Letter from the Secretary of War, transmitting documents containing the information required by the resolution of Mr. Wright, on the 22d inst. relative to the execution of the act fixing the military peace establishment. --

14th Congress, 1st session, 1815-1816. House. Document no. 33.

Letter from the Secretary of War, transmitting a return of the arms and military stores furnished to the respective states, under the provisions of the law of one thousand eight hundred and twelve.

At head of title: [107].

Report of the Committee on Military Affairs, on the differences that exist, between the United States and some of the individual States, respecting the relative powers of the general and state governments over the militia.--

February 28, 1815. Printed by order of the Senate of the United States.

Resolutions reported by the Military Committee, expressive of the thanks of Congress to Major General Jackson, and the troops under his command, for their gallantry and good conduct, in the defence of New Orleans.--

February 13, 1815. Printed by order of the Senate of the United States.

Military Appointment

George Ridout (1791-1871) was a member of the York volunteers during the War of 1812. He served as 3rd lieutenant in the grenadier company of the York militia, fought in the Battle of Queenston Heights, and was taken prisoner of war in April, 1813 when the Americans occupied York. Ridout studied law, and was admitted to the bar in Janurary 1813. He was an active member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, becoming a bencher in 1820, serving as treasurer for several years, and assisting in the development of the library. In 1828 he was appointed judge of the Niagara District Court and reappointed in 1832. In 1836, Sir Francis Bond Head, Lieutenant-Governor, charged Ridout with insult to the person and office of the Lieutenant Governor and disloyalty to the policies of the crown, and dismissed him from his offices. Ridout denied the charges and was eventually ordered to be reinstated by Lord Glenelg, the colonial secretary. Sir Francis Bond Head refused to do so, and instead chose to resign.

Robert George Malcomson Papers, 1790s-2009 (non-inclusive)

Materials related to military and naval operations of the 1812 era, research of the late Robert Malcomson, Canadian author and historian. Materials include photocopies of materials relating to the War of 1812, photographs and detailed research notes Malcomson made regarding his approach to research (mainly found in Series VIII). Materials were originally arranged in binders relating to an area of research or a certain publication. Articles were removed from the binders and placed in folders using original titles from the binders as series or sub-series titles. Articles within the binders were separated by tabs indicating what the article related to in the publication or topic of interest. In order to avoid repetition, the writing on the tab was used for folder titles, as each folder would be a part of the Series under which it was grouped. The tab names could be authors, events, accounts etc. of the War. Series and sub-series titles were derived from the original titles on the binders. Original intellectual order was retained, grouping similar subjects into Series and Sub-series. Dates recorded were the publication dates of the articles; however, if no publication date was present the date of retrieval was used if from an academic database (ex. JSTOR). The black and white photos from various repositories are reproductions of paintings, microfilm etc. on photographic paper. The colour photographs from various repositories are actual photographs. All books donated by Malcomson were integrated into the University’s Special Collections book collection. These volumes are noted at the end of the finding aid under separated materials.

The Welland Canals Foundation, Honourable William Hamilton Merritt and the St. Catharines Historical Society and Museum, 1971-1990, n.d.

