The History of Canada

Preface

TO THE EIGHTH VOLUME. This volume contains the narrative of the war of 1812, to the ratification, at Washington, of the Treaty of Ghent, on the 1 8th of February, 1815. Although the events of the years antecedent to the war cannot be recognized as having been its immediate cause, I have deemed it essential, from their importance, to relate them at some length. As in the preceding volumes, I have given references to the authorities on which my statements are based, to admit of the verification of any disputed point. I have endeavoured in all cases to avoid controversy, and have confined myself to a narrative of the incidents, as they are presented by contemporary documents. I considered it a duty to visit the sites of the several conflicts, so that I might accurately describe them. I had the good fortune to be accompanied by senator Maclnnes, one of the most active members of the Wentworth Historical Society.

The subject had been a study with him for years. Thus, I not only obtained the pleasure of his society, but I profited by his information. The enjoyment of his hospitality at Dundurn Park, the grounds of which include much of the old post of "Burlington Heights," must ever remain with me a most pleasurable recollection. While entertaining the hope that my humble endeavour may cause the history of the time to be more generally known, I have striven likewise to make it understood, that Canada was not involved in the contest from any wrong committed against the United States, or even from the belief that feelings of hostility were entertained by us against them ; but owing to the provinces being a portion of the British empire, and at the same time held to be its most vulnerable part. I disclaim any desire of reviving forgotten bitterness of national feeling, or of calling forth dormant antagonism. I have not rancourously disinterred the weapons that have lain rusty beneath

PREFACE.

. IV the sod of the battle fields. I would gladly see those that have survived the contest converted into ploughshares. For the plough is the first instrument of civilization. It is impossible, however, not to recognize, that, in whatever light the war may be regarded, it is important that its history should be related with a strict regard to truth ; however much that truth may be attended with pain. In Canada, we can have no feeling towards the United States but the desire to be the best of neighbours, and the truest of friends. Many of us entertain beyond the line intimacies and relationships, which we cherish with tenderness and loyalty. There must ever be much in common with the Northern States and ourselves, in all that constitutes comity and civilization. If we prefer our own institutions, and the nationality under which we live, the fact should not bear unfavourably on the friendliness of our intercourse.

Above all, it should not affect our literature. We have, at least, a common language ; while our theories of personal liberty, and our political training are founded on the same principles and conditions. In Canada, Great Britain must ever be recognized as the mother of parliaments, the upholder of true liberty, and as worthily filling the foremost place in the promotion of wise civilization. We cannot in the Dominion cheat ourselves with the belief that this is the universal feeling in the United States ; but we do know that it is the view entertained by millions in the republic, and they are its best citizens. There is a special class in the Union to which I desire to allude. I do so with confidence in its justice and fairness : that of my confreres in the critical school of literature, which has there attained the foremost rank.

I submit this history to those who compose it, with the hope that they will not deny me their recognition, as a representative of the principles which they profess ; and that they will do me the justice to believe, that I have not intentionally misrepresented a single incident of the trying years of which this volume treats. W. K. Ottawa, Canada, Tuesday, i st October, 1895. CONTENTS OF THE EIGHTH VOLUME.

BOOK XXVII.

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Chapter I

[1801-1805.] PAGE. Early events of the century . . 1 Napoleon's engagement to the prince of Parma . . . 2 Louisiana transferred to France . 2 United States desirous of obtaining West Florida ... 3 Napoleon's theory as to San Domingo .... 3 His policy threatening to Canada, 4 Condition of San Domingo . . 4 Toussaint Louverture ... 5 General Le Clair 6 Laussat 7 Depot at New Orleans . . 7 Monroe's mission . . .8 French diplomacy ... 9 Proceedings of Napoleon . . 10 His offer to cede Louisiana . . 10 Its purchase by the United States, 1 1 Attitude towards Great Britain . II Desertion of seamen . . .12 Case of Nash of the " Hermione" 12 Desertions from British ships . 13 Claim of impressment by Great Britain 14 Remonstrances of the British minister . . . • '5 Jefferson's political character . 15 His proceedings with the British minister . . . • '5 War between England and France, 1803 . . .16 Merry, the British minister . . 16 His reception by Jefferson . . 17 Page.

