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(j;ucni"-t'^ I Ti'S / ;i /3 ^S? ?* I N T II () I) i; C T I O N TO THE SECOND liDITlON. J 1 'S I I, * Tjie first, edition of this Memoir was compiled in a %'ery few weeks, amid other avocations, and while attending the sick bed of my father, who died shortly before its completion ; and owin^ to this want of preparation, as well as to the difficulty of obtaining materials after the lapse of so many years, and at so great a distance from the scene of Sir Isaac Brock's principal labours, 1 candidly confess that it did not satisfy my own mind. But its publication having happily drawn forth much valuable matter, which in a few years would otherwise have been lost, it v/ill be seen, from a very cursory perusal of this volume, that it is a great improvement on its predecessor, as several errors, topographical and others, arising from the cause just mentioned, have been corrected — many additional letters from Sir Isaac Brock are introduced, while a few others to him of little interest are omitted — and some new and graphic anecdotes aiid incidents are interwoven in the course of the narrative.'* Part of the new matter may, however, appear to the general reader as uninteresting and superfluous; but, conceiving that every detail, relat- ing to the progress of a colony from its infant state, possesses a local and statistical value, I have thought such data worthy of being preserved. To Colonel * The additional matter in this volume amoantH to aliout onc-tliird of the first cdiviori. sm IV IMltODIJCTION. Fitz<:jibbori, wlio served rriiiny years in the 4t)rlj, as well as to Chief Justice llohiiisotj, of Upper Cfiiiiula. who was an officer in the militia of that proviaccr liiiring the war, I cannot sufficiently express my obliq-ation for the verv kinil and handsome manner in which rhey complied with my re(|uest, and have come forward to my assistance. Tlie Hrst edition met with greater favor, particularly in Canada, than I anticipated; but having anxiously striven to amend this volume — having consulted every authority which could ami'.Iify or elucidate my subject, I submit my present work to the public with fewer at^prehensions of inaccuracy or mis-statement. And I may add, that T have undertaken this edition because I felt it due to Sir Isaac Brock, and, above all, because I con- ceived that the people of Upper Canadu, who have continued to evince an attachment for him which is as honorable to themselves as to its object, and who have raised a lofty column in stone to his memory, had a rijjht to expect the erection of a literary monu- ment, whicli shtmld contain a faithful record of the services of him who died in their defence. This record was the more wanting — '* consideriuLT the character of the distinguished chief who fell on the British side at the Queenstovsn battle, of him who undoubtedly was ' the best officer that headed their troops throughout the war'"* — because the Quar- terly Review for July, 1822 — in a very able article on the Canadian Campaigns, which has since served as a guide to the historian, and the materials for which, I have been credibly informed, were partly furnished by Major-General Procter or his relatives — has ascribed to that officer the chief merit of the capture of Detroit and the American army, (see pages 308 and 44C,) and has dismissed Sir Isaac Brock's services with the meagre narration of scarcely a page and a half, his fall being mentioned without eliciting a sin'^le expression either of encomium or regret — * James' Military Occurrences. Loudon, 1818. '*m '!;:> m INTRODUCTION. V ■J ■•Js'i :\ i>«! althouc,4i onp would suppose that the reviewer would have (icligljtod to seize so iittint,' a theme for (^racoful Ifitjient and generous praise — while (ienerul Procter's subsequerit operations occupy no loss than ten or eleven pai^es ; the entire context, moreover, leading the reader to suppose that General Procter, and not General Block, was " the hero of Upper Canadn,"' by which term the latter is still fondly and honorably renicnihercd in that province. In consequence, Sir Isaac Brock's character, gallantry, and exertions, are not sdtficiently known or appreciated on this side of the Atlantic; but, happily, the Canadian peojde have in some measure repaired this cruel injustice — thist want of common candour and generosity — by award- ing to their hero that meed of fame which another soughi, to withhold, and wliich his deeds and un- timely death should liave secured to him. In conclusion, 1 may be pardoned the addition of my regret that this Memoir was not undertaken many years ago by an officer, who, from having served on the pL>'sonal staff of the general, both at Detroit and Queenstown, and long enjoyed his esteem and friendship, was in every way more qualified for the task than myself, especially as my editorial labours have been unaided by any notes or memo- randa of Sir Isaac Brock, who unfortunately was not in the habit of committing to paper any private details of IiIh life or services, with the exception of a few lines relative to the expedition to Detroit; and this regret will doubtless be sliared by the reader on see- ing the following extract of ;- letter, now before me, from that >)fhcer to Mr. \Vi.ii.,m Brock, dated Fort Niagara, Ainerican I'erritory, .JOth December, 1813: " When I am allowed to enjoy a little leisure, I shall not be unmindful of your request, and will send some anecdotes of the public and private life of my much lamented friend, which will do honor to his memory. At one time, I had thoughts of writing the first cam- paign, and prepared a preface, which I intended VI INTHODUCTION. should shew tlio wisdom aiul forosiKhr of voiir illiis- t.rioiis brotiicr ; but, Hiiilin'^ inysolf hoiuid to rolatc so mtmy slron;^ f'iicts atlectirif^ my stipt'iiors., 1 piiusod for reasoiiH, wliitdi, in u ndliturv man, you will, I think, coiisidor prudent." Wlmt these anecdotes were, or would hiivo been, is now u matter of tjonjec- tiire, as I fear that they are irrecoverably lost. Like the writer of this letter, 1 have experienned Home hesitation in narrating facts, as I wished not to j^ivy either pain or otfonce, reniemberinj^' the maxim : " On cloit dcs efjards aux vivans — on n«; doit aux morts que. la vcrite;" but my duty ay a biographer has prevailed over every other consideration; and it', as a civilian, I have laboured under a disadvantage in describin^,^ military events, 1 trust that that disad- vantage is in som<> measure con)i)ensated by the greater i're(;d(»m with which 1 have been enabled to write ill illustraiion of my subject. Tliis freedom will doubtless bo displeasing to a few, who, or whose relatives, not having iigured very creditably during the Avar in Canada, will arraign this work as written too much in accordance with a sentiment of the French historian Uodin — a sentiment over upper- most in my mind while conipiling it : ''Autrefois on ccrivait I'histoiro u I'usage du dauphin ; aujourd'luu c'est a Tusage du peu[)Ie qu'il faut !'< crire." F. B. T. tiLKUNSKV. .Vpril, IS J 7. ]> n KFvVCE •^l-'. ^M In thr early part of last year, a box of manuscripts and tlio trunks helonjxiujr to Sir Isaac IJrook, wliirli liail remained locked and unexamined for nearly thirty years, were at length opened, as the general's last surviving brother. Savory, in whose possession fhev had remained during- that period, was* then, froni disease of the brain, uncons'^nous of passing events. With thnt sensibility which shrinks from tlie sight of objects that remind us of a much-loved departed rela- tive or friend, he had allowed the contents to remain untouched ; and when they isaw the light, the gene- ral's uniforms, including the one in which he fell, were much motheaten, hi.it the manuscripts were happilv uninjured. On the return of the Editor from South America, in May last, he for the first time learnt the existence of these effects ; and a few weeks after, having liastily perur.ed and assorted the letters and other papers, he decided on their publica- tion. Whether this decision was wise, the reader must determine. If, on the one hand, part of their interest be lost in the lapse of years ; on the other, they, and the comments they have elicited, can now be published with less risk of wounding private feelings. It has been the .I'ditor's study to avoid all unne- cessary remarks on the letters in this volume, so as to allow the writers to speak for themselves. But he has deemed it a sacred obligation due to the memory of Sir [saac Brock, to M-ithhold nothing descriptive of his energetic views and intentions, and of the Mil l'UKF.\( F.. ol)st,aclf?!^ lio rvporlonced in tlio vigorous prosociitlou of tlu; conrost — obstJiclcs wiiioli lijs }rallr\nt npirif, could not hrook, ami whicli necessarily oxposod " liis valuaMu life" much more than it wouM liavu boon in oH'cnsive operations. He refjrets, however, that in the perrorniaiicc of this duty, he must ncccH- sarily j^ivo pain to the relatives of the late Sir (ieor^e Prcvost, of \vIios<' military government in Canada lie would much rather have written in praise than in censure. Brief memoirs are inserted, at the conclusion of tlie Appendix, of one of Sir Isaac Brock's brothers, the bailiff or chief magistrate of (iiiernsey, and of two of their nephews, Lieutenant E. W. Tupner, II. N., and Colonel W. De Vic Tapper, of the Chilian ser- vice. The premature fate of these two promisino* young otticers is, to those who knew them best, still a source of unceasing regret and of embitleriiig re- membrance. The notices of the celebrated Tecumseh interspersed throughout the volume, and the connected sketch of him near its close, can scarcely fail to interest the reader ; that sketch is drawn from various and appa- rently authentic sources, and the Editor believes that it is more copious fhaii any which has yet appeared of this distinguished Indian chief.* A perusal will perhaps awaken sympathy in behalf of a much-in- jured people ; it may also tend to remove the films of national prejudice, and prove that virtue and cou- rage are not confiiied to any particular station or countrv, but that thev mav exist as well in the wilds of the forest, as in the cultivated regions of civi- lization. * -w Guernsey, January 15, IS 15. * I have since learnt Uiat tliere is a memoir of Tecumseh in Thatcher's Indian Biottraphy, an American work, wliicli I liavc been una'jU; to i;ro»''.uo.— F. 1>. T. (jOVTKNTS. CHAPTI.W I. Purcntn^ri! n'lA hlrtli— IJoyhofKl— Kiitcrs tho Kinn'n Ho(ci"ient- Trait (It ilfUrn.iiintidii ol (.Imrnctor lU'cdincs I.ictitcnHiit ( oloiu 1 ot llu- 49tli— laiipaiK:!! in IIdHiukI, in i;yy-A ymiiiK Iri-ili Si r)^«'Hiit -• HiiHsian t'ooos III (iiienisi-y— UattliM.f Copt'iitmiffii, in IHOl—Notici' of Joliii .Su'ory UKJck, Es(j C 11 APT Fit II. Proceeds ti) Canada with the |i)t)\—Dcsortrrs— Suppresses r mutiny at I'urt (ifori;*— Military EM-cuiion— Hutiirns to Kiiinpc, an! rc- comiMciiils tlie funnatliiii of a Vtferaii lluttulion for Upiitr Canada- Ku-i!n\l)ttrk.s for Cmiuda ... .... Ui CHAPTEH m. Succeeds Colonel Bowc.'S in command of llie troops in Canada— Strin- frent Instructions to the Orpiity t'onimissary- General — Marine i)(l)artnient— Hisliop MMloiu'lI— Jesuits' Uarraoli 'I CHAPTER IV. Stationed at Montreal— North- Nvest Company— Disaffection of French Canadians, and Causes of their DisL-ontent— P. Carey Tupper, Kscj, — General Sir Jaiiit^s Kempt— Society in Guernsey— Post ("tttice in Canada-- Haront'ss de Rottenburg— Lieut. Colonel Murray -Letters from Lieut. -Colonel Tliointon, Colonel Uaynes, Lieut. -Governor Gore, Colonel Kempt, and Colonel Vesey— Letters to hi.s Brothers, to Mrs. W. Block, to his brothi^r Irvine, Lieut. -(Jovcrnor Gore, Sir James Craig, and Major Taylor— Duke of Kent— Ciueen Victoria. fin CHAPTEH V. Is made a Major-Gcneral— Sir James Craiij returns to Eni^land, his character and administration— Sir Gordon l>ruminoiid--»uke of Manchester— Arrival of Sir George Prcvost, services, military repu- : ( ONTUNTS. tatioti, and nativity— ^fajor-Gonor^^l Hrnck is appointed President of r|)|K r Ciuiada- I'ailuro of Mr. W. IJruck— The Right Hon. Edward Eilice, M. P. -I/Cttcr^i from Major Cieiicral Vesey, Colonel Bayncs, William Hro(;k, Esq. .and I, ifut. Colonel Torrcns — Letters to Ensign N. Freer, to his Urothers, and to and from Sir George Prevost 103 ("nAPTEU VI. Causes of the Ani?riciui War- Address to the Legislature— The neces- sity of eapturinfj Dirroit and Mi< hiliniapkinac (pointed out— Procla- mation relative to himip — ('l>ic>f Justice St'otf --Imprisonment of Mr. N'K'liol — Hrni'wal (5f the Embargo— Letters from Sir .lames Saumarez, to arid from Sir George Prevost and Colonel Eayries, to the Military Secretsvrv , and Lieut, (.'olonel Nichol 136 riiAPTEH vn. Topogiaphical deseriprirj!! of the boundaries, military posts, ami lakes of l.pper Canada- -01 tlie Michigan territory, Detroit, and Michili- mackjnac, as exi.sting iu ibl2 179 CIIAPTEK VI II. War declared— Major (ieneral Brock's proceedings— Force under his comn\and— Letters from Colonel IJayrius, and to and from Sir George Prevost — Anieriistrict~recuniseh—Ma.!or.(rcneralHrock proceeds to Amherstburg— Voyage described— General Order— In- dians, and noiice of Tecumseh—Summmis to General Hull, and his answer— Suriender of Detroit, and its consetiuences— Anecdotes of Tecurnseh— Country about Detroit, — Indian war in 17(1:1 , . 238 CHAPTEH \n. Letters relative to the capture of General Hull and Detroit— from Major-Generf.! Hrock to Sir (,. Prevost, and to his Brothers— from Sir G. Prevost, Earl Bathurst, Vi'. Brock, Esc]., Mr. Justice Powell, Chief Justice Sewell, General Maitland, Major-General Burnet, and Lieut. Colonel Nichol 2% CONTEXTS. Kl CHAPTER XIII. Major-Ciciipral Brock returns to tlia Niagara frontier— Armistice- Pniposc'il atla< k on Saekett's Harbour prevented— I etters to a!i'eiistowii, and deatli of Sir 1 .aac Broek- His funenU and cha- racter—Sir iloger Sheartc— Description of Qixecnstowu Ilei^'hts, Ific, -M-J CHAP r Ell XV. sir R. Sheatfe ffid armistice— Further remarks on Sir Isaac Hrock-- Amcrii aiis obtain the lomnuuui of Lake Ontario -Caiiture of York —Attack on Sackett's llurbour— Colonel Pn cier's operations near Dettoit— Uefoat <>( lirituh siniadron on Lake Krie— Speecli of Te- cumseh— Retreat and surrender of Major-( .eneral Procter's aitny — Caijtiire ot Kurt (ieorure, arid sunjri.-^e of tlic American troijps at Stoney Creek — (.;onflict* on the Niagara frontier, .n iBit Attack on Miplnlinia(;kinac—'j;i British desertci-s—Peaee— Sir (i. Prevost's death and ctiaracter— Inscriptiou on Monument to— Colonel Tupj.er. 367 CHAPTER XVI. Memoir of Tccuraseh 389 CHAPTER XVII. Servant— Letters from the Duke of U^rk, J. Savery and Irving Hrock, Es(|S., and Mrs. Eliot -Introduction of fo\ir Indian chiefs to Geortjc the P various aiitliors— 8. CV)uncil of cntidolcnce— <). Monuiiier.t in St. Paul's rat.licdral — lo, a Huron chief's surprise on secin)^ this inonumont — II. Address of the ''ornnuins (if I'ppoi Canada to tlic Priucj; Kct;«>iit--iii. (iraiits of Hmviuciai Leor ol' tlio (Jastlc of Drrvnl, in JJriitjmy, for liis cousin Sir Robert Knollcs, Avlio ^vas govomor of iiD tlie dueli_\ , and resided in lirest, during tlie absence of the duke in f-lngland. The Trench overran Brittany at this pe- riod, anil halving' '2, (KM.) men near Jircst, i-o as to prevent its ri'ceiving succours, ?ut down will) " great engines*' befoi'e the casthi of Derval, to the siege of v'hich came the constable of France, tlie J)ukG of Bourbon, the Earls of Alen<;on and of Perche, and a greai number of the barony and ciiivalry of France. The cjistie ijeing sore oppressed. Sir Hugh Brock was at length constrained to agree to sur)'ender it at the end of two months, if not relieved by that time. Sir l?oi'crt Knf)lles, hearing this, also began to treat with the French, and agreed witli Bertrand du Guesclin, tlie (.Mustable, that he would surrender the garrison of Brest in fbrtv (lavs, unless a suH^icient force should arrive, and CTiablo liim to fight. Being reinforced, he set out from Brest, and relieved his Castle of Derval These events occurred in the reign of I'ldward the Third, during the latter half of the fourteenth centurv, when the English were driven out of France ; and as Guernsey is in the direct course between Brittany and England, may not one of Sir Hugh Brock's lamil}-, on his ])assage across the Channel, have visited tlie island and settled there ? The common ancestor of the present Guernsey familv of the name of Brock was William Brock, Esq,, a native of the island, who died in the year 1770, and was the grandi'ather of the subject of this volume,. He had three sons and one daughter, who became connected bv marriage with some of the principal and most ancient families of Guernsey j namelt', William, married to Judith, daughter of * Trarislatioi) fium the Irciich !iy Lord Uerncr^, vol. ii, chap, 3P, 40 LoiiUon Kilitjon. IHia.- AUo Jolints' trauslatiou, London, 1842. i I ft n ■'Jft'V SIH HA A' nuoriv. 3 J;iinf'r< lir JJoriuvoir, Esf|.;* .lolin, in;irri(Ml fo Eliza- itetli 1).' Lisle, 1 claui,^hf('r of ili«' tlion lieutenant' huiliir ol' the isIhikI ; Henry, married to Susan .Sauri\arez, twister of tlio late Admiral Lord tie Sau- niare/. ; and ^Lir^ , vife of.lolni Le Marcliant, lv'?(}. !: In e.s of society, heeause property, hoth real and personal, it^ so divided at every generaiion, that wealth ''n families cannot be loni;' preserved entire. But ii' In.re be no "eldest soil," tlie'-e is what tlie philan'.lirophist will value much more hii^hl.'. — a moral and contented popu- lation of abovM 1100 souls to a square mile, with neither j4'reat riches nor extreme poverty, with nei- ther luxurious lundlonls nor a deirraded tenantry- John Urock, E-q., borti Jii.nuary 'JI-!, 1720, second so)i ot the above-nami;d Willia/u, had by his \vifi>, Elizabeth l)e Lisle, a very numerous family of ten sona and four daughters, oi'whom eiejht sons and two (lauj.diters reached maturity. He died in Juno, 1777, at Ibnaii, in iirit Tiv, whither he liad j^onc for the benctit of the waters, ai the (.'ariv aii'c of fortv-eiixht years.§ In his youth lie was a midshipman in the naw, and in that ca|)acitv liad made a vovaffc to * The name 'M this anouuit family, seonil to none in wooltli and stiitiun, bocanie evtinct in Giiernsej', in i.siu, on the death uj' Osiaoiid l>'^ Hoauvoi]-, K--i;., vviioii his larg-e propi.Tty was inherit'.'d liy distant ^olativc•^ ■ ;)u)ie( (Jucrnsi'y on the ;.'Stt\ May, 1 ill.), (i m-n. IV.. yMv f lulls' French RoiJs, vol, ii, p, isi),, ami piooct'(U,'(l tci that island in .luiy foilowinK'. : Mnjor-Gonoril I.c Marcli'-mt and his fle niemural.ile year whit.-h Brock, of the 13th foot, who was ill at the same time at .Jamaica, died of the fever ; and the survivor rdways thought that he was indebted for his life to the affectionate attentions of his servant, Dobson, whom he subsequently ever treated with the kindness of a brother, until he died in his service, shortly before himself, in Caiada. The mention of the following rraic of great deter- mination of character may servo as a guide to other young olHcers, similarly circum»tanced. AVhen Cap- tain Brock Joined the 4l)th, the peace of the regiment was disturbed by one of those vile pests of society — a confirmed duellist. < 'aptain Brock soon proved to his brother ca[»tain, who took advantage of being a dead, shot, that he was neither to be bullied nor intimidated; and the result was a challenge from the latter, which was promptly accepted. On the ground, Captain lirock, who was very tall and athletic, observed that to stand at twelve paces was not to meet his antagonist on any thing like equal terms, and, producing a handkerchief, insisted ou firing across it. This the duellist ])ositively declined, and jjeing in consequence soon after comj>elled to leave the regiment, the officers were thus relieved. 1,1 JE AND (•onnrsroNDENCE OP hy tlifi tirni und rcsoliilo condiKit of a verv voimti' initii, of tlie presence of one with wliorii all social interoourse had previouely been dilHenlt and dan- gerous. On Ill's rotiiMi from Jamaica, Captain Brock was employed on tlie recruiting service in Enfjlaiid, anil afterwards in char(i;e of a nundier of recruits at. Jersey. On the 24th Jiuie, 179«3, he iuircha«:ed. In's inajority, and remained in command of the recruits until the return of the reniment to Eni»"land the followintr vear. On the '2r)th of October, ]7*.)7, just lifter Jie had completed Ins tnenty-eightli year, Major Brock ymrchased his lieutenant-colonelcy, and soon after became senior lieut. -colonel of tlie 49th. This was very rajiid. promotion for oue who liad not only eutc-ed the army during' a period of proibiind peace, but had been five years an ensign; and, having no interest excepting that which his own merit might have procured liim, he was gene- rally considered at that time as one of the most fortunate otHcers in the service. In a little more than seven years, he Jiad risen from an ensign to be a lieutenant-colonel. Owing to some mismanage- ment and ])eculation on the ])art of liis predecessor, who Avas in Lonsequcnce j'ecommende the British Government determined on sending a strong military force to that country, then in alliance with the French republic, which force was to be joined bv a Russian armv. The iirst English division, consist! ntr of twelve battalions of infantr»'- among which was the 49th, and a small body of ."1 ■ i «rii\alry, assemlilcd tit Soutliarm)Uiii under Sir Kaipli Alxircroinhy, and, liavirig ('ir.l)iirkod, (iiirdly siileil tV.itu ilic ihAvm oil tljo Ut.li of Aiifrust. Ou^ the *2(>fli of tliut inoiitli, llip leet, consisting- of tiftcoii ships of the line, from forty-five to fifty fri^nito*, sloops, and ^luidlor vi^sseis of ^vnr, and one liundrod :md iliirty i-iv\ of transports, anchored alori|j: llie coast of North" ilolland, from ilio month of the Texel as far as Calanr^-O^re. Kurly tiio next raorniriL;-, the flank companies were landed under the protection of the o-uns of the fleet. An engaaement commenced as the JJritisli were ahoiit to march forward ; !jut heiiio- continually reini'orccd i>y the arrival of fresh troops, tlioy compelled tin; enemy to retreat. This M'arin en^afrement lasted till four e-'ch^ck in the Or? . . afternoon, and cost tlie JJritisli ahout 1,000 men, »Sir Halph Abercromhy, havin*; become master ot^ the point, or peninsula, of the Helder, completed iiis landing', entrenched his advanced posts toward he right, and occupied ^vith his left the point of tlu Helder, and the batteries there which had been evacuated. In these positions he auuited the arrival of the second division, under the Duke of York, the commander-in-chief, which I'emained in England tin- til news were receiv<;d of the landiu;[r of the flrst on the i.',oast of Holland, These two divisions were compo-ed of thirty battalions of intantry, of (3<.)0 men each, -500 cavalry, and a fine intin of artillery.'' Durinij; this campaion, Lieut. -Coloiiel lirock distin- p:uished himself in coriiuiand of his regiment, which, on the '2(1 of October, in tlu- battle of Enniont:-op- Zee, or Ber<^(?n, had Captain Arcijei' and Ensign Ginn, killed; and Major Hutchinson, i^ Captains Sharp and T^obins, Lieutenant rrquhart and Ensij^n Hill, wounded^ Lieutenant Johnston, missinp;.| * New Armnal Rogitter fic )"i)(), jiai^e 395. t The late G(-iteral Sir William Hutehiuson, K.C. H.. Colonel ot the /ith ri'gimeiit. t See the returns in the Sew Annnal Roerister, tor irw, Prinoipfti Occujrcnci:^, pairc H3. ,Siag:uUirly enough, the loss (jf fjie nun eoinnu'^- 8 MFK AMI ntllKK.SrONDENCC Or Savcry liVdok, ulto wrts ))rns'niit, wroU) frorn Kiimont oa tlu! 4(h of October : '' Tlic luif.ion lia*- f»ocM u vf?fy hof orif), itiul Diniilx.i^ liav«) fullcii TIic 4IH(i heliavcd. well, very well, lias 30 killtMl uiifl -"iO 'Aoujided, be- sides -JO ini-ifinn, 110 in all, tljouii'li we Liid not rnoro than •UH rank juhI file in the lii-ld f-ord Avhner was ;-li eaiopaigri. and the part taken in it by the dOth. I', /JiutvTuuit ('o/oru'l JirocJc, 49th riijiment, to hU btitkcr, brevet Lli^Hfi:ii(int-Cy , and that the array. '•idiuMl oftici'V'- Hiid privatfs in faoh ccriis is not givt;ii, but tho fasimltifs iiriKinp: the uifict-is of tin' ((itli (■'((•iTJed. thoisc of any ctlior regimciu. fiig-agfii on this (lay, with the cxc'jp'ion oi tiiu ;'..=.»tli aiid'QJd i I sin i-iwc nno( K. «.) amoumiii}.'; lo about 10,(HM> iiioii, aftor hoatiTi;^ tlio seas rrouMlie -SlIi to jIk; '27iIi of Aiimisr, ftlorrGfl :i laiuliM-- uonr tlin Ilt.Idcr; tliat (lie cncinv rnodr. unuc- countul'ly uir..rc'il no o|.|K»sitioii to our liirniuiL'': and i' that, afler u Moll-coiitestiHl H^lit of ten lion r-», }.o retrcutcd, and loft ns in qiiid possor-ioii of llio licij^lits, extendinu- tlio ^vho\^' I'-nntli of tlio JV-nin- sula. Tlio 4tli l)iMn;ado niid.M- (reneral Moon'.'- consi^tiiii; of rlie Jtcyuls, 2."jtli, 49tli, 7t)tli, and l)'2d, lauded to the left, Mliore the ^reate^t opposition was t'xpt'Cfcd, as it was natural to suppose that ^.oesnenfial an oI)jeet a-s tlie Tlelder uould be defondcd ro the last, but, to our utter ri«loni.sliiu.;nt, the eneniy liave us no auno\ aiuro ; on ihe contrary, soon after the allair ou the rjoht had terniiriatod, he evaonaled the town, whieli wo took ([iiiet jmsHSsion i)f the follow iii<^- mornin^;, and with it the wholo of the ih-et. The ^larrison, eon^ifttin^ of 1,000 men, could easily have been intereoptcd had it uot boon for a large body of cavalry ajid a number of cannon, which completely commanded a plain of a mile and a half in breadth, neeesiary to be cros.'red to get to them ; as wo liad neither one nor the otli(;r, it would have been the lieight of toUy to attempt it. Tlje regiments which di-stinguislied themselves most on this occasion were the '2ik\, i2rth, and .Ootli. The evening of our land- ing, a reiuforoenient of -IjOOO men arri\ed, but could not disemburk imtil two dayy alter, owing to the badness of the Av^?atlle^. Durinii' all this time the troops lay e.\|)osed on the -and hills, >vitl»out the least slndter to cover them from the wind and rain. At leuifth the armv moved forward eleven mile'*, and got into cuiitouments along a canal extdiding the whole breiidth of the country, from the Zuyder sea on the one side to the main ocean on the other, pro- tected by an amazingly strong dyke, running half a mile in front of the line. In this position we re- mained umnolested until the 10th of September, on * Aftcrwartls 8ir Ji.>lia Mooro, who tell at Corunna. lU I.IFK AVI) lORUEfiPONDKVri: OF uliloli (lav the CTicmy made a niO!«'t dcsporate attack i?i thrco c'oliirnn«. tno on tho rij^lii unci one on tlic ccn/iv of rlie liac: lio «;()uld not avoid bcini; huaton. Hi it was llio most irnmlicioiis step irnaLriiiiiblo, and liis loss was in jHoportion vory great. 'Mk; (.Miards, '^Otb, 'ind 4(.)fl), acicd oonHpiouoiis |)arth in tliis allair. TIio 49tli w;iH Jjoro a«:rain out of the way, with tho t':<.ot'[Uiori indct'ti ol' Savory, whom noihini;^ ooidd kcap from j.roinf,'' to sop what was doin«jf on iho ri^ht, and as it happ'MK.d ho provi.'d of tircat n-o to Co'onel .Smith,* \v]iom ]h- assisted from t.lio ficid after being ■wounded. The I'n'ti< li soldier was taught to con- sltler the I^'itish troops as tfjo most nndisci))lined rabble io tin? ivorld, und he advanced, conrnlent of eonqHenr ; but t!ti^ affair, and others \vlnch followed, made him very soo'i ohanife his oj)inion. NVtIiing remarkable uoourred aftei* this until the arrival of the Duke of \o\-],. with tla; remainder of tiie British troops and ](),<>'>0 Uussians, which, incnjased tiie army to about "Vj,'i(X> men. Continued rain, how- ever, prevented any thin^ being done before the IHtb, when tiie whole army was put in motion. Sii- Ralph took 1'2,<»(K), of which the 4th brinade formed a ]>ar{, to the. left on the eveuinijj preoedinp-, and -i^ot possession of the ciiv of Horn tb<' fulloNvinu' morning at iUiyii«;!jt, witiiont a shot being tired: "20<» prisoners were takun. iTorn is a vory jiopnlous, handsome eity, and evidently in the interest of tl)e Prinec of Oranf^e. Nothing' eoull exceed the joy of the inha- bitaiits at our arrival, and in proportion as they rejoieed they inouincd our dej)arture, which took place before suu-sei, in consequence of a fatal dis- aster which had bt fallen the Russians on the right. They of course 'brew ilie blame otl their own siioul- ders, and wisaed to attribute the whole misfortuiie to the Avant of concert and a proper support on the part ' Lieut-Coluncl !>niirli, crnnmiindinjr the yot.h, a nati\'e oi Giuriisoy, uftcrwaiils C'l.ilonol Sn ( tHiij^t- Simtli, Midc-dccami) to the king He (iii;-end)Io inueh tlie (Jluncso conntenanoe. T remarked an exception to this rule in a j^ronadier battalion, who, with tall, elej^anf person^!, j)ossc8se(l roninrkably Hne, cunnnandiiiir face?. The oilicers in f^eueral are the most des(»icable wretches I ever saw : accustomed, as they have always brrrttiu's-> . " Tlu; Russi.iii was so hnn\)ili'(l liv tae ilisasti r at Brrgcri, that, in all tlio saliscqui^nt. Mft'air.s in noUiind, lu' >fH'nH'(l to In- an iinwiiliiijc actor. In ailvanoinijf to tlic ficlo, 'he si.l'Jicr^ (liopi>(;(l (l lire, rt'ttr..'il " — T/ir Foi iit'itioit, IHsvifiline, and hlconotnij nf Ai'inits, hij liuberl Jackson, M . D. Thn'tl Edition, LnlKfi'ii, 18Jj. rt is ndded Uiat the former general was cashieri'd hy the F.mpcror Paul, in a f.assion, und it is iu^inuati'd that the latter wounded himself. The .ireneral who was eastiirrtd, instead i,i' b'.'ing' •^liiinned and des|)i.sed by th(? Russian oflieei.s, was f-ven recaled liy them, prior to his return home, ami ^-alkeil abont as if nothint? had hapjieneil; thus nftbrdinf? a striking e.vHnuil( of the trivial light iii whieh military cowardice was then r<^-- (iardod in Russia 12 LIFE AND CORnESPONDKXCE OF rally after bpinrj once beaten. This Altai security was the cause of the inisfortujie which befel the allies on the IDth. After the retreat from Horn, tlie 4th brigade took its station on the rinht, prejiaratory evidently to its being actively onployed ; according- ly, on the 2d of October, the weather not permitting it sooner, the brigade assembled before daylight at Petten, and formed the advanced guard of a column, consisting of 10,(KJ0 men, which was to proceed along the beach to Egmoi)t-oj)-Zee. After every thing had been properly arranged, it moved forward, supported by 1,0{X) cavalry, under Lord Paget. It was in- tended that the reserve, under Colonel M' Donald, should cover our ilank, and that i.he column should rapidly advance to Egmont, in order to turn the flank of the enemy at Bergen. This was, however, prevented by a oUong body of the enemy, who engaged the reserve the moment it ascended the sand hills ; and aitliough he retreated before the reserve, he constrained Colonel INl'Donald to follow in a dif- ferent direction to that intended, thereby leaving our left flank uncovered, But this did not impede our moving forward, and it was not until we had pro- ceeded five or six miles that we found the least opposition. The enemy then ap{»eared in small force, and the ^oth was ordered up the sand hills, but, he having increased, the 79th followed, and it Avas not long before the 49th was also ordered to form on the left of lliat regiment. It is impossible to give you an aderjuate idea of the nature of the ground, which I can only compare to the sea in a storm. On my getting to the left of the 79th, I found that its ilank was already turned, and that the ground whioli we were to occupy did not afford the least shelter ; my determination was instantly taken. I had gone on horseback to view the ground, and on ray return to the regiment, which I met advancing, I found the left actually engaged with the enemy, who had advanced much beyond our left, I, how- M ••s, ^. ,.■1^. srn rsAAf brock. I 'J H ever, contintieJ advancing with six companios, and left Colonel Sheaile \vitli the otiior four to cover our left ; the in«tunt 1 cauio up to the 79th, 1 ordert-d a charge, which I assure you was executed with the utmost gallantry, though not in the ijreatesi order, as the nature of the j^round admitted of none. The enemy, however, oave way on every side, and our loss would have been very trifling had the 70tli charged straightforward ; hut unfortunately it fol- lowed the couri-e the 41)th had taken, thereby leaving our right entirely exposed. I detached Lord Ayl- nier* with the grenadiers, who, after charging dif- ferent times, totally cleared our rigiit. The 2151 h then advanced, and behaved with die greatest good conduct. The enemy after this never attempted to make a stand, but continued to retveat, and their loss on this occasion was very considerable. Nothing could exceed the gallantry of tlie 25th, 49th, 79th, and 92d. For my own part, I had every reason to be satisfied with the conduct of both officers and men, and no commanding officer could be more handsomely supported than I was on that day, ever glorious to the 49th. Poor Archer brought his com- pany to the attack in a most soldier-like manner; and e .en after he had received his mortal wound, he animated his men, calling on them to go on to victory, to glory ; and no order could be more ef- fectually obeyed : he is an irreparable loss to the service. I got knocked down s 'on after the enemy began to retreat, but never quitted the field, and returned to my duty in less than half an hour. Savery acted during tiie whole of tlie day as aide- de-camp eitlier to Sir Ralph or Moore, and nothing" could surpass his activity and gallantry. He had a liorse shot under him, and had all this been in his line, he must have been particularly noticed, as he * The present General I.ortl Ajlnier, G. C. 13., fortnerly governor. jjeiu-ral f,{ British North America, He was tlicn a captain in the igth. >^t■(; Al>pcndi.\; A, Sec. 1, No 1 14 LIFE AND COmiESPONDENCE OP has become tlic astonishment of all wiio saw him. We remained that night and the following; on the sand hills; you cannot conceiNe our wretched state, as it blew and rained nearly the whole time. Our men bore all this without grumbling, although they had nothing to eat but the biscuits they carried with them, which by this time were completely wet. We at length got into Egmont, and on the following day (oth) into Alkmaur, where we enjoyed ourselves auazinclv, Alkraaar is a most deli"htful citv ; but the iidiabitants are rank patriots, and none of the higher class remained to welcome our arrival. The following day another engagement ensued, in con- sequence of the Russians advancing further than they were ordered to do : during this severe contest we were snugly in church. It is extraordinary that both parties were so beaten as to find a retreat necessary, as while we retreated to our old position, the enemy was also in full retreat. I shall say no more of <^he expedition to Holland, as what remains to be added, you will see fully detailed in the papers. I go to iVorwich, where the regiment is quartered, this eve- ning. Another expedition is talked of, under Lord Moira. Adieu." A young Irishman of a family probably superior to his station, as his talents certainly were, joined the 49th on Barhani Downs, near Canterburv, on the <3th of August, 17VH), and was soon after present a^ ihe battle of Egmont-op-Zee, being the first affair in which he was seriously engaged. Colonel J3rock quickly discovered his merits, and with a discrimi- nation which does honor to both, appointed liim sergeant-major two or three years afterwards, and in 1800 procured him an ensigncy in his own regi- ment, and made him adjutant, a promotion which his subsequent ability and gallantry as an officer fully justified. Wo trust that we do not betrav the con- fidence of one for whom we entertain vory sincere SIR ISAAC BROCK. 15 esteem and respect, cs|»pcinlly because lie makes no secret of his lowly beginning, in givintr the following particulars in, as nearly as j)ossible, his own words : •* After the deployment of the 49th on the sand hills, I saw no more of Lieut. -Colonel Brock, being separated from him with tliat part of the regiment detached under Lieut. -Colonel Sheaffe. Soon after Tve commenced firing upon the enemy — and at inter- vals rushing from one line of sand hills to another, and behind which the soldiers were made to cover themselves, and fire over their summits — I saw, at some distance to my right, Savery Brock, the pay- master, passing from the top of one sand hill to another, directing and encouraging the men. He alone kept continually on the tops of the hills during the firing, and at every advance from one range to another, he led the men, and again was seen above all the others. Not doubting !.)ut that great numbers of the French soldiers would be continuallv aiming at hira — a large man thus exi)()sed — I watched from moment to moment to see him fall, but for about two hours, while in my view, he remained untouched. '' Beinn; at this time onlv ei[>'htcen years of age, and not nine months from my parents'' firc-sidc in a remote village in Ireland, T did not venture to give any orders or instnn;tions, although a sergeant, lest I should do wrony; — but after witnessing Saverv Brock's conduct, I determined to be the first to advance every time at the head of those around me, and T soon saw that of those wlio were most prompt to follow me, fewer fell by the enemy's fire than I witnessel falling of those more in our rear; and we repeatedly made the remark one to another. I made up my mind, therefore, to think no more, if possible, of my own life, but leave tht; cai'e of it to Divine Providence, and strain every nerve to do my duty ; — during a service of some extent in afterlife, I was abundantly confirmed in the wisdom of this decision. " I make this statement to show that to the con- 1() LIFE AND ronHESrOXDEXCK OF duct of Savory Brock on that day, I was indebted for this vahiablo exaniplo and lesson. Ahout o o'clock, p.m. on the same day, wljilo ovor-heedlessly ruiinin'j; too far alicad of my men, I was cut off by some rrcnch soldiers, who issued from behind a sand hill on ni\ Haid;, and made me prisoner, alone. *' Ai'ter my re'urn from prison in January follow- ing, I lieard the soldiers repeat Colonel Brock's words to llic paymaster, when he first saw him amontr the men in action on that dav — " By the Lord Harry, master Savery, did "I not order you, unless you remained with the general, to stay with your iron chest? Go back to it, sir, immediatel}'," — to which he answered playfully — '• Mind your regi- ment, Master Isaac, you would not have me quit the field now .'" — and the soldiers delighted in repeating this dialogue to their comrades, and also to the re- cruits and volunteers, from time to time, after their joining the regiment." In the victory of Egmont-op-Zee, seven pieces of cannon, a great number of tumbrils, and a few- hundred prisoners, were taken, and tlie loss of the enemy was estimated as exceeding 4,(KK) men. But only four days after, in the battle of the (ith of Octo- ber, in Avhlcli the 49th was not engaged, the Ljuglish and liussians, after gaining some advantage, were suddenly charged by the enemy's cavalry and sepa- rated, so that they could neither support each other nor retain the ground which they had gained. The allied armies were repulsed beyond Baccum, after having sustained a very severe loss; and as they were unable either to advance or to draw any re- sources from the country in their possession, their supplies' were necessarily obtained from the fleet. The Duke of York, therefore, assembled u council of war, whose decision was, that the allied forces should fall back and await the instructions of the British Government. As the season was so far ad- vanced ; us the approach of winter was daily making SIH ISAAC BROCK- 17 the navigation of titc coast more dangerous ; and, as there was no time to ettoct diversions or to clianjre the ])l;tn of operations, the Duke of York was ordered to evaoiiate the country. In the meanwhile, as the Englisli and Russians concentraied themselves behind their entrenchments at the Zyp, the enemy pressed upon them, and the Duke of York sent a flag of truce to General Brune, proposing a capitulation on the basis of an armistice, or of the free embarkation of his arniV. This was agreed to at Alkmaar, on the IHth of October, and thus ended this memorable expedition, the most considerable that had been attempted in modern times np to that period. As the introduction of foreign troops into England was prohibited by the Bill of Rights, the Russians were sent to the islands of Jersey and Guernsey, the season not admitting of their return home. About (),000 were quartered in the latter island, where a disease, contracted by exposure to the marshy grounds of Holland, carried off sorje hundreds, who were bu- ried at the foot of the hill on which stands Vale Castle, and where tlieir graves are still to be seen. Their conduct in Guernsey was at first peaceable and orderly; — the inhabitants were surprised at see- ing them eat the grease from the ca/t wheels ; they were also excessivoly fond of ardent spirits, and, having plenty of money, they indulged in theui freely, swallowing large draughts in a raw state. But in June, 1800, while the transports were in the roads to convey them to Russia, a soldier, who was stealing vegetables on a small farm, which had been frequently ))lundered by his comrades before, was fired nt, and wounded by the proprietor. This so exasperated the whole body, that apprehensions were entertained of tlieir revenging themselves on the in- habitants generally ; and as the British garrison was \ery small, it required all the tact and conciliation of the lieutenant-governor. Sir Hew Dairy mple, to prevent an outbreak. The Russians embarked, but in (!l''.JW6W,f'V«i is LIVE AND COHHF.SPONDENCE OF such a svtllcn mood of mind, that the fj^nm at Castle Cornet \v»irc kofit sliofted to prevent their relandiug-.