The Sun.
London, England, 1838-01-27 00:00:00

ATTACK OF SIR FRANCIS BOND HEAD ON

NAVY ISLAND.
(From the Rochester Democrat.)
Governor Head is said to have passed up the river on the
26th (Tuesday evening), to attack Navy Island, and on Wed-
nesday night a heavy canonnading was heard in that direction
at half-past eight o'clock, and continued for two hours, during
which our informant believed two hundred guns were fired.
Another gentleman who left Lockport yesterday, states that it
was reported that Sir F. Head had attempted to land, but
without success, and had one boat full of troops sunk in the
attempt.. The insurgents are said to he increasing in this
depot, and have obtained more cannon, built furnaces for heat-
ing red-hot shot, and are prepared to lay the village of Chippewa
in ashes if any further attack is made upon them.
Governor Head had previously sent an official message to
Governor illarq, with a requisition to deliver up the person
`Ol. W. L. Mackenzie, charged with felony in robbing the mail,
D. Bethune, Esq., was the bearer of the message, and arrived
at Albany on Friday evening, and left on Sunday morning
with the Governor's refusal, on the grounds that the charge
was one arising out of the higher offence of treason, which was
,an exception to those laws by which fugitives can be surrendered
11 the Executive, and further that Navy Island, where .Mac-
kenzie was supposed to be, is nut in his jurisdiction.
(From the New York Mercantile Advertiser of Dec. 29.)
THE REVOLUTION IN CANADA.
The Patriots on Navy Island are increasing in number,
adding daily to the munitions and defences, which are sup-
plied by voluntary subscriptions from either side of the river.
At Kingston the papers speak of the rebellion as having
been crushed, and are exceedingly violent and abusive towards
the American Government and people.
At Prescott numerous arrests have been made, of persons
too, who had committed no overt acts, but were heard to ex-
press Liberal opinions.
In the Lower Provinces the Royalists begin to show
mercy. Of the thirty-two prisoners brought to Montreal by
Colonel Wetherell, from St. Dennis, twenty have been dis-
charged ; 'and of the 112 prisoners brought to that place
from St. Eustache by Sir John Colborne, seventy-three have
been released. The prisons, however, are still gorged with
victims, and the Royal papers talk of trials and punishments
for high treason.
The Montreal Courier of the 21st inst. says that there has
not, to that day, " been a single prisoner either condemned or
executed by martial law or any other law."
Garrow, the U. S. Marshal, has gone to the Niagara
frontier, for the purpose of seeing that the laws of neutrality
are not violated.

(Correspondence of the Albany Evening Journal )
" Rochester, Dec. 23, 1837.
" I know that you want to hear what has been and is now
doing for freedom in Canada. I have only time for a few
words. Dr. Rolph is here, but keeps pretty quiet. The
greatest excitement pervades all classes, and nothing is heard
but what is the best means for furnishing arms, provisions,
tke., for Navy Island. Five hundred muskets and several
pieces of cannon have been taken from the arsenal at Batavia.
Forty men, with a field-piece and sixty muskets left this place
the night before last and forty more are to start this evening.

(From the Rochester Democrat, Dee. 23. )
The following letter from our attentive Lewiston Corre-
spondent is very interesting, and all we have to add from the
west :

LEWISTON, DEC. 30.—Rumour was current yesterday that
Sir F. B. Head forwarded commands to the troops at Chip-
pama and Fort Erie to attack the rebels on Navy Island forth-
with. Letters from Niagara Falls last 'evenieg state that 35
had passed over to INT‘Kenzie during the day. Sir Francis ar-
rived at Queenstown last evening, and issued an order of ne
e.reat regnum by closing the ferry.
-We understaad that much surprise was expressed by the
Governor that his loyal subjects at Queenstown did not pass
over and apprehend M'Kenzie vi ivum vei mortum, who was
reported to have been at this place a few hours yesterday
morning. He (Sir F.. 11.) started early this morning for Chip-
Pa.vva.
We have just conversed with a Gentleman who came in the
car this afternoon from the Falls. He says that the nnmber
who have passed over to-day is GO, and he siw forty in a body
embark.
LATER-9 o'clock.--A gentleman, direct from the island
this evening, confirms what we have heard this afternoon. He
also says that the baggage of two companies have arrived at
Tonawanda, who arc expected to-night. Governor Head, upon
his arrival at Chippawa, said that the rebels must be driven
from their encampment if it cost his own life and half the lives
of the province, whereupon 300 of the Tory party threw down
their arms. Although a great display of force is exhibited at
Chippewa, it is believed little dependence can be placed upon
them. The Patriot camp are prepared for an attack, which
they are daily expecting.

