Summary of intelligence gathered on a British post
Item
Type
Autograph Draft Letter Signed
Title
Summary of intelligence gathered on a British post
Description
Informs the Secretary of State of the erection of a British post on American lands; requests that the evacuation of the post by the British appear voluntary and not done through diplomatic means.
year created
1797
month created
02
day created
15
author
sent from location
War Office
recipient
in collection
notable person/group
Timothy Pickering
James McHenry
Robert Liston
James Wilkinson
Anthony Wayne
British
island
Mr. Lester
notable location
War Office
Canada
Isle de Bois Blanc
Britain
Detroit
Amherstburg
Bois Blanc Island, Boblo Island
Detroit River
Amherstburg, Ontario
Lake St. Clair
Lake Erie
notable item/thing
Garrison
post
notable idea/issue
Diplomacy
evacuation
document number
1797021500101
page start
1
transcription
War office 15 Febry. 1797.
Dear Sir
In one of the last letters which I received from the late Maj<sup>r</sup>. Gen. Wayne he informed me that the British had erected and garrisoned a work on the Isle de [undecipherable] Blaut, and requested instructions how to act, suggesting, that our submitting to its being so occupied without remonstrance might in time be construed into a relinquishment of our right to it. The same intrusion has also been stated to me by Brig. Gen. Wilkinson, with the addition that he has understood that the the best has been taken by the special order of the British government. Being in company with M<sup>r</sup> Lester yesterday evening, I took occasion to mention to him the situation of the beam[?] <s>& [undecipherable] occupancy</s> and by whom it was occupied <s>by a British garrison</s>, subjoining, that <s>as</s> I <s>found</s> had intended as soon as I had a [undecipherable] to employ him and [undecipherable] Secy of State on the subject. To this he replied that he hoped the matter could be settled without its <s>[undecipherable]</s> taking a diplomatic course, that he would rather the evacuation should appear a voluntary thing, and that if I would be so obliging as to give him a memorandum of the fact he would immediately write to Candada reporting it.
I send you the note and memorandum I have contemplated that you may be apprised of the subject should it become necessary to refer it to you for discussion
I am Dr Sir your ob sr
James McHenry
15 February 1797
Mr Pickering
To be entered in the book of General letters
Secy of State
Dear Sir
In one of the last letters which I received from the late Maj<sup>r</sup>. Gen. Wayne he informed me that the British had erected and garrisoned a work on the Isle de [undecipherable] Blaut, and requested instructions how to act, suggesting, that our submitting to its being so occupied without remonstrance might in time be construed into a relinquishment of our right to it. The same intrusion has also been stated to me by Brig. Gen. Wilkinson, with the addition that he has understood that the the best has been taken by the special order of the British government. Being in company with M<sup>r</sup> Lester yesterday evening, I took occasion to mention to him the situation of the beam[?] <s>& [undecipherable] occupancy</s> and by whom it was occupied <s>by a British garrison</s>, subjoining, that <s>as</s> I <s>found</s> had intended as soon as I had a [undecipherable] to employ him and [undecipherable] Secy of State on the subject. To this he replied that he hoped the matter could be settled without its <s>[undecipherable]</s> taking a diplomatic course, that he would rather the evacuation should appear a voluntary thing, and that if I would be so obliging as to give him a memorandum of the fact he would immediately write to Candada reporting it.
I send you the note and memorandum I have contemplated that you may be apprised of the subject should it become necessary to refer it to you for discussion
I am Dr Sir your ob sr
James McHenry
15 February 1797
Mr Pickering
To be entered in the book of General letters
Secy of State
Item sets
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (4 pages) | BRE12 (4 pages) | Collection: James McHenry Papers | B: 2,2 |
| [view document] (2 pages) | DBE23 (2 pages) | Collection: Charles E. Teenberg Collection. | F: Liston, McHenry |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | James McHenry | War Office | [n/a] |
| Recipient | Timothy Pickering | [unknown] | [n/a] |