* The 4'.)r,h, on the return of the expedition from Holland, after remaining a short time in England, was again rpiarteied in Jersey, where the fine person and nianly ^earing of Lieut. -Cohinel Brock arc still favorably' reinen.licred. in return for the many attentions M-hich lie and his otlicer.s received in iliat island, lie obtained an ensigncy in his own regiment tor a yonng man resident there, whom he afterwards pushed forward in the service, and vvlio died recently a major-general and u companion of the bath. While the regiment was quartered in Jersey, he was absi nt for a fesv months on leave, in the year 1800, during wLich period the junior lieutenant-colonel in com- mand incurred the dislike of the men by his lan- guage and manner toward them. On Col ncl Brock's return, he attended the first regimental morning parade on the sands in front of the barracks at St. Helier, the junior lieutenant-colonel accompanying him. The regiment was in open column, standing at ease. As soon as Colonel Brock was recognized by tlie men, they gave him three loud cheers ! \shereiipon he instantly marched them into the bar- rack 3l ]uare severely rebuked them for their most nnmilitary conduct, and confined thorn to their barracks for a xvcek. ^Ve corae noM' lo the celebrated attack of Copen- hagen by Lord iVelson, on the 2d of April, 1801, ,in which Lieut. -Colonel Brock was second in command of the land forces. On the 27th February of that year, tlie 49U! regiment, then about 7th the fleet was in '^ome measure scattered by a heavy gale of wind, wliich prevented its reaching the Naze until the 18th. The next day the fleet appears to have been purposely detained off" the Scaw, and did not reach Elsinore until tlie 24th. Here a few days were lost in de- liberation, and it was not until the 30th of March that the fleet proceeded through the Sound with a topsail breeze from N. W. The semi-circular form of the land off' Elsinore, which was thickly studded with batteries, caused the ships to pass in a form tndy picturesque and nearly similar, but the forbear- ance of the Swedes, wJio did not fire a gun, happily enabled tliom to incline towards the Swedish shore, so as to avoid the Danish shot, which fell in showers, but at least a cable's length from the ships. The whole fleet came to an anchor about mid-day between the i.slaud of Huen and Copenhagen, and it .vas soon perceived that tlie various delays had. enabled the Danes to line the shoals near the Crown batteries, and the '^•'ont of the harbour with a formidable flo- tilla.'^' When the preparations for the attack were completed. Lieut. -Colonel Tirock was appointed to lead tlie 49th in storming the principal Treckroner or Crown battery, in conjunction with five hundred seamen under Captain Freniantle, as soon as its I' ■ ! ! ! ■I ■i i * Colonel the Honorable W. Stewart's " Narrative of Events connected with the Coudiict of l.fU'cl Nelson in tho Baltic, 1801." 20 l.HE AND CORRKSPONnKXCE 01- tire of nearly seventy guns sliould be silenced ; but the protracted und heroic defence of (he Danes rcnderin|r tiie altempt impracticable, Colonel Brock, during the hard-fonght battle, remained on board the Ganges, of 74 guns, commanded by Cajjtain Fre- mantle, with the light company and the bfmd ; and at its close he accompanied Captain Frenjantle to the Elephant, 74, Xelson's flag ship, where he saw the hero write his celebrated letter to the Crown Prince of ^Denmark. Savery Brock was also on board the Ganges, and while on one knee, in the act of pointing one of lier quarter deck guns, his hat was torn from liis head by a grape shot : a naval officer, mIio was present, afterwards described the scene which follow- ed this narrow escape, in these words : " I now hear the Colonel exclaim, ' Ah ! poor Savery is dead ! * But Savery was not an instant on his back ; in the same moment he rubbed his head, assured his brother that he was not injured, and fired the gun with as much coolness as if nothing had happened." The etfect of the shot passing so near him was sucli that, although a remarkably powerful young man, six feet two inches in height, he was knocked backwards and stunned for the moment. We are indebted to the same officer, Captain Percy Grace, R. N., who was then a midshipman of the Ganges, for the followin^j anecdote. In the early part of the action, when it was expected that the 49th would land to storm the batteries, Savery expressed his intention of going in the boats, and thus sharing the danger with his brother, who insisted on his remaining on board, observing — " Is it not enough that one brother should be killed or drowned?" Savery still persisted, and his brother begged of Captain Fremantle to use Jiis, authority to keep the paymaster on board, as he would not obey him. " My dear Brock," said the Captain, "you must remain — take charge of this gun — as captain of it, it will amuse you." Savery was fain to comply, and his narrow escape doubtless i SIR ISAAC BROrK. 21 ;;, f^ tended to ol)lItcrfttc the unplfasantnoss of the dii^oiis- sioii frciin tlit- njind of tlio elder brotlicr. Of tlie 41)tli, (.'iiptain Sliarp wns Vtadly voundod on Ijoiird of ihc Iklloiia, ;ind Lienleiiant l"'"^nni8 wa- woinidnd on board ot the Monarcli, which n\* had ?>»j killod and ir).5 wounded, exchisive of officers, but inrbidin wounded. In addition to the 4iHh, a oompany of a rifle corps (.subscq icntly the Oolh regiment) 100 rank and tile, was embarked under Captain Sidney Beckwith. Lieut. -Colonel the Ifonorabio William Stewart,* of that corps, was senior otiieer of the troops cm- barked, and, as sucli, his name was included in tho thanks of Parliament, of which lie was a member at this time; but we cannot understand why a lieute- nant-colonel, with only one comj)any, was placed over the head of an officer of equal rard< with liis entire reiiiment. unless indeed the cause was that Lieut. - ( oloiiel Brock was not an '' lionorable," and had not a seat in the House of Commons ! Wo are not aware that he ever complained of what appears to us to have been an act of injustice to liim, and we may th(>reforo be u ron^' in our a iew of the subject. — The British loss, m killed and w'ounded, was 943, or 48 more than fell at the battle of the Nile. In mention- ing' tho loss atCopetd)a<^en, Southey, in his admirable Life of Nelson, says, on w'uU; authority we know not : '' E*art of this slaufjhter mij^ht have been spared. The comrf7andin;2,' officer of the troops on board of one of our ships, asked where his men should be stationed ? He was told that thev could be of no use ; that they were not near enough for musquetry, and were not wanted at the guns; they had, there- fore, better go below. This, he said, was impossible — it would be a disgrace that could never be wiped away. They were, therefore, drawn upon the gang- way, to satisfy this cruel point of honor ; and there, * Afiurvvrtrds SirW. Stewart. G.C.B., wiin oommaii(le(" a division ii' Uie I'eiiinsular war , ht- wa^ u son cC tin- Earl of tialiowav. 22 LIFK AMD COHIli:.SI»ONDEN« K OP wltliout the possihilify of .'innovitif!: tho onrmy, tlicy Avoro mowed dunii I Tlic loss of tlio Darus, including; ])ri!ioners, utuountcd to aliout (5,(KK)." John Savcry Brook, of whose fjallaiitry mention U niado ill llio prcc(.'diii;j: p:iffcs, was tJic next youiifror brother of JJeut.-(-oioiiol J3rock, and had Ijecii in ihe navv J hut it heiiijr supposed that he was influential, in the vear 171H.), in indiiciiij^ his hrolhor midship- men, of the tlcet at Spilhead, to sign a round robin apjainst tlieir beins' subjected to the practice of mast- headincf — 'One having been lioisted up to the gafl'end in an ignomi»iious manner, because he refused to goto the nuist head as a punishment— -he was recommend- ed privately to retire from the service.* Being at this time a tall and high spirited younj: man of eighteen, it is not surprising that he deemed such a puhislinuMit unnecessarily degrading to the feelings of an otticer, and which lias since been very properly abolislied. ilad it not been for tiiis cireu.i stance, it is the opinion of a naval officer of higl. rank, that Savery Jirock Avould have distinguished h'.mseif and risen to eminence in the nav) during the late revo- lutionary wars. — Some little time after this affair, being in Guernsey, he wislied to go to England, and was oifered a jiassage in liie Amazon, frigate, Captain Ueynol.ls, afterwards Jlear-Admiral Kcy- nolds, mIio perished in the 8t (..'eorge, of 98 guns, on her return from tlie Baltic, in l^iVl. The Amazon, bound to Portsmouth, left the roadstead late in the afternoon, and bel'ore she was clear of the small Rus^el — a dangerous passage — night o\erlook her. By some aecideuL tie pilot mistook the bearings, owing to the darkness and thick weather. Savery Brock, beijig acquainted with the intricate course, * Wlulo the al)0'."i' wns in xy\n;, tlie Duke of Rutland visited riucrnscy ill hi-, yacht, ami wroic tlic f'olluvvinii tioti- at Octroit, tlie resideuco of tin; once outcast, niiddj, on wliom, whik' wo wviti.- tliis, the hand of death is but too ajiparoiit " Tin: Duke ot RiiUai)d called to jiay his respects to Mr. Savtrv Drock, and sjncorelv regrets to find that he is so unwell, Satiirdav. Julv ;:i. isu" U . SIR iSAilt MiCH. K. 23 ,1 was on tli(* fore yard lookint; om. when T" «jii(l(1enly fspiccl 11 sriKill cluster of rock 'owards h'tcli lU^ frigate was stccririir. There was no time t ,■ cowji) • • • • 1 * nication, and, without hesitutint; an instant, he cr 4 out in true nautical style: ''Il-a-r-d up, h-a-r-d u ,«/' •* Il-a-r-d up it is," replied the helsnian. " II-»i -d up,'' repeated Savory in a louder key, "(fenfl\, yoiint; man," said the captain, who was standing forward. The ship fortunately bore away just in time to clear the recks, and was thus saved by the ])rompt interference of her passenger. Wo have often heard him in his latter davs tell the story with excu- sable pride, and he especially reniendiered how the crew pointed him out the next morning to each other, as the young man who had got the ship out of her danger. /Vs he was without employment, his brother Isaac subs(f|uontIy procured him the paymastership of the 4*.)tli, which he retained only three or four years, the office being one quite uniitted to his pre- vious education and active n)ind. In 1808, his military zeal induced him to serve for a short time as an amateur aide-de-camp to >Sir John Moore, in the i*eiiinsula. lie married and settled in Guernsey; and whether as a militia colonel, or in the exercise of a generous hospitality, or, above all, as a projector and zealous promoter of many public improvements in his native island, his memory will long live in the recollection of its inhabitants. When Kean performed in Guernsey, two or tl'ree years before his a])pearance on the London boards, >Savery Brock was enthusiastic in his admiration, and }tredieted the future eminence of that celebrated tragedian, in whose memoirs his name is gratefully mentioned. ! I " >"i':f ^r!'i|':->,!f,y,i, 24 1,11 E AM) ( OHIlliSPONDENCE ()1< CIIAPTKR II. i On its return from Cnpcnlmgcri to Eiiglurid, the 40tli \vas collected at Colclicstcr, iiiid in the spririj^ foilow- inf^, (IH()2,) till' regiment sailed for Catiada, which country was destined to hcstow on it niiiny additional laurels, as well as to he the scene of the fame and death of its connnanding officer. At this period, de- sertion amonj; the troop.*, in hoth provinecy was, as it has heen of late years, very juevaloiit ; and, attached as his men were to him, Lieut. -(Jolonel Brock could scarcely Jiopc that they would escape the general contagion, lie, however, lost only one man from the several posts under his personal command dnring the three years of his regimental service, in Montreal, York, Fort Oieorgo, and, lastly, Quehec ; and that man deserted from INIontreal soon after his arrival there, in Septemher, 1802. In the fall of that year, an educated soldier, named Carr, was observed by Colonel Brock to salute him with less apparent con- fidence and manliness than usual, and hence he. inferred that Carr would desert as soon as the river St. Lawrence became frozen over. He ordered the sergeant-major — the same gallant Irishman whom we have mentioned in the last chapter — to bring the man before Iiim, and he was produced forthwith. The colonel directly charged Carr with intending to desert, aiul told him that lie would probably vseduce other men to desert with him : he added, even if they should escape into the United States, that they would be there treated like wretched peijurori?, which siK IMAAI liKO( K. 20 1 ,i ill fmrt fijoy would iImmi Ik', and would curso tlie duy oil wliich tli(;y coiimiilhd Mich it orimr. "Manfully tell me iIk; truth!" ('iirr hesituted, and stiininiorcd ouf ii (lonitil. The rohjnid (juirkly stepped up to liiai with hi> ihi ch'ii'dicil, and said : " l).»n't piovaricatt; — tell 1110 tile trutli, like a man — you know 1 Iiave always treated you kindly ! " The man eoid'esscd that ho and oertuin others had agreed to desert. " Cio, thou," rejoined the coIomoI, "go and toll those do]ud»;d men all that lias passed here — that notwith- standing what you have told me, 1 will still treat every one ot' you with kindness, and you may then all desert from me if you please." In the summer following, Lli; it. -Colonel Brock was st&lloiifcd at Vork, from whcnee six of his men deserf(!d, having- been sod need by a corporal of the 41st regiment, who had been left there as an nrtifi(rer. At midnight, the sergeant of the guard informed the sergeant-major that three of his men uere missing, and iliut a boat was taken from a slied in »liarge of one of Ills sentries, who liad also disappeared. The sergeanl-major instantly rejiorted the oireumstanoe to the fiolonel, who ordered iiim to man a bateau immedialeiy, with a sergeant and twelve privates of the light eompau}', which was done ; and at tlie same time iho roll w .s called in the bar ack rooms, when it was ascertained that three other men were also missing, as well as the corporal of the 41st. At half-past twelve, the colonel himself embarked in tlie bateau, taking his trusty sergeant-major with liim. They pulled directly for Niagara, at this point thirty miles across. Fortunately, the weather continued calm, and they reached Niagara the following morning, whence Colonel Brock at once directed a lieutenant (Chessliirej and a party of die detachment stationed tben , to proceed in a bateau along the Ame- rican shore of T,ake Ontario, while with liis own boat he returned towards York, by coasting along the west end of the lak(?, so as to intercejit the deserters, c i: u\ I I •2(> LIFE AND COKUESI'OXDENCE OF should they Imvo taken tlmt courso. Tliey, however, had crossed tin; hike direct to (lie Arrieriean «liore, and were o\'ertaken hy the |)firty from Ninijura, every man being brouj^lit back. The inaniier in which ihc fii<2:itives were captured deserves mention. The detaeliincnt sent in pnryuit from Fort Georga was iH'Coni|)niiied by an Indiiui, wlio, arf(n' ^ome time, advcd permission to land, that he mi*,d)t shoot on shore, keeping; wifhin a short distance of the boat as it coasted the lake. He unexpectedly met the deserters in their red jackets in the woods, and at once running to the hdvc, he hailed, the officer, and informed him of what he had seen. The officer and his parly immediately landed, and set out in pursuit; thev walked a frAv miles on a very hot day, but were unable to discover the fugitives, and some of the party asked leave to go to the lake side to quench their thirst. WJiile drinking, they saw two or three of the deserters approaching Jbr the same purpose, and having becnred them, they quickly overtook the remainder. Had the American government been aware of the circumstance, they probably would have considered it as a violation of their trirritory. No other desertions occurred from any post personally comniandeil by CohDncl Brock in Canada. It was said that Lieut. -General Hunter, who commanded the trooj^B in botii provinces, and was then in York, cxjtressed lu's displeasure to the colonel for his so rasld\ venturing in an open boat, w.iich was never known to have crossed tlie hdce before. In the same summer of 1803, soon after the cap- ture of tlicbc deserters, a very serious conspiracy was on the point of being carried into execution bv the detachment of the 49th in garrison at Fort (Jeorge, under tlie command of the junior lieute- nant-colonel. The intention of the mutineers was to confine tlm officers in (he cells, in which several deserters were then imprisoned, while they marched to Queenslon, seven miles distant, and there crossed SIR ISAAC HllOCK. 27 over hy tlio ferry to tlic State of New York. Bui it is the belief of an oiWcer of tlx/ 41)tl), tliat hafl the mntineers succeeded, the life of Lieut. -Colonel Siieatfc would httvc been saoriiiced. This design to effect their escaj)C by force appears to have arisen partly from the hars;*h language and stringent regulations of the commanding officer, who, however, inflicted as little corj)oral punishment as possible ; and partly from tlic natural impatience of the men under the restraints of disciplitui in a rrniole spot, M'hich, from its ])roximity to the American frontier, seemed to invite desertion. TJk.' vigilance required to counteract this discontented feeling must have in- creased its intensity ; but as Lieut. -Colonel Brock lost not a man ■when ho assumed the command, it is evident tliat confidence and kindness Avoidd have been the better course. The manner in wliich the conspiracy was discovered and suppressed would seem to warrant the remark, that triilh is often stranger than fiction ; and. the following details par- take so much of romance, that we feel called upozi to say that we liave obtained them from an officer of the 41)th, who was present on the occasion. Major Wulff, of the Royal Artillery,* was quar- tered at this time at Niagara. His servant returning across the coinmon from Fort George to his master's quarters in the town, met a soldier of the 41)th, Fitzpatriek by name, running towards the fort, and was stopped and asked, by him the hour of the day. On being told. Fitzpatriek exclaimed: "Thank God, 1 will not be too late for the roll call at dinner, for if 1 were, that tyrant, , would send mo to knapsack drill for a u'cek. fiut, by God!" — and he muttered something of a threatening character, too indistinct however foi the servant to understand, as he ran oft' again towards the fort. The soldier's remark and manner made such an impression on the servant's mind, that he at once reported the circum- * The present (irncral Wulfil, who onti'ioil tln' Artillerv in 177!^ 28 LITE AM) COHKIssPONHENrE OF I stance to l»is master, who immediately Avent over to the fort, distant about half a mile, and repeated to Colonel Sheatfe Avhiit liis servant had tohl him. Fitzpatrick was instantly sent for ; and, on being interrogated, sliewcd such symptoms of guilt, ul- thougli lie confessed nothing, that he was ordered to be put in irons, and shut up in one of the cells attached to the garrison guard-house. His confine- ment, and in irons, of course became quickly known in the garrison ; and thereupon a soldier of the regiment, named Daly, a servant of Captain Dennis, confessed to his master tliat he was one of the con- spirators, having become sucli through the persuasion of Sergeant Clarke. Now, Daly had been enlisted by this sergeant in Ireland the previous year, and had joined the regiment with him but a i'ew weeks before. He stated that, some days antecedently, S'rgeant Clarke had nuide known to him Jie exist- ence of the consj)iracy, and had invited him to join in it, when he answered : '' For (iod's sake, do not make known to me any of your proceedings, for I must take care of myself for the sake of my wife and children." But the sergeant, who had not oniv employed ])aly to servo liim occasio?jally, bit whose wife was his washeruonum, considered him as de- voted to him, and insisted on his joining the conspirators, assuring him at the same time that he would make his wife and children much more comfortable in the United States than in the regiment. Daly's objections were thus overcome, and lie at- tended the subsequent meetings, especially the last and most important one, held that very morning in Knox's tavern, in the town of Niagara, and from w^hich Fitzpatrick was returning when he met the servant of Major Wultf. On this disclosure, a meeting of the oibcers was immediately, but privately, called; and it was agreed that no public step should be taken until Colonel Brock was made acquainted with the particulars. I 11 I • 'A HI a ^1 SJR ISAAC UKOCK. 29 I . ''r A report from Colonel Sheaffi; was at once (llspatch<^d to Yo v by a govornincnt scliooner then in the Niu- jL^iira river; and on the receipt thereof (.'olonel Eiroek hurried otF in the sainu schooner, taking with him his young and devoted sergeant-major. The vessel arrived near the nioiit^ of the river a little before noon, and at the colonel's request she was anchored below the town, under the bank of the lake, where he was landed alone, the sertreant-maior by his orders remaining below deck out of view, until sent for. He then walked over the ooniraon to the east gate of the fort, the sentry at which, on seeing liim ap[)roach, called ont the guard, the usual eoniplinient to a commanding oflicer. The day was very hot, and it beino- the soklicrs' dinner hour, not an oHicer or man appeared out of doors. The colonel crossed the square to the guard, which he found commanded by Sergeant Clarke. Now, it was part of the pla)i that the mutineers were to take to tlieir arms on some night when Sergeant Clarke and Corjuiral O'lJrien were on guard, and the colonel by (diuncc found then* both on this guard. On approachirig the guard, which had already presented arms to him. Colonel Brock said: ''Ser- geant, let your guard shoulder arn)s," and it was done, when the colonel, who was a nujn of towering frame and commanding aspect, continued : " Come liore, sergeant — lay down your pike;" )>ronouneed in a tone which produced Instant obedience. *' Take oti' vour svpord and sash, and lay them down'" — this Avas also done. "Corporal O'Brien, bring a pair of liandcuffs, and put them on this sergeant, and lock hivii up in one of the cells, and bring me the key." This was soon done, " C^ome here, corporal, lay down vour arras — take oft' vonr accoutrements, and lav them down also."' it was done. "Come here, you grenadier,^'" the right hand man of the guard, " bring a pair of handcufts and put them on this corporal, and lock him up in another cell, and bring me the i no MIK AM) < OKKK.SI'ONnENCE 01 Ivoy"— ujkI i{ was «oon done. '' Drmrimer, beat lo arms" — and it was done. I'p to tliis irioni(!nt no one in the trarrison, except the sentry and the ^^uard, knew that the colonel was in the fort. The first person seen issuing from the officers' barracks, tlie nearest building to the guard- liouse, was Lieutenant VVillinms, with his sword and belt in his hand, to wlioin the colonel said: *' Wil- liams, go ar/l instantly secure Kock, and if he hesi- tate to obey, even for a moment, cut him down/' Lieutenant Williams commanded ilie light company, to which Jlock had recently been transferred, after Ids reduction from i=;erth, 41st, and 41)tli regiments) were condemned to suffer death. They svere shot on the 2d of March, I m It i 1 i isi 4 SIR ISAAC BROCK. 31 1804, at Queboo, In tlic prescnco of the entire gar- rison, and a most solemn and ufFecting sight it was. At a (|iiartor past ten, a. m., the procession moved off from the prison in the following order : Two Biisrlf Horns. Major C!imi)l)fll. with a laif?e ijarty of ttie 4l.st a.s (ho advance guard. Vrtilli ry, with a rifkl-Piert-. The Firiiifr Pariv, tilty-six in nuinlKT. SfviMt (o«hn'<, hdriio liy twfi iiu'ii oiu-h. Escort with the iMisoners, atttMuird by four Hoinari C'atliolic Clergymeu, and fhi! Rev. Mr. Moniitain, Siirfji'iiris (if the (i trrison nuC R«'(;iinent3. B;ind nf Music of Ui<.: 4 1st, vUiviiiK a DirKe. Major- General Maiui, R.E,, and .staff (./rticcrs of tlio GarrisoD. Field Piece. Lieut.-Colonel Glasgow, with the maiu body of tlie Artillery. Vii'Iil- Piece. I.ieut. -Colonel Proctf)r, at tho head vf tMo 4lst Regiment, with the Colours. Major Muter, nf the ("th, with tlic two dank Companies of that Regimeut. New Brunw'vick Volunteen^, about seventy in number, wiTliont arms. At about half-past ten they arrived on the ground, when the sentence and warrant of execution were read ; the prisoners about to suffer were then led to their cofhiis. upon wliich tiiey respectively kneeled, and were kept nearly three quarters of an hour in ])rayer. During this time the wind was easterly, strong, and cold, — a tliick drift of snow added to the gloom, — and, as if to increase the horror of the scene, a lew of the iiring party, instead of advancing to within (.'ight yards of the prisoners, and firing in three divisions as was intended, owin"- to some mis- take, commenced firing at the distance of at least fifty yards, on being ordered by the sergennts who com- manded th(! tljvisions to make ready. The conse- quence! was, that the unhappy wretches were only pnrtially wounded, and dropped one after another. Nearly forty shots were iired before one poor fello.v in the centre fell, althou'rh he was wounded tlirough the abdonun by the lirst discharge. The men, Avb-^ liad reserved their fire, weie at length ordered u^, and, lodging the contents of their muskets in the breasts of the culprits, by that means put them out of torture. The unfortunate sufferers declared publicly n 32 I,IFK AND (OKUr.SPONDKNrT-: OF tliat, iiad llify ooniiniied inidcr tlu.' command of Colonel Brock, they would have escaped their me- liiMclioly end ; niid, as may be easily conceived, he felt no little anf SIR ISAAC BROCK. 35 " Kxporience has tau|rljt me tliat no regular re- giment, however high its claims to discipline, can occupy tljc frontier posts of Lower and Upper Cana- da without sufierino; materially in its numbers. It mici^ht have (jecn otherwise some years ago ; but now that the country, par'.icularly the opposite shore, is ciiiefiy inhabited by the vilest characters, who have an ir* ,est in debaiichinfr the soldier from his duty; since rowch are cpened into the interior ot the States, which facilitate desertion, it is impossible to avoid tlie contairion. A total chan<;e mu.. ''^ effected in the minds and views of those who may nereafter be sent on this duty, before the evil can be surmounted. *' VV^ere a veteran battalion formed on the princi- ples which 1 shall proceed to state, the disposable force would be stationed at Quebec — in fact, the only military post in the country : there it could be easily maintained in a state Ht for service ; desertion would jn a i^froat measure be stopped ; and Canada, instead of beinfj^ the ruin of part of the army, would become a most elio;ible quarter, " What I -would presume humbly to recommend, is the establishing of a corps composed of men de- servinfj:, bv lona and faithful services, of the most liberal protection and favor, whose interests would be so inierwoven with the safety and prosperity of the country, as to ensure a continuance of good conduct. *'The men, in the first instance, night be selected from the veteran corps already esiablished, and after- wards impartially from every regiment throughout the army. No officer, who has been any time in the command, but is sensible that every year men are discharged Mhom he could with pronriety recom- mend, and these will be more than suiiicient to keep up the establishment. On each of these men two hundred acres of good land might be settled. '* Ten comjianies, each of sixty rank and file, with the usual pro})'>rtion of officers, distributed in the '■ i a(> LIFE AXD COHHESPONDENCE OK foIlo\viii|tj iiiamier, would, I apprehend, prove eqcial to all the duly to which they might be liable. stations. No. oi Compauies. St. Joliti and Chambly 1 Kinq;stou 1 York. 2 Fort (leorj^c and dejiondcncie.s ii Amhersthurg 2 St. Joseph 1 "A small force mic;ht bo nece'^sary at Montreal, which the garrison of Quebec could furnish by a detachment composed of men the least likely to desert. f Lient.-Colnnel Brock next gives a scale of the number of years each soldier should serve in the veteran battalion, pro- portionate to liis length v'i lormei service ; and among other details lie ,sugt?ests that (he inoii, on their (hscharge, should he located on a Iar<;e triiet of land on the river " Credit," purchased hy Lieut. -General Hunter from the Mississague Indian.s; recommending iilso that they should be furnished with iuiplenients of husbandry, and rations for a short period, the expense of which would in the end be inconsiderable, as on receivine: the 200 acres Ihey would forego all claim to Chelsea fiospital, or to any other pension. And he conclude» as follows : ] '' The monthly returns of the regiments, Avhich for me last ten years have occupied the frontier posts of the Cantidas, will shew in part the mischiefs against which a remedy ought, in my opinion, to be provided. Bnt recollecting the sensations produced on the mind of the old soldier by the promise of land made two years ago by officers recruiting for a Fencible corps, 1 would not recommend the raising of one in the usual indiscriminate manner for this duty. ** I have considered the subject only in a military point of view: the advantages arising from the intro- duction of a number of men into the country, attached to government by ties of interest and gratitude, and already acquainted with the use of arms, are too obvious in a political light to need any comment. '! sill ISiAA«; HHOt.'K. .•37 •' It is hiirhly p:ratityiri<_; to ol)«iM've the coinfortable stuto of the J.oyali-ts, vvho, in tlie year 17H4, obtaiii(3d small tracts oflaiul in I'pper Canada : their conduct and principles form a perlect contrast to those jjrac- ti'^ed and proleysed generally by the settlcrai of 171)4 and {'7[)o. *' It may be worthy of remark, that the land in T' p(»er Canada cannot be estimated of any value to government, since any stranjjer, on jrayinjr, f think, six. pence fees for every acre, may at tliis moment pro(!ure two hundred acres on condition of settlinaj." In a letter from I, ieiit. -Colonel Gordon, dated Horse (Iiiards, January 17, 1H(H), Colonel lirocL received the Duke of York's "thanks for the commu- nication of his very sensil.de observations respecting the (lislrihution of the troops in Canada, which his royal highness will no<; fail to take into consideration at a seasonable opportunity." * While on a visit to his familv and friends in Guernsoy, Colonel Brock deemed the intelligence from tlie United States to be of so warlike a charac- ter, that he resolved on returning to Canada before his leave was expired ; and such was his anxiety to be at his post, that he overtook at Cork the Lady Saumarez, a (Guernsey vcs^^el, well manned and armed as a letter of marque, bound to Quebec. lie left London on the 'iOth of June, 1800, and hurried away from Europe never to return — never to revisit those who fondly loved him, not only from ties of kindred, but for his many endearing qualities ; but he had the satisfaction of knowing that the comnujnder-in-chief was much pleased by the zeal and devotion evinced by him on this occasion. » * The 10th Royal Veteran nattalion arrived in Canada the year fol- lowing : and the Canadian rifle regiment, consis^ting uf old sdldiers, was formed a few years since, with the view of pre\entiug desertion across the frontier. i *( !■ 1^ if :jh LIFE ANP C'C HRHSPONUENCI" OK CllA(*rEH III. r .^ V'eky soon after h\» nliirn to Oinada, (^>lotKl Firook suoi'C't'ctt'd, on llie '27l\i uf Sopteiuber, JHOU, to the comiiiarid of the troops in the two provincos, with tiie pay !UkI ;)lIownnc('.s of u brijriidifM*, r'oloiiel Iknves,* of the ()th Foot, liaviij;^ rc: i;4Mod that command on Jiis departure for Enj^land. i\t thiii I'nno, llie civil government of tho lower province was administered by- Mr. President Dunn ; and Colonel Jirock resided at Quebec, in command of tiie forces, until the ar- rival, in October, I'^O?, of tlie j^'overnor-oenerai, Sir flames Crai^', ulio appointed him to act as a brij^a- dier, vvhicb appiintment was oontirnicd by tlie king, to date from the '2d of .luly, 18(H Colonel JJrick to Lieut. -Colonol J, W. Gordon. (^i;kuec, September 28, 1806. T have tlie honor to acquaint you, for tJje informa- tion of the commander-in-chief, that Colonel IJowes, preparatory to liis departure for England, has re- .sjtjned the command of his majesty's forces in this country, which, as the next senior officer, devolves on me. I have great pleasure in reporting to liis royal highness the good order and -Mscipliue whicli, much * Adcrwrtrd-i Major fTOiifial Hariinid Knoni Bowes, slnin on the 27t1i of June, IH12, wiiilf IcailiriK thr troujis to the assault, of rhe forts of Sala rrinucd Mormnieiits in St PnuJ's, to the' nieniory nf Major- Gi'neral Howt's snrt nf Sir Isuac Brock, wen; \o\td in Hit Houst' of Commons on the same (lay, 20th )i July. Hia, NIK ISA^^C BKOrK. m to tlie «^i'0(lit of I.' iif,..C'(^Ioncl Slinaftc, I Ibund on in\ arrival to prevail aiiioriir the eij;lit eomi)ai(ie!r« of tin- 41Mli re^aincnit, (|nartero(l in fliis garrison. It has lu'cn the ia.c of tlic Whh to he divided for tla^ last four years and a lialf, Koveral hundred mile.'^ apart,; and however anxious I nnnt he to a!!sead)le the \vliol(! toj^ether, I have not, considering; the youth of the UKlth rei,nnieiit, which alone aHorda me the moans of elfeotinijf that measure, thoii};ht it prudent to withdraw the eoni])any slationcd at St. John's and the otiier frontier post-! of this province ; but the one at Mi>ntreal Avill be relieved this autumn." Culonel JJowes haviu"^ eoinplicd with T.ieiit. -Colo- nel Otway'st earnest application Jbr leave to return to Knt^iand, 1 have appointed Captain Ormshy, of the 41)th re the crown, and as it is es!5<;(itial that these ohstruc- tioris should be imrnediarcly removed, 1 have to re(jucsf that the nooet-sary iiistnictions may be jjiven to the civil officer*, to enter into the usual legal process to effect this object. The conimandinjr entrineer will be directed to fur- nish the necessury | thins and descriptions of the en- croachments essentially required for military pur- poses, and 1 shall be r(!ady at all times to afford every other assistance and information within my reach to bring the business to a happy conclusion. Colonel Brock to Lieu f.- Governor Gore, at York. Ql'edec, 27th January, 1807. 1 have ll)e honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency's dispatch (duplicate) of the 20th November last, the original of which has not yet come to liand. I pon the subject of that dispatch, I beg leave to state, that finding Colonel l^owes had, during bin temporary cominand here, given directloi ■* upon matters relatiufj to the mann^emtnt of the Indian concerns in the province of Upper Canada, I felt it necessary to apprize your excellenoy that I meant to disconiinue sui"'!! interference, and strictly to follow his majesty's additional instructions of the l'>th of December, 1700, whicli place the sole control of Indian affairs in thai province in your hands, as lieu- teiutnt-governor thereof. It conserpieutly became unavoidable that all ac- counts which, ttnderthe Uukeof Portland's letter to Lieut. -Oetieral Prescott, of the Kith of December, 1796, verc to continue to be defrayed out of the army oxtraordinaries as usual, should previously receive your excellency's sanction and approval. I liavc, therel'ore, the' honor to inform you, that any monc\ will bo advanced from the militarv chest for this service on the bare signature of your excellency. 1^ ; 4r> LIFE AM) <;0UKESI»0N1)E\CE OF Colonel Jirock to thf Right Hon. W- Wmdlinm. QrEBFX, FchniJiry 12, 1S()7. I have tlie honor to transmit for your consideration a jiro|)Osal of Lieut. -Colonel John iNl' Donald, late of ihe Rovnl ('anadian Volunteers, for rai^iajj; a corps amon^ the Scotch settlers in the county of CJlengary, Upper ('anada. When it is considered that both the Canadas fur- nUh only two hundred militia who are trained to arniP, the advantages to ho do'ived from such an f.stahli!:^liment must appear ver\ evident. The military force in this country is verv small, and were it postjihle to collect it in time to oppose any serious attempt upon Quebec, the only tenable post, the number would of itself be insurticicnt to ensure a viij^orous defen(;e. This corps, beinn' stationed on the confines of the Lower Province, would be always immediately and essentially useful in checking' any seditious dispo- sition, which the wavering' sentiments of a largo population in ihe Moutrt\il district might at any time manifest. In the event of invasion, or other emer- gency, this force could be easily and expeditiously transported by Avater to Quebec. The extent of country wliich these settlers occupy would make the jiernianf nt establishment of the staff and one ser'.','Lant in each con»}>aiiy very advisable. I shall not presume to say how far the claims of the field officers to the same indulgence are reasonable and exj)edicnt. In regard to the Jfev. Alexander M'Done)!,* J beg leave to observe, that the men l>eing all Catholics, it may be deemed a prudent measure to appoint him chaplain. His zeal and attacliment to government * After ward;- R. C. Bistiop, uf Rosriopolis. i?) l jiju'V {.'aimda lU tlieii in England at hu julvam-fd ams in 1H:y his /.t'aious and valuablt' efforts to HMimat*. Iiis countruut'n, the Frisli, to a irallant iliscliarij-c of »^l«'ir duty ir> defent-e of tlm ijo\^n SIR ISAAC nnocK. 47 were strongly evinced wlillst filllnjr the oHice of elirij)- lain to the Glenj^iiry Fonciblcs, diirintr the rebellion In Irolnnd, and Mere jrrnciously acknowledged by his royal hi|j:lnies-s the couiinandei-in-chier. flis influence over the men is deservedly great, and 1 have every reason to believe that the corps, by his exertions, would be soon completed, and hereafter become a tnirsery, from Mhicli the army might draw a nuud)er of hardv recruits. The folioM-ing- letter affords a good idea of the cor^dential report of ii geneial officer on the slate c. egiment after its ;. ■ heal inspection. Colonel Brock to the Adjutant- General of His Majesty's Forces. QuEnfir, ^Marcli 17, 1807. In obcdienco to the commander-in-chief's com- mands, conimunicaled to mo in your letter dated l20th of November last. I. shall proceed to state, for his royal higlmoss's information, such observations as a strict attention to the conduct and interior economy of the ]00th^ regiment during the preceding six months lias enabled me to make. The greatest praise is justly due to Lieut. -Colonel Murray, who has commanded, with only a short interval, from the first formation of the regiment to the present time, for his unrendtting care and atten- tion to the several important duties of his office. Tlie ffood etlects of his exertions and intelligence are strikingly visible in every department of the cori)s. He has been ably supported by Major Hamil- ton and the rest of his officers who on all occasions * On thi! passage ot the 100th to Quebec, .n ISOS, one of the transports was w^erked in uvioU'nt gn.i' on the 21st of O(;tnl)er,on tho coast of New- foundland ; and Major Hertrani, throe captains, six lieutenants, tlio assistaMt-siiri;eon, and about 2G1) men of the regiment, miserably perisljed. On the same day the battk' (if Trafalgar wa.-. foug)»t, and it was probably the same gale which caused the loss of so many of the prizes. ,\^—^*'if:^r, f-'^'*'\M- ly 4S LIFE AND CORIIKSPONDI-NCE OF evince the utmosf zeal for flie service, and the highest rcsppot and attachnienl towards his person. He has succeeded in cstahlishinj^ an interior discipline and economy, which I have never before witnessed in bo vuuno[ a corps, and sicarceiy seen surpassed by any, and in a way too the most satisfactory to the feelings of an oHicer. Although I trust the garrison duty at Quebec is carried on with every regard to the safety of the place, together with the strictest attention to all pre- scribed forms and regulations, yet the winter has nearly pastsed without a single instance of neglect or misconduct having occurred among the ICXHh regi- ment ; and it is a ])leasing task to report, that so exemplarily have the men behaved, that, even regi- mentally, only one corporal punishment has been intHoted for the last three months. J. am now speaking of men who, being nearly all Irish, are of all others the most volatile and easily led astray. Should thev, therefore, hereafter be seduced by the various temptations by which they are surrounded, J hope to escape tliO imputation of judging too hastily and partially. The men were principally raised in the north of Ireland, and are nearly all Protestants ; they aro robust, active, and good looking. The troops in this country are precluded, by the severilv of the climate durinij seven months in the year, from exercising out of doors : it cannot, there- fore, be expected that the lOOth regiment can, con- sidering tlie little practice it has had in the field, and afier such a long interval, be very expert in its maiKeuvres; but as Lieut. -Colonel Murray possesses both capacity and inclination, and as a good founda- tion is already laid, the most rapid progress may be expected so soon as the season enables him to com- mence liis labours. A large room has been allotted in the barracks to the purposes of drilling witli arm=4, from which the garrison has derived essential benefit. 1/ SIK ISAAC BROCK, 40 Tlie clotljiiij^ for (lie present year is all fitted, and appears very good. Every muii is provided witli a preat coat, aj^rceably to liis majesty's re^ulaiions ; but as the great coat is necessarily worn on all oc- casions for six months in the year, it cannot by the strictest economy be made to last the specified time. Those of tlie KHUh have been two years in wear, and are so far expended, that they will become wholly unserviceable before next winter. I know of no other alternutive but su[ '^ving others at the charge of the men, which opinion I liave given to Lieut.- Colonel INIurray, who applied to me on the subject. The messes have been all along abundantly pro vidod. Indeed, the soldiers in this /country live in a perfect state of luxury unknown any where else. The non-commisssioned officers an^ privates ac- knowledge to have received every thing which is their due in resj)ect to pay and clothing. One rnan claims part of his bounty, which, he says, has been withheld. /\. regimental court martial has already decided against him, but the business shall again be investigated by a garrison court martial. Lieut.