s fought for the freedom and
independence we now enjoy. Being children, therefore, of the
same family with us, and heirs to the same heritage, the
arrival of an army of friends must be hailed by you with a
cordial welcome. You will be emancipated from tyranny and
oppression, and restored to the dignified station of freemen.

Had I any doubt of eventual success, I might ask your
assistance; but I do not. I come prepared for every
contingency. I have a force which will look down all
opposition, and that force is but the vanguard of a much
greater. If, contrary to your own interests and the just
expectation of my country, you should take part in the
approaching contest, you will be considered and treated as
enemies, and the horrors and calamities of war will stalk
before you. If the barbarous and savage policy of Great
Britain be pursued, and the savages be let loose to murder our
citizens, and butcher our women and children, this war will be
a war of extermination. The first stroke of the tomahawk, the
first attempt with the scalping knife, will be the signal of
one indiscriminate scene of desolation. No white man, found
fighting by the side of an Indian, will be taken
prisoner--instant destruction will be his lot. If the dictates
of reason, duty, justice, and humanity, cannot prevent the
employment of a force which respects no rights and knows no
wrong, it will be prevented by a severe and relentless system
of retaliation.

I doubt not your courage and firmness--I will not doubt your
attachment to liberty. If you tender your services
voluntarily, they will be accepted readily. The United States
offer you peace, liberty, and security. Your choice lies
between these and war, slavery and destruction. Choose, then,
but choose wisely; and may He who knows the justice of our
cause, and who holds in his hand the fate of nations, guide
you to a result the most compatible with your rights and
interests, your peace and prosperity.

W. HULL.
By the General, A.F. HULL.
Capt. 13th Regt. U.S. Infantry, and
Aide-de-Camp.
Head Quarters,
Sandwich, July 12, 1812.

The following counter-proclamation was published by Major-General Brock,
"a proclamation as remarkable for the solid reasoning and dignity of its
language, as that of the American for its presumption."[56]