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Ruins of Fort Haldimand. — The old chimneys, by moonlight.

CARLETON ISLAND IN THE
REVOLUTION.
THE OLD FORT
AND
ITS BUILDERS.
With Notes and Brief Biographical Sketches.
By "CARLETON." p. H. Durham.^
CAPE VINCENT, N. Y.

SYRACUSE, N. Y. :
C. W. BARDEEN, PUBLISHER.
1889.

-Copyright, 1889, by J. H. Durham.

PREFACE.

The object kept most steadily in view during the
preparation of this little volume for the press has
been to set at rest all speculation, of which so much
has been indulged in, regarding the origin of the
Old Fort.
^It is true, that some, having the means within
reach, had satisfied themselves ; but by far the great
majority of those who had visited the ruins knew
nothing definite of their origin. How far the anno-
tator of this little work has succeeded in clearing
away the mists, which, in the average mind hung over
them, he leaves to the reader to determine.
The " old letters " from which extracts are made,
or which are printed in full, are to be found in thd
possession of Hon. J. P. Merritt, of St. Catharines,
Ontario, to whom the writer is indebted for their use,.
and to whom he herewith renders his acknowledge
ments, not only for the privilege of copying them,
but for the privilege of examining old French and
English maps of the locality; — together with numer
ous volumes containing references to the question
(v)

VI PREFACE.
under discussion. Mr. Merritt, himself a historian
of much research, is Custodian of the Historical So
ciety of whose treasures these letters form a part.
In fact, a volume might be made of the correspond
ence emanating from "Buck," "Deer," and "Carle
ton Island," — it being known by all of these names,
— from 1774 to 1783; but only a few were selected,
and only a part of those given in full. Several let
ters written at Carleton Island during the above
mentioned period, or sent there from some other
point, are now in the writer's possession. Of their
genuineness there is no manner of doubt ; and so far
as they have been copied they are given verbatim.
The writer is also indebted to the late Dr. Hough's
History of Jefferson County, N. Y., published in
1854; and also to his admirable little work entitled
"The Thousand Islands of the St. Lawrence," pub
lished in 1880. He also acknowledges himself in
debted in a large measure to Hadden's " Journal and
Orderly Books," annotated by that able historian,
Gen. Horace Rogers, of Providence, Rhode Island.
Acknowledgements have already been expressed to
Col. Wm. L. Stone, the annotator of " Johnson's
Orderly Book," and other valuable historical works.
It is but fair to state however, that the writer and
annotator of this work had collected nearly all that
he has here given some years previous to being fav-

PREFACE. VU
ored with a sight of Dr. Hough's later works or
Hadden's " Journal and Orderly Books." In fact,
a less comprehensive work was prepared for the
press several years ago, but was not published; and
now in offering this work to the public it is hoped
that its contents will not be found wholly uninter
esting. The engravings in illustration of the Old Fort are
from pen drawings made by Prof. N. A. Wells, of the
University, and now Principal ofthe School of Art,
Cleveland, O., from pencil sketches by the author.
THE ANNOTATOR.
Cape Vincent, N. Y., July 8, 1889.

CONTENTS.

PAGE
Preface  '^
CHAPTER I.
Introductory. What others have written about it,
WITH various speculations, theories, and assump
tions. A MINGLIN& OF FACT AND FICTION. NOTES  I7
CHAPTER II.
Some of the statements and theories considered. Ex
tracts from Father Charlevoix's letter. What
LossiNG SAYS. Notes  32
CHAPTER III.
Links in the chain. Extracts from old letters. Mili
tary orders in '76, A model letter of introduction.
Orders to a sea captain. Notes  44
CHAPTER IV.
John Clunes again. An interesting letter, and a very
satisfactory one. Gen. Haldimand writes to Lord
George Germaine. The question settled. Notes.. 56
CHAPTER V.
Additional letters. The armament of the old fort.
The number and kind of guns mounted there. Where
they were taken. Interesting official correspond
ence. Several items worth reading. Notes  80
CHAPTER VL
More old letters, more or less interesting. Various
matters of interest concerning Carleton Island.
Notes   gS
CHAPTER VIL
Carleton Island in 1821-22. Its industries at that
TIME. Carleton Island now, and its prospects for
THE future. Conclusion  120
(viii)

The Old Fort, and its Builders.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY. what OTHERS HAVE WRITTEN ABOUT
IT, WITH VARIOUS SPECULATIONS, THEORIES,
AND ASSUMPTIONS. A MINGLING OF
FACT AND FICTION.

OR more than half a century, the traveler on
the River St. Lawrence by way of the Amer
ican channel has not failed to notice a group of
stone chimneys, standing on the bluff at the head of
Carleton Island. Inquiry, or perchance an examina
tion, disclosed the fact, that the greater portion of
these old chimney stacks stood within an elaborately
fortified enclosure, of which the outlines are not
only distinct, but in a degree, quite perfect; so much
so, that the plan is readily determined, the system
identified, its armament adjudged, its magazines and
barracks located, and in short, its whole scope,
object and intent, made reasonably plain.
B (17)

l8 THEORIES AND SPECULATIONS.
The inquiries which naturally followed these ob
servations : — When were these elaborate works built,
and by whom ? What is their history ? Where can
one find an account of them .', remained unanswered.
No one knew. The oldest inhabitant of the.,adioin-
ing village of Cape Vincent knew nothing of their

origin b'eyond the merest conjecture; notwithstand-
ing tlie fact, that where the " Old Fort " stands is
the oldest settlement in his town. At times, a little
ripple of interest would be stirred by some news
paper article, or perchance a magazine writer would
embody the local legends concerning it in a reada
ble article and give them to the public; but after
.all, it was incomplete and unsatisfying to one who
possessed any desire' to delve into the history of the
past, and unearth the antiquities of long ago.
That these old ruins had not reached a period when
they were to be really classed with antiquities was
•evident enough, but the desire to know their origin,
was, at least, akin to the antiquarian feeling; and
hence, almost every one who saw them became more.
or less possessed of a desire to know more of their
origin. It was astonishing, too, that so little was
known of them. It was incomprehensible how such
an elaborate work could have drifted from out all
human knowledge save that of conjecture. But so it
was. French and English authors were silent on the

UNSATISFIED CURIOSITY.
subject, nor did the archives of either nation so far
as known, or those^^^ the United States, throw any
certain light upon the subject. Even "the Colonial
History of New York, withiii the borders of which
State the ruins are, tailed to give any clew ; and yet
to them thesearcher naturally turned for information.
In view ofthe mystery surrounding the Old Fort,
what wonder that the people generally attributed to
them great age .'' It grew to be an established fact
in the mind of most people, that they were erected
sometime during the last century; and some went
back to the time of Count Frontenac in 1696, and
attributed the building to Capt. Sieur du Luth, an
officer serving under that nobleman ; but a careful
reading of Count Frontenac's expedition against the
Onondagas, in the last days of July, 1696, as found
in the Colonial History above mentioned, shows that
idea to be untenable. Then, too, numerous relics
had been found in the vicinity of the fort ; buttons,
brooches, and belt-plates had been ploughed up ;
coins had been found; but it was chiefly the num
bers and devices on the buttons which seemed to set
at rest the mooted question as to the nationality of
the troops who once occupied the grounds. "These
were unmistakably English. The ornaments found
were evidently portions of some Indian finery, and
proved nothing; and although most of the coins

,20 THEORIES AND SPECULATIONS.
found were English, French coins were not entirely
wanting, and hence by these relics nothing was
proven. In common with everyone else, the annotator of
this little volume, on seeing the ruins for the first
time had his curiosity greatly aroused ; and like
everyone else, made many inquiries, only to experi
ence a disappointment great in proportion to his in
tense desire to learn the secret. He did not for a
moment believe that a work of this seeming impor
tance, and costing the outlay in money this must
have cost, garrisoned as it must have been, armed as
it undoubtedly was, could utterly pass into oblivion,.
leaving no record in the archives of the nation or
government by whose orders it was constructed.
He not only believed that there was a record some
where, but he determined to find it if possible. A
fortunate circumstance brought this about sooner
than he expected, and herein is grouped the evi
dences which he firmly believes will satisfy the pa
tient reader.
Before bringing forward the said evidences, how
ever, it is deemed best to lay before the reader every
thing of importance that has before been written on
the subject, which is really but very little, consider
ing the interest which it has aroused from time to
time. No seeker after the true history of the Old

DR. HOUGHS ACCOUNT. 2i
Fort, was more persistent in his researches than the
late Dr. Hough, of Lowville; who finally succeeded
in solving the problem so nearly that but little more
remained to be done. In his " History of Jefferson
County, N. Y." published in 1854, Dr. Hough gives
everything he had been able to ascertain up to that
time. That, and what has been written by two or
three others, really pertinent to the question, will be
laid before the reader. It is fair to say, however,
that Dr. Hough, writing of Carleton Island, or
rather ofthe Old Fort in 1854, and again thirty years
later, differs materially. He says : " The most inter
esting relics ofthe olden time within the county, are
the ruins of Fort Carleton, on Carleton or Buck's
Island, called by the French Isle aux Chevreuils, about
three miles from Cape Vincent, and in the middle
of the south channel ofthe St. Lawrence. The island
when first discovered by our settlers, was partly
¦cleared ; it has an undulating surface, is composed
of Trenton limestone and is very fertile.
" The surface near its head, where the fort is situ
ated, rises by an easy grade to a spacious plain fifty
feet above the river, which was precipitous in front,
and overlooked a small peninsula but little elevated
above the water, and affording on each side of the
isthmus safe and ample coves for the anchorage of
boats. On a point of this land the government is
about to construct a lighthouse. *

22 THEORIES AND SPECULATIONS.
"The area under the hill was completely protected
by the works on the heights above, and from its great
fertility afforded an abundance of culinary vegetables
for the garrison. Traces occur showing that can
non were planted on conspicuous points, and the
^ trace of a submerged wharf is still seen, as are also
wrecks ot veissels in nie;j2QUom~of thexJx^l^ajfeai^t.

In tne rear of the works may be seen the cemetery ;
but time has defaced the inscriptions upon the head
stones, except the following : ' y, Farrar, D. F'J
1792.'* " Forty years ago, carved oaken planks were stand
ing at many of the graves. Several chimneys occur
outside ofthe intrenchment and on the peninsula in
front of the fort. 7 About a dozen still stand within
the works, which are built of stone, in a permanent
and massive manner, the flues being very small, and
the bases enlarged and well founded. Near the
brow of the hill is a circular well about ten feet in
diameter, and supposed to be at least as deep as the
level of the river, but being partly filled with rubbish,
this could not be determined. Here are also exca
vations supposed to be for magazines.
" The plan of the fort shows it to be after the sys
tem of Vauban,2 and forms three-eighths of a circle
of about 800 feet diameter ; the abrupt face of the hill,
* [Even tMs has long since disappeared. — Ed.]

DR. HOUGH S ACCOUNT. 23
which was doubtless protected by a stockade not
requiring those defences which were furnished to
the rear. The ditch is excavated in rock, is 4 feet
deep, and 22 feet wide. The covered way is 24 feet
wide, the counterscarp vertical, the outer parapet 4
feet high, and the glacis formed of materials taken
from the ditch.
" The rampart within the ditch, was of earth, and
is very much dilapidated. Ravelins were made be
fore each re-entrant angle, and at the alternate salient
angles, bastions were so placed as to command the
fort and its various approaches very effectually.
No knowledge is derived from settlers of the charac
ter, the work, or the number or size of the enclosed
buildings, except that a range of wooden block-,
houses within the intrenchrnent was occupied by a
corporal's guard, and a few invalids. The premises
had fallen into decay, and were entirely without
defensive works ; a few iron cannon were lying on
the beach or under water near the shore, and the
gates had been robbed of their hinges for the iron,
which had been pawned by the soldiers. The prem
ises have at all times furnished a great abundance of
relics among which were coins, button's, etc., whose
inscriptions and devices without exception indicate
an English origin, and a period not earlier than the
French war. The figures, 60, K, 8, V, IX, 34, 22, 29,

24 THEORIES AND SPECyLATIONS.
84, 21, 31,, etc., which occur on the buttons found,
often accompanied by the devices of the thistle,
anchor, etc., doubtless designated the regiments to
which their wearers belonged.
"On the declaration of war, the guard was sur
prised and captured without resistence; the build
ings burned, and never after used as a fort. The
state reserved the island for its supposed importance
in amilitary point of view in their sale to Macomb. In
1796, the surveyors of this purchase found a corporal
and three men in charge, and there were four long
twelve-, and two six-pound cannon mounted. But
little is said by historians and travellers of this place,
as it appears never to have been the theater of events
that gave interest to the former, and was not in the
channel commonly taken by regular vessels, and
therefore seldom visited by the latter.
" The Duke de la Rochefoucauld Liancourt men
tions it as follows: 'During the American war, the
British troops were constantly in motion, and in
later times they were quartered in an island which
the French call Isle aux Chevereaux,^ and which the
English have named Carleton, after Lord Dorches
ter.' The island had been known to the French by
this name from an early period, and it is mentioned
as one of the stopping places of Count Frontenac in
his expedition against the Onondagas, as follows :

DR. hough's ACCOUNT. 25
" On the 26th [July, 1696], they took their departure,
and encamped at Deer Island ^Isle aux Chevreuils^ ;
the scouts marching continually ahead of the army.
Sieur de Luth, captain, was left in the fort ('Fronte
nac ) as commandant, with a garrison of forty men, and
masons and carpenters necessary for the buildings
which he was recommended to hasten. There re
mained only twenty-six sick in the fort, most of whom
were wounded in the legs ascending the rapids. On
the 27th they got to within three leagues of the Riv-
iere de la Famine [Black River] ^nd on the 28th to the
mouth of that of Onnontague.'
" This station was used by the English during and
:after the revolution, and garrisoned by invalid troops.
It was an important post, as it commanded the navi
gation of the south channel of the St. Lawrence,
while Kingston controlled the other. Although the
French had ceased to command in Canada, yet their
memory was cherished with affection by the savages,
who continued to receive presents and be influenced
by the French in Louisiana and their western posts.
Policy, therefore, dictated that this place should be
kept up against any time of danger that might arise.
Having carefully examined every author within
reach, both English and French, we have been un
able to ascertain the precise time of the erection of
this fort. It certainly did not exist before 1758, as it

26 THEORIES AND SPECULATIONS.
does not occur in any of the lists of stations previous
to that period."
In conclusion. Dr. Hough refers to a manuscript
document preserved in the archives of Albany, which
he thinks "throws light upon the subject." This
manuscript, it appears, was drawn up in November,
1758, by the Marquis de Vaudreuil, then governor of
Canada, on the defenses of that country, and which
was submitted to the Marquis de Montcalm who
gave it his approval. It was to the effect that a force
of 1500 men should be sent to erect a post at the
head of the St. Lawrence, after the plans of M. de
Fontleroy, a distinguished military engineer of that
period, was to be the center of militar)' operations
instead of Frontenac, or any one of that group of
islands lying in the Bay of ' Niohoure,'* to the right
of the entrance to the St. Lawrence river; because
the English might enter the St. Lawrence without
being seen from those places.'
It was to be an extensive work susceptible of de
fense by an army; a fleet was to be built, and in
short, it was to become the grand military and naval
rendezvous for the whole frontier. The Chevalier
de Levy, one of the most efficient military engineers
• The Bay of " Niohoure," called also " Niauern," and " Nivernois," em
braced Isle aux Chevereuils [Roe-buck] now Grenadier, and Renard [Fox]
islands, and all that group of islands ly^g to the right as one sails from Os
wego to the entrance of the St. Lawrence. — ISD.

VAUDREUlt'S PROJECT. 2/
of his time, was to take charge of the work. There-
are, however, no records to show that such a work
was ever begun, and it is highly improbable that the
matter ever went farther than the Marquis de Vau-
dreuil's able paper, and Montcalm's 'entire approval."
Certainly Carleton Island could not have been chosen,
because it fails to answer the requirements ; and in
fact there is no single point " at the head of the St.,
Lawrence," which commands both channels, or
which would answer all the specifications of the
Marquis de Vaudreuil's paper; and it is extremely
probable that a thorough examination showed this
to be the fact, and hence the project was abandoned..
Besides this, had a work of sucli extent and impor
tance been completed, it would have inevitably
superseded Frontenac, as was, indeed, intended; and
would have become a place of so much impor
tance, that its history could never have been so»
entirely lost sight of, as it seems that of the supposed
French fort on Carleton Island has been. Before
entering upon a brief analysis ofthe various hypoth
eses advanced by different writers upon the origin of
the Old Fort, and of the authorities upon which they
are based, we will give an extract from a foot note-
on page 64 of "Johnson's Orderly Book," a most
ably annotated, and intensely interesting history of
the expedition against Fort Stanwix [Rome], in 1777,.

