[CRUIKSHANK] COMMAND OF LAKE ONTARIO, 1812-1813 195 
with the squadron on Lake Erie. A flag of truce sent over to Kingston 
to gain information, reported the whole of the British squadron still 
in port.! 
Some rather sarcastic observation by the Secretary of the Navy 
upon a previous letter, now provoked a petulant retort from Chauncey 
that “the file of Commodore Yeo and the grade of his officers carry 
with them neither charms nor fears. My mentioning them at all was 
to show that the enemy considered the command of Lake Ontario of 
sufficient importance to employ officers of experience in contending 
for it. 
He explained that heavy and almost continuous rain during the 
first three weeks of July had greatly retarded his operations but that 
he fully expected to sail on the 20th with his entire force except the 
prize brig, Duke of Gloucester, which he had renamed the York, but 
had condemned as unserviceable, and the two schooners already at 
Niagara. “I shall proceed off Kingston to allow the enemy an oppor- 
tunity to give battle if he thinks proper, but which I think he will 
decline until his new brig is ready. If he should decline coming out, 
I shall proceed up the lake, communicate with General Dearborn, 
show myself off York, and return’ down the lake to my station off 
Kingston.” Accurate information respecting the armament of the 
opposing squadron had convinced him of the advantage of arming 
his own vessels mainly with long guns. The armament of the Pike 
was consequently increased by mounting two more long twenty-four 
pounders on circles, thus giving her sixteen guns of that calibre in 
each broadside. Under favoring conditions this ship would be superior 
not only to any single vessel but to any combination of hostile vessels 
on the lake.‘ 
Chauncey sailed on July 23 and crossed over to the other side of 
the lake. He then stood up the lake. His latest information con- 
vinced him that the British squadron would not be ready to come out 
for several days. Next day he met the Lady of the Lake returning 
from Niagara and received a letter from General Boyd in command 
there, proposing a joint attack upon the British advanced depot of 
supplies at Burlington Heights which was reported to be weakly 
protected. That vessel was sent back at once to receive troops and 
guides with a message stating that the entire squadron would be em- 
ployed as he desired.5 
‘Chauncey to the Secretary of the Navy, No. 61, July 10 and No. 62, July 15. 
? Chauncey to the Secretary of the Navy, No. 63, July 17. 
* Chauncey to the Secretary of the Navy, No. 65, July 19. 
4 Mahan, War of 1812, II, 49. 
* Boyd to the Secretary of War, July 27; Chauncey to the Secretary of the 
Navy, August 4. 


