The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-04-04
Headquarters Eastern Division,
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Ezabeth,own, N. JMarch %, lS40.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge your letter
Of the 10Th inst. covering resolution of the House
of Representatives OF the 9th, referred from the
Department Of State TO the Department Of War, in
quiring whether the Government Of Great Britain
thasl expressed to the Government Of the United
States a desire to annul the arrangement entered
into between the two Governments in the month Of
April 1917, respecting the naval force to be main
tanned upon the American lakes; and that, ii said
arrangement be not annuled, phethsr there has teen
any riolation Of the same BY the authorities Of Great
Britain?"
Combining myself to the latter clause OF the reso-
luton, which have underscored, and which you
have referred to Inc, report the facts within my
knowledge connected with that inquiry, presuming
that have not had time to verify my own impress
sions by those of more than one officer (Col Worth
who has recently held command under me on the
frontiers of the British North American Provinces.
lido not know, nor do believe, that the British
authorities have had single armed vessel Of any
description on the lakes, ADORE Detroit in many
years. But in the summer and autumn Of 1888,
whilst was absent TO the South understood from
our officers on my return, that the authorities in
Upper Canada had employed one or more armed
steamers, hired for the purpose, and manned with
certain number Of troops. TO cruise on Lake Erie
against apprehended invasions from our side The
part Of the people called Canadian patriots.
The season OF 1889 having heen tranquil one,
lake.
In the month of January, 1888, at the time there
was considerable number of those patriots in pos
session of Navy Island 10 the Niagara river, seek
ing 10 make descent on the opposite Canadian
Shore the British authorities hired two three lake
craft (schrs, and armed and manned them for the
purpose of frustrating that threatened invasion but
II is believed that those vessels were never on Lake
Erie whilst SO armed and manned, and that they
discharged as soon as that particular danger had
passed away.
Down to the burning of the British merchant
steamer, the Sir Robert Peel, on the ST. Lawrence,
in 1888 cannot learn that the authorities of the Ca
nadas had any armed vessel of any Sort In actirity,
(whatever they might have had laid up in port,)
either on Lake Ontario, or on the river ST. Law
renee; but after that event, and up TO the close Of
navigation in 1888, leaan from Col. Worth, who
returned from the Cherokee country to the Canadian
frontier several months before my return that those
authorities had employed several hired steamers
besides barges, all armed and manned, cruising
against parties Of the same patriots, principally
the st. Lawrence and confined to their own waters.
During the past season, Got 1882 and up to the
close of navigation, two steamers, (owned or hired
by the British authorities one schooner, anda num-
Der Of barges were in like manner employed on the
same lake and river, as a security against an appre-
hended renewal Of the troubles Of the preceding
year.
have the honor to remain, sir with high respect,
Your most obedent servant,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
Hon. j. r. PoNsErr, Secretary Of War.
On motion Of Mr. CUSHING, the said Message
and documents were referred TO the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, and ordered to be printed.