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11

desirable purpose I cruized between Black Rock and Presque Isle to intercept the Brig and Schooners which were coming from that place to join the Enemies force at Presque Isle; but I was unfortunate and missed them in a Fog being obliged to return to Long point for Provisions and to receive such answers to the communications as I had made to Sir James Yeo and General Vincent. After I had waited in vain for Seamen or even any letter subsequent to the arrival of Captain Finnes except one from Lieut. Col. Harvey I thought it more prudent to fill His Majesty's Vessels with provisions as well as a Transport Schooner that I had brought for that purpose and return to Amherstberg to prepare the Boats of various kinds, for our intended expedition and to relieve the wants of the Army in Flour, which I did and found the Detroit still in a very backward state, not near ready for Launching, the Material for Building nearly exhausted and without one Gleam of hope that the prospect could brighten, except by an assurance from General Vincent that a force would be sent to Co-operate with me on our intended attack on Presque Isle and even then we had to wait the arrival of the small Vessels from Lake Huron to transport the necessary Artillery and Troops. When these Vessels did arrive still under the impression that aid would be afforded to enable Major General Proctor and myself to make the joint attack every thing was prepared even the Artillery embarked when I was shewn a letter from the Deputy Adjutant General, which stated that no assistance could be sent from the Army under Major General DeRottenberg (who had superceded General Vincent) which entirely put an end to our hopes in that way. I therefore represented the case to Commodore Sir James Yeo; equipped my Squadron as well as I could and sailed not only to prevent the Enemies Squadron from coming over the Bar but to be nearer Lake Ontarion from whence I still fondly looked for re-enforcements. On my arrival at Long point and the failure of getting Men from both parties I thought my situation as well as that of the Country so critical that I wrote to His Excellency Sir George Prevost (lest Sir James Yeo should be on the Lake) to point out the great necessity of taking the Lake into his serious consideration as on it depended the very existance of the Army under the Command of General Proctor to which Letter I beg leave to refer the Court. Disappointed as I was, not only by the non-arrival of the Seamen but by the Generals declining to send Troops to destroy Presque Isle, I sailed again to reconnoitre that place determined to Attack any part of the Enemies Force that might be over the Bar, the particulars of which I again refer the Court (to the letter Book No. 10) which was sent by an Officer, when it will appear that I again urged the absolute necessity of being re-enforced as I feared the event would prove fatal. To this important Letter I only received a verbal answer from Sir James Yeo that he could not send me any Seamen. This I state in refutation of the charge against me in which he says that I only allowed him three Days to send Men three hundred Miles. I cruized there still hoping that I should at Length be re-enforced blockadeing the Port of Presque Isle as closely as I could untill I one morning saw the whole of the Enemies force over the Bar and in a most formidable state of preparation. I wrote immed- iately to Sir James Yeo No. 15 and made an appearance to the Enemy of returning to Long point but soon after losing sight of them I bore up for Amherstberg. I was happy to find on my arrival that General Proctor had