Refusal to ratify treaty of Rufus King 17 Claim of United States to Florida 18 Monroe as British minister . .18 Gallatin's estimate of number of British deserters . . -19 Re-election of Jefferson in 1805 . 19 Madison and the French ministers 20 Canada compared to a pear . . 20 To fall when ripe . . .20 Non-importation resolutions . 21 Accidental death of John Pearce . 21 Duke of Portland's ministry . 22 Fox, foreign minister . . .22 Napoleon's success . . -23 Berlin decrees . . . -23 Jefferson's French sympathies . 24 Fox's death : his last political views . . . . . 25

Chapter II

[1806.] Orders-in-council . . . .26 Pinkney in London . . -27 Instructed to enter into a treaty . 27 Monroe's treaty . . . .28 Not in accord with his instructions 29 Jefferson and Madison refuse ratification . . . -3° Without reference to senate . . 30 Affair of " Leopard " and "Chesapeake" . . .31 The "Halifax" armed sloop at Hampton roads . . • 32 Insult to lord Townshend by deserters . - • • VI CONTENTS. PAGE. Address to him from the towns . 55 The press of le Canadien seized . 56 The arrests which followed . . 57 Craig's proclamation . . -57 Read by chief-jnstice Sewell in court . . . • • 5^ Bedard retained in prison . . 59 Ryland sent to London . . 59 His mission to England . . 60 His proposal to seize property of sulpicians . . . .61 Opinion of law officers of the crown . . . . . .61 Proposed suspension of the constitution . . . .62 Opinions of the attorney-general . 63 On the utterances of le Canadien . 63 Ryland leaves London . . 64

Chapter IV

[1808-1811.] John Henry's first letter, in 1808, 66 Sent by Craig to describe public opinion in United States . 67 In London in 1810 . . .68 Refused the reward he claimed . 69 Sells the correspondence to Madison . . . .69 Matter discussed in England . 69 New elections in Canada, 1810 . 70 Meeting of house in December, 1810 70 Craig's government . . 71 Craig's last address . . -72 Objects aimed at by Lower Canada majority . . . -73 Dismissal of solicitor-general Stuart ..... 74 Mr. [sir James] Stuart . . -75 Attorney-general Uniacke . . 76 Craig's views of the defence of Canada . . . -77 Dissatisfaction of the Indians . 77 Battle of Tippecanoe . . -78 Craig's departure . . -79 Craig's character . . . .80 Prosperity of Canada . . .81 PAGE. Admiral Barclay . . . -32 His orders at Halifax . . -33 Captain Humphrey in the "Leopard" . . . .33 Canning's note to Monroe . . 34 Correspondence between them in London . . . -34 Proclamation to British seamen . 35 The non-importation act . . 36 Mr. G. H. Rose, envoy to Washington . . . .36 His instructions . . . -37 His arrival in Hampton roads . 38 Failure in the negotiations . . 38 Disavowal of admiral Barclay's order . . . . -39 The Milan decrees . . .40 Constant expectation of war . 41

CHAPTER III.

[1807-1811.] Arrival of sir James Craig, Quebec . . . -42 His advisers . . -43 His rectitude and good intentions, 44 Powers claimed by legislative assembly . . . -45 Militia geneial order . . .46 Convenes his first legislature . 47 Expulsion of Mr. Hart, a Hebrew merchant . . . .48 The new elections . . .48 Dismissal of five militia officers . 49 Panet elected speaker . . -49 Introduction of bill excluding Jews 50 Craig prorogues parliament . . 50 Influence of le Canadien . . 51 Craig's progress to the east . '5' Meeting of the new parliament . 52 Vote to defray expenses of government ..... 52 Without reference to legislative council .... -53 Motion for an agent to reside in England . . ... 54 Craig again prorogues the house . CONTENTS. VII PAGE. The lumber trade . . .81 Craig's road . . . .82 The first steamer, the " Accommodation " . . . .82 John Molson, projector of steam vessels on the Saint Lawrence 84

