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For the sake of clarity and chronological order, the supporting letters of the court martial are re-arranged in this transcription from the first, dated June, 1813 (no day) to June 7, 1814. BARCLAY TO HARVEY No. 8. H M Ship Queen Charlotte Long Point, June 1813 Sir The prevailing westerly winds having detained me much longer than I intended, I had not the honor to receive your letter until this Morning. I regret it some days have been unavoidably lost by it You mention the approval of General Vincent of my proposed attack on Presque Isle also his proposed decision of sending the remainder of the 41st., but then you add that they do not amount to more than 20 as However Mr. Duenzy informs me that there are about 200 with BG.V. I presume you meant the last number as to an addition of 20 to our force they could be of no possible use -- as from the appearance of Presque Isle a large force must be employed against it certainly not less than 4 or 500 Regulars Troops and these reinforced by a powerful Body of Indians. But as I do not know how far I may be justified in imputing to you an error in your letter and fearing the service under Genl Procter may suffer from the detention of the company of the 41st. any longer I have embarked them and shall sail the moment I can procure bread for them which I hope will be early tomorrow morning for Amherstburg. But again if B.G.V. can send a detachment strong enough to make an attack on so important a place and which would be of such infinite importance to this country, I beg that they may be sent to Long Point in preference to Point Abino as at the latter rendezvous they might be detained many days by adverse winds at the former than can hardly happen, and at the same time I wish an express to be immediately sent to Amherstburg that I may be governed accordingly, for I shall certainly make every arrangement and application to bring down every Indian and Man that can be spared from them, as I think it far better not to make any attack than to do it with too small a force to make the prospect of success even equal, I beg that if any force is sent it may be a respectable one. I much regret the absence of Sir J. L. Yeo -- I applied to him for a body of Seamen but if what I have just now heard prove correct that of His having captured 4 of the enemys Vessels and taken them to Kingston, I hope he will on the receipt of my letter send as many up as he can and that on my return I may find them at Long Point. I am &c. &c. &c. |
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