218 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
in repelling the enemy in an attack on this place. It is with the ut- 
most reluctance I divide the squadron, and nothing but Your Excel- 
lency’s pointed instructions on that head could have induced me to do 
it as I have a strong presentiment that Kingston is the place they 
will attack, particularly if they hear we have divided our force or 
they will take advantage of it and go up to York. These being my senti- 
ments I request Your Excellency will explicitly make known to me 
your opinion as to the disposition I have made that any other arrange- 
ments may be made without delay.”1 
Prevost’s reply restored his full liberty of action. 
“TI by no means intended to prevent the free exercise of your own 
judgment in making such a disposition of the squadron as under all 
circumstances you might, on consultation with Gen’! de Rottenburg, 
think most advisable. I am therefore perfectly satisfied with the 
reasons you have given for keeping the fleet together and have the full- 
est confidence in your making that further disposition of it as will 
best promote the object, I trust, we all have in view, a successful 
resistance to every attempt of the enemy.’”? 
In conclusion he expressed strong doubts whether the enemy 
actually intended to make an attack upon either Kingston or Mont- 
real. 
Between the 18th and 25th of October the whole of the American 
troops destined to take part in the expedition were concentrated upon 
Grenadier Island where they were organized into brigades and divi- 
sions. On the 25th General Wilkinson arrived and the movement by 
detachments began at French Creek, nearly opposite the proposed 
point of landing below Kingston, which had been selected for the 
final rendezvous. This was reported next day by de Rottenburg to 
Prevost who wrote cheerfully in reply: 
“T almost covet the opportunity you are likely to have of display- 
ing your talents. By good example and personal encouragement you 
will obtain from every one a zealous discharge of their respective duties 
I hope our squadron will deal death and destruction throughout their 
armada as it approaches Kingston and the gunboat division prove 
unsparing to those who are to attempt Gananoqul.’’ 
On November 1, Captain Mulcaster with the brigs Melville and 
Moira and four gunboats, joined the schooners Sir Sidney Smith and 
Beresford which had been cruising for some days near the lower ends 
of Wolfe Island. Snow was falling so thickly that it was scarcely 
possible to see any distance until late in the forenoon. When a move- 
1 Yeo to Prevost, H. M. S. Wolfe at Kingston, Oct. 17. 
2 Prevost to Yeo, Montreal, Oct. 21. 
3 Prevost to de Rottenburg, Oct. 29. (In cypher). 
