To James Madison from John McMahan, 10 February 1817
From John McMahan
State of New york Chautauque County Feby. 10th. 1817
Sir
As an Officer Who hath been in the Service of the United States, during the Late War on the Niagara Frontier, I do Consider it a duty I owe to you and to my Country, to give Some information respecting the Claims which are presented to Congress For the loss of Property Burnt and destroyed by the Enemy of the United States during Said War at Buffalo.1
During my Service at that place Both officers and Soldiers recd, Abusive Language From the Inhabitants of the place telling them that they were D.___d. robbers, that the [sic] Would rather See the British and Indians Land in the Village than our Forces, although we had (For the want of Tents) to Ly on the Bare ground Exposed to the inclemency of the Weather in order to protect them from danger. They kentuckians who Travelled hundreds of Miles For their protection, Could Scarcely be Admited into their houses, yet those Very Citizens hath Called on me and many others to Testify their Losses, being Burnt (they Say) in Consequence of the Militia Occupying them as Barracks and Military Deposits.
It is True we Obtained leave to Quarter in Some of the Houses For a Few Nights fighting and quarrelling with the Inhabitants about the Great damage as they Expressed it, they were receiving in Consequence of the Militia Residing amongst them, untill a third party arived, (To Wit) Genl. Rial and the British Forces, which Soon Ended the Dispute. With due respect I am Sir your most Obedient and Very Huml. Sert,
John McMahan Brid, D, Genl,
Comdg 43 d: Brigade York State Militia
RC (DNA: RG 107, LRRS, M-54:10). Docketed as received in the War Department in March 1817.
1. The House of Representatives received many claims for compensation for property damaged by Great Britain during the War of 1812. Those coming from Buffalo and the Niagara Peninsula were referred to a committee, which reported on 23 Jan. 1817 that these were “cases in which a generous and enlightened Government would step forward in aid of the sufferers.” The committee recommended an appropriation of $340,000 for that purpose. On 10 Feb. 1817 a Committee of the Whole took up a bill, which was subjected to many amendments offered by members from other regions, notably the Chesapeake. The bill was tabled on 13 Feb. 1817, on the grounds “there was a bill on the same subject before the Senate, the decision on which was materially connected with that now before the House” (, 14th Cong., 2d sess., 709, 711–12, 934, 936–37, 941–42, 950, 952–53).