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are exposed to temptations to abandon their flag which it is not surprising should, in numerous instances, be found too strong to be overcome.
In this state of things, what a change might be effected if your Lordship could venture upon the responsibility, in the existing state of the Province, to authorize as a parting boon in Her Majesty's name, a free ration to the soldier. Of course, your Lordship would only do this after conferring with the Commander of the Forces, and receiving his advice and recommendation; but, the responsibility of suggesting it I readily take upon myself. It may put an end to desertion, than which, nothing is more desirable.
I cannot avoid remarking the impetus that has been given to all the measures of these brigands, from the knowledge that has now been gained of the disallowance of your Lordship's ordinance relating to the prisoners in Lower Canada. The intelligence has been received with acclamation among all the conspirators against Canada, as a triumph over the Government of these provinces.
I have, &c.
To Earl Durham.
(Signed)
G. A. ARTHUR.
No. 23.
Sir George Arthur to Lord Glenelg
Government House, Toronto, October 31, 1838 My Lord,
WITH reference to my despatch, No. 78, of this date, I have the honour to inclose a general militia order, which notifies the amount of the sedentary militia force to be called out for the temporary defence of the province.
There is a great deficiency of good arms, and we have no supply of great coats, of clothing, bedding, or blankets, all of which must be purchased at a great expense.
I have already respectfully urged that there should be in Upper Canada a distinct branch of the commissariat department, and I am confident the public service suffers from the want of it exceedingly.
I also beg to inclose copy of a letter which I am on the point of despatching to Mr. Fox, in which I have drawn his attention to a possible, and even probable result of the employment of an armed naval force on Lake Eric and Lake Ontario,
This subject is of so much importance that Her Majesty's Government will most pro- bably deem it right to negociate upon it from London.
It may be that the American Government will announce, on Mr. Fox's representation, that no protection will be given to vessels employed by the brigands, but I scarcely expect it.
Nevertheless, the elections will be over in a few days in the States, and then the Government may possibly act with more decision in this matter.
To Lord Glenelg.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
GEO. ARTHUR,
Inclosure 2 in No. 23.
Sir,
Sir George Arthur to H. S. Fox, Esq.
Government House, Toronto, October 31, 1838,
1 HAVE the honour to acknowledge your Excellency's confidential communication of the 21st instant.
Since I last addressed your Excellency, I have continued to receive intelligence of the plans and proceedings of the conspirators, against this Government, resident within the boundaries of the United States, and I avail myself of this opportunity, to inclose the de- positions of three informers, and an extract from the letter of a very respectable inhabi- tant of the district of Niagara, whose partner in trade has recently visited Ohio.
In addition to the circumstances stated in these inclosures, I have learned that Smith, of Cleveland, the individual nominated for the presidency of the projected republic of Canada, recently made a tour through parts of this province and there is reason to believe, that a considerable number of French Canadians have been collected for hostile purposes on the southern side of Lake Erie.
Having daly reflected on all the facts which have been brought to light, I have thought it prudent to lose no time in placing the province in a state for repelling the threatened aggression, by calling a certain proportion of the militia into active service, and increasing the naval force on Lakes Erie and Ontario.
Besides the steamer experiment, which has been for some time employed on Lake Ontario, and the river St. Lawrence, Captain Sandom, who commands the royal navy on the Lakes, has chartered two other British steamers for this service, which he is about to arm. On Lake Erie, Captain Sandom purchased for the use of Government, last summer, an American steamer, which is now stationed near Amherstburg; and as there are no British steamers on those waters, it is intended that another American steam vessel of superior power and speed, shall be immediately chartered, and placed under the command of Captain Drew, for the protection of those parts of the Niagara and Talbot districts which border on Lake Erie.
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are exposed to temptations to abandon their flag which it is not surprising should, in numerous instances, be found too strong to be overcome.
In this state of things, what a change might be effected if your Lordship could venture upon the responsibility, in the existing state of the Province, to authorize as a parting boon in Her Majesty's name, a free ration to the soldier. Of course, your Lordship would only do this after conferring with the Commander of the Forces, and receiving his advice and recommendation; but, the responsibility of suggesting it I readily take upon myself. It may put an end to desertion, than which, nothing is more desirable.
I cannot avoid remarking the impetus that has been given to all the measures of these brigands, from the knowledge that has now been gained of the disallowance of your Lordship's ordinance relating to the prisoners in Lower Canada. The intelligence has been received with acclamation among all the conspirators against Canada, as a triumph over the Government of these provinces.
I have, &c.
To Earl Durham.
(Signed)
G. A. ARTHUR.
No. 23.
My Lord,
Sir George Arthur to Lord Glenelg,
Government House, Toronto, October 31, 1838
WITH reference to my despatch, No. 78, of this date, I have the honour to inclose a general militia order, which notifies the amount of the sedentary militia force to be called out for the temporary defence of the province.
There is a great deficiency of good arms, and we have no supply of great coats, of clothing, bedding, or blankets, all of which must be purchased at a great expense.
I have already respectfully urged that there should be in Upper Canada a distinct branch of the commissariat department, and I am confident the public service suffers from the want of it exceedingly.
I also beg to inclose copy of a letter which I am on the point of despatching to Mr. Fox, in which I have drawn his attention to a possible, and even probable result of the employment of an armed naval force on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
This subject is of so much importance that Her Majesty's Government will most pro- bably deem it right to negociate upon it from London.
It may be that the American Government will announce, on Mr. Fox's representation, that no protection will be given to vessels employed by the brigands, but I scarcely expect it.
Nevertheless, the elections will be over in a few days in the States, and then the Government may possibly act with more decision in this matter.
To Lord Glenelg,
I have, &c.
(Signed)
GEO. ARTHUR.
Inclosure 2 in No. 23.
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