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Ed. This is a letter of Feb. 26, 1812 from Sal. Sibley to Worthington, the first part of which is missing.

must on their assistance - It is further stated by these gentlemen, that the impending storm has no immediate connections with our misunderstandings with Great Britain - That the attack will be made by, the savages, whatever may be the result of our pend- ing negotiating with England - They state further that the Indians are amply supplied with arms, amunition Blankets &c. to enable them to prosecute a war with vigor - The mode of attack is not so fully communicated - From some hints which have fallen it is believed a force will have us charge to waylay the roads leading to the [illeg.] with a view of intercepting & cutting off reinforcements and supplies - Should this plan be adopted and adhered to for a few months this post would be in great danger - We have no competent force in this quarter, [illeg.] force as communication -

Having made the above remarks on the subject considered simply in relation to the Indians, I wish to draw your attention to this question in the event a war with Eng- land should take place - The present military force stationed at Anhislbyle [?] un- aided by Indian accretions [?] is not sent as to create apprehending for the safety of Detroit - But sir, it has heretofore been the policy of Great Britain; in her wars in America to call upon the savages for aid - and when the immense sums of money that Govt. expends annually to retain them in her interest is considered, no reasonable doubts can be entertained of her future policy in case of a war with the United States. The fact is notorious and will attestive [?] here by every person who has lately visit- ed Amherstlyl, [-burgh?] that every possible exertion is making to render that fortress secure and tenable and also to retain the Command of the upper lake - The Government has already a large armed vessel upon lake Erie equipped & fully manned, superior to any naval force the United States can bring against it - Not content with this force, they are actively employed in building a second of equal or superior force, which will be compleated and manned at the first opening of the navigation - By means of this force, all Communication by water will be cut off between our posts - Whilst one is stationed upon lake Erie the other will be ordered to lake Huron to aid in the re- duction of Michilimackinac & Chicago -

In addition to the naval force it is reported and believed by many that the British will seize upon and erect works at the mouth of the Detroit River, at or near what is called Big rock on the U.S. territory, a place strong by nature and well sit- uated to aid the navy in cutting up all supplys designed either by land or water for this garrison - It is believed that the point last mentioned will be occupied previous to a declaration of war and the moment it is thought to be unavoidable - Several officers of distinction have lately visited Aherstburgh - In their number is included an Engineer and Barrack master also a Col St George - They are greatly enlarging their works building extensive Barracks &c. apparently under an expectation of a much larger force than his men [illeg.] stationed in the Upper Country - From the various steps and movements of that Government, it is to me evident that they will make a firm and formidable stand in this upper Country centering from what appears to be a prevailing sentiment in Congress - Great calculations are made from the aid which they expect to derive from the Indians - should Detroit fall, it is evident it would cost the United States much Blood, and treasure to regain what they will have best - By it an extensive Wilderness will be thrown between the upper province and the physical force of the western states Our whole line of frontier will be ranged and kept in a state of Alarm- These are consequences calculated upon by the British Govt. and in my opinion are correct principles - It is however in the power of our govt. to defeat their views by mounting six or eight hundred militia or volunteers from the state of Chio or Kentucky before the likes luck up [?] - If troops are not at Detroit before may or June the opportunity and season of saving us will be lost - We shall be sacrificed with the intent of the public - [?]

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