28 THEORIES AND SPECULATIONS.
commanded by St. Leger. The annotator. Col. Wil
liam L. Stone, is the author and editor of several in
teresting and valuable contributions to Americaii
history, and on the subject of Carleton Island he
writes as follows :
" In passing on the steamboat down the St. Law
rence river from Cape Vincent, the tourist will
observe a number of stacks of old brick chimneys,
[stone chimneys] standing near the shore upon the
left side, which are upon 'Buck Island.' The in
habitants near it have always affected a great mystery
in regard to these fortifications, but, in truth, there is
no mystery about them. Bouchette, in his History of
Canada, published in 1815, states that Carleton Island
was converted into a large magazine or depot for
military supplies and a general rendezvous in 1774-
75, by the British government, in anticipation of
trouble with her American colonies. We should
infer, even if Rochefoucault de Liancourt did not say
so expressly, that the name of the island was changed
to Carleton in honor of that general, who was then in
command of Canada, The stacks of chimneys still
to be seen, are probably the remains of those 'ovens '
to which the Orderly Book refers, in which the
bread for the troops was baked. The English gov
ernment reserved this island in its sale to Macomb ;
and, in 1796, a corporal and three men were in

COL. stone's ACCOUNT. 29
charge. The island, however, had evidently been
fortified by the French many years before 1774, the
time spoken of by Bouchette; for Count Frontenac
mentions it as one of his stopping-places in 1696, in
his expedition against the Onondagas, at which time
Captain du Luth was left on the island with a garri
son of forty men, masons, etc., with orders to 'com-
, plete the fort.' " In the opening of the next chapter
the reader's attention is called to a brief review of
Col. Stone's inaccuracies.
^ [As an evidence ofthe promptness and rapidity with vfhich
governments attend to those things whieh are really beneficial to
a large class of a community, and also where great interests are
involved, it may be stated that the "lighthouse about to be con
structed " at that time — 1853 — is not yet begun ; nor is there any
greater evidence to show that it will ever be built, than there was
at that time. — Ed. j
^ [The system or rather systems on which the Old Fort is con
structed are Vauban's "Third System" modified by Cormon-
taigne's, with here and there a trace of curious clinging to the
"Old English system." An accurate plan of the Fort correctly
()rawn from recent surveys, and a full description will be found
elsewhere. — Ed. J
' Francois Alexandre La Rochefoucauld Liancourt, a French.
Duke, and a disdnguished philanthropist, was born in 1747, and.
died in 1827. [Hough's "Thousand Islands," page 117.]
Rochefoucauld Liancourt, because of his adherence to the
fortunes of Louis XVI. was forced to fly from France at the be
ginning of the French Revolution, and spent several years ia..

30 THEORIES AND SPECULATIONS.
England and America. His notes of voyages and travel in
America from 1795 until nearly the close of 1797, possess much
interest, especially those portions which relate to the St. Lawrence,
and the country adjacent. Speaking of Kingston, and inci
dentally of Carleton Island, he says: "The barracks are built
on the site of Fort Frontenac, which was built by the French and
leveled by the English. The latter built these barracks about '
six years ago.* During the American war their troops were
constantly in motion ; and in later times they were quartered on
an island which the French call Isle aux Ohevereux, [Goat Island]
and the English have named ' Carleton,' after Lord Dorches
ter, "-j-
In another reference to Carleton Island, the distinguished au
thor says;
"The celebrated Jemima Wilkinson, | thought of removing
* [This account was written in 1795, and hence the barracks at Kingston
-were erected in 1789; about the time of the partial evacuation of Fort Hal-
' dimand, on Carleton Island. — Ed.]
t [This statement, already quoted in the foregoing chapter, is conclusire
evidence that in calling it " Buck Island," and " Deer Island,'' the English
made an error, probably through a lack of knowledge of the French lan-
..guage, or a misunderstanding as to the name used. A careless listener
might easily mistake Chevereaux for Chevreuiln. Even Sir Frederick
Haldimand himself, calls it Cheverents. However the error came about, as
¦no occasion arose which seemed to make its correction necessary it was per
petuated, and thus gave rise to many incorrect statements, surmises and
speculations, besides leading map-makers astray and puzzling historians.
This error pointed out, the rest becomes plain.— Ed.]
t The foUowing account of Jemima Wilkinson, gives us reason to rejoice
'that Carleton Island did not become the scene of her exploits, nor the home
¦of her community.
" The notorious Jemima Wilkinson was bom in Cumberland, Rhode
Island, in 1763, and died at Jerusalem, Yates county, N. Y., July 1st, 1819
She was educated as a Quaker, but finally became a pronounced fanatic.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. 31
her family and establishment from Bluff Point on Crooked Lake,
N. Y., and of settling on Carleton Island on the Lake Ontario.
where she would enjoy the satisfaction of living under the Eng
lish Government, which, by her account, had proffered her a
grant of land."
When twenty years of age, she had a severe attack of fever and for some
time life seemed to be suspended. When restored to animation, she pro
fessed to have been raised from the dead, and pretended to work miracles.
* ' She gained many followers, and held them in close subjection. Insisting
upon the Shaker doctrine of celibacy. She assumed the name of Universal
Friends, and was always accompanied by two witnesses, Sarah Richards,
and Rachel Miller. In her religious meetings she adopted Shaker forms.
She was very attractive in person and exceedingly shrewd. In 1786, her fol
lowers resolved to form a colony in what is now the town of Torrey, Yates
Co., N. Y. In 1789, 14000 acres of land were purchased to which the town
of Jerusalem was afterward added. The sect was entirely broken up at her
^eath.»" [See Am. Cyc, p. 626.]

CHAPTER n.

SOME OF THE STATEMENTS AND THEORIES CONSIDERED,
EXTRACTS FROM FATHER CHARLEVOIX'S LETTER.
WHAT LOSSING SAYS.

^N the extract which closes the previous chap
ter. Col. Stone, contrary to all his previous
records, has indulged in something closely akin to
careless writing ; or, at all events, he has not shown
that perspicacity so plainly discoverable in his writ
ings generally. As we have already hinted, the chim
neys were built of stone ; and from the fact that each
chimney had double flues, and an ample fire place on
opposite sides of its broad base, the conclusion is eas
ily arrived at, that they were better calculated for
heating barracks than baking bread. That this is-
what'they were built for is well known from the fact
that on the breaking out ofthe war of 1812, a party of
Americans captured the places and burned the bar
racks ; leaving nothing to mark the place where they
stood excepting the chimnej"^ stacks. * Besides, who-
(33)

COUNT frontenac's THEORY. 33
ever remembers the old " Dutch " oven of our grand
mother's days, will see at once that it did not need a
chimney two and a half feet square and twenty feet
high to serve as a flue. Three or four piles of brick
rubbish in different parts of the grounds in and
around the Old Fort, clearly indicate the number of
ovens there; and three good-sized ovens were amply
sufiBcient to bake bread for double St. Leger's entire
force; while there were at one time over twenty huge
chimney stacks standing. The oven theory is un
tenable. Now let us examine the Count Frontenac theory,,
briefly. It rests on an error, and that error was
made by the English. The truth is, that the French
never named the island Isle aux Chevreuils, but the
English supposed they did, and hence they first called
it " Buck Island," and afterward "Deer Island." The
French named the island Isle aux Chevereaux, [Goat
Island], and the island at the head of the river now
know as " Grenadier Island" was the one namedl
Isle aux Chevreuils [Roe-buck Island]. This being
the fact, Count Frontenac's statement is easily under
stood. His army started from Frontenac (Kingston)
to reach the mouth of the river where Oswego now
stands. They "encamped at 'Deer Island' (Isle aux
Chevreuils,)" [now Grenadier Island.] Of course
they did. It is directly on their route. Count

34 consideration of theories.
Frontenac would not have traveled twenty miles out
of his way for the sake of encamping one night,
while there were so many available islands along his
line of march. This was on the 26th of July, 1696.
" On the 27th, they got within three leagues oi Riv
iere de la Famine." [Black River.] The enclosure in
brackets is Dr. Hough's, and is evidently an error;
because in another place he says that the old French
maps locate Famine river "inside of Six Town
Point," which Point is several miles from Black
river. In examining a copy of Sauthier's map,^ en
graved in London in 1779, showing the location of
Famine river, the fact becomes evident that Sandy
Creek, in the town of Ellisburg, is the stream meant.*
Had the second day's march begun at Carleton
Island they could easily have reached Famine River,
had Black River been the locality so known ; but
they only got to within "three leagues" of it, and
the " next day,'' the 28th, they " reached the mouth of
the Onontague." This they could not have done,
starting from Black River and coasting all the way,
as in those days they were obliged to do. But start
ing from Grenadier Island, on the morning of the
27th, they could easily reach a point within three
leagues of Sandy Creek, and their destination the
next day.
* [Dr. Hough himself inclined to this opinion in after years.— Ed.]

COUNT frontenac's THEORY. 35
There is now but little doubt as to the correctness
•of locating "Famine Island" and "Hungry Bay"
at Sandy Creek, while the theory held at one time by
many, that Henderson Bay was the locality known as
¦-" Hungry Bay," is no longer advocated.
Another fact, which has been overlooked by most
¦writers upon this subject, is this. Black River Bay
was known on the old French maps as the "Bay of
Niohoure " or " Nivernois," and embraced in its ex
tent all the islands lying in that part of Lake Ontario.
Now some of those old maps show clearly that Isle
.aux Chevreuil lies in Nivernois Bay. Dr. Hough, on
page 116, History of Jefferson County, 1854, relates
that " One Patrick Colquhoun," in a letter to Wm,
-Constable ('who at that time held an interest in the
Macomb purchase^ — dated London, June 4th, 1792,
made a proposition to purchase several islands lying
near the confluence of the lake and the river, and also
in " Nivernois Bay ; " among which he named Chev-
ruelle, or Roebuck Island, and Renard, or Fox Island.
Dr. Hough further remarks in a foot note on the
same page, that " he " ('ColquhounJ " supposed that
it was Carleton island which was embodied in the con
tract." This supposition is a gratuitous one, from
the fact that the islands, '¦^Roe-buck" and "Fox" are
•contiguous, and within the supposed limits of " Niv-
¦ernois Bay," while Carleton Island is nearly, or

36 consideration OF THEORIES.
quite, ten miles down the river, and beyond any such-.
"supposition." Col. Stone is also in error when he says : "The
English government reserved this island in its sale
to Macomb." Macomb's purchase was rpade from
the land commissioners of the State of New York,,
and included the ''islands in Lake Ontario and the
St. Lawrence river, fronting the purchase; excepting
Carleton and Long Sault islands," which were re
served by the State. We think that it may be fairly
conceded that the error was made by the English in
naming the wrong island " Buck " or " Deer " island ;.
and from that mistake much misapprehension has
arisen. Later on, however, we shall bring one more
bit of testimony to bear on this point. As a sort or
corroborative testimony, as well as from its general
interest we take the liberty to introduce here some-
extracts from Father Charlevoix's letter to the'
Dutchess of Lesdiguieres, dated at the " Bay of
Famine, i6th May, 1721." Father Charlevoix was a
Jesuit Father who visited the "French colonies of
North America by order of the French King in 1720
and 1721. He writes: "I embarked on the 14th, at
precisely the same hour that I had arrived at the town
of Catarocouis.* I had but six leagues to go, to gain,
* [Afterward named Frontenac, and now Kingston.— ED.]

FATHER CHARLEVOIX S LETTER. 37
the Isle aux Chevreuils,* where there is a fine port,
which can receive large barques ;f but my Canadians
had not visited their canoe, off which the sun had
•melted the pitch in many places, so that it let in
•water at every point, and we were compelled to lose
nearly two hours for repairs in one of the islands at
¦the outlet of Lake Ontario. We sailed thence at ten
o'clock in the morning, without being able to reach
Isle au Chevreuil, and were forced to spend the night
very unpleasantly. * * * i left yesterday at an
-early hour, and at eleven in the morning stopped at
the Galloo Islands, three leagues from Deer Island,
-at 43^^ degrees of latitude. I re-embarked a little
after noon and accomplished a voyage of a league
and a half to reach Point de la Traverse; If I had
-coasted along the main land to this place, from where
I passed the night, I should have had more than forty
leagues to make, and should have been obliged to
take this course had not the lake been calm ; for
when it is agitated, the waves are as great as on the
open sea. It is not even possible to coast along when
¦the wind is blowing off the shore.J From the point
of Galloo Islands we can see to the west the river
* [Observe, that Carleton Island is nine leagues by water from " Fronte
nac," while Grenadier Island is but the " six leagues " mentioned by Charle-
•voix, and is also his "three leagues from the " Galloo Islands." — Ed.]
t [Basin Harbor, Grenadier Island. — Ed.]
X [Evidently an error. On shore was no doubt meant. — Ed.]

38 CONSIDERATION OF THEORIES.
Chouoguen, otherwise called the Onontague, which is-
distant fourteen leagues. As the lake was tranquil
with no appearance of foul weather, and a gentle
breeze was blowing from the east which barely
filled our sail, I resolved to steer direct lor this-
river with the view of saving fifteen or twenty
leagues of circuit. My attendants, more experienced
than I, deemed the attempt hazardous, but in complais
ance yielded to my advice. * * * 'VVe steered off
then large, and in four hours found ourselves in a
place we repented ; for the wind arose suddenly, and-
we heartily wished ourselves near the shore. We-
turned toward the nearest, from which we were still
three leagues distant, and had much difficulty in
reaching it. At length at seven o'clock in the even
ing, we landed in the Bay of Famine, thus named fromi
the Marquis de la Barre, the governor general of
New France, losing nearly all his army by hunger
and sickness, in going to war with the Iroquois."
* * * These extracts need no comment.
Lossing, in his " Field Book of the Revolution "
makes no mention whatever of the Old Fort at
Carleton Island; but in his " Field Book of the War
of 1812,'' after having spent a couple of hours per
haps, iq a personal inspection ofthe ruins, he jumps-
at the following conclusion. "The English found it
quite a strongly fortified post at the conquest of Can-

lossing's conclusion. 39
ada, at a little past the middle of the last century, and
perceiving its value in a military point of view
('for it commands the main channel of the St. Law
rence^, they greatly strengthened it." [See "Los
sing's Field Book of the War of 1812," P. 569.] Itis
needless to say that the above statement, unsupported
as it is, by any evidence whatever, is pure assump
tion. There is no proof whatever, that the French
ever occupied the island as a permanent trading post
even, to say nothing of military occupation, of which
there is not the slightest trace of evidence, but there
are many reasons why they should not have so used
it.* But of these, more hereafter.
In the next chapter we bring to the notice of the
reader, some of the links in the chain of evidence,
which finally show conclusively, when and by whom,
the Old Fort was erected and by whose orders.
1 Abner Hubbard, who at that time resided at Hubbard's
Bay, — now known as Millen's Bay, or " River%'iew," — together
with some of his neighbors, as soon as they heard of the declara
tion of war, went over to the island at night and took possession
of the fort. The entire garrison consisted of three decrepit old
soldiers and two old women. It is needless to say, that the
garrison was completely surprised, and surrendered without firing
a gun. It was marched immediately to Sacketts Harbor, and
delivered into the hands of the military authorities to be dealt
with according to the laws and usages of war. Hubbard, and
his army, which tradition says consisted of " two men and a

40 consideration OF THEORIES.
boy," have always been credited with having burned the barracks;
but this is denied by relatives of Hubbard now living. It is
said that a party of soldiers came over from Kingston, burned
the barracks and entirely dismantled the fort. — Ed.
^A copy of La Hontan's map, much older than Sauthier's and
drawn much nearer by many years to the actual occurrence
which gave the name, — that of the unfortunate expedition of de
Le Barre, — and therefore more likely to be accurate, lies before
me; and the position of " Famine River" as there located is so
plain, that it leaves no doubt whatever that Sandy Creek, in the
town of Ellisburg, is the true locality. With all the facts before
us, ir is incomprehensible how at any time Black River could
have been thought indentical with "La Famine," or "Hender
son Harbor" with " Hungry Bay." — En.
* [Catorocui, — later orthography, Cataraqui. It has been a
matter of speculation as to the origin of the word, and whether
it was the name of a tribe of Indians known as the Cataraquis, or
whether it was the designation of a large extent of country, or
both; and as yet I have been unable to solve the questiou. In the
winter of 1885, while delving among some old books on the shelves
of the city library in Oswego, N. Y., I picked up a fragment of
an old book having neither cover, title page, nor date. In fact
several pages of the first part of the book were missing, and how
many of the final pages were gone I cannot tell. Be this as it
may, a dissertation on the " Indian tribes of North America '' at
tracted my attention, and the more, because I had received a let
ter from Col. Wm. L. Stone, the well-known historical writer,
calling my attention to this subject.
The fragment in question bore the marks of great age, and was
undoubtedly a translation from the French, and printed, probably
in London. It would seem, however, that the writer had either

NOTES AND COMMETS'TS. 41
made some careful observations or had else indulged in some
ingenious speculations. Speaking of the Iroquois, he gives
their national boundary as at first extending from the Sorel
River, to the Great Lakes, from thence to the Mississippi, east
to the Santee River, and along the coast to the Hudson. He
gives the original name as " Hirocouis." " Hiro," interpreted,
means: " I have said it," while the common name applied to all
the tribes within the boundaries named, was " Mingoes," —
"United people." The writer says also, that " couis " signi
fies "possessor," or "I possess," so that " Hiro-couis," would
mean: " I have said it, I possess"; not a very unreasonable con
clusion either for so powerful a tribe as the Iroquois once were
to arrive at. It would seem also that at one time a very strong
nation known as "Cats" occupied nearly the whole of Upper
Canada or what is now the Province of Ontario, but in a war
with the " Hiro couis " they were conquered, and themselves and
their lands absorbed by their conquerors; and that they were after
wards known as " Cat Hiro couis," and in time as "Cataraquis,"
and that ever after, the boundary of the Iroquois extended across
the Great Lakes and far as Michilimacinac.
From the fact that Lake Ontario was once known as Catara-
-qui Lake, and the St. Lawrence as the Cataraqui river, and that
several islands in the St. Lawrence bore the same name, it would
seem that the cognomen was meant to indicate a large extent of
country; but again, the naming of the first settlement by the
French in Upper Canada, "Catorocui," would indicate a tribe
of that name whose principal town wa^ perhaps in that vicinity.
On the whole, I am inclined to the belief that the term signifies:
"The land of the 'Cataraquis'"; the lands conquered and pos
sessed by the Iroquois. The "Cats," or " Kaws," Schoolcraft
thinks, were a remnant of the " Eries." — Ed.]

