236 On the Correspondence of Governor D. D. Tompkins. 



September 29, 1814. 

 To Secretary of State and War, James Monbob: 



* * * For the defense of the city of New York, I have exerted 

 myself to the utmost. Fully 15,000 of the militia of this State, about 

 one thousand sea fencibles organized under State authority are now in 

 service in the third militia district. These with Commodore Decatur's 

 command, the regulars, sea fencibles of the United States, Jersey 

 militia, corps of exempts, and neighboring militia left in reserve, will 

 if well disciplined and commanded be adequate to the defense of N. 



Nearly 25,000 of the militia of the State are now in the service of 

 the U. S. It is ;i herculean task, at a busy season of the year, 

 and without funds in the hands of any of your quarter-masters, and 

 without any authority or control over the district departments, to get 

 out, transport and equip at various and remote points so large a body 

 of troops. * * * Permit me to say that every exertion will be 

 madeon mypart to comply with the future requisitions of the National 

 government to the full extent of my authority and resources. 



[Signed] D. D. TOMPKINS. 



On the third of October, 1814, Governor Tompkins writes in this 

 manly style to complain of President Madison that in his message to 

 Congress he had not mentioned the name of General Peter B. Porter. 

 He wrote to Jonathan Fisk, member of Congress thus:— " When I 

 inform you that General Porter raised his own corps at his own ex- 

 pense under desponding circumstances, the Niagara frontier having 

 just before been desolated, and there being when he began no prospect 

 of the assistance of a considerable regular force there; that the legisla- 

 ture had tied my hands so that I could only help him by commissions 

 and general orders; and he had no funds to recruit with — no bounty 

 money or allowance in lieu of clothing, and no pay beyond what regu- 

 lars received " 



"Besides all this he was odious to the federal party.... He sur- 

 mounted all these obstacles and raised a considerable force; and with 

 those he has distinguished himself in every action that has been 

 fought. * * * He opened the ball at Chippewa, went with Scott 

 to the shore of Lake Ontario, fought 'bravely at the battle of Bridge- 

 water,— at the attack upon Erie under Gaines, and in the late sortie 

 under Brown. * * * He has been twice wounded himself. Yet, 



