FUNDAMENTAL
DOCUMENTS

ARCHIVES/
LIBRARY

ONLINE
RESEARCH
TOOLS

ONLINE
DOCUMENTS

ONLINE
SERVICES

24

induces me to send an Officer with this Dispatch to acquaint you that un- less an immediate reinforcement of Seamen with the Guns, and Stores for the Detroit are forwarded our superiority must fall, our Communication will be entirely cut off and Amherstburg laid open to an Attack

On consulting with Captn. Finnis on the best mode of conduct to be adopted he agrees with me that to risk an Action with so very inferior a force would be imprudent and impolitic in the highest degree as in the event of any of H.M. Vessels falling into their hands the Detroit would be of less use & their Squadron would remain decidedly superior such a consequence and at such a critical Period has determined me to await your Answer to this cruizing between Long Point and Presque Isle that I may be able to carry up whatever Seamen you may please to send also the Caronades and other Stores for the Detroit at Amherstburg and there remain until that Ship is fully equipped and Manned, that I may go out and meet the Enemy on more equal terms

I enclose for your information a comparative view of our respective forces -- and when I assure you that the Provincial Establishment is far worse than it was found on Lake Ontario; you will I hope acquit me of all blame in retiring before what I consider a very superior force indeed

The Enemy's new Vessels are Brigs pierced for 22 Guns each, con- sequently are both superior in that point to the Queen Charlotte, Mann'd as I am now however I should not feel much hesitation attacking either in this Ship - but who is to take the other? besides their small Vessels out number those with me by 5 - Be pleased to send me even 50 Men with a proportion of Officers Petty and Warrant and that will change the face of things very much, but I again must repeat, that when I am obliged to call in the Assistance of the Military so entirely there can not be a hope of the Detroit being an effective Ship without a Proportion of British Seamen.

The Expedition against this Port, fell from the uncertainty of Genl Procter receiving sufficient reinforcements here to act with those he could bring with him from Amherstburg - It is most poignantly to be lamented as it would have completely annihilated their Naval force for this Year at least

The number of Indians under Genl Procter calling for some active Service he has gone again to attempt to dislodge Harrison at Fort Meigs. If the Enemy gain the superiority on this Lake -- it may endanger his retreat & in his absence they may make a descent on Amherstburg

The fall of that place even a temporary fall, would be productive of the most ruinous events, as it is more than probable that the Indians would desert & return to their Countries which would be a certain pre- lude to Successes on the part of the Enemy

I hope you will pardon my taking up so much of your time but I am induced to state every thing that may shew the Necessity of reinforcing