Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-05-08

From the (Beston) .lmsr,caa Statesman.

f1ULLsS DEFENCE.
From the (Beston) .lmsracan Statesman.
MEMOIRS OF THE CAMPAIGN OF THE
NORTH WESTERN ARMY,
IN THE YEAR 1879.
Addressed TO the people Of The United States
No. w.
FELLOW CITIZENs-In my former
number. l have explained what were
the objects of the government, in
detaching the Ohio militia in 1872
before war was declared, and what
were my motives in taking the COM
mand Of them. viz. the protection of
the inhabitants OH the frontier of our
country against the savages.
shall now endeavor to demon
strate, that it was neither the expec-
tation of the government, nor my eX-
recitation, at the time | accepted the
command, that these forces. in the
event of war with Great Britain.
would have been employed in the in
yasion of Upper Canada, 1clthdut a
sufficient nauaI force to hare COM
manded Lake Erie, and to have pre-
served the water communication from
the states of New York, Pennsylva-
MIA, and Ohio, which border on the
south and east part Of said lake, and
likewise, without the cooperation OF
other forces to the same object.
As early as the Sd OF Aprit, 1909,
being then governor of the territory
of Michigan, | addressed an official
letter to the secretary of the depart
ment of war in relation t" the securi-
ty and defence of the frontier settle
ment of our country. in which, a
mong other things, [ observed, Il
would suggest for consideration the
expedieney of building some armed
vessels on lake Erie, for the purpose
of reserving the communication; con-
slider you have three military posts.
to the north and west of these waters,
and no other communication with
them.' The 18th OF June, 1911, a.
bout a year before the declaration of
war against Great Britain, adj
dressed another letter to the govern
meat, through the secretary, from
which the following is extracted
.From the present state of our TO-
reign relations, particularly with
England. | am induced to believe
there is little prospect of continu-
ance OF peace. In the event of war
with England, this part of the Z.
States (meaning the Michigan terri
tory) will be peculiarly situated
The British land forces at Amhurst-
burg and st. Joseph's, are about E.
quail to those Of the United States, at
this place and MiChiliimackinack.-
The population Of Upper Canada is
more rhaa twenty to one compared to
this territory. That province con-
tains about 100000 inhabitants.
while our population does not amount
to 5000. A wilderness of near GOO
miles separates his settlement from
any of the states. Besides, the In
dian territory and states of o Il K.
are thinIy inhabited, have extern
Sivefrontiers, and their force will be
necessary for their own defence
With respect to the Indians, their ST.
tuation and habits are such, that lit
tie dependence can be placed on them.
At present they appear friendly; and
we're | to calculate on the professions
Of their chiefs, , should be satisfied
that they would not become hostile.
Their first passi"n. however, is war.
The policy of the British govern
ment is, to consider them their al
lies, and, i'm the event of war, to in
wife them TO join their standard.
The policy of the American govern
ment has been to advise them, in the
event of war. to remain quiet at their
villages. and take no part in quar-
rels 10 which they have no interest.
Many of their old sachams and chiefs
would advise to this line of conduct,