upon the arrival of col. Proctor, had compelled the enemy to retreat and take shelter under the guns of his fort: that officer commenced operations by sending strong detachments across the river, with a view of cutting off the enemy's communication with his reserve. This produced two smart skirmishes on the 5th and 9th inst., in both of which the enemy's loss was very considerable, whilst ours amounted to 3 killed and 13 wounded; amongst the latter I have particularly to regret capt. Muir and lieut. Sutherland of the 41st regiment; the former, an officer of great experience, and both ardent in his majesty's service. Batteries had likewise been commenced opposite fort Detroit, for one 18 pounder, two 12's, and two 5 inch mortars; all of which opened on the evening of the 15th (having previously summoned brigadier-general Hull to surrender); and although opposed by a well-directed fire from seven 24 pounders, such was their construction, under the able directions of captain Dixon of the royal engineers, that no injury was sustained from its effect.

The force at my disposal being collected in the course of the 5th, in the neighbourhood of Sandwich, the embarkation took place a little after day-light on the following morning, and by the able arrangements of lieut. Dewar of the quartermaster-general's department, the whole was in a short time landed without the smallest confusion, at Spring Well, a good position, 3 miles west of Detroit. The Indians who had in the mean time effected their landing 2 miles below, moved forwards and occupied the woods, about a mile and a half on our left.

The force which I instantly directed to march against the enemy consisted of 30 royal artillery, 250 41st regiment, 50 royal Newfoundland regiment, 400 militia, and about 600 Indians, to which were attached 3 six pounders, and 2 three pounders. The services of lieut. Troughton, commanding the royal artillery, an active and intelligent officer, being required in the field, the direction of the batteries was intrusted to captain Hall, of the marine department; and I cannot withhold my entire approbation of their conduct on that oc

casion.

I crossed the river with an intention of waiting in a strong position the effect of our force upon the enemy's camp, and in the hope of compelling him to meet us in the field; but receiving information upon landing that colonel M'Arthur, an officer of high reputation, had left the garrison three days before with a detachment of 500 men, and hearing soon after

that his cavalry had been seen that morning three miles in our rear, I decided on an immediate attack. Accordingly the troops advanced to within one mile of the fort, and having ascertained that the enemy had taken little or no precaution towards the land side, I resolved on an assault, whilst the Indians penetrated his camp. Brig.-gen. Hull, however, prevented this movement by proposing a cessation of hostilities, for the purpose of preparing terms of capitulation. Lieut. col. John M'Donnell and capt. Glegg were accordingly deputed by me on this mission, and returned within an hour with the conditions, which I have the honour herewith to transmit. Certain considerations afterwards induced me to agree to the two supplementary articles.

The force thus surrendered to his majesty's arms cannot be estimated at less than 2500 men. In this estimate col. M'Arthur's detachment is included, as he surrendered, agreeably to the terms of capitulation, in the course of the evening, with the exception of two hundred men, whom he left escorting a valuable convoy at some little distance in his rear; but there can be no doubt the officer commanding will consider himself equally bound by the capitulation.

The enemy's aggregate force was divided into two troops of cavalry; one company of artillery regulars; the fourth United States' regiment; detachments of the first and third United States' regiment volunteers; three regiments of the Ohio militia; one regiment of the Michigan territory.

Thirty-three pieces of brass and iron ordnance have already been secured.

When this contest commenced, many of the Indian nations were engaged in active warfare with the United States, notwithstanding the constant endeavours of this government to dissuade them from it. Some of the principal chiefs happened to be at Amherstburg, trying to procure a supply of arms and ammunition, which for years had been withheld, agreeably to the instructions received from sir James Craig, and since repeated by your excellency.

From that moment they took a most active part, and appeared foremost on every occasion; they were led yesterday by col. Elliot and capt. M'Kee, and nothing could exceed their order and steadiness. A few prisoners were taken by them during the advance, whom they treated with every humanity; and it affords me much pleasure in assuring your excellency, that such was their forbearance and attention to what was required of them, that the enemy sustained ro DD

VOL. II.

other loss of men than what was occasioned by the fire of our batteries.

The high sense I entertain of the abilities and judgment of lieut.-col. Myers, induced me to appoint him to the important command at Niagara; it was with reluctance that I deprived myself of his assistance, but I had no other expedient; his duties as head of the quarter-master-general's department were performed to my satisfaction by lieut.-col. Nicholl's, quarter-master-general of the militia.

Captain Glegg, my aid-de-camp, will have the honour of delivering this despatch to your excellency; he is charged with the colours taken at the capture of fort Detroit, and those of the 4th United States' regiment.

Captain Glegg is capable of giving your excellency every information respecting the state of this province; and I shall esteem myself highly indebted to your excellency to afford him that protection, to which his merit and length of service give him a powerful claim. I have the honour to be, &c. ISAAC BROCK, Major-gen. P. S. I have the honour to enclose a copy of a proclamation, which I issued immediately on taking possession of this country.

