f troops in our
neighbourhood as yet; the flank companies, embodied under
Colonel Young, are on their march, and the 2,000 militia will
form a chain of posts from St. John's to La Prairie. The town
militia of this and Quebec, to the amount of 3,000 in each
city, have volunteered being embodied and drilled, and will
take their proportion of garrison duty to relieve the troops.
The proclamation for declaring martial law is prepared, and
will be speedily issued. All aliens will be required to take
the oath of allegiance, or immediately quit the province. Our
cash is at its last issue, and a substitute of paper must per
force be resorted to. This has been Sir George's principal
object in calling the legislature together. You have a very
arduous and difficult card to play, and have our sincere and
confident wishes for your success. Sir George strongly
recommends extreme moderation in the use of the Indians, and
to keep them in control as much as possible.

[This letter contains the details of a large and armed assembly at La
Chine, near Montreal, of French Canadians, who refused to serve in the
embodied militia. They were dispersed by the light company of the 49th,
and a detachment of artillery with two field pieces, under the command
of Major Plenderleath, of the 49th, but not before one Canadian was
killed and another dangerously wounded.]

_Sir George Prevost to Major-General Brock_.

MONTREAL, July 7, 1812.

It was only on my arrival at Montreal that I received Mr.
Foster's notification of the congress of the United States
having declared war against Great Britain; the fact had been
previously ascertained through mercantile channels.

I am convinced you have acted wisely in abstaining from
offensive operations, which in their effect might have united
a people governed by public opinion, and among whom too much
division exists, at this moment, to admit of its influence in
promoting vigorous measures against us.

The manner of the flank companies of militia turning out must
have been very satisfactory to you. I hope your supplies of
ordnance and ordnance stores, on their way from Kingston, have
arrived safe.

I have caused arms, accoutrements and ammunition, to be
forwarded for the use of the Cornwall, Stormont, and Dundas
battalions of militia. Camp equipage for 500 men shall be s