To James Madison from William Jones, [ca. 26 August] 1813
From William Jones
[ca. 26 August 1813]
Extract from a letter from Fort George U. C. Augt. 17. 1813
By a despatch last night at Taptoo we learn that the enemys fleet had come to Just off the Creek (12 mile Creek) handed his Sails1 & was preparing to land, when Com. Chauncy’s fleet appeared in Sight & was, when the express left, in chase of the Enemy. Unfortunately the weather is this day very boisterous & therefore the Comre. will not keep the lake if he can make a harbor.
The above is from a private letter of Genl. Williams to the War Depmt and is the latest we have. Being in the narrow part of the Lake I still hope he will be able to get along side the enemy and cannot repress my expectations of a favorable result.
The enclosed letter from Gen Lewis I recd yesterday.2 The 44 Gun Ship you will perceive has been transformd into three Brigs to be built which if the present enterprize is not decisive we must meet with an equal or superior force for which purpose I have taken some preparatory steps.
W J
RC (DNA: RG 59, ML). Addressee not indicated; identified as JM on the basis of a docket in the hand of the clerk who docketed other letters to JM from Jones and Daniel Parker during the summer and fall of 1813. Undated; filed at 17 Aug. 1813; conjectural date assigned on the basis of the publication of a letter containing the above extract in the Daily National Intelligencer of 26 Aug. 1813.
1. Hand: to furl.
2. Jones enclosed Morgan Lewis’s letter to him of 16 Aug. 1813 (1 p.; DNA: RG 45, Misc. Letters Received), in which Lewis stated that the British had contracted to build three brigs at Kingston, that 200 men were employed on this project, and that one or two of the vessels would be ready to sail before the coming winter.