ight be productive, at this juncture, of
considerable benefit.

I have likewise to request that such portion of clothing as
your excellency can conveniently spare from the king's stores,
may be forwarded, to enable me to clothe such companies as are
the most likely to be called upon duty.

I am anxious to hear the real object of the embargo; should it
be directed solely against England, the probability is that it
leads to a war; but should France be included in its
operation, nothing of the kind need be dreaded.

In the expectation of having the honor of seeing your
excellency shortly at York, I limit, for the present, the
works of the military artificers at this place, to preparing a
temporary magazine for the reception of the spare powder at
Fort George and Kingston, and the excavation of the ditch for
the proposed fortifications of the spot on which the
government house stands.

I transmit, for your excellency's perusal, a detailed account
of the transactions which led to the unjustifiable censure
passed by the house of assembly upon Chief Justice Scott. It
is written by Mr. Nichol himself; and the warmth with which he
has expressed his indignation at the wanton exercise of a
power yet undefined, as far as regards this province, is not
therefore surprising. I am convinced that whenever the
business is brought legally before the judges, they will
refuse to sanction the enormous power, under the name of
privilege, which the house arrogates to itself. The executive
will in that case be placed in a very awkward predicament: Mr.
Nichol having commenced civil actions against the speaker and
sergeant at arms for false imprisonment, will, should he
succeed in obtaining damages, bring the question with double
force on the _tapis_. The violence and ignorance which, in all
probability, will mark the proceedings of the house, cannot
fail of producing a dissolution. I apply forcibly to ministers
for instructions, but should they be contrary to the opinion
which the judges of the court of king's bench have formed of
the law, I am led to believe they will not influence the
members; therefore, one of two alternatives must be resorted
to, either the appointment of more docile judges, or the
decision of the question by a British act of parliament. I
trust, for the tranqu