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Inhabitants of Canada!
The proclamation issued by U.S. General William
Hull when he arrived in Sandwich (Windsor, Ont.)
WHEN GENERAL William Hull arrived in
Sandwich (modern day Windsor Ont.)
from Fort Detroit, he issued a ringing
proclamation to the citizens of Upper
Canada. It was a fiercely worded
document, full of bravado, that was
intended to strike fear into the hearts
of citizens while at the same time
reassuring them that no harm
would come to them as long as
they didn't get in the way of the
Americans.
The proclamation was effective, at first,
but when Hull didn't back his words up
with actions — and retreated back
across the Detroit river to the confines
of Fort Detroit when he heard Brock
was coming to repel him — it took the
edge off his words. Brock issued a counter-proclamation, which you can
read here.
Here's the original text of Hull's proclamation, which was issued at
Sandwich on July 12, 1812.
Hull's proclamation
INHABITANTS OF CANADA! After thirty years of Peace and prosperity, the
United States have been driven to Arms. The injuries and aggressions,
the insults and indignities of Great Britain have once more left them no
alternative but manly resistance or unconditional submission. The army
under my Command has invaded your Country and the standard of the
United States waves on the territory of Canada. To the peaceful,
unoffending inhabitant, It brings neither danger nor difficulty I come to
find enemies not to make them, I come to protect you not to injure you.
Separated by an immense ocean and an extensive Wilderness from
Great Britain you have no participation in her counsels no interest in her
conduct. You have felt her Tyranny, you have seen her injustice, but I do
not ask you to avenge the one or to redress the other. The United
States are sufficiently powerful to afford you every security consistent
with their rights & your expectations. I tender you the invaluable
blessings of Civil, Political, & Religous Liberty, and their necessary result,
individual, and general, prosperity. That liberty which gave decision to
our counsels and energy to our conduct in our struggle for
INDEPENDENCE and which conducted us safely and triumphantly thro'
the stormy period of the Revolution…
In the name of my Country and by the authority of my Government I
promise you protection to your persons, property and rights, Remain at
your homes, Pursue your peaceful and customary avocations. Raise not
your hands against your brethern, many of your fathers fought for the
freedom & 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 status of freemen… If contrary to your own interest & 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 are let loose to murder our Citizens and butcher our women
and children, this war, will be a war of extermination.
The first stroke with the Tomahawk the first attempt with the Scalping
Knife will be the Signal for one indiscriminate sense of desolation, No
white man found fighting by the Side of an Indian will be taken prisoner
Instant destruction will be his Lot…
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 offers you Peace, Liberty, and Security your choice lies
between these, & 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.
- WM. HULL
The proclamation issued by U.S. General William
Hull when he arrived in Sandwich (Windsor, Ont.)
WHEN GENERAL William Hull arrived in
Sandwich (modern day Windsor Ont.)
from Fort Detroit, he issued a ringing
proclamation to the citizens of Upper
Canada. It was a fiercely worded
document, full of bravado, that was
intended to strike fear into the hearts
of citizens while at the same time
reassuring them that no harm
would come to them as long as
they didn't get in the way of the
Americans.
The proclamation was effective, at first,
but when Hull didn't back his words up
with actions — and retreated back
across the Detroit river to the confines
of Fort Detroit when he heard Brock
was coming to repel him — it took the
edge off his words. Brock issued a counter-proclamation, which you can
read here.
Here's the original text of Hull's proclamation, which was issued at
Sandwich on July 12, 1812.
Hull's proclamation
INHABITANTS OF CANADA! After thirty years of Peace and prosperity, the
United States have been driven to Arms. The injuries and aggressions,
the insults and indignities of Great Britain have once more left them no
alternative but manly resistance or unconditional submission. The army
under my Command has invaded your Country and the standard of the
United States waves on the territory of Canada. To the peaceful,
unoffending inhabitant, It brings neither danger nor difficulty I come to
find enemies not to make them, I come to protect you not to injure you.
Separated by an immense ocean and an extensive Wilderness from
Great Britain you have no participation in her counsels no interest in her
conduct. You have felt her Tyranny, you have seen her injustice, but I do
not ask you to avenge the one or to redress the other. The United
States are sufficiently powerful to afford you every security consistent
with their rights & your expectations. I tender you the invaluable
blessings of Civil, Political, & Religous Liberty, and their necessary result,
individual, and general, prosperity. That liberty which gave decision to
our counsels and energy to our conduct in our struggle for
INDEPENDENCE and which conducted us safely and triumphantly thro'
the stormy period of the Revolution…
In the name of my Country and by the authority of my Government I
promise you protection to your persons, property and rights, Remain at
your homes, Pursue your peaceful and customary avocations. Raise not
your hands against your brethern, many of your fathers fought for the
freedom & 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 status of freemen… If contrary to your own interest & 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 are let loose to murder our Citizens and butcher our women
and children, this war, will be a war of extermination.
The first stroke with the Tomahawk the first attempt with the Scalping
Knife will be the Signal for one indiscriminate sense of desolation, No
white man found fighting by the Side of an Indian will be taken prisoner
Instant destruction will be his Lot…
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 offers you Peace, Liberty, and Security your choice lies
between these, & 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.
- WM. HULL
| border="1"U.S. GENERAL WILLIAM HULL |