The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-09-24

lNduCv, io2Ccu win provisions, clothing, &c.
for the troops at Mackinac.
She was two miles up the Northumberland
river, moorcd under a block house, strongly
situated on the S. T.. side of the river, which
running nearly parallel with the BAY shore
Ior that distance, forms a narrow Peninsula ;
this, and the wind being off shore, afforded
me an opportunity of anchoring opposite to-
hl'n, and within good battering distance but
finding the sand-hills and trees frequently in
terrupting my shot, borrowed an IL inch
howitzer from Col. Croghan, mounted it,on
one OF my carriages, ard sent it on the PENN
sula, under command of Lieut. Uoidop; sit
uation was chosen by Capt. Gratiot of the
engineers, from Which it did great execution
The enemy defended himself very handsomely
until one Of those shells burst IN his block
hta,se and blew up kis paasazincs-I'his SEA
fire to train which had been laid for the
destruction of the vessel, and in an instant She
was in flames ! had made the necessary
preparation with boats for getting On board
OF her; but frequent and heavy explosions
b3ow deck, made the risk Of lives too great
to attempt saving her. She was, there fore,
with her valuable cargo, entirely consumed
cannot say whether those who defended her
were blown mp in the block house, or whether
they retreated in the rear cf their work,
which they might have done unsccn by MS, as
1t afforded sescent into thick wood. hope
the latter. A number of articles were pick
ed up at considerable distance off; among
them was the commanders desk, containing
copies of letters, several of which herewith
enclose YOU for your information. They
serve to show the vessel to have been com
maadcd by Lieut.. Worsley of the ROYAL Ma
Wy; OF what infinite importance her Careo
was 20 the Garrison at Mackinac, and that
they have nothing atoat now on that Lake
The Nancy appeared TO be very fine ves-
sci, between the size of the Queen Charlotte
and Lady Provost There were 5 guns on
the blocS-housc, 2 21-pounders, and 6-poun-
der. Cannot say what WAS on the vessel, as
ali her ports were closed. l also got new
boat called by them gurGboat, but unworthy
the name, being calculated to mount only a
24-pound carronade.
ne NantauEdsauga is too ,inrrow, and o.
VerhunS w..ttn bushes, tor vessel to get up,
eXccrt,t by warping, which prevented my SEN
ding gun-boats III, or Gel. Croghan from at
tempting to turn his rear; as we saw mum
Der of Indians skulking, and occasionally f.
ring across from the banks it was in this
way the only man we had touched was Woun-
ded.
You will see by the enclosed letters the
short state they are i'll for provision at Mich
limaokinaC and i am assured, from the best
authority, that this is the only line Of COM
nuGicaticn by which they can be auprlied,
that of the Grand River being rendered I'M
passable for any thing heavier than man
Can carry on his back, by 60 portages have,
therefore, left the Scorpion and 1igress to
blockade it closely, until the season becomes
too boisterous for boat transportation. Col
Croghan thou6htit not advisable to fortify &
garrison Nautauwasauga, as the enemy's
atIO ft.Cr,, 70
venient, that any force he could leave there
would be cut eff in the winter.
was unfortunate in getting embayed, in a
gale OF ~ind, on rocky lron-bound shore,
which occasioned the loss of all the boats |
had i'll tow, among which was the captured
Sun-boat and my launch: j felt fortunate,
however, in saving my vessel, numbered as
she was. with $50 souls on board, and ship
ping such immense quantities of water as to
give NE very serious alarm for some hours
was compelled to strike some of my guns
below, and nothing saved her at last, but
sudden shift OF wind, as there is nothing like
anchorage III Lake Huron, except in the
mouths of rivers, the whole coast being steep
rock. i have been several
times IN great danger of total loss, in this ex-
tremcly dangerous navigation, entirely un-
known to our pilots, except direct to Macki-
rae, by falling suddenly from no sounding into
> tathoms, and twice into Ia less twain, all
craggy rock. Those dangers might be avoid
ed, from the transparency of the water, but
Tor the continued thick fogs which prevail
almost as constantly as on the Grand Bank
by the arrival of the mail a few hours af-
ter anchored at Detroit, learned the cri-
ucal state OF our army on the peninsula, and
that the Somers and Ohio had been Captur-
ed. The craft from the Flats, with Fart of
my guns and shot, had not vet arrived but
being certain my presence would be necessa-
ry at the earliest possible moment, / availed
myself ofa fair wind, and sailed for this place.
where am happy to learn that our army feel
themselves perfectly secure where they are.
have, however, sent the Lawrence. Lady
Prevost, and Porcupiue to Buffalo, there to
render any assistance which may be required,
and shall f,1lOw them myself, in the course of
~ hours. There is such an imminent ,isoue
OF the loss of the feet, at this season of the
year, laying to- an anchor near Buffalo, where
the bottom is composed entirely of sba,D
rock, a strong current setting down, and ex-
posed to the open lake, from whence the hea-
West gales are experienced, that shall not
unless ordered positively to do so from the
Departr- mt, continue there moment longer
than can ascertain the Commanding Gene
RAILS views, and III what way the feet can
Cooperate with him. Daily and dear-bought
experience teaches us we ought not to Issue
our fleet ia a situation where they are so liable
obc lost. Lieut. Kennedy has, no doubt, in
formed you Of the total loss ofthe Ariel, after
being on float and ready 70 move from there.
have the honor to remain, with great res
poet, sir, your obi servant
A. SINCLAIR.