r the relief of Amherstburg. This
example, I hope, will be followed by as many as may be
required. By the militia law, a mail refusing to march may be
fined L5, or confined three months; and although I have
assembled the legislature for the express purpose of amending
the act, I much fear nothing material will be done. Your
excellency will scarcely believe, that this infatuated house
of assembly have refused, by a majority of two, to suspend for
a limited time the habeas corpus.

The capture of Michilimakinack may produce great changes to
the westward. The actual invasion of the province justifies
every act of hostility on the American territory.

It was not till this morning that I was honored with your
excellency's dispatches, dated the 7th and 10th instant. Their
contents, I beg to assure your excellency, have relieved my
mind considerably. I doubt whether General Hull had
instructions to cross to this side of the river; I rather
suspect he was compelled by a want of provisions. I embark
immediately in the Prince Regent for Fort George. I return
here the day after to-morrow, and shall probably dissolve the
legislature.

_Sir George Prevost to Major-General Brock._

QUEBEC, July 31, 1812.

I have received your letter of the 20th instant, accompanied
by the copy of two letters from Lieut.-Colonel St. George, who
is in command at Amherstburg, and some interesting documents
found on board a schooner, which had been taken by the boats
of the Hunter.

In consequence of your having desired Colonel Proctor to
proceed to Amherstburg, and of your presence being necessary
at the seat of government to meet the legislature of Upper
Canada, I have taken upon myself to place Major-General
Sheaffe on the staff, to enable me to send him to assist you
in the arduous task you have to perform, in the able execution
of which I have great confidence. He has been accordingly
directed to proceed without delay to Upper Canada, there to
place himself under your command.

I believe you are authorized by the commission under which you
administer the government of Upper Canada, to declare martial
law in the event of invasion or insurrection; it is therefore
for you to consider whether you can obtain any thing
equivalent to that power from your legislature. I have not
suc