To James Madison from Benjamin Homans, 1 August 1815
From Benjamin Homans
Navy Department August 1st, 1815.
Sir,
I have the honour to transmit, herewith, a letter from Captain Arthur Sinclair,1 which is respectfully submitted for your consideration, being the only one of importance received at this Department since your departure from the Seat of Government. I have the honour to be, Sir, With the highest respect, Your most Ob: Servant,
Benjamin Homans.
P.S. A Copy is transmitted to the Secretary of the Navy.
B H.
RC (DLC). In a clerk’s hand, except for Homans’s signature and postscript. Docketed by JM. For enclosure, see n. 1.
1. Homans probably enclosed Sinclair’s 22 July 1815 letter to Benjamin W. Crowninshield (2 pp.; DNA: RG 45, Captains’ Letters; cover docketed by Homans “Received 1st. August”), which stated that the Niagara and Porcupine had sailed with troops for Michilimackinac before receiving Crowninshield’s orders, promptly forwarded by Sinclair, that they go to Lake Michigan. He hoped that the information would reach them in time to prevent them from returning to Detroit. Sinclair reported further that Indian agent Charles Jouett had reached Erie with his goods and boarded the Ghent for Detroit. Jouett planned to wait at the latter place for Maj. Gen. Jacob Brown’s arrival before proceeding further to establish a post, “which must be taken possession of with a strong force and immediately fortified and garisoned” because “the Indians are too hostile to be approached, in that quarter, with any small force.” Brown had asked for ships to move troops from Buffalo, Sinclair wrote, but only merchant vessels were available.