[riddell] navy island EPISODE, 1837 67 



favour of Mr. Barker: — previous to this, however, he wrote a reply- 

 to the Magistrates assembled at Fort Erie assuring them that every- 

 thing practicable would be done to restore order, and that, so far 

 from the Government wishing to sanction the proceeding of the 

 Rabble, every precaution would be taken to allay the excitement. 



"Had these resolutions been promptly followed up by the Mar- 

 shall and others in Authority, quiet would soon have been restored, 

 and the rebellious faction disbanded — but a strong party of speculators 

 arose in their favour and winked at their procedings, allowing Boats 

 to convey arms, Ammunitions and provisions to them, which might 

 easily have been prevented. Certain Authorities even saw Cannon 

 with the United States mark upon them, and yet took no measures to 

 secure them or to detain the parties who were known to be the pil- 

 ferers. — 



A steam Boat'' was also hired for the conveyance of recruits, arms, 

 Ammunition, etc., to the Island, which had arrived from Rochester 

 and other districts on Sleighs, where the Juriscj^ction of the Marshall 

 extended. — ^A guard also, in time of peace, being allowed to watch 

 the Boat at Night, without any warning that it was an infringement 

 of Neutrality was truly unaccountable. — Strange as this conduct may 

 appear to you, I have it from the best information — gentlemen who 

 were over there when the Marshall conversed with Van Ransellaer 

 and who saw a Cannon in his Boat belonging to the American Govern- 

 ment. 



Conduct so reprehensible, could not escape the Censure of our 

 Authorities, who, finding that so much listlessness and apathy pre- 

 vailed, considered it high time to look out for themselves, having 

 previously ascertained that the American Militia refused to act. — 



All these circumstances being taken into consideration, a Council 

 of War, which was held at Chippewa, determined upon some vigorous 

 measures to prevent further aggressions upon our Territory, and to 

 open the eyes of the deluded Buffalonians, as to the impolitic course 

 they were pursuing. — They would have rejoiced had the Authorities 

 on the other side done their Duty, by putting a stop to Innovations 

 so hourly Notorious. After allowing the American authorities a fort- 

 night, and finding all their remonstrances unavailing, they determined 

 to act decisively and to perform that Service which it was the bounden 

 duty of the American Government to have done themselves. No 

 alternative remaining, six^ Boats were manned, under the Command 

 of an intrepid officer. Captain Drew, with instructions from Colonel 

 McNabb to proceed at Night and take possession of the piratical 



