Family-histories and genealogies : containing a series of ...

Altho' we can not here obtain the Documents relative to this business, yet I believe
no doubt can exist but that they were called on to assist in taking possession of
Louisiana. The requisition has subjected a number of the People of this State to
great inconvenience in hiring substitutes, and a large proportion of those who have
been drafted have been fined for refusing to muster in. I see no Power given to the
General Government by the Constitution to require the services of the Militia on such
occasions, or to march them out of the United States ;
and, believing that the measure
was illegal, I was determined not to submit to it, and have been fined 25 Dolls., as
have also a number of the Inhabitants of this County ;
tho' I do not regard the sum,
yet, as I am unwilling to support the present Administration further than my Duty
as a citizen requires, I feel an Inclination that this business should be examined into.
If you are of opinion, with me, that the requisition was unconstitutional, I hope you
will endeavour to procure an investigation. If it has no other Effect, it will con-
tribute to open the Eyes of the People of the Western Country, and discover what
reliance can be placed on the hypocritical professions of attachment to the Constitu-
tion which the ruling Party are and have been so much in the Habit of making.
The signatures of a large proportion of the People can easily be obtained to a
remonstrance, if necessary. Trusting you will excuse the Liberty I have taken, I
remain, with sentiments of the Highest Esteem and Respect,
" My dear Sir,
" Your Most Ob' Serv'
Tho ;
Emmerson."
"Hartford, 25 July, 1812."
" I left home with an intention of visiting the seaboard, pursuant to an
arrangement partially made when I took my leave of you at this place. Not having
learned whether the orders you issued to the Major Gen' on the coast were executed,
hearing nothing from you or our friends who accompanied you, and receiving intel-
ligence that a British fleet had come into our waters, I felt it a duty to visit the region
in and about Lyme at least, for the purpose of ascertaining the condition and the feel-
ings of the good people in that quarter. Just as I was taking my departure, a letter
was received from the Secretary of War, in answer to the despatch I forwarded
immediately on my return from the session of the council. Copies of both are
enclosed. Of the Secretary's letter I shall say nothing— it will speak abundantly for
itself. My letter to him followed very closely the reasoning, and indeed the lan-
guage, of the council. Their result having met your approbation, I did not feel