memorable bridge, where formerly stood merely the occasional
encampment of the Indian warrior, are now to be seen
flourishing farms and crops, and other marks of agricultural
industry. Of the fort of Detroit itself we will give the
following brief history:--It was, as we have already
stated, erected by the French while in the occupancy of
the country by which it is more immediately environed;
subsequently, and at the final cession of the Canadas,
it was delivered over to England, with whom it remained
until the acknowledgement of the independence of the
colonists by the mother-country, when it hoisted the
colours of the republic; the British garrison marching
out, and crossing over into Canada, followed by such of
the loyalists as still retained their attachment to the
English crown. At the commencement of the late war with
America it was the first and more immediate theatre of
conflict, and was remarkable, as well as Michilimackinac,
for being one of the first posts of the Americans that
fell into our hands. The gallant daring, and promptness
of decision, for which the lamented general, Sir Isaac
Brock, was so eminently distinguished, achieved the
conquest almost as soon as the American declaration of
war had been made known in Canada; and on this occasion
we ourselves had the good fortune to be selected as part
of the guard of honour, whose duty it was to lower the
flag of America, and substitute that of England in its
place. On the approach, however, of an overwhelming army
of the enemy in the autumn of the ensuing year it was
abandoned by our troops, after having been dismantled
and reduced, in its more combustible parts, to ashes.