North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-04-22
BRITISH MILITARY FORCE AND
NOTIFICATIONS IN CANADA
REPORT OF GEN. SCOTT.
Head Quarters Eastern % uision,

~. y. MhfCh 30 ioAus
SIR,--i have received from your Office
copies OF two resolutions, passed, res
pectively, the 9th and i2th instant,
one by the Senate, and the other by the
House Of Representatives and arm
asked for "any information on the sub
ect of both, or either Of the resolutions,
that may be in [myl possession"
In respect TO the naval force recently
maintained upon the American lakes by
Great Britain, have just had the honor
to report to the Secretary Of war by whom
the resolution Of the House of Represen-
tative (of the 9th instantly was directly re-
lerred 10 me.
now confne myself to the Senatc's res
CLINTON, respecting "miltary i omit ma
vail preparations of the British authorities
on The Northern frontiers OF the United
States, from Lake Superior TO the Atlantic
ocean, disting uishing the permanent from
the temporary and field works, and partic-
uIarly noting those which are within tho
claimed limits OF the United States"
will here remark that, however well
my duties have made me acquainted with
the greater part OF the line in question, I
have paid but slight attention 10 the forts
and barracks erected by theBritish author-
tiles near the borders Of Maine, above
Fredericton, in New Brunswick, or in
Upper Canada, above Cornwall, being of
The fixed opinion (Which need not here be
developed) that all such structures would
be of little or no military value 10 either of
the parties in the event Of O new war be-
tween the United States and Great Bri-
tain.
was, last summer, at tho foot of Lake
Superior. and neither saw nor heard OF any
British fort or barrack on the ST. Mary's
river, the outlet of that lake.
Between Lakes Huron and Erie, the
British have three sets OF Barracks: ono
at Windsor, opposite 10 Detroit; one at
Sandwich, little lower down; and the
third at Maiden, eighteen miles from the
first; all built OF sawed logs, strengthened
by blockhouses, loophoes, &c. Maiden has
long been military post, with slight do.
fences. These have been recently strength
ened. The works at Sandwich and Wind
sor have, also, think, been erected with
in the last six or eight months.
Near the mouth of the Niagara the
British have two small forts--George and
Messisauga. Both existed during the lsss
war. The latter may be termed perms-
nent work. Slight barracks have been
erected within the last two years, on the
same side, near the Falls and at Chippewa,
with breastworks ct the latter place; but
nothing, believe, above the works first
named, on the Niagara, which can be term
ed fort.
Since the commencement OF recent trou-
bles in the Canadas, and consequent there.
upon) within our limits, Fort William
Henry at Kingston and Fort Wellington,
opposite 10 OgdeDsbnrgh, (old works )haye
both been strengthened, within themselves
besides the addition of dependencies.
These forts may be called permanent.
On the St. Lawrence, below Prescott
and fronting our territory, know of
no other military post. Twelve miles
above, at BrockviIle, there may be tenn
porsry barracks and brsastworks. know
that Of late, Brockvilleha been 9 military
station.
In the system OF defencs on the sp-
proaches 10 Montreal, the Bile Glz Eoix,
few miles below our line and in the out
let o! Lake Champlain, stands at the bead.
| This Island contains within itself o system
Of permanent works Of great strength. On
them the British Government has, from
tine TO time, since the peace Of 1915, ex-
pended much skill and labor.
0delltown, near oar line, on the west
ern side Of lake Chsmp!sin, has been
station for body Of Canadian militia, for
two years, TO guard the neighbourhood
from refugees incendisfiss from our side.
| ! think shat barracks have been crested