Maumee City express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1838-184?, 1840-04-25

country, SO far as he had information.
The following extracts from Gen. Scotts
answer contain the substance OF his intor-
nation on the subject:
NAVAL do not know, nor do believe,
that the British authorities have had sim
gle armed vessel of any description on the
lakes, above Detroit, for many years. But
in the Summer and Autumn Of 1888, whilst
was absent to the Sou h. understood
from our officers, on my return, that the au-
thorities in Upper Canada had employed
one or more armed steamers, hired for the
purpose, and manned with certain num-
Der oftroops, TO cruise on Lake Erie against
apprehended invasions from our side on the
part of the people called Canadian patriots.
The season of 1899 having been a tran
gull one, did not hear of single armed
British vessel on that lake.
In the month of January, 1889, at the
time there was considerable number OF
those patriots IN possession of Navy Island,
in the Niagara River, seeking to maize a
descent on the opposite Canadian shore, the
British authorities hired two or three lake
crafts, (schooners,) and armed and manned
them for the purpose of frustrating that
threatened invasion; bat it is believed that
those vessels never were on Lake Erie
whilst SO armed and manned, and that they
were discharged as soon as that particular
danger had passed away.
Down to the burning of the British mer-
chant steamer, the Sir Robert Peel, on the
81. Lawrence, in 1888, | cannot learn that
authorities of the Canadas had any armed
vessel of any sort in activity, Whatever
they might have had laid up in part, either
on Lake Ontario or the River st Lawrence;
but after that event, and up to the close OF
navigation in 1888, learn from Col. Worth,
who returned from the Cherokee country to
the Canadian frontier several months before
my return, that those authorities had EN-.
ployed several hired steamers, besides bar
ges, all armed and manned, cruising against
parties of the same patriots, principally on
the st. Lawrence, and confined to their
own waters.
During the past season of 1889, and up
to the close of navigation, two steamers
(owned or hired by the British authorities)
one schooner and number of barges wele
in like manner employed on the same lake
and river, as security against an apprehen-
ded renewal Of the troubles Of the preceding
year
.MiHiary.--I will here remark, that how
ever well my duties have made me acquaint-
ed with the greater part of the line in ques-
ton, | have paid but slight attention to the
forts and barracks erected by the British
authorities near the borders of Name, 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 to either of
the parties in the event of new war be-
tween the United States and Great Britain.
was last summer at the foot of Lake
Superior, and neither saw nor heard of any
British fort or barracks on the St. Mary's
River, the outlet of that Lake.
Between Lakes Huron and Erie, the Bri-
tish have three setts of barracks; one at
Windsor, opposite Detroit; one at Sand
wich, little lower down and the third
at Maiden, 10 miles from the first: all built
ofsawed logs, strengthened by blockhouses,
loop-holes, &c. Maiden has long been a
military post, with slight defences. These
have been recently strengthened. Tne
works at Sandwich and Windsor have, also,
/ think, been erected within the last SIX or
eight months.
Near the mouth ofthe Niagara, the Bri-
tish have two small forts--George and Mes
sisanga, a,--both existed during the last war.
The latter is permanent work. Slight
barracks have been erected within two years
on the same side near the Fails and at Chip
pewa, with breastworks at the later place,
but nothing, believe, above the works
first named on the Niagara, which can be
termed fort.
Since the commencement of recent trou-
bles in Canada, and consequent thercupon)
within our limits. Fort William Henry, at
Kingston and Wellington, opposite to Og-
dcnsburg, have both been strengthened
within themselves, besides additional de-
tendencies. These forts may be called per-
manent.
On the st. Lawrence, below Prescott,
and confronting our territory, know ofno
other military post. Twelve miles above,
at Brockvie, there may be temporary bar
racks and breastworks. / know that of late
Brockville has been military station.
In the system of defence on the approach
es to Montreal, the Isle Aux ,Noix, few
miles below our line, and on the outlet of
Lake Champlain, stands at the head. This
Island contains within itself system of per-
manent works of great strength. On them
the British Government has, from time 10
time, since the peace of 1915, expended
much skill and labor.
Odietown, near our line, on the western
side of Lake Champlain, has been station
for body of Canadian militia, for 2 years,
to guard the neighborhood from the refugee
from our side. think that
barracks have been erected there for the ac-
of those troops, and also a
station with the like object near Alburgh,
in Vermont.
1t is believed that there are no impor-
tant British forts, or extensive British bar
racks on our borders, from Vermont to
Maine.
In respect to such structures on the dis
puted territory, Governor Fairfeld's pub
lished letters contain fuller information than
has reached me through any other channel.
have heard of no new military prepare
tions BY the British authorities ON the ST.