[cRUIKSHANK] A STUDY OF DISAFFECTION IN UPPER CANADA 41 
the troops was concerned. This regulation continued in operation 
until rescinded by his successor, Lieut. General Drummond, on January 
25, 1814, when it had become evident that much discontent had been 
excited and he was led to believe that the necessity for its enforcement 
would cease as soon as the winter roads became established to enable 
the farmers to market their surplus produce.’ 
De Rottenburg’s administration became the subject of discussion 
in the Legislative Assembly and a resolution moved by Lieut. Colonel 
Livius P. Sherwood, the member for the County of Leeds, was adopted 
affirming ‘‘that the proclamation issued by Major General de Rottenburg 
as the officer commanding His Majesty’s forces in the province, dated 
at District Head Quarters, the 22nd day of November last at Kingston 
declaring martial law to be in force throughout the Johnstown and 
Eastern Districts as far as related to the procuring of provisions and 
forage, was and is arbitrary and unconstitutional and contrary to and 
subversive of the established laws of the land.” 
Meanwhile Drummond had become satisfied that, although there 
was an abundance of hay in the country about Kingston, the owners 
were withholding it from sale to obtain an exorbitant price, and that 
he must again resort to martial law to obtain a necessary supply. On 
his return from York after the prorogation of the Legislature about 
the end of March, he learned with dismay that only sixteen barrels of 
flour were in store for the subsistence of a garrison requiring a daily 
issue of five thousand rations, and he no longer hesitated to issue a 
proclamation to obtain the needful supplies to save his troops from 
starvation, giving, however, explicit instructions to the agents of the 
commissariat employed in collecting them, “to observe the greatest 
moderation and use their best endeavours to conciliate the people,” 
and directing the magistrates of each district, “in full assembly, to fix 
a fair price to be paid for every article furnished.” ? 
Early in February Lieut. Colonel Pearson, who was in command 
at Prescott, ascertained that trading licenses with the United States 
were being used to introduce agents of the enemy into “a strongly dis- 
affected part of the province, the Counties of Leeds and Grenville 
and township of Bastard, “through whom” constant intelligence is 
afforded the enemy of all our movements and military dispositions.” 
and immediate steps were taken by him to cancel these licenses and 
suppress this intercourse. A few days later two men, having in their 
possession one of these licenses, were arrested in an attempt to cross 

? Drummond to Bathurst, April 5, 1814. Can. Arch. G. 474, 
? Ibid. 
