or that they did not see him and were not aware of his presence.*

The verdict of "not guilty" probably prevented a war between England and the United States. The English view of the matter was that the destruction of the Caroline was a public act, performed by persons obeying the orders of their superior authorities; and that no one engaged in it could be held individually accountable. The authorities of the States were probably not very anxious for a conviction; but they had to appease public indignation by the ceremonial of a trial.

The folly of the destruction of the Caroline, under the circumstances described, is best proved by the necessity which England was under of finally apologizing for the act. Lord Ashburton, while engaged in the settlement of the north-east boundary question, addressed to Mr. Webster, under date, Washington, July 28, 1842, an apology for the invasion of American territory. "I am instructed," his lordship said, "to assure you that Her Majesty's government consider this [the violation of American territory] a most serious fact, and that far from thinking that an event of this kind should be lightly risked, they would unfeignedly deprecate its existence; looking back to what passed at this distance of time, what is, perhaps, most to be regretted is that some explanation and apology

Sir Allan McNab; Mr. John Harris, of London, C. W.; Edward Zealand, Hamilton, C. W.; W. S. Light, North Oxford; Robert Armour, Cobourg; John Gordon, Captain of the Steamer Britannia; Christopher Beer, of Chippewa; H. R. O'Rielly, of Hamilton; Shepherd McCormick of London, C. W.; Frederick Cleverly, London, C. W.; Thomas Hector, of Toronto; Neil McGregor, of Chippewa; J. P. Battersby, of Ancaster.

for this occurrence was not immediately made." This apology was accepted in the conciliatory spirit which marked Lord Ashburton's letter, and the President consented to "make this subject, as a complaint of violation of territory, the topic of no further discussion between the two governments."

The British steamboat, Sir Robert Peel, was burnt in retaliation, on the 29th of May, 1838, while taking in wood at Well's Island, three miles from French Creek.

Mrs. Mackenzie was the only female who spent any length of time on Navy Island. She arrived there a few hours before the destruction of the Caroline, and remained nearly a fortnight with her husband, making flannel cartridge-bags, and inspiring with courage, by her entire freedom from fear, all with whom she conversed. At the end of about a fortnight, ill-health obliged her to leave. Mr. Mackenzie accompanied her to the house of Captain Appleby, Buffalo, and while on his way he was arrested, in the railway car, by the United States Marshal for a breach of the neutrality laws. He entered into recognizance in $5000 for his appearance, and returned to the island the next morning, where he remained till Gen. Van Rensellaer announced his intention to evacuate it, with the force under his command, on the 13th of January. There was much excitement when he was arrested. A Mr. Burton, who was suspected of having informed against him, was greeted with hisses and groans, and handed round to be gazed upon by the crowd as a monstrosity.. Three gentlemen immediately stepped forward and entered into recognizances for the amount required.

The Buffalo Committee of thirteen seems to have had more power than the Provisional Government, for the question of evacuating the island was decided by it. At this time, Mr. Mackenzie seems to have had very little influence with Van Rensellaer, who was vested with the entire military command. It is matter of surprise that the island, which was intended as a point d'appui from which to take a liberating army into Western Canada, was permitted to be occupied by insurgents, and American citizens who sympathised with them, for a period of over a month without being assaulted by the vastly superior force on the main land, who were spending their time in an inglorious and inactive campaign.

On the evacuation of the island, another difficulty with the States' authorities was very near occurring. Captain Drew ordered two schooners to be placed in the middle of the stream, between Navy Island and the American shore, to watch the steamboat Barcelona, said to be taking the islanders across, to bring her to in case she attempted to pass, and if she should succeed in passing to follow her until she was captured, or at least till it was seen on what part of the shore she landed. But whether from a misapprehension of Captain Drew's orders-which were changed two or three times in one day, has been disputed— fortunately no collision occurred.

CHAPTER VIII.

Dispersion of Dr. Duncombe's Insurgent Force-Van Rensellaer ser ds Brigadier General Sutherland to the West-The Patriot Army of the NorthWest-Rival Generals-The Steamer McComb and the Schooner Anne engaged to carry Patriotic Troops and Munitions of War-General Brady of the United States Army seizes the Steamer McComb-The Steamer Brady which takes her place is also Seized-The Governor of Michigan gives General Handy, in Command of the Patriot Army of the North-West, a Friendly Warning of the Approach of United States Troops-General Handy's Plan of attacking Fort Malden-Who shall Command?—Theller sails the Schooner round the Island of Bois Blanc, and Fires into Amherstburg without Demanding it to Surrender-The Act is denounced by other Patriots as Piracy-Sutherland takes possession of Bois Blanc, and issues a Proclamation to the "Citizens of Upper Canada”—Retreats to Sugar Island against the Remonstrances of the Men-The Michigan Governor's tenderness towards the Patriots-Handy resents Theller's Foray on Amherstburg, and sends men to arrest Theller and Sutherland-Handy's Secretary burns a Report he was sent to get Printed-Of the two Rival Generals, the Men Elect Handy-Sutherland goes to Detroit and tries to raise Men independently of Handy-How the Governor of Michigan helps Handy out of a Difficulty-Plot for transferring the Arms of the Michigan Militia to the Patriots-The latter were to be in the Pay of the State while preparing for an Attack upon Malden-Sutherland defeats the Scheme by seizing the Arms, which are Discovered and Restored-General McLeod and Colonel Vreeland arrive on the Western Frontier-McLeod takes possession of Fighting Island, being disappointed in the Receipt of Arms is driven off by British Troops-Mackenzie warned against Assassins-Mackenzie and Van Rensellaer Disagree-Projected Assault upon Kingston-Van Rensellaer goes to Hickory Island with a Large Force, but Retreats without making an attempt to go to the Main Land-Apologizes for Charges against Mackenzie-General McLeod sends a Force to Point au Pelé Island, whence they are driven by British Troops-General Sutherland taken Prisoner.

WHEN the patriots took possession of Navy Island, they expected soon to be able to cross over to the

main land and join Dr. Duncombe's forces in the West. The doctor, who had been in constant correspondence with the Lower Canada patriots, had under his command between three and four hundred men; but a large number of them were without arms. They were assembled at Brantford, whither Colonel McNab, with a detachment of about three hundred and sixty men, repaired. On his approach, Dr. Duncombe retreated to a place called Scotland. Colonel McNab was reinforced at Brantford by one hundred and fifty volunteers and one hundred Indians, under command of Captain Kerr. When a plan of attacking the insurgents simultaneously at three points had been agreed upon, and was to have been executed next morning, Dr. Duncombe retreated. He told the men that Mackenzie had been defeated near Toronto, and they had better disperse. In the meantime, Colonel McNab, learning of the anticipated retreat, dispatched messengers to Simcoe, Woodstock, and London, requesting all the volunteers that could be mustered to march down and intercept the rebels. On the 14th of December, while at Scotland, his force was increased by about one thousand additional volunteers. Hundreds more had been expected to join Duncombe, from the neighborhood of St. Thomas and other places in the west. Here Colonel McNab seized all Duncombe's papers, as well as those of Eliakim Malcolm, and took several prisoners, whom he sent under an escort to Hamilton. In spite of the retreat of Duncombe, and the dispersion of his men, Colonel McNab sent to the Lieutenant Governor a strong recommendation to sanction the raising of volunteer companies of