For a few years past differences existed between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Great Britain. Every possible means had been used on the part of the executive and legislative departments of the general government of the United States, to adjust those differences upon honorable and equitable terms. But Great Britain treated every reasonable proposition with haughtiness and contempt, and still persisted in violating the just rights of the Americans, by committing depredations on the high seas, and by impressing the citizens of the United States into the service of his Majesty, and employing the savages to murder the defenceless inhabitants of the frontiers. The United States having long borne these outrages with great patience, at length wearied with insults, resorted to the last and most painful alternative of declaring war (which was done on the 18th of June, 1812); and the government having called for volunteers, more than the quota of this State rallied round their country’s standard, ready to assist in a vigorous prosecution of the war, in order to hasten a speedy and honorable peace. General Hull having been appointed by the general government to take possession of part of Upper Canada, his forces, amounting to about 3,000, not being considered sufficient to execute that design, three regiments of volunteer infantry and one regiment of United States infantry, amounting in all to about 2,300, were called and destined to his assistance. Agreeably to a general order, the following regiments rendezvoused at Georgetown, August 15, 1812, to wit:-- The first regiment was commanded by Colonel John M. Scott, the fifth regiment was commanded by Colonel William Lewis, the first rifle regiment by Colonel John Allen, the 17th United States regiment by Colonel Samuel Wells; the whole under the command of Brigadier-General Payne. _16th._ The troops paraded early in the morning, and were received by Governor Scott. We paraded again at 10 o’clock, and marched to a convenient place in close order, where the Rev. Mr. Blythe preached a short sermon, and the Honorable Henry Clay delivered an appropriate discourse. _17th._ The troops were inspected by Major Garrard. _18th._ We drew two months’ pay in advance. There being a general complaint amongst the volunteers respecting sixteen dollars, which were expected to be drawn in lieu of clothing, Major Graves paraded his battalion, and gave them their choice to go on without the sixteen dollars, or return home. _Six_ chose to return; these, to fix an odium upon them, were drummed out of camp and through town.