SOURCE: Introduction to Richardson's War of 1812: With Notes and a Life of the Author, Historical Publishing Co., 1902, pp. xi-xlv.

Casselman was highly regarded for his extensive studies of Richardson's works. In the following excerpt from his authoritative introduction to the War of 1812, he provides a detailed and well-documented account of the Canadian author's life and writings.

On the Canadian side of the Niagara river, just where its foaming and turbulent waters issue from the narrow, rocky gorge, stands the straggling village of Queenston. The place at the present time is of very little importance except as a terminal port for a magnificent fleet of pleasure vessels that carry tourists and excursion parties to visit the Falls, five or six miles farther up the river. But as the scene of one of the proudest victories of Canadian and British arms during the War of 1812 Queenston has won a fame...