directed to proceed in command of the gun-boats, to protect the left flank of the army advancing towards that place; and, on the following day, after taking possession of Isle de la Motte, he caused a battery of 3 long 18-pounders to be constructed for the support of a position opposite to Little Chazey, where the supplies for the troops were ordered to be landed.
On the 8th Sept., the Confiance, Linnet, Chubb, and Finch moved from Isle-aux-Noirs, and anchored abreast of the main body of the British army, to wait until the new ship had completed her crew and equipment. Unfortunately, however. Captain Downie was urged, and the Confiance hurried into action, before she was by any means in a fit state to meet the enemy.
“On the 9th, Captain Downie received a draught of marines, numbering, with a few artillery men and soldiers, 86 men; and, in the course of that and the following day, the whole of the petty officers and seamen intended for him came on board; amongst whom were 19 foreigners, 25 men lent from transports at Quebec, and many bad characters from the ships of war, who had escaped condign punishment by volunteering to serve on the lakes.
“On the 10th, while the loud clank of the builder’s hammer was still sounding in all parts of the ship, while the guns were being breeched and pointed through the ports, and while the powder was lying in a boat alongside, the magazine not being ready for its reception, an officer from Sir George Prevost came to solicit the instant co-operation of the squadron. Relying upon the assurance now given by the governor-general, that the army should storm the works of Plattsburg while the navy attacked the American shipping in front of them. Captain Downie, notwithstanding the unprepared state of the Confiance, consented to go into battle on the following morning. It was then agreed, that Captain Downie, when rounding Cumberland head, should scale his guns; and that, at the same instant, the assaulting column should advance to the enemy’s works.
“On the 11th, at 7 a.m. the Confiance, accompanied by