Chapter V

[1806-1811.] Lieutenant-governor Gore 1 . 86 Difficulties in his government . 87 "Family compact" non-existent at this date . . . -87 Judge Thorpe . . . .88 Gore arrives at York [Toronto] . 89 Weeks, a barrister ; his career and death 90 Judge Thorpe elected to the legislature 91 Surveyor-general Wyatt . . 91 His suspension of Ridout . . 92 Wyatt proceeds to England . . 93 Joseph Willcocks . . -94 Wyatt's suit against Gore . 94M. The Upper Canada Guardian . 95 Supposed to be subsidized from New York . . . . 96 Imprisonment of Willcocks not caused by Gore . . -97 Ordered by the legislature . . 98 Character of Willcocks . . 99 John Mills Jackson . . -99 His pamphlet .... 100 Gore's reply to it . . . ■ 100 Declared by legislature to be false and scandalous . . . 101 Gore's government . . • 102 Thorpe's political activity . . 102 His suspension from the judgeship 103 Leaves Canada .... 103 Moderation of Gore's government 104 Attorney-general Firth . . 105 His pretensions .... 105 Violation of British territory . 106 Murder of Underhill by captain Bennett, U.S. 6th regiment . 106 Indignation of the inhabitants . 107 PAGE.

Bennett's letter .... 107 Gore transfers government to Brock . . . . .108 Establishment of grammar schools 108 Condition of Upper Canada [1810] 109 Mischievous interference of the colonial office . . .110 No one drawing a pension allowed to lead a useful life . .110 Judge Powell . . . .Ill His services to Gore's government 112 Attorney-general Firth's demands 113 Refused leave to proceed to England 114 Nevertheless leaves Upper Canada 1 14 Gore leaves Toronto on the 8th of October . . . .114

Chapter VI

[1811-1812.] Sir George Prevost arrives at Quebec 115 His family and marriage . . 115 Visits Montreal and south of Saint Lawrence . . . .116 Meeting of legislature . . . 117 Vote regarding sir James Craig's administration . . . 117 Motion payment members of legislature - . . . .118 Liberal provision, public service . 118 Trade with United States . . 119 Its unfavourable regulations towards Canada . . .119 Prevost conciliatory with French Canadians . . . .120 United States agents endeavour to create dissatisfaction . . 120 Belief in the easy conquest of British America . . . 121 Great Britain opposed to war . 121 Neither affection nor respect felt for the United States . . 122 Canada unprepared for war . .122 Napoleon's march to Russia begun 123 In Canada war felt to be inevitable . . ■ ■ I23 CONTENTS.

VIII PAGE. Lord Liverpool's belief that peace can be maintained . . -123 Direct preparations to be discontinued 123 Brock recommends provision for active measures . . - 124 Foster, the British minister, believed war could be avoided . 125 Neglect of Canada by Percival's government . . . -125 Brock meets Upper Canada legislature . . . .126 His speech calls forth confidence . 126 Fails to obtain oath abjuring foreign allegiance . . .127 Difficulties of his position . . 127 House of assembly claims extraordinary powers . . . 128 Persecution of colonel Nicholl . 128 Chief-justice Scott orders his release ..... 129 Proceedings of the house . .129 Brock's activity .... 130 Public feeling during 181 1 . . 131 Opinion in the United States that the power of Great Britain was passing away . . -131 The " Lord Nelson " seized in lake Ontario.. . . . 132 Neglect of the British minister Foster to notify declaration of war 132 Information sent to Prevost and Brock by private firms. . 132 Forsyth, Richardson & Co. : McTavish, McGillvray & Co. 132 " Subjects" of the United States ordered to leave Canada . 133 War forced upon Canada as a part of British empire . . 133 Depression in England . . 134 Belief in the United States that Napoleon would conquer Russia . . . . .135 That he would afterwards crush Great Britain . . . 136

