r in the United States--to
have had a considerable amount of small arms of a good and efficient
description. I have not heard of their possessing any artillery, and I
am informed that they were deficient in the supplies of ammunition and
totally destitute of all the other equipments of an organized force.
They appear to have relied very much on assistance from the inhabitants
of the Province, as the force which invaded Fort Erie brought with
them--as I am told--a large quantity of spare arms to put in the hands
of their sympathizers whom they expected to join them. I have in
my former despatches noticed the measures which were adopted by
the Provincial Government in order to place at the disposal of the
Lieutenant-General commanding Her Majesty's forces, the Provincial
resources available for defence, both by land and water. The reports of
the officers of the army and volunteers, which I transmit, will acquaint
you with the manner in which these means were used by the officers in
command. I am happy to be able to bear my tribute to the energy and good
faith exhibited by the American Government and its officials in checking
all infractions of international obligations on the part of any portion
of its citizens from the moment that it became evident that an
invasion of the Province by the Fenians had actually taken place.
The determination of the Government of the United States to stop the
transportation of men and supplies to the places of assembly, rendered
even the temporary success on the part of the Fenians impossible; while
the large forces which the Lieutenant-General commanding was able
to concentrate at each of the points threatened, had the effect of
deterring from an attack the portion of the conspirators who had already
arrived at their places of rendezvous. No invasion in force occurred
except at Fort Erie. A slight incursion took place at a place called
St. Armand, about thirteen miles from St. John's, on the borders of
the County of Missisquoi, which ended in the capture of about sixteen
prisoners, without any loss on our side.

The latest accounts I have received announced that the men who had
congregated at the different points of assembly were being transmitted
to their homes at the expense of the Government of the United States,
most of the leaders having been arrested and held to bail to answer for
their conduct.

Although I deplore the loss which the Volunteer Force suffered when
engaged on the 2nd