Bloody Maple Leaves: A Dark Canada TL

[Domoviye]

A Transfer of Power

July 21, 1811

My Dear Friend Isaac Brock
It is my great honour to inform you that you that after years of service in Upper Canada, you are to be transferred to Europe post haste.
You will be serving directly under Lord Wellington in Portugal or Spain, depending on where the damn frogs end up once Wellington and Beresford get through with them. The armies fighting spirit is up, so I'm certain you'll do well, not like those damn cowardly colonials you have to deal with.
I know you've wanted to get into the thick of things for a while, well now your waiting has come to an end. Your orders are attached, we look forward to seeing you by the end of the year.
Ever Yours my dear sir

In 1811 many people knew that tension was growing between Great Britain and the United States. Yet with all eyes turned to Europe, few realized just how bad it was. Even in the remaining British colonies most people thought it wouldn't come to war.
One of the few people who did suspect war was coming was Sir Isaac Brock.
Brigadier General Sir Isaac Brock, commander of all the forces of Upper Canada was seriously considered by the British government to become the Major General of Upper Canada, which would have given him near total control over both the military and civilian side of the government. This would have allowed him to continue his preparations for war largely unchecked by either civilian or military authority in the colony.
However this was not to be. Brock considered Upper Canada a backwater and longed to fight against Napoleon. Thus right up until his actual transfer he had persistently sent requests for a transfer even as he attempted to find common ground with Indians hostile to the US, and create a competent militia.
On July 21, 1811, he finally got his desire, receiving a post in Portugal under Wellington. Arriving in 1812 Sir Isaac Brock would lead his brigade for the next 3 years through Spain and France, before being badly maimed by a French bullet in the Battle of the Rhine, which saw the death of Napoleon ending the Napoleonic Wars for good.
Sir Issac Brock retired from the military in poor health, and finally succumbed due to pneumonia in late 1821.

In Upper Canada Colonel Roger Hale Sheaffe was promoted to Major General in Brock's place, and took control of the military forces in the colony. This proved unpopular with many of the soldiers who had looked favourably upon Sir Isaac Brock. Desertions increased and Sheaffe was forced to execute several soldiers for mutiny and desertion.
Worse yet, lacking the rather forceful personality of Brock, Sheaffe was unwilling to counter the over riding caution of Governor in Chief of British North America, Sir George Prevost.

 

[Schroederfgson]

looks pretty interesting, but this probably butterflies my city. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brockville

 

[Domoviye]

looks pretty interesting, but this probably butterflies my city. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brockville

It definitely butterflies the name away.
It may become known as Victory or Red Water though.

To everyone comments and criticism are not only welcomed, but encouraged.
And for readers of my other TL it is still ongoing, just had a busy week, and couldn't get in the research for early-medieval Scandinavia, an update or two will be posted this coming week.

 

[Plumber]

I'll be keeping an eye on this

 

[Fearless Leader]

Interesting...No Brock in Canada and an earlier end to the Napoleonic wars, I'll be watching this one!

One thing though, it's my opinion that Sheaffe's poor reputation is a bit undeserved. Admittedly he wasn't as offensively fixated as Brock, but at the same time he was clearly no slouch tactically. Remember that it was Sheaffe not Brock who won the Battle of Queenston Heights, Brock's charge having decidedly not impacted the overall strategic situation. That being said, I think that given that Sheaffe is half-way competent Canada should be Okay during the initial phases of the War provided that the US generalship remains abysmal in TTL.

 

[Domoviye]

I'll be keeping an eye on this

Thanks, I hope you enjoy it.

Interesting...No Brock in Canada and an earlier end to the Napoleonic wars, I'll be watching this one!

One thing though, it's my opinion that Sheaffe's poor reputation is a bit undeserved. Admittedly he wasn't as offensively fixated as Brock, but at the same time he was clearly no slouch tactically. Remember that it was Sheaffe not Brock who won the Battle of Queenston Heights, Brock's charge having decidedly not impacted the overall strategic situation. That being said, I think that given that Sheaffe is half-way competent Canada should be Okay during the initial phases of the War provided that the US generalship remains abysmal in TTL.

Sheaffe won't be getting off easy, but he won't be made into a big failure. His main problem will be early on letting Prevost and the civil government tie his hands, which will allow even the incompetent early US generals to do ok. And that will lead to very bad things for everyone.

