190 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
munication from you, in consequence of reports having been current 
that Genl. Proctor had obtained a complete and brilliant victory over 
Harrison, likewise accounts stating that the officers and Seamen had 
actually arrived at Kingston and that the most active exertions prevailed 
in the dock yard at that place, and as if good news was not to have 
an end, it was said that Sir George Prevost intended to assume the 
command in this Province, and was on his way up with a powerful 
reenforcement from the source, I have received the foregoing. I am 
in hourly expectation of having my anxiety relieved by a confirmation 
of those desirable events from you. As to the York affair, as yet, all 
my accounts of the disastrous and I fear, disgraceful, proceedings, 
attending its capture have been by fragments. The Governing Heads 
must have been in a state of Torpor, not to have made arrangements 
for securing the office papers. 
I will immediately attend to your instructions regarding the 
appointment of fit persons to be bearers of dispatches between myself 
and Major Hatt. Have the goodness to instruct me as to the pay of 
persons on express service. 
The Militia of the larger proportion of this District shew great 
promptness in turning out, but there is a part, The County of Oxford, 
that with a very few exceptions, is I am sorry to say, composed of a 
more violent and systematic band of Enemies than those that compose 
the American Army— Should Sir George reach the Lines with a strong 
Force I will recommend that all the Aliens should be sent out of the 
Province, with as little delay as possible, as they are indefatigable in 
spreading discord and alarm amongst the Inhabitants, and it would be 
a most salutary measure should circumstances admit, to send 100 or 
even 50 Regulars to be stationed at Turkey Point under an active and 
steady ollicer as the presence of such a force would create the necessary 
confidence in the well disposed and traitors would be intimidated into 
subordination. 
I have every difficulty in procuring a correct return of the arms 
distributed thro’ the District—the Militiamen have been so careless of 
their arms, the chief of such as were on duty during the last autumn 
and winter on the lines and deserted or ran home, left their arms 
behind him and others had orders from Col. Bishopp to deliver in 
their Arms on being dismissed from Fort Erie. T am able to account 
for 350 stand including the 100 which you ordered up lately. I should 
have 
Brigadier General Vincent 
&e. &e. &e. 
