the third number. • ', Uii Z^'^ M^ )