‘The Father of Canadian Transportation’ is a term commonly associated with William Hamilton Merritt. Although he is most known for being one of the driving forces behind the building of the first Welland Canal, he was many things throughout his life; a soldier, merchant, promoter, entrepreneur and politician to name a few. Born on July 3, 1793 at Bedford, Westchester County, N.Y. to Thomas Merritt and Mary Hamilton, Merritt’s family relocated to Canada shortly after in 1796. The move came after Merritt’s father petitioned John Graves Simcoe for land in Upper Canada after serving under him in the Queen’s Rangers during the American Revolution. The family quickly settled into their life at Twelve Mile Creek in St. Catharines. Merritt’s father became sheriff of Lincoln County in 1803 while Merritt began his education in mathematics and surveying. After some brief travel and further education Merritt returned to Lincoln County, in 1809 to help farm his father’s land and open a general store. While a farmer and merchant, Merritt turned his attention to military endeavours. A short time after being commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Lincoln militia, the War of 1812 broke out. Fulfilling his duty, Merritt fought in the Battle of Queenston Heights in October of 1812, and numerous small battles until the Battle of Lundy’s Lane in July 1814. It was here that Merritt was captured and held in Cheshire, Massachusetts until the war ended. Arriving back in the St. Catharines area upon his release, Merritt returned to being a merchant, as well as becoming a surveyor and mill owner. Some historians hypothesize that the need to draw water to his mill was how the idea of the Welland Canals was born. Beginning with a plan to connect the Welland River with the Twelve mile creek quickly developed into a connection between the Lakes Erie and Ontario. Its main purpose was to improve the St. Lawrence transportation system and provide a convenient way to transport goods without having to go through the Niagara Falls portage. The plan was set in motion in 1818, but most living in Queenston and Niagara were not happy with it as it would drive business away from them. Along with the opposition came financial and political restraints. Despite these factors Merritt pushed on and the Welland Canal Company was chartered by the Upper Canadian Assembly on January 19, 1824. The first sod was turned on November 30, 1824 almost a year after the initial chartering. Many difficulties arose during the building of the canal including financial, physical, and geographic restrictions. Despite the difficulties two schooners passed through the canal on November 30, 1829. Throughout the next four years continual work was done on the canal as it expended and was modified to better accommodate large ships. After his canal was underway Merritt took a more active role in the political arena, where he served in various positions throughout Upper Canada. In 1851, Merritt withdrew from the Executive Council for numerous reasons, one of which being that pubic interest had diverted from the canals to railways. Merritt tried his hand at other public works outside transportation and trade. He looked into building a lunatic asylum, worked on behalf of War of 1812 veterans, aided in building Brock’s monument, established schools, aided refugee slaves from the U.S. and tried to establish a National Archives among many other feats. He was described by some as having “policy too liberal – conceptions too vast – views too comprehensive to be comprehensible by all”, but he still made a great difference in the society in which he lived. After his great contributions, Merritt died aboard a ship in the Cornwall canal on July 5, 1862. Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online http://www.biographi.ca/EN/ShowBio.asp?BioId=38719 retrieved October 2006 Today numerous groups carry on the legacy of Merritt and the canals both in the past and present. One such group is the Welland Canals Foundation. They describe themselves as: “. . . a volunteer organization which strives to promote the importance of the present and past Welland Canals, and to preserve their history and heritage. The Foundation began in 1980 and carries on events like William Hamilton Merritt Day. The group has strongly supported the Welland Canals Parkway initiative and numerous other activities”. The Welland Canals Foundation does not work alone. They have help from other local groups such as the St. Catharines Historical Society. The Society’s main objective is to increase knowledge and appreciation of the historical aspects of St. Catharines and vicinity, such as the Welland Canals. http://www.niagara.com/~dmdorey/hssc/dec2000.html - retrieved Oct. 2006 http://www.niagara.com/~dmdorey/hssc/feb2000.html - retrieved Oct. 2006

Letter Regarding Ensign Daniel Shannon's Military Pay from the Commissariat Office- 30 May 1817

A letter stating that Military Half Pay would from then on be paid from the Commissariat Office. As a result, they require a new letter of attorney. It also states the half pay amount of Daniel Shannon.

Page from Non-Military Ledger- 1811

A page from a non-military ledger that contains the prices of domestic items around the year 1811.

The Military Monitor and American Register- 31 August 1812

The Military Monitor was a weekly periodical that was published every Monday. The first issue was printed for August 17, 1812 and is believed to have ceased in 1814, as the last issue located was April 2, 1814. The periodical was suspended with the November 23, 1812 issue and resumed with the December 14, 1812 issue. The quote at the top of the first page is "The public good our end". The periodical's various authors included: Desnoues, Joseph, 1794?-1837. O'Connor, Thomas, 1770-1855. Hardcastle, John, 1778?-1835. Van Pelt, Peter, 1779?-1843. Wall, Stephen. Van Riper, Nicholas. Other authors are believed to be the American Antiquarian Society. Proprietors: T. O'Connor and S. Wall, 1812; T. O'Connor, 1812- . Printers: Hardcastle and Van Pelt, for T. O'Connor and S. Wall, Sept. 14-Oct. 5, 1812; J. Desnoues, Oct. 12, 1812- ; N. Van Riper, Nov. 6, 1813- . This issue was included in a bound volume of the Military Monitor and American Register. Other Dates included are: 1812 October 12 1812 October 19 1812 November 23 1812 December 14 1812 December 21 1813 January 11 1813 February 1 1813 March 29 1813 April 5 1813 April 12 1813 April 26 1813 May 31