42

COFSIDERATION OF THEORIES.

* [" Isle Royal," an island in the St. Lawrence river a short
distance below Ogdensburg ('known in early days as La Presen
tation^, was once the site of a strong fort, called "Fort Levis."
The plan of the fort is plainly distinguishable to this day. It was
a more extensive and more elaborate military work than that od
Carleton Island, but did not possess the natural advantages of
the latter.

FOKT Levi

It was occupied by the French for many years, but finally cap
tured by Lord Amherst in 1760, after a severe engagement, in
which the losses were great on both sides. The fort was com
manded by M. Pouchot, an officer of distinction who defended it
with great bravery and with signal ability. The French had long

NOTES AND COMMENTS. 43.
looked for an attack upon that point, and more especially in the
autumn of 1758, when small parties with swift canoes were sta"
tioned at various points among the Thousand Islands, to give
prompt and early notice of the approach of an enemy. For this
purpose a lookout of twelve men was sent to " Isle aux Chever-
eux," [Goat Island; called by the English, "Buck,'' "Deer,"
and lastly Carleton Island], from Fort Frontenac [Kingston]>
from which point they were occasionally relieved, until it be
came evident that no attack would be made that year." These
facts are gleaned from M. Pouchot, who has left a very completei
as well as accurate account of the St. Lawrence river and its
vioinity. It may be further added here, that the above is the only record'
as yet discovered, of any French occupation of the island what
ever. — Ed.]

CHAPTER IIL

LINKS IN THE CHAIN. EXTRACTS FROMf OLD LETTERS.
MILITARY ORDERS IN '76. A MODEL LETTER OF
INTRODUCTION. ORDERS TO A SEA CAPTAIN.

now beg leave to introduce to the notice of
the reader a Col. Christie, " Quarter Mas
ter General of His Majesty's Forces," in and en route
to America, through the medium of an order to his
•clerk, a Mr. Francis Goring, whose name will often
appear in these pages.
This document, except perhaps being a trifle more
gentlemanly in its tone, differs but little, under the
circumstances, from what would be a similar order
issued by a Quartermaster General of to-day. These
extracts are given verbatim et literatim. The order is as
follows: ''Sir. You will proceed on board the Speak \Speke\ Hos
pital Vessel, and take with you what artificers you find
ready at Deptford, and by the order herewith given, ywu
(44)

MR. FRANCIS GORING S LETTERS. 45
will procure a passage to Corke, afterward to be. continued
or changed as the service ivill permit.
You laill inform yourself on your arrival at Corke, of
the respective A rtificers sent on board the transports Lucretia,
Providence, Sarah, and Charming Sally, which, with those
on board the Hospital ship, or any others who have been em
barked or engaged by me as Quarter Master General for
the service of Canada, [andj let them be divided when they
sail from Corke in two vessels, or three vessels ; that is to
say, proportionately ; the ship Carpenters and Caulkers,
as well as Sawyers j and if possible they should go on
hoard of some of the four before-named transports which
carry proportionately the stores belonging to the Quarter
Master General's Department, on board of which you will
also go yourself, and in case of any difficulties you will ap
ply to the General or other officer commanding.
Given under my hand at London, this
z\st day of March, 1776.
G. CHRISTIE, Q. M. G.
You have a list annexed of the names of those I have
already embarked as aforesaid, and a number more I ex
pect by some of the transports from Glasgow, in which
case you will take their names and dispose of them as above
directed with the others."
To Mr. FRANCIS GORING,
It was not deeiped necessary for our present pur
pose to copy the "list " of names mentioned above

46 LINKS IN THE CHAIN OF EVIDENCE.
although it was in the original order, and contained
about sixty names of " artificers," destined princi
pally to do duty with Burgoyne's army then organ
izing for the, to it, disastrous campaign of 1777.
The following letter was written also in London,
to the same person, but dated the day before. It is,
though somewhat unique, a model in some direc
tions, and worth reading. '^ London, 20th March 1776.
Sir. I am informed by our friend^ Mr. Andrew Nicoll,
¦ that you are going out to Quebec, Clerk to Colonel Christie,
and He being desirous for your well doing has requested
me to give you the names of some persons of Character
whom you may with credit and safety cultivate an acquaint
ance with, possibly to your mutual advantages. I therefore
take the liberty to name the following gentlemen whom I
have the honor to be known by, and whom I am certain
will not misuse any confide?ice you may place in them, and
will be ready to render you such service as I am persuaded
you will merit ; atid I flatter myself that mentioning your
being known and esteemed by me will not be in any way
hurtful to you.
Mr, Tho's Aylwin, Mr. John Collins.
Mr, yn'o Lee. Mr, yohn Aitkin,
Mr, Robert Wilcox, Mr, yohn Patterson,

MR. FRANCIS GORING'S LETTERS. 47
Mr. Peter Mills. Mr, Peter Napier,
Mr, Minott, Mr, yames Thompson.
Mr. Franks Anderson, Mr, Lauclan Smith,
I have the Honour also, to be knmvn by Captain Carle
ton'^ the Governor' s Nephew tvho can assist you if your
fursuits are Military, I sincerely wish you success.
Sir, your well tvishing Friend
yNO, GAWLOR.
Mr, FRANCIS GORING,"
But Mr. Francis Goring chose to enter civil life,
as we shall see hereafter; and preferred selling to
shooting, and the yard stick to the musket ; trading
trinkets to the Indians for furs rather than fighting
on the frontier.
The next is a brief letter from Col. Christie, and
introduces to our notice a Mr. John Clunes. He
was one of the above-mentioned artificers, and
came to America in the same vessel with Mr. Fran
cis Goring. Mr. Clunes will speak for himself later
on, and verify some little scraps of history which
were not fully established by our writers on tbe
American Revolution. "London 2^th March 1776.
Sir, You will please receive on board your vessel
JOHN CL UNES and HENR Y BOXLER, two Car-

48 LINKS IN THE CHAIN OF EVIDENCE.
penters engaged for his Majesty's Service and victual them
as usual. Your Most Humble Serv't,
G. CHRISTIE, Q, M, G."
" To Capt, WATCH,
Commanding the Speak
Hospital Ship, near
Graveshend, bound to Corke,"
According to Bouchette, in his " History of Can
ada," already referred to, the first occupation of
Carleton Island was by the English in 1774, and it is-
highly probable that Bouchette was right ; as it was
not until some time after Canada fell into the hands
of the English that trading posts were established
along the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario, reaching
in 1775 as far west as Detroit. Among the most
prominent of these early traders, was Mr. James
Robinson, who had a store at Fort Niagara at the
mouth of the Niagara river ; and who kept a factor
on Deer Island to attend to the reshipment of his-
goods from that point, — where they were received by
batteaux from Montreal — to Niagara. This factor
clerk was Archibald Cunningham. It further ap
pears from the perusal of an old letter written by
Mr. Francis Goring, late in the autumn of 1776,
dated at Niagara, that he became a clerk in the em
ploy of Mr. Robinson, and later on he was Mr. Rob-

ARCHIBALD CUNNINGHAM S LETTERS. 49
insons's principal business manager, and eventually
bought out his employer, who returned to England
in 1781 or 1782.
The following extracts are from letters written
by Mr. Archibald Cunningham, stationed at Deer
Island, to Mr. Francis Goring, at Niagara. They are
introduced here for two reasons; the principal one
being to establish the date as near as practicable,
when the name of the island was changed from
" Deer " to " Carleton "; and to bring out some
interesting incidents of those times. Naturally,
when the English made of Carleton Island a sort of
naval station, they kept a small garrison there, and
from the following letter such appears to have been
the case.
" Sir. At Capt. Montpensen's, our Command'ts desire,
who finds it absolutely necessary to have an assortment of
Indian Goods at this post, please pack up and send me
down with the first conveyance, 50 lbs. Powder, 100 Balls,
50 lbs, Shott, 100 Flints, 50 Gun Screws, 3 lbs, Vermilion,
Piece coarse Linen, Needles and Thread, 30 pair Mogo-
zeens [Moccasins'], 8 Carrots of Tobacco, and charge the
same to Indian Department. The Haldimand has en
tirely cleared the Ground, both of King's stores, and Mer
chant Goods but has none of ours on board, and I don't
D

50 LINKS IN THE CHAIN OF EVIDENCE.
expect any to come up till the vessels arrive from England
of which we have as yet no accounts.
I am Dr. Sir your most Obed^t Serv't,
ARCH'D CUNNINGHAM."
Deer Island,
1st yune, 1778.
"P. S. There are upwards of 40 Canoes^ of Indians on
the ground at present having come in the other day j two
small partys are now singing their war songs to go on a
scouting party to Fort Stanwix [Rome] and the remainder
wait for their presents,"
It appears from many other sources that Carleton
Island was a place of general rendezvous for those
tribes friendly to the English, and that there is where
they assembled to receive their presents, don their
war-paint, and set forth on their marauding expedi
tions against the defenceless outlying settlements of
New York,
Here is an extract from another letter, which car
ries us to the i8th of July, 1778.
"Sir, * * * I expected to have\the pleasure of be
ing with you last trip, but being by Mr. Robinson's direction
to return on notice of the Fleet's arrival at Quebec, *
* * / am unhappily [disappointed. As for News, I
Can't inform you of any more, than that there is no French
War, and that Gen, Haldimand'^ has arrived with a

ARCHIBALD CUNNINGHAM'S LETTERS. 5 1
small body of troops to succeed Gen. Carleton,^ who goes
home. Expecting to hear of your well being :
I am Dr, Sir, your Most Humble
Serv't.
ARCH'D CUNNINGHAM,"
D. Island.
i?,th yuly 1778.
To Mr, Goring,
Another written on the last day ofthe month, says :
('Extract.^ " Sir. -* * * * There is almost the
certainty of a French war, and what is worse, nothing but
discord reigning among the British Ministry, Hoping in
my next to give you a better information of the times,"
I am. Dr. Sir, Yours most sincerely,
ARCH'D CUNNINGHAM.
D. Island ^ist yuly
1778. To Mr. Goring.
The next extract carries us forward to the 25th of
August of the same year, but we hear nothing more
ofthe expected "French war."
('Extract.J " Dear Sir. * * * / received your agree
able favor of the 15 th with the very acceptable supplies
which came so opportunely. * * * i shall take the
Liberty to trouble you for a recruit of Pork arid pease.

52 LINKS IN THE CHAIN OF EVIDENCE.
* * * ;[^ot the least news stirring here only we hear
the Yankees are coming to Detroit by Illinois.
I am Dear Sir yours most Obed'tly
ARCH'D CUNNINGHAM.
Deer Island z^th August
1778, To Mr. Goring.
P. S. Please send me a supply of paper. Am
entirely out. Comd'r Grant, will deliver Mr. Robitison
the jQioo of Le Parlow, in place of Capt. Baker.
A letter from Mr. Cunningham to Mr. Goring,
written October 22d, 1778, is dated at "Carleton
Island." It is evident then, that the change of name
from " Deer " to " Carleton " took place between the
25th of August and the 22d of October, 1778. After
speaking of having news of an engagement between
the British and French fleets, Mr. Cunningham says :
f Extract, j
" Sir. * * * There is also certain advice of
the taking one, and destroning two capital Rebel Frigates,
which is the most that is done this Campaign, at least that
we can hear of.
I am Dear Sir Yours most Sincerely
ARCH'D CUNNINGHAM.
Carleton Island
Z2d Oct. iTjS.
To Mr. Goring.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. 53
By the above date it will be seen that th? change
of name is narrowed to a period of thirty-six days, in
the autumn of 1778; and the next letter, which is
given entire, pretty effectually drives the nail home, •
and in reality settles the question.
* Capt. Christopher Carleton was a nephew of Sir Guy Carle
ton, being the son of Sir Guy's eldest brother William, a captain
of the i8th, or Royal Irish Regiment of Foot, who with his wife,
the mother of Christopher, was drowned at sea in 1753. Chris
topher was born at Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1749, and entered
the British Army as ensign in 1761, in the 31st Foot. In 1763,
he was promoted to a lieutenancy; to be captain lieutenant in
1770 ; captain in 1772 ; and major of the 29th, in 1777. He was
appointed an aid on the staff of his uncle, in May, 1776, and
served in Canada during the Revolutionary war. He became a
lieutenant-colonel in the army, Feb. 19, 1783, and died at Que
bec, June 14, 1787.
' Gen. Sir Frederick Haldimand was born in Switzerland,
and also died there. His first military service was in the Prus
sian army, but subsequently he entered the British service with
Gen. Bouquet. He was promoted to be Lt. Col. of the 6oth
"Royal Americans" and came to America in 1757. He served
with distinction in America, and in 1775, we find him in England
giving the Ministry information regarding the colonies. He re
turned to America in 1776, with the rank of Lieut. Gen. He
succeeded Sir Guy Carleton, as Governor-general of Canada, in
1778, and held that oiBce until 1784. He returned to Switzerland
and died in 1791.
• Guy Carleton was born at Strabane, Ireland, Sept. 3d, 1724.
He began his military career at a very early age, gaining the

54 LINKS IN THE CHAIN OF EVIDENCE.
rank of lieutenant-colonel in the army in 1757. In 1758 he was
assigned to duty with the 72 Reg'tand the next year accompanied
Wolfe to Quebec as his Quarter Master General, being at the
same time promoted to the rank of colonel, in " America only."
At the battle on the Heights of Abraham, he was severely wounded.
In Feb., 1762, he became colonel in the army and was assigned
to the g3d Reg't of Foot, which being soon disbanded, he went
upon half pay. On the 24th of Sept., 1766, he was made Lieut.
Gov. of Quebec, and promoted to be Governor, Oct. 26, 1768.
On the 25th of May, 1772, he was promoted to the rank of Major
General. In 1775, when the Americans captured Montreal, Gen.
Carleton escaped in a birch bark canoe, and reached Quebec ac
companied only by his boatman and an aid-de-camp; but it is n»
doubt owing to his untiring energy, and unceasing watchfulness,
that Quebec was saved from capture. " Gen. Carleton's humane
treatment of American prisoners did much to mitigate the hor
rors of war ; and had all the British commanders in America
adopted his wise moderation, the achievement of American in
dependence would have been a much more difficult undertaking
than it was. He was appointed ' Knight of the Bath,' July 6th,
1776. Being well aware that he did not stand high in favor with
Lord George Germaine, His Majesty's Secretary of State, on the
appointment of Burgoyne to the command of the army destined
to invade New York, he asked to be relieved of his command in
Canada, but it was not until 1778 that he sailed for England,
having been relieved by Gen. Haldimand. The disastrous re
sult of Burgoyne's campaign brought about a great reaction in
favor of Gen. Carleton who was publicly complimented by the
King in person. He became a Lieut. -Gen. in the army Aug. 29th,
1777, and in March, 1782, superseded Sir Henry Clinton as com
mander in chief in America, with headquarters in New York ;

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

55

but as the fighting was now over, he could do but little more
than correct abuses, and render his services to protect the inter
ests of those who had remained loyal to the crown. He was
elevated to the Peerage in Aug., 1786, as Baron Dorchester, of
Dorchester, Oxfordshire. Having been appointed Governor of
Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, with the exception of
a single year's abseiTte, he continued in that government until
1796. He died suddenly at his seat in Berkshire Nov. roth,
1808." See Appendix 7 page 429, Hadden's Orderly Book. — Ed.

