In 1812, he prorogued the senate and assembly of the state. In this brief sketch, it is not to be expected that even all the most prominent measures of Gov. Tompkins's administration can be noticed.'"^

We come now, (continues his biographer) to the part which he bore in our late war witli Great Britain, which embraces a most interesting period of his life. Whenever the history of that war shall be written for posterity, his name will fill an ample space.

As governor of the state of New York, he had the direction of all her energies, and many and arduous were the duties which he was ordered upon to perform, but those who were conversant with the scenes of that period, will recollect the universal confidence which he inspired in every lover of his country. The following letter, dated a few days after the declaration of war, will show the perilous situation of the state of New York at that time, the condition of the army, and the responsibility he assumed to meet the exigency.

a Herring's Nat. Portrait Galler)', vol. ii.

118 HISTORY OF THE

Albamj, June 28, 1812. To Major General Dearborn,

Sir, your letter of the 22 inst. has been received. I had anticipated your request by ordering the detachments from Washington, Essex, Clinton and Franklin counties into service, and have fixed the days and places of their rendezvous. Upon application to the quarter master general, 1 find there are but 139 tents and 60 camp kettles at this place, and even those I take by a kind of stealth, the deputy quarter master general declines giving an order for their delivery, until he shall have a written order from the quarter master general, and the latter is willing I shall take them, but will not give the deputy a written order for that purpose, under such circumstances.