Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1812-10-30
It'll lasting slumbers e'er me 'tsa''
And end my happy days
Bo.son, Jan. 81, 1911.
FROM TEE SPIRIT OF rs.

we nave SakcA uU litAO i'~AS "
lect a correct description oflhe eoun-
try lying between Lakes Eric and
Ontario, being Immediately upoa the
River Niagara. In this neishber-
hood have been collected a conside-
rabIe military force. on both sides
of the river. Tie troops have been
so disposed as to occupy, at short
distances apart, both banks OF the
Niagara. The rirer between the
lakesis generally narrow, consider
ing the vast column of water which
it passes from lake Erie 10 lake On
tario. Between Lewistown II Queens
town, it is not more than four hun
dred and fifty yards wide, so that
during the whole summer, the Anne
rican and English troops have been
encamped or sarrisoned within sight,
and in several places, within gun
shot Of each other. Passing up Nj
agara from lake Ontario, the first
point ofinportanee on the American
shore is Fort Niagara, now known
by the name Of old Niagara, imme-
aiateIv opposite is a beautiful town
called Newark. sometimes Niagara)
covering mile square, with its
streets at right angles. Hero is the
gael and court house of the home
district and near to it on the heights
above Navy-Hall, is Fort George,
at present the most important garri-
son the English have on the river.
From the mouth of tho River to
Queenstown is seven miles, the ri
YER for the whole distance nayigable
by the largest ships. tits said there
isan exeelIentroad on the banks ofthe
river from Newark by Fort George,
Queenstown. Fort Welland or Chip
pewa, up to Fort Erie. Queenstown,
about six miles from Fort George,
is at the head Of Navigation from
Ontario towards the Fails. AT this
place commences theportase by land.
which continues to Fort Wel.and a
bove the falls. where the navigation
Of the river again sets in, and con-
tinues to Fort Erie. Before the de-
claration Of war, at Queenstown,
Fort Welland, and Fort Erie. there
were block houses and small huts
for the accommodation OF troops
which were occupied by detaehments
from Fort George, that formed the
principal depot or rendezvous Of En-
sIish soldiers. AT these places there
arenow built substantial breast works
mounted with cannon, and we'll man
cd.
Fort Erie is situated at the East
ern extremity OF lake Erie, where
its waters narrow into the Niagara
river. This Fort formerly was in
considerable and like that Of Wei
land was established for the purpo-
ses of transporting public stores.
Within y few years il has been great
ly augmented. ard is row large e.
noush to receive and quarter an ar
my. From this place Brceh pro-
ceeded with the reinforcement, that
retock Queenstown on the memora-
bic 18th inst. Crossing to the Ame-
ricsn shore; corresponding with the
points that have been noticed on the
English shore is Niagara opposite
to Newark and Fort George, and
Lewistown opposite to Queenstown.
These places are al! below the Great
Falls. Above and at the distance Of
eighteen miles from LIE wistewn, is
Black Rock. Here is pretty good
harbour: from this point it was tina,
the American tars proceeded, when
they recently captured and carried
off the Brig Adams and the Sloop
Catalonia. Three miles above and
at ButFaloe Greek is an American
post, called Fort Erie, and is imme-
dia,cly opposite to the English Fort
OF the same name. The whole ex-
tent of the River Niagara is not ex-
eeeding thirty miles. Bounded by
this river on tho East, lake Ontario
on the North, Lake Eric on the
South. and by Norfolk County on
the West is very fine and popnlous
settlement, composing Lincoln Coun-
ty, consisting of twenty townships,
100000 inhabitants, and
seven battalions Of mill
tia. For the same extent, on the
line separating the q. States frsm !
Canada, the English are no where
so strong and SO difficult TO be resist