CHAPTER IV

"JOHN CLUNES," AGAIN. AN INTERESTING LETTER,
AND A VERY SATISFACTORY ONE. GEN. HAL
DIMAND WRITES TO LORD GEORGE GER
MAINE. THE QUESTION SETTLED.

, HE following letter with all its faults of gram
mar and orthography, is well worth reading ;
and the more so as its principal statements are fully
verified by various historians.
Carleton Island March 2\th 1779.
"Sir. Very agreeably I received your letter dated
Deer ist., which did afford me great satisfaction to hear of
your agreeable situation. About a Month before I left you
I was made a Master Sawyer at the pay of 4. st'g per day
and remain at that pay still, I have surmounted many
difficulties along with Gen. Burg oy en lut escaped being a
Conventioner [Prisoner], by being on the top of a high hill
close to Tyconderoga, where with 72 Artificieres [artificers]
T was riseing [raising] a Fortification on purpose to secure
Genl. Burgoyens retreat, but the unfortunate Gen, Bur-
(56)

JOHN CLUNES LETTER. 57
goyen never could h,ave retreat so far. [I] suppose he tryed
it, but was surrounded. No sooner had they surrounded
the British army than a detachment of [500 of the Rebel
lious Creiv came back to Tyconderoga on purpose to retake
it. accordingly their first attack was upon Me on the
top of the Mount, of which they took and killed every man
of us but 9 of which my Brother and myself are two.
After a retreat almost incredible without you was to see the
Precipes [precipices], and when we come to the water side
our difficulty was to get over to Tyconderoga, but fortun
ately I saw an old Battoux [batteau] which ive all got into
but was so leaky that she was like to sink with us but we
kept bailing her out with hats and caps the best way that
we could, we had no oars but the throts [thwarts] of the
boat that we paddled with.
In this condition did I make Tycotideroga all tore almost
t» pieces — I lost all my clothes Gr' 40 Gineas [guineas] which
I had in my purse which I lost in the retreat by a stump'
that tore my Breeches and thy. [thigh] In short I lost
above 100 pounds that morning for it was about one o'clock
when I was surprised — as soon as Genl Powell saw my
condition for he was Commanding Officer, he clothed me
and all my few people that was with me as some of us was
half naked as we was asleep when the Cowardly Villiains
surprised us. Genl Powell commended my Conduct much
in regard te my desperate Retreat, and he gave me 20
more Carpenters and ordered me i-mmediately to rise [raise]

58 THE QUESTION SETTLED.
platforms that he tnight be enabled to mount cannon, and
before 6 o'clock that very night I had id pieces of Cannon.
[mounted]. The Rebles keeped a Constant fire on me from
the woods with small Arms and wounded several of my
covering party, but never touched me nor any of the carpen
ters — about 8 o'clock the Rebles sent in a Flagg of truce to
us but Genl Powell would not see [it] and ordered us to
fire on them which we did and out of 5 killed 3 — about 1 o
o'clock they attacked us but we always drove them off with
loss of men — this way did they lay seige to us for five days
— then they broke up the seige they were totally beat — a few
days afterward we had the news of Genl Burgoyens army
being Prisoners, about 3 weeks after Genl Carleton sent
orders up to Genl Powell to burn Ticonderoga to the ground
.and return to Canada with his men which he did. I came
io this place along with the Commanding Engineer, Lieut.
Wil'm Twiss, ('^ ) who is my friend. I am in a very good
place and have made several friends to myself by my
sobriety and attention to my duty. I have keep't my health
in this country very well. You wanted to know where the
Bakers were. Galloway is married and is a baker at the
Isle of Oxe Noxe [Isle aux Noix] a little above St. yohns.
Mabon is still at St. yohns and both of them are doing
very well. Baxter is a Foreman at St. yohns and is very
well. Loggan insisted upon his discharge but whether he
went any further than Quebec is more than I can tell, — he
got his discharge a few days hefore I came here. - This

GEN. HALDIMAND's LETTER. 59
Garrison is very near finished and I may venture is the
strongest place in NORTH AMERICA. I hope it will
be an honor to our Engineer and a credit to our Master
Carpenter and me, and every Artificier concertted in build
ing it. The Commanding Off'r of this place has quarreled
with every officer in this place except Mr. Baker Capt.
Anderson and Gill the doctor so that no officer will speak to
him. I return you my hearty thanks for your usefull and
generous present of Potatoes, and depend if it ever lays in
tny power to serve you I will. I hope that you will excuse
my long letter and I hope you will write me as soon as pos
sible and you will much oblige your,
Ob't Humble Serv't
yOHN CLUNES
Clerk and Foreman."
To Mr Goring.
As a supplement to the above letter, we here pre
sent another, which is conclusive. It will be re
membered by students of the history, that Sir Guy
Carleton, Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Forces
in Canada, dissatisfied with the conduct of affairs
during the inemorable but disastrous campaigns of
Burgoyne and St. Leger in 1777, returned to Eng
land in 1778 and was succeeded by Gen. Sir Fred
erick Haldimand, who writes as follows to Lord
George Germaine, His Majesty's Secretary of State.
" Camp at Sorel, 14th Oct., 1778.
My Lord .*******/ Sent Mr. Twiss of the

6o THE QUESTION SETTLED.
Engineers with Capt. Aubrey (^ ) and three Co.'s remain
ing of the 41th Reg't in Canada, a detachment from Sir
yohn yohnson's Corps, [The Royal Greens, Ed^ together
with a body of Artificers to establish a Post at the entrance
of Lake Ontario to serve the purposes of a safe place f»r
the traders to send their goods to, which go from Montreal
in Boats, till the Kings vessels now the only craft allowea
to navigate the Lakes can be spared from the more urgent
services, to transport them to Niagara, a secure harbor for
these vessels, and a defence against the enterprises of the
Rebels upon this province by that great avenue into it, I
also sent up with the same party Lieut. Schank (^ ) of the
Navy, (who has been employed upon Lake Champlain,) ana
is the Commissioner of the Dock Yards, for the benefit of
his judgment with regard to the best places for a Harbor,
and with orders to construct as soon as possible for that
Lake a number of Gun Boats which are so useful in many
respects. I sent him also the the Inspection and arrange
ment of the .King's vessels there."
" The place pitched upon by these gentlemen, after having
been carefully examined, is an Island about 1 2 miles below
the entrance of Lake Ontario, having Grand Isle [Now
Wolfe Island. — Ed] on one side from which is divided by
a channel of something less than a mile, and the South
Continent on the other, at a distance of one mile and a
quarter from it''

GEN. HALDIMAND'S LETTER. 6l
" This Island had gotie for some time by the name of
Deer Island, having been mistaken for that called by the
French Isle aux Cheverents [Isle aux Chevreuils,^ which
is found to be higher up, and the name of Carleton Island
is now given to this in question. Very favorable ground
for fortifying, commanding a commodious and safe Harbor
which this Island possesses at the upper end of it looking
toivard the lake, induced the gentlemen sent on this service
to fix upon this spot, where a Fort is begun, and Barracks
are building for the Troops, and the place will be in a toler
able state of defence, and Habitation by the Winter. A
Plan of which shall be transmitted to your Lordship as
soon as possible.* ******
It will be noticed by the reader, that Mr. Cunning
ham's last letter from "Deer" Island, was dated on
the 20th of August, while his first letter from " Carle
ton " Island, was dated the 22d of October, only eight
days later than Gen. Haldimand's letter to Lord
Germaine; and while Mr. Cunningham says nothing
about any fort, he substantiates Gen. Haldimand as
to the change of name, and also substantiates the
theory of the writer, advanced some years before he
had the pleasure of meeting with Gen. Haldimand's
letter, that the change of name from " Deer " to
" Carleton " took place within the period of the
thirty-six days mentioned at the close of a former
* [See "Hadden's Orderly Book," page 322, note. Ed.]

62 THE QUESTION SETTLED.
chapter. The truth of the Clunes letter is fairly
demonstrated by Lossing in his " Field Book of the
Resolution," vol. i, page 114, where he relates sub
stantially the surprise and capture of a party of Brit
ish who were erecting a battery near Ticonderoga.
It will also be remembered that Gen. Powell, who
at that time commanded the British troops at Ticon
deroga, was charged with having violated the usages
of civilized warfare, by ordering his men to fire upon
a flag of truce, a charge which was strenuously
denied. Gen. Powell, in trying to relieve himself of
the odium, distinctly stated that he " saw no flag of
truce." Mr. Clunes, innocently and honestly, be
cause he evidently saw no breach of custom in firing
upon a rebel flag, tells us that : " Gen'l Powell would
not see, and ordered us to fire on them which we did," —
This settles another disputed historical question.
In connection with any question as to the authen
ticity of the Clunes letter, or rather of Mr. Clunes'
statements, should such question arise, the following
General Order, issued by Lieutenant General Bur
goyne, will not be without its share of interest.
"G.O. Oct, I, 1777.
In consequence of authentic letters received by the
Lieutenant General from Brigadier General Powel at
Ticonderoga, and Captain Aubery [Aubrey] of the ^-jth
Regiment commanding at Diamond Island in Lake George.

ORDER OF GEN. BURGOYNJE. 63
The army is informed that the enemy having found
means to cross the mountains between Skenesborough and
Lake George, and having marched with another Corps,
from Hubberton, [Hubbardton,] a sudden and general At
tack was tnade in the morning of the 1 8//% upon the carry,
ing place at Lake George, Sugar Hill, Ticonderoga, and
Mount Independence. The eneiny so far succeeded as to
surprise the armed Boat stationed to defend the carrying
Place, as also the Posts on Sugar Hill and at the Portage,
where a considerable part of four companions of the ^-^d
Regiment were made prisoners,
A Blockhouse commanded by Lieutenant Lord, ivas the
only Post on that side that had time to make tise of their
arms, and they made a brave Defence till Cannon (Sup
posed to be taken from the Surprize Vessel) was bi-ought
against them.
After stating and lamenting so fatal a want of Vigilence,
the Lieutenant General has to congratulate the Troops
upon the Event which followed.
The Enemy having twice summoned Brigadier General
Powel, and received such answers as became a gallant
Officer entrusted with an importaut Post and having tried
during the course of four Days several Attacks, and being
repulsed in all, retreated without having done any consider
able damage.
Brigadier General Powel gives great commendations to
the Regiment of Prince Frederick, and the other Troops

64 THE QUESTION SETTLED.
stationed on Mount Independence. The Brigadier also
mentions with great applause the Behavior of Captain
Taylor of the 2 1 st, Regiment, who commanded 1 00 men in
the Fort of Tyconderoga and that he was well supported by
Lieutenant Beacroft of the 24th Regiment who with the
Artificers in Arms in the Half Moon Battery, prevented
the Enemy from surrounding the Fort. On the 24th In
stant the Rebels with the Gunboats and Batteaux which
they had surprised at the carrying Place at Lake George
attacked in two Divisions, Diamond Island, where Captain
Aubery and a Detachment of the ^^th Regiment were posted
with some Cannon and Gun Boats; the Rebles were re
pulsed with Great Loss; — * * * *
An extract from a General Order issued by Gen.
Carleton, writing from St. John's 24th September,
1776, fixes the status of Lieutenant Twiss. It is as
follows: '
¦'A Disposition being made for the Army to proceed in .
search of the Enemy, the Commander in Chief takes the
occasion to thank Major General Phillips, and all his
Department, for the Zeal and Activity with which the prepa
rations have been concluded, and likewise Captain Douglas
for the cheerful and great assistance afforded from the
Naval Department. Captain Pringle, Captain Dacres,.
and Captains Schank and Stark of the Navy, and Lieu
tenant Twiss, of the Corps of Engineers, deserve particular
distinction in this acknowledgment, * * *

OLD FORT STANWIX. 65
These extracts from "General Orders," aside from
their historical interest, settle the general accuracy
of Clunes' letter to his friend and fellow passenger
on the hospital ship "Speke," from England to
America. In concluding this chapter, we introduce
an extract of a General Order issued on the island
in question, supplemented by a letter which, although
it does not affect our argument as to the construc
tion of the Old Fort, will prove of interest to all to.

PLAN OF OLD FORT STANWIX.
whom the locality is familiar, and will be not out of
place as an introduction to our next chapter in which
old time incidents will be brought out.

66 THE QUESTION SETTLED.
The final order for the embarkation of the troops
destined for the capture of Fort, Stanwix, [Rome]
was issued by Col. Barry St. Leger, at Lachine June
21, 1777. * The next entry in the Orderly Book*
is dated at " Buck " Island, July Sth, 1777, " the first
order being, — after the detail for guard is made," — to
unload and repair the batteaux. On the 10th, the
«ntry is headed: "General Orders, by Brigadier
•Gen'l St. Leger," and is as follows :
" Lt. Colonel St, Leger, is appointed to act as Briga-
•dier Gen'l; Chevelier St. Oaris appointed Lt, in Capt.
Buvilie'e [Rouville's] comp'y of Canadians. Two Substi
tutes and 50 77ien to attend the Deputy Qr. Master General
to clear ground sufficient to exercise the army ; the party
to be furnished with proper Utencils for that purpose. The
King's Reg't and the j,%th form one Corps [and] will en-
ca7np on the right. The Hessian Chasseurs on the Left,
and the R, R. of New York, [Royal Regiment of New
Yo7-k, also known as the Royal Greens, comma7ided by Sir
yohn yohnson] in the centre. Lt. Collerton will choose
out the proposed ground on the 7-ight of the Army for his
party of Artillery a7id will begin Immediately to prepare
Bark Huts for His A7nmunition. The Irregulars will
be a7-ranged by the Deputy Qr, Master Genl. Col. Clause
[Col. Daniel Claus] will take ground for the Indian
Allies." Signed. Wm. Crofts Lt. 14 Reg't. [Major of Brigade.]"
* See " Johnson's Orderly Book " page 64.— Ed.

GREAT TURTLE.

67

GREAT TURTLE. — (A chief of the Six Nations.^
The same General Order, directs the Deputy
Quarter Master-General, to order a " Hut built within
the lines ofthe encampment to receive all the Publick
Stores;" directs that the "Men's tents" be aired
every day, and the company streets swept, and that
the "ovens" be set at work preparing bread for the
expedition. From all this it would seem that St.
Leger found no fortifications on the island as late as
July Sth, 1777 ; and Col. Daniel Claus, who had been
for some time the Superintendent of Indians for
Canada and was at the Island in advance of St.
Leger, makes no mention of any fortifications there,
although he was thoroughly familiar with the locality.