-ColoncI Murray has reported to me that there are several men in his re-'Iment who claim bounty, but as only one complained at the inspection, the remainder nmst be satisHcd that ho is doing his utmost to recover what is actually tiieir due. The hospital is in as complete order as the house which has been hired for that purpose can admit. Indeed the troops in garrison are much inconve- nienced for want of permanent hospitals. There were three cases of fever ; the remainder of the ])ationts were chiefly attacked with a disease too prevalent among young soldiers. Three men are unfit for service, being frost-bitten. The men are supplied with necessaries in con- formity to his majesty's regulations.* * By the general returns of the lOOth roffiment, drawn up with surprising miuuteness), and dated Quebec, l6th March, I807, we find that ouly one ill w Ml'K ANH COHHKSPONDENC K ()/' Colontil lirock to the A ({futant- General of J I in Majesty's Force*. QrEDEC, I81I1 Afarcli, 1^07. The situation which I have the honor to liohl in the 49tli roj^imfiit will not allow inc to enlrtrn my [lart to hrin;j; it to such a state, both in rciird to its inferior economv and nianruuvres in the field, ay I feel contidont will couiniand applause after the most rigid iusjioction. Lieut.-Cclonel Sheaflij hus always afforded me every possible assistance. 1 have equally esi^ry rcu- son to he erfect harmony. The ser^feants are well jj^roundcd in their duty, which tiiev dischar<:e much to my satisfaction. The privates are, with very few ex(?eptions, stout and well madt^j and capable of eudurintr nrj-oat fatigue. ( The reuiainder of tliis letter refers to the elothing, messes, hospiliil, regiujoiitul books, \c.] In tlie spring of the year 1807 a long and unplea- sant correspondence passed between Mr. President -Dunn and Colonel Brock, relative to a waste piece of ground adjoining the barracks at Quebec, and belonging to the crown, which ground the military imperatively required for a jiarade, as they could only exercise in the gorge of one of the bastions of the citadel, a small space totally inadequate to the olttcur fliieut Colonel Murray) was an Englishman ; one ^tlie assistart- sur(ft.'on; whs a Scoichrnan ; 2fi were Iri^li ; h net known, iteing absenf un iea< i', or not haviri>^' joined . and two vacant ; total MH officers -Of the lion ciminiis.siDned uffioers and piivates, 9 were Kngli'sJi, I Scotch, and 4')8 Irish, total 46*^, 01 whoni only 5 sergeants and j private were six feet aud upwards in lieiiflii.. I 1 H\n ISAAC jmoc K. 01 iiiuvt'inr/il, ot'iMoro tliuii XJJX) iii'ii. Tlicro wab iiidood an t'Xtt'tisivt. tifld, noiirly tvvt> ii)Ilt;s di>*liiiil, wliicli occasionally served us a |»i(iadr, but i' ^vas oltt-n iiiacct'ssihio to flic troopn, in coiifCMiticMic of the bad- iH'.i'.i ol' ilic roadsi in tlic spring' and auiunm, and of llie ext'ossni" hoafs in siinuiier. Tlie .K;siiits' har- rackn, as tlicy an; now called, and fli»' j^round in question, continue to be used by tlie uiditary, — the property, known as the Jesuits' estatesi, having been seized upon by tlie crown, on the death ot" I'^Uluir Cazot, the last ot" his order in Canada, in 18(M), because tlie Hociety was suppressed by ro))e Clement XIV, in 177J}. It will be seen by the report of Lord Gosford's mission to Canada, printed by the order of" the Hous< of C'otnrnon^, that it was one of the leading heads oi' charge advanced by the French Canadians sijjjainst the government, that thi-) pro- perty had been ajipropriated to the use of the troops. The next two letters relate to this subject. (^i EHEc, 7lh May, 1807. Colonel lirock iius been honored with Mr, J^resi- dent Dunn's letter of yesterday, and observes A\ith regret and surprise tliat his honor still jiersists in iis>erting that the ground, the resen! commu- nication, t ■ ] in 012 LIFE AND CORRKSPONDENCE OP m Lieut. -Colonel Vyv vill have the lienor of present- irig this note, and he uill take that opportunity of respectfully rcnjindinfr his honor that he heard the j)roniiriC in question nncquivocully tfivon. Culonel Brock to tho Jiujht Hon W. Wiudhnm. QuKDEc, Sth ^lay, 1807. Mr. President Dunn havinject proposed, l)ut that he woidd shut his eyes, and in no way interfere with me, j»rovided nu injury were done to the premises. In consequence of this promise, which I all along considered as a temporary accommodation, liable cycry instant to be recalled, 1 began, as early as possible in the spring, clearing the ground of the noxious weeds with which it was overgrown ; and in a few days, after a sad interval of nearly seven months, paraded the troops there for the first time. No notice was taken of this for several days, when I received u letter from the president, signifying his disapprobation of my conduct, and his intention of making an ofiicial communication to you upon the subject. Feeling that nothing had been done but what had SIR Ii^AAC IIIIUCK. 08 oV)tainc(l liis prpvioiis c'onjsrfit, I could not avoid, in answer, (fxprcssinij njy Kurfirisc at so uriixpecUnl a cornmniiicatiou ; iiiul suspecting tliat he Imd been unwarily intluonccd hy tlio voice of disafFootion and private intorci^t, 1 rcnuostod liim not to niiiid a claniour tlius raised. I was tlin more convinced lliat sucli was the case, when I tbiind the president mak- ing use for tlie first time of lau'^Miago far from conciliatory, and that iho disposition I have all alon;^ manifested to njoet his wishes hy no means warranled. Perceiving by his reply that he was still desirous that tlio troops should not return to the ground, I immediately receded, and issued orders accordingly ; but I must confess that tins step, from the great sacriiice, was reluctantly taken, and adopted more out of personal resp ct to Mr. Du.ui than from any apprehension of incurring cen lire for merely con- verting a useless waste, t!*e property of the king, to purposes tending esscrtially t'» promot*> his ervicc. The president, in his leifers, te: ■ciously denies having ^iven his tacit assent to thf Measure; but as Lieut. -Colonel I*ye, the deputy quariermaste general, was present when it was |,;ivco, and that cOo in a most unef|uivocal manner, he appeared, when per- sonally adilressed bv that officer, to he sensible iu; had dene me wrong in so suddenly adopting a lino of conduct at once ungracious, and so contrary to Ids former practice and disposition. A vast number of people expect to benefit by a division of the ground in question, and evince the ntmost impatience upon every step which is taken likely to involve their interests, however greatly it may advance the public service. They nre become more sanguine '., their expectations now that the civil governmeuu .;* administered by a gentleman, uuqiiestionably of the first respectability and nicest honor, but whr, from his great age and long intimacy with the inl'^djitants, is more likely to be swayed by any repioscntation their avarice may prompt them to make. ii i rA l.tJf-' AND COKUEHPONnRNCE Of J)i regard lo flio lujtnccHato quostion of tlio proiinri adjoiriin;^ llie barracks, I bcf( leave nispcctfully to rc'lbr vou to tlic; laU; Lioiit. -General Hunter's dis- patch,' atltlrcs.'^ed to Lord Ilobart, No. (Jl, dated the lOtli August, 1804. IletherGsofiillydetnonstrut.es the jj;reat benefit the military woidd derive by being put i'l post0 per annum, during a period the civil government thought (hey had ceased to l)e paid. Such useless expenditures must inevitably occur under the old system. II 56 LIFE A>D CORRESPONDENCE OF I am bound by my instructions to provide the civil governnirnt with vvlmtever money it may de- mand on account of the Indian department, but I am strictly restricted incurring the smallest expense on that service ; and therefore, without your previous satictlon, no payment can be made. Your honor will find me at all times disposed to concur with you in any arrangement you may think necessary to adopt for the good of his majesty's ser- vice, but I cannot possibly consent to interfere in the expenditure of the public money in cases where I am deprived of all control. I have only to add, that should your honor approve of the claim brought forward by the superintendent- general of Indian affairs for barrack allowances, and will signify to me the amount, the same will instantly be discharged ; and I here beg leave to repeat, that feeling myself unauthorized to incur any expense on account of that department, and indeed being pos- sessed of no means of ascertaining the correctness of any demand which might be made for that service, I must regulate my future conduct by the arrange- ment Avhieh has lately been adopted with your full concurrence and approbation. In May, 1807, Mr. Barclay, the British consul- neral at New York, informed Mr. President Dunn genera that in the full of the preceding year a M. Cassins, who had been French coiisid at Portsmouth in JSew Hampshire, had returned to France, where he had an interview with the emperor and Talleyrand, who had ordered him back immediately to the United States — that he had since been at Washington, and was then on his wav to Canada, with the ostensible object of purchasing furs at Montreal, but that his real errand was to tamper with the Canadians, for which purpose l»o had been sent out again. A des- cription of his person was also given, and Colonel Sni ISAAC BRO( K. 57 Brock issued prompt instructions to llie officers com- manding; po^•ts in both jirovinct-s for iiis appreiionsion, in \vhioh case lie was to be taken before a niUi^is- trate, and kept in safe custody until furtlier orders. Monsieur Cassins probal>Iy did not enter Ciinada, as he does not appear to have been appreliended ; and we mention the circumstance lo sliow not only the vipilancc of Mr. Barclay, but the supposed hostile feclinf^ of the Canadians towards tlie liritish luie at this momentous period. In this year, in consideration of the lonj^ and faithful services of Mr. R , the deputy barrack- master at St. John's, who left his fiimily in very indip^ent circumstances. Colonel Urock hepf^ed of JJeut. -Colonel Shank, of the Canadian F- icihies, to employ Mr. R 's eldi^st son, an ensii;n in that regiment, on the recruitini : the periodical inspection of that rej^inient, required by inv instructions. But its dispersed state and the many' evils by which it is surrounded will, however great the zeal and intelli<;enco of Lieut. -Colonel Proctor and the other officers, so far affect the dis- cipline and morals of the men, as to justify my sayinj^ that both the one and the other must, without the possibility of a remedy, progressively suffer in proportion as the rcrjiment remains stationed in the Upper Province. The 41st regiment, having a con- siderable number of old soldiers, is better calculated for that service than either the 40th or lOOth regiments, and no change is therefore meditated. Not being possessed with the means of making a more circumstantial report of the state of the 41st regiment, I have only to add, injustice to the ofHoers commanding posts, that they evince in their com- munications with head quarters mucb attention and sound judgment. Contemplating tbe probable arrival of a general officer, by the fleet daily expected from England, I have so far presumed to deviate from my instructions as to postpone making the periodical inspection of the regiments quiirtered in this garrison, conceiving that his royal highness the commander-in-chief would esteem a repoi't coming from such a high source more satisfactory, than if I were to undertake the task in my present situation, which may naturally be supposed, in some degree, to bias my judgment. On the 17th July, 1807, in consequence of an expected rupture ])etween England and the United States, Colonel Broci-: addressed a letter to Mr. Pre- sident Dunn, in which he said that the number of militia armed and instructed in the province did not exceed 3(K), while he thought that as many thousands could easily and with perfect safety be formed into corps ; and that Quebec, the only military post in SIR ISAAC BROCK. 01 the country, was not in a condition to make miicli defence against an active enemy, as the walls on the western side were old and decayed, and could not possibly sustain a continued heavy fire. He added, that lie wished to throw up such works as would remedy this «rlaring defect ; but as tlie garrison was totally inadequate to sucii an undertaking, he rerjuired from V)(K) to 1,0(H) men every day for six weeks or two months, besides a vast number of carts, &c., to complete the necessary d( fences of the citadel. This letter being submitted to tlie council, that body re- plied, that the only means by which assistance could be given by the civil government to the military, in the manner proposed by Colonel Brock, would be by embodying a proportion of the militia according to law, the men for which service must be taken from different parts of the province. And that as this measure had been only once resorted to in the pro- vince, on which occasion a decided disobedience M'as generally manifested, and was again to be anticipated, the council enquired of Colonel Brock whether he had the means, and would furnish them, to enforce the attendance of the milit' i, who, when embodied, were entitled to the same pay and allowances as the king's troops. The council further informed Colonel Brock that it would meet again the next day, for the purpose of taking into consideration any represen- tation, in writing, which he might think proper to make in answer to their communication, and that, if convenient to him, they requested his personal attendance. His reply was as follows : Quebec, 23d July, 1807. Colonel Brock has perused with attention the proceedings of his honor the president in council, communicated to bin by Mr. Byland, and begs leave to observe, that in addressing his honor on the 17tli injJtant, it was far from his intention to assume a political character. J A,<4illi M« V i*nlM»H «^-rfLa.i.t iA.^1.' I ()2 Mir AND rOKUFSPONDKNCE OF iris solo oljject was to state the fissistaiico rcqiiirod liy the military to reinody a olariiin; defect in the fortifications of Quebec, should his honor conceive that preparatory measures were necessary to he adopted in consefjuence of the event which recently occurred between his inajesty's ship Leopard and the American i'rh^Hlc Chesapeake, hut more particularly the 8ubse(|aent ap^ressive provisions contained in the proclamation of the American government. In thus complyint; with the dictates of his vluty, Colonel Brock was not prepared to hear that the jiopulation of the province, instead of affording him ready and effectual support, mipjht probably add to t(» the number of his enetnies; and he feels much dis- appointment in beln|^ informed by the first authority, that the onlv law in aiiv de<;ree calculated to answer the end proposed Avas likely, if attempted to be en- forced, to meet with such tjeneral opposition as to require the aid of the military to give it even a momentary impulse. Colonel Brock is therefore oliliged to observe, that the officer commanding certainly would not choose the time when the troops may every instant be called upon for the defence of Quebec, to disperse them over the country in aid of the civil government, co- ercively collecting a body of men, which, under such circumstances, would be of more detriment than service to the regular army. Colonel Brock cannot, therefore, look for any assistanr^e from that quarter ; but, should an emergency arise, he is confident that voluntary offers of service will '>e made bv a consi- dcrable number of brave and loyal suf)jects, and feels hiu)self Justified in saying, that even now several gentlemen are ready to come forward and enroll into companies men on whose fidelity they can safely rely. It remains with his honor to determine the degree of countenance which ought to be given to such sentiments. Colonel Brock will be at all times j>roud to attend deliberations of his honor in council. i SIR (i^AAC nHO( K. 03 Colviud Brock to l.onl Viscnitnt Castlereaijh. QuF.nKf, July i'-J, 1807. I think it my duty to trfinsmit for your lonlsliip's inforuijifioii a oopy of the oommunication tliat lias jias^jcd hcfwoeri his honor tlie prt";ioimderH to be raised sixteen feet upon the cava- lier in tlie centre of tlie citadel, which will effcotually command (lie opposite heights. Although these remarkn may bo premature, 1 yet conceive it my duty to give his royal highness the commander-in-chief a view of my real situation. I must freely confess that I am unable to account for the jnotixes which seem at present to guide the councils of this province. Volutitary offers of service have been made by numbers, on whose loyalty the utmost reliance can be j)Iaced, to form themselves into corps of cavalry, artillery, and infintry, at little or nil expense to government, j)rovided they were furnished with arms ; but this liberal spirit has not been encouraged by the president. f have the honor to report, that at a recent ititer- view I had at Montreal* with Lieut. -Governor (iore, it was judged expedient that bis excellency should assume the command in the upper province. I re- gretted exceedingly that I could not, with propriety, 11i'"ic'> *>• niat city liad tiropostd to him to enibody themselves into a troop of cavalry. KIK IMAAl ltl(0( k. l.icut -ricn'^rnl Sir Jtimm Cru'uj, K. /J., to Cohnol I]rnck. n.iVL.s. Jlorutio, Oct. ir», 1H()7. His majesty liaviii^ Iktm picnsrd to appoint lue to tlif chicr j^ovoriiincnt of tlic Hritinli provinct's in Anu'rioa, as well as to tlu; «'oiinnunn tiie. I/it'ut. -Colonel IJayncs, the adjutant-general, and Major Thornton, my !se(;relary and first aide-de- camp, will deliver you this, and will inform you of the very miserable state of my health, which ohlif^es nie to write to Mr. Dunn, to inireat that he will permit my landing to he as private as possible. Of you I must make the same request. A salute may be proper, but I beg nothing more may bo done : my object irmst be to get to the chateau as upeedily atui with as little fatigue as possible. {•■\ '; \'i\ •^»'»r--L'#r- ti.T . . 08 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF CHAPTER IV. % \ Early in the year 1808, Colonel Brock, as we learn from his correspondence, was stationed at Montreal, doubtless in command of the troops there. These were the palmy days of the then celebrated North- West Company, " which for a time held a lordly sway over the wintry lakes and boundless forests of the Conadas, almost equal to that of the East India Company over the voluptuous climes and magnificent realms of the Orient." The principal partners resided at Montreal, where they formed a commercial aristo- cracy, and lived in a {generous and hospitable manner. Few travellers who visited Canada at this period, *'in the days of the M*Tavishes, the M'Gillivray, the M'Kenzies, the Frobishers, and the other mag- nates of the north-west, when the company was in all its glory, but must remember the round of feasting and revelry kept up among these hyperborean na- bobs." * AVith these merchant princes. Colonel Brock appears to have lived on terms of intimacy. Licui.- Colonel Thornton \ to Brigadier Jirock, at Montreal. Quebec, 7th April, 1808. Your report of the state of the chateau at Montreal I have mentioned, but it is not thought right at present to make any considerable repairs to it. I am sorry for your being the sufferer, but I can venture ■* Washinp:ton Irvine's "Astoriii." ^ Afterwards Lieut. -General Sir William Thornton, K. C. B., &c. I« sill l!«AAC DUOCK. (ji) to nssure you that, liowevpr unfavorable the buildint^ may he, you'oiight never to feel uneasy about your friends, for in your kindness and hospitality no -want of comfort can ever he felt by them : in this I am fully supported !jy all the accounts from Montreal, and I sincerely congratulate you upon the addition to your society there of Judge and Mrs. Rtid, Sir I. Johnson, and Colonel Chabot. In the way of news, I can only tell you that the newspapers are perfectly right in respect to the destination of Sir George Prevost. He is appointed lieutenant-governor of Nova Scotia; given tiie local rank of lieutenant-general; and made second in command to Sir James Craig, in North America ; so that General C. Campbell, who is senior major- general, cannot come out. The regiments that were to sail with Sir George are the first battalions of the 7th, 8th, 23d, and 13th, the last to proceed to Ber- muda. The papers will also have informed you of the appointment of nine inspecting field officers of militia besides myself — six for the Canadas and four for Nova Scotia ; and I hope we may be of as much service to the militia as our rank* and pay are to us. Your speaking to M. Berthelot so completely se- cured me his favor, that in my interview with him I really was overpowered with bows and kindness. He begged that Mr. Frobisher and I would make what arrangements wo pleased respecting his houses, and added, that oir determination and pleasure would be his. Our plan of succession is Mr. Fro- bisher to your house, and your humble servant to his. Brigadier J3rock to his Brothers. MoNTUEAL, July 20, 1808. I have written to all of you since the navigation opened, and the only letters I have received from any of the family for several months came from Irving, " Rank of lieutenant-colonel. I M 70 LIFE AM) rOHUESI'ONDliNCK Ol who, to do liitn justioc, is itifinifcly tlic most attentive, and rojTultir correspondent aiuonp you. My appointiTient to bo brigadier 1 Hrst nnnounced bv the M.'iroii n)aii. Tliose wlio fe<.'l an interest in iiiv prosperity will rejoii^o in my {jjood fortune, as this distinjTuished mark of favor alfords undejiiable proof that my conduct, during tlie period of my oomnumd, was approved ; — a great gratification, considering the many difficulties I had to encounter. 1 once thought I sliould be ordered to the upper province, but General Ferguson being among the newly ap- pointed major-geTieruls, will not now probably visit this country. In that case, I stand a very good chance of succeeding him, both in rank and in the command of Quebec, w here it was intended he should be stationed. What will be the result of our present unsettled relations with tlie neighbouring republic, it is very •liHicult to say. The government is corn|)osed of such unprineij)led men, that to calculate on it by tlit^ ordinary rules of action would be p<;rfectly absurd. We have completely outwitted Jetferson in all ins schemes to provoke us to war. IJc iiad no other view in issuing his restricti\e proclamation ; but, failing in that, be tried what the embargo would j)ro- duce, and there he has been foiled again. Certainly, our administration is deserving of every praise for their policy on these occasions. Jetierson and his party, however strong the inclination, ilare not de- clare war, and therefore they endeavour to attain their object by every provocation. A few weeks since, the garrison of Niagara fired upon seven mer- chant boats j)assing the fort, and actually captured them. C'onsiderJnfT the circumstances attendintj this hostile act, it is but too evident it was intended to ])rovoke retaliation : these boats fired upon and taken within musket shot of our own fort ; I heir balls fall- ing on our shore, was expected to have raised the iiulignation of the most |)hlegmaric ; fortunately, the commundanf was not in the wav, as otherwise it is , Yi SIR ISAAC HUOCK. 71 ditticull to say wluit would have Ijiipponod. A ivpte- sentatioii of this iJlair has hoen iiiadc at Washirifrton, nrnl, for an act certainly opposed to existing treaties, we have heen relerred for justice to the ordinary course of the hiw ! If our suhjeets cannot eoinniand impunity from cajtture uiuh'r the truiis of our own ibrts, it were hrtlor to demolish tliem at once rather than witness and suffer such inditrnitv. Bv the treu- ties which liave expired, the navi*j;ation of tiie waters that divide (lie two countries is re«j;ulat(!d and stijm- Jatt.d to iu' still in force, althoufih every other part should cease to be ol)]i^atory. I get on l)ere yjretty well, but this place loses at this season tlie undouhied advanta«re it possesses over Quebec in winter. Great additions are making- to the fortifii'ations at Quebec, and, when completed, the Amerif-ans will, if! mistake not, tliink it prudent not to trouble the place, for they can liave no chance of niakinj^ any imj)ression uj)on it during the short ])eriod which the severity of the ellmatc ordy permits an enemy to lay before it. I erected, as [ believe I told you before, a famous battery, wliicdi the pid)!ic voice named after me ; but Sir James, thinking very probaldy tliat any thing so very pre-eminent should be distiriguislicd by rhe most exalted appellation, has called it the King's Battery, the greatest compliment, I conceive, that he coidd pay to my judgment.* Not a desertion has been attempted by any of the 4i)th for the last ten nuiuths, with tlio excei)tion in- deed of ITogan, SavLvvi former servant. lie served fJlegrr in the same cs pacify, who took him with him to the FpHs of Niagara, whtre a fair damsel persuaded him to this act of madness, for the fellow cannot possibly gain !.;• bread by labour, as lie has half killed himself with excessive drinkino,"; and we know lie cannot live upou love alone. The weather lias '■ ) ^ * In SOUK! Ii'iok or I'tavoK in Catiadu, DuiicKn's wi tliink, it is st'i1>'n which Irving took to transiTibe a pnrt ot' the letter litis ))roved very lucky. NotwithstandiiiL^, 1 look for the original with un- usual impatience, as Savery'n opinion must be formed U)»on what he saw in the beat disciplined army that ever, I imagine, left England. His observations arc never thrown away. I urn still confined to my room, more indeed on account of the badness of the weather than anv want of progiess in my recovery. We have had very hard gales from the l^'ast. The Iphigenia frigate, with lier convov, could not have cleared the land, and the greatest apprehension is entertained for her safety. Her commander. Captain I.ambert, is a friend of George Brock. I rind liim an exceedingly good fel- low ; and I have reason to think that he left us well satisH«'d w ith the attention he receivcil from me.* Sir .fames ('raig has certain intimation of the ap- jiointment of Colonel JJuron de Kotlenburg, of tlie ()l>th, to be a brigadier in this country, and he is dfiilv lookei for. This most probablv will make a change in n)y situation, as one musl go to the Upper Province ; and, as he is senior, he will doubtless have the choice. My object is to get home as soon as J can obtain jtermission; but unless onr attjiirs with America be amicably adjusted, of which 1 see no probability, I scarcely can expect lo be jicrmitted to move. 1 rejoice Saverv has be«run to exert himself lo get me appointed (o a more active situation. I must see service, or I may as well, and indeed much * "Till ynmi^.' itnr! Kalla'.i " I'liiiiain Hi-iiry Laiiihort. inciitinvcil above, wa.s tnortally wumultil in lion'iiiliiT, 1S12, m tomnmiKl of H- M. .S. Juvh, wlu'n she was captured by lUo Amcricun frigate Constitution, of greatly superior force 74 LIIK AM» t.'ORHKSr'ONI)E.N(.'K OK hotter, (]uit ilio iirmy ut once, tor no fnio lulvfnitacje can I reasoDiihy look to licrouftor ii' 1 rcriiniii Imricc' iti tl)i< inactive, remote corner, witliout tlie leiist rnen- ri'^n beinix made of me. Should Sir J;inies Sruiniarez retiirji from ti.e lialtii; crowin <1 with siiecess, he couhl, I should think, say a good word for nic to souje purpose. Vineent* is doinix cxtroniely will. I licwever dread the severity of a winter upon liis t^hattercd frame, I nuist contrive to meet and dissipate tlie dull iiours with my i^'ood friends of the 4i)th. J have pre- vailed upon Sir James to ajipoint Sor^jjeunt Ilohinson, master of the band, to a situation in the commifi. He was tlit'ii inajur of tlu- 4i)tl) silt ISAAC HHO( K. 75 two oniintrios in a war; they liavc already ^ivoii us legitiinali; e.ui^o, but, if wiso, \v(! will studiously avoid doiriir that for which they shew so great an anxiety. Their finances, you will perceive, are very low, and they dare not jiropo.-ie direct, taxes. They must have recouise to loans at a time wlien fhey have only six I'ri^ales in commission, aniteuij)lalc the sweeping; away of all foiei;^n» d»ibts as the means of reduein<^' the calls upon their treasury. What(!ver steps J:ln|j;land may adopt, 1 think she cannot, in prudence, avoid sendinik the loss of a fleet and army for the cli nee of ^eltint; possession of the oonntrv. What ''ifatuation ! No people had ever more ( .uise to rejoice at their fate; bat ihey are not siNHuhir, as all mankind seems prone to eiianail<'d .lOiu Portsmouth tlio '24lh, rrac.'hed llii^ in thirty •• •' -, lut as it had not a ncrapo of a pi u lor 1111', its 0)11' ' did not interest rue. VN'e 'lave heen nnconimon' the last fortnight ; two lin'ates at anehor, md the ai rival of (Srovernor Gore from the T'pper l^iovince, liave {riven a zest to society. Uoees, country and wati?r prirtios, have oreupifil our linio in a continued round of festivity. Surh stimulus is highly necessary to keep our spirits afloat. I con- tributed my share to tlie general mirth in a grand dinner given to Mrs. Gore, at which Sir J. Craig was present, and a I)all to a vast assendjlage of all descriptions. 1 m(!ntioned in a former letter my apj)rohpnsions of being ordered to the Upper Province. I. return this moment from wailing' upon Sir Jamep, who sent for me, to sny lie regretted he must part nvIiIi me, as Ijc found it ah^( intelv necessarv that I should proceed uj)war(ls without delay. I am placed in a Ncry awkward jiredicament, as my stay in that country depends wholly upon contingencies. Should a bri- gadier arrive, 1 am to be stali COHKI'SPONDKNCi; OF jiieirib'. rs ofa^t.'iieral rourt martial, and are soon to (lc[)urt, wlicn 1 hliall be left to iny own reflections. Should I be so lucky as to obtiun leave, I shall not coinnicni e n.t\ journey to New York until after (^liristnias. Baron de Rottenburg-, a senior brijra- dier, has arrived at Quebec, Avliere he remains. His presence unquestionably diminislies my j)rosjjects in this country, and I should stand evidently in my own lipflit if I did not court fortune elsewhere. [ have becji as far as Detroit, a deliijlitful country, far exceedintf auv ihinyf I had seen on this continent. I have not had a letter from Europe since May, and wish you to write to me by way of New York. I avail myself of an nne\j)ected passenger to scribble this in tin; presence of many of the court, who tell me it is time to resume our labours; therefore, my beloved brothers, adieu, T shall write again in a [ow days, via New York. Colonel Dayncs to Drigadwr Brock, at Fort Gfloryc. Quebec, October 4, 1810. \\\j yestonlay's post, I was favored with your letter of the '23d ultimo. I regret that so much trouble should have been occasioned to so little pur- pose, the more so as I apprehend an exam])le to be much called for in the lOOth regiment. Murray seenis sanguine that the regiment will go on better under his rule, and that he knows the men better. I hope his conjecture iray prove well founded, but I fear they are too wild a set to thrive in Upper Canada. As I felt at a loss how to introduce the subject of vour pergonal views and wishes, I gave Sir James your letter to read ; it did not, liowever, draw^ from him any renuirk on tl' topics. J know that he is very strongly impress rith the necessity of having a person like yourself for some time in the Upper Province, that i scrutinizing eve mav correct the Sm ISAAC UIIOCK. 83 errors and neglect that liavc crept in, and put all in order atrain ; and, in ('(mjidanve between our.si'ices^ I do not think he would be more ready to part with you from that station, in consequence of the arrival of Colonel Murray, who is not at all to his taste, and has managed, by a mo^t indiscreet and indecent cbnversation at his table, to blot himself out of his f^uod opinion. The conversation ^^as on the subject of Cobbett, and the colonel's the only dissenting voice, which he exerted with the more energy in proportion to the badnos of his cause; and after defending him in a style and language highly indecorous, and reprehensible to be held at the'table of the governor, he so completely forgot himself as to rejieat aufl justify the very offensive and illiberal publications of Cobbett respecting the Gorman troops and foreign officers, although sitting directly opposite to General de Rottenburg. Sir James, who was suffering extremely from the commencement of a very severe attack of illness, could contain himself no longer, and silenced Murray by a very severe but highly just rebuke. Rottenburg appeared much hurt, and said to me that he was very sorry to find that any officer, entrusted with the honor of commanding u corps, could take a pleasure in exposing such senti- ments as he had heard from Colonel M. Colonel Kempt, Avho naturally feels much interested for his young cousin, (Mrs. Murray,) and who really deser^^-es and merits it for her own sake, was much mortified and vexed at Murray's impropriety.* The charms of Mrs. de Rottenburg have not effaced you from t!ie recollection of your friends, who very sincerely regret your absence. * Whatever may )iavc been CoIodcI Murray's iniliscrctioti on this occasion, he appniveil himself one of the m(vst tjallant and enterprising: officers in Canada durin;? the war, and particularly distingiiislied liiinself in the assault and capture nf Fort Niairara, in Decembfr, I8i:!, where he was severely wounded. If ('oloncl Murray admired Cubhetfs writinijs, he was not singular, a^ he was perhaps the most forcible political writer in the English language. 1 !, I I '■ \V. i :i!: I H4 LIKE AM) ( OUHKfll'ONDENrE OF 5 ' ' lAvut.-Culonol Thornton to Briijiulicr liroch, Quebec, October 4, 18J0. 1 was yosterday fUvorod with your letter of the •ii3d ultimo, and have not failed to communicate to Sir James your account and your charity towards the poor old fellow, formerly of the king's.* lie has in consequeuce directed the allowance of the raiion to be authori/ed and continued to him, for which purpose 1 nmst request his Christian name and the date of the first issue ; but T am to remind you of the dnrifj^er of establishing; a precedent of this nature, and to request, in the ^eneral'y, name that you will refrain as mucli as possible from indulging the natural bene- volence of your disposition in this way, as he has hitherto resisted all applications of this sort. Your successor, as commandant of Quebec, is cer- tainly much to be esteemed — a good kind of man, and devoted, to his profession — but it Is vanity in the extreme to attempt to describe the general admiration and estimation of his eara ct (iohw spona : she is young, (twenty-three,) fair, beautiful, — lively, dis- creet, witty, affable, — in short, so engaging, or rather so fascinating, that neither the courier nor my paper will admit of my doing her justice; however, from whi»i 1 have said it is necessary further to add and explain, that it is Jiot my opinion alone but that of the pul»lic. Two hundred volunteers for Colonel Zoucli, from other veteran battalions, have just arrived and landed: the regiment is to be completed in this manner to one thousand. * Sir Isaac Brock was several yciirs in the 8th rei^inipnt, but this old man liail luohably servcil with his brothi-r, J,icut. -Colonic) John Urock, who was iiiiiny )ears in the Hth, in Canada, during and after the lirst American war, and who on his return home used to describe the dreadfu! state of solitude in whicii he lived while a subaltern on detachment in the upper countr) The lieutenant-colonel of the 8th at thix period amassed a considerable siun by dealing in furs, wliich he purchased at a cheap rate from the Indiens. SIR ISAA{ nnocK. 85 i'oLoncl Jiaynm to Ur'ujadiar Itrock. QuKHKC, October 11, 1810. Sir Jiiinos lias eonvorsed with mo fully on the subject ol your wish for leave, and prefaced it by declariuijj himself very desirous on his part to forward your views as far as he could do so with propriety, but that ho had Avrittfii in such stronrj terms, urj^iu}^ the necessity of a thiril fjeneral officer beiii|^ kept con- stantly on the start" of the Canadas, and assigned as a principal reason the advantaixe of an officer of that rank beijig stationed in the Upper Province, that he docs not conceive himself at liberty to overset an arrangement which he has been, two years solicitinL, the means to carry into effect, and the absolute necessity of whicli he is highly impressed with. In reply to an observation of mine, that you regretted the inactiv(i ])rosj)ect before you, and looked with envy on those employed in Spain and Portugal, he said : " 1 make no doubt of it, but I can in no shape aid his plans in that respect ; I would not, however, be the means of preventing them, and although from his local knowledge I should regret losing him in this country, yet I would not oppose it if he could obtain an appointment to the staff on service ; but in that case 1 would ask for another general officer being sent in his place immediately to [Jpper Canada." I tell you this, my dear general, without reserve, and give you, as far as I can recollect, Sir James' words. If he liked you less, he might perhaps be more readily induced to let you go ; as matters stand, I do not think he will, although I am convinced that he will feel very sincere regret in refusing you on a subject upon which you appear to be so anxious. Brigadier Brock to Lieut. -Governor Gore, FoitT George, Jan. 0, ISll. Having lately I'cceived a letter from Colonel Vesey, in which he urges me to ascertain whether it be pes- a ' \ 8() \.UE AND COIIKKSPONDKNCE OF It ¥ Ir ij siMe to sociire to liis fuinily sornc licriefit from tlio frraiit of five fliousajul ncnui lie has so long: unprofit- al)l}' lielil, I nin cncour:i<^od by the disposition your excellency luis uniformly cv need to serve him, to renew my earnest request that your influence may be iioNv exerted in his behalf. 1 am <,nvcn to understand that there are extensive tracts of excellent land at the disposal of the crown on Lake Erie., and that a new township is undergoinjx a survey near the head of Luke Ontario. Were it porfsible to ensure Colonel W>sey eligible situations m those districts, he no longer would hesitate in incurring the necessary expense. Your excellency having sionified your intention of visitincr Enuciand in the course of next summer, I am impelled to the present application by the con-idera- tlon that, before your return, the land, which 1 have taken the liberty to point out, may be disposed of, and Colonel Vesey thereby lose the fair opportunity of acquiring property upon which he can confidently place some value. Lieut. 'Governor Gore to Brigadier Brock. York, January 21, 1811. Your letter of the Gth instant shoidd have been earlier acknowledged, but that I was desirous to ren- der my answer as satisfactory as possible, and it was necessary to refer to the offices, on the subject of the grant of land ordered for Colonel Vesey. I am very sorry now to be constrained to tell you, that It is not in my power to comply with Colonel Vesey's wish in respect of the location, without a special order from the king, as in the case of Colonel Talbot. The diagram, by which the town and clergy reserves are recorded, cannot be dispensed with, so that it is now impracticable to obtain in any township five thousand acres in a block. I I 1 I I SIK rSAAC nHO( K. h: Tho lownships lately survcyotl iiro partial cxoop- tioiis to tho gcrionil rule, tor tlic express purpose of estubliyliini; roads through the province, a!id the locations in that exception are by an act of government expres«*ly reserved for actual settlers. The utmost in my ])o\ver to do for Colonel Vosey is to adopt the latitude directed by his majesty in favor of General Arnold, which m to permit his re- presentative to locate his land in any open township, and to pass the p.itent without his personal attendance. Exclusive of m\ verv sironjx desire to serve (^olo- nel Vesey, 1 beii.s tiim;, niul afti-rwanls tor Catalonia. Hn (listitisfuislied liiinselt from imw to IKll, in COUHKPPONDUNti: Ol siil))('<*t of your applicfiiion for Icuvc. The Iclfors, uli it'll I Ii.'ivn rccH-ivt'd from iioriie, cxplioilly ntiito tiiat tlw last Itrcvcf. ww^ iiiado ho cxtonsivo with the vi(!vv oi' (loiii;^ auay with the; appointment of brij^a- dicr, so that no general ottici.T under the rank of iriajor-f^cneral will he in future employed ; indepen- dent of this (,'ircunislMnce, you have no I'eason, believe nie, to dread bein^ unenjploved in any rank while you have a wish to serve — thi.