The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-09-18


will join his standard. should he be sue
cesstui in establishing the independence of
that part OF the country Nat. Int,
~ the Editor ofthe National Jntelieencer.
Having seen many misrepresentation in
circulation in the public prints in relation to
the circumstances attending the late surren-
der OF the fort at Detroit, have thought
proper to state facts III relation to it as far
as they have come to my knowledge, as fol-
lows:
Having been heretofore engaged in the
lake navigation, l came to Detroit about the
LIST day OF August, and remained there and
IN the neighhorhood until the surrender of
the tort to the British forces. The surren-
ger OF the tort at the time it took place was
'Ae tnunoerbolt to every one III the place
betng most unexpected by all. Far the
greater part OF the men shed tears bitterly,
aud III the heat of their Indignation many of
them broke their guns and swords to pieces,
manitestiBg by every action the distress of
nhna which they experienced at learning
the news. They would not az ffst believe
1t &C verify believe there was not a man
VINO expected the fort would be surrender
ed, and not one who could be found to Justify
1t. AS all believed there had been a suffi-
Gent force TO have taken Maiden and over
come any force that could be brought "a
gainst the army, nothing could exceed the
mortihcation and surprise of all ranks at
the retreat from Sandwich and afterwards
at the surreder. There was, as / believe.
no want OF forces, Of provision or ammuni-
ton.
he force was at least double the number
OF the besieging army. had a good oppor-
tunity OF seeing the British as they march
ed INTO the fort, and made an attempt to
COnnt L ma ri
tons or twelve men each, of the regulars,
which, with the detachnrents, might have
made up four hundred. Having been here
toiore acquainted with seveFal Of the militia
ofhcers in Canada, was informed by some
OF them, that nearly half of these men were
militia in the clothing OF regulars there
were, perhaps, two hundred and fifty of the
militia, and three hundred and fifty Indians,
making force of not more than thousand
men.
AS to provisions, they were in plenty
1 here were at least two or three hundred
head OF cattle grazing about, and many hun
dreds of Lord Selkirk's sheep which had
been driven in from Canada. My knowi-
edge is not so accurate of the quantity of
ur; but though / associated with both of
hcers and men, / heard no complaint what
ever OF scarcity of provisions. There
was no more appearance of want than in any
other place have ever seen, and plen-
ty OF provisions were within reach of the
army.
AS to ammunition, had heard it said
that general Hull had alledgeG 1t to be
scarce as a reason for surrendering. | en-
CURED OF other officers the fact. and learnt
there was abundance, and that besides the
cartridges and ammunition made up, there
were forty barrels Of powder not touched.
here was not a gun fired from the fort
before the surrender. 1t was the opinion of
the officers that the first fire from guns pre-
pared for the purpose would have moved
down the enemy's ranks if they had persist
ed In advancing, and thrown his whole force
into confusion. No doubt was entertained
by any man that l heard, that the British
force would not only have been repulsed,
but every man taken or DESTROYED, if the
General would have permitted his officers
and men to fight.
DANIEL DOBBIN.
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
District Of Columbia.
On this 18th September A. ID. 1912, per
sonally appeared before me, Justice of
peace for said county, Daniel Dobbin,
whose name is above written, who, beine
sworn on the Holy Evangelists, depose IT,
md saith that the facts, as stated above
are just & true, to the best of his knowledge
and belief. ROBERT BRENT
PAILADELrHIA, Sept. 10.-Mr Saun-
ders, a Pilot, has just arrived in the pilot
boat Louisiana, from the Capes, bringirp
accounts, that the United States Frieatt
Essex, Capt. Porter, came into the Della.
ware Bay OH Monday last, from successful
cruize OF 70 days. On the Banks Of New
foundand, he captured the British sloop o.
war Alert, of 20 guns, (18 pound carron-
ades) and $50 men, who had been sent out
expressly for the purpose Of capturing the
Hornet.--Ihe action was very short tn
Alert poured a broadsidc into the Essex
who gave her in return a discharge from
her quartsrd deck guns, and voIey of small
arms, when the Alert struck her colors
The Alert had seven or eight men woun-
ded not one hurt on board the Essex
Ehe Essex had the Alert IN tow for several
days, when she disarmed, manned, and sent
her to st. JOHNS, (Newfoundland) as a Car
tel, with prisoners. During the cruize, capt
Porter captured (beside5 the Alert) a Bri-
fish transport, which he ransomcd BURNT
two briggs; and captured SIX merchant ships,
ir which he put prize masters and crews.
and ordered them FOR the United States.
The crew Of the Essex are remarkably
healthy, but one man having died with sick
ness. Mr.. Saunders left the Essex at an
Choir, on Tuesday evening, having come NJ
with two of the officers, Lieut.. Gamble, Of
the Marines, (and the Purser) whom he
Landed at New Castle. Lieut.. Gamble went
on Immediately to Washington City, with
dispatches. The Purser is expected in
totpu tu,,4@ l,,, 49,, Co,,ti,