By July 5th, General Hull with his men had reached Detroit. Seven days later he crossed the river to Sandwich, losing on his way prisoners, baggage, stores, and private war-papers to Lieutenant Roulette of the British sloop _Hunter_. This capture was of the utmost importance, as it was the information gained from the seized papers that decided Brock to march directly against Hull. From Sandwich, the American general issued his famous proclamation, in which he promised “peace, liberty, and security” to the people of the province he had invaded, if they made no resistance, but “war, slavery, and destruction,” if they were hostile! Some of the people at Sandwich had welcomed the United States troops with open arms, but Amherstburg, Hull’s original goal, abandoned by him because of the presence of British ships and the strength of Fort Malden nearby, was not so openly treacherous. Desertions from the British troops were, however, becoming common, and indeed the effect of Hull’s proclamation on a certain part of the population was sufficient to cause alarm. Brock at once countered by the issue of a proclamation in which he pointed out that Great Britain was ready and willing to defend her subjects, whether white or Indian, at all time and places and further urged the folly of trusting to the promises of Hull. This proclamation, couched in plain but stirring language, had the desired effect in recalling the people to their senses! All this time Hull and his troops were spending their time plundering and pillaging the surrounding country. In the meantime Brock had called the Legislature to meet in extra session at York on July 27th. In opening the House he said: “When invaded by an enemy whose avowed object is the entire conquest of the province, the voice of loyalty, as well as of interest, calls aloud to every person in the sphere in which he is placed, to defend his country. Our militia have heard the voice and have obeyed it. They have evinced by the promptitude and loyalty of their conduct that they are worthy of the King whom they serve, and of the constitution which they enjoy; and it affords me particular satisfaction, that, while I address you as legislators, I speak to men who, in the day of danger, will be ready to assist not only with their counsel, but with their arms.” He concluded his address with the ringing words: “We are engaged in an awful and eventful conflict. By unanimity and despatch in our Councils, and by vigor in our operations, we may teach the enemy this lesson, that a country defended by _free_ men, enthusiastically devoted to the cause of their King and constitution, cannot be conquered.”