[FRONI THE ROCUESTER.]
DERNDERNT, DEC. 27.—The common council last evening
passed a resolution, calling upon the citizens to observe.a strict
neutrality in the Canadian contest, and to be calm in the ex-
pression of their sympathy.
Our city is filled with excitement and rumours relative to
affairs in progress on the line. It is said that Governor Head
passed up from Lewiston to Chippawa, with thirty sledge
loads of men, on Monday ; also that on Monday the Go-
vernor sent a flag of truce to General Van Rousseller, com-
manding him to leave Navy Island instanter. The Ge-
neral's reply was, that he was quite ready to leave, and
thra he intended to dine with the Governor in a few days
at Toronto. It is further rumoured that steam-boats are being
prepared for an expedition at Buffalo, to some place unknown.
M,Nab is reported to be moving towards Chippawa with
thirteen hundred men. It is a fact that volunteers arc con-
tinually wending their way to Navy Island, and that twenty-
five ferocious looking-fellows left this city for some point in
that direction yesterday. A gentleman from Detroit brings
information that a patriot force was forming opposite that
city when he left, and that the volunteers were flocking in
from all quarters. Dr. Duncombe was said to be there.
We raw a gentleman last evening who left Hamilton on
Sunday ; 111'Nab was there with aforce of about 300 which
were continually increasing, for the purpose of marching to
Chippawa.
On Monday, he says, about 400 people landed at Queen's
Town from Toronto, for the same destination. The same
gentleman says a party of about fifty Indians accompanied
the stage from Bradford to Hamilton. We learn from a cor-
rect source that there are no fewer between London and
Sandwich. At the former place, on Saturday, the Loyalists
were still hunting the Provincials. A judge (.`Lean) of
sa3s that three malcontents of the London district
have been arrested and imprisoned. This we know to be a
mistake, as we saw one of them hale and hearty at Ridgway
on Saturday, on his way to Navy Island. He had a narrow
escape, which will be felt when he again meets his persecutors.
The following persons have been lodged in gaol at Kingston:
They are Joseph Caniff, Reuben White, Joseph N. Lock-
wood, Gideon Turner, C. H. M'Callim, J. H. Harris, P.
Davidson, sen., J. Caverley—all of Belville, charged with
high treason; Dr. Haydon and Mr. Parks, from Hastings;
also, Mr. T. Anderson, Anson M. Day, Arran Robinson, Mr.
Tacker, from Canada East, accused of sedition.
The Lieutenant-Governor has offered rewards for the ap-
prehension of the following :—Charles Duncombe, 500/. ;
Eliakim and Finley Malcolm, and Robert Alway, 250/. ;
Anderson, and Joshua Doan 100/.
We find the followingin ;he Rochester Daily Advertiser :
PROCLAMATION.
" Three hundred acres of the most valuable lands in Canada
will be given to each volunteer who may join the Patriot forces
11°w encamped on Navy Island, Upper Canada ; also, 100
dollars in silver, payable on or before the Ist of May next.
" By order of the Committee of the Provincial Government,
" W. L. MACKENZIE, Chairman, pro tern.
" Navy Island, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 1837."
We Wednesday copy the following from the Buffalo Journal of
:
THE SPIRIT OF THE COUNTRY I—WC give the following
extract from a letter from a gentleman in Tompkin's county
to a business firm in this city, as one among the many which
we have seen indicating the feeling which prevails all over
the country, in reference to the cause of the Canadian Re-
formers :
" Dear Sirs,—l herewith send you a ten• dollar bill, which,
with my respects and good wishcs, please give to my friend,
W. L. Mackenzie, who I discover by the paper is in your
City. If, however, he should have previously left, give it to
sortie other Canadian Patriot, and if the cause of freedom and
4isenthralment from petticoat government will be subserved by
drawing on me for 50 dollars or 100 dollars, I shall be happy
to meat the demand.

riial at Chippawa, sever -ly censured some of the half-pay
officers resident in that neighbourhood because they had not
gone to Buffalo, and also because they had not dislodged the
patriots from Navy Island ; the half-pay officer probably
thought it would have been a hard job to rescue Mr. Macknnzie
from the Buffalonians ; and as to the latter cause of censure
the journal says—" If Sir F. Head wants Navy Island, it is
there before him—he can take it for himself ;'in this case he
will receive all the honour."