68 THE QUESTION SETTLED.
Though not in any way connected with the imme
diate point under discussion, the following letter
written by Col. Claus, ' to the noted Chief Thay-
endanegea, better known as Joseph Brant, * and
dated at Montreal, March 3d, 1781, will prove inter
esting to the reader. He says :
" The General [Haldimand] has for some titne i7itended
se7iding a party of about sixty chosen loyalists, under the
comi/iand of Major yessup toward Fort Edward; this
party might join you against Palmerstown [near Saratoga
Springs N. Y.] could you ascertain the time and place,
which might be nearly done by calculating the ti7ne your ex
press would take to co7ne from Carleton Island, your 77iarch
from thence, and Major yessup' s from Point au Fez. * * *
Should you upon this adopt the Ge7ieraPs offer and opinion,
and proceed from Carlet07i island to Palmerstown, which •
place I am sure several of Major Ross's men and others at
the island are well acquainted ivith, I wish you the aid of
Provide7ice with all the success immaginable; in which
case it will be one of the 7nost essential services you have
rendered your King this war, and ca7inot but by him be
noticed and rewarded; your return by Canada will be the
shortest and most eligible, atid we shall be 77iost happy to see-
you here."
In a postscript to this letter he writes :
" P. S. The great advantage of setting out from Carleton
Island, is the route, which is so unexpected a one, that thert

COLONEL CLAUS TO THAYENDANEGEA. 69
is hardly any doubt but you will surprise the7n, which is a
great point gained. Whereas were you to set out from
Canada, there are so inany friends to the rebel cause, both
whites and Indians, that you could not well get to the place
undiscovered which could not do so well, D. C."
This letter, with other sources of information at
hand, pretty fairly establishes the fact that Carleton
Island was once the headquarters of that noted chief
ofthe Six Nations, — Thayendanegea.
^ William Twiss was born in 1745 and entered the military
department of the ordnance in 1760, and was commissioned an
ensign and " Practical Engineer," in the Royal Engineers in 1764.
He was promoted to Lieutenant and Sub Engineer in 1771, being
at that time in service at Gibraltar. From 1772 to 1775 he was
employed on the new Fortifications at Plymouth, and early in
1776, he was sent out to Gen. Carleton. He landed in Quebec
late in May, and on the loth of June he was assigned to duty on
the staff of Major Gen. Phillips. In conjunction with Lieut.
Schank of the Navy he constructed a fleet for Lake Champlain.
In~the spring of 1777, he was appointed Chief Engineer of Bur
goyne's Army. He served throughout Burgoyne's campaign, and
was included in the Saratoga Convention but was shortly ex
changed and returned to Ticonderoga, which post he assisted in
evacuating in Nov., 1777.
In the autumn of 1778, he, together with Capt. Aubrey of the
47th, and Lieut. Schank of the Navy, was sent by Gen. Haldimand,
Sir Guy Carleton's successor, to establish a post at the entrance
to Lake Ontario. He was steadily promoted from time to time,
and in later years was considered the best engineer in the Eng-

70 THE QUESTION SETTLED.
lish service. He died at the age of 82, having reached the grade
of General." See " Hadden's Orderly Book," note page 169.— Ed.
^ Captain Thomas Aubrey belonged to a very ancient English
family. He was the second son of Sir Thomas Aubrey Bart, and
entered the army as an ensign in Oct. 1762. In 1765 he was pro
moted to a lieutenancy, and in 1771 became a captain in the 47th,
and two years later came with his regiment to America where he
served during the Revolutionary war. In 1778, he, with three
companies of his regiment, and a detachment of Sir John John
son's Reg't [The Royal Greens], were sent to Carleton Island to
establish a post there, in company with Lieut. Twiss and a body
of Artificers. Captain Aubrey remained in command of Carleton
Island for a long time. He became a major in 1785, and in 1788
he exchanged with Capt. John Irving and retired. He became a
member of Parliament and died in London, Jan. 15, 1814.
^ Lieut. John Schank was descended from a very ancient
Scottish family whose records extend beyond the reign of Rober
Bruce. He was born in 1740, and went to sea at an early age in
the merchant service, serving for the first time on a man of war
in 1757, the Elizabeth of 74gunscommanded by Sir Hugh Pallisser.
He came to America as a midshipman on the Bariieur, a 98 gun
ship. He was the inventor of the centre board for vessels and
built the first one of the kind for Lord Percy in Boston, in 1774.
He was promoted to a lieutenancy in the Navy in 1776, and im
mediately thereafter, superintendent of the Naval Department at
St. Johns, A great feat of Lieut. Schanks' was the building of
the Inflexible, a vessel of 300 tons having only the help of sixteen
carpenters, completely fitting her out, manning, equipping, arm
ing, and successfully fighting her against an enemy in six weeks
from the laying down of her keel. In 1778 he was sent to Carle
ton Island by Gen. Haldimand to arrange for the building of ves-

NOTES AND COMMENTS. 71
sels and gun boats for Lake Ontario, and at one time he had the
direction of four dock yards, located at Quebec, St. Johns, Carle
ton Island and Detroit. He was no less celebrated for his skill
in construction, than for his economical expenditure ofthe public
money, at a time when peculation was the well nigh invariable
characteristic of the British disbursing officer.* In 1780, he was
promoted to be a Master and Commander in the Navy, and in
17S3 he became a post-captain. He passed through the various
grades of Admiral, and reached that of Admiral of the Blue, July
19, 1821. He was the inventor of many improvements in vessels
*As an instance of official ignorance on tke part of the English Lords of
the Admiralty, the following statement, made by Mr. John McGregor,
"who was a prominent and vohiminous writer upon Commercial Statistics,
and the Secretary of the Board of Trade, and who made a tour of Canada in
1830 is decidedly amusing.
Speaking of the British Naval force on Lake Ontario, and of the vessels
constructed during the war of 1812, he says: — "The wooden work of the
Psyche frigate had heen sent out from England to a country where it could
be provided on the spot in one-tenth of the time necessary to carry it from
Jlontreal to Kingston, and at one-twentieth of the expense. Even wedges
were sent out ; and to exemplify more fully the information possessed at.
that time by the Admirality, a full supply of water caslcs were sent to
Canada for the wse of ships of war on Lake Ontario, where it was only neces
sary to throw a hucket overboard with which to draw up water of the very
hest quality." — {.British America, Vol. 1, p. 187.]
The above is one out of very many instances of official ignorance, and of
" carrying coals to Newcastle " at government expense.
During the war of the Eevolution, when Congress voted Gen. Stark a
" new coat '' for his brilliant success at Bennington, a prominent British
officer perpetrated the witticism that : — " either the General must he stark
naked or Congress stark mad." Had the British Admiralty been composed
of " old salts " it would have known that the waters of Lake Ontario were
fresh. The wonder is, that they did not send the water casks already
filled.— Ed.]

72 THE QUESTION SETTLED.
which are in use to this day. He died March 6, 1823 in the 83d
year of his age.
* " Barry St. Leger, a nephew of the fourth Viscount Doner-
aile, was of Huguenot descent, and was born in or about the
year 1737. He entered the British military service as an ensign
in the 28th Foot in 1786, and the next year accompanied his
regiment to America, where it served under Gen. Ambercrombie.
He was promoted to a captaincy in the 48th Foot in 1758, and in
the same year participated in the seige and capture of Louisburg.
In 1759, he accompanied Wolfe to Quebec, participating in the
battle on the Heights of Abraham. In obedience to Wolfe's last
order Webb's regiment ^the 48th^ was sent to Charles river to
cut off the retreat of the French fugitives from the bridge ; here
St. Leger behaved gallantly and was slightly wounded. He
became major of the 95th Foot in 1762. He was promoted to
Lieut. Colonel in the army in 1772, and to the lieut. colonelcy
of the 34th Foot May 20th, 1775.
In the spring of 1776, his regiment formed a part of the re-en
forcement sent over to Sir Guy Carleton, and he accompanied it to
Canada. He took part in Sir Guy's operations in 1776, and the
next year, acting as a brigadier, he led the force which moved up
the St. Lawrence, and by way of Oswego, Oneida Lake and Wood
Creek to Fort Stanwix, and which was intended after the capture
of that point to move down the Mohawk to a junction with Bur
goyne at Albany. [For a more detailed account, see " Hadden's
Journal," note; page 45. J
It was during this expedition which terminated so disastrous
ly to his command that St. Leger and his army encamped on Carle
ton Island, then known by the English as "Buck Island." St.
Leger's first order issued on the island is dated July Sth, 1777,
and his last on the 19th, his forces embarking for Oswego on the

NOTES AND COMMENTS. 73
20th; from the above dates it will be seen that his military occu
pation of the island was twelve days. Whether he made a halt on
the island in bis retreat does not appear, but it is highly probable
that he did, although a very brief one.
Of the subsequent operations of St. Leger, the authority above
quoted says : — "St. Leger's force was sent to Ticonderoga Sept.
23<1> I777i to be subject to Burgoyne's orders, but as communica
tion with Burgoyne was interrupted, it did not proceed south of
Ticonderoga, and when that fortress was abandoned in November
of that year, it returned to Canada. He became a colonel in the
army in 1780, and a brigadier general in the army in Canada in
1782. He was commandant of his Majesty's forces in Canada in
the autumn of r784, and his name appears in the army lists for
the last time in 1785. He died in 1789, at a little past fifty years
of age." St. Leger seems to have been in character a curious com
pound of wisdom and folly, strength aod weakness, skill, ability,
and incompetence. That he believed in the adage that "every
thing is fair in war," is shown bj' his duplicity in trying to induce
the garrison of Fort Schuyler to surrender ; and "his message in
which he pictured the terrors of unrestrained savage allies was so
barbarous that Col. Willett characterized it ' as a degrading one
for a British officer to send, and by no means reputable for a Brit
ish oflScer to carry.' " Dr. Moses Younglove, who was taken
prisoner at Oriskany, says that he was informed by several ser
geants orderly on Gen. St. Leger, that $20 were offered in general
orders for every American scalp. [See Appendix 20, Stone's
Life of Brant.]
That St. Leger was thoroughly conversant with military details,
is evidenced by his admirable description of the duties of a

74 THE QUESTION SETTLED.
provost marshal, issued in the orders of July rsth, 1777, at Buck
Island. We copy it in full from "Johnson's Orderly Book."

SAVAGE ALLIES.
" — 15th P. ^parole^ London C. (^countersign^ Edinburg.
The duty ofthe Provost Marshal. The care of all prisoners taken
in battle, spies and deserters is intrusted to them forthwith ; he
will have a guard strong in proportion to their number ; all dis
orders in camp fall under his cognizance ; he is to have control of
all suttlers and traders selling liquor, and have authority for im
pressing such as he finds disobedient to General Orders ; he is
to regulate all markets that may be formed in the Camp, and ap
point proper places for them, and likewise to protect with his
authority and guard all persons coming with provisions to the
troops ; he is from time to time to send out patroles from his
guard and when necessary attend them himself ; to take prisoners

NOTES AND COMMENTS. 75
all marauders and stragglers ; all his reports are to the D.
(^deputy^ Quarter Master General— only for the Information of
the Commander-in-Chief cases relative to the economy of the
Camp, and to the D. A., ^deputy adjutant^ General all Extraor
dinary matters ; as spies, deserters, &c., &c. In cases of Execu
tions he is to the Martial law, what the Sheriff of a County is to
the Civil ; he is to be provided with an Executioner when this he
Requests and when a more honorable death by fire arms is granted
he will give the word of command ; his guard is to be near head-
quartets.'' It is a matter of doubt whether a better epitome of a Provost
Marshal's duties can be penned by any of the military gentlemen
of our day, while there is an abundance of evidence to show that
St. Leger had, in many instances, shown superior skill and
sagacity. His great defect without doubt, was his convivial
habits. "The testimony of Squire Ferris who was an American pris
oner in Canada in the spring of 1779, is of the most unflattering
description. Speaking of a party of fellow prisoners who had
attempted to escape, Ferris says : 'For four days before they
were retaken, they had nothing for food but tea, and were so weak
that they could hardly walk. The forces at St. John's were then
commanded by Col. St, Lpger, a brutal drunkard, who ordered
the prisoners to be ironed together, and put them in a dungeon
for fourteen days, at the end of which time, and ironed hand in
hand to each other, they were sent to Chamblee, and from there
by the rivers Sorel and St. Lawrence to Quebec." [See note to
Hadden's Journal, page 47].
The story of " Sir Darby Monaghan," as related in London
Clubs, and again in the Appendix to Johnson's Orderly Book, is
an excellent illustration of one phase in the character of Col.

76 THE QUESTION SETTLED.
Barry St. Leger. As there told, the story is too long for our
space but we make room for a synopsis, which briefly related is as
follows :
The Duke of Rutland when Lord Lieutenant of Ireland fre
quently indulged with some boon companions in incognito rambles
through the meaner parts of Dublin. On one occasion his Grace,
accompanied by Col. St. Leger and one or two others, entered a
public house the landlord of which had served with St. Leger,
in America, and whose name was Darby Monaghan.
Darby was a comical blade, and his guests found him so
amusing that they invited him to sit down to supper with them.
This was Darby's opportunity and he took good care that the en
tertainment should lack nothing that could give satisfaction to his
guests. His abundant flow of native wit and comic drollery de
lighted them, and his wine and whiskey punch were so good, that
by two in the morning they were jolly company.
The Duke was so pleased with his landlord that in a fit of good
humor he proposed to hnight Darby, which he did, although his
companions undertook to prevent him ; but all the forms were
complied with and Darby having thanked his Grace and sworn
fealty in a bumper to the King of England ordered in an immense
bowl of punch which was filled and refilled, until at length the
whole party became blind drunk, and rolled under the table
where they slept until morning.
Darby, however, was soonest over the debauch, and he quickly
prepared for them a comfortable breakfast of which they freely
partook, after bathing in cold spring water, and partaking of
a glass of good whiskey or brandy as they preferred. Finally
Col. St. Leger began to have a dim perception that something
foolish had been done the night before in conferring the

NOTES AND COMMENTS. 77
order of Knighthood upon the redoubtable Darby, and called
his Grace's attention to the fact. His Excellency was entirely
oblivious to the circumstance, and was exceedingly mortified,
knowing that if it once got wind he would become the laughing
stock of the Court, and the jest of Great Britain.
His Grace hoped that Darby's recdllections of the matter
would be found to be as oblivious as his own, and if so, the
whole thing could be successfully denied ; and to test that matter
Darby was called and questioned, and they soon found that his
potations had in no wise impiared his memory of the events of
the previous evening. Then the question was, how to get out of
the awkward position. Various official positions were tendered
Darby if he would give up the title, which he refused, making the
shrewd statement that he would rather " Kape the toitle yer Ex
cellency, for if it was wanst known that Sir Darby Monaghan kept
a punch house I'd soon have all the custom of Dublin city and
that would be better than a tide waiter's place annyhow."
Finally he was offered an income of two hundred and fifty
pounds a year to give up his Knighthood, to which Darby said :
"Please yer Excellency I'll jist step upstairs and consult her
Ladyship,'^ which he did. Her Ladyship wisely concluded to
accept the income, and so it was settled. But the story got out,
and the worthy couple not only enjoyed the income but the title
also, as they were known to all Dublin as Sir Darby and Lady
Monaghan, — Ed.]
^ [Col. Daniel Claus was a native of the Mohawk Valley,
and having in early life acquired a knowledge of the Iroquois
language he was attached to the department of Sir William John
son, as interpreter, and accompanied him as Lieutenant of
Rangers in the celebrated expedition against Dieskau. In 1750
he was appointed lieutenant in the 60th or Royal American Reg't,

78 THE QUESTION SETTLED.
-and continued at or near Johnstown until 1759, when he accom
panied the expedition to Niagara, from whence he went to Mon
treal with the army ; at which place he was stationed as super
intendent of the Canadian Indians. He was promoted to a
captaincy in r76r. With the exception of occasional trips to
Canada he resided near Johnstown, having married a daughter
of Sir William Johnson, until the breaking out ofthe Revolution,
when he retired to Canada. He visited England in 1776, and
returned with a commission as deputy superintendent of Indians,
and in that capacity accompanied St. Leger in the expedition
against Fort Stanwix. [Rome.] Many of his letters still extant
show that he did not wholly agree with that officer in the conduct
of the campaign. Some of his later years were spent in England
in superintending the translation ofthe "Book of Common
Prayer" into the Mohawk tongue, for which work his long service
as an interpreter, and his "accurate knowledge of the Mohawk
language" fully qualified him. He died at Cardiflf, Wales, in
the latter part of 1787. His wife survived him thirteen years, and
died in Canada in i8or. Johnson's Orderly Book, page 69.
Note 2.]
' [Joseph Brant or Thayendanegea, was a pure blooded On
ondaga Indian, and the son of a chief; but was educated by the
care of Sir William Johnson at the celebrated Moor school, kept
by Dr. Wheelock. He was an apt scholar, and in a short time
became fitted as an interpreter for Dr. Charles Jeffry Smith, an
enthusiastic young missionary. So satisfactory did he conduct
himself at this period in the performance of all his duties, that
the Rev. Samuel Kirkland said of him: "He conducted himself
so much like a Christian and a soldier that he gained great
esteem." When he became chief of the Six Nations, he wielded
great authority, and co-operated at all times with Sir William

NOTES AND COMMENTS. 79
Johnson. He was always an able vindicator of what he
deemed the rights of his people, both by voice and pen. He
visited England in 1775, attracting distinguished attention where-
ever he appeared as the chief of the greatest Indian Alliance ever,
known.

