Hon. PAUL HAMILTON,
_Secretary of the Navy_.
SACKETT'S HARBOR, _October 27, 1812_.
SIR: I have the honor of enclosing you copies of two letters
from Lieutenant Elliott, giving an account of his having cut
out from under Fort Erie, on Lake Erie, in a most gallant
manner, two British brigs, the Detroit (late Adams) and the
Caledonia. The Detroit was manned and armed as a man of war;
the Caledonia belonged to the Northwest Company, and was loaded
with peltry.
Nothing that I can say, more than I have already said in a
former communication upon this subject, will add to the credit
of Lieutenant Elliott, and the gallant officers and men who
accompanied him. The thing speaks for itself, and will, I am
sure, be duly appreciated by all who may have any idea of the
difficulties that he had to encounter, after getting possession
of these vessels. I have the honor to be, &c.