(Signed)

I should have mentioned in the body of my despatch the capture of the Adams; she is a fine vessel, and recently repaired, but without arms.

PROCLAMATION.

By Isaac Brock, Esq. Major-General, commanding his Majesty's Forces in the Province of Upper Canada, a Procla

mation.

Whereas the territory of Michigan was this day, by capitulation, ceded to the arms of his Britannic majesty, without any other condition than the protection of private property; and wishing to give an early proof of the moderation and justice of the government, I do hereby announce to all the inhabitants of the said territory that the laws heretofore in existence shall continue in force until his majesty's pleasure be known, or so long as the peace and safety of the said territory will admit thereof. And I do hereby also declare and make known to the said inhabitants that they shall be protected in the full exercise and enjoyment of their religion, of which all persons, both civil and military, will take notice, and govern themselves accordingly.

All persons having in their possession, or having any knowledge of any public property, shall forthwith deliver in

the same, or give notice thereof to the officer commanding, or lieutenant-colonel Nichol, who are hereby authorised to receive and give proper receipts for the same.

Officers of the militia will be held responsible that all arms in possession of the militia-men be immediately delivered up; and all individuals whatever, who have in their possession arms of any kind, will deliver them up without delay. Given under my hand, at Detroit, this 16th day of August, 1812, and in the 52d year of his majesty's reign.

(Signed)

A true copy.

ISAAC BROCK, Major-General.

J. Macdonnell, Lt.-Col. Militia, & A. D. C.

Regulations of the Civil Government of the Territory of Michigan.

Whereas the territory of Michigan was, on the sixteenth day of August, one thousand eight hundred and twelve, ceded by capitulation to the arms of his Britannic majesty, and the American flag removed and the British flag substituted on the same day at noon; and whereas on the same day a proclamation was issued by Isaac Brock, esq. major-general, commanding his majesty's forces in the province of Upper Canada, &c. &c. &c. And the said proclamation, among other things, announces to all the inhabitants of the said territory, that "wishing to give an early proof of the moderation and justice of the British government, the American laws heretofore in existence shall continue in force until his majesty's pleasure be known, or so long as the peace and safety of the said territory will admit thereof." And whereas the said laws cannot be carried into execution according to the effect and intention so announced to the inhabitants, without providing for the existence and continuance of the proper civil officers, for the execution of the same, and without the necessary courts and other judicial authorities for the administration of justice amongst the said inhabitants: Now therefore be it known, that I, the undersigned Henry Proctor, colonel in the military forces of his Britannic majesty, now commanding in the territory of Michigan, do make and establish, for the time being, the following regulations for the civil administration of the said territory:

1st The civil officers, remaining in the country, shall continue to exercise the respective functions appertaining to their offices, without any new commissions for the same, and those offices which are suspended by the departure from the country of those holding them, shall be supplied as hereinafter provided.

2d, The civil executive powers shall be exercised by a civil governor. The civil governor shall appoint to all civil offices, which are or shall be vacant, and shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed.

3d, Courts of justice shall be held as usual.

4th, Legislative provisions need not be adopted from the laws of any of the American states. A majority shall not be necessary when any of the offices are vacant. The secretary shall make two copies of all executive proceedings and legislative regulations, one of which shall be transmitted for the use of the British government, and the other be retained.

5th, The expenses of the civil administration shall be defrayed quarterly by the proper officer in the military department, paying the lawful amount thereof to the civil treasurer. The duties, customs, and revenues accruing according to the laws of the United States, shall be paid quarterly by the collectors to the proper officer in the military department. The internal duties and revenues accruing to the territory of Michigan, shall be paid to the proper treasurers thereof.

6th, The undersigned will act as civil governor of the territory of Michigan for the time being. Augustus B. Woodward, chief justice of the said territory, is appointed secretary. The offices of register and receiver of the land office and post-master are superseded, reserving a full right to adjust all anterior concerns. All officers in the Indian department are superseded.

Given under my hand at Detroit, the 21st day of August, one thousand eight hundred and twelve, and in the 52d year of his majesty's reign.

(Signed)

HENRY PROCTOR, Col

EVACUATION OF CHICAGO.

Extract of a letter from Captain Heald, late Commandant at Fort Chicago, dated at Pittsburgh, Oct. 23, 1812. On the 9th of August last, I received orders from general Hull to evacuate the post and proceed with my command to Detroit by land, leaving it at my discretion to dispose of the public property as I thought proper. The neighbouring Indians got the information as early as I did, and came in from all quarters in order to receive the goods in the factory store, which they understood were to be given them. On the 13th, captain Wells, of fort Wayne, arrived with about 30 Miamies, for the purpose of escorting us in, by the request