 

[Schroederfgson]

It seems that this may lead to the succesful military invasions of canada, such as Windsor (or at the time sandwich) for a longer time than a month, although they still might be expelled either by treaty after a long stalemate or by eventual victory by the british. And also a possibility is that the length of the war leads to the HMS St. Lawrence http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_St._Lawrence_(1814) seeing real action and kicking ass and taking names

 

[Fearless Leader]

Sheaffe won't be getting off easy, but he won't be made into a big failure. His main problem will be early on letting Prevost and the civil government tie his hands, which will allow even the incompetent early US generals to do ok. And that will lead to very bad things for everyone.

That sounds about right, I look forward to seeing how it all plays out in your TL. I have some ideas on where you're taking this, but I don't want to inadvertently take the surprise reveal away from you, the author.

It seems that this may lead to the succesful military invasions of canada, such as Windsor (or at the time sandwich) for a longer time than a month, although they still might be expelled either by treaty after a long stalemate or by eventual victory by the british. And also a possibility is that the length of the war leads to the HMS St. Lawrence http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_St._Lawrence_(1814) seeing real action and kicking ass and taking names

I doubt the HMS St. Lawrence will be doing anything in TTL if James Yeo is still in command of the British Fleet on Lake Ontario. The man was completely unwilling to engage the Americans unless he had an overwhelming advantage. Had his American counterpart, Isaac Chauncey not felt exactly the same way, the Americans could have easily defeated the British in Upper Canada at almost any point in the war by cutting the vital supply line through the Great Lakes.

IMO the St. Lawrence was probably the best thing ever to happen to the Americans. Not only was she never used, but her construction sequestered away valuable resources that could have been much better used elsewhere. Indeed the preoccupation of the British navy with it's Lake Ontario Flotilla throughout the entire war allowed the Americans to win such decisive battles at Lake Erie and at Plattsburgh on Lake Champlain by a more even allocation of resources. Had even a fraction of the resources sent to build the St. Lawrence, gone to the construction of the flotilla on Lake Champlain instead, the war's course could've been radically altered. (Though one could make a case that Prevost's dithering at Plattsburgh doomed the British offensive more than the navy's failure...)

 

[Domoviye]

It seems that this may lead to the succesful military invasions of canada, such as Windsor (or at the time sandwich) for a longer time than a month, although they still might be expelled either by treaty after a long stalemate or by eventual victory by the british. And also a possibility is that the length of the war leads to the HMS St. Lawrence http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_St._Lawrence_(1814) seeing real action and kicking ass and taking names

I'm not sure how much naval action there will be, so I can't and won't say if the HMS St. Lawrence even gets built. As for the rest, well the invasions will be very different from OTL.

That sounds about right, I look forward to seeing how it all plays out in your TL. I have some ideas on where you're taking this, but I don't want to inadvertently take the surprise reveal away from you, the author.

If you want you can pm me some of those ideas, I know where I want to go but how I get there is liable to change. And don't worry about posting any potential spoilers I can roll with them, they also sometimes give me good ideas.

I doubt the HMS St. Lawrence will be doing anything in TTL if James Yeo is still in command of the British Fleet on Lake Ontario. The man was completely unwilling to engage the Americans unless he had an overwhelming advantage. Had his American counterpart, Isaac Chauncey not felt exactly the same way, the Americans could have easily defeated the British in Upper Canada at almost any point in the war by cutting the vital supply line through the Great Lakes.

IMO the St. Lawrence was probably the best thing ever to happen to the Americans. Not only was she never used, but her construction sequestered away valuable resources that could have been much better used elsewhere. Indeed the preoccupation of the British navy with it's Lake Ontario Flotilla throughout the entire war allowed the Americans to win such decisive battles at Lake Erie and at Plattsburgh on Lake Champlain by a more even allocation of resources. Had even a fraction of the resources sent to build the St. Lawrence, gone to the construction of the flotilla on Lake Champlain instead, the war's course could've been radically altered. (Though one could make a case that Prevost's dithering at Plattsburgh doomed the British offensive more than the navy's failure...)

When I first read about the dithering at Plattsburgh I developed an intense hatred from Prevost. Its died down since then, but he's not my favourite historical person.