^ opinion, my dear jreneral, is not given r;isldy or upon slight grounds — before 1 came to this country 1 had, you must know, several op|)ortiinities of heariri"^ your name mentioned at head rjuarters, both by (leneral Calverl and Colo- nel (Jordon, who unquestionably sj)oko the sentiments of the then comniander-in-ehief, and in such a way as to impress me with a thorough convi(^tion that few oflieers of your rank stood higher in their estimation. In short, I have no manner of doubt whatever that you will readily obtain employment upon active scr\ ice the nuunent that i/oti do fjet home, and with this view J recommend you to express, through Haynes, your sense of his excellcney's good inten- tions and wishes towards you in respect to leave of absence, and your hopes that when the circumstances of the country are such as will permit him to grant six months" leave to a general officer, that this indul- gence will be extended in (he first instance to you. I am very happy to iind that you are pleased with Mrs. Murray : I liavo just rec eived a long; letter from her, giving nie an account of a splendid ball given by you to the heaii wonde of Niagara and its grovcrnor- general of Hritish America, anil subsequently master- guncral of the ordnanci' in Eavl Grey's HdmiiiistraliDn. Sir Jauics is one of the most dis^tinf^nistied ottlccrs in tlie British ami) , liavins? hervcd in Holland and KVypt, at, Maida, in Spain, and at Waterlcn . lie lias received tlic Kpyptian Medal, and across and three Clasps for Aluida. Hadajos, Vittoria, Nivellc, Nive, Orthes, and Toulouse. Tlu; i ditor of this nieni": • takes this op!)ortunity of cxpressiri]^ his irraieful rcmenihrance of Sir .lames Kt!mpt's attention and kindness to him diiriiiR' his lieutenant -i^overnorship of Nova Scotia, wlicn he, ^the editor,) a very young man, was in that jiroviriee upwards of rwi'iity yt'ars ago. Ntitlier can he forj^et the very ffratifylnji: manner in u'liieliSirJames spoke of iiis old friend, Sir Isaac Urock, Kill ISAA( MliOC K. 91 1 ' vicrinity, and tlin iiinimor in which sho fjuMiks of your iiitcrullly and hospitulity rnniimls ino of Hio many jiU'.isunt lioiirs I have passcil under \our roof. MV / ; 1 1 * • 1 • • • i' /Kirr III) aiirli jnutics noii', and the indisposilion ot Sir.Ianics havinj; proventod the usual puhlic day i* at the castle, nothing more stupid than Quthec now iu CUM ho imagined. Colonel Bnyncs tn JJrigadicr Brock, at Jort George. (^UEUKC, February 14, 1811. From the sincere and lively interest which I am sure you fee' for our worthy chiiif, I am liaj)py to annoiinco to you that an inj|)(>rtant change has taken place in his disease, from which his medical atten- dants auunir, with great confidence, most essential and j)erinanent relief. On Snndiy last 1 received a Huramons to immediately attend at the castle, where Kempt was also called, and, to our extreme astonish- ment, he inlbrmed us that he was then about to under- go the operation of tapping, as he fully coincided with his medical attendants who advised it. Sir James (Craig) ))roeeeded with great calmness to give me some instructions as his executor, in the event of any fatal conse(,iieuce following, which he did with a degree of conij-osure, and even cheerfulness, which only a mind like his can assume. We were present, at his retpiest, at ihe operation, which aj)peared to mo painfully tedious — but not an expression, or even a look of impatience, escaped Sir James, whose manner absolutely inspired spirils and fortitude to those around. At the close, he stood up for several minutes to let the water drain from the higher parts of the body, and thirty-six pints, weigliing nearly as many pounds, were altogether drawn off. Sir James lately received accounts of the 14th of November, that his brother, General Peter Craig, was then so reduced and weak from a long and severe illness, that no liopes were entertained of him. t)2 LIFE AND CORRKSPONDENCE OF You will conceive what a severe shock tliis lias been, the more 8o as Sir James never iiarhoured a doubt that his elder brother, from his apparently stron<^er constitution, would have long survived him. Their mutual ties of relationship were in a manner concen- trated in each other, for Sir James will have none left but of a very distant degree. I am happy to find by a long letter from Mrs. Murray to Colonel Kempt, that you have found the means of enlivening the solitary scene that has so Jong prevailed at Fort George, I assure you that wo miss you much here, and that the fascinating Mrs, do Rottenburg, with all her charms, has not effaced the very universal regret which your loss occasions in Quebec. i Jiriyadicr Brock to Ids brother Irving, Niagara, February 19, 1811. Nothing can be more considerate, nothing more friendly, than your constancy in writing to me. Your last letter is dated the '2(kh of November. What can I say from this remote corner in return for the pleasure I experience at the receipt of your letters? I have already described my sombre kind of life, but I am sure you will rejoice to hear that my present quiet has been productive of the essential pood of restoring my health. I now consider myself quite re-established ; therefore, my good Irving, dispel all vour alarms on my account. I once thought of visiting Ballstown, but, as a trial of the springs there was ray chief motive, I gave up the journey the moment I found there was no medical occasion to undertake it. I do not admire the maimers of the American people. T have met with some whose society was every thing one could desire ; and at Boston and New York such characters are, 1 believe, numerous, but these are the exceptions. Politics run \ery high at this niomenl, but the French faction I.'j.'.h'U.. SIB ISAAC BROCK. O:) liavo pvidontly the prnpondornnro, on -I to wliioli ii refers has occasionod serious rollcctioii in my mind. If unf(jrtiiii;'tely tlio Indians be dcter- li -d to commit ucls of hostility in tlie sprinji, they a. at too great a distance for us to succeed in any effort we may be dii^posed to make to avert so great a calamity. Therefore, the next consideration is tlie posture Ave are to assume in case of such an event; whether we are to remain in a state of strict neutral- ity, which doubtless the Americans will call upon us to observe, and thereby sacrifice our influence over the Indians; or, unmindful of the consequences, continue to them the accustomed supplies of food, arms, and ammunition. I lament to think that the Indians retired from the council, in wJiich they declared their resolution of going to war, with a full conviction that, although they could, not look for active co-operation on our part, yet they might rely with confidence upon re- ceiving from us every requisite of war. Our cold attempt to dissuade that much-injured people'*^ from engaging in such a rash enterprise could scarcely be expected to prevail, particularly after giving such manifest indications of a contrary senti- ment by the lilteral quantity of military stores with which they were dismissed. I shall not ftiil in reporting every circumstance that may come to my knowledge relative to our connec- tions with tlio Indians, which I think your excellency may desire to be acquainted with : I must look to officers commanding at the outposts for such infor- * Washington Irving, in his " A'^toria," mentions a Sioux Indian being killed by a shot wantonly fired at him by a white man across the banks of the Missouri, here fully tialf a mile broiul, and he obaerves : " In this way outrages are frequently committed on the natives by thoughtless or mischievous wliito men i the Indians retaliate according to a law of their code, which requires blood for blood ; their act, of what with them is pious vengeance, resounds throughout the land, and is represented as wanton and unprovoked , the neighbourhood is roused to arms ; a war ensues, which ends i i the destruction of half the tribe, and their expulsion from their hereditary homes. Such is too often the history of Indian warfare, which in general is traced i() only to some vindictive act of a savage ; while the outrage of the scoi'udrel wiiitc man that provoked it is sunk in silence." : ■ ; 1 -ri i-.D COHflKSPONBRNCE OF do as coming: from youiself, and you will be very rerrular in reporiirig- circanistantiajly every occur- rence that may come to your knowledge, to enable me to conform strictly with the instructions of the commander-in-chief. Colonel Jiaijnes* to Jirirjiiilier lirock, at Fort George. (Quebec, March 4, 1811. Sir Jan^es desires me to tell you that he had fully intended writinnr to you himself by this day's post, but, from the arrival of the Januarv mail and the departure of the Halifax courier to-morrow, he finds himfec'lf so mucli occupied that he has deputed me to explain to you the cause of his not announcing to you by his own pen the resohition he finds himself under the necessity of adopting, of returning to England earlv in the summer. T think it probable tliaf. he will leave this bv the Julv fleet; indeed- the extremely weak and debilitated state of his health will not admit of his deferring- his departure longer, lest it might involve him in inconveniences attendant upon an equinoctial or fall passage. It is with the deepe«^t i egret 1 observe that his strength is visibly sinking under bis disease, although the latter has not increased in violence ; on the contrary, for this fort- night past he seems in better spirits and to suffer less pain : the first probably arises from the prospect of his bemg spoedily relieved fronj the weight and anxi- ety of his public charge, for with regard to himself, his mind is most perfectly made up, and resigned to a very -peedy termination of all his sutferings ; and * Owiiif? to the t-ommunication by post between Lower and Upper Canada boiiip; so slow til this periixl, we observe that many of Colonel Baynes' letters to Bny;adier Brock, at Fort (Jeorge, were transmitted tl.ron£;li tti(' United States, There was only a post once a fortnight hetw een Montreal and Kaig-ston, and in Upper t^anada the post office was scarcely established. The military returns were sent from the Upper Province to Quebec once or twice in the winter of 1806-7, by an Indian hired tor Die purpose ; and in the same winter the mail from England for Canada was lost by the upsetting of the canoe in wliich aa ludiau was conveying it. i !#• i I ; f I 8IR ISAAC BRO( K. 1)51 his anxiety has hcen latterly much excited from the apprelionsion of liis bccominn- too ill to be able to undertake the voyage, and Iteiii^ obliged to linger out the short remiuint of his life in this country. I assure you he is very tar from being indifferent in regard to forwarding your wishes ; but from the necessity of his retiring himself, and even without waiting for leave to do so, ho feels it the more indis- pensably necessary to leave this country in the best state of security he can, and that, under existing circumstances, lie cannot attend to your request for leave. He desires mo to say, that he regrets ex- tremely the disajjpointment yoji may expericnte; and he requests tliat you will do him the favor to accept, as a legacy and mark iA' his verv sincere regard, his favorite horse, A.lfred; and that he is induced to send him to vou, not only from wishing to secure to his old iavorit<' a kind and carefid master, but from the conviction that tlic wliole continent of America could not furnish you with so safe and excellent a horse, Alfred is ten years old, but being a high bred horse, and latterly but very little worked, he may be con- sidered as still perfectly fresh. Sir James will give him up to Heriot, whenever you fix the mode of his being forwarded to you. T have requested Sir James to allow me to accom- pany him home, a duty I should feel a most grateful pleasure in performing; but with a kind regard to wdiat he thinks more to my interest, he will not ac- cede to my wishes, but insists on my remaining here, as he thinks that my appointment will be considered permanent. Kempt goes home, Ins private affairs requiring his presence, and liaving strong ground to hope that he will be able to resign Ins staff for an active brigade ; although his senior in years and length of service, I must still wait a long time before I. can direct my ambition to so desirable an object. You "svill have seen by Sir James' speech, the very conjplete triumph his firmness and energy have ob- ; ih m> LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF %i tainetl over the factious cabal of tlieir most contemp- tible assembly. Hedard will be shortly released — that fellow alone of the whole {?ang has nerve, and does not want ability or inclination to do mischief whenever opportunity otFers ; the rest, old Papineau and the blustering B , are all white-livered runa- gates to a man ; but when Sir James' back is turned, tliev will rally and commence the same bullving attack on his successor, who, I trust, will tbllow his example.* Colonel J, A. Vcsey to Brigadier Brock, IIamptox Court Park, April 9, 1811. I am bound to Sicily in about a fortnight, as a brigadier-general on the staff there, and I am told that Ijord William Bentinck, who is destined to command the forces in that island, will be the bearer of instructions to insist upon the command of the Sicilian armv likewise. J. thank vou much for the interesting details of local politics, both military and civil, which your letter contains, for I feel a more than common wish to know what passes in Canada, although 1 am cer- tainly not partial to that country — quite the revtriJe. Tt is a pity that the 49lh should be detained there so long, as it will interfere materially with the promotion of your officers. I fear you will have passed a lonely winter at Fort George, notwithstanding the addition * Part of tljf discontent of the French Canadians at this period arose from the Constitutional Act of 1791, wliieh diviiled tlie two provinces, and jjave to tach a local legislature, consistinic of an elective asstembly, and a council of niembeiH appointed by the crown for life. These two bodies never hiirmonized, as the latter was eonipt)sed of a;i exclusive class, consistinp of othce holders and a few wealthy merchants and land-holders ; and the assembly, naturally enough, complained that nearly every mea- sun., whicli it originatfd, was rejected by tlic legislative council. Thus the di.safl'eciioii of the people was not entirely of a national character, or it was not -idlely a French and Knglish quarrel , and no government will satisfy tliat lace which has not a just share in its administration and councils. And now. nothwithstanding the continued antagonism of the two races, botli appear to unite in demanding responsible government not in form, but in substance; and Sir James Craig would indeed be astonished if he could arise from his grave, and witness the present relative pobJtiou.s of the governor- general and the house of assembly. 1^^ ■\ 5 am ISAAC BROCK. 101 of my friei.d Murray and liis nice little wife to your society. Pray remciiiher mo kindly to thorn and to my oil ricrui St. (.«eorq;o. Mrs. Vosey lias charged mo to (mL her to your recollection in the kindest manner ; slie and my six children arc as well as possible, and u very nice little jTroup they are, all ijs liealthv as can be. I -wish I had a dauditer old enough for you, as 1 would give her to you with pleasure. You should be nuuried, particularly as fate seems to detain you so long in Canada — but pray do not marry there. Colonel Vcsey to Br'ujadicr Brock. Hampton Coubt Park, May 0, 1811. I received a few days ago your letter of the 22d February, for which 1 thank you very much. I atn very much obliged to you for taking so much trouble about my grant of land, respecting which I have not taken any steps whatever here; neither shall 1, so long as Lord Liverpool coniinnes to direct the affairs of the colonial department, for he is not friendly to me ; but I will reserve mv claims for a more favorable moment, I am not the les« thankful for your friend- ship on the occasion. I quite feel for you, my good friend, whe.i I think of the stupid and uninteresting time you must have passed in Upper Canada — with your ardour for pro- fessional employment in the field, it mrsl; have been very painful. I did not think Sir Jimes (Craig) would liave detained you so long against your will. Had you returned to Europe, there is little doubt but that you would immediately have been employed in Portugal ; and, as that service has turned out so very creditable, I regret very much that you had not deserted from Canada. I take it for granted that you will not stay there long, and should the fortune of war bring us again upon duty in the same country, I need not say liow I shall hail the event with joy. 'i".lf I . :i) I If 1' 1 1' ! t •*■ • 'i !' . i.lttSfa(UMMf»iril'. J^MWW-tt ^.Vt^tMf.Vi^. ' U: >,UV< •l^la- ^•»*«* ^ymyfV-iF •rv'^tfwMi-r.i' 1()2 r.IFK AND COttUESPOXnENCE OF If you come to England, I would wish you to call upon the Duke of Kent, ■ who has a hit,'!! respect for you, and will be happy to see you. It seems determined that the Duke of York shall return to the command of the army ; it would liave taken place ere now, but for some ill-natured remarks inserted in some of the newspapers, produced by an over zeal on the part of his friends. Sir David (Dundas) will not be much re|:jretted, and it surely is time that at his advanced period of life he should be relieved from the cares of office. I am rejoiced to find that you live so comfortably with my friend Murray and his nice little wife. Mrs. Vesey and myself took a great fancy to her the morning she called here, on their way to Portsmouth. * The father of her present majesty, Qiieon Victoria.— The (pieen visited Guernsey on the 24th August, 1840, and was received by the luhabitaiits with the most entliusiastic demonstrations f)f affection, loyalty, and gra- titude. Her majesty is the first British sovereign, since the days of King John, who has landed in (iucrubey, whicli ia the reign of Edward the .Second, and long subsuquenUy, was termed " The Holy Isle." I .* '^:- # iSlR ISAAC BROCK. 10:5 CHAPTER V. On tha 4tli of June, IBll, Brigadier Ikock wns promoted, and up|)ointcd by tlio prince rcf^ont to serve from tliut dav ua a iiiajor-gpneral on flie Htaffoi" North America. On tlie li)tli of the same month, Sir JaniesCraijj eml)arked on board IT. M.S. Amelia for England, leaving Mr, Dunn in charge of the go- vernment of the Lower Province, and Lieut. -General Drumniond* in couiuiand of the forces in the Cana- das, consisting of 44?") artillery, 3,783 regula • troops, and 1,220 Fencil-les ; in all, 5,454 men. IL seemed disgusted witli the cares of a government, in which he liad experienced only crosses and mortification, as his administration was decidedly unpopular among the great mass of the French Canadians. His liealth had long been wasting away with a dropsy and other infirmities; and he doubted whether he should live to reach England, wliere he however survived several months, and met with a most gracious reception from his in mediate superiors. Sir James Craig had been from Iiis youth in the service of his countrv, and he owed to merit alone his rank and consideration \n 'tU f ,5; ^n 5 •) * The presi-nt (i<'nor&i Sir Gordon Orunimond, O. C. li., colonel of the »9th (not. He sui^eeiled to the command ot the forces in Upper Canada in Di.'eember, iHi:i i.itiut.-Goucral Driimmond was one step higher in rank than Major.(;eiieitil Uroek, alvhough he entered the army four years and a half altei him , and as a proof of the tfross favouritism and int.fiuality which |>rev'ailed in the Uritisli army rluring the last century, we frive the dates of General Orununoi\d's commissions - viz. ensign, September 21, 1789:. lieutenant, March si, I7pl , captain, January, 1/92;, major, Fcbrn- ary 28, 1794; lieut. -colonel, April 22, 1794; colonel, January 1, 179*^; major- general, January i, !8i(.i; lieut. -g-cneral, June -1, 1811 --a general officer in little more tlinn tifteon year)j ' 1 11 ;;■ til A. 104 LIFE AND CORRRSPONDRNCE OP tlio ariiiv.* lie was corpulent in person, nml ratlior below tlie middle istuture ; in society lie was frank and aflUblo. To a clear and crunprelienijive jtidii^nieni, lie united the best (|ualiti('s of the iicitrt ; and fhou|j;li haslv in temper, a faidt arising much from disease and snlferini^, he was caMiiy reconciled to those wlio luifiiit involuniarily liiive iiiciirred his resentment. Altiioufrli niiuiy diH'crtMJ widely in opinion with respect to his 'Government, yet few could deny him the merit of disinlerestednesi and int(';,'rity in the diseliartije of his public duties. He may have erred in the performance of the important and complicated func- tions of his post, but lie was guided by sincerity ; and it is due to his uiemory to add, that the objects of his administration, however erroneous the means he pursued for their attainment, were the concord, the liappiness, and the prosperity of tlie people whom he {governed for nearly four years.f Major'Gencral Vcsey to Major-Gtmcral Jirocft. Portsmouth, June 10, 1811. T confrralulate you on your promotion, and you may return me the compliment. I did not expect to a[ipear in the same brevet with you as a major- general ; X it has so happened, however, and I am « Sir .Iiinics C'rais: rommHiided from :» to 4,000 British troops, who, with about J.iiou Russians, were sent at the close of IS05 to Naples for the protection ol the tlicn infamous Neapolitan government ; l)iit on the advana; of the French, tlie Russians proceeded to Corfu and the British to Messina, wliero Lieut, -General C'raig retired from ill health, and was succf-eded in the command by Sir John Stuart, who a few months after pained the battle of Muida, 4tli July, iHoO. Major-ticneral Craig was also second in command of the land forces at the capture of the Cape of Good Hope, in I'yi. t Memoirs of the Administration of the C ilonial Government of T,ower Canada, by Sir James Henry Craig and Sir George Prevost, from tlie year 1807 until the year 1815; comprehending the Military and Naval opera- tions in the Canadas during the late War with, the United States of America. By R. Christie, Quebec, 1818. t Tlie colonels of October 30, 1805, to all the colonels of 1808, were made major-generals on the same day, June -l, 1811, and Colonel Vesey was 79 on tiie list helo-w Colonel Brock. This strikes us as very whoksaio promotion, and as unjust to the senior colonels Nllt ISAAC ilRUCK. laj nof at nil sovrv to po out to Sicily as mnjor-;:jencrfil insre to come home, I dam say, and very \ihii\ I should ho if you were in Kn^iland ;it |)r('«*ctjt, MJiile all the nrraiiLjcinrnts are niukin^^ It may perhaps he your fate to uhl prefer — so slionld i, but I have been advised not to solicit for it, but to '^o where T was ordereil ; therefore, am I ]iroceedin<^. I Jieed not say how rejoiced I should be if you were of the party. The return of the Duke of York to the hei>d of the army <;ives ixenend satisfaction to all military people, and indeed to most others, 1 fancy : his old worn-out predecessor has lon^if been superantiuated. 1 still re- tain my aj)pointment of deputy barrack master-general in Nova Scotia, to the astonishmct of every bodv, because I suppose they do not like to fake it fioin mc par fonu\ without giving; mo sometliin<^ in lieu of it. 1 have told the treasurv that T would not jiive it up upon any other terms than for my lieutenant- colonelcy, but that they had the power of taking it from me if thev chose to do me that injustice: J suppose they will as soon as my back is turned. Lord William Bentinck is expected down to-day ; he goes to Sicily in the Caledonia, with Sir Edward Pellew. As it is possible you may have left Canada, I shall enclose this letter to our friend Bruveres ; bid him read it, and forward it if you are yet in that country.* * Major. General Vesey died iji Sicilv, December '>, ISI) . =■1 I , . '\ij'A^,:-:---v^rm}:^i •' ^^.iXiWiiay '->:/j.-.*':tf»i!»i. •>^^,)<-t^,.ts. ''■b.. ; '.'i.,'j..T-:i A-u:- 1 10() LIFE ANT) CORRFSPONDKNCE OF Colonel Jiaynp.s to Major-Gennral Brock, at Montreal. QuEBKr, August 3, 1811. We wt re very much surprised on Thursday last by the arrival of the Racoon, sloop of war, from Jamaica, with the Duke of Manchester* on board, viho is come ^vith the view of visiting the lions of Canada previous to his return to England; he is gone, attended by General Drummond, to see the falls of Montmorenci, and tlie general desires me to let you know that his grace intends leaving this in the staixe on Tuesdav morning for Montreal. The duke has no attendant except a Colonel Gold, ci- det'ont railitmre ; he appears to be very affable, and perfectly san.'^ fa<;on ; he ])articularly requested that no compliments or ceremony of any kind might be shown him, and that ho might be permitted to indulge his fancy by going about as hi; pleased. His grace is not likely to have many volunteer aides-de-camp, for he treated those who formed his suite vesterdav to a walk of half a dozen hours in the sun at raid-day round the works, the towers, plains, &c. ; and from which he did not appear to experience the slightest inconvenience, being in the habir, we are told, of Takintr similar rambles even in the West Indies. The duke will pay you but a very short visit, being limit- ed for time, and anxious to nuike his tour as extensive as possible. He sr ?ns to like a glass of Madeira, and would mutch any of the Canadian tribe in smok- ins: cijrars ; he walks about with one in his mouth at all hours in the day. He begs you will have the kindness to secure for him a boat and a good Cana- dian crew to proceed to Kingston, and to facilitate his progress from that place, inasmuch as it may be in your power to do so. I apprehend that the move- ment of the troops may very materialh' interfere with him, but the duke will not object to embarking with an} of the detachments if no other vessel can bo spared. * The governor of Jamaica. I « ;'*'■; -V,i.,(i^,'.i\'"«i^^iW.:;'-A'V.i'? .-IV SIR ISAAC BROCK. 107 Colonel Bnyms to Major- General Brock, at WiUimn Henri/, Sard. Quebec, August 12, 1811. I bave to acknowledge and thank you for your letter of the 8th instant. I regret much thut you did not find it convenient to remain at Montreal to re- ceive the Duke of Manchester, as I think you would have felt gratified ; and if you could have reconciled to your own feelings the want of due preparation i'v the reception of so great a personage. I am sure, from the specimen we had of his grace here, that he would have been perfectly satisfied, and happy to have shared your fare. He does not appear to be a lady's man — jierhaps a little too much the contrary, and I am confident that a dinner with a few gentlemen, and an invitation to snoke, would suit bis taste in prefer- ence to a formal iete. On ai> excursion to the Chau- diere, of which Mrs. Drummond and other ladies formed part, his grace appealed to be very little ar his ease until he eifected his escape out of the frigate's barge into one of the small boats that was in attend- ance with his compcu/no?). dc vvyage and the com- mander of the sloop, when, with tlie aid of his favorite cigar, he appeared 'o be j)erfectl\ happy. I mention these traits in order that you may be prepared to re- ceive him or not on his return, as vou think best. I am sure he would ]irefer William Henry to sleep at in preference to Montreal. It iN i After an inter-regnum of nearly three months. Sir George Prevost arrived at Quebec in September, and assumed the government of Lower Canada, having succeeded Sir James Craig in the chief command of the British North American provinces. His military character then stood high, as he had distinguished himself at the conquest of the island of St. Lucie, in 1803, and of the island of Martinique, in 1809; as ;i \ y 'jJ.4i.',-.».'*-t-',iL' t.l>*?,'>U' ^irA j^litki.^:'1iiV.\:J4W>»t-f.*-. 'iL^'TfllA.i'** 1 '.k.-.»iiU *A(j.' 108 L/FE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF also in successfully opposing, with a small garrison, tlie attack made in lS05by a nunie^rous French force, upon the i.-land of Dominica, of which he Avas lieu- tenant-governor ; but his active service had been confined entirely to the West Indies, not a field suffi- ciently important to test the capabilities of a general- in-chief at a critical and momentous period : and he had been chiefly employed on the staff, having com- manded a regiment only for a few months, a battaliort of the 0(>th, composed at that time of foreigners. The known mildness of liis disposition, and the popularity of his administration in Nova Scotia, from which he had just been promoted, afforded a hope that his government of Lower Canada would prove more auspicious to the internal union of the people than that of his predecessor. Hir George Prevost was* moreover, neither by birth nor parentage an English- man, an advantage to him in ruling a country wrested scarcely fifty years from France ; and, as his name indicates, his family was doubtless of French origin* a circumstance which the French Canadians could not fail to appreciate,* The inhabitants at this time were divided into two parties, termed the English and the Canadian, who viewed each other with consi- derable hostility; and as Sir James Craig had sided with the former, the latter hailed tlie appearance of his successor with evident gratification. Soon after Sir George Prevust's arrival, Major-General Brock, in addition to the command of the troops, was ip- pointod president and administrator of the govern- ment in Upper Canada, being the sixth in succession of its rulers, to which offi(!e he succeeded on the 9th of October, 1811, in place of Lieut.-Cxovernor Gore, w ho rciurnod to England on leave. At the close of the year, his royal 1 ighness the Duke of York expressed * Sir (Tenrfri- Prevost was born at New \ork, May 19, 176" — his father, a native of (ieaeva, ^tttltrl in Eiiglaml, and beoaino a inajor-gencral in the Britisl! army— his mother was a rinutrhtrr of M. Grand, of I^ausanne. Sir G Prevust was created a haronct m 1805, for his services iu the West ]ndie!). SIR ISAAC BROCK. 100 at lenjith everv Brock's wishes rojje, and Sir replace him by mission reached the United Stat Major-General retained both hy inclination to gratify Major-General for more active employment in Eu- George Prevost was authorized to another officer ; but when the per- Canada, early in ]812, a war with es, was evidently near at hand, and Brock, with such a prospect, was honor and inclination in the country. Colonel Bay tics to Major-General Brock. Quebec, October 7, 1811. I have a letter from Thornton of the 2d of Aurust : the parly arrived at Deal on the 27th of July. Sir James (Craig) bore the passage remarkably well, and he has received the most flattering and satisfactory assurances that his conduct, civil and military, has met with the most unqualified approbation. Kempt lias experienced a very honorable reception ; the duke told him he would give him a carte blanche as to his future destination ; he has requested to have a brigade under Lord Wellington, and was preparing to go to the Peninsula. Thornton does not allude to the pro- bability of its affecting his present post, as he says Kempt writes to you at length, and will tell you of himself. Ellicc* has found great difficulty in effect- ing an exchange. Dalrymple, Sir Hew's eldest son, had no objection till he found that the duke set his face against the continued exchange of that post, and that he would not permit it to be made a mere step- ping stone for the brevet rank. He in consequence declined it, and Ellice is on the hunt for a lazy mar- ried major of dragoons, who has no objection to obtain it as a fixture. Thornton has been appointed to a regiment, but he neglects to mention the number, although he enters into a long explanation respecting it, viz. that it is of two battalions, the second in Por- tugal and the first in the East Indies, but, by a recent * Lieutenant-Colonel Ellice, deputy adjutaut-geDeral in Canada. '■«"■■' ■•'«..*^^.'& kiii'i '^ no hlFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF regulation, the senior lieutenant-colonel has the option of remaining in command of the second in Portugal if he chooses. Thornton has obtained leave to go, in the first instance, to his corps in Portugal, so as to endeavour to persuade his senior that India is a more desirable quarter : if he fails in his rhetoric, he ex- pects sliortly to travel that route himself. The following paragraph is copied verbatim from Thornton's letter ; he is connected with Torrens, and in habits of familiar intimacy, so that I am inclined to think he draws his inference from that quarter : '< Pray give a hint in private to Generals Brock and Sheaffe, that if the former were to ask for a brigade at home, or on European service, and the latter to be put on the staif in Canada, I am almost certain they would succeed. In June, 1811, a firm in London, in a rather exten- sive business as bankers and general merchants, and of which Mr. William Brock was the senior partner, failed. The previous senior partner, Mr. P d, who was lord mayor of the city, had a few years before retired with a verv large fortune. Mr. Brock had advanced his brother Isaac about ^3,000 for the purchase of his commissions in the 49tli regiment, but, having no children and being at the time in affluence, he never intended to exact the payment, although the money was charged in the books. To Major-General Brock, who was not aware of his name appearing as a debtor to the firm, the intelli- gence of the failure came like a thunderbolt, not so much for the difficulties in which it involved him, as for the distress to which it reduced his favorite bro- ther. But he happily never knew that his brother- in-law, Mr. Tupper, who had then eleven children living, lost eventually between 12 and .£13,000 by the failure. His brother Savery was also a sufferer, and the bankruptcy caused a coolness between Wil- I .l».,4'.i;I».ifcJ.i'« «*«'..■ il'.i.Hfr.4Ulli:tV.'^'l.il,>JuSa..^lil'Jl4*r«./..JL, ' \ 5^ .".iL.: .**?j5iBi«4*--i.-«.'*.f,wri»**'a,t ■»'!*■ i \t •i.ll.X^l:'B.W^ 112 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF Major- General Brock to his brother Irving. York, October 30, 1811. My dear friend, — I have at length heard from 3'ou. Your letter of the 3d August was only received this day. To what a state of misery are we fallen — poverty 1 was prepared to bear — but, oh! Irving, if you love me, do not by any action or word add to the sorrows of poor, unfortunate, Wilh'am. Remem- ber his kindness to me — what pleasure he always found in doing me service. Hang the world, it is not worth a thought — bo generous, and find silent comfort in being so. Oh ! my dear boy, forget the past, and lot us all unite in soothing the griefs of one cf the best hearts that Heaven ever formed. I can well conceive that the causes of his ruin were excited, by too ardent a wish to place us all in affluence — his wealth we were sure to divide — why refuse him consolation? — it is all, alas! I can offer. I shall write to him the instant I feel sufficiently composed. Could tears restore him, he would soon be happy — everv atom ol' resolution leaves me at the moment I require it most. I sleep little, but am constrained to assume a smiling face during the day : my thoughts are fixed upon you all, and the last thing that gives me any concern is the call which Savery prepares me to expect from the creditors. I did noi think that I appeared in the books — the mistake was wholly mine. Let me know the sum. Are mv commissions safe, or must they be sold ? Can I not retain out of the wreck mv two or three hundred a year? thev would save us all from want, and we might retire to some corner, and be still happy. You know the situation to which I am lately raised. It will enable me to give up the whole of my salary, ^1,000 yearly, and I shall enclose a power of attorney to enable you to receive it — do with it what justice demands — pay as fast as you receive, unless indeed want among any of you calls for aid ; in that case make use of the SIK ISAAC BROCK. 113 moiie}', and let the worst come. I leave every thing to your sober discretion. I wrote thus far last evening:, and I shall now endeavour to proceed with less agitation. If you possibly can satisfy my creditors, do so — it is a pity Savery did not write to say what he was able to effect on tlie subject. I have been at i>%0 or c£4(K) expense in outfits, which I fear will prevent my remitting any thing home this year, but the next I hope to spare to that amount. Depend upon my exercising the utmost economy ; but I am in a situa- tion which must be upheld by a certain outlay. Did it depend upon myself, how willingly would I live upon bread and water. Governor Gore is gone home with a year's leave, I think it probable he will not be required to return so long as the war continues. I ought not, however, to look to retain my situation above two years. 1 shall make all I can of it by every fair means, for be satisfied that even your stern honesty shall have no just cause to censure any one of my actions. But I cannot loolt to much popularity in the homely way I am con- strained to proceed in the administration : much shew and feasting are indispensable to attract the multitude, especially in a colony like this, where equality prevails to such a degree that men judge of your disposition, of your frankness, by the frequency of the invitations they receive. At present, all classes profess great regard and esteem for rae ; but although I hope they may, I cannot expect such sentiments will continue long. If I retain the consi- derate and tho' ^htful, I shall be satisfied, and I shall strive to merit the good opinion of such men. Henceforth I shall address you without reference to the past ; we must only consider how to get on for the future. You have read much, and I trust Avill profit by the lessons philosophers inculcate. Exert, my honest fellow, every power of your mind, but never exclude prudence from any of your actions. Believe me vours till doomsdav. I. •>j .r 1 n! ! ; 11/ ^ 114 LIFE AND CORnESPONDENCE OF lyilllam Brock, Esq , to Major-Gencral Brock. SxAMroRi) Hill, October 31, 1811, You have received, or will receive shortly, a letter from our assignees, desiring to be iiiformud in what manner the debt, which appears in our books as owing by you, is to be liquidated. Too well do I know, my dearest Isaac, your inability to pay it of vonrself ; it now amounts to something above .£J3,000. The assignees will not, 1 believe, take any unpleasant steps to enforce the payment, yet it will be natural that they exact some sort of security from you. Some reports had, but v^vy erroneously, been circu- lated that they had already commenced legal steps against you ; and upon this report a young gentleman lately arrived from Cauadf*, a Mr. EUice,* called on Charles Bell to inquire if it were so, and told Bell that rather than any thing unpleasant should happen to you, he would contrive to pay the debt himself, so great was his esteem and friendship for you. I of course told Bell that the report was without founda- tion. This trait of friendship on this gentleman's part very much tended to reconcile me to my unfor- tunate situation, for besides his attachment to you, he assured Bell you were so beloved in Canaila, that you would not want friends who would feel pleasure to assist you to any amount, if necessary. Let me conjure you, my dearest Isaac, not to refuse the oifer oi svch friends, as you feel you would yourself oblige * The present Right Honorable Edward EUice, M. P. On thn editor in(iuiring by letter of Mr. E, whether he were not the generous individual alluded to, he replied as ftjllows • " Mr. E, has a very vivid recollection of the happy time he spent while travelling in Canada, in his earliest days, in the society of the late Sir Isaac Brock, to whom he was indebted for the greatest courtesy and kindness, and for whose character and virtues he has always entertained the most sincere* respect and admira- tion, Mr. E. has also some recollection of the incident mentioned in Mr. T.'s letter, but he begs that no reference may be made to it in any future edition of the memoirs." The editor regrets that he cannot, withe ut doing Sir Isaac Urock an injustice, suppress an incident which is so honorable to Mr, E., and he claims his indulgence for not complying with his request. Pin ISAAC DROCK. in a similf itunti 115 sure you will believe that bad circuin>»tances authorized it, I would have cancelled your debt lontr since. I know your love for nie, and s* M ther(3l.jfe gay a little about myself. Savery was in ^^ondon when ihe house stopped, (the 8th June,) and never shall I forget what I owe him for the warmth and interest he has uniformly shewn in this hour of sorrow. After every consideration, it was deemed most advis- able that the house should be declared bankrupt, as the only means of extricating ourselves ; for as an underwriter at Lloyd's there was no coming to any compromise, and the demands upon us would have been endless. At the time we stopped there were .£27,0(X) sterling due to me for premiums of insur- ance, all of which will no doubt be swallowed up by the late seizures in the Baltic ports, and by many of my debtors becoming bankrupts themselves. These Baltic losses, and the house's former losses by bad debts,* may be said to be the cause of our failure, which has been accelerated by the preceding failure of our neighbours, Messrs. and of the two banks in Guernsey, circumstances which destroyed all confidence, and occasioned what is commonly call- ed a run upon the house. I am anxious for your return to England, if it were only that vou introduce to Lord Bridge- water. At present, I have not the means of keeping him at Oxford — he and William, and the two dear girls, are with us. I expect our brother Tupper next week from Guernsey, and I suppose the two boys will return with him. His eldest son, John, passed this way on his return to Guernsey from Spain. He is grown a very fine young man, a ith a strong judg- ment and an amiable temper. His countenance is pleasing, and in figure he is tall and athletic. Do not, I pray you, my dearest Isaac, attribute * By the failure of one person shortly before, the house lost nearlv ^£"30,000. VA r I ! I t no LIFE AND rOURESPONDKNCE OP niv former silence to any diminution of attection, but to'a depression of spirits, wliicli tliis final catastroplie lias in some nn^usure relieved — a reality of misfor- tune is probably less painful than tlie prccedinjjf anxiety of it. Let us pray that the prospect will aj?ain brighten. In you is all my present pride and future hope. November IH, 1811. — Saverv has within the last few days sent me a copy of your wclconio letter of the 19th September from Montreal, and most cheer- ing it is to our drooping spirits. May this find y( u w ell and lieai ly in your new honors at York. Surely, my dearest Isaac will not quit his enviable situation, when he has also a prospect of something more lucrative, for a mere major-general's appointment in Europe. I sent our friend, Charles Bell, an extract of your letter, that he might give it to your generous friend Ellicc, who will rejoice at your promotion. Lieut. 'Colonel Torrens to Major General Brock. Horse Guards, October 17, 1811. t have had the pleasure of receiving your letter of the Oth of July, and I lei^ you will be convinced that I should derive much satisfaction from the power of complying with your wishes as far as my situation might enable me to facilitate the accom- plishment of the object you have expressed of return- ing to England. I have made known your wishes to the comman- der-in-chief, and his royal highness has expressed every inclination to comply with them. But until another officer shall join the station, you will be readily aware of the difficulty his royal highness would have in withdrawing you, by leave of absence or otherwise, during the present state of public atfairs with the American government. Should you wish, however, to quit the Canadian SIR ISAAC UH< tf. ir staff with u view to serve in Kui.