EXTRACTS FROM THE DIARY OF JOHN ASKIN.*

(The original of these papers is in the library of Clarence M. Burton,† of Detroit, who generously furnished copy.)

1812.

Sunday June 14: last night & all this day fair warm & pleasant, went with Mrs. Askin to Church. Dined at Mrs. Pattinsons & returned-Two Vesselles arrived at Detroit, the first this season. the Queen Charlotte also Arrived with the Lt. Governor & Sir John Johnson at Maldin.

Tuesday June 16th last night & this morng fair; but overcast & not warm; The wind S. W. The Governor & Mr. Clows (Clews) at Sandwich, went to Sandwich & dined.

Wednesday June 17th last night and this morng: fair warmer & pleasant very little wind at S. W.-The Queen Charlotte to sail with General Brock to day & the Commodore.

Militia called out. Tuesday June 23d. last night and this day, warm, fair & pleasant. Went to Sandwich after Dinner. Capt. McKee & Family came & staid all night.

Wednesday July 1st

Warr the News of it. being declared reached us nearly at Midnight. Mr. McIntoshes McIntoshes Vessell with a great part of her goods sailed for Maldin in the night and the News didn't reach detroit Untill next day about 9 o'clock. We were up all night. James & Alexdr. went to Sandwich and returned.

Thursday July 2d. last night & this morng. fair but very windy, the whole of the Militia Ordered Out for 10 o'clock.

Friday July 3d. last night & this morng: fair & warm. All the Militia called Out & Embodied yesterday. all except 2 Companies marched to Maldin this morng. Ordered back. Nelly & Children here at night. Ri Thames Militia going past.

Saturday July 4th last night & this morng. fair warm & pleasant, went with Nelly to Sandwich; an Alarm this night. went into the woods with Children. Sunday July 5th last night & this morng. fair calm & warm. children with Mrs. Pattinson & hers, slept at our House last night. Came to Mr. La Valle's.

Mrs. F. Baby &

Monday July 6th Mrs. F. Baby & Nelly with their Children & Servants so Alarmed, that we went to Mr. Parais & staid all last night on this day went to Mr. La Valles & slept there. fireing from the Sand Hilles at Springwells on Sandwich, struck some houses but no person killed.

*This copy has been strictly followed, and no attempt has been made to change spelling, punctuation or capitalization, but no modern type permits all the contractions and quaint customs originally used.

+Clarence M. Burton, son of Charles S. and Anna Burton, was born at Whiskey Diggings, California. Nov. 18, 1853. He graduated from the University of Michigan with the degree of B. S. in 1873, and from the law department in 1874. He has been engaged in the abstract business in Detroit for many years, devoting his spare time to the study of the history of Detroit and the Northwest, and the collection of one of the largest libraries in the west, including over 15,000 volumes. 30,000 pamphlets, and 100,000 unpublished documents, copies of archives in France, Canada and the United States. He is the author of Life of Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, founder of Detroit. Cadillac's Village, In the Footsteps of Cadillac, and of many articles pertaining to the history of Detroit and Cleveland. He has been president of the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society for several years, and has furnished much original material for these collections, and has the true wisdom and ambition of the antiquarian and historian.

Tuesday July 7th Mrs. Baby & Mrs. Pattinson with their families returned home, I with Mrs. A. staid at Mr. La Valle's.

Wednesday July 8th staid with Mrs. A. at Mr. La Valle's, no firing, James came to see us.

Thursday July 9th. Went to our House & returned last night. little or no firing from the Americans. We did not fire a shott. The Militia was quartered at Sandwich, some Cannon brought up & a small Batteau making at Mrs. Ross, opposite Detroit.

Friday July 10th no firing, went with Mrs. A to River a Pike, Visited the Distillery and Mills, returned at night. some rain to day.

Saturday July 11th last night & this morng. fair & very warm, the wind rose & blue pretty fresh at W. afterward; returned to N. E. Mr. McGregor by boat passed down. Mrs. A. went to our House and returned at night. Mr. McGregor boat returned, being fearfull of being taken with her load.

at Mr. Lavalle's Saturday July 11th most of the Militia of River á tranche returned home. James wrote me the Militia were ordered back to Maldin. Sunday July 12th

*

*

Heard that some Americans had crossed.

Tuesday July 14th last night. & this morng. fair & warm, came to my House & waited on General Hull, seen Mrs. Brush, Mrs. A. & I returned at night to La Valles.

