yself egregiously mistaken in my
calculations.

The many doubtful characters in the militia made me anxious to
introduce the oath of abjuration into the bill: there were
twenty members in the house, when this highly important
measure was lost by the casting voice of the chairman.

The great influence which the numerous settlers from the
United States possess over the decisions of the lower house is
truly alarming, and ought immediately, by every practical
means, to be diminished. To give encouragement to real
subjects to settle in this province, can alone remove the
evil. The consideration of the fees should not stand in the
way of such a politic arrangement; and should your excellency
ultimately determine to promise some of the waste lands of the
crown to such Scotch emigrants as enlist in the Glengary
Fencibles, I have no hesitation in recommending, in the
strongest manner, the raising of a Canadian corps upon similar
offers, to be hereafter disbanded and distributed among their
countrymen in the vicinity of Amherstburg. Colonel M'Donnell
being in full possession of my sentiments on this subject, I
beg leave to refer your excellency to him for further
information.

The bill for the suspension of the habeas corpus, I regret to
say, was likewise lost by a very trifling majority. A strong
sentiment now prevails that war is not likely to occur with
the United States, which, I believe, tended to influence the
votes of the members; I mean of such who, though honest, are
by their ignorance easily betrayed into error.

The low ebb of their finances appears to stagger the most
desperate democrats in the States, and may possibly delay the
commencement of direct hostilities; but should France and
England continue the contest much longer, it appears to me
absolutely impossible for the United States to avoid making
their election; and the unfriendly disposition they have for
some years past evinced towards England, leaves little doubt
as to their choice. Your excellency, I am sensible, will
excuse the freedom with which I deliver my sentiments.

Every day hostilities are retarded, the greater the
difficulties we shall have to encounter. The Americans are at
this moment busily employed in raising six companies of
Rangers, for the express purpose of overawing the Indi