>|i>e, hii yn\ hi - iics.s will not ()l)jeot to your return to this cou. , under the arrui]«,'ement of your heinfr imriifMlifi iy succeeded by another officer." And as Major Ci. ■ ' Sheaffe is on fiie s^pot, iind has strong claims to cui- ployment on the stufl', liis royal highness Mill have no objection to furnish Sir George Prevost with an au- tliority to employ that othcer in your room, provided he has not h>ft Canada. I trust this arrangement may bo acceptable to you. An official communication to the eHect of this note will be made to Sir Georije Prevost. of 3d le :irs lan Mujor' General Urork to Sir George Prevost, York, October 20, 1811. Conceiving that the system, recently established with a view of securing ihe regular and prompt set- tlement of the accompts of the Indian department in this province, is liable to many objections, I beg leave to lay my sentiments on the subject before your excellency. Sir James Craig, on the application of Lieut. - Governor Gore, procured the consent of the lords of his majesty's treasury to the appointment of a deputy commissary-general of accompts, for the purpose of bringing up all arrears in the accompts of the India a department. But unless means be likewise taken to ensure an immediate examination of such accompts as accrue, the inconvenience, to which the service lias long been exposed, will remain undiminished. All documents, to which reference is to be had, are lodged with the storekeeper-general at La Chine.* * La Chine is a villiige on the St. Lawrence, nine miles above Montreal. As the rapids of tiie rivor lu'twccn the two places interrupt the navigation, all stores and poods, intended for the upper country, were then conveyed from Montreal to La Cliine by land, and there put into flat-bottomed boats, called "bateaux," which were rowed up the St. Lawrence, with incredible labour, by Canadian.s. La Chine derives its name from the expeditions of M. de la Salle, which were fitted out at this place for the discovery of a North- West passage to China. i • I ? M 118 LIFB AND CORRIiSPONDENCE OF i i-' Mr. Lane, tlio otHcor appointed to invostifjato the ucconipti., lias Lccmi stationed nt Fort (icorgo, and during the year that li<^ haH been t!nipK)yed on this duty, hu liaw proceoded as fast as tlic receipts of tlic acconipfs enabled him ; but lie is frecjnently left idle, and at llic slow rate he has tjone on, it will require three or four years toeotnj)lete tlic voluminous papers remaining for his examination. [ therefore deem it my duty to state these facts, and to entreat Aonr excellency to cause the adoption of such measures as will ensure the speedy settlement of the accomntsnow under examination, in order that tliose daily accruing may be examined and audited during the continuance in office of the person under whoso responsibility the cvpcnse is incurred. But this desirable object cannot be attained as long as the deputy storekeepers at the different posts are required to send their accompts to the storekeeper-general at La Chine, preparatory to their examination by the deputy accomptant-genoral at Fort (ieorgo. The heavy defalcations, which 1 fear will be found in some of the accompts, argue strongly for a change of system, and nothing cii'ectual will be d(me until a storekeeper-general be established in the Upper Pro- vince, to perform on the spot the duties which are now required from the storekeeper-general at La Chine. The same arguments are equally applicable with regard to the secretary of the department, to whom all cash accompts are referred ; but as an assistant- secretary is already on the establishment of this pro- vince, no additional expense will be necessary. It will appear evident to your excellency, that should the duties connected with the Upper Province be withdrawn from the storekeeper - general at La Chine, little will remain to be done bv that officer. I therefore presume to suggest his removal to this province ; or should such an arrangement be thought inconvenient, I yenfure to recommend that the deputy assistant commissary -general at Fort George may, SIR ISAAC DHn( K. UJ) that r'uice La icer. this uii'ht with a rrnponablc nddition to his sirihiry, be iiomlnafcd to cvccufi! th.'it otiicc. This is j)roposc(l solely with a view to ecotioiny, not being awa.o thut the two situiitions can be inconinntible. Tlie service would likewise, in my opinion, be creaily promoted, were the presents intended for tlie indiuns in the Ippci' Province tr.insinilled to Fort (jeor'i;o without boinjcj dehiyed, as is customarv, at La Chine, as they couhl be distributed to the iliiierent posts early in the spriiip:, which would be tlie means, I confidentially assert, of saving an enormous expense, yeaily incurred, in |)rovisionin^ nunu'rous bodies of Indiaiis, who t'or weeks tor^othcr await at Arnherstburg and St. Josiph the arrival of the presents. This practice would likewise keep a supply within reach to meet any emerrfency. But at present, for instance, the stores arc nearly exhausted, and such ur»;ent calls may be made as will compel nu; to authorize purcha- ses of articles at a hif(h rate, whilst abundance of the same are unnecessarily detained at La Chine. It was proposed l)y Lieut.-Clovernor Gore, and approved by Sir James Craifj, to establish a board of accompts in the Upper Province •iiuilar to that at Quebec. But nothing has as yet been done, nor can I discover its utility under existing circumstances. There is another point connected with the military expenditures, to which I re({uest to call your excel- lency's attention. An extraordinary practice has obtained, ever since General Simcoe's administration, of submitting the accompts of the agent of purchases to the executive council of this province, to be audited. This othce of agent of purchases was lately directed by the lords of the treasury to be discontinued as unnecessary, but at the joint representation of Sir James Craig and Lieut. -Governor Gore, the order was annulled. I am, however, led to believe that it was intended that his accompts hereafter should be examined by the deputy accomptant-general, and, like all other military expenditures, audited by a Hi '• .1 120 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF board of accoiiipts, but no directions have as yet been given on this subject. Mr. M*(fill, the ajjent of pur- chases, has a seat in the executive council, which of course occasions an awkwardness in the raode his accompts are audited. In justice, however, to Mr. M'Gill I must add, that a more upright character cannot be found, nor one lietter fitted for the office. \our excellency having recently had an opportu- nity of getting every information respecting the state of this province from Lieut. -Governor Gore, 1 need only add that it remains perfectly tranquil. *^|- Major- General Brock to Ensign N. Freer, Military Secretary, York, November 8, 1811. Having referred your letter of the 8th ultimo to the deputy superintendent-general of Indian affairs for explanation on the points alluded to, I have the honor herewith to transmit his answer, which I hope will prove satisfactory to the governor-in-chief. The high integrity, the unremitting attention of Mr. Claus to his duty, and the strict regard to economy which Lieut. -Governor Gore coui^tantly bestowed in the expenditure of the public money, convince me that the excess of provisions and rum in the requisition for 1811 was unavoidable. A similar demand has been made for the service of the ensuing year, and I cannot, consistently with my duty, re- commend to his excellency the least diminution. I avail myself of this opportunity to enclose an extract from the storekeeper-general's letter to Mr. Claus, by which if appears that the goods, for which application has been made by Lieut. -Governor Gore, and transmitted to England in the usual manner, had not been received at a late dale ; and that unless the goods arrived, the store was in no state to furnish the necessary supply for the ensuing spring. I cannot be too urgent with his excellency in requesting that the storekeeper-general may be in- aiW- SIR ISAAC BROCK. 121 an yir. lich )re, I ad Ithe Itlie in I in- structed to make tlic necessary purcliases in case the articles demanded ior tlio Upper Provinee do not reacli Montreal before the close of the navigation. 1 need not represent to his excellency the confusion •which a disappointment would be sure to create among the Indians throughout the Province, and the ^reat additional expense which must inevitably be incurred in provisioninf^ the crowds that would assem- ble at each post, awaiting* the arrival of the presents. Mttjor- General Brock to Ensign iV. Freer, M'tlitary Secretary. York, November 10, l^ill. Brigade-Major Evans, upon his arrival here, deli- vered to the receiver -general .£3, f- ^ll 1-24 LIFE AND COiUlESPOXDENCE OF rcncrrtl opinion prevailed tbat, In tlie event of hos- tiliiici-, no oppo>ilion svas intended. The late increase of ammunition and every species of stores, the sub- stitution of a stronp: regiment, and the appointment of a military person to administer the government, have tended to infuse other sentiments among the most reflecting part of tlie community. ; and J feel happy in being able to assure your excellency, tliat; during my visit last week at Niagara, I received the most satisfactory professions of a determination on the j)art of the principal inliabi cants to exert every means in tlieir power in the defence of their property and sup- port of the government. They look with confidence to your excellency for such additional aid as mav be necessary, in conjunction with the militia, to repel any hostile attempt against this province. I shall ben- leave to refer your excellency to the communications of Lieut. -Governor Gore with Sir James C'valg, for a correct \ie\v of the temper and composition of the militia and Indians. Although perfectly aware of the number of improper characters Avho have obtaineiJ extensive possessions, and whose jirinciples diffuse a spirit of insubordination very ad- verse to all military institutions, I am however well assured that a large majority would prove faithful. It is certain that the best policy to be pursued, should future circumstances call for active preparations, will be to act with the utmost liberality, and as if no mis- trust existed ; for, unless the inhabitants give an active and efticient aid, it will be utterly impossible for the very limited number of the military, who are likely to be employed, to preserve tlie province. The first point to which I am anxious to call your excellency's attention, is the district of Amherstburg. T consider it the most imp»ortant, and, if su))plied with the moans of commencing active operations, must deter any otfensive attempt on this pro.mce, from Niagara westward. The American government will be compelled to secure their western frontier from the 1 SIR ISAAC nuocK. 125 Inroads of the Indians, and this cannot be efiect(3d without a very considora1)le force. But before we can expect an active co-operation on tlie part of the Indians, the reduction of Detroit and Michilimacki- nac must convince that peopla, who conceive them- selves to liave been sacrificed, in 1794,* to our policy, that we are earnestly engajjed in the war. The In- dians, I am made to understand, are eager for an opportunity to avenge the numerous injuries of which they complain. A few tribes, at the instigation of a Shawnese t of no particular note, although explicitly told not to look for assistance from us, have already commenced the contest. The stand which they continue to make upon the Wabash, against about 2,(KX) Americans, including militia and regulars, is a strong proof of the large force which a general combi- nation of the Indians will render necessary to protect so widely extended a frontier. The garrisons of Detroit and Michilimackinac do not, I believe, exceed seventy rank and file each ; but the former can easily be reinforced by the militia in the neighbourhood, which, though not numeroui.=;, would be ample for its defence, unless assailed by a force much superior to any we can now command. The Americans will probably draw their principal force, either for offence or defence, from the Ohio, — an enter])rising, hardy race, and uncommonly expert on horseback with the rifle. This species of force is formidable to the Indians, although, according to reports which have reached me by different channelH, but not official, they lately repelled an attack of some magnitude. Unless a diversion, such as I have sug- gested, be made, an overwhelming force will probably be directed against this part of the province. The measure will, ho»svever, be attended with a heavy I I Irom will the * In this year the Indians, in a war with the Americans, were com- pletely beaten near the Miami by General Wayne, and compelled to cede a large tract of their lands. t Doubtless, the afterwards celebrated Tecumseh, or his brother. : t MKMWJ^bA^kVatJrVO'Vl' l.ta II ^' 126 Lll-E AND COUHESrONnEN(.E OF expense, especially in the article of provision, for, not only the Indians who take the field, but their faujilies, must be maintained. Tlie numeral force of the militia in the vicinity of m Amherstburp,' exceeds by a trifle seven hundred rank and file ; consequently, very little assistance can be derived from that source in any offensive operation. Should, therefore, the aspect of affairs hereafter give stronger indications of a rupture, I propose augment- ing the garrison of Amherstburg with two hundred rank and file from Fori George and York. Such a measure I consider essentially necessary, were it only calculated to rouse the energy of the militia and In- dians, who are now impressed with a firm belief, that in the event of war tliev are to bo left to their fate. Great pains have been taken to instil this idea into the minds of the Indians, and no stronger argument could be employed than the weak state of the garrison. The army, now assembled upon the Wabash with the ostensible view of opposing the Shawnese, is a strong additional motive in my mind in support of this measure; for I have no doubt that, the instant their service in the field termina es, a large portion of the regulars will be detached to strengthen tlje gar- rison of Detroit. I have prepared Colonel Proctor for such an event, and after weighing the ihaonve- nience to which the service would be exposed if the district were placed under a militia colonel, (an event obvious, unless superseded by a rciiular officer of equal rank,) I have directed Lieut. -Colonel St. George to be in readiness to repair to Amherstburg and assume the command ; and I hope his situation of inspector of militia will not be considered a bar to the arrange- ment. The state of the roads will probably stop this projected movement until the end of this month or beginnii'f^ of the next ; nor do I intend that the troops should leave their present quarters, unless urged by some fresh circumstances. I therefore look to re- ceive your excellency's commands previous to their departure. &■ i SIR ISAAC TM'OCK. 127 inge- this Itli or 'oops )d by |o re- their From Amlierstbur^ to Fort Erie, ray chief depciid- ance must rest on a naval force for the protection of ^ that extensive coast ; but, considering tlic state to which it is reduced, extraordinary exertions and great expense will be required before it can be rendered efficient. At present, it consists only of a ship and a Y small schooner* — the latter of a bad construction, old, and in want of many repairs; yet she is the only king's vessel able to navigate Lake Huron, whilst the Americans have a sloop, and a fine brigt capable of carrying twelve guns, both in perfect readiness for any service. If, consequently the garrison of St. Joseph's is to be maintained, a. id an attack on Michi- limackinac undertaken, it will be expedient to hire, or purchase from the merchants, as many vessels as may be necessary for the purpose. The Americans can resort to the same means, and the construction and number of their vessels for trade will give them great advantage : besides, their small craft, or boats, in which troops could be easily transported, exceed ours consideiably ; indeed, we liave very few of that description.! I therefore leave it to your excellency's superior judgment to determine whether a sufficient number of gun-boats for both lakes, so constructed as to draw little water, ought not to be ndded to our means of offence and defence. § It is worthy of re- mark, that the only American national vessel on Lake Ontario, built two years ago, and now lying in Sack- * The ship Queen Charlotte, and schooner Hunter. t This brig was the Adams, captured at Detroit. X The Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, of January 10, 1846, gives a list of the vessels built by the Americans, in 1845. on Lake Krie and the waters westward to Chicago, with tliiMr description, names, tonnage, and cost, of which the following is an abslraot, viz. n steamers, 4 propellers, 2 brigi., 27 schooners, and '2 sloops — together 4S vessels, admeasuring 13,207 tons, and the cost 659,000 dollars. In the event ot hostilities, the Unite 1 States would, we fear, possess the entire maritime supremacy of the Lakes, and especially of the upper ones, on which, previous to the year 1812, the principal employment of a few ?mall vessels w.ls the transport of salt and furs. § " The first vessel of force " that tl\e British ever had on Lake Ontario was a schooner of 40 feet keel, with fourteen oars and twelve swivel guns, launched at Oswego, 28th July, 17 ib.—Entick. 1 ( 1 ' 128 MFi: AXD CORRESPONDENCE OF i r.'' ctt's liarl)our, has remained witlioiit seamen until within the last fortnlglit. when the officers began to enter men as fast as possible. A lieutenant w ith a party came to Buffalo, a tolerably larp:e villaf^e 0|)po- site Fort Erie, and procured several hands, hut, Jiot satisfied, a petty officer was sent to our side to in- veip;le others. The mag:istrates, hearing' of this, sent to apprehend him; but he "seaped with difiiculty. The strait between Nia<>"ara and Furt Erie is that which, in all probability, will be chosen by the Ame- ricans for their main body to penetrate with a view to conqtest. All other attacks will be subordinate, or merely made to divert our attention. About three thousand militia could, u])on an emergency, be drawn by us to that lino, and nearly five hundred Indians could also be collected ; therefore, Avith the regulars, no trifling force could hope for success, provided a determined resistance were made ; but I cannot con- ceal from your excellency, that unless a strong regular force be present to animate the loyal and to control the disaffected, nothing effectual can be expected. A pi'otractcd resistance upon this frontier will be sure to embarrass the enemy's ])]ans materially. They will not come prepared to meet it, and their troops, or volunteer corps, without scarcely any discipline, so far at least as control is in question, will soon tire under disappointment. The difiiculty which they Avill experience in providing provisions will involve them in expenses, under which their government will soon become impatient. The car brigade will be particularly useful in ob- structing their passage; and I cannot be too urgent in soliciting the means, both as to ginmers and driv- ers, and likewise as to horses, to render this arm com- plete for service. A small body of cavalry would also be absolutely necessary, and I have alreaily offers from many respectable young men, to form themselves into a troop. All they seem to require are swords and pistols, which tlie stores below may probably be able to furnish. SIR ISAAC BROCK. 129 The situation of Kiii^iston Is so very important in every military point of view, tliat I cannot be too earnest in drnwiiifr your oxcellency's attention to that quarter. The militia, ^rom the Bay of (Juinti down to Glengary, is tlie r.iost respectable of any in tiie province. Amontr. the otficery, several arc on half pay 0' still retain a sound military spira. Tliose from the Hay of Quinti would be properly stationed at Kingston, but all downwards would naturally de- sire to be emploved to resist auv predatory excursions to which tlieir property would be so much exposed from the opposite shore. IJesides, I have always been of oi)inion that a strong detachment would fol- low the route ot Lord Andierst, and attempt to enter the province by O/wegatchie.* The militia on the whole of that connnunication cannot, therefore, be more usefully employed than in watciiing such a movement ; and should the enemy direct the whole of his force by St. John's, the greater part can with the utmost facility join the army acting upon that frontier. The militia act, which 1 have the honor to enclose, provides for such an emergency, but your excellency will readilv observe, that amonii many wise andsalu- tary provisions, there are but few means of enforcing them. No exertions, however, shall be wanting in my civil capacity to j)lace that body upon a resj)ect- able footing. Mr. Cartwright, the senior militia colonel at Kingston, possesses the influence to which his firm character and •superior abilities so deservedly entitle him ; but as I cannot possibly give the neces- sary attention to so distant an object, and as a regular officer will be indispensable to direct the operations, one of high rank ought, if possible, to be nominated. * An American fort on the river St. Lawrence, about seventy miles from KinKston, and one luindred and twenty-five miles from Montreal. Oswegatehie, now knowr; as Ogdousliurg-, i.s opposite to tlie Canadian town of Prescott, and tin St. Lawrence here i.s about 1800 yards across. It was in Autrnst, 1760, th;i' (ienoral Amlierst proceeded from Oswego, via Oswegatchie, to attaci< tti<= French army at Montreal, and in September the whole of Canada was surrendered by capitulation to Great Britain. i ! i ; ( ! 130 LIFE AND CORBESPO.NDKNCE OF to tlint command, ^o inuch will remain to be done, and siicli liigli expenses to he inourrcd in the quarter- masfer-gcneral's department, that I eannot too ear- nestly request your excellency to select an officer who may he equal to discharge the various duties of that office. A head to the commissariat will be likewise indispensable, T have trespassed f,'reHtly on your excellency's time, but I beg to be permitted t.5 entreat your excel- lency to honor me with such advice and counsel as your experience may sujxst'st, and be assured it will ever be my utmost pride to meet your vien's and to merit your approbation. Major-Gcneral .Ilrock to Llvut, Gtrnentl Sir G. Prcvost. York, December 3, 1811. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency's disjiatcli, dated the 11th ultimo, with its enclosures. My first care, on my arrival in this province, was to direct m'c officer.-! of the Indian department at Amherstburu: to exert their whole influence with the Indians to prevent the attack which I understood a iew tribes meditated an;ainst the American frontier. But their eftorts proved fruitless, as such was the infatuation of the Indians, that they refused to listen to advice ; and they are now so deeply engaged, that I despair of being able to withdraw tliem from the contest in time to avert their destruction. A high «legree of fanaticism, which had been for years work- ing in their minds, has led to the present event. Mujor-General Brock to Lieut, -General Sir G. Prcvost. York, December 11, 1811. I had tlie honor yesterday of receiving your excel- lency's letter of the 1st ultimo, stating your intention of establishing depots of small arms, accoutrements 3IH ISAAC BROCK. 131 lion Ints ( and ainnmiiition, at tlie difrcront posts in Upper Canada. Siiu(> tlio i?ettIcinont of tlii; provinno, several hnri- drcd stands have been at diHl-irnt times issued to the militia, and T have ^iven direotioTis for collecting iheni, hut in all prohiil)ility {rreat deficiencies will he found; indeed, it has already been ascertained that those delivered in 171)5 hy the late Lieut. -GcJieral Simcoe arc Avholly lost to the service. To obviate for the liituru such an extensive waste, I propose iixing upon proper places at each post, wlierein the arms may be deposit(!d after the nnlltia have exercised; and I have to request your (ixeeilency's permission to direct the field train department to attend to their preservation, and keep them in a state of repair, in the same manner as those remaining in store. The expense cannot be great, and in all such cases the infant state of the country obliLics the militia to have recourse to the military. I have recently had occasion to report, for your excellencv's information, the total want of stores at this post, beyond those immediately necessary for the commissariat, f shall consequently be much at a loss to find accommodation for the 2,JJ21) French muskets whlcii vour excelloncv has directed to fje sent here ; and as the only magazine is a small wooden shed, not sixty yards from the king's house, wjiich is rendered dangerous from the quantity of powder it already contains, I cannot but feel a repug- nance to lodge the additional 13,140 ball cartridges intended for this post in a place so evidently insecure. But as these arrangements cannot conveniently take place until the opening c;^ tho navigation, there will be sufficient time to coutiive the best means to meet your excellency's m ishes= ) a' i;3'2 LIFE AND COrtKKSPON PENCE OF I! '! Major-Gcncral Jirork to the Military S>cretari/. YoiiK, Dt'coinber 11, 1811, I was yc'storilfiy lionoied willi your letter of the (Uli of Inst mo/itl), witli its eiK-losurc. Soon after the Ucpurturo of Lieut. -Ciovcruor (Jore, the Indian ac- conipt.', wlileli Mr. lluwden states in his letter to Mr. Thomson to have transmitted to his excellency, were forwnrdod to Mr. Lane, who immediately pro- ceeded in their examination. \othin{^ is more certain than that the examination of the cash accom[>t9 will best proceed at Quebec, but how far it may be advisable to j^end future accompts such a distance away from all explanation, is a con- sideration of some moment. I am naturally anxious that the examination should, in the first instance, bo made on the spot ; and if an accomptant were conti- nued on the establishment of this province, and took up the accompts from a recent date, he would be able to proceed almost as fast as others oc^curred. Trans- actions fresh ill the memory eoidd be easily explained, and a temporary audit would secure such a decree of accuracy as to leave little to be done on their reach- ing Quebec. I have s'entured to recommend Mr. M'Gill to his excellency, as every way qualified to fulfil the duties of an aecomptant ; and as his bodily infirmities must limit his exertions to some sedentary employment, he cannot, I conceive, be more usefully occupied than in that situation in this province. Mr. Lane shall be directed to proceed to (inebt;c ; but the roads are in so bad a state, that he cannot possibly travel for some weeks. Colonel Bayncs to Major-Gcncral Brock. [OFFICIAL.! QiTEUEc, December 12, 181L I am directed to transmit herewith a copy of pro- posals for raising a corps of Glengary Fcncibles. The commander of the forces has selected an officer SIK HAAC nitO'.K. 133 of tlic kiuv^\ rf'(;lmcrii, a(.'a|ttiiiM George M'Do?>olI,* an avowed Catlmlic. and a relation of tlic ( JN.'iijjary prit'si of that iianu!, t(» attcrnpt tho forni!itii»n of a siniiU battalion, to bo In the first instanco nndi-r Ida command with tlic rank of major ; and in case a mor rcspectablo body can bo collected, u lieuicnant- coloiiol commandant will bo appointed. Captain M'DonoIl will loave this in a few davs uml ho will be ilireeti'd to take an early opportunity of eornmu- niraling with you as soon as he lias felt his ground a little in (ilengary, atid is ublo to form a correct idea of the prospect and extent of success that is likely to attend his exertions. 1 shall have the honor of sendinii von bv the next post a reiTulation for the payment of cler<4ynien })erformin!:; religious duties for the troops at the f ■«5 *>.;..(. rf*U..--*i»?'- ^^^U--i./^ I 134 LIFE AND CORRKSPONDENCE OF I ,.; }> ' n i it tliat consideration which tlie importance of the several points, to which it alludes, entitles it. In addition to tho president's message bein;; full of gunpowder, the report made to conijres:: by its com- mittee on the state of the foreign affairs of the United State?, conveys sentiments of such decided hostility towards England, that T feel justified in reconi mend- ins: such precaution as may place you in a state of prc})aration for that event; and with this view you must endeavour to trace an outline of co-operation, compensating for onrde/iciency in strength. I agree with you as to the advantages which may result from giving, rather than receiving, tho first blow ; but it is not ray opinion war will commence by a declarji- ration of it. That net would militate against tho policy of both countries; therefore, we must expect repeated petty aggressions from our neighbours, be- fore we are permitted to retaliate by open hostilities. It is very satisfactory to observe the professions of the inhabitants of Upper Canada in defence of their pro- perty, and in support of their government. I will look into the correspondence you refer to, which took place between Sir James Craig and Lieut. - Governor Gore, in 1807, 1808 and 1809, respecting the temper and disposition of your militia, and the policy to be observed in your intercourse with the Indians. Your views, in regard to the line of conduct to be observed towards the militia forces, notwithstanding some existing circumstances unfavorable in their composition, are in my estimation wise, and on such conceptions I have hitherto acted. There are >too many considerations to allow^ me to hesitate in saying we must employ the Indians, if they can be brought to act with us. The utmost caution should be used in our language to them, and all direct explanation sliould be delayed, if possible, until hos- tilities are more certain ; though, whenever the sub- ject is adverted to, I think it would be advisable SIR I^AAC BROCK. 13i> always to intimate that, as a matter of course, we shall, in the event of war, expect the aid of our bro- thers. Althoufrh I am sensible this requires delicacy, still it should be done so as not to be misunderstood. I shall call the attention of the commissariat to the supply of provisions that may be required in the Upper Province; and Iliad, previously to the arrival of your letter, i' rank to officers in command of militia regiments; but as this latter arrangement is not free from considerable ob- jection, you must retard the measure as much as circumstances will permit. [The reiuairnler of this letter is of no interest.] * rills vessel, named tlic Lady Prpvost, was employed on the Lake, in Augu.st, 1812. ■ i I I I ^ r ■ •MMMlMMMMMMiahi 130 LIIE AND CORBESPONDENi.E OF CHAPTER VI. Our memoir having now reached the year 1812, in which tlie United States of America declared war against Great Britain, we proceed to give a l)rief' review of the causes wliich led to that event ; and in doing: so it will be necessarv to so back to the com- menccment of the century. The first president of America, the immortal Wash- ington,* and his successor, Adams, entertained friend- ly sentiments towards the British government and people; but early in 1801, Jefferson succeeded the latter functionary as president, being elected by ten of the sixteen states then constituting the Union. Jefferson was as inimical to England as he was favor- able to France, so was his secretary of state, and suc- cessor in the presidential chair, Madison. Although there were many intervenient lieart-burnings, it was not until the year 1807, when Jefferson was a second time president, that the government of the United States assumed a decidedly hostile attitude towards Great Britain. The Berlin decree, in which the French ruler ventured to declare the British islands in a state of blockade, and to interdict all neutrals from trading with the British ports in any commodi- ties whatever, produced fresh retaliatory orders in council, intended to support England's maritime rights and commerce, and to counteract Bonaparte's * He ((i('d at Mount Vernuii, on the Htli Uecember, 1799, iu the sixty • eightii year of his age, Icaviug a widow, but uo issue. rf SIR ISAAC nROCK. 137 1 conlinciital ^ystoin. The Berlin decree was a gross infringement, of ilio law of nations, and fin outrage on neutral rights, which especially called for resistance from the Amoricaus, a neutral and tradin'jj i)eople ; but they neither resisted nor seriously remon.^trated ati^ainst it. Xapolcon intended by this decree to })re- vent the trade of Ktigland with the continent, but his failure should be a lesson to those statesmen who seek to check the free current of an intcrchanjjje of pro- ducts among' nations, as with all his power he could not succeed in -topping tlie trade by contraband. Other causes of dispute arose from the determination of the IJriti>h goverunicnt to exclude the Americans from the blockaded ports of Frarice, and from that inexhaustible sonrce of quarrel, the impressment of British seanuMi from American vessels, especially as the difficulty of distinguishiny; British from Ameri- can seamen led occasionally to the impressment of Americiin native born citizens. In June, 1807, the rencontre occurred between his n^ajesty's ship Leopard and the Chei^ajicakc:, uhieh terminated in the forcilde extraction from the Americfsn frigate of four deserters from British ships of war. The British government instantly disavowed this act, and recalled Vice-Ad- niiral Berkeley, who had given the order to search the ChcsajiCtnke. Jelferson, liowever, not only issueil a proclamation interdicting all British ships of war entering tlie ports of the United States, but proposerl to congress to lay an embargo on American vessels, and to compel the trading ships of every other nation to quit the Americnn harbours — another wise expe- dient, like the Berlin decree, for the encouragement of smuggling across the frontier.* This ()roposition was warndy opposed by the federalists, or Washing- tonians, but it was nevertheUiss adopted by large majorities. Thus mutters reuMined, with subsequent slifrhl modifications, from the month of Decendjer, 1807, to the declaration of war in 181*2, an interval * See couclusiun of BrigatlUr Brock's IcUer, dateil Montreal, July 20, 1808. 1 1 Hi 1 1 i ■: )M ^im wmt. i "i r f i:}8 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF which tlie commercial classes in the United States spent in a hopeless strug:gle against bankruptcy and ruin. Attempts Mere not wanting on our part to arrive at a friendly accommodation, but Jefferson demanded, as a preliminary, the revocation of the British orders in council, and the entire exemption of American ships from any search, or from any question as to their crews or cargoes. The British government pledged itself to repeal the orders In council as soon as tlie French decrees should cease to exist. In 1800, Jefferson w s succeeded as president by Madison, who was compelled to yield somewhat to the popular outcry, and to repeal the universal embargo, substituting a non-intercour e act with Eng- land and France, both which nations, it must be confessed, having, by restraints on their commerce, given the Americans just grounds for dissatisfaction. On the 21st of April, 1812, the prince regent in council engaged to revoke tiie obnoxious orders in council of the years 1807 and 1809, whenever the French government should repeal the Berlin and Milan decrees ; and having received notice of such repeal, the orders in council were revoked on the 2J3d of June following, as far as regarded America, with a proviso that the revocation should be of no effect unless the United States rescinded their non- intercourse act with England. It has been thought that the revocation came too late, and that if it had been coaceded a few weeks earlier, there would have been no "ar with America ; but Madison had been treating with Bonaparte's government since the end of the year 1810, and the whole course of his conduct, with his evident desire to illustrate his presidency by the conquest of Canada, proved his determination to brave a war with England. He and his party nicely calculated on which side the greater profit was to be obtained — whether the United States would gain more by going to war with England than by hostility against Bonaparte and his edicts. " Every thing in SIR ISAAC BROCK. 139 the United States," says James, in his naval history, " \vas to he settled hy a calculation of profit and loss. France liad numerous allies — England scarcely any. France had no contisruous terriforv — Eno;land had the Cunadus ready to be marched into at a moments notice. France had no commerce — England had richly-ladoti merchantmen traversing every sea. Eng- land, therefore, it was against whom the death-blows of America were to be levelled." The struggles of England against Mapoleon ennhled the American go- vernment to choose its own time. On the 14th April, congress laid an embargo on all ships and vessels of the United States during the space of ninety days, with the view of lessening the number that would be at the mercv of England when war was finally de- clared, and also of manning efficiently their ships of war and privateers. By the end of May their fastest merchant vessels were converted into cruisers, ready to start at a short notice. On the IHth of June, before the revocation of the orders in council was known in the United States, a declaration of war was issued by President Madison, in accordance with the decision of congress on the previous day, tlie votes in the senate being 11) to 13, and in the house of representa- tives 79 to 49 ; and its supporters being chiefly from the western and southern states to Pennsylvania in- clusive, while the advocates for peace were principally from the northern and eastern states.* The American declaration of war reached London on the 30th July, but in the belief that the repeal of the orders in council would produce a suspension of hostilities, the British government simply ordered the embargo and detention of American ships and properly ; and it was not until the 13t]i of October, the dav on which Sir Isaac Brook was slain, that it issued an order granting general reprisals against the ships, goods, and citizens of the United States. * Pictorial History of England. I 1 \ \\\ ; V I .; 140 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF u ii li S!r George Prevost to Major-Genvrnl lirock. Quebec, January 22, 1912. It is the opInioTi of the adjutant-general that you will not wish to avail yourself of the conditional leave of absence I have received authority to c:rant you. 1 shall hear with particular satisfaction that Baynes is not mistaken, as I value your services highly. If it be the disposition of government to employ Major-General Sheaffe, the death of Major-General •Balfour, at Fredericton, and the absence of Major- General Wilder, afford the opportunity of doing so without depriving me of your assistance at this critical period of affairs. Colonel Baynes to Mojor-Gcneral Brock, at York. Quebec, January 23, 1812.* Sir George Prevost has commissioned me to inform / you that by the October mail, which arrived two days ago, he received a letter from the adjutant-general, authorizing him to permit your return to England for the purpose of being employed on the continent, and sanctioning his appointing Major-General Sheaffe to succeed a m on the staff in Canada. But Sir George, viewing lie intention of the commander-in-chief as instigated solely by a desire to promote your wishes and advantage, and having learnt from me that, from the tenor of your recent correspondence, I was led to believe that you would pnfer retaining your present charge, ho has directed me to inform you of the circumstance by a private letter, which will enable you to canvass the subject with more freedom than an official communication would admit of. Your / decision to remain longer in Canada will be highly acceptable to him. Sheaffe, I have no doubt, will be very speedily provided for in this country, without * This and a few of the subsequent letters from Colonel Baynes are partly in cyplii r of figures, but of course we liave not the key. SlU ISAAC flROC'K. 141 tleprivinj^ us of your services. Sir Geortjje has asked pennissiou to fi))point liiin in General Wilder's place, and tlicre will be two vacatjcies in Nova Scotia to fill up in the «prin<>;. Sir George has great pleasure in acceding to your request to be })erniitted to nominate one or two en- signs to the Glengary rencibles; and, if you wish, young Shaw nuiy be ininicd lately provided for in that corps, and afterwards transferred to the line. The cold here has been severer for the last eight days than has ever been recollected by the oldest inhabitant; the thermometer falling as low as 33"^ der ciplier, aeco "(''^ivd with high wind, and ' ::r lining during ..". dir.t time above 15" below — it is at this moment '20'~ under cipher : fortunate you, that are in a milder climate, for we are suffering dreadfully from excessive cold. By your description of your pastime in shooiing wild pigeons, you cer- tainly posses? a very great advantage over us in these respects.* AVe have been much plagued with opthalmia, which has been very general in the king's regiment, and the seve)*e cold does nc»f prevent llic contagion. MajoT'OetK^ral lirock to the Military Secretary. YojiK, January, 1812. T beg leave to observe, in answer to your letter of the 12th ultimo, that my sole obj(!Ot in making the representation contained in my letter of the 8th of November was to point out the necessity of autho- rizing the storekeeper -general to make purchases, provided the Indian presents did not reacli this coun- try before the close of the navigation — their subse- quent arrival, however, removes every difficulty. I * "Immense flucks of the i)asseng:cr, or wild pigeon, freciucnt Tpper Canada durini; sprinii ami autumn, anti myriad.- of them arc killcfi by fire arms, or cauRlit in ni't.