The Enquirer

IMPORTANT.
Extracts of a letter from Governor EDWARDS, to Governor SHELBY, dated,
"Kaskaskia, (Il. T.) March 22, 1813.
"A few days ago I transmitted to you important information relative to the British and Indians in the upper parts of this Territory. An express yesterday brought me information that eighteen pieces of cannon and a British officer had arrived at Prairie de Chien. The ice is now completely out of our rivers.
Some spies that I sent up the Illinois river are returned, reporting that they saw too much Indian sign to proceed as high up as they were directed. The express states that an Indian was discovered a day or two past very near to Fort Russell—he evidently was a spy.
"I have melancholy presages of what is to happen in this country, particularly at Prairie de Chien, or rather at the mouth of the Ouisconsing. Should the British take possession of that place, I need not point out to you the difficulty of retaking it, or the importance of it to them—By water we should have to ascend 700 miles, by land not less than 400—Seven thousand Indians may easily be assembled at that place—last year, in time of peace, there were 8377 there in the months of April and May.—
The following facts, which you need not doubt will show its importance—Goods can be carried there from Montreal by way of the Ottawas river, more expeditiously, with less expense and more safety, than by way of the lakes. It is a fact that a canoe from Montreal by this route, arrived with dispatches to a gentleman in Cahokia in 33 days. On his return he went in the same canoe to Mackinac, by the Illinois river in 15 days, and could thence have descended to Montreal in 9 days. The traders of Montreal have passed from lake Superior to the Mississippi, thence have gone into the North-West. and have been bro't into collision with the Hudson Bay Company.
The British can easily push a trade up the Columbia river. And combining all these facts, a person tolerably acquainted with the geography of the Country, the nature of the fur trade, the inducements with the North-West Company to retain it, and the evident policy of the British in supporting it, can have no doubt of their inducements to occupy the mouth of the Ouisconsing.
"These anticipations make me feel for my country's honor; Certainly it must be destructive to its reputation to permit such plans to be realized. The point I have mentioned, once fortified, will be more difficult to take than Malden. I am well apprised of all objections that may be made to these speculations, on the score of provisions; but those who make them cannot know much of the supplies that can be furnished from the settlements of Greenbay, (where there is an elegant merchant mill, fine farms &c.) and Prairie de Chien itself.
"I never could see the advantage of so great a struggle for Malden—Montreal once taken, it would fall of itself: and one single expedition would drive to the Mississippi country all the Indians that ever had intercourse with that place. It would not cut off the intercourse as had been supposed.
"Notwithstanding I have regularly communicated information which must have shewn what our situation would be at this time, and notwithstanding our present difficulties, I am now as I was last year, totally without any instructions, acting upon my own responsibility. I have had great success in raising volunteers from the local militia; and neither they nor myself have been idle. I again set out to morrow for the frontiers."