40 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



Some delay in the construction of the vessels undertaken at 

 Kingston had been caused by discontent among the workmen which 

 led to dismissal of two master builders in succession, but the new ship 

 had been completely planked and the necessary alterations made to 

 the Moira. Prévost was presented with an address from the principal 

 inhabitants and a proposed expedition against Sackett's Harbour 

 apparently became the subject of serious discussion with the deputa- 

 tion, as a report soon became current that he had given the assurance 

 that he would destroy the American squadron lying in that port or 

 perish in the attempt. It was duly transmitted to Commodore 

 Chauncey who took every precaution to repel an attack. 1 



On reaching York, Prévost learned that Sheaffe had sufficiently 

 recovered to resume his ci /il duties but that very little progress had 

 been made in the dockyard owing to want of system and judgment 

 on the part of the builder. He continued his journey in a few hours 

 to Niagara where he arrived on February 27. After making a rapid 

 inspection of the defences along that frontier, he returned to York, 

 where he was presented with an address from the magistrates and other 

 inhabitants in which they thanked him for the "vigorous exertions 

 which had been made and are still carrying on towards the strengthen- 

 ing of the Provincial Marine, fully convinced that to maintain a 

 superiority on the lakes is an object of the first importance to this 

 province." 2 



Prévost returned to Kingston on Friday, March 5. Next morn- 

 ing he inspected the garrison and fortifications of the town and Point 

 Frederick. He was then presented with a second address from the 

 principal residents, several of whom were entertained by him at 

 dinner in the evening. At daybreak on Sunday, March 7, he resumed 

 his journey, having evidently abandoned any intention he might have 

 entertained of making an attack upon Sackett's Harbour. At Prescott, 

 he learned that Major Macdonell was still disabled by a wound he 

 had received in the recent action and the Adjutant General was directed 

 to remain there for a week to superintend the necessary arrange- 

 ments for the defence of that post and the line of communication. 3 



When the Governor General reached Montreal on the evening 

 of March 9, belated despatches, brought from England by the Novem- 

 ber and December mail packets, were delivered to him, containing the 

 welcome information that the 13th and 98th Regiments and the 2nd 

 battalion of 41st were under orders to sail for Quebec and that the 

 64th Regiment would be sent from the West Indies to Halifax, while 



1 Chauncey to the Secretary of the Navy, Mch. 5. 



2 Address from the magistrates and other inhabitants of York, Mch. 3. 



3 Military Secretary to Sheaffe, Mch. 10. 