-i, by the inhul)itants, tor ttiey fly ^.o "lose, and in sudi numbors, that twenty or ttiirty may sonu'times be brc^aglit down at a siuglc shot." — Uouison's Upper Canada. \ M \i 142 LIFE AND C0RHES1>0NPEN( E OP ? am truly lensfible of his exoellency's proviUrnf, care and attciitiuii in dircctiiitii; tlio rcfjui^ition for the en- suiufif year to he sent by hind, as tlie early receipt of the presents is always, but partieuhirly in these uncer- tain times, very desirable. The instructions of the ()th of May, 171)0, issued by Lord Dorchester, have been continued in full ft>rce by my predecessor at the head of the civil administration, on whom the charge of the Irulian deparfnicnt devolved in conscfjuenco of the Duke of Portland's letter to General Prescott, and the kinfr's additional instructions, dated the 1.5th of December, 171)(3. How far this chanw from the military to the civil superintendence has fended to advance the service I ai i not prepared to say, but J rather incline to think that, considering; the mode in which the expense of tue department is defrayed, it is liable to [)roduce confusiorj. The instructions, a copy of which you transmitted, apply to such Indians as live a short distance from the several posts. Vast nund)ers resort every year, particularly to Amherstburj;, from countries at such a great distance, that it is ulterly impossible to regu- late their attendance. 1 myself saw, in 1810, about eight hundred at Aniherstburg, who had been there upwards of a month receiving rations, awaiting the arrival of the presents which the vessel, in which I end)arked the middle of August, carried to that post; and I understand that this generally occurs every season. I find that in 1808 Lieut. -Governor Gore transmitted to England two requisitions, one amount- ing to i:'9,54(3. lOs. ?id. lor the ordinary service of the Indian department, and the other to .£*'2;3,795. Is. 3d., which his excellency represented as necessary in the event of war. I am credibly informed within these few days that both requisitions have been complied with. The fact can be easily ascertained, and, if found correct, the whole of the goods of the war demand must be in store, for I have reason to believe that no call has been made upon it from this province. j? PIP. ISAAC nnocK. 143 Major-Gcnral Jirnch tti Colonel Bai/nes. York, Jiinuary 2<), 1812. Captain M'Doncll, accoinpuiiied by the priest, arrivttl liere some days acjo. Tlic badness of the weather ha^ prevented liis return as soon as he first proposed. All the jtinior commissions being already disposed of amonfr the youths of Glengary, 1 fear that little will be dune ' this part of the province towards recruiting tlie intended corps. A few idlers may he picked up ; but, Mirhout the aid of persons of influence, no great nundior can be expected, unless indeed the militia be called out, and hind promised. Understanding from Captain M'Doneli that the commander of the forces had applic' to the prince regent for permission to oiler some of the waste land of the crown as an inducemcm to the Scotch emi- grants to enlist, I stated rhe circumstance to council, and have much pleasure in assuring his excellency, thai should he be of opinion the ])rcsent aspect of aflairs calls for prom|)t measures, and that a direct promise of land would accelerate the recruiting, this government will readily pledge itself to grant one, or even two, hundred acres to such as enlist on the terms proposed by his excellency. This will bo deviating laroTiv from the kinij's instructions ; but in these eventful and critical times, the council con- ceives that an expression from his excellency of the necessity of the measure will be suihcient to warrant a departure from the usual rules. Should his excel- lency think it expedient to act immediately, and authorize a direct offer of land, I have no doubt that a number of young men n)ight be collected between Kingston and Amherstburg, in which case his excel- lency may sanction the raising of two additional companies under my superintendence, 144 MFE AND C0HHK8I'0NI)ENC'K OF Major-Ocnci'ul Tiroch in Sir George Prcvost. York, Juiiuary 2(), 1812. The very serious inoonvenicuco Nvliich the inha- bitants of this province uxporienco lor uant of a suffi- cient latid coinmunieahon with Lower Canatln, induces me to troubhj }ou on the suhject. The Ilev. Mr, M'Donell, of (ilengary, tlie hearer of this letter, h so Avell (luulified to explain tlic causes which have hitherto impeded tlie cuttinix of a road to connect tii(! two proviru'cs, thut 1 nc( d not det;iin your excel- lency, jiiirtieularly as reference ciin be had to Lieut. - Colonel liruyeres, "ho, havin^' been employed by Sir James Craip^ to ascertain the grounds upon which a dirficulty arose in the attainment of so desirable an object, can give every necessai'y information. If, through your indulgent interfere'ice, this impc- dnnent can be overcome, a las-ting obligation will be imposed on the inhabit; nts. On the 4th February, 1811, Major-Cieneral Brock, accompanied by a numerous suite, opened the session of the legislature at York with the following speech to the legislative council and thi' house of as^embIy : *' Honorable Gentlemen ot the Legislntive Council, and Gentlemen of the House of AssenUjly. "I shouM derive the utinost satisfaction, llie first time of my addressing you, were it perniittod nie to du'cct your iitlen- tlon polely to suoli objects as tended to promote the peace and prosperity of this province. " The glorious contest in which Die IJritish empire is en- g'aged, and the vast sacrifice which (Jrcat Uritain nobly offers to secure the independence of otJiei nations, mi^ht he expect- ed to stifle every feehng of envy and jealousy , and at the same time to excite the interest and conniiand the admiration of a free people ; but, regardless of such generous impressions, the American government evinces a disposition calculated to im- pede and divide her ett'orts. " England is not only interdicted tlie harbours of the T.'nit- ed States, whilj they itJord a slielter to the cruisers of her SIR iSAAi nno<:K. 145 invrate ciiiniy, luit »«lii! is likewise rcquirod to rosign those niuriliiiic ri^litiij;li not wiilioiit liopc! Uutt cool n'tli'c- tioii and the iliclatrH of, justice uiay yd u\ert. the oaluiuities of war, I cimimr. ihuUt i\fr> view of (lie rrlutivositiiatiuii of tlu' ]trnv ill',-, lie (ii(»ii of siudi iiu'itiiun") u«< will lii-ht ^ocuro the inl.-riial jieuoe ot the country, and dci'eat. every tutstile agun ssion. " I'rinripallv criiiipoM .1 of the sons of 'i loyal and Imive hand ot veferaus. the iinlitia, I am eoidideiit, stand in need of lutthinjjf hat the neees!.ary !i<;i-,|alive provis^ioUH, to tlirect their tudoiir in the nt|iiir(jm»iil. of niditary instruction, to form a niost oliu'lent toree, " Tlie jjrowini; prosperity of these provinoea, it is nionife«it, bectiii!* tOiV.vaketi u >ipirit of envy .ind amtiition. Theaeknow- led>;((l iin|)ort.iiice «.f tiiis ( ulony to fhe jiarent state will so- curt! theeontinnaneeof her powerful jiri>teeti(ni. Her f(jslerin(f care has been tlie tirst cause, under Providence, of the unin- terrupted happiMr>>jou )iave «o lon^ en,i ijed. Vour imiuuiry has been litierally rewarded, and you have- in consequence risen to opulence. "Tlieso inlere>itinjf trnlli!« are not uttered to animate your jintriolisui, but, t ihe protection of his royal Jd'.rhneps. *' I cannot deny myself the satisfaction of announcing to you from this ](lace, the rnunitb ent intention of his royal highness the prince regent, who ha:^ been '^^raciously fdeased to signify that a gram of £l"t* per annum will be proposeil in the annual estin>ate», for every future niissiona'-y ot the < ios- pel sent from llnglaiul, whi> may have faitht'ully discbor^ed, ior the term often years, tlie duties of his station in this pr> vince. II . M II 1 14(5 riFE AND fORRESPOVDENCE OF ^ I? ; ( '* (fcntlemt-n of the IIoiiso of A8»oiiibly. '• I hiivo no doubt hut that, with int.', you are oonvinood of fhf noi'OBsity of a n(?ular Kystcm ot'inilitiiry instruction to thu uiiiitiii of this province; — on this >4alutiiry prt-oaution, in tlio event of a i-var, our future snlcfy will jcrcafly depciul, and I doubt not, hul lijutyou will oheorfull} k'n and (h.'feuce. *' I have ordered the public ai;eouutH to be laid before you, and huvti no doubt but tiint juu will t'<»n8ider tlienu with that ullcntion whieh the nature of the subject may rerjuirc. " Honorable (Jenlleinen of the Lcfrislative (Council and (rentlernen of the House of Assembly. " I have, without reserve, coininuuicated to you what has occurred to nie »in thee.vistiriy circunistaneesof this province. We wish and hofio for pencf;, but it ia nevertheless our duty to be prepared tor war, "The task imposed upon you, on. the present oecnaion, is arduous; thi^s task, however, 1 hope and trust, laying aside every con.sideruiion hut tiiutof the public good, you will per- form witli that firniness, discretion, and promptitude, which a regard to yoursidves, your fumilles, your country, and your king, calls for iit your haiuls. ** As for n)>9c)f, it shall be my utmost endeavour to co-ope- rate with you iu proinotiiigsueh measiureis as may best contri- bute to the security and to the prosperity of this province." The addressee of the provincial purliani(3nt in reply were liijilil v satisfactory, and in answer Mujor-General Brock obtiorved : "The eontfratnlatiouy olfered upon my appointment to the honorable station I hold in this jirovinoe, and the confidence you so early reiiose in me, arc, be assu-'d, received with pride and hearttelt satibfuction. " Impressed with the assurance of your support, f feel a most perfect reliance that the exertions of this province will be found etjual to meet every emfirgency of this important crisis." TJje conclusion of the following letter is descriptive of Mfijor-Oeneral Brock's views and intentions in the probable event of a war ensuing between Great Bri- tain and the T^^nited States, and which a few months afterwards lie carried into effect with a success that must liave exceeded his most sanguine expectations. Hill ISAAC UHOCK. 147 a all int Ive he Iri- Ihs Mtijor-Gcnirnl lirock to CoJonA Jiitijups, the Arlj.-ncvoral. V..UK, FoI)iMiiiry I'A IHl'i. I root^ivod yr-trrday your Icttrr dated tlio Kill) iiiid '2't]d all. My iitfi.'iiiiojj wsis so imicli occupied with my civil diifics diirinij the stay of Crt|>t!iiii flray* lit York, lliiil some mil'itary points escaped cons-idom- tion, and I ^■ll!dl now advert to tliein. As no mention in made of wiilidrawini:' fhe-Hsil from this province, 1 consider the ])roposid movement of the M)\\\ as in- ten(h'd to i^Mve me an accessi«)n of btrenglli ; anil tlie a])prehenKion occasioned by Captain (rray's report to tlie contrary, is consequently dispelled. The assur- ance, wlileii I gave in my speech at the openini^ of the lejfislature, .f J'.ngland 'looperatiny; in tl j defence of this province, lias infused tlio ntmo'^^t confidence; and I have reason af this moment to look for the acquiescence of tiie tW'^ Ijousc to esery mea- ynre I mav think neeessiirv to recc "imeiid for the peace and defeinMj of die (iomitry. t spirit has ma- nifested itself, little expected hy those who f inceived tiiemsehes the Ijest ipialilied t) jiidfje of the dj'.posiliori of the members of the liousf. of assembly. Tiic most powerful opponents to Ciovernor Gor(?'s administra- tion take tlie lead on the present occasion. I, of course, do not think it expedient to damp the ardour displayed by tljcso once doubtful characters. Some o])posed Mr. (.{ore evidently trom personal motives, but Tiever forfeited the ri-^ht of bein^ numbered amony; the most loyal. I'ew, very \'e\\, I believe, were acta- ated by base jr uu worthy considerations, however mistaken they ma\ have been on various occasions. Their character v "^1 very soon be put to a severe, test. The measures \vh' '. i intend to propose, are : 1. — A militia supplemeiitary act. Sir George will hear the outlines from Captain Ciray. * Captain Gray was killed, while actine deputy quartermaster general, at the attack o\> Sui-kctt's Harbour, \n May, I8i:}, unit was much regretted. He served many years in (iiieriisey in the StatT Corps ; and in iHUi an excellent topopraplijca) juuput the islands nf (iuenisoy, Saik, llerni, and Jethou, was published, which h«il been yurvejed and drawn by him. )i 148 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 2. — The siiS|)eiision of tlie habeas corpus — a copy of tlie act now enforced in the Lower Province. ♦ 3. — An alien law. 4. — The oftbr of a reward for the better appre- licnsion of deserters. If I succeed in all tlii^^, I shall claim some praise; but I am not without uiy fears. I shall send you the militia act the moment it passes into a law. The more I consider the new provisions, the more I ara satisfied ('j^iviniij, of course, every proper allowance to the disposition of the people) they are [)eculiarly cal- culated to meet the local situation of the country. 1 have not a musket more than will suffice to arm the active part of the militia, from Kingston westward. I have, therefore, to request that the nund)er of arms may bo sent, aecordinn^ to the enclosed requisition, to the places therein spccitied, on the communication between Gleturarv and Kinjiston. Every man ca- pable of carry in<^ a musket, aloni; the whole of that line, oufi'ht to be prepared to act. The members of the assembly from that part of the country are particu- larly anxious that some works may be thrown up as a rallying j^oint and place of security for stores, &;c., in the vicinity of Johnstown. 1 shall requojt Colonel M'Donnell to e.xamiiu^, on his return, the ground which those i^entlerncn recommend as best suited for that purpose. Being immediattly oj)po9ite (Jzwegat- chie, some precaution of :he sort is indispensable, were it only to preserve a fr( e communication between the two provinces. 1 have been niadc to expect the able assistance of Captain Marlow. Should he be still at (Quebec, have the goodness to direct his attention, on his way 'ip, to that quarter, lie had better consult Colonel Fra/er and Captain (iilkinson, men of sound judgment, and well ac{|Uiiinteil with the country. The militia will have, of course, to be employed on the works. SIR iSAAf HROCK. 141) I must ptil! prcHs llio ncoo=«:iv' of fin active, cntcr- prizirif^, iritcHi«^oiit coinniandor, l)fing stalioned on that important lino of coninmnioation. I wish Colonel EUicc* ueroliere to undertake the arduous task, as it is wholly impossible that I can do so. Every assist- ance in niv civil capacitv 1 ahull alwavs be ready to jfive, and to that point my exertions must be necessa- rily limited. Niay;ara and Amherstbur<; will sutti- ciently occupy my attention. I deliver my sentiments freely, believing they will not lie the less acceptable. I discussed every point connected witii Amherst- burf^ so completely with Captain Gray, that I do not find any thinjr very essential was omitted. Colonel M'J)onncll will I'C able probably to jjiive us further insight as to the actual state of affairs there. He was to make every inquiry, and, as far as he was permitted, to jud<2;o himself of the relative strength of Detroit. Lieut.-Colonel 1 preceded him by some days, but in such a state of mind that forbids my j)lacing any depeudancc! on his cxerti'tns. AVhen [ first mentioned my intention of sending him to Ainherstburg, he seem- ed diffident of his abiliiie-, but pleased at the distinc- tion. However, when he received his final instruc- tions, his conduct in the presence of some ofhcers was BO very improper, and otherwisii so childish, that I have since written to say, if he continued in the same disposition, he was at lilierty to return to Niagara. I did not directly order him back, because at this time T consider an officer of rank necessary at Andierst- burg, particularly during the al>scnce of Messrs. Elliott and Baby, who arc both here attending their parliamentary duties. You will imagine, after what I have stated, that it is tlie influence of his rank I alone covet, and not his personal aid. He has very fortunately given timely proof that he is in no way * The present I.icut..O( ncraJ Ellice, euloncl of Uie '24tli regiment of foot, mcnlionetl Ht page Itiy. t Wo snijptoRb Uie nan^e from eonsicleraUon to In-* fannlY— he dicil jfeneral ofJicer. |i LOO LIl'E AND CORUESPONDENCE 01' f-^ ambitious of military fame, tlierefore unfit for so im- portant, a command. Should it please his excellency to place the 41st niid 4yth at my disjiosal, 1 propose sendinfj the former rei;iment to Amherslburg, as wc cannot he too stronn^ in that quarter. I have already explained myself on that point, and Captain Gray is furnished with further arguments in support of the measure. I have delayed to the last the mention of a project which I consider of the utmost consequenco in the event of hostilities. 1 set out with declaring my full conviction, that unless Detroit and IVIichilimackinac be both in our possession immediately at the com- mencement of hostilities, not only the district of Amherstburg, but most probably the whole country as far as Kingston, must be e\acuated. How necessary, therefore, to provide etfectually the means of their capture. From Amherslburg it will be impossible to send a force to reduce Michilimackinac. Unless we occupy completely both banks, no vessel could pass the river St. Clair. VV'hat I therefore presume to suggest for his excellency's consideration, is the adop- tion of a project which Sir James Craig contemplated three years ago. The north-west company undertook to transport 50 or (iO men up the Ottawa, and I make no doubt would enirage again to perform the same service. If, therefore, a war be likely to occur, at the time the canoes -^lart from Montreal T should recom- mend 40 or 'j(> of thc49tli liglit company, and a small detachment of artillery, embarking at the same time for St. Joseph's. Should hostilities commence, the north-west would not object to join their strength in tlie reduction of Michilimackhiac ; and should peace succeed the present wranglin-/, the 40th detachment could be easily removed to Aiuherstburg. SIR ISAAC UROCK. 151 Major-GcHcral lirock to Sir George Prcvost. YoHK, February 12, 1812. 1 hfivo the honor to ackriowledfre the receipt of your excellency'!^ letter of the 23(1 ultimo, with Its enclosure, and in answer have t{» request you to lay my liuinble aeknowledguients before nU royal liifrh- ness the couiniander-in-chief, for his gracious com- pliance with ray solicitation to visit England. Being now placed in :i high ostensible situation, and the state of public affairs with the American government indicating a strong prejumption of an approaching rupture between tlio two countries, I beg leave to be allowed to remain in my present command. The uniform confidence which your excellency has been pleased to repose in my endeavours i ' promote the king's service, permit nui to assure \ ou, is a strong additional motive with me for entreating per- mission to remain at this juncture under the imme- diate orders of your excellency. Major-General lirock to the Military Secretary. York, February 12, 1812. I have directed the assistant deputy commissary- general at Amherstburg to purchase 2,0()0 busliels of Indian corn. Corn will be absolutolv necessarv in the event of war; and, should peace follow the exlst- isting discussions, thi Indians will gladly receive it in lieu of oth( r food. It is to bo procured, if possible, on the American side, that our own stock may re- main undiminished. Several agents have already arrived from the Lower J'rovince, and made large purchases of Hour ; if, therefore, our contracts are not soon concluded, ^U3 shall be at the mercy of those gentlemen. 1 have not considered myself justified in interferinjj in the business of the commissariat. I have lieen informed very lately that my account has been charged with ,t!2(), for my portion of the ex- pense of a cunoe, employed in taking Governor Gore 152 LIFE AND COnhliPl'OXDEXCE OF s% i ■ and myself to York : porliups liis excellency may consider this sum a fair public cJjarge. Colonel Ratpics to Major-Gvneral Brvch. QiKJuic, February 20, 1812. Captain M'Donoll lias not clearly understood the purport of his mission to l^pper Canada, and the fjeneral regrets that he should have proceeded the lenjxth lie has done without liaving previously received your advice and instructions, to obtain which was the chief object of Ids visit to York. It is to be hoped, however, that sufficient patronage still remains open to meet your wishes, as the apjiointment of three of General ShaAv's sons may be considered, from the sentiment? of friendship and regard you have testified for that officer, to be almost equivalent to anticipating your own choice of them. And Sir George has di- rected me to inform you, that he readily accepts of your proposal \o recruit two companies, to be added to the Glengary Fencibles ; the nomination of the officers, viz. two captains, two lieutenants, and two ensignp, to rest entirely with you. The general has approved of the following quolas of men ibr the res- pective ranks; captains ?J0. lieutenants 15, and en- signs 20; tlie commissions to be issued on completing the quota, and such as complete their proportion quickest, or exceed in extra number of recruits, will have priority in regimental rank. I am not aware that Sir George purposes nominating a lieutenant- colonel ; but 1 am sure that you will not feel less dis- posed to promote the formation of this corps, M'hen I inform you that it is his intention to recommend me to the commander-in-chief for the appointment of colonel. Colonel liayncit to Major-Crencral Brock. Qi;euk( , February 22, 1H12. Sir (ireorge is much jdeased with the favorable ac- count Captain Gray has given him of your proceed- SIK rSAAC BRO< K. \6n iijgs. Your speech is hif^lilv approved of licri', and we slmll rcjoioo to find our liouye ibllowiripf so laud- able an cxani|Ho as your eominons have sht.wn them — but 1 am not smj^uine ; tliey have already comineneed with great illiberulity and violenoe to vent their spleen and resontmerit a|^ainst Sir James (C'rai|x) in votes of censure, and T fancy SirCieorLie, with all l)l^ amiable, couciliatory manners, will hariUy succeed in kee])ing theiri within bounds. Mujor-General lirock to Sir Oeorgc Prr^vosi York, February — , J!^l*2. 1 cannot permit Colouei .M'DoriTXjll to return borne without givinj^ your ••xcellency a short account of" our proceedings here. 1 liad every reason to expect the almost unanimous sup))on of the two houses of the higisiature to every measture the government ihoutilit it necessary to re- comniend ; but after a short trial, I found mvself egrefjiousiv mistak<;n in mv calculations. The many doubtful oharaetery in the militia made mc anxious to introilace tln^ oath of al)iui'ation into the bill: ihcre ^vere twenty members in the house, when this liighly important measure was lost by the casting voice of the chairman. The great influetice \\ liieh the numerous settlers from the I uited Stales possess over the decisions of the lower buuee is truly alarming, and ought imme- diately, by ever) practical mean**, to be diminished. To give cncouragvment to real subjects to settle in this province, can alone r- nnjv<.' the evil. The consi- deration of the; fee-., shoidd Jiot stand in the way of such a politic urraitgement •, and should your fxcollency ultimately determine to promise some of the waste lands of the crown to such Scotch emigrauts as enlist in the Glengary Fencibbs, I have no hesitation in recommending, in the strongest immner, the raising of a Canadian corps upon similar oDers, to be hereafter ' "•w'yy — 154 LIFE AND CORHESPONDENCE OV M disbanded and distributed amoncj their countrymen in tlio vicinity of Amherstburg. Colonel McDonnell being in full possession of my seniiments on this subject, I bee: leave to refer your excellency to him for further infornujtion. Tiie bill for the suspension of the habeas corpus, ( rffrrct to say, uas likewise lost by a very trifling majority. A stron() ])er annum paid from the military chest to that i^entlcnuin have been withheld, on what account I have not been able to ascertain. The individual at present officiating is liighly spoken of; and as several gcutlemen of the Catholic persua- sion have ap))lied to me to intercede with your excel- lency to renew the allowance, I jjresume to submit the case to your indulgent consideration. Colonel J.taijnca to Major- General Tiroch. Qt'ebec, March o, 18] 2. I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the I'ith of February, which I have communicated to Sir George, who is highly pleased to find you are satisiied to retain the important post you nil, and which you appear to govern under such very auspicious prospects. I sincerely trust you will be able to keep your subjects, and particularly your house of representatives, in the same good humour and sound })rinciples which they luive hitherto testi- fied. You will perceive, iu the main sentiments of Sir (jeorge's opening address, a perfect accordance with your own : the answer of the assembly led to a very violent and personal debate, which lasted with closed doors for nearly ciirhteen hours. It would have been more to their credit had they left out the allusion which has drawn from Sir George a very u])propriate retort. Your friend, James Cuthbert, t \ ^Stmatmmmmm 150 lAFE AND COHKESPONDE.NCE OF ■was very warm and eloquoiit upon the occasion ; and the d< niagoguc party seemed sensible of tlie severity of his satire, when he compared the factious cabal to il^sop's faltie of the ass kicking at tlio dying lion. Having vented their spleen, they will, 1 hclieve, [)rovo a little more tractable : the militia hill has a prospect of being materially amended, and they will, I think, allow a proportion of about 2,(MX) men, or perhaps a few more, to be incorporated for two or three months, for three successive years ; after the second year to be replaced by a new quota, and to be seloeted by ballot, and no substitutes permitted to serve in the place of a militiaman drawn by lot; this will be a great point gained. Major- General Brock to Sir George Prevost. York, March 9, 1812. As the transactions which have occurred in the house of assembly, in regard to the chief justice, may be rej)rcsented at Quebec in a manner to excite wrong iniprossions, 1 deem it proper to furnish your excellency with a summary of the whole business. The inordinate power assumed by the house of assembly is truly alarming, and ought to be resisted, otherwise the most tymnnical system will assuredly be pursued by men who sutler themselves to be led by a desperate faction, that stop at nothing to gratify their personal resentment. Mr. Nichol * is a gentleman of education, and who, in the district in which he resides, has done essential good in opposing the d.^mocratio measures of a M" Willcocks and his vile coadjutors. The palpaolc injustice committed against his person, by dragging him at midnight, without any previous warning, one hundred miles from his liome to the bar of the house, and then committing him to gaol * Mr Nirhdi was a lipntoiiatjt-coloiifl of militia, and t the chief justice, but his friends recomnuiided that thev should be allowed to proceed without interruption. Majoi'- General Brack to Colonel liaynes, Yr.KK, March \\ 1812. 1 received vesterdav your letter dated the 20th of February, and have to express my thanks to Sir George Prevost for his readiness in attending to my wishes. His excellency having been plea*;ed to authorize the raising of two i^ompunies under my superintendence, giving me the iiomiiiation of the officers, I have to acquaint you, tor his information, that Alexander Roxburgh, I'^sq., has l>(!en appointed by me to raise men for a company, and ^V'illiam M'Lean, gentleman, for an ensigncy.* The former is a gentleman strongly recommended to me by Mr. Cartwright, of Kingston; and the latter, the son of an officer formerly in the 25th regiment, who, having settled in this country, has become one of the most influential characters in it. He is a member of the house of assembly for the district of Frontenac. I have not yet determined in respect to th(> remaining commissions, but will report the instant the individuals arc nominated, Captfiin Dixon froyal engineers) proceeded four days ago to Amherstburg, with the gentlemen who were returning from their parliamentary duties. * In the action with the enemy near Fort r.eorgre, May '17, 1813. an Ensign M'Lean vas killed, and Captain Roxburg-h was wounded — both of the Olengary rcginunt, 158 LIFE AND ronilESPONDE.NCE OF T request you will liave the ^'oodnoss to inform me of tlu^ probable time l may expect the honor of seeing Sir CJeorj^e Prcvost, as 1 sliall consider it a duty, wliich I Hiiall execute with th«3 utmoast pleasure, to meet his excellency at Kingston. H Major-General Brock to the Military Secretary. YoKK, March 0, 1812. I have the honor to nck?Jowlod<:e tlie receipt of your letter, dated the 'iOth iiltinio, with its ( nclosures- \ot having received a !»tatenient of tic Indian goods, whicl) you inform nie his excellency has been pleased to direct the storekeeper-general to forward to the Upper Province, I cannot say how far they are likely to meet the yearly consumption ; })ut I make no doubt that they will be found sufficient to answer every demand, until the arrival of fresh sup- plies from England. The storekeeper-general will receive by this oppor- tunity a statement of such articles of Indian presents as 1 conceive indispensably necessary to be lodged, previous to the closi'ig of the navigation, at the several posts in tb.ls province, should appearances continue to indicate an unfriendly dis])osition on the part of the United Stall s. Colonel Proctor reports the difHculty In whicli lie is involved, owing to the scarcity of cash to pay the 41st regiment, and probably i supply from Quebec may be necessary. Major M'l'herson is under the same embarrassment at Kingston. A contractor tor building a schooner at this place has commenced with a strong party of workmen, and is lik-^ly, judging from the model, to complete a superior vessel. SFK iSAAr imncK. 1.59 ; ; m 1 J mi Colonel Daijntm to Major- General lirnck. Qi F.HFX, Mardi 11), 1812. I ronrot to find by your Into letters to Sir Cieorgo Provost, tliiit your o\p(!ctntions from your loi:jisl{iture have not been realised to the extent of your well jjjrounded liopes. Sir Gcor^xe, who lb well versed in the fickle and uritnict;i.l»lo disposition of public ns- seinblie:^, ieels more regret tiiiin dis^appointrnent. lie lias a very delicate card to play with his house of ossein ly liere, who would fain keep up the farce of being hifjhlv oharniod antl deli«:hted with his amiable disposition and idfwMe inauncrs : they IiaNC even jjjone the length of assei . lu;^, that these traits in his chi • racter liave alforded them the most entire confidence that, in his hands, the alien act would not he abused. They have, however, taken the precaution of strij)ping it of its very essence and spirit, while last year they passed it without a division, when Sir./ame^, (Craig,) on whose mild and aHable disposition they did not pretend to rely, told them that it could only alarm such as Averc conscious of harbouring seditions de- signs. They liuve pnsi^ed an amendment to the m.litia bill, which, though not all<>rding all that was required, is still a material point gained : 2,<.MI0 men are to be bal]ottcd to serve for three months in two successive summers ; one of iheir strongest obji-ctions was the apprehension of the Canadians contracting military habits and enlisting \\\io the service. Sir Georf>e has directed me to inform vou, that he will be ready to render you any assistance in his power to strengthen the Upper Province; but that unless reinforcements arrive from England, (in which case you may depend upon liaving a due proportion put under your immediate command,) his means of doing so are but very limited. His excellency is not sanguine in his expect[*lioii of receiving reinforce- ments this summer; on the contrary, the appearance of hostilities beginning to abate at Washington, and f! i 1- il i ^h I; !('»() I,IFE ASD COnRF.SPOVDKNCE OP u the |il( liti(;.s, in which we all appM-ar to arrree that the deep-rooted jealouKV nnd hatred of that peo- ple must in tlie end lend to hostilities, nnd that it behoves us not to lo(»e sinht of an event wiiich, if not prepared to meet, wn shall iind more diHicult to re- ])el ; — umler this ini[)r<>isi()n, Sir CJoorgc is disposed to promote the several plans you have recoiniiiench.'d to him, relatin'4 to the «]jeneral line of eonduet you would wi-^h to adopt in defeiiee of the important pro- vince oonunitted to your charge. If no additional forces he smt out, ho will send up the strong de- tachment of the -list, composed of uncommonly fine vounff men, anil in very jiot)d order : the ixenoral has it also in view to send you a strMn^ gan- guine in his expectations of its being speedily placed upon a respectable footin|r: in that ease, it could occupy KintTston and that line of communication betwet.'n the provinces, which you deem so essential to be guarded. This corps will have the very great advantage of .starting with a better selected body of officers than has fallen to the lot of any Fencible regiment in Canada. I hope you will feel inclined to bring forward Shaw as one of your captains, as without your countenance J fear he will find it an arduous task to provide for himself and his brother. The uniform of the corps is to be green, like that of the 9-5th riftes. Sir George expressed himself very sensible of the siH m\A(' miocK, 101 policy of till' line of <'oruluct \oh \voiiliI wlsli U» j)iirsuc respecting tho Iiidiiins ; hut rit^ otlior oonsi- dcrutions of tliu f^ivatest |»oliti<;!il tlclirucy fire, so luiinilclv inti rwovc'ii with tlumi, luid ns tho Amcrii'iui goNcrmiKMit are iiliTjuly iiu'lincd to view evory trnns- uction with those people with a jealous and suspicious cv*', iio would riMoiniiuMid the utmost caution and forhcaranco, lest a ditlenrit lino of conduct might tend to inoreasi.' the irritation hotwcon the two govorn- inejits, which it is evidiiitly the wish of (ireat Ikituin to allav. Our weather has heen, and still continues for tlio season, si.'verer than ever was recollected hy tho oldesl stagers, and lias rather jnit our llaliliix friends otit of conceit with the line cliinale of C^auada, parti- cularly as Ladv Provost's * health is delicate, and ghe is \ory sensihle of cold.l Mrs. Cator and Mrs. Baynes hog to be most Ixindly rcrnenihered to you. (iencral Howes aci'oiiijiunied KoiiijU to Portugal in the end of December. a at of >lc I'd as an :t. of he Major-Gimeral Brock to the Military Srcrctari/ YouK, March 24, 1812. Tho deputy superintendent-general of Indian af- fairs having represented the serious inconvenience to wdiich the service w<»uld he liable bv adherinii to the new regulations of the commissary-general, in regard to the mode of issuing provisions to Indians, I liorc- with enclose a copy of liis letter for his excellency's consideration. IJis arguments on the subject I con- sider as conclusi\e, for unless lie be allowed to use * I.ady I'rcv'ist was the cldo^l danclitir of Major- fioncriil Phipps, of tliL' Uoyal Eiimiu'Ors ; she dird in |S2\. + An (ipinioii pirvails in NiTtli Anioricii that tlic climate is undergoing a (gradual change, in conscqiii'niH' of f ho continncd (.•Ifiiiing oi tlu- tort-sts — that there is nr)w less lain tiiid less sncw, and Unit tliii winters arc inihlei and slmrtet than fornicil> j bnt this iiiipressioii docs not ap|)ear to bo );roMndid on a enretnl conr.ie of ohservation, as in the winter of l!*;M-2 tin' ice was jtoIiu' i< as thick, and tho year before th( snow a« deep, as within the ineuior' ') man, — AinfricaGru!^riJ[ihicalli/ lUsrriOed. Lon'uirwardcd to head quar- ters, that you may become responsible for the articles delivered to y.nir order: at the same time, the most liberal eonstrnctii)n \v\\\ he fjiveu to any representa- tion, accountinif for such contingencies as are inciden- tal to the service.* [Tlic leimiiiiing detail'^ in this letter n\v omitted here ] i'l{(»Cl,AMAl [ON. Province of V^i\h'.i C'nnaJn. Isaac Brook, K«(|uiro I'rtsidont, adtiiiiiisteriuf? the (JovfrmiKMil oi" tilt l^rmiiHjf ol Ijiper (;n(ia(Iu, aiul Major- (ieiHTul coiuiuaorliiii; lu3 3Iajesty'8 Forces within the stimc. To all whom thoffO I'tesont!^ shnli coaif, (ifreotinp. Wherkas by an act passed iii the fnrtj -fourth year of his jiiajesty's reign, intitulrd. " An act fovi;rantintr to liis innjcsty a certain sum of moiiey tor tlii' lurther < iicouragcmc it of the growth and cultivation of hemp within this province," altered and amendt'd by boveial suh»;(.'(|uont statutes, passed by the legislature of the ssaid ])iovini'r, it is amoni; oUier things enacted, that a( any time or times after the pas>»in^; thereof, it shouUl and Uiigiit bo hiwful tor the governor, lieutenant- governor, or person administerint; tlie t;ov( rnn)ent of the said province, by atul witit the adviee of the exetuitive council thereof, to issue one or niore proclamation or proclamations, and tlierein to nanit- .swrh and ho nuuiy pernons within the said iirovince as fo bin •! all seem meet, as comuussioners for the purchasiii^r of in. veluiiual'le hemp, the ;;rowth of thu said province. Now. k lov/ ye that I, the said Isatie Brock, esqtiire, president, ji(leiiois.terinj4' thf |iOvcrnment of \\\>\ said province, as atortsai I, by virl'.:-? and in pursuance of thj said in part recilc: < .t, and by and with the advice and con- sent of tin eNeeotiv* coutn'il oi' the said province, do hcri'liy issue this niy |iroclainaiiou, and do nominate, constitute and * The mensiMre detu'lcd in the prprorimtr tetter pmvod ti very nidicions one, as the fi.uik eoiu' -Miies were organ iircd wliea the w(ir brokv out, fuid thev were n.i'^t leielnl in lSl2-l:t. t i: 1G(J LIFE AVD CORRESPONDENCE OF F I II appoint the TToiiorable James Baby, of Sandwich, Esquire, ami tlie Iloiiorablo Hicbard ('artwriybt,of Kinf^slon. Es(iMire, Thomas Talbut, of PortTuiliol, Esquire, \>'illiam Allan, of York, Esquire, Josepli Eduards, of Niagara. Jlscjuire, and James Cionlon, of Amher-'tburg, Es(|U)ri', in ihesaid province, respocfively, to be commissioners lor the [lurohasiug- of mer- chantable hetri,), the growth of this province, und (or the carry inij into eflei-t the provisions of the said several acti of the let:,isluture of mis pri'vince. Given under my hand and seal at arms, at York, in the province of Lpper Cunaibj, this eleventh day of April, in Ihe year of our Lord one thou- sand ei^ht hiuuhvd ami twelve, and the tifty- second year of Ids niujesty's n-ijiu. (Sia;ned) ISAAC liStOCK, President. My command of his honor, VVir.LiAM J.vHvis, Secretary. Sir J>ime» Snmnnrez, .Hart.,* to 3f In tin United .Sernire Umrnnl for Ooti Aii i . iHii, Colonel Le Contour liiiy tkscriix'il the winter iimrcli of the JOtlh ie„.iiK'nt, early in 181.1, from New Urujiswick to C lUiiulu, SIR ISAAC BROCK. 1()7 Major- General Jirin-.k to Sir Gconje Prcvost. York, April 2-2, 181t>. I Iiatl tlie lio)i<-.r vfstcnlav to receive vour excel- leiipy's letter, cbiteil the '21st ultimo, and 1 entreat you to believe that no act Mitliin niy control shall afford the government ol'lhe Tinted States a legitimate pre- text to adil to a clamour Avhich has been so artfully raised a'^ainst Knglaiid. We have reci;ived the account of the renewal of the embarjjfo, and that the niost ri»;oroUi measures have already been adopti'd to prevent the least infringement of it upon the Niagara river. Armed men, in co- loured clothcsi, are continually patrolling alonf^ the shore. Tlieae troojis are stated to hive recently ar- rived, but I have not been able to aboertain whether they belong to the new levy or to the militia. They arc reported to amount to about 3(K>. Colonel Proctor has doubtless written fully on the sul)iect, but unfortunately the letters, by some negligence, were left at Niagara. The accounts which have reached me are not, therefore, so satisfactory as could be wisln;d. An idle boy Is stated to have wantonly fired with ball at the guard ojiposite Queenstown, and it appears that the Americans were guilty of a similar outrage by firing during the night into a room in which a woinaji was siltintr. Luckily no mischief followed, licing detained here upon civil business, I have 1:6111 ('aptain file;;'g over to see how matters stand, and t(» arranpe to be at Niagara myself the day after to-morrow. 1 beg leave to assure yoiir excellency, that 1 receive with no suudl dt'gree. of [)ride the praise bestowed o» my end(^a,vour8 to improve the militia system of this province ; and. aa ihe bill underwent some alterations after the departure of CJolonel MvDonnell, j)articu- larly in limiting its o'poratiou to the end of the ensuing ^ i* I IGH I.IiF. AM) (JOHKESPONDENCE OF 8Ci*slon, I sliall li.'ivc tlic lionor f,o forward for your exocllenry'f! iiifoniiatiuii tlic hnv ;:> now r'nforcod. I Ir.ivc, by partiitl mid <:,iMf!t! iDoans, ulrrady coniiiioiicod uj fjivc it ojitration, and I make not tlu; least doul)t lliat a siifllcitTit niunbiT will bo found ready to volun- teer to complete the Hank eonipanies ; and 1 here berj leave to call vour exeellency's attention to the clause which authorizes the training of the Hank companies six times in each month ; but as no provision is made for remunerating' the men, I presume to submit for vour exocllenev's indulijent cower, under the name of privilcj,''. wjiich tlic house arrucrat(!N to itself. The executive will in that case be ]))accd in a v^ry awkward predicamenl. Mr. Nicliol, having com- menced civil actions against thu sp<'aker and siTgeant at arms for lalse imprisonment, will, should he suc- ceed in olitaininp: damafies. hrinii; the question with doid>le force on flie ttif>i.s, 'I'lic violcn.'i- and igno- rance which, in all probability, will mark the pro- ceedings of the liouse, cannot fail oC producing a dissolution. I npply ibrcibly to ministers for instruc- tions, but shoidd tlicy bo contrary to the ojiinion which the judges ol the court of king's bench have formed of the law, 1 am led to believe they will not influence the members ; theretbre, one of two alterna- tives must be resorted to, either the appointment oi' more docile ja,()()0 would imswcr (.-very purposr. No nofe under ols. or above i'ln 'ilinuKl he issufd. The nccouipanyincj leflor from Mr. St-lby, llio receiver-general, will fully elucidate the business. I linve to ai'kiiowlodfxo the receipt of your letter <»f tlx! Istof April. Tlie (^ninrnissary-iieiieral will doid)t- less have he^'u appr!