The Military Monitor and American Register- 14 December 1812

The Military Monitor was a weekly periodical that was published every Monday. The first issue was printed for August 17, 1812 and is believed to have ceased in 1814, as the last issue located was April 2, 1814. The periodical was suspended with the November 23, 1812 issue and resumed with the December 14, 1812 issue. The quote at the top of the first page is "The public good our end". The periodical's various authors included: Desnoues, Joseph, 1794?-1837. O'Connor, Thomas, 1770-1855. Hardcastle, John, 1778?-1835. Van Pelt, Peter, 1779?-1843. Wall, Stephen. Van Riper, Nicholas. Other authors are believed to be the American Antiquarian Society. Proprietors: T. O'Connor and S. Wall, 1812; T. O'Connor, 1812- . Printers: Hardcastle and Van Pelt, for T. O'Connor and S. Wall, Sept. 14-Oct. 5, 1812; J. Desnoues, Oct. 12, 1812- ; N. Van Riper, Nov. 6, 1813- . This issue was included in a bound volume of the Military Monitor and American Register. Other Dates included are: 1812 August 31 1812 October 12 1812 October 19 1812 November 23 1812 December 21 1813 January 11 1813 February 1 1813 March 29 1813 April 5 1813 April 12 1813 April 26 1813 May 31

The Military Monitor and American Register- 21 December 1812

The Military Monitor was a weekly periodical that was published every Monday. The first issue was printed for August 17, 1812 and is believed to have ceased in 1814, as the last issue located was April 2, 1814. The periodical was suspended with the November 23, 1812 issue and resumed with the December 14, 1812 issue. The quote at the top of the first page is "The public good our end". The periodical's various authors included: Desnoues, Joseph, 1794?-1837. O'Connor, Thomas, 1770-1855. Hardcastle, John, 1778?-1835. Van Pelt, Peter, 1779?-1843. Wall, Stephen. Van Riper, Nicholas. Other authors are believed to be the American Antiquarian Society. Proprietors: T. O'Connor and S. Wall, 1812; T. O'Connor, 1812- . Printers: Hardcastle and Van Pelt, for T. O'Connor and S. Wall, Sept. 14-Oct. 5, 1812; J. Desnoues, Oct. 12, 1812- ; N. Van Riper, Nov. 6, 1813- . This issue was included in a bound volume of the Military Monitor and American Register. Other Dates included are: 1812 August 31 1812 December 14 1812 November 23 1812 October 12 1812 October 19 1813 April 5 1813 April 12 1813 April 26 1813 February 1 1813 January 11 1813 March 29

The Military Monitor and American Register- 23 November 1812

The Military Monitor was a weekly periodical that was published every Monday. The first issue was printed for August 17, 1812 and is believed to have ceased in 1814, as the last issue located was April 2, 1814. The periodical was suspended with the November 23, 1812 issue and resumed with the December 14, 1812 issue. The quote at the top of the first page is "The public good our end". The periodical's various authors included: Desnoues, Joseph, 1794?-1837. O'Connor, Thomas, 1770-1855. Hardcastle, John, 1778?-1835. Van Pelt, Peter, 1779?-1843. Wall, Stephen. Van Riper, Nicholas. Other authors are believed to be the American Antiquarian Society. Proprietors: T. O'Connor and S. Wall, 1812; T. O'Connor, 1812- . Printers: Hardcastle and Van Pelt, for T. O'Connor and S. Wall, Sept. 14-Oct. 5, 1812; J. Desnoues, Oct. 12, 1812- ; N. Van Riper, Nov. 6, 1813- . This issue was included in a bound volume of the Military Monitor and American Register. Other Dates included are: 1812 August 31 1812 October 12 1812 October 19 1812 December 14 1812 December 21 1813 January 11 1813 February 1 1813 March 29 1813 April 5 1813 April 12 1813 April 26 1813 May 31

The Military Monitor and American Register- 12 October 1812

The Military Monitor was a weekly periodical that was published every Monday. The first issue was printed for August 17, 1812 and is believed to have ceased in 1814, as the last issue located was April 2, 1814. The periodical was suspended with the November 23, 1812 issue and resumed with the December 14, 1812 issue. The quote at the top of the first page is "The public good our end". The periodical's various authors included: Desnoues, Joseph, 1794?-1837. O'Connor, Thomas, 1770-1855. Hardcastle, John, 1778?-1835. Van Pelt, Peter, 1779?-1843. Wall, Stephen. Van Riper, Nicholas. Other authors are believed to be the American Antiquarian Society. Proprietors: T. O'Connor and S. Wall, 1812; T. O'Connor, 1812- . Printers: Hardcastle and Van Pelt, for T. O'Connor and S. Wall, Sept. 14-Oct. 5, 1812; J. Desnoues, Oct. 12, 1812- ; N. Van Riper, Nov. 6, 1813- . This issue was included in a bound volume of the Military Monitor and American Register. Other Dates included are: 1812 August 31 1812 October 19 1812 November 23 1812 December 14 1812 December 21 1813 January 11 1813 February 1 1813 March 29 1813 April 5 1813 April 12 1813 April 26 1813 May 31