84 JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS. 



The Americans were ambitious of securing possession of and 

 controlling the destinies of the whole of North America. Actuated 

 by this motive, and taking advantage of the time when Britain was 

 engaged in a fierce struggle with the First Napoleon, and when she 

 was taxed to the utmost to maintain her supremacy, nay, even when 

 her very existence as one of the great powers of Europe was threat- 

 ened, the American Congress openly declared war. Their avowed 

 object was to redress certain alleged grievances, notably some "Orders- 

 in-Council" prohibiting all foreign vessels from trading with the 

 French, and the " right of search " for deserters from her navy, but the 

 real purpose, as shown by subsequent actions, was the acquisition of 

 the Provinces of British North America. These " Orders-in-Council " 

 as well as the " right of search," which formed the chief grounds of 

 complaint were withdrawn by Britain, but the Americans still per- 

 sisted in going on with the war. 



The plan of campaign adopted by the Americans was to invade 

 Canada by way of Lake Champlain in the east, by the Niagara 

 River in the centre, and by the River Detroit in the west. Sir Isaac 

 Brock, who was administrator during the absence of Sir Francis Gore, 

 determined to make the first attack. Consequently he sent Captain 

 Roberts to Fort Michillimackinac, which was surprised and taken. 

 This confirmed the allegiance of the Northwest Indians and secured 

 a valuable strategic point to the British. General Hull crossed the 

 Detroit River at Sandwich, summoned the Canadians to lay down 

 their arms and submit themselves to the Americans. This they 

 bravely refused to do, and defied both him and his army. In the 

 meantime General Brock issued a proclamation from his headquarters 

 at Fort George, to allay the fears and to strengthen the hands of the 

 people in the west. He also sent Colonel Proctor with a small force 

 to aid the garrison at Amherstburg. General Hull was driven back 

 to Detroit and forced to surrender, which he did with the best grace 

 possible. Along the Niagara River the Americans were defeated at 

 Queenston Heights, while at Rouse's point in the east, they retired 

 after a shght skirmish. Doubtless the temper of the Canadian 

 people was a disappointment to them, for they anticipated an easy 

 victory. In this they were very much deceived, for instead of being 

 welcomed with open arms they met with the most determined resist- 

 ance. Thus ended the campaign of 1812, with the British successful 