/.cd llial Iii>^ inslructions to .NFr. M'Clill arri\ed in liinc to puper.si'de tiioso he receised from me. Too (xnat (lo|)('ndaiiee ou^ht not to bo placed on the surplus of the several species of stores at the dilKert'Dt posts. I have reason to 'hink that at Amherstl)iir<; lu^arly the entir'- <'\cess will he found dania;j;e(l and ini^(frviceahlo. Jii'in;; de^inms to ascer- tain the actual state of the stores at that post, 1 directed, a monlh ano, a reijidar survey to he taken of every artii^le, luid the iiiunicni I receive the report, it shall he forwarded to head <|narters. Flour has risen to einlit liollars and one lialf per barrel. The etieet of th*^ rMil>ar|jfo is not yet felt. Upwards of 4(),0tMl harn 1-., tin; produt^e of the so\ith of Lake Ontario, will he kepi hy it from the Montreal market. Sir George Prevost to Miijnr-Oancral Brock. Qi.KRKc, April 30, 1812. 1 have just heard from Mr. IV'ster that the .secre- tary at war, at Washinnlon, has Irarisnjitted orders to Governor Tompkins, of JSevv York, to send '">()() oi the .state militia to Nia|,nipa ; 500 to the mouth of the Black River, oj)po^.it<' to Kingston ; and (>(X) to Champlain, in consrevonf .iny colii^ion from tak ng place between our forces and t'le Ame- rican. I bave also received information that the American garrison at Fort Cliicago, no' •; xc-eding i'A) men, los been ordered to Detroit, in ccn-equence ot apprelien- 6iond iVom tbe Indians. Colonel liaynes to Major- General Brack. Qi'KHE( , May 14, 1812. T have jrreal atisfaction in tolling vou, that 1 have rej»orted tbe (ilengary light infantry* mo.i.; than complete to the establishiricnt of 4(X) rank and file, and have received Sir George Prcvost'b commands to recruit for a higher ostablis ij;ui?u;;iH, to enabh^ tht payment of the legacies; this ins-trumcnt, not liaving been exr cuted, will lead to what he most deprecated fi^j wishetl to H jjd, a lawsuit. The heirs at law vriH possess tl • inel )ld ; andWilkie, wIk., besides i!ff,0()O, 18 left thi I T i.^uses in London, fiirnitu: -, kc..^ as residn.iry I •, will b(! stripped of the u i ole thni is not piveu by spec i. 1 berjuest, to make up th(> legacies: ho will iiowever. I believe, have at least £1(>,(XX> left ■—very ample payment for his services. Sir (Jeorge has aimoiHKJod his intention of recom- mending Battersby to be lieutenant-colonel of the Glcngary corps, and ordered him to take tlie com- mand t^ ;ainst overy ovcrit that can jj^ive thorn any just cau^e of com- plaint ; luit tlie proximity off lie two countries will in all probahiliiy produce collisions which, liowever accidentally hroucfht about, will be represented as so many acts of ai]jgression. It would not surprise me "f thoir first attempt to excite irritation wei'e iho seizinf^ of tlu! islands in the cliannel, to which both countries lay claim : su<^li was represented to Sir James Craig on a former occasion to be their intention. In addition fo the force; specified by your excel- lency;, [ understand that six comj»anies of the Ohio militia are intended for Detroit. Our interests with the Indians will materially suffer, in consequence of these extensive preparations being allowed to proceed with impunitv. I have ahvavs considered that the reduction of Detroit would be a signal for a cordial co-operation on the part of the Indians; and if we be not in sufficient force to effect this object, no reliance ought to be placed in them. About forty regulars were last week added to the garrison of Niagara, and by all accounts barracks are to be immediately constructed at Black Rock, almost opposite Fort Erie, for a large force. I returned three days af;o from an excursion to *■ Fort Erie — the Grand Ri\er, where the Indians of the Six Nations are settled — and back by the head of the lake. Every gentleman, with whom 1 liad an opportunity of conversing, assured me that an exceed- ingly good disposition prevailed among the people. The flank companies, in the districts in which they have been established, were instantly completed with volunteers, and indeed an almost unanimous disj)osi- tion to serve is daily manifested. I shall proceed to extend this system now I have ascertained that the ]jeople are so well disposed — but my means are very limited. I propose detaching HX) rank and file of the 41st regiment to Amherstburg, almost immediutcly. SIB ISAAC BROCK. 175 Major-Gcncral Brock to the Military Secretary. York, May 10, 1812. I have hud the lionor to rccoive 3our letter of the 19tl) ultimo. I thought Mr. Giinioro preiiuitiire in reprost'ntinp- to Lieut. -Colonel ,*^t. George the neces- sity of entering into contracts for the purchase of flour and pork> and stated n)y opinion accordingly ; but 1 did not imagine that the (lireciions I gave for the purchase of Indian corn could he considered as authorizing and Justif\ ing ^he measure. It was far from my intention to recommend that any officer of the Indian dep;Mtment shoidd possess an unrestrained power in the issue of |)rovisions ; but 1 thought that partial issues, at the discretion of tlie head at Fort George and Amherstburg, such as Lieut. -Governor Gore sanctioned, might he continued without risk or detriment to the service. The case stands thus : an hour is fixed l)y the commander of the post for the issue of pre«ents and provisions, his other avocations naturally precluding his further at- tendance durinti the day, unless something vcrv extra- ordinary should arise. Such Indians, therefore, as arrive after that time, must either go withoiit food, or be supplied by the officers of the department at their own cost. To obviate this individual inconvenience the order was given, i have not nnfrequ.mtly wit- nessed every mor'=;el of pork in Mr. Claus' house consumed by the subsequent arrival of Indians; and he would forfeit every claim to their good will if lie allowed them to rest witliout a meal. I have been thus prolix, .ns I am unwilling that the commander of the forces should think I over prof)Osc«.l that whrdi was unreasonable, or likely to involve, by removing every degree of control, the safety of the troops. -J 17(; LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF i i Colonel xicnjnes to Major-Gcneral Brock. Quebec, May 21, 1812. Sir George ha^ allowed me to make the foUowini^ extracts from a dispntch of Mr. Foster's, dated the 28th April, which 1 do in the minister's own words : "The Americnn government aifect now to have taken every stej) incumbent on the executive as preparatory to war, and leave the ultimate decision to congress, as vested by the constitution in that body, which is fluctuating as the sea : there is a great party in the house of representatives for war, cornposetl principally of the western and southern states — members who have little to lose, and may gain, while the northern and eastern states are vehement against it. The em- bargo seems to have been resolved upon, because at the moment they did not know what else to do. The cabinet wished only sixly days — the senate made it ninety. Our government leaves no room to ex|3ect a repeal of the order in council, yet they wait for the return of the Hornet. Somethinf; decisive must then be known ; perhaps when they become completely convinced of Bonaparte's playing upon them, it will end in declaring against France. The question of adjournment vvas lost, notwithstanding there was an absolute majority known a few raiinites before in its favor. The ruling party are split into many ; the old revolutionists, jealous of younger men taking a lead. The army cann-^t, I conceive, soon be filled up — they jret few recruits." You will have heard, long ere you receive this, that the 49th regiment is ordered home ; the 41st are by the same authority to return to Europe, but Sir George will not, under existing circumstances, at- tempt to reli; the posts in Upper Canada, so that there will be immediate change in your quarter. 8ir George ^-egrets that he has not field officers of the description you require to command at Kingston and Amherstburg. The only prospect of relief in that sin rSAAC BROCK. 177 rospt'Ct which he lias in view, is from tho arrival of the absent inspecting field otiicers. The arrangement you jiropose respeetinrr the unfor- tunate (.lelin(|iienis of the 41st reoiracnt, will perfectly meet the approbaticn of Sir (reorp^e, who approved of your not forwarding the resiijnation of the younger members, or indeed of any, if they are worthy of con- sideration.* Kempt has brought his name into notice in the as- sault of La Picurina, an outwork at Badajoz, where he commanded, being on duty in the trenches. The Glengary lc\y goes on swimmingly. Sir George Provost to Major- General Brock. Qu£Hi:c, May 27, 1812. I was much y)lcased to tind, by your letter of the 22d ultimo, you had taken precautions to prevent any act occurring vithin vour control that should afford the government of the United States a legitimate pro- text to add to the clamour artfully raised by it against England. The circumstance which happened to the guard stationed opposite to Queenstoun, arrived here much exaggerated. Your account of it silenced the idle reports in circulation. I agree with you in deploring the iirnitatiun, until the end of the ensuing session, in the operation of the militia act for Upper Canada; but as in the event of hostilities it might not be ])0ssible to convene the legislature, then the bill would in all probability con- tinue in force during the war, provided you were not induced to make an exertion for a more perfect law. i i I I if * We learn from the United Service Magazine for March, I846, p. 444, that: some young officers ol the list, liavin;^ indulgoil at Fort George to a iate hour at the mess table, got into a squabble amongst theiusolves, which was of course reported to (.jeneral Uroi-k. The ott'cnce was visited by the expulsion of one or two, and a "^evcre reprimand to the remainder. But judging from the al)ove letter, the general seems to have acted with every possible lorbearauce, 1* 178 LIFE AND CORKESI'ONDKNCE OF * f Colonel Baynes liuvinir inforniprl me lie had an op])ortunity of cominunicatin*'' with you more expedi- tiously than by post,, 1 des^irod him to make you acqi'aintod with the peaceful iulelliixence [ had just rceeived from Mr. I'oster ; but ahhontii*-M »■: y^nr^-n f I ! h , 180 UF£ ANP COKUrSPONDFrrCK OF its iiumrroiis ciirviilurcs, about 1,100 miles. It ia I'li many jtarls 4O0 foci iu dcptli. I'Acept thr island of St. .Jo>(>j)Ii, and ojie or two tradinj^ establislinionls belonf]jin«,f to tlio north-west com puny, the sliores of this li)lso uert in a state of nature., or inhabited only by IndiiiTH. \\ hen the Amcriciuis were allowed to obtain the dominion ot' Lake Erie, which thev did in 181 'J, it was determined at tlie close of the following; year to create a naval force on Lake Huron in the ensuinjf season, (181^"),) as possessing nmch greater eeenrily for tiie construction of vessels than I^iike Erie, whei'c the enemy could at an> time destroy them, in the same manner as their vessels ought to have been previously destroyed by the British. Lake Michigan, which lies wholly M'ithin the United States, is connected with Kake Huron at its western angle by a strait () miles long by 4 miles wide, in the centre of which is tlie island of Michilimackinac, (usually called Mackinaw by the Americans,) be- longing to the United States, and forming an excel- lent jxiiv.t (Vappu'i for military or naval operations in that quarter. Tin's island is about J) miles long and 9 miles in circumference, and, like St. Joseph, its British neighbour, it possessed a small fort and garrison. Michilimackinac is very beautiful, and, wlien seen from a distance, has the form of a turtle sleeping on the water.* It possesses now no large or lofty timber, but a perpetual succession of low, rich groves. There is on the eastern coast a natural arch or bridge, where the waters of the lake have under- mined the rock, and left a fragment thrown across a chasm 200 feel high. By the treaty of the IDth of November, 17U4, Michilimackinac, Detroit, Fort * "Tlie land, in the centre of this island, is hi^h, and its form some- what resembles that of a turtle's baek. Mackinac, or Mickinae, signifies a titrtli', arid inirhi {mis/ii', or vtist^i, signifies gn-ut, as it does also, ,s'(?i'(;rrt/, or mami. Tlie connnon inteiprutatiuri of the word Mii hil'unwkiiiuc, is the fireyt Turtle." — Jli-nri/'s Ti-inwU and Advent ur>'s in Canada and the Indian Tcrntorivn, tietivi'en t/ie i/furs 17i)(> md l"fi- III Henry's time, fort Michiiiniaekinae was situated on a Strait, and distant about two leagues from the island of tlie same name. SIR ISAAC UROrK. 181 Miami, Fort Niun;iira, and Oswc^^o, vvero ceded to the Amcriciini*, as within tiic hoiindarv lines assijj;nod by tiie treaty of peace to llie l.'nitcd States; and they were ^ivcn up in 171K>, when Miehilimaci\inao was stren'j;th'>ned and uiarrisjoned bv a delachinent of General Wayne's army. While in the possession of the British, this island was the ) that orders have been <;iven to fortify Port Sarnia,* on the opposite or Rritish side. The beau- tifnl river Thames, in I'pper Canada, opens into Lake St. Clair, and it was along the banks of this river that Major-General Proctor retreated in 1813. From Lake St. Clair, the stream, through the De- troit, navigable for ves'^els not drawing more than fourteen feet water, pursues a course of 29 miles into Lake Erie.f Upon the western side of the Detroit is situate the American town of that name. Within 4 miles below Detroit, upon the opposite side of the strait, is the British village of Sand-iicb, then containing scarcely fifty houses; and 10 ::i\\es lower, and 3 from the termination of the strait, is the British village of Amherstburg, then containing about one hundred bouses, and a fort wlicre a small garrison was main- tained, and where the principal vessels for the service * Sarnia is the ancient name of ttie island of (ruernsey, and the Upper Canadian Sari>ia was so named by Sir Jolm C'olbornc, {the present Lord Seaton,) who was formerly lieiitenantgovcrnor of Guernsey. t "The mouth of the Detroit river, in which there are several islands, forms a safe and commodious hai'bour."— //owi.sc;'«'s Upper Canada, I ; If M l^i • \ 1S2 LIFE AND COHKKSPONDF.NCF OF of Lake Erio wore constructed. Tlio fort, mIu'cIi was never coniphUod, m;is ahove tlic town, and most injiidiciouslv jilaced. The proper site for tin.' fortiH- cations is tlie island of /y^/.s lila/ic^ immediately opposite to A.mliorstl)iirg, as tills island comniaiids tlic iiioutli of tlio rivf-r, and tlie cliajintl on either side. In tlio event of another \var, or preparatory to it, this island shoiiUl b( fortified, as a hattery at eaeh end would jirevont the American vessels from pa«sinfi' up and down the river.'' The American villafjo of BroNvnstown stands nenvly opposite to Amhersthnrcf, •vvliich is distant from Quebec by th<^ nearest route fully 800 miles, from Fort Erie about 2f")0 miles, and from York 310 miles, all by water. Lake Erie, from Mianiis Bav lo the entrance of tlie straits of Niagara, is in lenj^fb »257 miles, in breadth 04, and in eircumteronce about 700 miles. The average depth of water is not more than seventy feet, but a very rocky })ottom renders the anchorage unsafe in blowinc; weatlier. Except Vmherstbur*;, the British had no harbour or naval depot upon Lake Erie, while tlie Americans had two or three excellent ones. J*res(jf("ifi' harbour is situate on the southern side of the lake, not far from the entrance to the Niajifara. It is a safe statioTi, but has a seven feet bar at its entrance, as indeed have all the other har- bours on this lake. The town, named Erie, is situate on the south side of the harbour, and contains a dock yard, in which the Americans built their Lake Erie fleet. To the eastward of tlie town stands a stronij battery, and on the point of the Peninsula formin;]^ the harbour, a block-house, for tlie protection of this naval depot. The rivers llaisin, Sandusky, and Miami, (or Maumee,) the scenes of important opera- tions during- the war, discharge themselves into Luke Erie. On the north-western side of tlie entrance to the Xiagara river stood, at a distance of 5u0 miles from * United Servii-e Magazine, June, i845, 8IK ISAAC IIHOCK. IKJ Quchcn, tlir Britisl) fort Eric, at best a very innon- sidorahlo work." Nonr to tlio ssanu.' outlet from Lake Erie is .IJulDilo Crcrk, on the hordcr of wliicli is biiill tlie Airiurieaii villa;j;<> of Biiflalo ; and about 2 miles beyond it, Blaek Hock, \vliero there Mas a battery, and a ferry, about H<.K) yards aeross, to Bertie, In I'pijer Canada. The Niagara proceeds at II (]uiek rale |»ast several small and one lar|j;e island, called (rnnulc J.slc, 10 miles lon*:^ ; about 2 miles below Avliieh, on the Amerieaii yide, and distant 2 miles i'roni the Falls, is the site of Fort Sehlosser. At about the s^iinie distance from the Falls, on the opposit(! side, stajidiii^- oti the northern bank of the river ('hippawah,' is the liritish vilhige of the same name, distant from F'orl ]']rie 17 miles. Chip))a\vah consisted ehieil)' of storehouses ; and near it was a small stockaded ^^ork, called Fort Chippawah. At the distance of '2'-\ njiles from the entraiu'e to the Nia'^ara, is (loat Island, about half a mile long, and wliieli extends to the precipice that gives rise to the celebrated Fulls. The larger body of water iiows between Upper Canada and Gont Island, ai- the upper end of which island the ra]>i(Is, or broken water, commence. Here the stream passes on both sides of the island, over a bed of rocks and precipices, with astonishing rapidity; till, having descended more than fifty feet in tlie distance of half a mile, it falls, on the British side 1;">7, and on the New York side 102, feet perperulicularly. The roar of the waters can sometimes he lieard at the distance of forty miles. From the cataract, the river is a c jntinued rapid, half a mile in width, for about 7 miles. At this point stand, o[>posite to each other, the villages of Queenstown and Lewistown. The latter, situate upon the American side, contained, till destroyed as a retaliatory measure, between forty and fifty houses. * There is at prtseiit no dcftnco or military station at Fort Erie, and tlie position has been abandoned for many years. t Chippawali is the English corruption of the Indian tribe Ojibwah. '■ i I I . I 1H4 MFE AND rOUUESPONDENCr OF I! iihf Al about six miles and ft liiilf IVotn (^iircnstown. utmv to the river side, stood Fort (ieor|.r(', tlieri cori'^tructod of earthen rniupnrts imd )tidisudes of cedar, und niomitin*^ no h(?avicr metal than O-ponnders. It was a low fi(|uare fort, '.vithout tower or hlork-liousc of any d<'9cri|)ti(»n, cxcrptinpr lo^, loop-holed barracks ; an province. Directly opposite to Niagara, or Newark, upon a neck of land prqioctin^ partly across the mouth of the river, which is here 870 yards in width, stands the AmericJin fort Niui^ara, tl»c scene of so niany conflicts. It was ])uilt by the French in ITOl;! taken by the English in 1750; | and delivered to the United States in 179(5. Fort Nia^^ara, unlike any of the Canadian forts alonp; that frontier, was a ref;^ular fortification, built of stone on the land side, with breast works, and every necessary appendaf]:;e. It mounted between twenty and thirty beavy pieces of ordnance, and contained a furnace for heating sbot.§ * Fort (icorge is now in a very delajiidatcd state, and can scarcely be said to he upliold as a military post, ainioiig:li n few soldiers are still (,'uartered in it. t According: to Knox, London, irO!),' Uoatson, (London, Jrgfi,) and James; hut according to Bucking-ham, in 17-25. There was probably a French trad'rf; postal Nia^rara even earlier than the last nit med period, and it was probably secured by pickets or other defences. t Brifyadier Prideaux, commandinur the beHieKing anny, was killed on tho 19th July, while walking in the trenches, by a eohorn shot, "care- Icijsl)- l)y his own p^unucr," and was the first British general officer slain sn Canada. The I'rench garrison, consisting of between 6 and 700 men, was sent to New York. ^ A little tract published in 1757, speaking of Niasrara, Hays. " Niagara commands, in a manner, all the interior parts of North America, and is a key, as it were, to that whole conunent — opens or obstructs a communication with all the natives of North America, the Six Nations, Ohios, Shawanees, Miamis, Twightwies, Ulinois, Pontewatimis, Nadouessians, Hurous, Utawas, Messesagues, and many others — awes and commands all those people — lies in the midst of the extensive terri- Srii ItlAAC OROCK. IS. J Tlifj strait of Xiapira is nhoot 'X) miles in lon^ili ; and its shores, ot» hnih sides, wcrt', luoro or loss, tl>o Hec'ues (jf iuMive wurfiirc; diiriii0, ant! in eireiinifcreneo 4(M) niilcs. The depth of water varcs ninch, it heinrj in sonn? places three or four, in others fifty lailiotn'^ : lowurdh the oentre, it is ahout 1)ume, of actinjr without instructions or an ofHcial <'oinmunication, being re- presented to him, he confined himself to coller^ing and jircparing his small force for offensive or defen- sive operations. Early in July, lie procured a "Na- tional Intelligencer," which contained the act of congress declaratory of war and the message of the president accompanying it; and this information was, of course, decisive. Colonel Bay lies to Major- General Brock. QuEBKr, June 2";, 181'2. Sir George Prevost desires me to iidbrm you, that lie has this instant received intelligence from Mr. Richardson, by an express to the nonh-west com- pany, announcing that the American govcrniniMit had declared war against Great Britain. This dispatch left New York on the 20th instant, and does not furnish any other circumstance of intelligence what- ever. His excellency is induced to give perfect and entire credit to this report, although it has not yet reached through any otHcial channel. Indeed, the extraordinary dispatch which has attended this cou- rier, fully explains his not having received the minis- ter's letters, of which he will not fail to give you the earliest intimation. Mr. Richardson informs his exccllencv that it is * He crossed this pas<;ag:e in an cpen boat nt least twice durine: the war — an act which was theu rare, as it is xiow, and cuusidercd claugcrous. K -.tsaBsaaaa .CE* ' Aw^-.J ^.^1 " ii-iirju'^fXT'. If' I 'M il; 104 LIFE AND COfiRKSPONDENCE OF the intpntion of the company to send six larfrc canoes to roceivf tiieir furs by the Grand River, (or Ottawa,) and, sbonld it bo thought expedient to reinforce the post of St. Joseph, tliat they will be able to carry six soldiers in each boat.* Anxious as Sir George feels to render you every aid in his power, and to afford every possible assistance and protection to the north-west company, who have on their part assured his excellency of their ready and active co-operation to the utnios^t of their ability, his excellency, never- theless, does not think it advisable, under existing' circumstances, to weaken the 41)lh ren^iment, which occupies so important and critical a station ; nor can he hold out any certain prospect of any further rein- forcement until the arrival of the troops he has been led to expect from Ent^land, but directs me to assure you of his cordial wish to render you every efficient support in his power. Major- General Jirock to Sir George Prcvost, FoKT George, July 3, 1812. I have been anxiously expecting for some days to receive the honor of your excellency's commands in regard to the measures the most proper to be pursued in the present emergency. The accounts received, first through a mercantile channel, and soon after repeated from various quar- ters, of war having been declared by the United States against Great Britain, would have justified, in my opinion, offensive operations. But the reflec- tion that at Detroit and Michilimackinac tl)e weak state of the garrisons would prevent the command- ers from accomplishing any essential service, con- nected in any degree with their future security, and that my means of annoyance on this communication were limited to the reduction of Fort Niagara, which * In answer to Major-General Brock's suggestions on the subject, see page 150, SIR ISAAC HUOCK. VJo i could easily le hntterecl fil any future ju'riod, I roliti- cjuishcd my orig;lual iuteutiou, und attended only to defensivi measures. My first object lias been tlio calling out of tbe flank companies of militia, wliicli lias produced a force on tbis line of aboni HOO men. Tbey turned out verv cliccrfullv, but already s^licw a !-piril of mipiitienco. Tbc kin^^'s stores are now at so low an ebb, tbat tbey scarcely furnisb any article of use or comfort. lilankets, bamniocks and kettles, are all to Ix; piircba^ed ; and tbe troops, wiica watcbinj^ tbe banks of tbe river, stand in tbe utmost need of tents. Mr. Coucbe bas adopted tbe most efficacious means to pay tbe militia in jjaper currency, I cannot positively state tbe number of miJitia tbat will be embodied, but tbey cannot exceed, tbrougbout tbe province, 4,000 men. Tbe Americans are very active on tbe opposite side, in tlie erection of redoubts; we are not idle on our part, but unfortunately, baving supplied Amberst- burg witb tbe guns ubicb tbat post required from Fort George, depending upon getiing otbers from Kingston to supply tbeir place, we find ourselves at tbis moment ratber sbort of tbat cs>ential arm. 1 have, however, every reason to ibink tbat tbev are embarked on board tbe Earl "Moira^ wbicb vessel, according to Major M'l^berson's report, was to have sailed on tbe 28tli ultimo, Tl.e Americans have, 1 believe, about 1,2(KJ regulars und militia between Fort Niagara and Black Rock, and I consider myself at tbis moment perfectly salij against any attempt tbev can make. About 1(.K> Indians from tbe Grand River Juive attended to my summons; the remainder promise to come also, but 1 have too much reason to conclude that the Americans have been too successful in tbeir endeavours to sow dissension and disaffection among them. It is a great object to get this fickle race interspersed among tbe troops. 1 should be unwilling, in the event of a retreat, to have three or four hundred of them hanging' on my flank. I shall \'\ \\ l> n m\ LIFK AND ('0HnESPO\r»ENCE OF probalily Imvc to tiucri/lno tsorne money to ijfiin them over, and tlie appointment of h few officers Nviili salaries will bo alxolutely iiecessa-y. Tlie Aiiiericans inak not think tliey exceed 1,!2(K>, but tliev arc represented us iidinitelv more lunneroiis. For the last fortnij^ht every precaution \iUH been taken to nuard nn'ainst fl)e least eonimunieation, nnd to this dav wa are i|xnurant whether the presub.tit has sanctioned the \var res(»lutions of the two houses of concjress; that is, wheiher war be actually declared. The car brigade has been eoTn[.leted for service with horses b(donging to gentlemen, who spared them free of expense. I have not been honored with a line from Mr. Foster, nor with aU my endeavours ha^e I been able to obtain information of any consequence. The Prince Regent* made her first vovngc this morning, and T purpose sending her to Kingston this evening, to bring such articles as are absolutely rieeussary, which wc know have arrived from Quebec. I trust she will out-sail the Oneida brig. 1' Colonel Baynes to Mcijor-General Brock. MoNTHKAi., July 4, lvS12. We have a report liero of your having connnenced operations by levelling the American fort nt Niagara. The general is most anxious to lit^ar good and recent intelligence from your quarter. Tiierc is no consider- able assembly of troops in our neighbourhood as yet ; the flank companies, embodied under (./olonel Young, are on their march, and the 2,000 militia will form a cJiuin of posts from St. John's to La Prairie. The town 'militia of this and Quebec, to the amount of •3,000 in each city, have volunteered being embodied * This vessel had been built and equipped since the month of Marcli preceding. .Seep, 1 58. \ American vesbel of war. sin ISAAC BROCK. 11)7 and drilltHl, .' iid will take their proportion of qarrisoii duty ro relieve the troops. The proclaiiuitioii lor de- clariiii;' iiiiirtlMl law is prepared, and will he tipeedily issued. All aliens will he refjiiired to take the oatli of allejriance, or iuiniediatuly to (juil the province. Our cash is at its last issue, and a snhstitute of [>aper must per force he resorted to. This has heen Sir Georf^e's principal ohject in callin'r the leirislatnrc lonether. You have a v(!ry arduous and ditticult card to play, and liave our sincere and confident wishes for vour success. Sir (ieorge stron<:;ly recommends extreme moderation in the use of the Indians, and to keep them in control as much as possible. [This U'tfer contains the details of n lan^o and iirmod nsscmhly at La Chinc', near Montitnl, of French Canadian*-, who riinsed to sorvn in the emhodiod uiilitiu, Tlicy wore disperseil by tlie litjlit cfjnipaiiy of the 4Uth, and II ilctHcl.nieiit of uiiiliery witli two field pieces, under the eoinniand of Major I'ltiiderleatli, of tlie Kitli, but not before one Canadian was killed, and another dangerously wounded.] PROCLAMATION Province of Upper Canada. Isaac Brock, Esquiro, President, aciministeririg the Govermmnit of the Province of Upper Canada, and Mnjor-General conitnatuling his Majesty's Forces within our said Province. To all whom these Presents shall come, greeting. Whereas on the seventeenth day of .lune last the congress of tlie L'nited States of America declared tliat war then existed between those States and their territories, and the United Kingdor.t of Great Britnin and Ireland, and the de- pendencies thereof; and whereas, in pursuance of such decla- ration, the subjects of tho United Stales have actually committed hostilities against the possessions of his majesty and tli(! person:} and property of his subjects in this province : now, therefore, by and with the advice of his majesty's exe- cutive council in the affairs of the province, I do hereby strictly enjoin and require all his majesty's liege subjects to be obedient to the lawful authorities, to forbear ail commu- nication with the enemy or persons residing- within the terri- tory of the United Slates, and to manifest their loyalty by a zealous co-operation with his majesty's armed force in defence of the province, and repulse of the enemy. And I do further require and command all officers, civil and military, to be 11 108 J.IFE AND (J()IlRESPONJ)ENCE OF vif?;lnnt in iho disrlmrge of their duty, rspccially tn prevent nil coiniimnionlion wilh tlio'cnotn.v, nnd to ciiusf nil perriong suspected of traitorous inlercourrte to bu upprelit>(uli.-d and treritt'd nccordiii^' lo law. (.iiven liuder my linnd nnd seni nt nruifl, nt York, ill the i»rovii)ce of l/pper Cntindu, thiii sixth day of July, in the year of our Lord one thou- Miind eiglit liundn-d and twelve, and in the fifty- second of his nmji'»ty's reign. ISAAC UROCK, rresidcnt. By command i^f his honor, VVii-LiAM .TAnvis, Secretary. Sir George Prevost to Mnjor- General Brock. MoxTUKAf,, July 7, 1812. It was only on my arrival at Montreal that I received Mr. Foster's notifientioii of the congress of the United States having declared war against Great J3ritain ; the fact had been jreviously ascertained through mercantile channels. I am convinced you have acted wisely in abstaining from offensive operations, which in their effect might have united a people governed by public opinion, and among whom too much division exi«ts, at this moment, to admit of its inlluence in promoting vigo- rous measures against us. The manner of the flank companies of militia turn- ing out must have been very satisfactory to you. I hope your supplies of ordnance and ordnance stores, on their way from Kingston, have arrived safe. I have caused arras, accoutrements, and ammuni- tion, to be forwarded for the use of the Cornwall, Slormont, and Dundas battalions of militia. Camp equipage for 500 men shall be sent to you as soon as possible, together with muskets. We are on the eve of substituting paper for bullion. I am aware of the Canadian ])re]udice against such a circulating medium, but it must give way to the imperious necessity of the times. It is highly proper you should secure the services SIR ISAAC fSROLK. I'.M) of tlic Iridluiis; hut rcslriiiii ami control them jh much us you cuii. Wliatever iipiiointmcnts you doom inflispoiisiibly necoHf^ary, you an; aiithori/od to make, as well asi the sacritice of soiuo moiiev to ijain tliem over. It IS proper wc shouhl nmintain our usccnd- ancy over the IrHlianj;, and feed with proper food tlieir prodtlicflon for us. ('ohjnel Lethbriiljfo, au inspecting field officer, is under orders for Kingston, and there to wait your commands. Colonel liat/ncs to I\f(ijor- General liroch. Month HAL, July 8, 181.'2. I was hi<4hly gratifiod yesterday in receivincT your letters of the Od of .July, for we have felt extrenuly anxious ahout you over hiin:c we have learnt the un- expected declaration of war, which has heen so lon<5 threatened that no one believed it would ever seriously take place; and even now it is the prevailinvill be feeble ; it is, therefore, our duty curefally to .avoid committing any act which mny, even by con- struction, tend to unite the eastern and southern sfati's, unless, by its perpetration, we are r»» derive a consi- derable and important advantalic mind in iVmerica, Notwithstanding these observations, I have to as- sure you of my perfect confidence in your measures for the preservation of Upj)er Canada. All your wants shall be supplied as fast as possible, except money, of which I have so little, as to be obliged to have recourse to a paper currency. The adjutant-general has reported to you the aid we liave affordt d. in arras anfl ammunition, to your militia at Cornwall, (.iiengary, J)undab, and Stormont. To prevent an interruption to the communication between the two provinces, it is fit a system of convoy should be established between Montreal and King- ston ; and as Major-General de IJottenburg is to remain here in cojumand of a cordon of troops, consisting of regulars, and militia, (established in ibis neighbourliood to prevent an irruption for the plunder of Montreal,) whilst 1. attend to parliamentary duties at Quebec, on that subject yon may communicate direct with the major-general, as he has my instruc- tions to co-operate with you in preserving this im- portant object. K* I 20-2 LIFE AND COURESPONBEKCE OF Major- (xcnernl Brock to Sir George Prevost. FoKT Gkorge, July 12, 1812. Wifli llje cxcepfion of occasional firinj^ from llie opposite shore, (the luiautliorized act of an iindis- fiplincd militia,) notliinnj of a hostile nature lias occurred on this communication since I last had the honor of addressing your excellency. Tiie onemv is husy constructinn: batteries at differ- ent points on the river, but he does not appear to have yet received cannon 1o i)lace in them. We arc doing all we can on this side to counteract his views, and the arrival of the Eoyal George* and the vessels under her convoy, bringing various pieces of ordnance, will give us in this res])ect a decided superiority. The militia, which assembled here immediatelv on the account l)einn; received of Avar beinsc declared bv the United States, have been improving daily in dis- cipline ; bnt the men evince a degree of impatience under their present restraint, that is far from inspiring confidence. So great was the clamour to return and at:end to their farms, that I found myself in some measure compelled to sanction the departure of a large proportion ; and I am not without my appre- liensions tliat the remainder will, in defiance of the law, which can only impose a line of .£20, leave the service the moment the harvest commences. There can be no doubt that a large portion of tli^ population in this neighbourhood are sincere in their professions to defend the country ; but it aj»pears likewise evident to ujo that the greater ])art are either indifferent to what is passing, or so completely American as to rejoice in the ])ros))ect of a change of government. Many, who now consider our means inadequate, would readily take an active part were the regular troops increased. These cool calculators are nume- rous in all societies. •* The Britisii squadron on I.ake OiUario consisted at this time of the bhip Ro\ Hi (ienrge, of 21 f^uns, tlio brig; Moira, of 1(3 guns, uud Uie Prince lictjcnt, and tvo otlier scliooncrs. ^; " I SIR ISAAC BROCK. 203 The alacrity and good tPinper with wliich the militia, m the firf^t instance, marchod to the frontiers, have tended to infuse in tlie mind of the enemy a very different sentiment of the disposition of the inha- bitant's, who, he was led to believe would, upon the first summons, declare themselves an American state. The display for several days of a large force was made, 1 have every reason to believe, in that ex- pectation. Nearly the whole of the arms at my disposal have been issued. They are barely sufficient to arm the militia immediately required to guard the frontier. Were I furnished with the means of distributing arms among the people, in whom confidence can be placed, they would not only overawe the disaffected, but prove of essential use in the event of invasion. The militia assembled in a wretched state in regard lo clothing ; many were witliout shoes, an article which can scarcely be provided in the country. After the cannon, which have arrived this morn- ing, are mounted, I shall consider my fiont perfectly secure. I do not imagine the enemy will hazard a water excursion with a view to turn my flanks'. He probably Mill wait until winter, when the ice wdll enable him to cross with the utmost facility to any part between Fort Erie and as far as Long Point. My situation will then depend upon the force tlie enemy may bring to invade the province. Should the troops have to move, the want of tents will be severely felt. A person, who left Sandwich yesterday week, pre- tends that the enemy was then in the act of cannon- ading the place. I have not heard from Lieut.- Colonel St. George since my last letter to your excellency. An officer is so absolutely necessary to command in the eastern district, that I have consented to Major- General Shaw^ prooeo from various parts of the province, have been boxed up, anil destined ftir Qut'l)ec. The Ilritish are understood to have about six or seven hundred regular troops stationed between the lakes, from Fort George to Fort Erie. Tiiese men are geuerully those who liave '' seen service'' in various parts of tlie world. The militia of the province are ordered out en masse. It is fjtateil by fjentleinen of iutellift'enee at Lewistown, that the g«)vernment of Canada have in their employment, under pay, about 250 Indians, armed complete : a part of them are mounted. Brigadier-General^^ William Wadswortli, from Genesee, commands the troops on our frontiers. His aids are Major Adam Hoops and Major W. H, Spencer. His head quarters are now at Lewistown. It i'* impos«ible to state the precise number of troops under his comnjund, because the militia ordered on the lines are returning, and the companies com- posing the regiments under his command have not all arrived ; but from what we learn, ttiere are in regular troops, volun- teers, and detached militia, above 4,000 stationed at Rock, Lewistown, Youngstown, and Fort Niagara. The troops are in excellent health, in good spirits, and well supplied. They appear quite impatient for want of employment. There has been some firing from the sentries on both sides of the river. It was reported at Fort Niagara last week, that the British have sent from Little \ork every armed ship in pursuit of the brig Oneida. The British armed ship Queen Charlotte, lying at Fort Erie, soon after the declaration of war was received, left her moorings and proceeded up the lake — is now understood to be at Fort Maiden, tiie great depot of Indian supplies. Ilis majesty's sloop of war Hunter has gone up the straits of Jdaekina, and passed into Lake Michigan, and captured an American merchant vessel, said to be either the Mary or Salina. We understand an official account of the ca[)ture has been received at Fort Erie. •20G MFE AM) COIIUESPONDENCE OF i \ CHAPTER IX. Tlio American government, in anticipation of its declaration of war, had deiaclied from the state of Ohio to the Michigan territory an army of about 2,000 men, under the command of Brigadier-General Hull, who, said President Madison in his message to congress, " possessing discretionary authority to act offensively, passed into Canada with a prospect of easy and victorious progress." The enemy evidently confided in the very limited defensive means of the Upper Province, and in the impossibility of its re- ceiving early assistance from the mother country. They relied also on the supposed disaffection of many of its inhabitants, and they expected confidently that, weak and divided, it would fall an easy prey to the invaders ; but they were soon undeceived. This army marched from Dayton, in Ohio, on the 1st ot June, and arrived on the 7th at Urbana. On the 11th, Colonel M'Arthur's regiment of militia was detached to open a road as far as the Scioto river, on the south bank of which two block-houses, connected by a strong stockade, were erected, and named Fort M'Arthur. From this post to the rapids of the Miami (or Maumee) the distance is about 125 miles, and the route of the army was through a thick and almost trackless forest, as the north-western part of Ohio was at that time scarcely inhabited, so that it became necessary to open a road the whole way for the passage of the many baggage waggons. To sill ISAAC BROCK. 