Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

Surrender of Fort Mackinac.

The particulars relating to the surrender to the British of the important post of Michilimacinac on the 17th of July, have at last made their appearance in the administration paper. The administration had suffered this important place to remain with the trifling force of 57 men, under the command of Lt. P. Hanks. The invading force was commanded by Capt. Roberts, of the British army, and consisted of 46 regulars, 260 Canadian militia, and 715 Indians. Lt. Hanks says in his despatch : " After I had obtained this information (the strength of the enemy) I consulted my officers and also the American gentlemen present, who were very intelligent men; the result of which was, that it was impossible for the garrison to hold out against such superior force. In this opinion I fully concurred from conviction that it was the only measure that could prevent a general massacre.* The fort and garrison were accordingly surrendered.

* This is precisely the reason given by Gen. Hull for the surrender of Detroit;—who certainly considered the invading force superior to his own in number.