[CRUIKSHANK] A STUDY OF DISAFFECTION IN UPPER CANADA 31 
jects but aware that in your situation it might not be thought expedient 
to promulgate the same but placing implicit confidence in your dis- 
cretion and ability, we would humbly presume to advise that you take 
upon yourself to adopt such measures as in your judgment would tend 
best to the defence of the country and in the exercise of such measures 
should individuals find a more rigid system adopted than in calmer & 
better times might be complained of, yet the necessity of such must 
now be apparent to all & the agent meet deservedly with His Sovereign’s 
approbation and indemnity from a discerning public. 
“Should eventually contingencies occur which might expose you 
individually to animadversion from such measures, we pledge our- 
selves upon all occasions hereafter to come forward and defend the 
necessity thereof and we hesitate not to say we will jointly and indi- 
vidually be responsible for any pecuniary deterioration your private 
resources may sustain thereby. ”! 
Vincent like his predecessors in the command shrunk from the 
serious responsibility of governing the district by martial law, although 
ten days later he stated that he could neither report favourably of the 
number nor willing co-operation of the militia and that “desertion 
beyond all conception continued to mark their indifference” ; but added 
that he believed if adequate reinforcements of regular troops were re- 
ceived many of those who were wavering would rally for the defence of 
province.” 
Writing about the same time from Dover Mills in the county of 
Norfolk, Colonel Talbot reported that the greater part of the militia of 
the London District had turned out promptly; but asserted that “there 
is a part of the County of Oxford that with a very few exceptions are 
composed of a more violent and systematic band that those who compose 
the American army.” He recommended that all aliens should be 
sent out of the province as they were “indefatigable in spreading discord 
among the inhabitants.” 
A week after he took possession of Niagara General Dearborn re- 
ported that numbers of the inhabitants of the surrounding country 
had come voluntarily into his camp to give their paroles. “A large 
majority are friendly to the United States,” he asserted, “and fixed in 
their hatred to the Government of Great Britain.” 4 
‘ Address to General Vincent signed by W. Dickson, Jas. Crooks, John Sym- 
ington, R. Nichol, Thos. Dickson, A. McDonell, J. Powell, Jos. Edwards, A. Cameron, 
Robt. Campbell, Amos Chapman, 8. Street, T. Cummings, T. Clark, D. Secord, 
George Turney and Robt. Grant. 
? Vincent to Prevost, May 19, 1813. Can. Arch. C 678, p. 301. 
3 Talbot to Vincent, May 18, 1813. 
* Dearborn to the Secretary of War, June 3, 1813. 
