you,
with the sincerest good wishes for your health and happiness.
Mrs. Baynes has been plotting with Mrs. Colonel Robertson to
elope and pay you a visit, pressing Heriot[47] into their
service as their knight errant.

_Major-General Brock to Lieut.-Colonel Nichol, Commanding 2d Regiment
Norfolk Militia._

YORK, April 8, 1812.

The power which is vested in the person administering the
government, by the amended act of the militia, passed the last
session of the provincial parliament, of forming two flank
companies, to be taken indiscriminately from the battalions,
being limited to the end of the ensuing session, would almost
deter me from incurring public expense upon a system which
will cease to operate before its utility and efficacy can well
be ascertained.

But being anxious at this important crisis to organize an
armed force with a view of meeting future exigencies, and to
demonstrate by practical experience the degree of facility
with which the militia may be trained for service, I have to
request you to adopt immediate measures for forming and
completing, from among such men as voluntarily offer to serve,
two companies, not to exceed one captain, two subalterns, two
sergeants, one drummer, and thirty-five rank and file each, in
the regiment under your command.

You will have the goodness to recommend two captains, whom
you conceive the best qualified to undertake this important
duty; the nominating of the subalterns is left to your
discretion.

Such other regiments as are conveniently situated to receive
military instruction, shall have an opportunity afforded them
of shewing their ardour in the public service, which cannot
fail of creating a laudable emulation among the different
corps.

Assisted by your zeal, prudence, and intelligence, I entertain
the pleasing hope of meeting with very considerable success,
and of being able to establish the sound policy of rendering
permanent to the end of the present war, a mode of military
instruction little burdensome to individuals, and every way
calculated to secure a powerful internal defence against
hostile aggression.

Printed rules and regulations, for your future guidance, are
herewith forwarded: the most simple, and at the same time the
most useful, movements have been selected for the p