Chapter VII

[1S09.] PAGE. Mr. Madison, president, 1809 . 137 Daniel Montague Erskine, British minister .... 137 Reports conversation with the president and Gallatin . . 138 More friendly relations with Great Britain desired . .138 Instructions given to Erskine to conclude treaty . . -139 Canning's despatch . . . 140 Erskine departs from his instructions ..... 141 Admits unwarrantable conditions into treaty .... 142 Madison's insulting expressions . 143 Accepted by Erskine . . . 143 Treaty disavowed in London, Erskine recalled . . . 144 Publication of dispatches . . 145 Non-importation act proclaimed . 146 Mr. Francis James Jackson, British minister . . . 146 His arrival at Washington . . 147 The contrast between Erskine and Jackson .... 148 Difficulties thrown in the way of negotiation .... 149 News from Europe gives confidence to Madison . . . 150 Jackson's arguments . . .150 Jackson out-argues Madison . 151 Madison's unworthy, cowardly proceeding .... 151 Further communication with Jackson refused . . . 15 1 Jackson's circular to the British consuls . • . . -151 President sustained by majority in congress . . . .152

Chapter VIII

[1S09-1812.] Jackson at Baltimore and New York CONTENTS. IX PAGE. Receives much private attention . 155 Passes through New York to Montreal and Quebec . • '55 Leaves New York . . -155 Due de Cadore declares Berlin and Milan decrees revoked . .156 Pinkney submitted fact to lord Wellesley . . . -157 Marquess Wellesley unable to recognize revocation . . 157 Proceeding of France towards United States . . . 157 The Rambouillet decree . . 158 Madison's proclamation . . 159 Arrival of Serrurier, French minister ..... 160 Impediments thrown in way of reconciliation with Great Britain 161 The question of impressment reopened . . . . .161 Pinkney leaves the mission in London .... 162 Takes leave of prince Regent . 163 Finds Monroe secretary of state . 164 The "President" and "Little Belt " 164 Reparation for the event of the " Chesapeake " accepted . 167 Meeting of new congress . . 168 Arraignment against Great Britain 169 Henry's papers published . . 169 Caucus for election of new president 169 Leaders of the war party and Madison .... 169 Refuse support unless he declares for war policy . . .169 Henry Clay's violent speech . 170 Madison plainly told he could only receive nomination upon condition of declaring war . . 171 Receives entire vote . . . 171 Success of Napoleon believed to threaten annihilation of Great Britain 172 War declared on the 18th of June 173 Jackson at Montreal and Quebec . 174

BOOK XXVIII.

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Chapter I

[1812.] Page. Hesitation of Percival's government 179 Repeal of orders-of-council refused 180 Assassination of Percival . .180 Lord Liverpool's government suspend orders-in-council - - 181 News reaches Canada in August . 181 Prevost sends colonel Baynes to Albany with proposal of armistice ..... 181 President disallows Dearborn's provisional agreement . .182 Foster suggests British abstain from all invasion . . .182 Incapacity of the British ministry in not seeing war could not be avoided .... 183 Canada utterly unprepared for war : without men, without money 183 Canada's army bill act . . .184 Its operation . . . .185 Brock in command in Upper Canada. . . . .186 Not taken by surprise . . . 187 Receives no encouragement from Prevost . . . .187 Hull's invasion .... 188 His bombastic proclamation . 189 Brock's counter proclamation . 190 Brock assembles legislature, Upper Canada .... 191 Disloyal party in the house of assembly . . . .192 Descendants of the U. E. loyalists 192 Michillimackinac taken . . 193 Prevost's difficulties . . . 194 His complaint " of the infatuation of his majesty's ministers " . 195 Procter sent to command at Amherstburg .... 195 Attempt of Hull's parties to pass river-aux-Canards . . • CONTENTS.

