learn that our army feel themselves- perfectly secure where they are. I have, however, sent the Lawrence, Lady Prevost, and Porcupine, to Buffaloe, there to render any assistance which may be required, and shall follow myself, in the course of 24 hours. There is such an imminent risk of the loss of the feet, at this season of the year, lying to an anchor near Buffaloe, where the bottom is composed entirely of sharp rock, a strong current setting down, and exposed to the open lake, from whence the heaviest gales are experienced, that I shall not, unless ordered positively to do so from the department, continue there a moment longer than I can ascertain the commanding generals views, and in what way the fleet can co-operate with him. Daily and dear-bought experience teaches us we ought not to risk pur fleet in a situation where they are so liable to be lost. Lieutenant Kennedy has, to doubt, informed you of the total loss of the Ariel, after being on float and ready to move from there.

I have the honour to remain, with great respect, sir, your obedient servant,

A. SINCLAIR. N. B. A company of riflemen from Sandusky, has just arrived here, and have been forwarded on to Fort Erie without delay.

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Extract of a Letter from A. Sinclair, Esq., commanding the

United States Naval Force on the Upper Lakes, to the Se-
cretary of the Navy, dated United States Ship Niagara,

Roads of Erie, October 28, 1814.
Sir,

I am under the mortifying necessity of stating to you that the report mentioned in my last letter of ihe vessels left in the Upper Lake having been surprised and captured by boats of the enemy, has turned out to be correct. The boatswain and four men from the Scorpion made their escape, on their way to Kingston, and crossed Lake Ontario in skiffs from the bay of Quinte to the Gennessee river, from thence to this place. The man's story is a most unfavourable one, and such as I am loth to believe true, from the well-known character of lieutenant Turner. He says the blockade of the Nautawasauga river was raised a short time after my departure—that the lieutenant who commanded the navy (and who had escaped in the woods when she was destroyed) had passed up to Mackinac in boats, and it was by him and his crew they were captured. The Tigress had been separated from him five days among the islands, in which time she had been

captured. They came in sight of her, lying at anchor, in the evening; the wind being light, they anchored some distance from her, without passing signals. In the morning there was only four or five men, and no officer on deck. The Tigress got under way, run down, fired into them, and were on board without any report ever being made to Mr. Turner, nor was there an officer of any grade on deck when she was captured. The wind was light, the Scorpion had the advantage of a long 12-pounder over the other, and could have recaptured her with much ease. The Tigress had made great resistance, but was overpowered by an overwhelming force. Her commander (sailing-master Champlain) and all her officers were wounded, as were many of his men, and some killed. I had given lieutenant Turner a picked crew from this vessel, with my sailing master, and had added to both their crews twenty-five chosen men, borrowed from colonel Croghan, to act as marines. I had also left him a boarding netting; indeed, there was no precaution I did not take in anticipation of every effort, I knew the enemy would make, to regain their line of communication, on which their very existence depended.

I herewith inclose you my instructions to lieutenant Turner, after which I cannot express to you, sir, my chagrin at learning the little regard which appears to have been paid to them, and the evil consequences growing out of such neglect; consequences but too well known to you and to the government. You must first believe the infinite interest I had taken in the expedition from the moment I had been entrusted with the conducting it, and the sanguine hope I had formed of its complete success, and the benefits resulting from it to my country, to enable you to form an adequate idea of the mortification I now experience.

I have the honour to remain, with high respect, sir, your obedient servant,

A. SINCLAIR. Honourable William Jones, secretary of the navy. . Extract of a Letter from Captain Arthur Sinclair, command.

ing the United States Naval Force on the Upper Lakes, to the Secretary of the Navy, dated Erie Roads, 11th November, 1814. Sailing-master Champlain, who commanded the Tigress, has arrived here in the cariel from Mackinac, with some of the wounded. He has his thigh shattered by a grape shot, and has 'not yet been able to make out a detailed report of

his capture. He appears not to have been surprised, but defended his vessel bravely, killing and wounding a number of the enemy, who overpowered him with 150 sailors and soldiers, and 250 Indians, the latter headed by Dickson. The Scorpion was overpowered, as mentioned in my letter of the 27th ult. The conduct of the enemy to our prisoners thus captured, and the inhuman butchery of those who fell into their hands, at the attack of Mackinac, has been barbarous beyond a parallel. The former have been plundered of almost every article of clothing they possessed the latter had their hearts and livers taken out, which were actually cooked and feasted on (and that too in the quarters of the British officers, sanctioned by colonel M‘Dowall) by the savages.

