purpose you will move the forces under your command
to such points as are threatened, and you will employ vessels, tugs, or
others, such as can be procured, for watching the river and lake shores,
and taking all such measures as in your judgment the emergency requires.

Very respectfully,

GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General Commanding.

In accordance with the above instructions, Gen. Barry very thoroughly
guarded the United States frontier with troops, while the United States
man-of-war "Michigan," the "Fessenden," and other armed steamers,
patrolled the lakes and the Niagara River with the full determination to
rigidly carry out Gen. Meade's orders. This was a crushing blow to the
hopes of the rank and file of the Irish Republican Army, and there were
many who were inclined to defy the Federal authorities and fight
their way over the border. But wiser counsels prevailed, and the
fiery subordinates were obliged to submit to the law and await another
opportunity.

During the following ten days the people of Buffalo had a horde of very
undesirable guests within their gates. The majority of the Fenian
troops were without means of subsistence, and became a charge upon the
authorities and their sympathizers. The question of their disposal was
at last decided by the United States Government offering transportation
to their homes to all who would agree to sign the following:

FORM OF PAROLE.

We, the undersigned, belonging to the Fenian Brotherhood, being now
assembled in Buffalo, with intentions which have been decided by the
United States authorities as in violation of the neutrality laws of
the United States; but being now desirous to return to our homes, do
severally agree and promise to abandon our expedition against Canada,
desist from any violation of the neutrality laws of the United States,
and return immediately to our respective homes.

This offer was largely taken advantage of, and muster rolls were made
out as rapidly as possible. The number of signatures obtained to the
written paroles was 5,166 during the afternoon of June 15th, and that
night these men departed for their homes, much to the relief of the
citizens of Buffalo, who had become weary of their guests.

Previous to the departure of the disappointed warriors from Buffalo, the
Fenian General Burns issued the following farewell address:

Buffalo, June 14, 1860.

To the Officers and Soldiers of the Irish Republican Army in Buffalo:

Brothers