[COYNE] \ THE TALBOT PAPERS 149 
the miry ground begins on No. 8, which was run during a dry time of 
the year and the swamps did not appear so extensive as they are now 
found to be. On exploring to the Northward the land was discovered 
to be more elevated and altogether free of swamps; I therefore directed 
Mr. Burwell to lay the Road where it appears on the Plan. From the 
month of June 1811 till April last when I received a letter from the 
Surveyor Genl. I had not a doubt but that all my proceedings were 
clearly understood and approved of and permit me to add that the 
Road having acquired so much publickness that any check the settle- 
ment of it might receive would be attended with fatal affects to the 
advancement of this part of the Province, which I can assert has made 
more rapid progress in settlement and improvement within the space 
of the last two years, than any other portion of Upper Canada. 
T have the honor to be with due consideration of respect. 
Sir 
Your very obedient 
and most Humble Servant. 
THomas TALBOT. 
James Brock Esq 
Secretary &e. &e. &e. 
(Endorsed) 
23rd May 1812 
Colonel Talbot 
To 
Mr. Secretary Brock, on the subject of the Talbot Road. 
Lieut. Col. Nichol to Major Salmon.! 
Niagara June 28 1812. 
Le: ENT: 
Dear Salmon 
We have at last the printed intelligence of the Declaration of War 
and are now at work throwing up Batteries to attack Fort Niagara— 
our fire will commence tomorrow morning early and I hope that vefore 
dinner time we shall give a good account of it— Exert yourselt there- 

1Major George C. Salmon was an excellent officer and frequently men- 
tioned in despatches. He and Dr. Thomas Rolph, father of Hon. Dr. John 
Rolph, emigrated together from near Bristol, in England, in 1809. (Note by 
A. C. Casselman, in his edition of Richardson’s War of 1812). 
