Colonel Prince, in command at Sandwich, in which that officer reports the following circumstance: "Of the brigands and pirates, twenty-one were killed, besides four who were brought in" just at the close, and immediately after the engagement, all of whom I ordered to be shot on "the spot, and which was done accordingly." 2nd. An address signed by Colonel William Elliott, and twelve other persons, pledging themselves, individually and collectively, for the truth of a printed paper accompanying their address, purporting to be a "Narrative of the action with the brigands, on the 4th of December," compiled for the purpose of publication, and actually printed in the city of Detroit, in the State of Michigan. The lieutenant governor, on receiving the first of these papers, immediately directed, in addition to personal inquiry on the spot, that a particular statement of the circumstances attending the execution of the four prisoners, by Colonel Prince, should be laid before him; and on the receipt of the address before alluded to, the necessity for a minute and careful inquiry into the allegations contained in the printed statement, became distinctly apparent. Under the direction of his excellency, a court of inquiry was accordingly instituted, composed of Lieutenant Colonel Airey, commanding Her Majesty's 34th regiment, president; Major French, of the 85th, and Major Deedes, of the 34th regiment, members; and those officers, after a most laborious and rigid inquiry, have submitted the following report: "The court having gone into the most minute and detailed investigation of the particulars contained in the printed paper, headed 'Battle of Windsor,' in so far as relates to statements of a very painful nature, respecting the treatment, by order of Colonel Prince, of certain brigand prisoners, who were captured at Windsor, Upper Canada, on the 4th December last, and having carefully and patiently examined, individually, the several gentlemen who signed the address to his excellency, the lieutenant governor, transmitting the said document, in which it is stated, that 'as the several particulars (which, joined together, form the connected statement) are known to some one or more of the subscribers, they pledge themselves individually for the truth of the parts to which they were respectively eye-witnesses, and collectively, to the accuracy of the whole narrative, in all its essential points -is of opinion, that the invidious colouring which characterizes the detail of the facts alluded to, reflecting so painfully on the conduct of Colonel Prince, is not in any way substantiated by evidence; and the court cannot but observe the existence of a spirit of personal hostility towards Colonel Prince, from which alone, in the opinion of the president and the members, has emanated the narrative in question; nor can the court refrain from expressing deep regret, that at any period, but more especially so at a time like the present, when unanimity and good feeling ought to be conspicuous amongst all classes of Her Majesty's subjects, that statements of the nature of those which form the basis of this investigation (the circulation of which will not be confined to these provinces only) should have been presented to the public, without the fullest, the clearest, and the most indisputable knowledge of their accuracy." In this report the lieutenant governor expresses his entire concurrence; and while he has most deeply regretted that, under circumstances of impending danger, and highly excited feeling, Colonel Prince was induced to anticipate the result of legal proceedings, in directing the summary execution of four of the captured criminals, His Excellency is gratified to find that the imputation of having been guilty of acts of wanton cruelty-for which charge the court has been able to assign no other foundation than a feeling of personal hostility toward Colonel Prince. The lieutenant governor cannot too strongly express his disapprobation of the terms and spirit in which the printed statement has been framed, and of the act, manner and place, of its publication; nor can he omit particularly to notice the very inconsistent and reprehensible conduct of Colonel William Elliott, who, in the first place, presided at a public meeting, at which the course of summary execution adopted by Colonel Prince, to a limited extent, at Windsor, was strongly recommended to be indiscriminately pursued on all occasions of invasion; and afterwards pledged himself to the truth of statements, highly coloured and exaggerated, implicating that officer, and having a direct tendency to lower the character of the militia service, in which Colonel Prince and his accusers were alike engaged, as well as to aggravate the feelings of hostility along the frontier, already, unhappily, too much excited. These circumstances impose on the lieutenant governor, the painful necessity of dispensing with the future services of Colonel William Elliott, in Her Majesty's militia of this province. The lieutenant governor is most desirous that the grounds of Colonel Elliott's retirement from the militia should not be misunderstood; His Excellency entertains the same disapproval which he has already expressed, of summary proceedings towards prisoners who may fall into the hands of the militia. Such can only be justified by an extreme case of necessity; and when an occurrence of this nature takes place, it is always a proper subject to be brought under the immediate consideration of the government. But the course of proceedings to which Colonel Elliott was a party appears to the lieutenant governor to be altogether inexcusable, and to involve alike the reputation of the provincial militia, and the public welfare. By Command, RICHARD BULLOCK, Adjutant General Militia. APPOINTMENT TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN The chiefs of the Ottawa tribe of Indians at L'Arbre Croche, Little Traverse, and elsewhere, and of the Chippewas residing near Mackinac in council assembled. To Augustin Hamelin, Jr., Greeting: Know ye, that placing special trust and confidence in the integrity, ability and learning of Augustin Hamelin, Jr., of our said tribe of Ottawas, and in consideration that his grandfather, Kiminichagan, was, during his life, head chief of our said tribe, we therefore do unanimously appoint the said Augustin Hamelin, Jr., head chief of our said bands resident as aforesaid, and do hereby empower him to execute and perform all the duties pertaining to that appointment, and we hereby engage to ratify all his doings as such. Witness our hands and seals in council at Little Traverse, the third day of May, 1835. Stevens T. Mason, Secretary, and at present Acting Governor in and over the Territory of Michigan. To all to whom these presents may come-Greeting: Know ye, That reposing special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity and abilities of A. H. White, I do hereby appoint him quartermaster in the militia of the said Territory. He is, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the duties of quartermaster of the second regiment, fifth brigade, by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto be longing. And I do strictly charge and require all officers and soldiers under his command to be obedient to his orders as quartermaster. And he is to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time as he shall receive from the President of the United States of America, the governor of the said Territory, or his superior officer set over him by law. This commission to continue in force during the pleasure of the governor of the said Territory for the time being. In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to be made patent and the great seal of the said Territory to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand at Detroit, this first day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the sixty-ninth. BY THE GOVERNOR. STEVENS T. MASON, Secretany of the Territory and at present acting Governor thereof. HEADQUARTERS SECOND REGIMENT, I hereby certify that the within name, A. H. White, has taken the oath prescribed by the law of this Territory as quartermaster, faithfully to perform the duties thereof, and to support the Constitution of the United States, before me this fourth day of September, 1835. WONSON [WARNER] WING, Lieut. Col. Commanding 2d Regiment Michigan Militia. DEED OF GIFT Know all men by these presents, that we, the chiefs and principal leaders of the Pottawattomie nation of Indians at Detroit, for ourselves and by and with the advice and consent of the whole of our said nation, in consideration of the good-will, love and affection, which we and the whole of said nation have and bear unto James Abbott of Detroit, merchant, and also for divers other good causes and considerations, us the said chiefs and rest of our nation, hereunto moving, have given, granted, aliened, enfeoffed and confirmed, and by these presents do give, grant, alien, enfeoff and confirm unto the said James Abbott a certain tract of land fifteen acres in breadth and one hundred and fifty in depth, beginning on the northeast side of river a la Car |