t at Niagara. The
accounts which have reached me are not therefore so
satisfactory as could be wished. An idle boy is stated to have
wantonly fired with ball at the guard opposite Queenstown, and
it appears that the Americans were guilty of a similar outrage
by firing during the night into a room in which a woman was
sitting. Luckily no mischief followed. Being detained here
upon civil business, I have sent Captain Glegg over to see how
matters stand, and to arrange with both civil and military the
best means of preventing a recurrence of a practice which may
easily lead to serious consequences. I hope to be at Niagara
myself the day after to-morrow.

I beg leave to assure your excellency, that I receive with no
small degree of pride the praise bestowed on my endeavours to
improve the militia system of this province; and as the bill
underwent some alterations after the departure of Colonel
M'Donnell, particularly in limiting its operation to the end
of the ensuing session, I shall have the honor to forward for
your excellency's information the law as now enforced. I have,
by partial and gentle means, already commenced to give it
operation, and I make not the least doubt that a sufficient
number will be found ready to volunteer to complete the flank
companies; and I here beg leave to call your excellency's
attention to the clause which authorizes the training of the
flank companies six times in each month; but as no provision
is made for remunerating the men, I presume to submit for your
excellency's indulgent consideration, that the commissaries be
instructed to issue rations for the number actually present at
exercise. These companies I expect will be composed of the
best description of inhabitants, who in most cases will have
to go a great distance to attend parade; and, unless this
liberal provision be allowed, will be liable to heavy expense,
or be subject to considerable privations. According to my
present arrangements, the number embodied will not exceed 700,
and when the companies are completed throughout the province,
they must be calculated at 1,800; and, as during harvest and
the winter months few or no parades will take place, the total
expense attending the measure can be of no material
consequence in a pecuniary point of view, and may in a
political l