“You will be emancipated,” said the proclamation to the Canadians, “from tyranny and oppression, and restored to the dignified station of freemen.... I have a force which will break down all opposition, and that force is but the vanguard of a much greater.... The United States offer you peace, liberty, and security,--your choice lies between these and war, slavery, or destruction. Choose then; but choose wisely.”... This proclamation, dated July 12, was spread throughout the province with no small effect, although it contained an apparently unauthorized threat, that “no white man found fighting by the side of an Indian will be taken prisoner; instant death will be his lot.” The people of the western province were strongly American, and soon to the number of three hundred and sixty-seven, including deserters from the Malden garrison, sought protection in the American lines.[241] July 19 Hull described the situation in very hopeful terms:[242]-- “The army is encamped directly opposite to Detroit. The camp is entrenched. I am mounting the 24-pounders and making every preparation for the siege of Malden. The British force, which in numbers was superior to the American, including militia and Indians, is daily diminishing. Fifty or sixty (of the militia) have deserted daily since the American standard was displayed, and taken protection. They are now reduced to less than one hundred. In a day or two I expect the whole will desert. The Indian force is diminishing in the same proportion. I have now a large council of ten or twelve nations sitting at Brownstown, and I have no doubt but the result will be that they will remain neutral. The brig ‘Adams’ was launched on the 4th of July. I have removed her to Detroit under cover of the cannon, and shall have her finished and armed as soon as possible. We shall then have the command of the upper lakes.” To these statements Hull added a warning, which carried at least equal weight:-- “If you have not a force at Niagara, the whole force of the province will be directed against this army.... It is all important that Niagara should be invested. All our success will depend upon it.”