[cruikshank] from ISLE AUX NOIX TO CHATEAUGUAY 167 



was agreeably surprised to find nearly twice that numl^er and to learn 

 that the habitans had received in the most hospitable manner a com- 

 pany of the 8th Regiment, which had been billeted among them and 

 desired that it should be allowed to remain. In some localities the 

 militia had refused to accept the arms provided for them, but in others 

 they were cheerfully taking lessons in drill after their day's work 

 was done.* 



A flag of truce arrived from General Dearborn with a pro- 

 posal for an exchange of prisoners of war and a considerable sum of 

 money for the subsistence of the American officers and men already 

 sent to Quebec. The officer with the money was allowed to visit 

 Quebec and Prévost took advantage of the opportunity thus pre- 

 sented to despatch Captain Robert McDouall, one of his aides, to 

 Plattsburg, ostensibly with a reply, but really in the expectation that 

 he would thus be able to secure definite and relial^le information as 

 to the strength and probable movements of the force being collected 

 there. McDouall had actually advanced fourteen miles into the 

 enemy's territory when he was peremptorily detained and marched 

 back under guard to the advanced post at Champlain. He then obtained 

 permission to write a letter to General Bloomfield explaining his mission, 

 but while waiting for an answer he was kept under guard with an 

 officer detailed to eat, drink and sleep in the same room. Bloomfield 

 replied that he must return to Canada at once. This evidence of 

 extraordinary vigilance combined with reports of unusual activity 

 at Plattsburg, decided the Governor to remain at Montreal instead of 

 returning to Quebec as he had intended. f 



Secret agents for the purpose of gaining information had been 

 engaged on both sides of the frontier. One of these, named McLean, 

 had indeed been arrested at Champlain, early in July, and committed 

 for trial. His apprehension, however, did not deter others from sup- 

 plying information. During the first week of October, a spy arrived 

 in Montreal who reported that he had been in the American camp for 

 the past three weeks actually living with their men. He brought 

 with him several newspapers of recent date, and furnished circum- 

 stantial estimates of the strength and composition of their forces, 

 based on personal observation. % 



Towards the end of the month, the weather became fine and a 

 report was received that the enemy had determined on an immediate 



^i^Major C. M. de Salaberry to Lt. Col. Louis de Salaberry ; A. W. Cochran to Rev'd 

 Dr. Cochran, Oct. 10. 



fA. W. Cochran to Rev'd Dr. Cochran, Oct. 10 



JGeneral de Rottenburg to Prévost, July 14; A. W. Cochraa to Rev'd Dr. 

 Cochran, Oct. 10. 



