ived from Chippewa, and had formed a
junction with Major Ormsby, the Commandant of Fort Erie, and with
Colonel Clarke and Major Hall, of the militia. There were collected
together, under this excellent officer, about eleven hundred men,
taking into account detachments of the 41st, 49th, and Royal
Newfoundland regiments, and in addition, some Indians. The near
approach of the Americans was calmly waited for. A cheer at last burst
from the British ranks and a steady and deadly fire of artillery and
musketry was opened upon the enemy. The six-pounder, in charge of
Captain Kirby, of the Royal Artillery, destroyed two of the boats. The
enemy were thrown into confusion, and retired.

General Smyth again tried the effect of diplomacy upon the stubborn
British. He displayed his whole force of full six thousand men, upon
his own side of the river. Colonel Bishop ordered the guns which had
been spiked to be rendered serviceable, and the spikes having been
withdrawn, the guns were remounted and about to open fire, with the
view of scattering the valiant enemy, when a flag of truce brought a
note from General Smyth. It was simply a summons to surrender Fort
Erie, with a view of saving the further effusion of blood. He was
requested to "come and take it," but did not make another attempt until
the 1st of December, when the American troops embarked merely again to
disembark and go into winter quarters. Murmur and discontent filled the
American camp, disease and death were now so common, and General
Smyth's self-confidence was so inconsiderable that the literary hero,
who had spoken of the "eternal infamy" that awaits him who "basely
shrinks in the moment of trial," literally fled from his own camp,
afraid of his own soldiery, who were exasperated at his incapacity.
Thus ended the first year of the invasion. The Americans had learned,
the not unimportant lesson, that, as a general rule, it is so much more
easy successfully to resist aggression, than, as the aggressor, to be
successful. The invasion of any country, if only occupied by savages,
requires more means than is generally supposed.

Sir George Prevost, somewhat relieved from the anxiety attendant upon
anticipated and actual invasions, now summoned his Parliament of Lower
Canada, to meet for the despatch of business. He opened the session on
the 29th of December, and in his speech from the throne, alluded to the
honorable termination of the campaign, without much effusion of b