On the 1st of June, 1814
To the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Lord Liverpool
Your Excellency,
I have oustanding news. Our forces on the West on the Ontario are succesful. First, York, as I had announced, has finally surrendered. More importantly, our starving, outnumbered, exhausted, but well-led and highly motivated, forces, stopped dead an American onslaught on Burlington. The Americans went home in complete disarray. I was well inspired to fortify the position :
Yet, even though the worst is behind us, we still have disquieting issues at hand. The American force at Prescott marched on Kingston-on-the-Lake, which is poorly defended. Moreover, our lake fleet has been defeated by the American fleet, and Sir James Yeo, its admiral, has informed me that this American fleet is full of soldiers ready to land - most probably on Kingston.
Here is the situation :
I plan to force march as quickly as possible on Kingston to save the city. If I can arrive on time and destroy the American forces currently sieging the city before their reinforcements land, I can defeat them in
detail and save the city. But I must be quick.
Meanwhile, I ordered Sir Douglas and Sir Gleig, two officers I trust, to lead the forces earmarked for the conquest of Albany. I suspect there is little American forces between our position and that city.
West of the Ontario, I ordered de Rottenburg to give some rest to his forces. Many troops will be moved to Detroit for refit, while the rest will rest in the newly-freed York. Only a handful of men, under Sir Scheaffe's competent command, will hold the line in Burlington. After the Americans' botched assault, I do not believe they will attack again any time soon.
Yours respectfully,
Sir Isaac Brock