The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-09-10
GEN. PORTER'S ADDRESS
1ofAe Militia y/fhe Hcstera Counties O
WcSV-Im OK


1ofAe NAltia g/fhe Hcsiera Counties Of
.NcSV- YORK.
Inc commander IN chlef has ordered a
portion OF the militia tn the western frontier
and thought proper To place them under my
command. Yon will indulge inc, because
am probably better acquainted with the
state OF things to The west than most OF you, to
make a few remarks on The subject Of this
call
The Niagara frontier, at this rrorn.nt, pre-
sents scene infinitely more interesting to you,
than any YOU have Witnessed since the settle
ment ot the country. Two hostile armies, of
nearly equal force, not d mile distant from
each ether, o6Stinateiy cont ndn.y Tor mas
terry, which y few days prst necessarily de-
eide. It IS perhaPs impossible fer either.
certainly 50 FOR oars to retreat without
total rum and defeat. IN these two
armies are concentrated al tic G;sposahie
military force and ali the arms ard munitions
Of war Vi the province CT u. Canada, & Of the
western parts OF Ntw-Yolk; and on the re-
suit or the contest which must shortly ensue,
VIII depend tic fate ct these counties rescec-
uVc'y. should the enemy succeed, there is nc
thing on this side Of Utica, that can resist his
force, or escape his ravages. In the late at
tack ON Erie, so gioriousiy relulsed, he had
400 s2vages IN sight Of cug ,r;.I lchhcnts, rea-
~ to leap Ia the moment The scaies of VIC
tory should Incline to his size, and complete
the work of destruction-ard this same
scourgc will follow him through the country,
the instant that army, its only barrier, shall
be broken down.
The enemy are not asleep, nor do they
look with indifference ~ those who are fphi-
Ing tlieir battles. They will pnsh on reinforce
ments rs last as their sc2nty means and d. vas
tated country viii permit. Row is the time
Tor us 10 act. We abound with men and
means, and bv prompt & cheerful COM
piia' c with the order of the commander in
chici, ana by that mears My, we can effect a
ce't IN ard easy cCnqrest, and give perna-
nert security TO oursettienents.
II the face OF the gallant little army, which,
Tor SIX weeks past, has been wading through
tieits ofblood fer year security, composed too.
IN part Fyourimmediate regbcrs & friends,
can OF move you - action, | at.monish you to
recoHect, that on the Support, the immediate
and vigorous support Of this army depends
your c"n security. That army DESTROYED, Sc
your fruitful fields, " stately edifccs, end
Nour fair possessions are laid waste. Your
women & children viii feel the weight of the
tomahawk. Nay even LIBERTY itself, without
which these blessings are of 70 estimation in a
patriots heart will fee from country SO u,l-
worthy CT her prote elton.
At the request of the cor manding fEcer, I
came to this Place EWhcrc | une, pectesfly
met the order Of his eXcelency> for the ull,;-
pose ct obtaining volunteer aid, hoping that L
might have some htt!e influence 10 awakening,
orr young men to a sense OF tie country's
danger and their own honor. Pat what can
lexPect to effect with those those ardor can
rot be aroused by the eloquence ofthe cannon
with which the Niagara is continually resoln-
ding ?-Those, however, who may choose to
volunteer VIII be received as part OF the de-
tachrncnt ordered by the commander in chief
and shall return immediately to Erie, proud
TO share the dcstinies Gifts brave defenders.
whatever they may be. But do not return
without hores of soon meeting at the appoint
ed place of rendezvous, such of you at least,
as The constituted authorities If the country
have called On for support.
p. B. PORT Err, Brig. Cen.
CanGndaigua, .41tgrat 81, 1914.