[No.] 218
(Circular)

Lt Colol Caldwell or Offr Comg at Niagara
Lt Govr Hamilton or Offr Commg at Detroit
Capt Forster or Offr Comg at Oswegatchie

It being necessary for His Majesty's service during the present Rebellion that all possible attention be paid to the navigation of the Lakes, I am commanded to acquaint you that it is the Commander in chiefs directions that you on no account suffer boats, those of Indians excepted, or vessels, to pass upon the Lakes without proper passports, under the hand of the Commanding Officer, at some one of His Majesty's Posts thereupon, or the Governor and Commander in chief of the province; nor that you permit any Vessel, of greater dementions than a common boat, to be built, except such as may be thought requisite for the Kings Service: And His Excellency further commands that you do your utmost to seize all suspected persons passing upon or near the Lakes, and all persons attempting to sow sedition, or to stir up insurrections, among the people in that part of the country, and that you send the same with the proper proofs, by the first safe opportunity, to the prison in Montreal, making at the same time a report thereof. I am &c