The inspection of the king's stores showed they were at a very low ebb. There were in them scarcely any articles of use or comfort. Blankets, hammocks, kettles ought to be purchased. Tents were urgently needed. In a letter to Colonel Baynes, General Brock says that he thought the disposition of the people throughout the country was very good. The flank companies had been instantly completed with volunteers, and he hoped to extend the system, but he ends with, "My means are very limited." [Sidenote: A paper currency] There was great inconvenience for want of specie in Upper Canada, an evil which was increased by the embargo. In case of war there would be none to defray ordinary expenses. General Brock had to consider the best means of meeting this difficulty, and consulted some of the leading merchants of the country as to the possibility of a paper currency. He thought it would be generally approved of throughout the province, and that the circulation of ten or fifteen thousand pounds would meet present emergencies. His representations resulted in a number of gentlemen of credit forming themselves into what was called the Niagara and Queenston Association, and several thousand pounds were issued in the shape of bank notes, which were currently {199} received throughout the country, and afterwards redeemed with army bills. So little by little the resourceful commander met every difficulty, and prepared himself for the inevitable conflict. [1] _Henry's letter to H. W. Ryland, April 14th, 1808_.--"From all I have been able to collect I can with confidence infer that in case of a war the states on our borders may be detached from the union, and, like the Germanic body, each state consult its own safety and interest." [2] The Iroquois, after being driven by the Americans from their territory south of Lake Ontario, received a grant of land from Sir Frederick Haldimand in 1784 on the Grand River between Lakes Erie and Ontario. Some also settled on the Thames, which falls into Lake St. Clair. [3] Thos. G. Ridout, in "Ten Years of Upper Canada," p. 114. {200} [Illustration: Operations on the Niagara frontier 1812-1814] {201} CHAPTER XVI ON THE FRONTIER Let every man who swings an axe, Or follows at the plough, Abandon farm and homestead, And grasp a rifle now! We'll trust the God of Battles Although our force be small; Arouse ye, brave Canadians, And answer to my call! Let mothers, though with breaking hearts, Give up their gallant sons; Let maidens bid their lovers go, And wives their dearer ones! Then rally to the frontier And form a living wall; Arouse ye, brave Canadians, And answer to my call! --_J. D. Edgar_, "This Canada of Ours."