Stationing Troops to Protect Cobourg's Mills and Depot
Cramahe 11th Sept. 1814
Sir,
I beg leave to state to you for his honour the President’s information that several of the American vessels have been for some days near the shore opposite the District of Newcastle, particularly the Presquile Isle or Newcastle Harbour that if it meets His Honours approbation I should wish for Eighty or a Hundred stands of Arms for the 1st Regiment Northumberland Militia with three of four thousand rounds of Ammunition and three or four hundred Flints as we have no Flints that are fit for service and not more than thirty stand of Arms with about 500 rounds of ammunition. Ensign A H Meyers who is the courier of this will take charge of such arms, as you may think proper to send and I beg leave to ask if it would not be necessary to order a Captains Party of Northumberland Militia to guard along the shore of the District to prevent possibly the mills etc. from destruction.
By advice of Major Rogers Army I have stationed a guard of a sergeant and twelve men at John's creek Hamilton as there is a quantity of flour at the mill and a Depot of provisions near that for the service of Troops going to or returning from the Army up the country which I hope will meet his Honour's approbation until his further pleasure is known this guard commenced the 4th Inst.
And I beg leave to ask you further if my son and myself could not be furnished with swords from Government stores until I can furnish ourselves, ours having been taken from us as before reported to you if they can be allowed Ensign Meyers will take charge of them.
I wish for your further instructions by M. Meyers and have the Honour to be Sir your most obedient and humble servant Mo. (John) Peters Lieutenant Colonel 1st Regiment Northumberland Militia
To: Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Coffin Deputy Adjutant General of Militia Kingston
Lieutenant-Colonel Peters commanding Northumberland Militia
Relative arms, etc Guard? For the defence of the harbour and wishing that two swords might be sent up for him and his son.
Dated September 11, 1814
Source: National Archives RG 9C1-B-1 Northumberland 1814