ractice of
the militia.

Experience has shewn the absolute necessity of adopting every
possible precaution to preserve in a proper state the arms
issued to the militia, and of guarding against the heavy
defalcations which have heretofore occurred.

You will make applications to the officers commanding at Fort
Erie for the number of arms and accoutrements wanting to
complete the men actually engaged to serve in the flank
companies; and that officer will be instructed to comply with
your requisition, upon your transmitting to him duplicate
receipts, one of which is to be forwarded to head quarters,
that you may become responsible for the articles delivered to
your order: at the same time, the most liberal construction
will be given to any representation accounting for such
contingencies as are incidental to the service.

[The remaining details in this letter are omitted here.]

_Sir James Saumarez, Bart.[48] to Major-General Brock._

SPITHEAD, April 14, 1812.

Lieutenant Le Couteur[49] being ordered to join his regiment
in Canada, permit me to recommend him to your kind notice: he
is a promising young officer, and being connected with our
family, makes me interested for his welfare. I congratulate
you upon your present distinguished appointment. A few weeks
previous to my leaving town, I was informed by Lord Liverpool
that Governor Gore had leave of absence, but that if he did
not return to his command, he would be happy in taking your
services into consideration. From what his lordship was
pleased to add, I have no doubt of your succeeding to the
government, in the event of Governor Gore obtaining any other
situation.

I am on the point of returning to the Baltic, where there
appears a strong disposition on the part of Russia and some
of the other powers to resist the aggressions of Bonaparte,--I
trust with well-founded hopes of ultimate success.

_Major-General Le Couteur to Major-General Brock._

LISBON, April 16, 1812.

I am here in consequence of a mistake in orders sent to me by
Lord Palmerston, to join the army in Portugal, when his
lordship meant Jamaica. On my arrival at Lisbon I found out
the mistake, and I hope in a few days to sail for my real
destination.

My son, whom you perhaps will remember an infant when you were
in Jersey, wi