of the water alone would prevent an approach with these ships within two miles of that fort or Niagara? To pretend that the fleet could render the least assistance in your projected capture of Burlington Heights on your route to Kingston, is still more romantic; for it is well known the fleet could not approach within nine miles of those heights.

That you might find the fleet somewhat of a convenience in the transportation of provisions and stores for the use of the army, and an agreeable appendage to attend its marches and countermarches, I am ready to believe; but, sir, the secretary of the navy has honoured us with a higher destiny; we are intended to seek and to fight the enemy's feet. This is the great purpose of the government in creating this feet; and I shall not be diverted in my efforts to effectuate it by any sinister attempt to render us subordinate to, or an appendage

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of the army.

We haye one common object in the annoyance, defeat, and destruction of the enemy, and I shall always cheerfully unite with any military commander in the promotion of that object.

I am, sir, with great consideration and respect, your most obedient servant,

ISAAC CHAUNCEY.
Major-General Jacob Brown.
Copy of a letter from Major-General Brown to Commodore

Chauncey, dated Headquarters, Buffalo, Sept. 4, 1814.
Sir,

Your letter of the 10th ultimo, after going the rounds, was delivered to me a few days since, on my way to this place.

The exception you take at my letter to the secretary, would be very reasonable and proper, provided the fleet of Lake Ontario was your private property, over which the government had no controul. But as I have been induced to believe that it was the property of the nation, subject to the orders of the government; and as the government led me to believe that the feet under your command would be upon Lake Ontario, to co-operate with my division of the army the first week in July, I have deemed it fit and proper to let the nation know, that the support I had a right to expect was not afforded me.

I consider my conduct towards yourself and the navy, as not only honourable, but, sir, as being very liberal and friendly, from the date of my report of the

battle at Sackett's Harbour to the present hour.' The troops under my command

have always been disposed of so as to meet your views to the extent of my power and authority; and as far as was consistent with the rights and the honour of the army.

Your information appears very incorrect as to the situation of the army, previous to the arrival of reinforcements with lieutenant-general Drummond. From the 9th of July to the 24th the whole country was in our power from Fort George to Burlington Heights; and could the army have been supplied with provisions from the depots provided on the shores of Lake Ontario, we should not have doubted our ability (without reinforcements or additional guns) to carry the heights: when we could have returned upon Forts George and Niagara, or advanced upon Kingston (as might have been thought most advisable), with the co-operation of the fleet.

You speak of responsibility. I do not desire you, or any man, to be responsible for me. I have endeavoured to execute the orders given me; success has not attended my endeavours; but I humbly trust in heaven that the honour of the brave men entrusted toʻmy command has been and will be preserved, let what may happen.

It will be very difficult to retire from Fort Erié, pressed as the remains of my gallant little army are, by a superior force of the enemy. But no other alternative will be left us, unless reinforcements speedily arrive. The militia are coming in in very considerable numbers, but it is not yet ascertained how many of them will cross. The secretary has given me to understand, that general Izard would move to the St. Lawrence, with a view of attacking Kingston (should he and you deem that measure advisable). Should you decide otherwise, that general Izard should come with, or send to me a reinforcement of from two to three thousand men.

I have not heard from general Izard, and begin to apprehend that something has occurred, to retard or prevent his movement. I will thank you for any information you can give me on this subject.

I am, sir, with great consideration and respect, your most obedient servant,

JACOB BROWN. Commodore Isaac Chauncey.

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AMERICAN AND BRITISH ACCOUNTS OF THE CAPTURE OF

FORT ERIE, AND BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA PLAINS.

GENERAL ORDERS. Adjutant-General's office, left division, July 2d, 1814. Major-general Brown has the satisfaction to announce to the troops of his division on this frontier, that he is authorized by the orders of his government to put them in motion against the enemy. The first and second brigades, with the other corps of artillery, will cross the streights. before them this night, or as early to-morrow as possible. The necessary instructions have been given to the brigadiers, and by them to the commanding officers of regiments and corps.

Upon entering Canada, the laws of war will govern: men found in arms, or otherwise engaged in the service of the enemy, will be treated as enemies; those behaving peaceably, and following their private occupations, will be treated as friends. Private property in all cases will be held sacred; public property, wherever found, will be seized and disposed of by the commanding general. Our utmost protection will be given to all who actually join, or who evince a desire to join us.

