o
their credit had they left out the allusion which has drawn
from Sir George a very appropriate retort. Your friend, James
Cuthbert, was very warm and eloquent upon the occasion, and
the demagogue party seemed sensible of the severity of his
satire, when he compared the factious cabal to AEsop's fable of
the ass kicking at the dying lion. Having vented their spleen,
they will, I believe, prove a little more tractable: the
militia bill has a prospect of being materially amended, and
they will, I think, allow a proportion of about 2,000 men, or
perhaps a few more, to be incorporated for two or three
months, for three successive years; after the second year to
be replaced by a new quota, and to be selected by ballot, and
no substitutes permitted to serve in the place of a militiaman
drawn by lot: this will be a great point gained.

_Major-General Brock to Colonel Baynes._

YORK, March 9, 1812.

I received yesterday your letter dated the 20th February, and
have to express my thanks to Sir George Prevost for his
readiness in attending to my wishes.

His excellency having been pleased to authorize the raising of
two companies under my superintendence, giving me the
nomination of the officers, I have to acquaint you, for his
information, that Alexander Roxburgh, Esq., has been appointed
by me to raise men for a company, and William M'Lean,
gentleman, for an ensigncy. The former is a gentleman strongly
recommended to me by Mr. Cartwright, of Kingston; and the
latter, the son of an officer formerly in the 25th regiment,
who, having settled in this country, has become one of the
most influential characters in it. He is a member of the house
of assembly for the district of Frontenac. I have not yet
determined in respect to the remaining commissions, but will
report the instant the individuals are nominated.

Captain Dixon (royal engineers) proceeded four days ago to
Amherstburg, with the gentlemen who were returning from their
parliamentary duties.

I request you will have the goodness to inform me of the
probable time I may expect the honor of seeing Sir George
Prevost, as I shall consider it a duty, which I shall execute
with the utmost pleasure, of meeting his excellency at
Kingston.

_Colonel Baynes to Major-General Brock._

QUEBEC, March 19, 1812.