I meditated a diversion to the westward, the moment I could collect a sufficient number of militia, in the hope of compelling General Hull to retreat across the river; but this unexpected intelligence has ruined the whole of my plans.  The militia, which I destined for this service, will now be alarmed, and unwilling to leave their families to the mercy of 400 Indians, whose conduct affords such wide room for suspicion; and really to expect that this fickle race will remain in a state of neutrality in the midst of war, would be truly absurd.  The Indians have probably been led to this change of sentiment by emissaries from General Hull, whose proclamation to the Six Nations is herewith enclosed.

I have not deemed it of sufficient consequence to commence active operations on this line, by an attack on Fort Niagara.  It can be demolished, when found necessary, in half an hour, and there my means of annoyance would terminate.  To enable the militia to acquire some degree of discipline without interruption, is of far greater consequence than such a conquest.  Every thing in my power shall be done to overcome the difficulties by which I am surrounded; but without strong reinforcements, I fear the country cannot be roused to make exertions equal to meet this crisis.

I proceed immediately to York, to attend the meeting of the legislature, and I hope to return on Wednesday.  The charge of this frontier will in the mean time devolve on Lieut.-Colonel Myers, who appears worthy of every confidence.  The actual invasion of the province has compelled me to recall that portion of the militia whom I permitted to return home and work at harvest.  I am prepared to hear of much discontent in consequence; the disaffected will take advantage of it, and add fuel to the flame.  But it may not be without reason that I may be accused of having already studied their convenience and humour, to the injury of the service.

I should have derived much consolation in the midst of my present difficulties had I been honored, previously to the meeting of the legislature, with your excellency’s determination in regard to this province.  That it cannot be maintained with its present force is very obvious; and unless the enemy be driven from Sandwich, it will be impossible to avert much longer the impending ruin of the country.  Numbers have already joined the invading army; commotions are excited; and the late occurrences at Sandwich have spread a general gloom.  I have not heard from Lieut.-Colonel St. George, or from any individual at Amherstburg, since I last had the honor of addressing your excellency, which makes me apprehensive that Colonel Proctor has been detained on his journey too long for the good of the service.

The enemy’s cavalry, amounting to about fifty, are led by one Watson, a surveyor from Montreal of a desperate character.  This