 

[Domoviye]

Sir Roger Sheaffe walked into the office, his bicorne hat under his arm. The decor tried to be ornate, but it succeeded only by the standards of Upper Canada. The well polished candle sticks and statues, lace curtains and oil paintings were of top quality, yet compared to similar offices in Boston or London it was rather under-furnished and tiny. Still it was the office of one of the more important leaders in the colony, so Major-General Sheaffe walked to the large desk that dominated the room and stood at parade rest.

“Good afternoon Mr. Cartwright,” he said.

The old lawyer stood up, his dark black suit served to highlight the powdered white wig on his head. “Good afternoon General Sheaffe, please sit down,” Mr. Cartwright said, motioning to a comfortable chair in front of his desk.

The general sat down, shifting slightly in his tight red coat with its uncomfortable stiff collar. Cartwright's eyes lingered for a moment on the silver epaulette on his right shoulder, before dropping to the desk. The man looked ill at ease, which was judging by the few times Sheaffe had met the man not a common state of mind.

“General, how has your inspection of the militia's gone?” Cartwright finally asked.

Sheaffe frowned, “Not as well as I would like, but near to what I expected sir. Many of the volunteers seem to consider the militia a social club and treat it as such.”

“What would it take to improve them?”

“The volunteers need better weapons, more powder and shot for practice, more training, stricter discipline, and most important of all the militia's need to be drastically expanded,” Sheaffe responded promptly.
Cartwright shook his head. “It can't happen. The legislative council has discussed these issues and asked me to tell you their decisions,” he said, picking up a piece of paper. “In regards to increasing funding for the militia, the council believes the current amount is satisfactory. In regards to increasing the training time and enforcing stricter discipline, they believe it would force many of the volunteers to leave the militias destroying their usefulness in defence of the colony. In regards to increasing the size of the militia, the council believes it would risk antagonizing the United States as well as forcing an unreasonable expense on the colony at this time.”

“Sir, the council cannot be serious. The Americans are discussing going to war right now, the colony must be defended or it will be lost. How am I suppose to defend the colony with untrained militia and a mere 4000 soldiers?” he asked.

“General Sheaffe, I agree with you. I am no longer an official member of the council, but I argued with them for the last several weeks. Half of the recent arrivals are bloody Americans seeking free land. Their leaders and newspapers are talking about some kind of manifest destiny that seems to involve forcing everyone from their homes a second time. We have enemies, supporters of anarchy, within and without Upper Canada, and my colleagues and your commander can't seem to understand this,” he said bitterly.

“I've just invested a large part of my money into the local militia, and I'm going to take a more active part in it as well, General. A few of my partners and colleagues feel the same way and will do the same. Please write a full report on what you require and we will do what we can to make sure that when these anarchists attack we are ready to face them.”

Major-General Sheaffe stood up, “Thank you sir. I will have the report for you by the end of the week. With your support I am sure we will prevail.”
“The Americans forced me from my home once, they will not do so again while I have breathe in my body. Please come to my home for supper tonight, my entire family would be honoured to have you.”
**

The latter half of 1811 saw Major-General Sheaffe desperately traveling throughout Upper Canada trying to prepare it for the coming war. Unfortunately few people thought that a war was possible, and many of those that did see it coming thought it could be avoided if they didn't provoke the US.

As the Legislative Council, mainly made up of business owners, saw it, Upper Canada and the United States of America had extensive trade relations. This combined with the massive amount of trade between Britain and the US made it economically implausible that there would be a war.
Sir George Prevost, Governor in Chief of British North America, thought that a war could break out and feared that if it did much of the BNA would be lost. He believed that if the American's weren't provoked cooler heads would be able to reach an agreement. This view was popular with the civilian leaders and helped the anti-war supporters push their views.

General Sheaffe found his hands tied at almost all levels. When he requested that the militia be expanded and improved, funds were not available and his requests for changes in the structure and standards of the militia were denied. When he requested more regular troops be made available he received 1000 more, but they were under strict orders to remain at York as defenders. Only an order from Prevost would allow them to move. Money for improving forts along the border were denied, although a large amount of supplies and money was made available for forts around York and throughout Lower Canada.

By October 1811, Sheaffe was writing in his correspondence to close friends that most of Upper Canada had been effectively written off by his military and civilian superiors.

However there were some bright spots. A few influential business leaders supported Sheaffe. Led by the lawyer and former Upper Canada council member Richard Cartwright, these militia officers and business men provided thousands of pounds to their militias for uniforms, supplies and weapons. They also surreptitiously provided Sheaffe loans to improve some of the forts along the Niagara River.

