A Force In The Michigan Territory

From Notices of the War of 1812 by John Armstrong:

"AMONG the measures of precaution taken by the Government of the United States, previously to their declaration of war, was that 'of placing within the Michigan Territory, a force that should be competent to the defence of the north-western frontier against Indian hostility; and which in the event of a rupture with Great Britain, would enable the United States to obtain the command of Lake Erie; and with it, the means of more easily co-operating with such other corps, as might be destined to the invasion of the Canadas.'"