Kingston Gazette, Sept. 23, 1813

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p.2 Extract of a letter from an officer, dated on board ship Madison at sea, 2d August 1813.

"I am now returning to Niagara from a cruise of 5 days - we landed at York and took large quantities of provisions belonging to his Majesty, and burnt his store houses. My intention in going to sea was to be in the great Naval Battle which was expected, but as yet we have had no fighting. I fear I shall be so unfortunate as not to get into an action this campaign."

Extract of a letter from Captain Perry, to the Secretary of the Navy, dated U.S. schooner Lawrence, at anchor outside Erie Bar, Aug. 4, 1813,9 P.M.

" I have great pleasure in informing you that I have succeeded in getting over the Bar the U.S. vessels, the Lawrence, Niagara, Caledonia, Ariel, Scorpion, Somers, Tigress and Porcupine. The enemy have been in sight all day and are about four leagues from us. -We shall sail in pursuit of them at three o'clock tomorrow morning."

FROM THE LAKES

A friend has obligingly favored the Editor of the Argus with the following interesting intelligence, which comes from a source entitled to the fullest credit.

Extract of a letter from a gentleman at Sacket's Harbor, dated Aug. 13, 1813.

"The fleet arrived here this morning from Niagara, being obliged to put in for provisions, and leaves the harbor tonight. On Sunday the British Fleet hove in sight within view of Niagara, and bore down upon the American squadron; when finding it pretty well prepared for action, they sheered off - evidently having for their object to detach some part of our squadron. Commodore Chauncey made sail at the head of his squadron; and Sir James Yeo, thinking he could decoy the Pike, manoeuvered for this purpose, but failed in succeeding to detach her from the fleet. They were within sight of each other constantly for three days - the American squadron endeavoring to bring the enemy to action, who assiduously avoided it, and could choose their own time for fighting, as they were to windward. - In this situation they at length succeeded in cutting off two of our schooners, which were too slow to keep up with the fleet; the commander of one, Mr. Trent, a gallant fellow, finding himself cut off from the squadron, laid his small bark alongside the British Commodores ship and the Royal George, where he fired 30 rounds of 18 and 32 lbs shot, until they literally blew him from the water, for he declared he would never strike, and went down in that situation! The other schooner was captured. Two other schooners of the squadron upset in the gale of Sunday night; and out of 80 people on board only sixteen were picked up, after being an hour and ten minutes in the water. Lieuts. Winter and Osgood were both drowned. The fleet goes out tonight, prepared for a five weeks cruise, and determined if possible, to bring the British fleet to action. The enemy have a superiority already, are still determined not to risk an action until their force is increased by the vessel now building at Kingston.

The British commodore's ship is said to have been much injured by the fire of our schooner, as to be obliged to enter port to refit. Com. Chauncey told me today, he could fight as well without the schrs. that have been lost as with them; for by their dull sailing, they prevented him manoeuvering to advantage. The loss of our valuable officers and sea-men is much to be regretted."

p.3 Died - Joseph Forsyth, Esq. Collector of Customs for the Port of Kingston, aged 53.


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1812 History
Department of Canadian Heritage This item is a part of the 1812 History digitization project. This project was made possible with the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Canadian Culture Online Strategy.
Item Type
Clippings
Date of Original
Sept. 23, 1813
Local identifier
KN.134
Donor
Rick Neilson
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Kingston Gazette, Sept. 23, 1813