To James Madison from Abner Lacock, 11 April 1812
From Abner Lacock
Congress Hall 11th April 1812
D Sir
Enclosed you will receive an exact copy of a letter written by me to the Secy. at War on the 7th Inst.1 To that letter I have received no answer either verbally or in writing.
Impelled by a sense of duty to my constituents, and without the remotest view of giving you unnecessary trouble, I am induced to request that information from you, which I have sought in vain at the department of War. I am with sincere esteem your friend and Obt. Sert.
A Lacock
RC and enclosure (DLC). For enclosure (2 pp.), see n. 1.
1. Lacock’s 7 Apr. letter to Eustis mentioned that he had received and seen letters from constituents residing “in an exposed situation on lake Erie” that complained of their “defenceless and perilous situation and of the alarm excited thereby among the people, which it is deemd more than probable will cause at least a partial abandonment of the lake country, unless speedy succor and particularly a supply of arms be afforded.” Lacock stated that he had called at the War Department on three occasions to convey this information, but from the nature of the secretary’s “public engagements” he had been unable to obtain an interview. Unwilling to repeat the experience, Lacock therefore requested to be informed whether the U.S. would supply arms to the frontier militia. He also suggested that the U.S. call out detachments of the Pennsylvania militia for frontier duty.