The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-09-25
" DETROIT, 9Th Aupust. ]


mGckinac, 10 General HILL, dated
DETROIT, 4th August, 1912.
SIR take the earliest opportunity to
acquaint your eXcel!ency Of the surrender
or the garrison of Michillin ackinac, under
ny command, to his Britannia Maiesty'S
forces under the command of Capt. Charles
Roberts, on the 18th uit.--the particulars Of
which are as follows :-On The I6lh, was
AFFIRMED by the Indian interpreter, that he
had discovered from an Indian that the Sc
verai nations of Indians then at 81. Joseph
"a British garrison, distant forty FIVE miles)
intended to make am immediate attack on
Niicmlimackinac. i was inciieed, from
the coolness | had discovered in son,e of til
principal chiefs OF the Ottawa * Chippawa
,atlons, who had but few DAYS before pre-
iessed rhe greatest friendship for the unitct,
otatt 5, t. place confidence in this report.
Immediately called 4 meeting of the Anne.
ilCan gentlemen 1T that time on the island
IN which it was thought proper to dispatch
confidential person to st. Joseph to watch
the motions of the Indians. Captain Daur-
man, OF the militia, was thought the most
suitable for this service. He embarked a.
bout sun set, and met the British forces
within ten or fifteen miles of the island by
whom he was made prisoner, and put on his
paroie Ut honor. He was'landed on the is
and at day break. with positive directions
to give me no intelligence whatever. He
was ais" Instructed to take the inhabitants
OF the village mdiscrminately TO place on
the west side of the island, where their per
sons and property should be protected by
British guard /; but should they go :, the
Fort, shey would be subject TO general mas
sacre by the savages, which would be inevi-
table II the garrison fired gun. This in
formation received from Doctor Day, who
oh tIs.xr 10 |,
person was flying for refuge to the enemy.
Immediately on being informed of tho APP
proach or the enewy. placed ammunition,
exc. lii tho block h uses !; ordered every gun
charged, and made every p paration for
action. About O'Clock | could discover
that the enemy were in possession of the
heights that commanded the fort, and one
piece OF their artillery directed to the most
defenceless part uf the garrison. The In
dlan> at this time were to be seen in great
Numbers in the dge OF the woods. AT halt
past IL O'Clock, the enemy sent in flag of
truce, demanding surrender of the fort Gl
Island to his Britannia Ma jesty 5 forces
his, SIR, was he first information ! had of
the declaration OF war II, however, had
anticipated 1t, and IVES as well prepared to
meet sHch AN event as possibly could have
been with the force undCrmy command, a.
mounting To fifty seven effective men, in
cIudIug officers. Three American gentle
men, who were prisoners, were permitted
[" accompany the flag +: from them | ascer-
tanned the strength IF the enemy to be from
nine hundred to one Thousand strong, con-
sistihg Of regulars, Canadians and saYages;
that they had two pieces OF artillery, and
were provided with ladders and ropes for
tAe purpose Of scaling the works if necessa-
ry. After had obtained this information,
Consul ed my officers and also the Ame-
rican gentlemen present, who were very
Intelligent men the result Of which was,
lhat II was impossible for the garrison to
hold out against such a superior force In
TINS opinion fully conCurred, from convic-
ton that 1t was tie only measure that could
prevent general massacre. The fort and
garrison were accordingly surrendered.
" he enclosed papers exhibit copies of
the correspondence between the officer
commanding the British forces and ny self,
and OF the articles OF capitulation This
subject involved questions of a peculiar ma
ture and hope, sir, that my demands &
protests viii meet the appreciation of my
government; | cannot allow this opportu
nity to escape without expressing my obi
CATION to Doctor Day for the service he rem
dcred Inc in conducting this correspon
dence.
IN consequence of this unfortunate af-
fair. beg leave, sir, TO demand that a court
of enquiry may be ordered TO investigate all
the facts connected with it 6 do further
request, that the court may be spec Oily d.
reCted TO express their opinion on the ME-
rits of the case.
have the honor to be,
sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
P.HANkS,
igtr a51Uf nj Iyljijsly