Joseph Brant. — ^Tayendanagea.^.
He adhered to the British government during the war, and
after the Treaty of Peace in which no provision was made for his
people, he struggled hard to retain what they had formerly
possessed. But the great heritage was lost. In the national
struggles for territory the rights of the Six Nations were almost
wholly lost sight of and the self-sacrificing exertions of Thayen
danegea were in vain. It is fair to say that doubtless many of
the early tales regarding the cruelties practiced bj' this chief dur
ing the war are but fabrications or at best gross exaggerations
having but a grain of truth for a foundation. At the close of
the war, he retired to Canada, and spent his later years under
the protection of those with whom he had made a common cause.
His life by Col. Stone, a work of singular interest, gives a full
detail of his career, in part collected in his old neighborhood. It
is published by Joel Munsell's Sons, Albany. See Johnson's
Orderly Book" page 196.]

CHAPTER V.

ADDITIONAL LETTERS. THE ARMAMENT OF THE OLD
FORT. THE NUMBER AND KIND OF GUNS MOUNTED
THERE. WHERE THEY WERE TAKEN. INTEREST
ING OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE. SEVERAL
ITEMS WORTH READING.

URING his somewhat extended researches
after some definite account of the Old Fort,
and the occupation of Carleton Island, the writer has
read many scores of old letters, consisting mainly of
business correspondence, written, first, from " Buck
Island," in 1774, then from " Deer Island " as has been
already shown, and lastly from " Carleton Island."
These letters bear the dates of 1774 and succeeding
years, as late as 1782. Some of these letters are now
in the writer's possession, and will be given a place
in this chapter.
In connection with this, however, the attention ot
the reader is called to a fact bearing upon the ques
tion we have been discussing. It is this. Mr.
Francis Goring, in his letters from Niagara, makes
frequent mention of "the Fort." Naturally enough,
(80)

OLD FRONTIER BLOCK HOUSE. 8 1
too, because there was a fort there at that time; and
in his trading, he became acquainted with the officers,
the more easily, perhaps, because he had at one time
been a clerk for the Quarter Master General himself;
and so he frequently makes mention of their names»
and what they purchased.

AN OLD FRONTIER BLOCK HOUSE.
On the other hand, none of the letters written from
"Buck Island" in 1774, make the slightest reference
to anything like a stockade, fort, nor even a block
house; nor do any of the letters make any mention
whatever of any fort until 1779, '80, '81, and '82.
The reason is plain. When there was no fort, none

8 2 ADDITIONAL LETTERS.
was mentioned ; but as soon as a fort was built, it
was perfectly natural to refer to it. The next letter
we insert is from Mr. Clunes, written the next day
after the one which we have already given. Probably
the vessel did not leave until the next day, so that it
gave him further opportunity to write to his friend
Goring. It gives us a quiet glimpse of the situation,
and details a bit of camp gossip which will be appre
ciated by an old soldier. Here is'the extract:
Carleton Island, March 2^th, 1777.
Sir. * * * * ^ .jjDfQtg you a small epistle of my
life since I parted with you, but were We to m.eet I would
surprise you to tell you of so77ie things, and 7nake you Laugh
at Others, 1 7nean in regard to Men that Come out with
us, both Artificiers and salors.
Last night Doctor Gill, got  Kicked in Com-
fiany by Mr. Morrison, a\Merch't, upon which insted of
resenting it went to the Commanding Officer and told the
Co7/imanding Officer that he was in Dangour of his life,
upon which he swore his life against Morrison, and ever
since Morrison has had a soldier after hi77i day and night,
but gets leave to walk about, and is a prisoner at large.
In this Confusion has the Garrison been in, all this winter
and no Officer keeps the Coinmandants company, scarce,
[scarcely] except a certain Watery Hero, and a piddlen
prattling Surgeon's Mate who stiles himself a Doctor, and

JOHN CLUNES AGAIN. 83
says he is a vc/'y good one if he had di'Ugges [drugs] but
being so much engaged with the Beautys of this Island and
almost every /tight drunk, forgot to send in due season to
Canada for drugges, so that three parts out of four of the
men is sick with the scurvy and  other sicknesses. * * *
/ remain your friend and well wisher,
yOHN CLUNES.
Clerk and Foreman.
To Mr. GORING.
The truth of Mr. Clunes's letter is self-evident, and
the life of a soldier on Carleton Island more than a
century ago did not differ so very much from modern
camp life, after all. The next letter we give in full.
It was written, as will be seen, by James Clark, who
was a Sergeant Major in the British Army. By this,
and other letters which we hkve seen, it appears that
Mr. Clark had been sent from Niagara to Carleton
Island to straighten out the accounts ofthe army and
navy departments, both of which, it seems, had fallen
into confusion, owing to incompetent accountants,
and careless officers.
Dr. Clark, of St. Catharines, Ontario, one of the
ablest and most prominent physicians in the Domin
ion, is a grandson of thq writer of the following
letter. Carlet07i Island, \oth yune, 1779.
Sir, By the return of the Seneca, you will please send

84 ADDITIONAL LETTERS.
me two Quires of your largest paper, and charge it to the
Naval Departme7it. I a/n safe at Carleton Island, but
7iot yet so well situated as T would wish.
We are repeatedly alarmed by the Enemy's scouts, who,
a few days ago, took away two men from the Island, not
one hu7idred yards fro77i the Fort, and at ten o'clock in the
morning. Up the whole of last night by alarms.
T am, Sir, Yours, &'c.,
yAMES CLARK.
Mr. F. GORING.
Niagara,
Mr. Clark's Regiment was the " King's 8th Regi
ment of Foot," and was one of the most prominent
regiments in the British Army. It was organized in
1685) and was in the battle of the Boyne, and in the
sieges of Limerick, Dublin, and Kinsale. It served
in the Netherlands, Ireland, and Holland. It was
the first to storm the citadel of Liege in 1702, and
was, in fact, in all the prominent operations of Eng
lish troops, through a long period of years. It was
assigned to the Canadian frontier in 1777. It helped
to capture Martinique in 1809, and distinguished it
self in 1812, in numerous engagements. In fact
the regiment held deservedly high rank among the
best regiments in the British service. To have reached
the highest non-commissioned rank in a regiment
possessing the record ofthe King's Sth, was an honor
to be proud of.

FORT HALDIMAND.

85

Dr. Canniff, in his " History of the Settlement of
Upper Canada," published at Toronto in 1869, is
evidently in error as to date, when he says that Mr.

86 ADDITIONAL LETTERS.
Clark was appointed " Clerk and Naval Storekeeper
at Carleton Island in 1776." It should have read 1779.
Dr. Canniff further says:
" This Military Post afforded a retreat for the refugees
who fled from the Mohawk Valley. ' yay's Treaty of
Peace,' found Carleton Isla/id occupied by the 84th Regi
ment, a body of Highla/iders levied i/i the Carolinas, a/id
subsequently adopted into the line. Up07i the erection of the
northern line of the U/iited States, Ca7-leto7t Island ca/ne
within the boundary of the State of Neiv York ; hut if
continued in common with other //lilita/y posts, in possession
of the British until ijgS. Itideed, it remai/ied in- posses
sion of the British until 1812, whe/i the Amei'icans crossed
and seized a Sergeant's guard there."
Again Dr. Canniff says :
" The Rebellion, [meani/ig the war of the Revolution]
led to the establish/nent of a Militai-y Post at the Island of
Chevereaux, or Goat Island, subsequently /lamed Carleton
Island. This position was found more co/ive/iient than the
site of Fort Fro/ite/iac. After the defeat of Burgoyne in
1777, there were many refugees who sought protection at
the military posts along the northern frontier of New York,
that of Carleton Island among the rest."
" During the Revolutio/iary war, the Bi-itish built at
Carleton Island a few vessels to convey troops and provis
ions from that place along the lake, fro7n Carleton Island
to Niagara. The first Co77imissioner of the Dock-yard, was

FRANCIS GORING TO HIS UNCLE. 87
Commodore yames Andreivs, Lieutenant in the Royal
Navy. The Ontario, a war vessel of considerable i/npor-
tance, carrying 22 gun.s, was built at Carleton Island.
This vessel was comma/ided by Capt. Andrews. So7ne time
betiveen 1780, and 1783, as the Ontario was proceeding
from Niagara to Oswego, with a detachi/ient of the King's
Own Regiment, commanded by Colonel Burton with other
officers, a storm arose at night and the vessel was lost with
all on board."
Just at this point, we take the liberty to introduce
an extract of a letter before us, written by Mr. Francis
Goringto hisuncle in London, in which he mentions
the loss of this vessel, although Mr. Goring and Dr.
Canniff slightly disagree in some points. We give
only that part which speaks of the vessel.
Niagara, August 1, 1781.
Dear Uncle. * * * * A very malancholy misfor
tune happened nigh here last fall. O/t the ^ist Oct.
[1780] a New Vessel called the Ontario sailed from here
in the afternoon, and about 1 2 O'clock at Night a violent
storm arose in which the vessel was lost and every soul on
board Perish' d in number about 120, among which was Lt.
Col. Bolton, who commanded this post, Lt. Collerton,'^ of
Artillery, Lt, Royce of the .^^th Reg't, About a week ago
six of the Corps [corpses] was picked up about 1 z miles from
here and buried, which is all that has ever been seen. This
was the finest scow that ever sailed these. Lakes and Carried

88 ADDITIONAL lETTERS.
Upward of a thousand Barrels. We have none but Indian
news here, whose barbarity will not bear repeating. * * * *
' Tis said that Genl. Haldimand is going on an expedition
to join  and bi-ing off Allen,
I a77i Dear Uncle with all Respect
Your obedient Nephew,
F, GORING,
Whether this could have meant a second attempt
to capture Col. Ethan Allen, we have no means of
knowing. In connection with the loss of the Ontario,
it may be of interest to state that while gathering
items regarding these matters, the writer was told by
a Mr. Pike who resides on Wolfe Island, — known as
" Grand Isle " in early days, — that there lies in Reed's
Bay, at the head of the Island, in about forty feet of
water, the wreck of a large vessel ; and that fishermen
have frequently brought up muskets and bayonets
from the wreck, many of which he has seen. Mr.
Pike stated that he had often seen the wreck when
the water was still. He stated further, that his
brother once saw an anchor at or near the extremity
of "Long Point; " one of the old kind, with a wooden
stock, and that the chain cable attached seemed to
lead off toward the bight of the bay. If, as Mr.
Goring's letter infers, the Ontario was bound for
Carleton Island, what is more probable than that in
the night and during a severe storm she ran out of

WRECK OF THE ONTARIO. 89
her course, and foundered in Reed's Bay ? Should
the wreck Mr. Pike speaks of prove to be the Ontario
it would be something of a find, especially as she was
armed with 22 guns. A little time spent by a skill
ful diver with a suitable apparatus, would fully test
the question, and bring to light some very interesting
relics of more than a century ago.
From an order book of 1779, in an entry made on
the 14th of May, we learn some additional particulars.
The entry in question details the duties of the en
gineers and " Artificiers " and provides for the usual
duties of a military encampment. There was then a
strong "picket" posted at the lower end of the
Island, and it was ordered that a sharp lookout be
kept for the rebels who were lurking in that vicinity.
This order was issued by Captain Aubrey, then in
command of the Post, with the local, or field rank of
Colonel. This "order book "^ is in possession of
Judge Pringle of Cornwall, Ontario, who is a lineal
descendant of the Captain Pringle^ so favorably
mentioned in the General Order issued by Lieut.
Gen. Sir Guy Carleton, extracts from which we have
already given.
Dr. Hough, in his admirable work " The Thousand
Islands of the St. Lawrence," page 52, refers to this
" Orderly Book," and gives in addition, this brief
but interesting item, wliich also recorded in the

9°

ADDITIONAL LETTERS.

Clinton papers No. 2,285, on file in the State Library
at Albany. " Early in the spring of 1779, Lieutenants
McClellan, and Hardenburg of the 5th New York
Regiment, were sent by the way of Black River, to

FORT HALDIMAND. 91
surprise the British Post at Oswegatchie. [Ogdens
burg.] They failed to accomplish their purpose, but
succeeded in capturing two Onondaga Indians, of
whom they gathered the following facts as given in
their own words.
" That the last week we had left that place [Buck
Island] and that they ivere fortifying themselves. He fur
ther saith that ' the garrison consisted of Sir yohn yohn
son's Regiment making in the whole not more than 200
men, and that they had a disorder among them of which
they died very fast, and that no other reason made him
and some others leave that place." He further says : "that
yesterday Gen. Haldimand's aid-de-camp passed that place
with orders to the back posts."
We are further indebted to Dr. Hough for some
additional information in regard to the Old Fort
which appropriately close all that we have to say at
present on that question. "In 1788, Captain Mann,
at that time Commanding Engineer, was ordered to
examine both Carleton Island and Kingston, and
report as to which was most eligible as a station for
the King's ships, and the protection of lake naviga
tion and what works were necessary for that purpose.
He reported in favor of the latter, and from that time
Carleton Island is mentioned as the place that "used
to be of note."

92 ADDITIONAL LETTERS.
"On the 13th day of October, 1789, there were
found in the fort eighteen unserviceable gun-car
riages, of which two were for eighteen pounders, three
for twelves, three for nines, six for sixes, and four
for fours." * * * On the next day his Majesty's
Scow Seneca, was ordered to 'be sent around to
Carleton Island for the Ordnance, and Stores at that
place.' "
There is do doubt that the stores were removed at
that date, but that the guns were not; for " On the
loth of June, 1793, nineteen guns, of which ten were
eighteens, five twelves, two nines, and two sixes,
were described as being still in the works. As the
iron work of the rotten carriages was being stolen,
Capt. Porter ordered them to be burned and the irons
stored, and finally in August of that year, the Mis-
sissaugua was sent by Capt. Geo. Glasgow, of the
Royal Artillery to remove these guns, and some
others from Kingston to Toronto.
The following correspondence in regard to the
armament of the Old Fort, will also prove interest
ing. It may be found in the second volume of the
Simcoe papers, page 136.
Lieut. Gov. Simcoe, of Upper Canada to Lieut. Gov,
Alured Clarke of Lower Canada, Navy Hall, yune I'jth, 1793.
* * * " / enclose a return of the cannon at Carleton

ARMAMENT OF THE FORT. 93
Island. Those 18 pounders reported to be sunk are no
where to be found. The guns are all marked as unservice
able, and the carriages are so rotten, that agreeable to the
Ordnance Instructions, as people are stealing the iron,.
Capt. Porter has ordered them to be bu7-nt and the iron
• conveyed into the store ; but as Capt. Glasgow is of the
opinion that many of these heavy cannon may be so mounted
at ^Toronto, as to be useful at that Post, and as I wish to
avail myself of the experience of this valuable Officer
whilst I have the good fortune to possess him in this Prov
ince, I must request that Your Excellency will permit me
to transfer so many of them as shall be expedient, to that
place." Gen. Alured Clarke, to Gov, Simcoe. Quebec, yuly ?ith,,i']g7,.
" The report you enclosed of the guns at Carleton Isla/id
has been submitted to the consideration of Lieut. Col.
Walker, commanding the Royal Artillery, who declines
recommending the putting in use ordnance which has been
so long looked upon as being unserviceable, lest some acci
dent might be the result of their being employed. However,
if you are upon further consideration of this matter, still
desirous for having some of the/n removed for the purpose
you mention, I do acquiesce in your ordering it to be done."'
" / must here take notice that though T am persuaded
Capt. Porter's motives were good, for ordering the rotten
gun carriages destroyed, and the iron brought into store.