X PAGE. Reports his views to Brock . . 217 The Canadian side of the Niagara 217 United States force leaves Lewiston 218 Land on Canadian shore . - 219 Attack of Queenston heights . 220 Death of Brock . . . -221 Reinforcements arrive . . . 222 Defeat of United States force . 223 Evans at Niagara . . . 224 Smyth succeeds Van Rensselaer in command .... 224 Application for armistice, granted by Sheaffe . - ■ .224 Fire in magazine subdued . . 225 Van Rensselaer's report of action, 226 Declares militia refused to cross river 226 Commodore Chauncey at Sackett's harbour . . . .227 The schooner " Simcoe " . . 227 Attack upon Gananoque . . 228 Failure in attempt upon Ogdensburg .... 229 Bombardment of fort Niagara and of fort George . . • 229 General Smyth .... 230 Armistice discreditably terminated by Smyth .... 230 Attack on Canadian posts, upper Niagara .... 231 Defeat of expedition . . . 232 Smyth summons fort Erie . . 233 Bisshopp's refusal to surrender . 233 Failure of third attempt of 1 812 at invasion .... 234 The "Loyal and Patriotic Society" .... 235 Sir Iasac Brock .... 237 General Evans .... 239

Chapter III

[1812-1813.] Attack of Saint Regis . . . 240 United States post on Salmon river taken . . . .241 Defences in Lower Canada . . 241 PAGE. Defeat of major Van Home at Brownstown , 197 Hull re-crosses the Detroit river . 197 Affair at Maguaga . . • 198 Eleven bateaux and boats taken . 1 98 Brock, with volunteers, ascends lake Erie . . . ■ 199 Arrives at Amherstburg . . 199 Tecumseh 200 Organization to attack Detroit . 201 Landing of troops . . . 201 Surrender of Detroit . . . 202 Brock calls to the front Dean, private of 41st, who defended the bridge .... 203 Brock gives sash to Tecumseh . 204 Effect of fall of Detroit on Canada 205 Brigadier Hull a prisoner . . 205

CHAPTER II.

[1812.] Brock returns to York . . . 206 Learns on lake Erie of armistice . 206 Sheaffe's favourable construction of its conditions . . . 207 Prevost's want of capacity . . 207 His apology for the capture of Detroit . . . .208 Brock at Kingston . . . 208 Patriotism of Canadian women . 209 Shots fired at Canadian sentries . 209 Prevost orders evacuation of Detroit 209 Brock, by the discretion allowed him, did not carry out order . 210 Two vessels cut out at fort Erie by U. S. boats . . . .211 Activity in United States naval preparations . . . .212 United States forces on river Niagara . . . . .212 Queenston and Niagara threatened 213 Major Evans, of the 8th . . 214 His visit to Queenston . . . 215 Visiting United States side, discovers signs of attack . . CONTENTS. XI PAGE.

Attack of Odelltown . . . 242 Meeting legislature Lower Canada .... 243 Mr. [sir James] Stuart opposes government .... 243 Bill to tax salaries of officials only 244 Letter of " Juniolus Canadensis " 245 Attempt to arrest Mr. Cary of Quebec Mercury . . . 245 Prevost's despatches . . . 246 Assumes merit of Brock's services . 246 Sheaffe summons parliament of Upper Canada . . . 247 Designs of United States . . 248 Predatory attack of Elizabethtown (Brockville) .... 249 Col. M'Donnell's reception at Ogdensburg .... 249 Attack on Ogdensburg . . 250 Its success ; and its importance . 25 1 Bombardment fort Erie on St. Patrick's day . . . 252 Chauncey on lake Ontario . . 253 York [Toronto] attacked . . 253 Its means of defence . . . 254 Landing of United States troops, 255 Great loss of the 8th regiment . 256 Explosion of magazine, death of brigadier Pike . . . 256 Sheaffe abandons York . . 257 Capitulated by major Allan and Dr. [bishop] Strachan . . 258 Bishop Strachan's letter . . 259 Difficulties in the negotiation . 260 The public buildings burned ; private property " looted " . 261 Sheaffe much blamed . . . 262 Superseded by Prevost . . 263 Attack of fort George, Niagara . 263 Landing of troops . . . 264 Vincent retires to Burlington heights 266 United States treatment of population .... 267 Burlington heights . . . 268