Thursday July 16th slept at home, last night & this morn. fair but overcast, the weather not very warm. went & Visited Col. Finley & called on General Hull. Friday July 17th last night & this morng. fair, warm & pleasant. The American party that went to River Thames returned with Flour Whiskey &c for which I heard they gave receipts.

Sunday July 19th last night & this morng. fair & pleasant. went with Mrs. W. McGregor Delson & David, to General Hull. Dined at Mr. McIntoshes.

Monday July 20th much rain last night, this morng. fair & warm, heard there had been some Scirmages yesterday, & the two nights before at river Canard Bridge few killed or wounded. The Queen Charlotte anchors of that place-Mrs. Barthe's daughter came here last night-Conrad Coleman & wife passed, on their way from Maldin, said our Children were well, Mrs. Barthe and daughter went home.

*

Saturday July 25: last night fair, this morng. very warm fair & little wind at S. W. a Battle betien Americans and Indians at petite Cote, 2 of the latter and 3 of the former said to be killed & wounded. Capt. Bondy taken in his House.

Monday July 27th last night & this morng. fair & very warm, little wind, at S: W: Mr. Robt. Forsyth passed downward with Mr. McGregors large Boat & About 10 Others, with ship &c taken at Belleriviere Edmund Brush came here & returned immediately-Some Horse & foot passed up before Dinner and returned After, the latter conducted a small drove of Horned Cattle & several droves of Sheep perhaps 6 or 8 Hundred-the Sheep from Belleriviere, the Moravian breed, their appearance very little & Ugly-Miss Barthe came After Dinner with Mrs. Edwards & returned-some rain towards night.

Tuesday July 28 last night & this morng. fair & warm. Mr. McGregor passed down-Had a confirmation of being taken.

rain

Wednesday July 29th last night & this morng. fair, but very sultry. McDougal called, said he had come from Maldin & that all our Children were well, & that Nelly sold goods out of the Vessell-That another Commanding Officer had Arrived with two or 3 officers in a Canoe.

Sunday Aug. 2nd last night a little rain, this morng. fair & tolarable warmThis afternoon a Schooner Sailed down with Several people on Board-she had a

white flagg at her foretop mast & a british flagg at her main mast head; another Vessell in the same way came at night. These are Mercht. Vessells given up after taken.

Thursday Aug. 6th last night & this morng. fair, calm & warm; heard that a party of Americans had been defeated near Browns-Town and 5 officers killed or wounded.

Friday Aug. 7th, last night and this morng. fair, warm & calm.-no person allowed to pass the American Camp.

Sunday Aug. 9th last night & this morng. fair but threatening rain, the Wind strong at N. E. heard that three Vesselles were Arrived loaded with Soldiers at Maldin. Charles & Geo. Hamilton in Board. Johnny expected there

Sunday Aug 16th

Cannonade began Early & continued Until About 8 o'clock when a flagg of truce came from Detroit. About 1 o'clock The Fort & Town of Detroit surrendered to the British.

1813.

Tuesday June 22. last night & this morng. fair, not so warm as some days passed. 7 Canoes of Indian Warriors passed up this day & afternoon. Capt. Elliott & 2 Interpretors of the Indian Department, the latter on Horseback.

Monday July 5th last cold & stormy, this morg. fair but cold. Thunder & rain towards night. Mr. Dickson with above 40 Boats & Canoes passed this afternoon. July 5th Mr. Dickson with above 40 Canoes of Indians &cc passed downward from Mich. this afternoon. Alexdr. with them.

Wednesday Sept. 29th some rain last night this morg. fair & not cold but overcast. The remainder of our people & Indians past. The Americans on their march to Sandwich-Mrs. Brush gone to Detroit.

Saturday Oct. 2d last night fair & also this morng. the wind at W. The American Army or a great part of it passed up by Land & Water. Mr. Richardson called & dined.

2d. A large party of the American Army passed up by Watter on Boats & by Land on Horseback & on foot Also a middling sized Vessell.

3d. More of the American Army & I believe the last went up by Land & watter. Wednesday Oct. 6th last night & this morn. very fair warm and pleasant. a Battle at River Thames yesterday or to day, great rejoicing at Detroit this night. 6th.

*

*

Heard that the Americans had fought with our Army at River Thames, killed several Indians and taken Capt. Muir with 300 of the Troops Prisoners. Great rejoicing at Detroit which lasted several hours in the night.*

10th. General Cass, Col. Ewing, Lt. Col. Warburton & almost all our Regular officers, who were taken Prisoners and Many American Ones Dined with me & Col.

