on election procedures. During the last session of the 5th Parliament, Willcocks and his group successfully resisted efforts by Isaac Brock to pass a number of measures preparing for the expected war with the United States. Willcocks was a member of the Freemasonry in the Niagara Lodge. Brock called an election in 1812 to obtain a legislature that would support his war preparations. Willcocks was reelected for the rising of 1st Lincoln and Haldimand. In June 1812 he sold his printing press to Richard Hatt. Brock enlisted Willcocks's help to secure the loyalty and participation of the Six Nations peoples to the British Crown in the upcoming war and Willcocks was successful despite his poor health. He fought in the Battle of Queenston Heights and recruited for the Canadian militia. In early June 1813 hardline loyalists were upset with Willcock's opposition to giving extended powers to the government. They spread a rumour that Willcocks was working with American forces in their invasion to Stoney Creek. Defection to United States Disillusionment with British rule Willcocks was disturbed when military rule and harsh measures against people expressing disloyal opinions were introduced in the province. Willcocks saw this as an abandonment of democratic principles in the province. In July 1813 he committed treason and travelled to the United States to join the Americans. He was made a major in the American army and commanded a company of Canadian Volunteers consisting of expatriate Canadians fighting on the American side. Conducting Operations in Canada In the fall of 1813 George McClure appointed Willcocks as the police officer of Niagara. In this capacity, Willcocks regulated the movements of the city's citizens and interrogated prisoners. Raid at Newark On December 10, 1813. Joseph Wilocks conducted a raid with 100 armed members of his militia and 70 U.S. Regulars. Joseph Willocks marched on his horse while leading his column. Wilocks and his force burned more than 60 structures of public and private property. Wilocks recruited 4 Canadians who joined him. And Wilocks withdrew to New York with 24 prisoners. Sabotaging the bridge at Tonawanda Creek A large British raiding force led by Phineas Riall was headed towards Buffalo. The Canadian Volunteers under Joseph Wilocks sabotaged the bridge at Tonawanda Creek by burning it down to delay the British advance. Although it did delay the British for a while, the British eventually made it to Buffalo and successfully raided