Chapter IV

[1813] PAGE. Predicted conquest of Canada . 269 Arrival of naval forces . . . 269 Sir James Yeo .... 270 Attack of Sackett's harbour . 271 Prevost in command . . . 272 His irresolution .... 272 Landing of British force . . 273 Sir George Prevost orders a retreat ..... 274 Consequences of failure . . 275 Dearborn sends expedition to Burlington heights . . 276 Stoney Creek .... 277 United States force encamped at this place .... 278 Night attack by Harvey with the bayonet .... 279 Its success ..... 280 Prisoners taken by British . .281 United States flotilla of boats defeated .... 282 Yeo's report of attack . . . 283 Sir John Harvey's services . . 283 "Stoney creek" a turning point in the war. .... 284 Vincent's generous behaviour to Harvey .... 285 Sir James Carmichael Smith's opinion .... 285 Winter march of the 104th from New Brunswich . . . 286 Lieutenant FitzGibbon at the Beaver dams . . . 287 Lieutenant-colonel Boerstler arrives at Saint David's . . 288 Laura Secord .... 289 Her passage to the Beaver dams . 290 An ambuscade laid for Boerstler's march 291 FitzGibbon comes upon the scene 292 Obtains surrender by Boerstler of United States force . . 293 Number of troops present . .

CONTENTS. Page. At Ancaster .... 322 His conduct during the march from the Detroit .... 323 The 23 deserters taken at Queenston ..... 325 News of Napoleon's defeat at Leipsic ..... 325 Exchange of prisoners . . . 326 Finally arranged at Champlain . 327 Paroles improperly exacted by United States . . . 327 Prevost's general order on the subject 328 Procter tried by court-martial . 328 The sentence .... 329 Breach of parole by United States officers ..... 332

BOOK XXIX.

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Chapter I

[1813-] De Rottenberg in command, Upper Canada .... 339 Colonel Clark, Lincoln militia . 339 Surprises fort Schlosser . . 339 Lieutenant-colonel Bisshopp . 340 Attack on Black Rock . . 340 Success of expedition ; death of Bisshopp .... 341 Chauncey sails to Burlington heights . . . .341 York taken by United Statestroops 342 Action between fleets . . . 342 United States vessels "Julia " and " Growler " taken . . 343 Naval action off river Genesee . 343 Naval action of 28th September . 343 15 British bateaux and small gun-boat taken .... 344 Attempt to re-take them at Goose . creek 344 Failure of attempt . . . 345 Prevost's reconnaissance from fort George 345 Effect of Procter's surrender . 346 War policy of United States . 346 To make passage of the Saint Lawrence impossible . . 347

CHAPTER V.

[1S13.] Page. Procter sends detachment to attack fort Wayne .... 296 Major Muir abandons the expedition ..... 297 His retreat 298 Picket at river Raisins driven back 299 General Winchester occupies ground ..... 299 Procter's attack of Winchester . 300 His tactics criticised . . . 300 Winchester defeated . . . 301 Procter made brigadier-general . 302 His attack of fort Meigs, on the Maumee .... 303 Harrison's sortie .... 304 Procter abandons siege . . 305 United States' activity on lake Erie 306 Procter's second expedition against fort Meigs .... 307 Its failure ..... 307 Attack of Sandusky . . . 308 Its failure ..... 308 United States force on lake Erie . 309 Barclay in command British flotilla, lake Erie . . . 310 Desperate position Amherstburg garrison . . . . 3 1 1 Barclay, unprepared, sails out to fight 311 His defeat by commodore Perry . 312 Procter at Amherstburg . . 314 Summons a council; retreat determined ..... 315 Amherstburg and Detroit abandoned . . . . -315 Immense quantity of baggage . 316 Pursued by Harrison . . -317 Overtaken west of Moraviantown . 318 Action of the 5 tli of October . 319 Defeat of British force . . . 320 Death of Tecumseh . . .321 Escape only of lieutenant Bullock, of the 41st, and 50 men . 321 Flight of Procter ....

