66 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



After Mr. Ussher had played "God Save the Queen" on his Bugle, we 

 walked down to see the results. I examined the Boats carefully, but 

 no symptoms of a single bullet mark, out of the 200 fired on the 

 Occasion, convincing us, that the recruits must be better practised 

 in the art of Gunnery, before they attempted to cross over and pay 

 us a visit. 



These reconnoitering parties ceased soon afterwards, and a Coun- 

 cil of War was held as to the best course to pursue to dislodge the 

 Marauders. It was desirable, if possible, to spare the effusion of human 

 blood, and on this account, it was considered advisable to act on the 

 defensive, particularly as our reinforcements were numerous, and 

 detachments arriving daily from distant districts. The Jewish 

 Monarch declared formerly, that in the multitude of Councillors 

 there is safety: — Unfortunately however from there being too many, 

 the Country was harassed much longer with apprehensions of alarm 

 than was consistent with the general character of the British Nation. 

 This Indecision was afterwards a source of reproach by the American 

 Authorities, who considered that it was our duty to remove a lawless 

 band, who had taken possession of our soil, contrary to the existing 

 Treaty between the two Countries. — Colonel McNabb was of opinion 

 that the first shedding of blood by forcibly removing them, would 

 weigh but trifling in the scale of Contention and prevent numbers 

 afterwards falling a Sacrifice by the Sword, an Idea which was 

 looked upon by the most Intelligent Men as a moral Certainty: indeed 

 it was on the Eve of being accomplished, but afterwards Counter- 

 manded. — A plan of the Island was drawn by my friend Captain 

 Ussher and Myself, where every spit was marked, so intimately ac- 

 quainted were we with its location, from having gone over so frequent- 

 ly on shooting expeditions. This was forwarded to the Governor, 

 preparatory to his taking a circuit along the frontier. — 



Whilst the subject of attack was under Consideration, various 

 Magistrates assembled at Fort Erie in Council, who drew up a remon- 

 strance, signed by Mr. Merritt, chairman, requesting the Mayor and 

 Authorities at Buffalo to inform them whether the aggression com- 

 plained of were noticed by them, or in any way sanctioned, or 

 whether in reality, any preparations were making for hostilities — an 

 Event wherein there appeared some probability, from the circum- 

 stance of Drummers parading the streets of Buffalo on recruiting 

 Service. — 



Dr. Trowbridge, the Mayor, an Intelligent and highly reputable 

 Man, finding the enthusiasm of the people had gone beyond the power 

 of the Law to restrain their proceedings, resigned his situation in 



