The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922; / Clarence M. Burton, editor-in-chief, William Stocking, associate editor, Gordon K. Miller, associated editor. [Vol. 2]

CITY OF DETROIT

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on April 1, 1812, Mr. Madison, in a special message to Congress, recommended
an embargo for sixty days, in the belief that such a measure would result in the
withdrawal of the British ships. Congress made the embargo for ninety days,
instead of sixty, but again the embargo met with opposition from New England
trade circles and on June 1, 1812 the President sent another special message to
Congress recommending a declaration of war. The act declaring war was
approved by President Madison on June 18, 1812.
There are students of American history who will claim that on the 18th of
June, when hostilities were authorized, there was less cause for war between
England and America than had existed at intervals during the previous period
of'ten years; that there was almost a certainty that the next ship from England
would carry the news of the repeal of the orders of council and this would have
removed the only difference between the countries, as England had previously
made full amends for that affair of the Chesapeake and Leopard and also had
given assurances against impressment. However, England's promises meant
nothing; history had proved that Great Britain was not sincere.
CONDITIONS LOCALLY AT BEGINNING OF WAR
The list of grievances had been accumulating for ten years and, although it
was well understood for several years before the declaration that war must, sooner
or later, follow, the country was not prepared for the event. Within the limits
of the present State of Michigan there were two fortified posts of importance,
Detroit and Michilimackinac (or Mackinac). The post of Mackinac was located
on the island of that name, situated in the straits between the two peninsulas
of Michigan, and was under the command of Lieut. Porter Hanks, with a force
of fifty-seven effective men, including officers. Fort Lernoult was within
the limits of Detroit post and at the time of the declaration of war contained
Major Whistler's company of infantry and Capt. Samuel Dyson's company of
artillery.
The Territory of Michigan had been organized and set off from the Territory of Indiana in 1805 and its first officers were: William Hull, governor;
Augustus Brevoort Woodward, John Griffin and Frederick Bates, judges, the
governor and judges also constituting the legislative body of the territory.
Some changes had occurred before the year 1812, but at that time the officers
were: Hull, governor; Woodward, Griffin and James Witherell, judges. There
had been constant contention for some years prior to 1812 between the governor
and chief justice Woodward. Griffin usually agreed with Woodward and, to
some extent, was considered his tool. Witherell refused to agree with either
person, but took alternate sides in their controversies, as his judgment dictated
to be proper. Woodwaid was educated, pedantic, overbearing and exceedingly
careless in his personal habits. He abused, scolded and domineered Hull and
Griffin, but he could not succeed with Witherell.
William Hull was born in Connecticut June 24, 1753 and was, consequently,
fifty-nine years of age at the beginning of the war. He had sustained an honorable part in the Revolutionary war and later in Shay's Rebellion in 1786. In
1784 he had been sent by our government to Quebec to demand that the British
forces be withdrawn from all posts held by them within the limits of the new
government. That he was unsuccessful was not in any manner the fault of
Mr. Hull. When he became governor of Michigan Territory; he sought to
organize the militia and put it into shape for defending the frontier, but there
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