This cannibal act, which has capped the climax of British atrocity, and must ever be viewed with indignant horror by the christian world, will be sworn to by two respectable ladies, who came down in the cartel, and who were witnesses to it. I am further assured by Mr. Astor, who was detained there with his cartel for nearly two months, that it was not disowned by the garrison at Mackinac, and that when remonstrance was made by some who had not lost all sense of feeling and honour, they were threatened with arrest by the colonel, if they checked the Indians in any of their wishes. One of the prisoners was inhumanly murdered, by one of their militia, to decide a dispute between him and an Indian, of who had the best claim to the reward of his body or scalp, and no notice was taken of it by the colonel. To relate to you, sir, all the acts of horror which have been practised upon those unfortunate victims who fell into the enemy's hands on the 4th of August, would go far beyond the limits of a letter.

GENERAL ORDER.

Cornwall, Upper Canada, October 7th, 1814. His excellency the commander of the forces has received from lieutenant-general Drummond, a report from lieutenant-colonel M‘Donall, dated Mackinaw, the 9th September, conveying the gratifying intelligence of the capture of two armed schooners, Tigress and Scorpion, which the enemy had stationed at the Detour, near St. Joseph's, for the purpose of cutting off all supplies from the garrison at Mackinaw.

This gallant enterprise was planned and executed by lieutenant Worsley of the royal navy, and a detachment of 50 of the Royal Newfoundland regiment, under the command of lieutenant Bulger, attached for this service to the division of seamen under that officer.

The United States schooner Tigress was carried by board. ing at 9 o'clock on the night of the 3d instant, and the schooner Scorpion at dawn of day on the morning of the 6th instant.

The skilful conduct and intrepidity, displayed in the execution of this daring enterprize, reflects the highest credit on lieutenant Worsley of the royal navv, and the officers, seamen, and soldiers under his command. Lieutenants Bul. ger, Armstrong, and Radenhurst, of the Royal Newfoundland regiment, are noticed by lieutenant-colonel M‘Donall; as also Mr. Dickson and Livingston of the Indian department, who volunteered their services on this occasion..

The enemy's loss was three seamen killed, and all the officers of the Tigress and three seamen severely wounded.

The Scorpion mounted one long 24-pounder and a long 12; the Tigress, one long 24-pounder. They were cominanded by lieutenant Turner of the American navy, and had crews of 30 men each.

The British loss is two seamen killed.

Lieutenant Bulger, Royal Newfoundland regiment, and several soldiers, slightly wounded. (Signed)

EDWARD BAYNES,

Adjutant-general, N. A.

WAR WITH THE CREEK INDIANS.

Copy of a letter from Brigadier-General Claiborne, of volunteers, to the Secretary of War, dated Fort Claiborne, east bank of the Alabama, 85 miles above Fort Stoddart, January

1st, 1814. Sir,

On the 13th ultimo, I marched a detachment from this post with a view of destroying the towns of the inimical Creek Indians, on the Alabama, above the mouth of the Cahaba. After having marched about 80 miles, from the best information I could obtain, I was within 30 miles of a town newly erected on a ground called Holy, occupied by a large body of the enemy, under the command of Witherford, the half breed chief, who was one of those who commanded the Indians that desiro ed the garrison at Mims in August last, and who has committed many depredations op

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the frontier inhabitants. I immediately caused a stockade to be erected for the security of the heavy baggage and sick. On the morning of the 22d the troops resumed their line of march, chiefly through woods without a track to guide them. When near the town on the morning of the 23d, my disposition for attack was made.-The troops advanced in three columns. With the centre column I advanced myself, ordering Lester's guards and Wells' troop of dragoons to act as a corps of reserve. About noon the right column, composed of twelve months' volunteers, commanded by colonel Joseph Carson, came in view of the town called 'Eccanachača (or Holy Ground), and was immediately vigorously attacked by the enemy, who were apprised of our approach, and had chosen their field of action.

Before the centre, commanded by lieutenant-colonel Russell, with a part of the 3d regiment of United States' infantry and mounted militia riflemen, or the left column, which was composed of militia and a party of Choctaws under Pushamuttaha, commanded by major Smoot of the militia, who were ordered to charge, could come generally into action, the enemy were repulsed and were flying in all directions, many of them were casting away their arms.

Thirty of the enemy were killed, and judging from every appearance many were wounded. The loss on our part, was one corporal killed, and one ensign, two serjeants, one corporal, and two privates wounded.

A pursuit was immediately ordered; but from the nature of the country, nothing was effected. The town was nearly surrounded by swamps and deep ravines, which rendered our approach difficult, and facilitated the escape of the enemy. In the town we found a large quantity of provisions, and immense property of various kinds, which the enemy, flying precipitately, were obliged to leave behind, and which, "together with two hundred houses, were destroyed. They had barely time to remove their women and children across the Alabama, which runs near where the town stood. The next day was occupied in destroying a town consisting of 60 houses, eight miles higher up the river, and in taking and destroying the enemy's boats. At the town last destroyed was killed three Indians of some distinction. The town first destroyed was built since the commencement of hostilities, and was established as a pf ce of security for the inhabitants of several villages. The leader Witherford, Francis, and the Choctaw Sinquistur's son, who were principal prophets, resided here. Three Shawnese were among the slain.