Kentucky Gazette

Copy of a letter from Com. Chauncey to Maj Gen. Brown, dated,
U S. S. Superior, off Kingston, Aug. 10, 1814

Sir—Your letter of the 13th ult. was received by me on a sick bed, hardly able to hear it read, and entirely unfitted to reply to it. I however, requested Gen. Gaines to acquaint you with my situation, the probable time of the fleet's sailing, and my views of the extent of its co-operation with the army:

From the tenor of your letter, it would appear that you had calculated much upon the co-operation of the fleet You cannot surely have forgotten the conversation we held on this subject at Sackett's Harbor, previous to your departure for Niagara. I then professed to feel it my duty as well as inclination to afford every assistance in my power to the army, and to co-operate with it whenever it could be done without losing sight of this great object, for the attainment of which this fleet had been created, to wit—the capture or destruction of the enemy's fleet : but I then distinctly stated to you, that this was a primary object, and would be first attempted ; and that you must not expect the fleet at the head of the lake. unless that of the enemy should induce us to follow him there.

I will not suffer myself to believe that this conversation was misunderstood or has since been forgotten. How then shall I account for the intimation thrown out to the public in your despatch to the Secretary of War, that you expected the fleet to co-operate with you ? Was it friendly, or just, or honorable, not only to furnish an opening for the public, but thus to assist them, to infer that I had pledged myself to meet you on a particular day, at the head of the lake, for the purpose of co-operation ? and in case of disaster to your army. thus to turn their resentment from you, who are alone responsible, upon me, who could not by any possibility have prevented or retarded even your discomfiture. You well know, sir, that the fleet could not have rendered you the least service during your late incursion upon Upper Canada. You have not been able to approach lake Ontario on any point nearer than Queenstown, and the enemy were then in possession of all the country between that and the shore of Ontario : so that I could not even communicate with you without making a circuit of 70 or 80 miles. I would ask, of what possible use the fleet could have been to you either in the threatening or investing Fort George, when the shallowness of the water alone would prevent an approach with these ships within two miles of that fort or Niagara?

To pretend that the fleet could render the least assistance in your projected capture of Burlington Heights on your route to Kingston, is still more romantic ; for it is well known the fleet could not approach within nine miles of those Heights.

That you might find the fleet somewhat of a convenience in the transportation of provisions and stores for the use of the army, and an agreeable appendage to attend its marches and countermarches, I may readily believe: but, sir, the secretary of the navy has honored us with a higher destiny -we are intended to seek and to fight the enemy's fleet. This is the great purpose of the government in creating this fleet ; and I shall not be diverted in my efforts to effectuate it by any sinister attempt to render us subordinate to or an appendage of the army

We have one common object in the annoyance, defeat and destruction of the enemy ; and I shall always cheerfully unite with any military commander in the promotion of that object.

I am, sir, with great consideration and respect, your most obedient servant,

I CHAUNCEY.

Major General Jacob Brown.