The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
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TO WILLIAM DEARBORN. |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO WILLIAM DEARBORN.
Dear Sir,—I have recd. your favor of Sepr 30. I
am glad to find that you have succeeded in producing
such apprehensions at Montreal as to prevent
reinforcements from that quarter to the posts above.
It would have been fortunate if you could have derived
such Militia & Volunteer aids from Vermont
& Eastward of it, as might have substantially have
a like controul on Prevost, and thereby have augmented
the regular force ordered to Niagara. Appearances
denote a better spirit or rather perhaps
a better use of it, in the Eastern Quarter; but it may
be too late & too distant to answer immediate purposes;
unless indeed the Volunteers of Maine, and
the Militia Volunteers of N. H. should be, in sufficient
numbers and forwardness to prevent descents
on our maritime frontier by a show towards Nova
Scotia which would excite defensive attention at
Halifax. The advance of the season, would I presume,
render a measure of that sort unavailing at
Quebec. Yet there is undubitably the Sensorium,
to which projects of alarm may be most successfully
addressed, when not too palpably chimerical. You
will receive from the War Office, the last information
from Harrison. He has a prospect of doing
something towards retrieving the campaign. The
promptitude and numbers of the force under his command,
will at least save the military character of
that part of the nation; will satisfy G. B. that the
tendency of defeat is to rouse not depress the American
little security they have in British protection. As
Harrison seems to be making sure of food for his army,
& the measures taken promise seasonable supplies
of other necessaries, I see nothing to prevent his
reaching Detroit early in this month. And if the
great exertions on foot to give him cannon should
not fail, it may be hoped he will not only be in possession
of that place, but of Malden also; and proceed
towards a still more effectual co-operation with the
forces at Niagara. Nor do we despair of his success,
should the cannon not reach him in time, if the B.
Garrisons be such as are represented & he can carry
with him the force he has in view; since he will be
able to proceed with a very impressive portion, &
leave sufficient investments & precautions behind.
The artillery sent from this place had travelled nearly
to Pittsburg at a rate which promised a good chance
for its reaching Detroit before November, if not by
the 20th of this month. As Hull's army was lost,
it is to be regretted that the misfortune did not take
place a little earlier; and allow more time, of course,
for repairing it, within the present season. This
regret is particularly applicable to the Great Lakes.
What is now doing for the command of them proves
what may be done. And the same means would
have been used in the 1st. instance if the easy conquest
of them by land held out to us, had not misled
our calculation. The command of ye. Lakes, by a
superior force on the Water, ought to have been a
fundamental point in the national policy from the
the future situation of Canada, it ought to be maintained,
without regard to expence. We have more
means for the purpose & can better afford the expence
than G. B. Without the ascendency over
those waters we can never have it over the savages,
nor be able to secure such posts as Makinaw. With
this ascendency we command the Indians, can controul
the companies trading with them; and hold
Canada, whilst in Foreign hands, as a hostage for
peace & justice.
I do not wonder you are oppressed with labor, as
well from the extent of your command rendered
necessary by the mutual relations between its objects,
As from the deficiency of General Officers; and particularly
the difficulty and delay in bringing the
Staff Department even into its present state. The
effect of these circumstances in burdening you with
details, has been severely felt here, in throwing them
where they as little belonged. To carry on the war
with due advantage; more effectual inducements
at least must be put into the hands of recruiting
Officers. The volunteer system must be essentially
improved; the use of the Militia secured to the constitutional
authority; and an addition made to the
Genl. Officers both Divisions & Brigades. It will be
equally essential, to discriminate better the functions
of the several Staff Departments, and to have heads
of them in immediate contact with the war department.
Experience enforces these truths; and nothing
but that will ever sufficiently inculcate them.
is in the Newspapers.
Health & success with friendly respects
| The writings of James Madison, | |