94 ADDITIOl^AL LETTERS.
yet this step was rather premature, as it would have been
more regular and conformable to the Board of Ordnance,
to have applied for a survey, and their destruction delayed
until orders were sent for that purpose."
Lieut, Gov. Simcoe to Gen. Clarke.
Navy Hall, yuly 24th, 1793.
" / shall immediately proceed to Toronto, ( York),
'whither I hope the whole of the Queen's Rangers will be
encamped in a few days, when I shall do myself the honor
cf making a more specific report on the subject of fortifying
that harbor. Its extent, and the difficulty any enemy must
have of bringing heavy ca/inon or Howitzers into the Prov
ince, necessarily points out the advantages that must result
from a few guns of the largest calibre. The carronades
meant for the shipping, I have always purposed to make
use of, and my intention has been to select some of the best
guns from Carleton Island, that at the least expense we
may make the most formidable resistance."
Lieut. Gov. Simcoe to Gen. Clarke. York, August 2nd, 1793.
¦' / apprehend Capt. Porter must have executed some
former order, as it is merely from the Artillery through
Captain Glasgow, that I have as yet received any accounts
of his having destroyed the cai-riages at Carleton Island,
and which has been rather unseasonable to my view."
LETTER FROM CAPT. GEORGE GLASGOW.
York, August Sth, 1793.
" Sir, His Excellency Colonel Simcoe, having directed the

ARMAMENT OF THE FORT. 95
MississAUGUA to proceed from hence to Kingston and
Carleton Island in order to return here with the utmost
expedition after receiving on board the cannon, carronades,
carriages, etc., together vuith a non-commissioned officer and
eight gunners, concerning which Captain Glasgow, Com
manding the Royal Artillery has given the necessary orders
to the corporal in charge of stores, or that corps at that
port, I am to desire that this arrangement may take place
as soon as possible, for which purpose I enclose to you a
copy of the memorandum, of guns and carronades, which
Capt. Glasgow, with his Excellency' s approbation, has
ordered to be transported to York.
MEMORANDUM OF GUNS, ETC.
1 8 pdr. carronades 6 at Kingston.
12 " '' IO "
Swivels 2, for the new gun boat.
Unserviceable i8 pdr. guns 6, Carleton Island.
" 12 " " 6, " "
N . B, The carronade carriages with the 1 8 and 1 2 pd.
shot at Kingston to be sent at the same time, and likewise the
party must bring with them, three tents, a camp kettle, and
a month's provisions,
Toronto (now York) 6th August, 1793.
GEORGE GLASGOW,
Capt. Comd'g the Royal Artillery,
E. B. LITTLEHALES.
' Lieutenant Collerton, was under St. Leger, in his disastrous
attack on Fort Stanwix, and had entire charge of the artillery.

g6 ADDITIONAL LETTERS.
He is frequently mentioned in General Orders, especially after
the troops of the expedition reach " Buck,"-^now Carleton Is
land. [See Johnson's Orderly Book, pages 81-89.]
* This Orderly Book also speaks ofthe fort, and designates it
as " Fort Haldimand,'' which it is highly probable it was named ;
the island from one Governor General, and the fort from his sue"
cesser. It further speaks of James Clark as being the Military
and Naval Storekeeper, and one of his " clerks as "James
Clunes." Probably the brother, whom John Clunes mentions as
having escaped with him from the surprise on the " Mount."
^ Capt. Thomas Pringle came from an old Scotch family, many
of whose members attained high and honorable positions. He
was a great grandson of Sir Robert Pringle, Bart., of the house
of Stitchel, and the only son of Walter Pringle, an eminent West
India merchant and planter in St. Kitt's who married a Miss
Liderdale. In 1776, Capt. Pringle commanded the armed ship Lord
Howe, and in September of that year he was put in command of
the British squadron on Lake Champlain. On Oct. 13 he signally
defeated the American fleet under Benedict Arnold, capturing
and destroying a number of vessels, and forcing the remainder to
take refuge under the guns of Crown Point. He sailed to Eiirope
as a bearer of dispatches in November, and the same month he
was made a post captain. In January, 1777, Captain Pringle was
assigned to the command of a new vessel, the Ariadne, with
which he joined the West India fleet, and vvas attached to Rear
Admiral Barrington's fleet at the Leeward Isles. The Ariadne
took many prizes, and participated in mahy hard fought engage
ments. In 1786 Captain Pringle was appointed to the command
of the Daedalus, a new ship of 32 guns with which he joined the

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

97

American fleet under Vice Admiral Arbuthnot, in 1781-2. He
became captain of the Royal George, 100 guns, in 1790, and'
in 1794 he became Colonel of his "Majesty's Marine Forces,"
and bore a distinguished part in Lord Howe's victory over
the French fleet off' Ushant, for which he received a medal.
He was made Rear-Admiral of the Blue in 1795. February 14th,,
1799, he was promoted to be a Vice-Admiral of the White, and
on January ist, 1801 to be Vice-Admiral of the Red. After a
busy and successful life in his chosen profession, he died at
Edinburgh, December Sth, 1803.

CHAPTER VI.

MORE "old letters" MORE OR LESS INTERESTING.
VARIOUS MATTERS OF INTEREST CONCERNING
CARLETON ISLAND.

io far as the main object of our little book is
concerned, it is fairly accomplished ; but there
are other items of interest to the general reader, and
especially to the tourist, which are worthy of preser
vation, and therefore we consign them in this place,
to the "art preservative."
Some of the old letters which we now take the
liberty to introduce, serve to give us an insight into
the ways of a century ago, much better, than could
the most accurate historical writer. Indeed, some
prominent writer has said, that "the best possible
evidence which is to be had, of any previous condi
tion of things, is that of a private correspondence
between individuals^ for the reason that they are
entirely innocent of any intent to write for the future ;
hence what they do write, may, so far as local matters
are concerned, be fully relied upon.
(98)

FROM MR. HAMILTON. 99
Therefore, while these old letters are by' no means
full of absorbing interest to the reader, there " crops
out " now and then some little item of reference to
matters of historical import, that will not fail to
attract his attention ; and if for no other reason,
because they are the connecting links which unite
us to the "long ago." The originals of the letters
and extracts which follow, are now in possession of
the writer, and are curiosities in their way.
The first one which we give is written to Mr.
Goring, by a Mr. Hamilton who seems to have taken
Cunningham's place on the Island. We give his
letter in full. Carleton Islatid, 25 March, 1780.
Dear Goring :
As I would not wish to pass an opportunity of
'writing, I embrace this tho' it has no great Chance ofi
reaching you, before the Vessel, Shutt up from all Com
munication with the rest of the World, you ca/inot expect
that this Barren Island will afford great Matter of Epis
tolary entertainment. I have spent a very idle, tho' in
other respects not a very uncomfortable winter. Plenty to
eat and Drink, and a good deal of other Amusements have
made the winter pass pretty pleasantly .
About eight days ago, we had an express from Canada,
being the first intelligence of any kind this winter. By it

lOO MORE OLD LETTERS.
we have the story you will now hear from the Papers and
Letters of the Destruction of a consider able part D' Estaing' s
fleet by Biron, and of their being repulsed with great loss
in attempti/ig to land in Georgia. The Authenticity of this
Story Depends on the Veracity of a German Officer who
was sent to Albany with a flag of truce and was seen there
by one of our spies fro7n Ca/iada, who is since came in. —
What Share of Credit it merits, I will not pretend to say.
It is however, by the best accounts believed in Canada.
With regard to my own 7notio7ts if nothing extraordinary
interferes I will not see my Niagara frie/ids 'till the
second trip of the Haldimand, At that time I hope to send
up everything now under my charge here. I will endeavor
if possible to send our ivi/ie by the flrst, that it 7nay get on
as fast as possible. On this however, I cannot promise, as
there are 600 Barrels of Provisions and 1 00 men of the
¦^\th to come up at that ti/ne.
Our new Vessel here will be launched as soo7i as the ice
is gone and will be able to /nake a trip with the Haldi-
7nand when she returns from the first. She will be a noble
vessel for size as she will hold near a thousand Barrels.
Make my Comp's to Cunningha/n. As the Express is just
going, T have not time to write him but will by the Vessel..
Remember /ne also to  [torn out] with the same assur
ances to other i/iquiring friends.
With sincerity Dear Goring, yours, is'c,,
R. HAMILTON,

FROM MR. HAMILTON. Ipl
What a contrast between the Carleton Island of
to-day, and that of one hundred and nine years ago
next month. To-day, the island is practically the
first in the great Archipelago of the Thousand Islands
ofthe St. Lawrence river, as the tourist passes down
the channel, and in the watering season and during
the months of navigation, the crumbling chimneys of
the Old Fort look down from their rocky heights,
upon the great passenger steamers which go speeding
by, or touch at the island wharf, while yacht, and
schooner, and barge and propeller, with sail and
steam enliven the scene, and the shriek of the loco
motive is reechoed from its limestone cliffs, and
wooded groves.
Then, it was months ere the war news reached them,
and it was uncertain at that. The scene of conflict
had shifted to the South, and the Carolinas and
Georgia had become the theatre of war. Marion and
Sumpter, and a host of partisans were keeping alive
the fires of , patriotism, while up here, the bulletins
might have been headed day by day, had such a thing
as a daily bulletin been known : " All quiet " on the
St. Lawrence !
The next letter is from Mr. Goring at Niagara to
Mr. Cruikshank, formerly a fellow clerk with him on
the island, but at this time in Montreal.

102 MORE OLD LETTERS.
Niagara, zist Nov., ij^S,
Dr, Sr. T this day received your kind favor by Mr, Cart-
wright. The things came all safe to hand except one of
the Hangers, [a short heavy sabre. — Ed^ which was broke
at the guard which I am affraid I shall be obliged to
return with some of the high-priced yewellery there being
no vent for them here. All the Indian works I have dis
posed of to Col. Butler, with all the low-priced yeiuellery,
— we would have taken a great deal more had they been in
the Indian way. The Hanger with the White Ivory
handle he has likewise taken for his own use. I am
extremely sorry that I could not dispose of the whole but I
living with Mr. Robinson, it perhaps would not be thought
well in me to dispose of them by way of retail in his shop.
I have here inclosed an order for some more Indian
works which I have ingaged to furnish Messrs Bennet &-'
Ridley, Merchants, and am promised payment for them as
soon as delivered here, one of them staying here 'till next
Spring — should have written to you sooner but waited for
an opportunity to send the things down which I have left on
hand, but cannot this being the last trip the Vessels are to
make this year. By the winter express you may expect a
bill which I hope will counter balance those which I have
already received. The things which I have mentioned in
the order, I hope you will get ready to come up by the first
boats — and by some careful hand — Mr. Macomb^ had his

FROM MR. GORING. I03
silver works stolen out of the boats at Carleton Island by
¦ Indians, but pursuing them, got the best part of them back
— mine had very near shared the same fate they being in the
boat with his.
I am dear Sr wishing you an agreeable Winter Your
most Humble Servt,
Mr, R, Cartwright, F. G.
It would seem by this time that even the British
themselves were not particularly enamored of their
Indian allies, especially when they became thievish,
and their " barbarity " would not bear repeating. It
is not to be wondered at however, when from many
sources we hear of the drunken orgies held by the
Indians on Carleton Island.
But, " Like causes produce like effects "; and from
that time to this, there has been no instance where
the whites, coming in contact with the untutored red
man of the forest, has failed to reduce the red man to
his own level. As between the man of civilization
and him of the forest, it has always been the worse
for the savage. Before the French and the English
formed the acquaintance of the Six Nations, they
were a powerful Confederation, honest and upright
in their transactions, lovers of right and justice, and
determined foes of oppression. Unless encroached
upon, they were peaceably inclined, and practised
many of the arts of civilization. But in an evil day

104 MORE OLD LETTERS.
they shook hands with a christian civilization, and in
so short a time they had become thieves and drunk
ards, and when drunk, — demons.

FROM MR. JOHN URQUHART. I05
In the midst of scenes like this, however, the of
ficers of the army and other gentlemen whose busi
ness or pleasure kept them thus far beyond the
borders of civilization, did not intend to be wholly
deprived of some of the amenities of life especially if
music be reckoned among them, as a perusal of the
following brief letter will show. It may be that
these gentlemen were firm believers in the sentiment
that: " Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast " —
and thought it a suitable time and place to test its
truthfulness. A friend, after reading the following letter, sug
gested that judging from the sale of violins, it must
have been very near that locality in which fiddlers
are popularly supposed to be very thick. But here
is the letter. Carleton Island, yan. 9, 1783.
Sir. I have sent you the strings wanted and also the
name of each that has got the violins.
Capt Andrus Bradt, \ at _^5 .
Lieut, yohn Bradt, i " 5 .
Doctor McCarlin, i " 5.
E Armstrong, i " 12.
W. B. Sheehain, i " 12.
The latter had the Honour Conferred 071 him a few
nights ago to join our Antient Fraternity with four more in

o

o \^oOe^ w
w

Fac-simile of Direction on a Letter Dated at Niagara, 178 i.

FROM MR. CLARK. I07
one night, Mr. Street desires you to send down the stones
promised Mm for the kitchen hearth.
I am yours ds^c,
yOHN URQUHART.
Mr. Francis Goring.
It is more than probable that the Masonic Lodge
hinted at in the foregoing, was the first one ever
organized within the limits of what is now Jefferson
County. It seems to have been a prosperous Lodge,
too, from the fact that they conferred a degree upon
five in one night. One more brief letter from Carle
ton Island will close the list, further than that it is
our present intention to insert a fac-simile of a letter
now before us, by way of illustration.*
Carleton Island, Sth May, 1782.
Dear Sir: T never knew a Cockney so positively silent as you
are. I have never been favored with a point from your pen
neither last nor this year. What can be the reason. I
thought that we could allways pool one rope as well as
Carry one Hod. I understand that you are doing business
for Mr. Taylor, Mr, Cunningham as he went down last
fall presented me with two acc't's, one public, the other my
private one. There appears some error in them both and I
shall send them up for Correction, When that is done
shall pay the full contents.
* This was by some mistake overlooked.— Ed.

¦lo8 MORE OLD LETTERS.
No news of Consequence from the seat of war. The
'General is expected up soon.
Very sincerely yours
yAMES CLARK,
Mr. Goring.
On another page, will be found a fac-simile of the
address ot an old letter now in possession of the anno
tator of this volume, on which the ink is as black and
glossy as if written yesterday, notwithstanding it was
written in 1782.
There are many descriptions of the Old Fort extant,
and although very much in error as to the outlines
of the work, the late Dr. Hough, is entitled to the
credit of having been the most accurate both in
plan and description. In fact Dr. Hough, followed
the plan sketched by the late Col. F. R. Hassler,
which though evidently drawn somewhat hurriedly
is much superior to any which have been published

PLAN of THE OLD FORT.

DESCRIPTION OF THE OLD FORT. 109
since. Indeed a sketch of the fortifications, as they
appear in a late History of Jefferson County pub
lished a few years since by, as I am told, a Philadel
phia house, are grossly inaccurate.
The outline sketch here given, is from a survey
recently made by Rev. S. W. Strowger of Cape Vin
cent, whose map of that portion of Carleton Island is
not- only accurate but artistic. From his measure
ments the writer drew the ground plan, which is
perfectly accurate in outline, as well as section, and
made the attempt at a restoration, which is of course
only an approach to the actual appearance of the
fort when first built. It is of course easy to locate
the exact situation of the barracks by chimneys yet
standing, and by the ruins of those which have fallen,
so that the cut, however, inartistically drawn will
serve to aid the imagination in picturing to the mind
its former appearance. The view restored is made
from inside tbe glacis opposite the north salient
looking south.
As elsewhere stated, the fort occupied three-
eighths of an octagon, extending from the cliff on,,
which it was built, and facing soiithwest. The rear
was protected by a rampart of earth, a ditch, an outer
parapet of stone, and in all probability, a strong
abatis at the foot of the glacis. In the center of
each face of the rampart midway between the salients

no

MORE OLD LETTERS.

was a strong bastion calculated to mount four guns.
There are three of these bastions.

a

The ditch was cut in the limestone rock which here
lies in regular strata varying in thickness from two

DESCRIPTION OF THE FORT. Ill
to five inches, to a depth of nearly five feet, and'
averaging twenty-four feet wide. The scarp was
vertical, and was protected by a strong cheveaux de
frize of cedar posts, pointed, and extending horizon
tally about four feet beyond the berm, held in posi
tion by the earth ofthe rampart.
The counterscarp was also vertical, and beyond it
extended a covert way, about the same width of the
ditch. The outer parapet was of stone about four
feet in height without a banquette, and the glacis ex
tended in a gentle slope of several rods, terminating
no doubt in a strong abatis.* The parapet and glacis
was undoubtedly built of the stone quarried from the
ditch, as also were the chimneys for the barracks.
There are no evidences to show that the ditch was
protected by curtains, but it was enfiladed along each
angle by guns in the bastions.
The rampart was a strong earthwork with ban
quette and having a gun mounted at a point between
each bastion and salient. Judging from the height
of the parapet, which is still so perfect in places as
to be accurately measured, the earthwork was not
less than seven feet in height, and probably more,
and of proportionate thickness. The guns were evi
dently mounted en-barbette and protected by gabions.
* A letter from the assistant engineer, Lieut. Glennie, to Gen. Haldi
mand, in 1781, refers to the abatis. — Ed.

