1898-99. | THE CONTEST FOR THE COMMAND OF LAKE ERIE IN 1812-13. 371 
If the enemy’s vessels should be out an engagement cannot be avoided 
and if they are not yet ready he will endeavour to keep them in the har- 
bour. Besides the detachment of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment I 
have been obliged to send fifty men on board the vessels from the 41st 
Regiment and some of the detachment under Lieut. Col. Evans will also 
be detained from necessity.”* 
Two days later he added :— 
“T have already acquainted Your Excellency that Captain Barclay 
was to set sail with all his vessels for Long Point where he is to embark 
Lieut. Col. Evanseand one hundred men of the 41st Regiment and in 
the event of the enemy’s vessels being still in the harbour of Presque Isle 
to keep them there until I can send him assistance which can be done 
soon if sailors are sent immediately as I can find guns that will suffici- 
ently arm the De¢roct until those intended for her shall arrive. The 
Detroit will be launched in two days which I am extremely anxious for 
as she will then in every respect be in much greater security than on the 
stocks. I beg leave to observe that even an hundred seamen pushed on 
here immediately would in all probability secure the superiority of this 
lake, at all events enable us to appear on it until further efforts may be 
made. I am already weakened on shore by my efforts to enable Cap- 
tain Barclay to appear on the lake. If he should receive an hundred 
seamen, I shall be necessitated to send more soldiers on board the ves- 
sels to endeavour to supply the deficiency he labours under in respect to 
fiecmimbercand qdality of his sailors «3. ....' .)40 4) ee eae a es 
Three hundred sailors are requisite to man His Majesty’s vessels on the 
lake.t 
Nor was Captain Barclay less plain spoken and insistent in his de- 
mands for aid. Writing after his arrival at Long Point on July 16th, he 
said :— 
“T enclose a statement of the force of the rival squadrons and if 
prompt assistance is not sent, although my officers and crews will do 
everything that zeal and intrepidity can do, the great superiority of the 
Shey tay ruOW eS tatala 3). ~ iS ian beth PE Ade tices” tae Sik ae Re Pe el eis 
The Detrozt will be ready to launch on the 20th inst but there is neither 
a sufficient quantity of ordnance ammunition or other stores and not a 
man to put in her. If that vessel was on the lake I would feel confident 
as to any action they might choose to risk for the present although for 
* **Canadian Archives,” C. 679, p. 220. 
t'* Canadian Archives,’ C. 679, p. 224. 