CONTENTS. XIII PAGE. Arrival of the de Meuron and de Watteville regiments . . 347 Wilkinson appointed to chief command ..... 347 Concentrates troops at Sackett's harbour .... 348 Descends Saint Lawrence with his force 349 His proclamation . . . 349 Landing of United States force . 350 The British force .... 350 British land at Hamilton, New York 351 Agreement entered into with citizens . . . . -35' Subsequently repudiated by U.S. government . . . . 35 1 Wilkinson descends rapids . . 351 Boyd accepts battle . . . 352 Battle of Chrystler's . . . 353 Colonel Morrison, of the 89th . 353 The action ..... 354 Wilkinson hears of Hampton's retreat ..... 355 Ascends Salmon river to French mills 355 Wilkinson remains at this spot until February . . . 356 Pursuit of his column . . . 356 Desertion from British ranks . 356 Chrystler's ..... 357 Why spelt " Chrystler's " . .357

Chapter II

[1813-] Ile-aux-Noix .... 358 Capture of "Growler" and " Eagle " . • . -359 Colonel Murray at Plattsburg . 360 Captain Pring at Burlington . 360 Captain Elliott at Champlain . 361 Hampton in command in lake Champlain .... 361 Abandons march to Odelltown . 362 Marches by Champlain to " Four Corners " . . . . 362 Page. Captain Mailloux . . 362«. De Salaberry ordered to harass Hampton .... 363 Hampton advances to the Chateauguay 364 Difficulty in describing action . 365 Arrival of colonel M'Donnell . 365 The action of the 26th of October at Chateauguay . . . 366 Hampton's retreat . . . 368 Prevost's disingenuous despatch . 369 Importance of the action . . 370 Correspondence on the injustice to de Salaberry . . -371 Danger to Canada threatened . 373 Chateauguay; site of action . 374 CHAPTER HI. [1813-] Effect of Procter's disaster . . 375 Prevost's order abandonment of Burlington heights . . 376 Disastrous consequences which would have resulted . . 377 Council of war resolve to hold the ground .... 377 Bostwick's gallant exploit . . 377 General McClure at fort George . 378 Burns Niagara .... 379 Wilkinson endeavours to exculpate Armstrong . . . 380 Armstrong's letter of authorization 380 Fort George evacuated . . 381 Sir Gordon Drummond arrives . 381 His career ..... 382 General Riall . . . .382 Fort Niagara captured . ■ 383 Expedition on eastern bank river Niagara .... 384 Retaliation for burning of town of Niagara .... 385 Black Rock . . . .385 Buffalo taken . . . .386 Deserter shot . . - 387K. CONTENTS.

XIV PAGE. The so-called U.S. "Canadian Battalion " . . . . 472 Burning of Saint David's . . 473 Constant "looting" by U.S. troops 473 Drummond's protest at these " wanton outrages " . , 473 Disposition of British force . . 474 Brown abandons Queenston . 475 Chauncey declines to operate with him 475 Drummond arrives at York with reinforcements . . . 476 Orders attack of Lewiston . . 476 Drummond arrives at Niagara . 477 Advances to Queenston . . 477 Winfield Scott ordered to advance against Riall . . . 477 Drummond proceeds towards Lundy's Lane . . . 478 Riall's movements . . . 478 Movements of colonel Hercules Scott 479 Drummond at Lundy's Lane . 480 Strength of both armies . 4S0//. Battle ground, Lundy's Lane 481K. Action of Lundy's Lane . . 482 Winfield Scott's attack . . 4S3 Arrival colonel Hercules Scott . 484 Attack on heights . . . 485 Miller carries position with guns . 486 Guns recovered .... 486 Action continued in darkness . 487 Defeat of the United States troops 488 Character of the battle . . . 488 Most renowned of the war . . 489 United States strength and losses ..... 490 Brown's despatch . . 490/2.