70
7. In order to provide for officers' ser- vants, &c. let the companies consist of 120 men, who, it is presumed, being generally stationary, and old soldiers of good character, might be easily managed by the ordinary number of officers to a company, and let the companies be concentrated as much as cir- cumstances will admit of.
8. The corps to be denominated “The Royal Canadian" " or " American Veteran."
The companies of the Veteran Batta- lion, consisting of 120 men, might, I am of opinion, be kept in good order by a captain and two subalterns.
The "Royal Canadian Veteran's" would,
I think, be the denomination preferred. With respect to the rate of pay it must be recollected that any good labourer in the Upper Province may obtain 38. per per day and his food.
If a lot of land should be granted to a soldier (100 acres) I should recommend that the gratuity proposed to be granted to him should be expended under the superintendence of an officer of the battalion, in erecting a house for his future residence, and in clearing for each a few acres, and that while he received rations he should be considered under the control of the superintendent, his actual residence on the lot being one of the conditions of his re- ceiving the grant, and also the gratuity. With the prospect of becoming a settler, soldiers Inight be induced to allow their pay to accumulate when at work.
Head Quarters, Sorel, 4th September, 1838.
My Lord,
No. 27.
(Signed)
J. COLBORNE. Commander of the Forces.
Sir J. Colborne to the Marquess of Normanby.
Government House,Montreal, April 16, 1899. I HAVE the honor to transmit to you the accompanying returus, Nos. 1. and 2., of the volunteer corps which have been employed during the winter in this province; and also a return of the reduced force which I have directed to be continued embodied after the 1st of May.
The outrages committed on the frontier of Rouville by American brigands, and refugees, and the encouragement which they receive from the patriots, as they are called, of the adjoining States, have occasioned so much alarm generally among the Canadian farmers near the border line, that it will be necessary to continue on per- manent duty a provincial force sufficient to form a connected chain of posts along the frontier from the Township of Stanstead to Missisquoi Bay and the Seigniory of Toucault, and from Lacolle, on the left bank of the Richelieu, to Hinchinbrook, and St. Regis.
With this view I have directed 750 Infantry, and 300 Cavalry, to be engaged for
one year's service.
The American Authorities now appear to be desirous of affording their assistance in preventing a repetition of Border outrages; and the officers of the United States' army stationed on the frontier, are vigilant and active in their pursuit of the parties of Brigands when they approach the Border Line.
I beg to transmit to your Lordship a copy of a letter which I have addressed to Sir George Arthur upon the subject of the future defensive measures which I think should be adopted in the Upper Province under existing circumstances. In this communication I have recommended the militia which were called out on an emergency to be disem. bodied; persuaded that at present there is no danger to be apprehended from the attempts to disturb the Colony which may be made by the Brigands reported to be organized in the neighbouring States.
The Marquess of Normanby,
I have, &c.
(Signed.)
J. COLBORNE.
Inclosure 1 in No. 27.
Sir,
Sir J. Colborne to Sir George Arthur.
Government House, Montreal, April 16, 1839.
I HAVE the honour to acquaint your Excellency, with reference to your con- fidential communication of the 19th ultimo, that I am persuaded that the corps of the militia of the Upper Province which have been compelled to serve ou permanent duty during the winter must necessarily Ire allowed to return to their homes, and that they may now be disembodied without exposing the frontier to any immediate danger from the movements of the associated Brigands of the adjoining States. concur with you in opinion that the hostile feeling of which we have had experience, appears to have in no respect abated among certain classes of the Citizens of the United States, and that the utmost vigilance is required on our part to counteract the projects of a vicious popu lation prepared to take advantage of any occurrence adverse to our interests or which may affect the tranquillity or welfare of the Colony.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.