The Gentleman's Magazine and Historical Chronicle - 1814 March

Abstract

Contains letters by George Prevost and Col Murray regarding the American abandonment of Fort George and burning of Newark (p. 281-282). Prevost writes that “I have the honour to transmit…Col. Murray’s report…of his having taken possession of Fort George at Niagara, on the 12th inst. without opposition…[the] force arrived in the neighbourhood of Fort George in time to frustrate the Enemy’s predatory designs, and to compel him to effect a precipitate retreat across the Niagara River…and stained the character of the American nation by the wanton conflagration of the town of Newark, reduced at this most inclement season to a heap of ashes, in direct violation of the reiterated protestations of the American commanding Generals to respect and protect private property”.

A brief account of the British attack on Black Rock on December 30 is found on p. 292. A summary of a proclamation issued by Sir George Prevost is also included, concerning retaliation for the conduct of the Americans during the war. It is stated that “after long forbearance, a severe retaliation on the Americans for their inhuman mode of warfare in their different invasions of Canada, especially for their having, in the midst of a severe Canadian winter, wantonly burnt the beautiful village of Newark…not only in this, but in a number of other instances, at Sandwich, at the settlements on the Thames, at York and at Fort George. He has ordered…the villages of Lewiston, Black Rock, and Buffalo to be burned…”

The Gentleman's Magazine and Historical Chronicle was a monthly periodical published in England during the years of 1736-1833. The volumes of interest from 1812-1815 were written and compiled by Sylvanus Urban, Gentleman. These volumes were Printed in London by Nichols, Son and Bentley at Cicero's Head, Red Lion Passage and Fleet Street.