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10

that came from England with him which can be proved by the Evidence pre- sent, and were sent on board a small coasting Sloop armed only with a few Muskets to proceed to York on our way to Lake Erie -- On our arrival at that place from the bad State of Health of the Master's Mate (which had been reported by me to Sir James Yeo) I was obliged on a representat- ion of the Surgeon to send him back in the Sloop. From York I proceeded with about 200 Soldiers in Batteauas to join General Vincent at Fort George which was the nearest Road to Amherstburg, where I was to take the Command of the Naval Force on the Lake Erie - while proceeding to join General Vincent I heard he was driven from Fort George and I met him on his retreat -- From the General I learned he had sent the Queen Charlotte to Amherstburg to prevent her falling into the Enemies hands at Fort Erie. No alternative was now left but to proceed to Amherstburg by Land from which we were then 300 Miles.

On my way to that place I learned that two Vessels were at Long point, I immediately proceeded there with the Naval Detachment I had brought with me from Lake Ontario, having left the 200 Soldiers with Gen- eral Vincent. On arriving at Long point I found the Lady Prevost and Chippawa Schooners, In the former I embarked the Men to proceed to Amherstberg leaving the other to Convoy a Transport with Flour to that Place, for even then the Garrison of Amherstberg was obliged to be supplied with Provisions from that Depot. At Long Point I addressed a Letter to Sir James Yeo, detailing my proceedings since I left him and stating to him what I found to be the State of the two Schooners at Long point and what I understood to be the State of the remaining Force. I proceeded in the Lady Prevost intending to reconnoitre the

Enemies Force in Presque Isle which I could not accomplish from variable Winds, and being anxious to join the Naval Force at Amherstberg I lost no time in going to that place. I found on my arrival there that the Information I had received relative to the State of the Naval Establish- ment placed under my orders was but too true and I wrote immediately to Sir James Yeo requesting a re-enforcement of Seamen without loss of time and Stated to hill in that Letter the Qualities and Condition of the Squadron.

As soon as I could prepare for Sea I sailed in the Queen Charlotte to reconnoitre Presque Isle with the Additional reason, of information having been just received that reenforcements for the Enemies Army under General Harrison were coming from that port by the Lake. This infor- mation proved to be unfounded and I proceeded according to my first intention of looking into that Port and found the Enemies Force far advanced, for the particulars I refer the Court to Letter No. 4 -- In which they will find I not only proposed a combined attack on that place but still urged the necessity of being immediately reenforced by Seamen to prevent the Enemy having the Superiority on the Lake. The Court will find also by that Letter that Sir James Yeo sent me a Captain with his servant no one else. And I beg leave to state to the Court that this Letter called forth a reprimand from the Commodore which he stated as being much too peremptory from a Junior to an Officer so much higher in Rank. To give time for the arrival of Seamen and Troops for the above