Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-08-07

washington tnan my army. II pro.
per measures had been taken, this
important event might have been
made known TO me in less than half
that time. In consequence of this ne.
elect of the administration, a vessel
was taken by the enemy with the sick
of my army and the hospital stores,
while on her passage from the Ra
pids of the Miami to Detroit, which
vessel would not have been employed
in this service, had received iatelli.
ge,lce ofthe declaration of war one day
sooner. For sending this vessel was
accused of the crime of treason by
the very administration by whose nee
glect alone the misfortune had been
occasioned. In this letter, giving
me Information of the declaration Of
war. received positive orders to
march the army to Detroit, eighteen
miles in the rear of the enemy's prin.
cipal fortress of Maiden, and there
wait for further orders. According
ly, | proceeded. and on the 5th of Ju-
ly the army arrived at Detroit. |
then called council of war, at the
earnest Importantly of my officers,
when it was declared expedient to
cross the Detroit river, and make
the invasion of Canada. notwith-
standing it was we'll known that my
instructions were to remain there for
further orders. Much discomfort was
excited among some of them by nay
refusal to comply with their wishes.
On the evening of the 9Th July, | re-
ceived the letter of the Secretary of
War. containing orders to cross the
river and invade the enemy's terrific
~, and i'm the same letter was con-
tanned discretionary authority to
make an attack on the fortress of
Maiden. if, in my opinion, my force
was adequate to the enterprise, and
it could be done consistently with the
safety of my other posts.
On the same evening | receiYed
this letter from the Secretary, /
wrote 70 him, that it was my opinion
that my force was not adequate to the
enterprise, and stated my reasons.--
This letter was received by the Sec
rotary, and laid before the President,
who fully approved of it, and all of
my conduct; and Notwithstanding the
measure of attacking Maiden was
left to my discretion, and notwith-
standing | had stated as my opinion
that my force was not equsl to the
enterprise. and although this opinion
had becn approved by the President,
yet this very measure was made a
charge Of most serious nature
supported alone by the opinions of
some of my officers, that Maiden
might have been taken.
In the course of my numbers, I
stated, as reasons which induced me
to think it expedient to commence of
tensive operations in conformity with
the orders ] received-that should
be enabled to obtain supplies for my
army from the enemy's country
that it would satisfy the apparent inn
patience Of my officers, and that a
display Of the American flag on both
sides of the river would have favo-
rable effect, both on the savAges and
the militia OF Upper Canada-but
that the most powerful inducemeut
was to dislodge the enemy from the
opposite bank, where he was erecting
batteries. which would have greatly
annoyed the town Of Detroit. I'm
medlately after making the invasion,
according to my orders from the ad.
mInlstration, | issued a proclamation
to the inhabitants of Upper Canada,
piedging to them the faith of the 20.
vernment, that they should be pro-
tected In their persons, property, and
rights. | have stated also the man.
ner In which this proclamation was
received and approved by the Presi-
dent, as we'll as the use which was
made of it at the Treaty of Client.
BY al examination of the evidence
which 1 have exhibited, the objects
OF the government in ordering the
forces under my command, are fully
unfolded. This evidence is the high
est which the nature of the case will
admit. If la contained in the mes