112 MORE OLD LETTERS.
The indications are that a sally-port led to the rear
and thence to the covert-way at a point near the east
salient. There were evidently strong gates at oppo
site points near the bluff, from the fact that until
within a few years the timbers which supported the
bridges over the ditch were to be seen, and in fact
one or two of them were in place to within a period
of six or seven years. From the gates roadways led,
one down to the peninsula at the head ofthe island,
and the other to the bank ofthe river to the north
west of the fort. As will be seen from the cuts,
several of the old chimneys are yet standing, while
heaps of rubbish clearly indicate where others stood.
What has been supposed by some to be magazines in
the face of the cliff on the southwest, were evidently
bomb-proofs. Just how the front of the fort along the face of the
cliff, which was then not less than sixty feet in
height, — though now much crumbled away, — was
fortified was not clear. It is evident that a strong-
stone wall lined the edge of the cliff, and that may
have been reenforced by a strong stockade and earth
works, but if so nothing now remains to show it.
It is plain, however, that heavy guns covered the
peninsula below and protected the stores, shipyard,'
and shipping, and there was also mounted some guns
on the peninsula, at two prominent points to serve

THE LONE CHIMNEY. II3
as water batteries. The well, magazine and other
points, are fairly indicated, and a chimney yet stands
near the bank of the river northwest of the fort,
where it is fairly presumable the hospital was located.

114 MORE OLD LETTERS.
A military engineer of to-day would be puzzled
to designate the system after which this fortification
was built. The bastions are evidently after Vauban's
third system, but vary from it in their angles, which
are nearer those of Coehorn. In the construction of
the parapet Vauban is entirely lost sight of, while the
improved system of Cormontaigne, takes its place;
in other points it would seem as though the old Eng
lish system predominated. The probability is, that
Lieut. Twiss, had been instructed in the various sys
tems then in vogue, the most prominent of which in
his time were Coehorn, Vauban, and Cormontaigne,
and adapted from either or all of them such points as
he saw fit, and modified them to suit the situation
and the nature of the ground to be fortified, and the
nature and extent of the protection required. Be
that as it may, the work itself shows that it was
constructed by no novice, even if we did not know
as we now do, that Lieut. Twiss was General Bur
goyne's " Chief Engineer," and afterwards became, as
Lord Cornwallis expressed it several 3'ears later,
" The best we have."
The only criticism to be fairly made, is in the loca
tion of the fort which, lookingat itin the light of these
days, does not seem to have warranted the trouble
and expense of construction. As a defensive point
it was useless, and could only have served to protect

NOW AND THEN. I15
the interests immediately under its guns. It was of
no strategic importance whatever. It served its pur
pose, however, and it was admirably chosen, so far as
certain interests were concerned. No better point
for the building of vessels and gun boats, and as a
stopping place for traders and their goods on the
way to Niagara, could have been selected. At this
point the change took place. The labored trans
portation by Durham boats and batteaux up the
rapids of the St. Lawrence, from Montreal, ceased
here, and vessels took it up unloading again at
Niagara river to the "carrying place," where Lewis-
ton now stands.
How little do we of to-day, realize the difficulties
that beset the pioneer of those days. We who ride
on palace cars, over the "carrying places,'' or plow
the same waters in steamers that are themselves
palaces. Think for a moment you who can receive a
bill of goods, in a few hours from New York, or in a
few days from London or Paris, that it took nearly a
year to send for and receive an invoice of goods at
Carleton Island from London. Think of the toil to get
them up from Montreal, then the shipping to Niagara,
then by boat to the "carrying place," then overland
to Lake Erie, and then another long voyage, — long
for those days — to Detroit, and on to Mackinaw.
Verily it is tiresome to think of, with all the rush

Il6 MORE OLD LETTERS.
and stir of trade around us, and with the whirl and
turmoil consequent upon a watering season among
the Thousand Islands of the St. Lawrence river.
Asa fitting close to this chapter, which has dealt
so largely upon fortifications, we insert the follow
ing plan and brief description of a fortification, the
outlines of which are yet to be seen, on Six Town
Point in the town of Henderson, Jefferson County.
With the exception of Fort Frontenac, this was the
only fort ever built by the French in this vicinity.
The sketches are by the writer, both plan, and eleva
tion; but he is indebted to Dr. Hough, for the descrip
tive text.
"In 1756, considerable bodies of troops were sent
from France, and in May, the Marquis de Montcalm,
Gen. Bourlamaque, two engineers, and an army of
1,350 regulars, 1,500 Canadians, and 250 Indians
ascended the river to Fort Frontenac, [Kingston] and
M. de Villers*, with 500 men established a Post of
Observation on Six Town Point, in the present town
of Henderson, Jefferson County, the outlines of
which may be still plainly traced. It was square,
built of upright timbers, bastioned at the corners,
and almost hidden from view by surrounding trees
and bushes. At that period it was an important Post."
* [M de Villers, was a distinguished captain in the French Marine ser-
Tioe.— Ed.]

OLD FRENCH FORT.

117

The writer visited the locality some years ago, and
although quite large trees now cover the area once
occupied by the fortification, its outlines are yet dis
tinctly visible; and although our knowledge regard-

]l8 MORE OLD LETTERS.
ing it is very limited, it is one of the few remaining
evidences of a most interesting period in our early
history.^ ^ During 1774-5 't is ascertained that there were two small
vessels built at Carleton Island, — the sloops Charity and Cald
well,* each carrying a small armament but employed principally
in conveying goods and military stores from the island to Niagara.
Both these vessels were made use of by St. Leger, in transport
ing his troops and supplies from the island to Oswego, during
his advance on Fort Stanwix.
Later the Ontario, Haldimand, Missisauga, and several others
were built, together with several gunboats the names of which are
not known. The Ontario, Haldimand, and Mississauga, were
heavily armed, and served the purpose of vessels of war, as well
as commercial craft.
The wrecks of two moderately sized hulks are still to be seen
in North Bay, Carleton Island, when the water is still, which are
supposed to have formed a part of the fleet constructed there ; and
there is but little doubt that this is the case, from the fact that the
early settlers along the St. Lawrence observed them, previous to
the war of 1812. — Ed.]
' To give a clearer appreciation of that period in our early
history when the French fort and stockade on Six Town Point
was built, it is only necessary for the student of American History
to recall the fact that it vias built only two years later than Brad-
dock's defeat, and the building of Fort Necessity by George
Washington, and his handful of Virginians.
Since the above paragraph was penned, the writer has ascer
tained beyond a doubt that Sieur de Villiers, the officer who
* [By some writers called the " Colville."]

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

19

built the stockade there mentioned, was the identical officer to
whom George Washington, then a Colonel of Virginia militia,
surrendered Fort Necessity scarcely two years previous. — Ed. J
* The " Mr. Macomb " here mentioned, was, in all probability,
the Alexander Macomb, who in after years made the great pur
chase of lands from the Land Commissioners of New York. The
tract embraced the greater part of Franklin, nearly the whole of
St. Lawrence, the whole of Jefferson and Lewis, and a part of
Oswego counties, including all the islands in the St. Lawrence
fronting the purchase, except Carleton, and Long Sault. The
whole was estimated to contain 3,670,715 acres, and viras known
as the " Macomb Purchase."
Macomb's application to purchase this tract, was made in
1791 ; previous to that time, he had been a fur trader at Detroit,
and it was while engaged in that occupation, that he had his
"silver works" stolen at Carleton Island. Afterward he became
a prosperous and wealthy merchant in New York but was finally
ruined by speculation. — Ed. J

CHAPTER VIL

CARLETON ISLAND IN 182I-22. ITS INDUSTRIES AT
THAT TIME. CARLETON ISLAND NOW AND ITS
PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE. CONCLUSION.

I S elsewhere observed, the State of New York,
in its cession to Macomb, reserved Carleton
Island. This was on account of its supposed impor
tance as a military point; and, indeed, it would seem
that the idea clung with some pertinacity to the mil
itary brain of the government even down to the days
ofthe Rebellion ; for it is a fact, — though not gener
ally known, perhaps, — that a couple of prominent
engineer officers of the army visited the island in
1864, to report upon its fitness as a basis for military
and naval operations. Thus far, at least, did the his
tory of a century repeat itself, the material difference
however, lying in the fact that the officers sent by,
Gen. Haldimand, made choice of the locality, and
those sent by the miltary authorities of the United
States reported adversely. (i30)

PROPRIETORS OF THE ISLAND. 12 1
The first step toward the acquirement of any realty
on Carleton Island, was the issue of a bounty, or
class right for military services, to Wm. Richardson ;
a sergeant in the New York line during the Revolu
tion. Two men, Matthew Watson and Wm. Guil-
land became the purchasers of this right, and located
it on Carleton Island, Oct. 2, 1786. Watson pur
chased Guilland's right, and at his death he left three
children, John, Margaret and Jane. John and Jane
died leaving no issue, and Margaret became the
owner. She married one Jacob Ten Broeck, and
these sold their right to one Charles Smyth, who
finally applied to the legislature to have his claim
located, and also applied for the purchase of the re
mainder of the island. Smyth sold to Abijah Mann,
and on March 2, 1821, an act was passed, directing
a patent to be issued for 500 acres from the west end
ofthe island On the 22dofMay, 1848, Abijah Mann
deeded the 500 acres above mentioned to Charles
Isadore Pluche, from whom Col. S. B. Hance, of
Cape Vincent, derived his title. Col. Hance having
disposed of a half interest in the lands to Henry
Folger, Esq., of Kingston, they are now joint owners
in the tract. But of this more hereafter.
Squatters early located on the island, and when
Col. Hassler surveyed it in 1823 many persons had
become residents and a large amount of business was

122 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE.
done. At this time, there was a plat of land on the
east shore containing about thirty acres, of old im
proved soil, known then as to-day, by the name of
the " King's Garden." Here instead of on the penin
sula at the head of the island, as Hough intimates,
is most likely the place where "vegetables were
grown for the use ofthe garrison." In 1821, Avery
Smith, a Canadian began lumbering here, and busi
ness grew so rapidly that in a very short time the
population had increased to nearly two hundred
souls. In 1823, there was here a school, and post-
office; and James Estes kept a "tavern." In the
fort, dwellings had been built to the old chimney
stacks from whence the barracks had been burned.
The teacher was Prof. Shumway, who also filled the
office of justice of the peace. David Briggs kept a
shoe-shop, and Abijah Lewis, James Wood, and a Mr.
Shaw were merchants, so that it would seem from the
chronicles of those days, that Carleton Island sus
tained a busy and flourishing settlement, which un
doubtedly declined with the lumbering interests, and
the growing importance of the adjacent village of
Cape Vincent.
It is highly probable, too, that during this period
of Island prosperity the remains of the Old Fort
suffered their greatest spoliation. The ravelins were
demolished to make room for cottage door-yards, the

SPOLIATION OF THE REMAINS. 1 23
cheveaux de frizc was cut away for fence posts and fire
wood, loads of stone from parapet and glacis were
taken away for various purposes, the great well be
came a receptacle for all manner of rubbish until
now it i& nearly filled. One by one the chim
neys have crumbled and fallen or have been over
thrown in mere wantonness until but few remain
standing. The moat, carved deep in the Trenton
limestone is as perfect as when the laborers under
the direction of Lieut. Twiss had completed their
arduous task of quarrying the stone therefrom. It is
hoped that some steps will be taken to restore the
best of the remaining chimneys, and rebuild the par
apet where it is crumbled, — both tasks easy of ac
complishment, — and thus preserve the most notable
landmark of Northern New York.
For many years, the Thousand Islands, of the St.
Lawrence river were the favorite resort of a few
people who thoroughly appreciated them, for the
purposes of fishing aud hunting, and for general
recreation. Gradually it dawned upon the sportsmen
of the city, the seeker after rest, recreation, and
health, the tourist and traveller, that these islands
afforded in a superlative degree, all necessary adjuncts
and environments that nature could supply, to equip
one of the great watering places of the world, and
that idea once rooted, has been constantly increasing

124 PAST, PRESENT, AN,D FUTURE.
in growth for more than a decade, and though it has
reached grand proportions, it has but begun.
At first, as was natural enough, the rush was toward
the centre of the great river Archipelago, and islands
were purchased, cottages built and in some instances
palaces; great hotels sprang up as if by magic,
societies, companies, and corporations purchased and
laid out extensive grounds, hamlets, and villages, and
cities almost, of summer residences grew up; and
to-day the islands in the American channel at least,
are simply a gorgeous panorama of camp and cottage ;
and the quiet restful vacation so attractive to the
careworn man of business, is no longer to be had in
the busy marts of island resort.
It was not long, however, ere the superior advan
tages of Carleton Island as a place of resort became
apparent to thoughtful observant men, whose real
object was health, rest, and recreation, and of success
ful angling for the gamy bass, the pickerel and the
muscallonge. These advantages, although but slowly
making their impress upon the public mind, — though
surely and firmly — are evident to the most casual
observer, who will bestow a few moments thought
upon the subject.
Situated in the centre of the American channel,
with a broad reach of navigable water on either hand,
deep, pure, and clear as crystal itself, and fresh from

CLUB HOUSES ON THE ISLAND. I25
the great basin of Lake Ontario, bringing cool, brac
ing breezes, full of vitality, life-giving, free from
malaria of every description, as a place where good
health may be regained and retained, it has no
superior. Easy of access, by steamer, connecting
with railway lines to every part of the country
whether in the United States or the Dominion, only
three miles from the railway station at Cape Vincent,
and within easy reach of Kingston, Ont., there to
meet the great steamboat lines and the Grand Trunk
and Pembroke railways, daily communication with
every portion of the Thousand Islands and the great
Parks, and literally surrounded on every hand by the
finest fishing grounds on the river, this is indeed a
most desirable location.
At least this is what a large party of Utican's think,
who becoming enamored of the locality made a pur
chase of a plat of ground, and organized themselves
into the "Carleton Island Club." This was in 1870;
and three years later they bought additional grounds,
and now possess a most delightful, as well as valuable
property. The " Navasink Club " of Ithaca, pur
chased grounds here in 1872, and subsquently sold to
Mr. Jas. T. Morrison of Ithaca, who still retains the
premises. In 1876, Williams Bros, of Bome, pur
chased lots, and have erected fine cottages, and the
same year E. M. Knight of Seneca Co., N. Y., pur
chased a lot, and so also did Hon. C. M. Dennison.

126 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE.
All these have elegant cottages which together
with the club houses, present decidedly a "^ settled "
appearance. These are all located on the peninsula
at the head of the island, and other cottages will soon
be erected there.
Immediately acfjoining the ruins of the Old Fort,
and lying in a belt across the island from one shore
to the other, a plat of ground embracing nearly or
quite one hundred acres has been surveyed and
mapped for Messrs. Folger & Hance. This area is
traversed by ample streets and broad avenues, and is
subdivided into spacious lots.
Some ofthe finest situations, all things considered,
to be had anywhere throughout the whole extent of
the Thousand Island group are to be found here ; and
the rapidity with which lots are being called for and
selected argues well for the future of Carleton Island.
Indeed, there is no more desirable place for a summer
residence to be found. The adjacent farms will
always furnish in abundance every variety of their
productions for the table, while the choicest fish are
had for the catching.
The cool breezes from the lake, the purity of the
surrounding atmosphere and the absence of marshes
and stagnant water, are highly unfavorable to insect
growth, and in consequence the musquito pest is
unknown.

FUTURE OF CARLETON ISLAND. I27
It is not hard to predict the future of Carleton
Island. In a short time an elegant hotel will grace
one of the most delightful sites on the river, and
cottages will spring up everywhere. The great
passenger steamers will make daily trips to its
wharves, and where now is but a succession of grove
and field, will stand a succession of summer resi
dences. The island cottager will look at the ruins of Old
Fort Haldimand and think, perchance, of the wonder
ful contrast which the years have brought about.
The Indian warrior encamps here no more. No
longer are the groves ofthe island made hideous by
the war-whoop as the war-songs are chanted and the
scalp-dance indulged in. No longer do they pre
pare for a raid on Stanwix or Wyoming, Cherry Val
ley or Fort Edward. Some of those who once graced
this island with their presence, gained "high places"
of honor and renown in army and navy, and their
names live after them ; but they never once dreamed
ofthe Thousand Islands of to-day, much less of the
Carleton Island as it is ere long, to be.
Reader, our brief, and by no means unpleasant
task is finished, and the writer hopes that you may
have gathered up a few grains of interest, and whiled
away an hour or two with sufficient profit and satis-

128 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE.
faction to redeem them from the charge of being
wholly lost.

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