American Historical Ephemera & Photography Online

3 pages, 7 7/8 x 10 1/4 in., on bifolium. creased, with some loss from seal break, toning throughout. Addressed to Abraham Richards Esq., New York on integral leaf. Docketed verso. 

Edward W. Richards begins his letter discussing a financial matter, and then turns to current events "on this frontier," writing, in part: "The Canadians are outrageous against us & threaten the burning of this place, but we are perfectly willing they should try it; their reception would be different to what it was in the last war. The Genl. permits those, who with to join any Independent Companies, to keep their arms - & I am now enrolled in the 5th Buffaloes & our armory & Drill Room is in one of your buildings in the Kremlin. It is generally reported that all the military Companies here are to be mustered into the service of the United States for an indefinite period & as I now hold the Rank of Sergeant, it will be an object with me...A Report Current last night & confirmed by today's mail that the Patriots had effected a landing in three divisions of 2100 men - just below Malden by crossing on the ice. They had six hours hard fighting agst 1100 Regulars & some 2000 militia - who were forced to retreat - the former into their fort & the latter further into the Country. Genl. Scott left town this morning for Detroit, having been here but one night to rest himself [loss] his forced journey from the Eastward."