*A marginal reference was made on the entry of the 6th saying-almost all our army were taken prisoners.

Ewing, Col. Warburton & Major Chambers went away but returned at night & staid with us untill Tuesday 14th After Breakfast.

12th. Since Sunday last the House full of American Soldiers & who stopt night & day to warm themselves & take apples & killed some fowls.

One large & one small American Vessell sailed down.

Oct. 1813.

Oct. 13. Capt. La Bretain with two Cavellery & a flag of truce Passed down at 3 o'clock this day.

Mr. James McIntosh called about 11 o'clock and brought me the melancholy news of Mr. Pattinson being dead.

14. The Corps of Mr. Pattinson Arrived at Our House in a waggon from River Thames At 2 o'clock to day.

15. The Corps were taken from Our House at about 9 o'clock this day for Interment.

The last of the Vessells (two or three) that were on the Expedition sailed down yesterday.

This day the remainder of the Boats a few with sick, Carts with women &cc passed down.

16. Heard that our Officers & men who were Prisoners went away this day.

18th. 7 or 8 Vessells it's said loaded with American troops to the number of about 3000 sailed from Detroit for long point.

(Oct) 19th. two Boats with a great number of children & a few Women belonging to the British Army stops here on their way to Detroit.

A number of Huron Indians who made Peace passed down on horseback, with their wives & Children.

Dec. 17. a Party of Americans Ab. 200 march for River Thames my Crop Horse pressed by Capt. Pain.

Dec. 23. The Party of Americans who went to the River Thames the 17th are now returning.

1814.

Jan. 4th. A party of American Soldiers passed upwards.

*

15th the American Partty returned from R. Thames.

*

29th. Many Families from the Upper part of the River Thames & near long point removing, as they would not take the Oath of Alleigance.

35 Canadian American Horse passed for the River Thames

31st. The Party who went to River Thames is reported to have been defeatednot true.

Feb. 4th. It froze So hard last night that people Cross on the Ice. Mr. Francois Baby, Brigham & Others were taken Prisoners at River Thames & brought here to day.

19th.

Some Slays that went to river Thames supposed to be stopt by the British as no news from them since 14th.

20th.

Little snow on the ground. roads very muddy. The Slays from this who had been detained at the River Thames by the British, returned.

Heard that the English party at river Thames went away yesterday.

22d. A party of American Horse, perhaps 100 went to the River Thames this day. Feb. 28th a British officer with a Flagg of truce passed for Detroit.

March 6. Heard the party of Americans who went to River Thames and round about 12 days ago had an Engagement with a party of Our people & had killed &cc about *

7th.

This day the American party returned, they cant say how many they killed, as they were obliged to retreat in the night, a very short time after the Battle, they brought in only one Prisoner an officer.

8th. Lt. Jackson, our flagg of truce, returned to day.

22d. Westbrook called with Major Tonsley of the Militia who he took prisoner in his House far up in the river Thames, in the night of the 18th Inst.

23d. This Afternoon a small party of Americans passed down & had a Dragoon, a prisoner with them.

June 17th. The first American gun Boat sailed up with a number on men on Board.

25. Sandwich Evacuated by the American Troops.

July 13th. Towards night this day two American soldiers armed with their Rifles told me that they were sent by Mr. Westbrook to take Away my Puyball Horse. I asked their names & they told me, William King & Alexander Tenant.

July 18. Some Americans pressing Horses Heard that the American Vessels got up the rapids into Lake Huron on the 14th Inst. Heard that 12 Americans on a Boat going to Presquile or that quarter were cut off along the new settlement & then only one man got to Maldin.

21st. Wisbrook with his party who went some time ago to river Thames, now returned, he brought La Grave Prisoner with him.

Aug. 10th.

This afternoon there passed for the River Thames About 120 Indians I think, some say 105. Arrived with Interpreters & Westbrook.

15th. Heard of the Defeat of the Americans at Mich: a small Vessell now retur: of those gone to Mich:

17th.

*

2 small Vesselles & 2 large Boats passed down with Soldiers & Canadians from Mich. This day the American Officers killed at Mich. on the 4th were Buried viz. Major Holmes, Lieut. Jackson & Vanhorn perhaps some others. there were a great many great guns. minute gunns fired.

About 50 American Indians returned with 2 Scalps said to be Indian Scalps. 19th. 2 Small Vessells that went to lighten one that was on the Barr, returned with wounded men &cc:

*Note

(the words "160 of them were written and then struck out).