Oliver Perry

The United States and Great Britain did not have an amicable relationship after the Revolutionary War ended. In fact, both countries had a strong dislike for each other. These tensions would continue to rise in the early 1800's with the British occupying Canada and many forts along the American West (modern day Midwest). The British would interfere in the young country's affairs at every opportunity. From the American's dealings with the Native Americans, to their attempts to use the Great Lakes for shipping, the British would be involved in the politics of all of these issues. Like a young man attempting to assert his independence from his father, the Americans were determined to cast off the British and their condescending attitude and policies.

One such policy, The Orders of Council "were the most serious threat to the American economy," according to David Skaggs. These Orders allowed British naval vessels to seize American ships, cargo, and sailors. The orders threatened the lifeline of the American economy which was shipping. This obviously could not continue long-term since these policies were a direct assault on the sovereignty of the United States. The major issues in the dispute between the Americans and the British had to do with maritime issues. For this reason, the Federalists in the federal government wanted to limit the impending hostilities to a naval war. America had just "won" the pseudo-war against the French in a war limited to naval conflicts over maritime issues and they felt confident in their Navy.

The Republicans were beating the drums of war too. They wanted to invade Canada. What does this have to do with the Orders of Council one might ask? That is still an unanswered question. Were The Orders of Council a good reason to invade Canada, or just a poorly conceived strategy by the War Department to take the battle to the British strong hold? Not only was the army unprepared for war, the Republicans would not stand for people that were against their war policy. The Republican leadership felt the undermanned and poorly funded United States Army could easily conquer Canada. However, nothing is as simple as it looks on paper. "So with no clear strategy, an unprepared army, a small navy and a less than enthusiastic public, Congress declared war in June of 1812."

With war declared, the Americans had a major problem. They did not control their own waterways. The Great Lakes were controlled by the British, allowing them to control all the freight moving over the invaluable waterways. The British could move troops and supplies easily around the interior of North America with control of the Lakes. The Americans had to move everything over land which was extremely slow and arduous. If an American Fort came under attack, it could be weeks before reinforcements arrived. The British, on the other hand, could have supplies and troops in a few days or even hours, should they come under attack.

In addition to controlling the lines of communication across the Great Lakes, the British also had one very important ally on their side- the Native Americans. "The Native Americans, led by their fiery leader Tecumseh, saw this war as their last chance to stop American domination of their native lands".2 The British were able to win a major battle early in the war with the help of the native people. This battle for control of Detroit and the waterways that surround this area (Lake Michigan, the Detroit River and Lake Erie meet here) made it a very important place for both sides war strategies. This battle for Fort Michilimackinac in Upper Michigan was a complete disaster for the U.S., and the loss of control of this Fort was crippling. The U.S. lost hundreds of guns, and many pieces of artillery. "Much more important than those losses, was the loss of the brigadier ship The Adams." Now the Americans had no ships below Niagara Falls. This battle was such a disaster that the American General Hull would be court martialed and convicted (avoiding hanging by presidential pardon). With the British completely controlling the area, scores of Native American tribes joined with the British hoping to get the long promised Indian buffer zone between America and Canada. This battle would eventually lead to a complete lack of an American military presence west of Huron, Ohio. The Native Americans were free to terrorize white settlers with impunity, thereby sending major portions of the population into "Indian Panics". These attacks would only reinforce the resolve of the local citizens to fight this war.

In one of those strange twists of destiny and fate meeting each other, Daniel Dobbins was present at the debacle of Detroit. Dobbins had come to the lake in his teens, and by 1800 he was widely considered one of the best navigators on the lake. He escaped being captured by the British by sheer luck and cunning. Dobbins managed to get to Cleveland, Ohio, then catch a ride on a small sailboat and continue on to his hometown Erie, Pennsylvania, by August twenty-fourth. He brought with him the first news of the fall of Detroit. General David Meade, commander of the State Militia for northwest Pennsylvania, immediately realized the gravity of the situation and requested Dobbins to make the journey to Washington and render a full report. He agreed to the General's wishes and left forthwith for Washington.

On Dobbins arrival in Washington, he gave a full report of the happenings he saw at Detroit. The outcome of the meeting was an agreement that a naval force that could command Lake Erie was the prime need for any future campaign to retake the lost territory and, once again, attempt a sweep into Canada.

On September 11, 1812 Dobbins received a note from the Secretary of the Navy, Paul Hamilton, requesting his presence at a conference. Dobbins was by far the most completely informed person in Washington concerning matters pertaining to Lake Erie. At the conference, plans for a lake force were formulated. Dobbins named Erie as the best and only safe place for the fleet to be constructed. The Navy Department accepted this advice. Mr. Hamilton then gave Dobbins the following instructions:

"You will proceed without delay to Presque Isle, on the Lake Erie, and there contract for on the best terms in your power, all the requisite timbers and other materials for the building four gunboats agreeably to the dimensions which you will receive from. Comm. Tingey; and if in your power you will contract for the building of those boats."

P. Hamilton

Secretary of the Navy

So the authorization was made to set the stage for