The Buffalo Star of Tuesday says—" Rumour is wide
awake yet, with her thousand tongues. It is certain that the
inhabitants of the other side are surrounded with trouble and
suspicion ; the farmer is not allowed to visit his barn and out-
houses without a guard to attend him."

It is rumoured—that Governor Head expressed great indig-
nation towards one of the military officers, because he did not
send a party of our men into our territories to seize Mr. Mac-
kenzie on neutral ground. If this be true, and the attempt be
made to tal:c any of the patriots from our soil who may have
fled hither for shelter, we believe the Governor himself would
hardly be safe, even in the midst of his own guards. The fact
that the loyalists on the Canada shore have destroyed all
means of crossing speaks plainly the fears they have of their
own people. None aro permitted to cross to this side but
sworn loyalists.
The army of Navy Island is increasing and in fine spirits.
They have a large number of cannon furnaces for heating shot,
and every means of laying the village of Chippawa in ashes
the moment any attack is made on them.
We understand that a quantity of stand of arms, kept at
Waterhouse, belonging to the State, were stolen on Wednes-
day night. No clue has been obtained as to who were the
thieves.

(From the Rochester Democrat of Dec. 25.)
Faom THE NEST.—We have intelligence direct from Navy
Island as late as Saturday afternoon. The force on the island
was continually increasing, by volunteers from both Canadas
arid the States.

On Friday Mr. Jesse Lloyd, for whom a reward of 3001.
had been offered, arrived at the island in company with seve-
ral others, after having undergone the most severe hardships,
prom fatigue, hunger, and exposure. They passed down
Lake Erie forty miles in an open boat, with high winds and
intense cold.

On the same day Mrs. M`Kenzie reached the island. After
having endured repeated insults, she obtained a pass from
Governor Head to leave the province. She is an intelligent
Scotch lady, and a warm patriot. Her willingness to endure
all the privations of the camp, is an evidence of her devotion.
On Thursday Governor Head reached Chippawa, and swore
lustily because the island had not been taken. After a swag-
gering speech of some length he called for volunteers to
attack the Patriots. Three answered 1 After another speech
fifteen answered 1 He then left them in a rage. The island
cannot be taken.

A gentleman whom we saw on the line, direct from Fort
Eric, by way of Chippewa, &e., says that there are no more
than 50 troops between Fort Erie and Niagara; 150 had been
sent to Toronto.

There are ten or twelve pieces of artillery on the island, and
one mortar. The ammunition is abundant.

It has been reported that the Royalists intend to attack the
Patriots with bomb shells, but such an attempt would be per-
fectly harmless. The island is an almost dense forest—a mile
and a half long and near a mile wide. Bombs might be thrown
for a month without injuring a single mau.
During Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the Royalists re-
peatedly fired upon the sentinels on Navy Island with muskets,
but the distance (half a mile) prevented any mischief. The
Patriots have only in one or two instances returned the fire.
There are only 150 men now opposite Navy Island. The
Patriots will doubtless attempt a movcmant soon; but how or
when is not yet known.
All concur in saying that hundreds now under arms amonc,
the Royalists arc only waiting an opportunity to join the
Patriot standard.

So crossing the Niagara river was permitted on Friday and
Saturday. We understand that the Attorney of the northern
district will demand that this order be countermanded.
We find the following in the New York Mercantile Adver-
tiser of the 27th inst. It is copied into that Journal from a
Patriot Paper called the Rochester Daily Democrat :
We learn, by a lady who arrived in this city last night at
ten o'clock, and who left London, Upper Canada, on Friday
morning last, that 700 Royalists from Goderich, by Lake
Huron, under the command of General Langworthy, arrived
at that place on Thursday morning,' the 14th, to guard the
Court-house and gaol, which it was supposed the Patriots
would attempt to destroy, for the purpose of liberating several
of their friends imprisoned.
On Friday morning the company proceeded to St. Thomas,
for the avowed purpose of arresting the printer of the St.
Thomas Liberal, and all others whom they could discover
aught of suspicion against.
Our informant tells us that during several nights previous to
Friday alarm guns were fired at London, under apprehension
of attacks from the Patriots.