Plundering is prohibited. The major-general does not apprehend any difficulty on this account with the regular army, or with honourable volunteers, who press to the standard of their country, to avenge her wrongs, and to gain a name in arms.-Profligate men, who follow the army for plunder, must not expect that they will escape the vengeance of the gallant spirits who are struggling to exalt the national character. Any plunderer shall be punished with death, who may be found violating this'order,

By order of the major-general,

C. K. GARDNER,

Adjutant-general.

Copy of a letter from Major. General Brown to the Secretary of

War, dated Chippewa-Plains, 6th Fuly, 1814. Sir,

Excuse my silence. I have been much engaged. Fort Erie did not, as I assured you it should not, detain me a single day. At 11 o'clock on the night of the 4th, I arrived at this place with the reserve, general Scott having taken the position about noon, with the van. My arrangements for turning and taking in rear the enemy's position east of Chippewa was made, when major-general Riall, suspecting our intention, and adhering to the rule that it is better to give than to receive an attack, came from behind his works about five o'clock in the afternoon of the 5th, in order of battle. We did not baulk him. Before six o'clock his line was broken and his forces defeated, leaving on the field four hundred killed and wounded. He was closely pressed, and would be utterly ruined, but for the proximity of his works, whither he fled for shelter. The wounded of the enemy and those of our own army must be attended to. They will be removed to Buffalo. This, with my limited means of transportation, will take a day or two, after which I shall advance, not doubting but that the gallant and accomplished troops I lead will break down all opposition between me and Lake Ontario, when, if met by the feet; all is well—if not, under the favour of heaven, we shall behave in a way to avoid disgrace. My detailed report shall be made in a day or two.

I am, with the highest respect, &c.

JACOB BROWN. Hon. Secretary of War.

GENERAL ORDERS.
Adjutant-General's office, left division. Chippewa Plains,

6th July, 1814. Major-general Brown has the satisfaction to say that the soldiers of the second division, west of the Niagara, merits greater applause than he is able to bestow in general orders they merit the highest approbation of their country.. The conduct of brigadier-general Scott's brigade, which had the opportunity to engage the whole force of the enemy (the greater part it is believed of all within the peninsula), removes, on the day of this battle, the reflection on our country, that its reputation in arms is yet to be established. His brigade consists of battalions of the 9th, the 11th, and the 25th regiments, and a detachment of the 22d. Towson's company of artillery, which was attached to it, gallanily commenced, and, with it, sustained the action.

The volunteers and Indians performed their part-they drove the enemy's Indians and light troops until they met the British army: they merit the general's approbation. In the report of killed and wounded, the names of the wounded officers will be given, in order that they may be rewarded with that honourable mention which is due to them. By order of major-general Brown.

C. K. GARDNER,

Adjutant-general.

Copy of a letter from Major-General Brown to the Secreta

ry of Wur, dated Head-quarters, Chippewa Plains, July

7th, 1814. Dear Sir,

On the 2d instant I issued my orders for crossing the Niagara river, and made the arrangements deemed necessary for securing he garrison of Fort Erie.-On the 3d that post surrendered, at five P. 1. Our loss in this affair was four of the 25th regiment, under major Jessup, of brigadiergeneral Scott's brigade, wounded. I have inclosed a return of the prisoners, of the ordnance, and ordnance stores captured.

To secure my rear I have placed a garrison in this fort, and requested captain Kennedy to station his vessels near the post.

On the morning of the 4th, brigadier-general Scott, with his brigade and a corps of artillery, was ordered to advance towards Chippewa, and be governed by circumstances, taking care to secure a good military position for the night. After some skirmishing with the enemy, he selected this plain with the eye of a soldier; his right resting on the river, and a ravine being in front. At 11 at night I joined him with the reserve under general Ripley, our field and battering train, and corps of artillery under major Hindman. General Porter arrived the next morning with a part of the New York and Pennsylvania volunteers, and some of the warriors of the Six Nations.

Early in the morning of the 5th, the enemy commenced a petty war upon our pickets, and, as he was indulged, his presumption increased: by noon he shewed himself on the left of our exterior line, and attacked one of our pickets as it was returning to camp.

Captain Treat, who commanded it, retired disgracefully, leaving a wounded man on the ground. Captain Biddle, of the artillery, who was near the scene, impelled by feelings highly honourable to him as a soldier and officer, promptly assumed the command of this picket, led it back to the wounded man, and brought him off the field. I ordered captain Treat, on the spot, to retire from the army,and, as I am anxious that no officer shall remain under my command who can be

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