This support gave Sheaffe and Upper Canada some hope of surviving the war they feared would come all too soon.

 

[Plumber]

Is this dead?

 

[The Ubbergeek]

What will happens to Lower Canada, I wonder now... Bad things for my Alt-ancestors, I foresees...

 

[Darth_Kiryan]

Dark Canada. Intriguing.

*reads first post*

Boo-yeah! Definitely interesting.

 

[Domoviye]

I actually did something stupid when I posted this due to depression. I posted it two days before leaving on a well deserved vacation back home that lasted most of August, and before I had properly thought it out.
I will be continuing this as well as my other TL's and things, I may even resurrect a few that are very dead, sometime in the next week. But it may be a bit spotty, big and good changes are happening in my life right now. About bloody time to.

 

[Domoviye]

The American-Confederacy War

Fort Amherstburg
September, 1811

Tecumseh walked towards fort Amherstburg with his followers, his heart and mind heavy with worry. For the last several months he had heard stories and rumours that the British had moved troops eastward, allowing their forts and patrols along the border wither. For the last month Indians had been refused guns and gunpowder at gift giving ceremonies. The Indian agents who had been pressing him and other Indian leaders to stand up to the Americans had suddenly become more circumspect in their exhortations, and apologetic over their lack of weapons.
He needed to see with his own eyes if the British could help his people.
The fort showed him all that he needed to see. A mere twenty soldiers could be seen, standing despondently at attention, or wandering aimlessly with worn out boots and rusty guns. A single cannon pointed towards the road, unmanned. The ditch itself was so full of mud and dirt it could be walked across with no great difficulty. He curled his lip in disgust.
A delegation led by Matthew Elliot came out of the fort, Tecumseh stopped forcing them to come to him. As they arrived Tecumseh raised his hand to prevent them speaking.
“Elliot,” he said in his own language, “tell your Chiefs that when they are ready to fight they can come find me and my people. Their fort and their soldiers tell me they have not the the will or spirit to fight the Americans. So we will go and deal with the Americans as best we can and ask for no help from the British until you come and offer it.”
Elliot tried to speak, but Tecumseh had already turned away. He and his followers walked back down the road alone.

**
Prophets Town
November 8, 1811

Tecumseh wandered through the burnt remnants of the American camp, surrounded by wailing laments and shouts of victory, the scalp of Governor Harrison hung from his belt. He didn't smile in his victory, his brother was dead and his warriors had been badly mauled, yet he took pride in the fact that they hadn't retreated from the Americans and that only a small handful of the attackers escaped.
He knew that what he did next would mean the survival or death of his people, after this battle the Americans would go on the warpath, to avenge their soldiers and their governor they had no choice. The winter would slow them down, he had until the spring thaw to prepare and not a moment longer.

**

After years of rallying against the Americans with significant support from the British 1811 was a severe blow to Tecumseh and his followers. Under orders from Sir George Prevost the Indian Agents had been forced to stop supplying the Indians with weapons, powder and ammunition. They were also forced to stop trying to rally the Indians against the Americans. This did help lower the tension between Britain and the US, but it had gone on for so long that these measures were largely seen as too little, too late.
Without the backing of the British, Tecumseh and others like him found the neutral and uncertain Indian tribes becoming more pro-American, at least openly. Despite his efforts throughout mid-1811, he was largely ignored or opposed when he spoke out against the Americans. Rather than heading south as he planned he travelled north into Upper Canada to see if the British would provide support.
Upon visiting Fort Amherstburg and seeing the depleted ranks of gutter scrapings left there, he gave up hope that the British would be of any help. Returning to Prophets Town he tried to rally his supporters and keep the Americans off his back a little while longer.
Indian Territory Governor Harrison seeing how the Indians were vacillating, and Tecumseh's obvious attempts to buy time led 1000 men to Prophets Town as a show of force. Starting on the 6th of November, he and Tecumseh spoke at lengths in a vain attempt to keep the peace. While this was occurring several hundred Indian warriors rushed to Prophets Town in support of the Confederacy. On the morning of the 10th, Tecumseh's brother Tenskwatawa, led a small group to the American camp in an idiotic attempt to kill the governor, it failed when they were spotted just inside the camp. They were killed quickly, but the shooting was heard by Tecumseh's warriors.
A hasty and unplanned battle erupted. In the chaos Tecumseh's forces were able to defeat the Americans largely through weight of numbers. The few Americans who escaped were hunted down through the thick woods and slaughtered.
It took over a month before anyone in the US knew what had happened, and even longer before Washington heard the news. With the lack of roads, and the heavy winter snow President Madison ordered preparations for a Spring offensive.
Tecumseh knew that his confederation wasn't strong enough to defeat the Americans, he sent runners to all the tribes along the frontier, and personally travelled south to the Five Civilized Tribes bearing the scalp of Governor Harrison.
With his victory many of the frontier tribes joined his confederacy, and even where they refused young warriors searching for glory joined his growing army.
In the South the 5 Civilized Tribes were neutral, but not hostile. They agreed the Americans were a problem, but didn't believe a war could be won. Some of the tribes did agree to secretly supply weapons and ammunition to Tecumseh's Confederacy, and several tribes among the Creek, led primarily by the Red Sticks agreed to go to war with the Confederacy.

