214 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
Pike, Sylph, and Lady of the Lake, cast off the schooners they had in 
tow and gave chase to these vessels which were the transports from 
York with two companies of de Watteville’s regiment and many sick 
and wounded on board. The sloop, Betsey, sailing badly, was set on 
fire by her crew and abandoned. At sunset when off the Ducks, the 
schooners Hamilton, (formerly the Growler), Confiance, (formerly the 
Julia), and the sloop Mary Ann were overtaken by the Pike and sur- 
rendered. The sloop Drummond was taken soon after by the Sylph. 
The sloop Lady Gore ran in to the Ducks where she was captured next 
morning. Only the sloop Enterprise succeeded in making her escape 
into Kingston with thirty grenadiers on board.! Chauncey anchored 
with his prizes in Sackett’s Harbour on the 6th. Lieut. Colonel 
Drummond with the troops from Niagara arrived at Kingston on the 
8th, making that place tolerably secure. Wilkinson had arrived at 
Sackett’s Harbour on the 4th and immediately “‘remonstrated freely 
and warmly” with the Secretary of War against making an attack 
upon Kingston. Subsequently he presented his objections in writing, 
the principal one being that “the chief object of the campaign, the 
capture of Montreal, will be utterly defeated and our own army 
subjected to great difficulties, losses and perils.” 
The Secretary firmly overruled him saying: “The only safe 
decision, therefore, is that if the British fleet shall not escape Commo- 
dore Chauncey and get into Kingston Harbour, if the garrison of that 
place be not largely reinforced, and if the weather be such as will 
allow us to navigate the lake securely, Kingston shall be our first 
object, otherwise we shall go directly to Montreal.’” 
On the 9th, Wilkinson informed Chauncey that he intended 
moving against Kingston next day and asked his co-operation which 
was readily promised. He then asked him to state whether he could 
agree to keep Yeo in check so as to ensure a safe landing for troops 
above or below Kingston and in the event that project was aban- 
doned whether he could guarantee a safe passage for them down the 
St. Lawrence as far as his ships could go.’ 
Yeo had anchored his squadron in Collin’s Bay for the double 
purpose of opposing a landing above Kingston, should that be attempt- 
ed and having his ships in readiness to descend the channel if that be- 
came necessary. Lieut. Charles Anthony, an officer of much experi- 
ence, who had served as first lieutenant in the flagship of Sir Richard 
Strachan, was appointed to command the flotilla of gunboats in the 

1 Chauncey to the Secretary of the Navy, Oct. 6 and 8; Major-General Darroch 
to Prevost, Kingston, Oct. 6. 
? Memorandum dated Sackett’s Harbour, Oct. 5. 
3 Wilkinson to Chauncey, Oct. 9; Chauncey to Wilkinson, Oct. 9. 