In the town of Oxford a. company of 300 men, under the
command of McNab, was met, proceecing to Oakland, where
a portion of the Patriot army was encamped.
Our informant stopped at Brantford during Friday night
and on Saturday morning, .vas told that an engagement had
taken place between the Patriots and Royalists at Oakland,
and the former driven back, with a loss of three killed. We
could not learn how many Patriots were in the engagement,
nor who commanded them. This information the lady de-
rived from a Tory source.

It is said that in their retreat, the Patriots were joined by
several hundred Indians, and with this reinforcement were in-
tending to attack the Royalists.

✓ (From the British Commercial Advertiser.)
AFFAIRS IN THE UPPER PROVINCE.

Things are approaching a crisis. The Governor has been
transporting boats from Niagara in waggons to Chippawa,
where breast-works have been thrown up opposite Navy
Island. The Patriot camp is in excellent spirits, making
every preparation against an assault. Mrs. M‘Kenzie is with
her husband, and refuses to leave him. She bids fair to be-
come the heroine of the romantic expedition ; the secrets and
expresses of Gen. Van Nouseller brings gratifying intelligence
from the northern and western districts. It would be im-
proper for us to be more explicit at present, while we vindi-
cate the " suppressing of the laws" it would be contrary to
our feelings and principles to give any information relative
to the plans of the Patriots which might prove prejudicial
to their cause.

Gen. Van Rousseller gives orders not to fire a gun until
the loyalist forces have commenced. A few shots have been
sent from the other side, but it was only necessary to show a
blazing match to make those engaged in it scamper.
Yesterday the actual force enlisted and enrolled was 523.
This is exclusive of a large number employed in various ways,
who do not belong to the force. We do not believe Sir F.
Head's troops dare cross the river ; if they attempt it they
will find a glorious grave in Niagara. The Volunteer corps
for the protection of the city from the vengeance of Sheriff
INPLeod, has been organised, armed, and equipped, as the law
directs every man to sleep arms beside him, dreaming of
blood and battle. Our neighbours of Rochester enter heart
and soul into the cause of the patriots. We learn from the
best authority that a Committee from that•place, accompanied
by Dr. Rolph, were in Navy Island yesterday, for the purpose
of conferring with General Van Rousseller.

" Yours, respectfully."
(From the Buffalo Journal of Dec. 25.)
" The Provincial Parliament of Upper Canada is sum-
moned to meet on Thursday. Their session will be an .
Pcrtant one."
The following dispatch from the London district is pub_
'shed in the Toronto Patriot of the 19th:—
Head-quarters, Township of Oakland,
" Scotland, Dec. 15, 1637.
" Sir,---I have the honour toreport that the rebels have dis,
Persed in all parts of this district, and tbat I have taken every
Precaution to intercept them, and cut off their retreat. ,
I have received several deputations from these misguidect
praying for leave to come in and surrender their arms,
41e the oath of allegiance, if necessary, and join the troops
14:tiler ray command. I endeavoured to find out those of the
their
who may yet remain behind, So far I have refused
'it' request, unless their leaders are delivered into my
ands On this subject lam to meet some deputations this
ey~niand will forward a more explicit dispatch of it in the
Intelligence having reached this place that a body of fo-
•t}irers were threatening to cross the Niagara river to join
too rebels that may yet be found in the country, I have this
irtent been called upon by Colonel Rapeljis, Colonel Sal-
41a
.k.;olonel Aiken, Colonel M`Call, and the officers corn-
"mg the regiments of uolunteer corps in this district, with
)I'n,quest that I will offer to his Excellency their services, with
beu°o or more of the gallant militia of this district, who will
thjeadY on the slightest notice to march to the frontier should
in ir Country require their services; and I have no hesitation
tr,B„tlting, that should any demonstrations be made on that
it,Ct'er, a sufficient force of cavalry and infantry can be poured
th.k) that quarter from the London and Gore districts, more
d,n, adequate to put it down.
tizts I cannot describe in terms suffciently strong the enthu-
tr 41 and ardour with which the loyal inhabitants of this coun-
t're crowding to my aid. . _

"-1 have the honour to be, &c.

" A. 114‘NAB13, Colonel Commanding."

The Buffalo Journal states that Sir F. Head, on his ar-

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1838.