[coyNE] THE TALBOT PAPERS 151 
The following letter is copied from the original, in the Askin 
collection, now in the Archives at Ottawa. For the copy the editor is 
indebted to Mrs. J. H. Wilson of St. Thomas. 
Talbot to Major General Brock. 
Archives: Askin Collection. 
Oxford Monday 27th July 1812. 
My dear General 
I arrived at this place this morning from Long Point where I had 
been two days, one spent in endeavouring to secure 100 Volunteers from 
the Norfolk Militia and I am sorry to inform you that notwithstanding 
the apparent readiness manifested by the Flank Companies of those 
Battns. on former occasions, that when it was understood that the men 
required, were absolutely to proceed to The River Thames, very few 
turned out for that service, after much explanation of the expectations 
of the Government and the disgrace that would attend their Regts. 
T made out about 60 men, I then ballotted 40 more and ordered the 
detachment to march to join Major Chambers? as yesterday morning— 
When I reached the ground from whence the Detachment was to march. 
J found a large assembly of the Farmers with their women, who upon 
my approach addressed me, by declaring that their men should not 
march, upon this I enquired, if there were any Magistrates present, 
the answer was, several, I required one to come forward, on which Mr. 
Bemer * appeared, I asked him, how he as a Magistrate could permit 
such proceedings, he offered no excuse, but said that he conceived the 
measure of withdrawing any of the Militia from Long point was highly 
improper. JI then ordered the party to march, when about a half 
obeyed and after proceeding a short distance the men fell out, all but 
about 20, who continued their march, and even those few appeared 
unwilling, I therefore thought it most prudent to allow those few to 
return as I could not flatter myself with any material benefit that could 
result from their weak and uncertain assistance. Major Salmon who 
was present, I directed to proceed to Head Quarters and state the cir- 


*He had been directed by General Brock to proceed with 50 men of the 
41st Regiment to the Moravian town, where 200 militia were directed to join 
him, for the purpose of checking the inroads of the enemy along the Thames. 
Major Salmon was to command these militiamen. *(See Cruikshank, Doc. 
Hist., Part 3, page 138.) 
*John Beemer, born in New Jersey, 1762, came to Upper Canada, 1787, 
settled in the township of Townsend, Norfolk county, in 1797; justice of the 
peace, 1800; ensign in 2nd Norfolk Militia, 1812; captured by the U. S. troops 
in McArthur’s raid; died, 1848. (See Owen: Pioneer Sketches of the Long Point 
Settlement.) 