Throughout the winter of 1811 and into 1812, the Northwest erupted in flames as settlements were raided and massacred, and militia attacked Indians on sight.

 

[farwalker]

Just got through this from you sig link.

Another quality TL Domoviye! I'm very curious to see just exactly how Canada becomes "dark"

 

[Domoviye]

Thanks.
I'm a little hung up on the next part, but I think I'll have something posted by Thursday.

 

[Domoviye]

York, November 18th

The Loyalist Army

Patrick Sullivan trudged through the snow, even in the middle of York the snow was deep this year. The streets were full of sleds and people trudging along on business, which suited Patrick just fine, he didn't want to look too conspicuous. He came to a large general store and stepped inside, taking a moment to stamp the snow of his boots and lower his scarf he headed straight to the counter.
“Lloyd,” he said to the old man behind the counter, trying to keep his voice under control. “I need to talk with you.”
“Eh,” the old man said. “What was that?”
“I need to talk to you,” Patrick said again.
“Oh its you Mr. Sullivan, lets go to my office. Peter take care of the store while I'm gone,” he told his son.
They slowly walked to the back office that was piled high with supplies, leaving just enough room for a small desk, two chairs, and a small pot bellied stove with a kettle on top. Lloyd motioned at the seat and took a moment to pour two cups of hot water from a kettle. Handing one cup to Patrick he sat down with a relieved sigh.
“Lloyd, what were you telling John earlier about needing another 100 pounds?” the younger man asked immediately.
“Do you know how many guns and powder you want? That is expensive, I need more money.”
“We agreed on 500 pounds for all the guns and powder, you can't change the deal we agreed to.”
Lloyd leaned forward, “Have you heard what Prevost has done, now that the Indians are on the warpath?”
“Yes, he's passed a law ensuring that no guns or powder are sold to the Indians. Do I look like a bloody savage to you?” Patrick almost yelled.
“Well that law makes it so that if I buy a lot of guns, I'll have the red coats all over my store looking at my books. You don't want them to find out about your private little militia, do you?” the old man asked. Patrick didn't answer. “I thought not. If they find out about your Loyalist Army, they'll throw you in jail to make nice with the Americans. And I'll be right beside you.”
“So you need a hundred extra pounds to keep your mouth shut?” Patrick asked.
“No, I support you. If the American's get all the way up here, they'll probably burn down half of York and me with it,” he said. “I need the extra money as bribes, so that no one finds out what we're doing.”
Patrick sighed, “That's going to be difficult.”
“If I can't get the money, we'll probably get caught.”
“Fine, I'll talk to some people and get it by next week,” he scowled. “I'll have to remind most of them how we waited too long to fight during the bloody revolution, so we lost everything, but I'll get it.”
“Good once I have the money I can have the guns shipped from Quebec City, and they'll be here by late March. The powders easier you can have that by December.” Lloyd stood up to bid Patrick farewell. “Oh I almost forgot, my son would like to know when the next meeting is?”
“Next Tuesday at the Kings' Inn, he wants to join?” Patrick asked.
“Yes he does. He heard that poem about protecting the Northern Maiden and now has his heart set on being a soldier. He thinks that being a simple merchant isn't glorious enough,” the old man shook his head and rolled his eyes.
“He's more than welcome to help out. Maybe we can finally get a fair price from you,” Patrick said.
“Never happen,” Lloyd replied quickly.

