A FORGOTTEN CHAPTER OF CANADIAN HISTORY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1989, 7 April 1892, Page 39

A FORGOTTEN CHAPTER OF CANADIAN HISTORY.

HOW THE COLONISTS BEAT THE YANKEES.

Most people forget the splendid defence of Canada, made early in the century, by the handful of Canadians— 22s,ooo, total population of Lower Canada, and 75,000 in Upper Canada— against the 8,000,000 of the United States.

When England was involved in the struggle with Napoleon, its commerce ruined by the "Berlin Decrees" and the "Orders in Council," -its army and navy engaged in Spain and the Baltic, the States thought it a favourable opportunity for annexing Canada, and, in spite of all concessions, declared war.

The Americans thought the war would be a mere promenade, and on July 12, 1812, General Hull from Detroit issued a proclama 1 tion offering peace and liberty to Canada if it submitted, slavery and. destruction if it did not.

On August 16 this same general, with 2500 troops and- 37 guns, surrendered Detroit to the English General Brook, with 40 regulars, 25(. Canadian volunteers, 700 Indians, and five guns !

Two monthß later, the Americans failed ia an attack on Queenston, near Toronto (then called York, or Little York), when one of their generals, with 900 men, surrendered, after a terrible slaughter, to a Canadian force, mainly militia and volunteers, not so numerous as the prisoners.

The war went on with alternate successes and defeats by land "and sea, the only great and signal defeat on the English side taking place when the veterans released from Spain had come to the rescue of the colonists, and the English general was in command of the fleet. What dimensions the war might have

ultimately assumed we may judge from the fact that the Canadians, after losing a whole fleet, had just launched a 100-gun man of •war on Lake Ontario, when peace was made on the status quo ante helium in 1815. — Spectator.