The City of Detroit, 1701 -1922, Volume 1 by Clarence Monroe Burton

Author:Clarence Monroe Burton [Burton, Clarence Monroe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Geschichte
Publisher: Jazzybee Verlag
Published: 2017-11-08T23:00:00+00:00

SENTIMENT AGAINST ASKIN

Public sentiment was running strongly against Mr. Askin and his party.

He was arrested, or was served with a summons as the commencement of a suit against him. Unfortunately, the files of this suit have been lost, or have not yet come to light. A letter from Mr. Askin to David W. Smith gives as much information upon the subject as can be ascertained at present. It is as follows: "Detroit August 26, 1797. "My dear Sir: Since writing to you I have been served with a summons, the copy of which I enclose, and beg you will make it known to his honor, the administrator, so that I may be furnished with advice how to act before the general court is held here, which I learn is to be soon. The paper alluded to —I sent you a copy of it—contained the names of a number of people who made their election to continue British subjects and carried it to the recorder to have it enregistered, for which much trouble and interruption is given to me.

I have never before been called before the court about this matter and asked if I did so or not. So clear do I feel that I had not only a right to do so, but also even advise subjects to continue under the British government (which I, however, did not meddle in) had I been so disposed that I must certainly acknowledge not only my doing so but that I was perfectly right, and that it was in conformity to the treaty."

Askin's letter was given to the Honorable Peter Russell, who at the time was performing the duties of governor of Upper Canada in the absence of the governor, and his reply was as follows: "West Niagara 5th Sept. 1797.

"Sir: Mr. Smith has just sent to me your letter of the 26th ult. and the copy of the summons for your appearance before the General Quarter Sessions of the County of Wayne and a copy of the letter from the British inhabitants of Detroit to Peter Audrain Esq.

"I am extremely sorry that I do not feel myself competent to give you the advice you desire, as your place, or residence, is without the power of my jurisdiction, nor do I see any possibility of even the British minister's interference until you are able to state to his excellency the nature of the offense you have given to the government of the United States and the sort of notice which has been taken of it. This I presume to advise you to do without loss of time immediately from Detroit as the quickest mode of communicating with his excellency.

"I am Sir, Your most obedient Humble servant, Peter Russell.

"John Askin, Esq.

"British Merchant at Detroit."

Apparently Askin intended at this time to remove to Canada, for he obtained permission from Mr. Selby and Colonel McKee to remove his goods into a house belonging to Colonel McKee at Sandwich, which was then partly occupied by a Mr. Wheaton.

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