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.
ISAAC CHAUNCEY.
Hon. Paul Hamilton,
Secretary of the Navy.
Washington, Jan, 8, 1812.
Sir: In answer to your note, requesting of me "a general description of the armament and stores on board at the time of the capture of the Adams, and the probable number of men," I can state that I sailed from Maiden in the Adams, and arrived at Fort Erie on the morning preceding the night in which you captured that vessel. I left her in the afternoon, and crossed in her boat to Buffalo, with a flag. When I left the Adams, she had on board five guns mounted, (six and four pounders,) and six long twelves in her hold. She had also on board a quantity of powder and ball, and a number of boxes of muskets. I am not able to state, of my own knowledge, the number of stand of arms, but I have been informed that nearly all the arms taken at Detroit were on board; if that was the fact, the number must have been two thousand. The number of the crew that I left on board could not vary much from sixty, and the number of American prisoners about thirty, including three officers. I have the honor to be, &c.
HARRIS H. HICKMAN.
Lieut. D. Elliott, U. S. Navy.
Navy Department, October 27, 1812.
Sir: I have received, with great satisfaction, your communication of the ninth instant, and have been desired by the President of the United States to return to you, and through you to the officers and men under your command, in the expedition to Fort Erie, which terminated to the glory of the American arms, his particular thanks. I am, with great respect, &c.
PAUL HAMILTON.