I did not in my Public Dispatches think it decent (and I did not foresee that it might ever become necessary) to state to Your Excellency that Brant, when he complained to me last Winter of the Conduct of His Majesty's Canadian Government towards him and his countrymen, gave me to understand that he conceived the Origin of the whole to lie not so much in General Simcoe's favourite Plan of making a large Settlement, and building a Capital on the Lands granted to the Indians by General Haldimand, as in the interested views of President Russell, who wished to make a Fortune by purchasing for himself and his Friends the Tracts the most advantageously situated near the projected City:-That it was for this Reason only the President wished to prevent the Mohawks from obtaining a Confirmation of the Bargains which they had made with Individuals; and that if Mr. Russel's interference was not put a stop to by superior Authority, the Matter would never be equitably settled. To prove the imputation thrown out against President Russell, he entered into details which it is not requisite to state, and which I cannot allow myself to give Credit to; but the deep prejudice which Brant seems to have imbibed against Mr. Russell is a Circumstance which seems at present to be of serious consequence, and perhaps may require your personal interference. I was sorry in a late Conversation with the American Secretary at War to learn from him that French Agents have been busy with the Mohawks, and, as he says he has reason to apprehend, not without success. I have the honor to be &c. His Excelency Lieutenant General Prescott (Signed) ROBT. LISTON R. P. Endorsed: A. In General Prescott's No. 55 to the Duke of Portland of 6 September 1797 'Canadian Archives, Q. 79, p. 208. EXHIBIT 90. Lieutenant-Governor Gore to Geo. Watson.1 YORK, UPPER CANADA, 4th Oct. 1807. MY DEAR Watson :* * The Indians are decidedly in favor of the British and I have been under considerable apprehension of their taking up the hatchet against the Long Knives (Americans). I have instructed the superintendents to restrain them, at the same time, to conciliate them as much as possible. I can assure you that these Gentlemen are no insignificant allies. * * * Affectionately yours, I have had the Honor of your two letters of 3 & 15 April forwarded to me by Mr. Gillispie, and which reached me only the day before yesterday. The success of that Gentleman in the business which carried him to Washington, has greatly relieved the apprehensions of our North West Company-indeed the object they had at stake, was very considerable, and I feel indebted to you for the part you have taken in saving them from the loss. The failure of Mr. Rose's Mission is to be regretted, in as much as its success would have smoothed the way to a subsequent arrangement of the difficulties that would still exist in a restoration of that perfect state of Amity which is so essential to the true interests of both Countries. I have not a doubt however-indeed I never have had as to their final termination, I think it utterly impossible but that the general good sense of the Nation, must in 'Report on Canadian Archives, 1892, p. 113. the end preval against the views of a party, and I shall not be at all surprised if the sort of hostile array in which the two Countries have been set against each other, for these six months past, should end in a closer tie of connection, perhaps alliance, than has yet existed since our separation. In the mean time I use every endeavour to avoid any circumstance, that may have a tendency to irritate these our good neighbours, or to furnish a handle for those who are anxious to misrepresent our conduct with that view-I have to regret however, that they arise sometimes in spite of my efforts to avoid them, and I find myself in the hazard of such a situation at this moment. Upon a strict examination, I have found a good deal of disorder and irregularity in the conduct of the Indian Department, which has put me under the necessity of making some changes, & these among the higher officers. This alone would be sufficient to excite suspicion in our jealous neighbours, but a consideration which weighs much upon my mind, has connected with it some further directions, which I have thought necessary and which I am sensible are not ill calculated to excite alarm at this moment of general distrust. In considering the present Situation of Affairs, not in this country only, but in Europe also, and looking forward to the events which may be the subject of well grounded expectation, it is impossible not to include amongst them that of the appearance of the French on this Theatre. Bonaparte never loses sight of an object on which he has once fixed his attention-perhaps in sound policy, this Colony should be the first object of his attempt, and I shall never lose sight of the possibility of its being so-here He would find a healthy climate and it might be not an unfriendly population, but at any rate, such as would furnish him in future with great resources of men, as the Country would of provisions of all sorts, so that he could not have a more convenient station in which to establish himself, and from which to carry on his future plan of co'ercing America—there is however one objection. he must run an imminent risk of the loss of all the Naval force which it might be necessary to employ, and this must be to him an objection of so much weight, that added to some other considerations which present themselves, particularly with regard to the proximity of the Spanish Settlements, it leads me rather to think it more probable, that their first appearance will be to the Southward, either at Orleans or in the Floridas-but let their appearance be at what point it may, from the moment it takes place we must look forward to the exertion of every effort that the ingenuity of man can devise, to detach the Indian Nations from their alliance with us, and to induce them to fall upon our defenceless frontier of Upper Canada. Under this impression I have thought myself obliged to adopt the earliest as well as the most efficacious measures I could think of, with the view to bind the Indians more closely to our Interests, and to confirm and strengthen our connection with them, so as if possible to render abortive the intrigues of our artfull and persevering enemy. I have therefore given directions, that the officers of that Department, should be particularly attentive to those points at this moment, and that they should redouble their efforts for their accomplishment. I have also recommended that an Intercourse be opened with this view, with the most distant and southerly nations with some of whom we have of late had little or no communication, and I have added to the Department one or two officers, who are represented to me as peculiarly adapted to that end. In my Instructions I have particularly pointed out my desire "that as much as possible, the means that are pursued should be such as are of general conciliation and attachment without the slightest allusion to any possible state of Hostility with America." I am well aware that this circumstance even if it were generally known would not be sufficient to wipe out the suspicion that will apply to this business, but I have adopted it in order that the Indians themselves may at least be precluded from reporting that I was endeavouring to instigate them against the States. I have thought it expedient to appraise you of these circumstances, that you may be able to explain them as far as you think necessary or proper, should the complaints on this head become so loud and violent as I think probable. You will of course have heard of the disposition shewn by the People of Vermont and the northern part of New York to resist the embargo-particularly in what regards the usual supply to Our Merchants here of Timber & lumber in this tho' some may be actuated by views of future profit, yet I have reason to believe that the greater number are induced to it, principally by an honour able desire to discharge their obligations to our Merchants, from whom they have received large advances in money before that part of the law passed which regards them-by the only means that remains in their power, for the money has been expended in the purposes for which the advances are made, Vizt. in paying the expence of the Winter in cutting the timber. Some rafts are actually arrived tho' upon enquiry I find that many Subjects of the States were employed in conducting them, yet there is no doubt, that, as might be expected—and as has been always usual when it was not contrary to the laws of the States, there were many Canadians among them also, these are the people who every year are employed in cutting the wood, and are generally speaking a lawless set, over whom we have little authority or controul. I understand some of them have been stop'd & convey'd to jail, they will certainly receive no protection from this Government, nor shall I take any steps to claim them. Mr. Woolsey the Collector of Champlain District wrote to the Judges at Montreal on this occasion, who answered him in terms of which I have approved. I take for granted he will have forwarded a Copy of his letter and their answer to his Government. I shall be extremely obliged to you, if you will let me hear from you when your leisure will permit it, and have the honor to be |