XXXIV ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



mainly U. E. Loyalists and their descendants, and asked them if \they 

 would stand by him and follow him anywhere in the Province, or out 

 of it, in its defence. They responded to hig appeal with enthusiasm, 

 and agreed to follow him anywhere. He then boldly faced the difficulty. 

 He called his executive council together on the 3rd August, 1812, and 

 gave them his views upon the situation, and the action which he pro- 

 posed to take. This minute, which he laid before his council, gives 

 such a vivid picture of his difficulties that I quote it in full : 



"•That the House of Assembly, instead of prompt exertions to 

 strengthen his hands for the government of the militia, providing for 

 security from internal treason by the partial suspension of the Habeas 

 Corpus Act, authorizing a partial exercise of martial law concurrently 

 with the ordinary course of justice, and placing at his disposal the 

 funds not actually applied of the past appropriation, had consumed 

 eight days in carrying a single measure of party, the repeal of the 

 School Bill, and passing an Act for the public disclosure of treasonable 

 practices before the magistrates should have the power to commit 

 without bail. That under these circumstances little could be expected 

 from a prolonged session. The enemy had invaded and taken post in 

 the Western district, was multiplying daily his preparations to invade 

 in others, that the militia in a perfect state of insfubordination, had 

 withdrawn from the ranks in actual service, had refused to march 

 when legally commanded, to reinforce a detachment of regular forces 

 for the relief of Amherstburg, had insulted their officers, and some 

 not immediately embodied had manifested in many instances a treason- 

 able spirit of mutiny and disaffection. That the Indians on Grand 

 River, tampered with by disaffected whites, had withdrawn from their 

 volunteer services, and declared for a neutrality, which was equally 

 inadmissible as with the King's other subjects. That in the Western 

 and London districts several persons had negotiated with the enemy's 

 commander, hailing his arrival and pledging their soipport. That the 

 King's forces consisted of the 41st, 900 strong, part of the Royal New- 

 foundland, 200, with a detachment of Royal Artillery and several 

 vessels. That the extent of coast and distance of prominent parts would 

 divide that force to support and countenance the militia. That the 

 conduct of the Western militia had exposed the regulars at Amherstburg 

 and he had made a large detachment of the 41st with militia from the 

 Home and Niagara districts. That the Commandant at St. Joseph's 

 had taken Mackinac, and might descend to Amherstburg and compel 

 the invaders to retreat, with the aid of the detachment now on the march 

 to Long Point, but that no good result could be expected unless he had 

 power to restrain the militia and general population from treasonable 



