PREFACE

SINCE the Imperial Defence Conference in London of 1909 closed its proceedings, many of the questions which it was convened to consider, its recommendations, and their result, have been widely discussed; but in connection with the defence of the Dominion of Canada—a chief link in the chain of Imperial defence there is much which has been but little, if at all, touched upon, yet which, in the interests of the Empire, should be more completely understood by British subjects generally.

It is in the hope of contributing in some degree to explain the general nature of the problem of Canadian defence that these pages have been put together by the writer, a great part of whose early life was spent in Canada.

The solution of the problem should, it is conceived, be sought, and will be found, by considering the character of the frontier of Canada; the lessons of the last war (that of 1812-14) fought upon it; the changes, affecting Canadian defence, which have since taken place; the circumstances and position of the Dominion to-day; and to what all this points.

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An effort to do this is here made; and it may be added that the important issues both for Canada and the Empire which may, some day, hang upon successful Canadian defence, are very apparent. C. W. ROBINSON.

September, 1910.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I

National defence as a subject-The Imperial Conference of 1909

and its outcome-Relations of Canada to Great Britain and

the Empire-Her past contributions to Imperial defence-

Two main objects of her land forces-Some advantages of a

Canadian Navy-Its sphere of action-Danger from political

party pressure-The present a fitting moment to consider

Canadian defence-Proposed method of doing so— -Duke of

Wellington as to the sine quâ non of success in war on the

frontier of Canada

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CHAPTER II

Character of the boundary-line of Canada-Her inland waters—

Hudson Bay, the St. Lawrence, and the great lakes-Naval

combined with military power essential for her defence-The

United States of America

CHAPTER III

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The war of 1812-14 on the Canadian frontier-Comparatively

little known, and why-Its importance and the lessons it

teaches-Origin of the war-Situation in Canada when it

opened-The respective forces-Naval strength on the lakes

-Principal posts-Communications-Strong and weak points

on both sides

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CHAPTER IV

Opening events

Campaigns of 1812-13, and what they teach-American plan of

campaign, 1812

British capture Fort

Detroit and Mackinac-Battle of Queenston Heights-La

Colle-British military policy-Campaign of 1813—British

lose ascendancy on Lake Ontario-American plan for 1813—

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Americans capture York, Fort George, Fort Erie, and march

on Burlington Heights-Stony Creek-British regain ascend-

ancy on Lake Ontario-Americans fall back-Situation on

the lakes Sackett's Harbour Position on the Niagara

frontier-Anxiety as to pending naval battles-Reinforce-

ments and supplies fail Barclay on Lake Erie-British defeat

on that lake-Retreat of Proctor-Moravian town-Roosevelt

on the opposing fleets-Americans burn Niagara-British

take Fort Niagara and destroy various villages-Operations

towards Lake Champlain-Chateauguay-Chrystler's Farm-

Situation at close of 1813-Remarks on the operations

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CHAPTER V

Campaign of 1814, and what it teaches-American plan of cam-

paign-Opening operations-British again in the ascendant

on Lake Ontario-Changing character of the war-British

offensive operations-Expedition to Maine-American in-

vasion of Niagara frontier-Occupation of Fort Erie-

Correspondence between Brown and Chauncey-Battle of

Lundy's Lane-Failure of American expedition to Mackinac

--British operations against Plattsburg, on Lake Champlain,

and naval reverse on that lake-Bladensburg-Washington

-Effect of British reverse at Plattsburg-Termination of the

war-New Orleans-Remarks upon the campaign and the

war generally-As to ascendancy on the water, and import-

ance of Lake Ontario-Wellington on the defence of Canada

-As to naval and military co-operation, and an active, not

passive, defence-Impressions left by the war

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CHAPTER VI

Changes affecting defence since 1814, and their influence-The

Canadian boundary-line-The Rush-Bagot Convention-The

situation on the lakes-The general introduction of steam

and electricity-Canals-Railways-Increased importance of

cities, towns, etc.—Change in modern weapons and warfare

-Methods, but not necessity, of defence altered

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CHAPTER VII

Conclusion-What the preceding chapters indicate-Some points

of naval and military defence considered-Importance of a

mobile, well-equipped land force-The assistance which such a

force may derive from modern science in defence of a water