***

In Upper Canada, many of the Loyalists and especially their children were becoming increasingly worried about the threats and noise coming from the United States. A number of them remembered or had heard stories about how the Loyalists during the American Revolution had waited several months before moving to support the British. As they watched Governer General Prevost attempts to mollify the US they feared that the British would not and could not defend them.
Supported by such notables as Mr. Cartwright, Thomas Talbot and Augustus Baldwin, this group believed that the British militia was poorly run, trained and equipped. Rather than join it, they formed a shadow militia. Buying a large quantity of guns, powder and shot, they trained in small groups in the wilderness under supervision of properly trained and vetted militia officers.
One unknown member of the group wrote several poems and songs during the winter of 1811 comparing Upper Canada to a northern maiden, who had caught the eye of a southern fiend. Only the forthright actions of strong, young men could protect her from a horrible fate. These became quite popular and spread throughout the colony.
When the war did occur, the Loyalist Army numbered about 1,000 semi-trained members, spread throughout the colony.

 

[Domoviye]

Prepare for Warand Hope for Peace

Washington, December 27th

President Madison read the report on his desk, it had taken almost two months to reach him from the territories. Yet he had known for almost a week what it contained. The rumours had spread throughout the states as the reported wended it way to his desk. The papers were calling it a massacre, and they were demanding action against the Indians and their British ally.
Silently, he wondered what the fool Harrison thought he could accomplish, by visiting the Indian village. He also wondered how the man could be caught unaware by the Indians.
Now he had to find some way to solve the problem. It should have been left to the territories and the states, it wasn't the federal governments job. Yet due to the bungling people expected him to solve it.
He turned to William Eustis, the Secretary of War. “Eustis do we have the men to guard the border, and attack Tecumseh's people?” he asked.
Eustis answered immediately, “If we can get some support from the militia the army is more than ready to do so. The Indians can't number more than a few hundred, they obviously caught the governor by surprise probably after signing a peace treaty. And the British are busy fighting Napoleon so we don't need to worry about them.”
“What about the British supplying the Indians, Munroe?” the President asked.
The Secretary of State thought for a few moments before answering. “Honestly I don't think the British are supplying the Indians with anything. Sir Prevost has apparently cut off all trade with the Indians in an attempt to avoid a war.”
Madison smiled thinly, “If only the rest of the British government acted so properly. Still the people and papers are blaming the British for the massacre, if we don't look strong we'll lose our support. Could we use the threat of the British to get some more men on the militia?”
Eustis nodded his head, “That could work. We could let the militia do most of the Indian fighting, while the army guards the border.”
“The frontier is more of a state problem than a federal concern,” Madison said. “Lets prepare a speech and some articles for the papers. We'll talk about how we must defend the country against the British, and put fear into the Indians. Let's emphasis a defensive stand against the British, that may make the British realize we are serious without risking a war.”
The three men began planning their strategy.

***

The government of the United States was in a serious predicament, with the British impeding trade, impressing sailors, and initially supporting the Indians, many citizens were extremely angry and demanding war. Yet the US attempts to end the British provocations had ended in failure and made a number of citizens especially in New England angry at the federal government.
Added to this was the expansionism of various states and territories that saw Upper Canada as a worthy addition, and the US was a pot about ready to boil over.
The massacre of Governor Harrison, and the subsequent Indian War throughout the Northwest brought this to a head.
Despite attempts by Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost, who cut off most trade with the Indians, this was largely ignored by the public and papers, except in certain parts of New England. While President Madison realized that the General was trying his best, he felt forced by circumstance to ignore it and play up the British role in the Indian War.
The presidents subsequent round of speeches to drum up support for the militia's worked wonderfully. Men from the Southern and Central states, as well as the frontier flocked to the flag mostly signing up for 90 day tours. It worked so well in fact, that many were turned away due to lack of weapons.
However there was a flaw. The main intention of the speeches was to fight the Indians and show the British that things were getting out of hand. The British government, more concerned with Napoleon, focused on the parts of the speech that spoke of defending the US borders against all comers. To the British this meant the USA wouldn't attack except in defence. With the British no longer supporting the Indians, they believed everything was fine and peace would reign in America.
As events would show, this belief would lead to war.

 

[Domoviye]

Sorry about the late update, I had writers block.
Comments and criticism's, especially criticism's are welcome and expected.