207 I guard Qrrainst the attacks of the hostile Indians at nifjlit, llie ])lan of cncaniptnont was a hollow square, defended usually by a temporary breast-work of felled trees. On the *2()lh of June, General Hull received intelligence, by express from Chillicothe, of the decla- ration of war, and on the 30tli the troops suddenly cmerg'ed from a gloomy wilderness to a full view of the l)road Miami widi a village on the opposite bank, when a beam of iov animated everv countenance, and repaid the men for the fatigues of a long and dreary march. Here a small schooner was engaged to carry a nuantitv of baixixajje, belonn-in'i: to the a/my, to Detroit; but she fell into the hands of the British near Amherstburg, while on her voyage. On the 4th of July, the army reached the Huron river, 21 miles from Detroit, and the next day en- camped at Spring Wells, about 4 milfes from that town. On the 8th, the encampment at Spring Wells ■was abandoned, and the army took up a position in the rear of Detroit, when it was joined by G. t><)8 LIFE AND COHKESPOiNDENCE OF Canada. To flie peacoable, unofl'ending inhnbitunt, it. brinq^s neitluT danger nor difficulty. I couk; to find t-iieinies, not to make tiieiu. I come to protect, not to injure you. Separated by an immense ocean, and an extensive wilder- ness from Great Britain, you have no participation in her councils, no interest in her conduct. You liave felt her tyranny, you have seen her inju«itice — but I do not ask you to avenjfe the one or redress the other. The United States are sufficiently powerful lo afford you every security, consis- tent with their rights and your expectations. I tender you the invaluable blessings of civil, poliiical, and religious liber- ty, and their necessary result, individual and general pros- l)erity — that liberty which gave decision to our councils and energy to our conduct in our struggle for inde])endenoe, and which conducted us safely and triumphantly througli the stormy period of the revolution — that liberty whicli has raised us to an elevated rank among the nations of the woild, and which has atibnled us a greater measure of peace and secu- rity, of wealth and improvement, than ever yet fell to the lot of any people. In tho name of my country, and by the authority of my government, I promise protection to your persons, properjj-, and rights. Remain at your homes — pursue your peaceful and customary avocations; — raise not your liands against your brethren. Many of your fathers fought for the freedom and independence we now enjoy. Being cliildren, therefore, of the same family with us, and heirs to the same heritage, the arrival of an army of friends must be liailed by you wit?i a cordial welcome. You will be emancipated from tyrannj' and oppression, and restored to the dignified station of freemen. Had I any doubt of eventual success, I might ask your assistance — but I do not. I come prepared tor every con- tingency. I have a force which will look down all opposition, and that force is but the vanguard of a much greater. If, contrary to your own interests and the just expectation of my country, you should take part in the approaching con- test, you will be considered and treated as enemies, anu the horrors and calamities of war will stalk before you. If the barbarous and savage policy of Great Britain be pursued, and the savages l)e let loose to murder our citizens, and butcher our women and children, this war will be a war of extermin- ation. The first stroke of the tomahawk, the first attempt with the scalping knife, will be the signal of one indiscrimi- nate scene of desolation. No white man, found fighting by the side of an Indian, will be taken prisoner — instant des- truction will be his lot. If the dictates of reason, duty, justice, and humanity, cannot prevent the employment of a SIR ISAAC DnOCK. '201) force which respects no rights and knows no wron-j:, it will be j)rijveiiteii by a sifVtTC and ri'lciitU-ss >ysUMn of rctuliation. I doubf. not your couroKt! and hrrnnois — I will not donbt your attiiihtneiil to liberty, U you ten 'rr your services voluntarily, ihry will be acci'pt. ^udily. I'he \:niti!r<' Hmtt oi its powfrful rival to lopoMMS tlie Cnnadaa. arc i tr*s t^"*' no pcticf will III' (>stai)lisliefl liutweeu the Tnile-i .ite« ant (ireal Hrilaln and Irclatid, of which (ho rfstorut- of these provinces (hies not nmkc the most jironiinent eui, uis He )iot di«niayc'(l at the iinjuslitlabU' threat ul lUn com mander of thij enemy's forocs to refuse nuarter, shonhl oii Indian apfieur in tin? ranks. Tiie brave bands of aborigines which inhabit this eoU)ny were, like ]m majesty's oilier sub- jects, punished for tiieir zeal and (idrlity, by the loss of their possessions in the late colonics, and rewarded by his majesty with lands of siiptirior value in this province. The failh of the ' "itish governniont has never yet been violuted — tlie Indians feel (hat, the soil they inherit is (o them and their posterily protected from the base arts so freciucntly devised to over-reach their simplicity. IJy what new jirinciple are they to be prohibiterl from dcfoiidini^ their property ? If their warfare, from being ditVeront to that of the white people, be more terrific to the enemy, let him retrace his eteps — they seek him not — and cannot expect to lind women and children in an invadini>- army. IJiit they are men, and have equal rights with all other men to defend them^H^lve8 and their property when invaded, more especially when they find ia the enemy's cam]) a ferocious and mortal foe, using the sanje warfare which the j\mcrican comuumder affects to reprobate. This inconsistent and unjustifiahli' threat of .-efusing quar- ter, for such a cause as being found in arms with a brother sutferer, in defence of invaded rights, must be exercised with the certain assurance of retaliation, not only in the limited operations of war in this pirt of the king's dominions, but in every quarter of the globe ; for the national character of Britain is not less distinguished for htnnanity than strict retributive justice, which will consider the execution of this inhuman threat as deliberate murder, for which every subject of the offending power must make expiation. Is.vAC BnocK, Head Quarters, Major-Gen. and President, fort George, July 22, 1812. By order of his honor tlie president. J. B. Gr.Eao, Captain and Aide-de-Carap. •>]0 MFK AND COaHKsrONDKNCE OF f ! I ( Mttjor-Gencrnl Jirock fo Sir (leoryc Provont. FdiiT Gi:«.HOK, July '20, IHI'2. My Innt to your cxcolloncy was (l:it('(l tlio l'2th instant, sitioc Avhicli iiotliiiij^ cvtraordiMary liai^ o<:'cur- rv.d ou thin commiiiiication. Tlio •MU-'niv liiis (;vidciitlv * tliiniriislifjcl his force, and appears to have no intention ofiiiakinq: an immediate attack. 1 liiivo Iiercnviih tlie lionor of enclosinf]^ the copy of two letters wiiieli I have received from ljieiit.-(.V)h">nel St. (r((»r O •/ out 1 almost despair. Yonr cxeclleney will readily pereeive the eritieal situation in M'hioh the rediietion of Andiersihurg will plaee me. I do not iinnfrino (Jeneral Hull will he able to de- tach more than 1,(KM) men, hut even with that trifling force I ranch fenr ho will succeed in iX''ttinir to mv Of? • rear. The militia will not act without a !?tron^ regu- lar force to set them the example ; and as I mir now expect to be seriously threatened, I cannot m prudence make J-tron jV'j^ .X •Ui -. Ai iAt.>. •230 MFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF (;;* I'l tlie house, adding tlie provincial security to the army money note bill ; the province pays the interest accruing upon the notes and the expense of the esta- blishment, and they arc constituted a legal tender. Without this step wo were completely at a stand, for we could not obtain money to pay the last month's subsistence to the troops : great benefit is expected to accrue from the operation of the bill. The clergy have engaged to promote the circulation of the notes, all of which above twenty-five dollars bear interest, and all under are payable on demand. Adieu, my dear general — may every success and good fortune attend you in the arduous task before you : we cannot command success, but I am sure you will not fail to merit it. Lieut, -Colonel Bruyeres, Royal Engineers, to Major-General Brock. Quebec, August 1, 1812. I take the favorable advantage of this being; deli- \ - 1 vered to you by General SheafFe, to assure you of the sincere interest I feel in the very arduous and impor- tant position you are now placed in to protect and defend a chain of posts, and a country that has been so long neglected. This difficult task placed in any other hands, I should consider very discouraging ; but I acknowledge that I look with a certain degree of confidence to your abilities and perseverance in surmounting every difficulty that must unavoidably occur in a service of this nature. I most fervently and earnestly hope that every possible success may attend all your proceedings, I trust that you will always meet with zeal and activity in the officers of my department, to perform e\cry part of the duty allotted to their charge. It is very diflicult at this distance to suggest any ideas that might be useful, as Qvevy operation in which you are engaged must depend so entirely upon local circumstances, and the SIR ISAAC nilOCK. 231 conduct which the enemy may pursue towards attain- ing the object he has in view. I am glad to find that the new arrival of the Koyalp, expected at Quebec to-morrow, will give you the reinforcement of the 49th regiment, which, with the detachments of the Newfoundland and Veterans, and gun-boat No. 7, will add something to your present strength. Sir George Prevost to Major -General Brock. QFF.nK(^, August 2, 1812. Last evening an officer of the 98th regiment arrived here express from Halifax, the bearer of dispatches to me, dated on tlje 22d ultimo, from Mr. Foster, wiio was then in Nova Scotia. I lose no time in making you acquainted with the substance of this gentleman's communication. He informs me that Ijc had just received dispatches from England, referring to a declaration of ministers in parliament, relative to a proposed repeal of the orders in coutjcil, provided the United Stales government would return to relations of amity with us, the con- tents of which may possibly induce the American government to agree to a suspension of hostilities as a preliminary to negotiations for peace; — that he proposed sending his majesty's hired armed ketch Gleaner to New York, with letters to Mr. Baker, whom he had left at Washington in a demi-official capacity, with directions to communicate with the American minister, and to write to me the result of his interview. Should the president of the United States think proper to signify that hostile operations should cease on the American side, Mr. Foster sug- gests the expediency of my being prepared to make a similar signification on our part. As I propose sending Colonel Baynes immediately into the Ignited States, with a proposal for a cessation of hostile operations, I enclose for your information the copy of my letter to General Dearborn, or the commander-in-chief of the American forces. I.--' 232 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF V li=U >f I Mr. Foster also submits the propriety of our ab- staining from an invasion of the United States terri- tory, as only in such an event could the American jTovernment be empowered to order the militia out of the States. I am led to believe from this, that General Hull, in possessing himself of Sandwich, has exceeded his instructions ; particularly as Mr. Foster informs me that Mr. Monroe had told him Fort Maiden (Ainherstburg) would not be attacked, but that General Hull had stated to a friend of his, some time ago, that he \,ould attempt it. A report has been made to me that a frigate and six transports, with the Royal Scots (Ist battalion) on board, from the West Indies, are just below Bio ; in consequence of this reinforcement, I have ordered the company of the 49th regiment, sent to Kingston, to remain there ; and in addition to the Royal New- foundland Regiment, and a detachment of an officer and 50 Veterans most fit for service, now on their route to that station, I shall order Major Ormsbj', with three companies of the 49th regiment, to pro- ceed from Montreal to the same post, to be disposed of as you may find it necessary. Lieut.-General Sir J. C. Sherbrooke has informed me that one of the transports, with part of the Royals on board, has been captured by the United States frigate, the Essex ; that she has been ransomed and the officers and troops allowed to proceed, upon con- dition that they are not to serve against America until regularly exchanged. The vessel and troops had arrived at Halifax, and will shortly be sent hither. MaJoT' General Brock to Sir George Prevost. York, August 4, 1812. I have the honor to enclose a statement made by me yesterday to his majesty's executive council, which will fully apprize your excellency of my situ- sin ISAAC BROCK. 233 ation. The council ad(oarned for deliberation, find I have no doubt will rocouiuiend the prorogation of the assembly and proclamation declaring martial law ; but doubts occurred in contemplation of such an event, which 1 take the liberty to submit to your excellency, and request the aid of your experience and superior judgment. 1. — In the event of declaring- martial law, can 1, without the sign manual, approve and carry into effect the sentence of a general court martial ? 2. — Can 1 put upon a general court martial, after martial law is proclaimed, any person not a commis- sioned officer in his majestv's rciiular forces ? In other Avords, can olHcers of militia sit in conjunction with those of the line ? Sir George Pravost to Major-General Brock. MoNTKEAL, August 12, 1812. Your letter of the 4th instant, enclosing the pro- ceedings of tlie executive council of the 3d ; Captain Glegg's letter of the 5th instant, transmitting copies of letters from Colonel Proctor to you of 2()th and 30th July, wi'h the correfpondence between liriga- dier-General Hull and Lieut. -Colonel St. George, and the intercepted correspondence of the former, together with your letter to Colonel Baynes, of the 4th instant, were all delivered to rae on my arrival at this place yesterday. The information they con- tain is highly interesting, and I lose no time in dis- patching to you Brigade -Major Shekleton, as the bearer of this letter, and for the purpose of receiving whatever communication you may have to make in return. Being fully aware of the necessity of afford- ing you such reinforcements as the exigencies of the service in other parts of the two provinces would permit, I had, previous to the receipt of your letter, luade arrangements for that purpose. Major Oraisby, with three companies of the 49lli 234 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF I ■ • i I'l^^ f i: regiment, protecting a considerable supply of ord- nance and ordnance stores, left La Chine on the (Jtli instant for Kingston and Fort George, taking with him j£2,5<)() for the pjiyment of the regular and militia forces. jNIajor ITeatljoote, with one company of the 49th regiment, about 110 men of the New- foundland regiment, and 50 picked Veterans, are to leave La Chine on the 13th instant. With this de- tachment, an additional supply of ordnance stores and camp equipage for 500 rnen will be forwarded for Upper Canada ; and as soon as a sufficiency of bateaux can again be collected at La Chine, Colonel Vincent is under orders to proceed to Kingston with the remainder of the 49th regiment, and a subaltern of the royal artillei-y and ten gunners, with two 3-pounders.* When these reinforcements reach you, they will, I trust, enable vou successfully to resist the internal, as well as external, enemies opposed to you, and materially aid the able measures you have adopted for the defence of Upper Canada. With regard to the queries you have submitted to me on the subject of martial law, I have to observe, that it has not fallen within my experience to see martial law proclaimed, except in those places where it has been declared under the authority of a provin- cial legislature, which of course regulated the mode in which it was to be executed. As the martial law which you purpose declaring is founded on the king's commission, and upon the extreme case of invasion alluded to in it, I am inclined to think that whatever power is necessary for carrying the measure into effect, must have been intended to be given you by the commission, and consequently, that the power of assembling courts martial and of carrying their sen- * The C'anadiatis row at the rate of three miles nn hotir when t}ie wea- ther is perfectly cuhn, and of course, rather more when they ha.ea favorable breeze to assist them ; but, at best, they never (ju further than thirty miles in twoiity-foui hours. The averaf^e length of the passage from La Chine to Kingston is seven days. — Howison's Upper Canada, 1821. SIR ISAAC BROCK. 235 fence into execution, is included in the authority for declaring martial law. The officers of militia becom- ing themselves subject to martial law when it is declared, I conceive they may sit upon court? mar- tial with officers of his majesty's regular forces ; but upon both these points I desiro not to be understood as speaking decisively — extreme cases must be met by measures which, on ordinary occasions, would not perhaps be justified. Your situation is such as to warrant your resorting to any step which, in your judgment, the public safety may require. I should therefore think that, after taking the best opinions you can < b ; . fiom the first law characters you have about yoa respecting the doubts you entertain on this subject, you need not hesitate to determine upon that lino of conduct which you shall think will best promote the good of the service, trusting, if you do err, to the absolute necessity of the measures you may adopt, as your justification for them to his majesty's government. Your letters rf the 'iOth, 28th and 29th July, with the several enclosures and jiapjrs accompanying them, were received by me shortly previous to my leaving Quebec, the last containing Captain Roberts' official account of the capture of Fort Michilimackinac. Great credit is certainly due to that officer for the zeal and promptitude with which he has performed this service ; at the same time I. must confess, my mind has been very much relieved by finding that the capture took place at a period subsequent to Brigadier-General Hull's invasion of the province, as, had it been prior to it, it would not only have been in violation of Captain Roberts' orders, but have afforded a just ground for the subsequent con- duct of the enemy, which, I now plainly perceive, no forbe&,rance on your ))art would have prevented. The capture of this place will, I hope, enable the Indian tribes in that quarter to co-onerate with you in your present movements againsc the enemy, by t' .f.L'JW.. '.cm .fc 230 LIFE AND CORKESPONDENCE OF tlireatoning his flanks, a diversion which would grratly alarm liim, and probably have the effect of compelling him to retreat across the river. I send you enclosed a copy of the official repeal of the orders in council, which I received last night by express from Quebec. Although I much doubt whe- ther this step on the part of our government will have any effect upon that of the United States, the circulation of the paper evincing their conciliatory disposition may tend to increase and strengthen the divisions which subsist amongst the people upon the subject of the war. I therefore recommend to you to have a number of copies struck off" and distributed. Colonel Baynes is still absent upon his mission to the enemy's camp. Your letter to him of the 29th ultimo w^as received at the same time with those I have last acknowledged. Colonel Lethbridge I have directed to return to Montreal. The issue of army bills has taken place at Quebec, and I hope to be able shortly to send you a supply of them. n We have previously alluded (page 225) to that part of the preceding letter which relates to the cap- ture of Michilimackinac. This capture appears to have been effected contrary to Sir George Prevost's orders, as Fort St. Joseph being nearly 3e50 miles from Detroit and Sandwich, and as the expedition left the fort only four days after Hull's invasion, it was scarcely possible that Captain Roberts was then aware of that circumstance. Neither in his letter to the adjutant-general, announcing the capture, does he excuse himself by stating that he had heard of the invasion. In his dispatch to Earl Bathurst, written exactly a fortnight after the preceding letter, and dated Montreal, August 2(3, Sir George Prevost, who ought now to have seen the impolicy of his half-way course, in communicating the surrender of SIR ISAAC BROCK. 237 Detroit, expressed himself In very filtered language, as he said : " In these measures he * was most opportunely aided hy the fortunate surrender of Fort Michiliniackinac, which, givinjj spirit and eonfidence to the Indian tribes in its neigh- bourliood, part of whom assisted in its eai)ture, determincil them to advance upon the rear and tianks of th(! American army, as soon as tliey heard tliatit had entered the province." Sir George Prcvost to Harl Bathurst. Montreal, August 4, 18TJ. I have the honor to transmit herewith, for your lordship's information, the copy of a report which has been forwarded to me hy Major-General Brock, of the surrender, by eajjitu- lation, of the American post of Miohillmaekinuc to a detach- ment of his majesty's troops from St. Joseph's, under the command of Captain Roberta, of tlie lOtli lloyal Veteran Battalion. This report is accompanied by a return of pri- soners taken, and of the stores which were found in the fort. In addition to these, I have a further report of the crews of two vessels, to the number of fortj -three, who were in the fort, havinff fallen into our hands, together with seven hun- dred packs of furs. * Majo '- General IJ rock- 238 LIFE AND COUIlESPONnENCE OF CHAPTER XI. ^lA Wliilsf Major-Gcncrtil Brook impatiently linijered on the Niagara frontier, so asi to {^ive time to the legislature to atfscmbie at York, lie dispatched Colonel Proctor, of the 41sr rcf^iment, to assume the com- mand at Audicrsthurg, where he arrived on the 2()th July, Its garrison consisted of a suhaltern's detach- ment of the royal artillery, of CX) men of the 41st regiment, and of about the same number of militia. Captain Chambers was also detached from Fort George, with 60 men of the 41st regiment, to the Moravian town, for the purpose of collecting the militia and Indians in the neighbourhood, and then advancing upon the left flank of the enemy. Of the same regiment, (JO men were further scut to Amherst- burg, and 40 to Long Point, to collect the militia in that quarter. General Hull, at^ter crossing to Sand- wich, remained for some time nearly inactive, con- tenting himself with a petite (jnrrre of out-posts, under the pretext of making preparations for the reduction of Amherstburg, or Maiden, as the Ame- ricans called it, which lay but sixteen miles below him, and was uot in a condition to withstand a regu- lar siege.* During this pause, three detvichrnents of his army were on three successive days foiled in attempts to cross the bridge at the river Canard, * General Hull's head quarters were estahlished at Mr. Baby's house, nearly opposite to Detroit, anil around wliieh most of his'troops were encamped 'n a hollow s(iiiare, a breast work being erected on three sides, and the fourth, which bounded the ri\er, being defended by artillery. 8TR ISAAC nitorK. ii:ji) siiarcoly four idUcs from Arnhorstburp; ; md if. wns on one of tlieso occasions tiuU tlio afterwards cele- brated Tecuniseh first made binisfjf conspieuons as a most valuable uiixiliary on the Hritiirli side, tlic enemy retreating before bim. Micliiliuiackinae bad fallen since tbe invasion, and tbe Indians from tbat quarter were flockinj^ lo tbe Britisb staiuLird. Uur na%al force being !?u|teri<>r on llie lake, Colonel Proctor jmsbed over to 13rown«town, an Aniericaji villajre, about 2'"> miles from Detroit, and nearly ojtposite to Amberstburg, a small dctaelimont of I'lie 41. st, regi- ment, and some Indians under Teeumseb, wbo, witb 70 of tbe latter, awaited in ambusb near tbat village a parly of 200 Americans, under Major Van Hume, on tbeir marcb* fW»m Detroit to tbe River Kaisin, (40 miles soutli of Detroit,) to meet a detacbment of volunteers from Obio, witb a couNoy of )>rovisions for Hull's army. Tbe Indians, firing suddenly, kill- ed 20, including »> ofiicers, and M'oimded about tbe same number of tbe Americans, wlio bastily retreated, and were pursued seven miles by tbe warriors alorie, not u Britisb soldier being engaged. In this affair, wliicb occurred on tbe r>tb of August, General Hidl's dispatches and tbe correspondence of bis troops fell into the bauds of Tecumseb, and it was partly tbe desponding nature of tboir contents wbicb afterwards induced Major-General Brock to attempt tbe capture of tlie American armv. Foiled in tbe reduction of Fort Amberstburg; disap|)ointcd in bis hope of a general insurrection of tbe Canadians ; and, "above all, dismayed at the report of General Brock's reso- lution to advance against bim," t Hull's schemes of conquest, vanished j atid lie .vho, less than a monllj fl * The captain of the spies was killed and scalped on the morch. " Thus fell the brave, generous and i)atri(jtic McCnlloth, captain of the spie.s," — and in a foot note a few pai^jes before — "Captain McCulloci), of the spies, sculped an Indian, wlii*ni he Ivilled in the engagement," in Fpper Canada ' We qnote nnw Hn.wn's Anicriran History, so it appears tfiat at least one patriotic American could scalp as well as the InJians ' t Christie's Memoirs, before cited. 240 MFi: AND COKKESI'ONDKNfE OF if before, lind liindod in C'fmatla bofistfiil of his strength nnd breatliinf^ cxtorniination, now saw no other alter- native tlian a liasty return to Detroit, under the pre- tence of concentrating his forces ; and after ro-opening liis communication vvitii the rivers Kaisin and Miami, through \\hioh lie recei\((l Iiis supplier, of resinning offensive operations. Aecordingly, (>n the 7tii and Hth of Autrnst the American army rc-crossicd the river, witli the exception of a garrison of 2«'>0 men left in cliarge of a j-mall t'ortificalioti they iiad thrown up on the Jtrifi.sh eidc, a h'ttic beh)w Detroit, and Avhicli tliey evacuated and destroyed before the arrival of Major-Crencrai Brock.* On the '.)th of August, a body of (WK) Americans, accompanied by a detach- ment of artiih-'ry with one 0-pounder and one liowit- zer, sent to dislodge the British from Brownstowu and to open a commiitucallon with the Jlivcrs Ilaisin and Miami, was met by the white troops and Indians under Captain Muir, of tlie 41st, at Moguaga, between Brownstown and Detroit; and here fell the first Jiritish soldiers who were slain in that Mar, Tiie British force, consisting of T.") men of the 41st, (W luilitia, and 190 Indians — total, 325 men — was compelled to retreat Avith some loss, bnt in such order that the enemy was content to encamp on the battle ground, from which lie retraced liis steps two davs afterwards to Detroit. The Indians under Tecumfaeh, flushed by their recent success, fought with great obstinacy, and about 40 are said by the American historian. Brown, to have been found dead on the field ; but this number of slain is doubtless grossly exaggerated. From the moment that Major-General Brock heard of the invasion of the western district, he determined on proceeding thither in person after he had met the legislature, and dispatched the public business. Hav- ing expressed a -wish of being accompanied by such of the militia as might voluntarily otfcr their services, * Christie's Memoirs. SIR I9AAC nnocK. 241 oiM), ''rincipiilly tlio sonx of vctorari soldiers who hfid settl.' ; roceeil during the niglit ; officers com- « " In consi'qiu'noe of the shnUownosh. of Lake Krie, it hei'omcs rou^li and boisterous when the wind hiuws strnnfrly fn)in any (loint o! the compass. At these times, a very hi>fh urul (laiigi-rous surf hreak.s upi;n its shores, v ; icli, in many (ilaccs, resenibU' the beach <.f tlie sea, being sttel^'ea wi^li dead fisli and slu'lls, and infesteil wiHi aciuatic birds of vartoi"; ..ii.ds. Seairtly u siinuner passes in which tliere is not some shippuig lost on Lake lA[e,"—U'jvii,ijn's Cpp'r I'unadn. vAi'ti^i^.-Mlr. 242 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ^:f 1 I i. \. maiiding boats will, therefore, pay attention to the order of 8Hilin^,a9 directed yesterday ; the greatest care and attention will be required to prevent the boats from separating or fall- ing behind. A ^reat part of the banks of the lalte, where the boats will this day pass, is much more dangerous and diffifjult of access than any we have passed ; the boats will, therelore, not land except in the most extreme necessity, and then great care must be taken to choose the best place for beaching. The troops being now in the neighbourhood of the enemy, every precaution must be taken to guard against 8urj>rise. By Order J. B. Glegg, Aide-de-Camp. [Tlio manuscript copy give-? the date ns " Pdintc an Piince," but this appears to he a misnomer either ot Captain Glegs or ot the copyist. Pomte aux Pins sii^iiifies literally in English, the Point of Pine Trees.] After five dav3 and nifrhts of incessant exertion, the litllo squadron readied Andierstburg* shortly before midnifjjht on the 13tlj, and in a routrag- ^ The American hiBtorian, Brown, observes ; " In the meanwhile, Michilimackiiiac surrtfndereii to the British without resistance. The inflefatiffal .( Brock, with a reinforcement of tOu tegulars, arrived at Maiden ; and several Indiku Vrihcs, betore hesitatiiifj: in the choice of sides, beijan to take their ground and array themselves under the British standard." Vol. i, page fij.— 400 regulars ! t "The bravery of the Canadian mibtia, which was brilliantly conspi- ciiou'- on many orcasi(jns, has neither Iteen siifticiently known, nor duly appii'iiated, on the other •^ide of the Atlantic. The regular troops on foreign service have generally a good opportunity of securing to llu m- selves all the glory that results frntn a successful campaign, although a pan only niay beliing to them ; as they are always inclined to under .alue the services of the militia, and often ticat tVem with contempt and ridi- cule, merely because they have not been initiated into the minutia; of mditary discipline and parade. I am aware that the gallantry of the native battalions of l.'pper C^anada has been kept in the back ground, by this want of generosity which prevj^ils ajuoug the regular trooi»8."— Hvuiaon'ii Upptr Canada, 1821. I SIR ISAAC BROCK. 243 gling fire of musketry, which in a few minutes became general, and appeared to , proceed from an island in the Detroit river. Colonel Elliott, the superintendent of the Indians, quick!}- explained that the firing arose from the Indians attached to the British cause, who thus expressed their joy at the arrival of the rein- forcement under their white father. Major-General Brock, aware of his scarcity of the munitions of war, sent Colonel Elliott to stop tliis waste of powder, saying : " Do, pray, Elliott, fully explnin iny wishes and motives, and tell tlie Inretcrs, commutiicited his views, and explained tin; manner in which he intended to carr> into execu- tion his operations against Eort Detroit. The chiefs listened with the most apparent eagerness, and ex- pressed their unanimous assent to the proposed plan, assuring General Brock that their co-operation, as Sm ISAAC IJHOCK. 245 It pointed out, miglit be depended upon. On (xeneral Brock askini^ whether tlie IShawanoe Indians could be indiieed to refrain from dririkiMf which could have exceeded 2-50 men, reminding us of the equally weak divisions of Cortes, when ho landed in Mexico, in the year 1519, with about (MX) uitii. "The innjor-gcnoral cannot avoiil expressin^r his sury)rise at the numerous desertions which have occurred from the ranks of the militia, to which circumstance the long stay of the enemy on this side of the river must in a ^reat measure be ascribed. He is willing to believe that ilieir conduct pro- cei'ded from an anxiety to get in their harvest, and not from any predeiiction for the principlis or government of li»e Luited States. " He requests officers eonimandinc corps to traubmit to him the names of sucli militiamen jh liave remained faithful to their oaths and duty, in tirder that immediate measures may be taken to disdiarge their arrears of pay. ** Captains Muir> Tallon, and Chamber", 4].st regiment; Captain CJlegg, 4'Jlh regiment ; Captain Mockler, Royal New- foundland Regiment ; and Captain Dixon, Koyal Engineers, are appointed to the rank of majors, so long as the local service, on which they arc employed, continues. "The troops in the western district will be formerl into three brigiidcs. " First brigade, under Lieut. -Colonel St. George, to consist of a detachment Royal Newfoundland R.-^giment, and of the Kent, and 1st and "id regiments of Essex militia. '• Second brigade, under Major Chambers, to consifet of ."iO men 41st regiment, and the whole of the detachments of the York, Luicoln, Oxford, and Norfolk militia. ('^ 246 LIFE AND CORBESPONDENCJG OF i I ^ : ';i I I. J II M f ? "Third brigade, under Major Tallon, to consist of the re- mainder of the 4l9t regiment. <• Colonel Proctor will have charge of the whole line under the orders of the niojor-pencral. "James Giveins, Esq., late captain of the Sth regiment, is appointed provincial aide-de-camp, with the rank of major in the militia." On tlie following day, the American commander was startled by a summons to surrender ; and so resolute a demand seems to have struck him with dismay, as at the worst he liad never contemplated a pursuit into his own territory. Head Quarters, Sandwich, Aug. 15, 1812. The force at my disposal authorizes me to re(iuire of you the immediate surrender of Fort Detroit.* It is far from my inclination to join in a war of extermination ; but you must be aware that the numerous body of Indians who have at- tached themselves to my troops, will be beyond my control the moment the contest commences. You will find me dis- posed to enter into such conditions as will satisfy the most scrupulous sense of honor. Lieut.-Colonel M'Donell and Major Glegg are fully authorized to conclude any arrange- ment that may lead to prevent the unnecessary effusion of blood. Isaac Biiock, Brigadier-General Hull. Major-General. Hull refused to see Captain Glegg, who carried the summons, and, after detaining him upwards of two hours, returned the following answer : Head Quarters, Detroit, Aug. 15, 1812. I have received your letter of this date. I have no other reply to make thsui to inform you, that I am prepared to meet any force which may be at your disposal, and any consc- fjuences which may result from any exertion of it you may think proper to make. VV. Hull, Brigadier-General, Commanding the JN. W. Army of the U. S. * Tlie Americnn historian, Tliomson, in his "Sketches of the War," says that Gi'iieral HnU surrendered " to a body of troops inferior in quality as well us number I" and he aads : "Wiien General firock said tliat the force at bis disposal authorized him to require the surrender, he must hav? Iiad a very exalted opinion of the prowess of his own soldiers, or a very niistaken oue of tliose who wore coniiuunded b> the Aoicticau general." SIR ISAAC BROCK. 247 Notliinjj daunted, and contrary to the advice of Colonel Proctor and other of his officers, Major- General IJrock at once determined on crossing the river, with the view of attempting, by a sudden and resolute attack, the annihilation of the enemy's power in that quarter. In the afternoon, a fire was opened from a battery of Hvc puns, erected opposite to De- troit, under the direction of C'aptain Dixon, of the Iloyal Engineers : this cannonade was returned from seven 24-pounders, but the liritish general, perceiving that little effect was produced by either fire, gave orders that his should cease. The troops retired to their bivouac and lay on their arras, with orders to cross the strait, or river, which is here about three- fourths of a mile in width, on the following morning. Accordingly, at about six o'clock, on Sunday, the l()th of August, the fire from the British battery having been previously resumed, 33() regulars and 400 militia were embarked, with five pieces of light artillery, in boats and canoes of every description, and soon effected a landing, without opposition, near Springwell, four or five miles below Detroit. About COO Indians, under Colonel Elliott, had crossed the river during the night, and were ordered to be so placed as to take the enemy in flank and rear, should lie attempt to oppose the landing. The wlite troops marched towards the fort, while the Indians moved through the skirts of the M'oods, and covered the left flank, the right resting upon the river, and protected by the Queen Charlotte, colonial vessel of war. The enemy's effective force was estimated at nearly 2,500 men, and, supported as they were by a neighbouring fortress, it required no little daring to pursue them on their own ground with such unequal numbers. But the race is not always to the swift, or the battle to the strong, and perhaps at this moment the British general remembered the remark of the eloquent Taci- tus : " hi rebus bellicis maxima dom'matur fortuna.'^ Contrary to Major-General Brock's expectation, the 248 LITE AND COUUESPONDENCE OF . i ,'t ■ . ■^ h'^ V i \ ' Americans abaiitloncll a commaudinj^ eminence, gtnii^tliencd by pickets and two 24-|}OMnderp,* and retreated into the fort on tlie advance of tlie British, who liaited in a ravine within a mile and a half, and, discovering tlio weakness of the works on the land side, j)rc|)arcd for its assanlt. While the various columns wt;re formin<2^ for that purpose, a boat with a flag of truce was seen crossing the river to Sand- wicl), and soon after another flag, home by Captain Jlnll, emerged suddenly from the fort — Liout.-Colonel M'Donell and Captain (rlegg accompanied him back ; and at mid-day the British troops marched in with General Brock at their head, the American general having assented to a capitulation, by which the Michigan territory, Fort Detroit,! with thirty-three pieces of cannon,:}: the Adams brig of war, and about 2,/)(K) troops, including one company of artillery, some cavalry, and the entire 4tli U. S. regiment of infantry, with a stand of colours, were surrendered to the British arms. An immense quantity of stores and the military chest were also taken ; and as tlu-re was a great deflciency of arms in the Upper Province wherewith to equip the militia, the 2,50(> stand of American became a valuable ac(piisition. To this surrender the after preservation of Upper Canada, at least, may in a great measure be ascribed, as it caused a delay of nearly a whole year in the success- ful meditated invasion, § and secured the support of some of the Indian tribes, who were hesitating as to the side they should espouse. The event indeed il- lustrated a maxim of Napoleon, ** that, in war, the moral is to the physical force as three parts to one." || It was the more fortunate that Major-General Brock * The 24-poundcrs were each hiadecl with six dozen prape shot. t A description of Michigan and Detroit is pivcn at page \h-.9. i Including two or tliroe brass field pieces, captured with General Bur- goyne, at Saratoga, In 1777, and which were retaken hy the Americans, at Ihe battle of the Thames, in October, )8i:t. § Appendix A, Section 2, No. l. Jefterson's Correspondence. Ij Napier's Peninsular War, vol. i, page 14 1. SIK iswc fmo( K. t24D acted with so much promptifmlc and vio;our, bocause larp-e reinforcements were on their way to General Hull ; and not only would that officer's reverse otherwise imvc been (spared, hut the western districta of Upper Canada would probably have, fallen before the ovcrwheluiin^^ nuuibcrs .vhieh would soon jjave been brou'^ht against them. The surrender of Detroit was s.» unexpected, that it produced an almost electrical elfect tiirou'^hout the Canadas! : it was. tlie Hrst enterprise ui which the militia"* had been engat^cd, and its success not only imparted confidence to that body, bit it inspired the timid, fixed the wavering, and awed the disaHecled. Major-General Brock from this moment became the idol of the great mass of tlioso whom he governed ; and when he returned to York, whither he arrived on the '27tli of August, he was received amidst the heartfelt acclamations of a ijrateful people, rescued by his recent success from tiie ignominy of submitting to a oomjueror. They remendjerod that In the short space of nineteen days he had not onl} met the legis- lature and settled the public business of the province under the most tr\ ing circumstances that a com- mander could encounter, but, Avith means incrfdibly limited, he had gone nearly 3(M.) miles in pursuit of an invading enemy of double his own force and compelled liim to surrender; thus, without bloodshed, extending the British dominion over an extent of country almost equal to Upper Canada. t The conduct of the American general in so tamely surrendering is inexplicable, as Detroit contained an ample supply of ammunition and provisions for near- ly a month, besides an abundance of wheat in the territory, with mills to grind any quantity into flour. * In hi? general orders at T>ctroit, Major-Genoral Brock expressed his adiniraUtm of the eoaduet of tlu* several i'oni|)anie8 cT the niihtia who had acc()mi)anied turn; und he nunested " Major Sahnou, Captains Hatt, Heward, Bostwicli, and K ■hinson, to assure Uie officers and men arnlei their respective coinniands tliat tlioir services had b«eu duly appreciated, and would never bo forg^jtten." f- Christie's Meaioirs, M* I t^TA) LIFE AM) rOnREf5PONDr:NCE OF 4 iff f'*.[ n fr ■? One of liis officer?, Colonel Lewis Cass,* in a long jetter to the Honorable William J^iistis, the secretary of war at Washington, said : " I have been informed by Colonel Findley, who saw the return of the quar- termaster-general the day after the surrender, that their whole force, of every description, white, red, and black, was 1,0^50. f They had twenty-nine platoons, twelve in a platoon, of men dressed in uniform. Many of these were evidently Canadian militia. The rest of their militia increased their white force to about 7(M). The number of Indians^ could not be ascertained with any degree of precision — not many were ^isiblp. And in the event of an attack upon the town and fort, it was a species of force which could have afforded no material advantage to the enemy. . . . That we were t)ir superior to the enemy — that upon any ordinary princi|)les of calculation wc would have defeated then» — the wounded ajid indig- nant feelings of everv uian there will testify .... I was informed by General Hull, the morning after tlie capitulation, that the British forces consisted of 1,800 regulars, and that he surrendered to prevent the effusion of human blood. That he magnified their regular force nearly five-fold, there can be no doubt. Whether the philanthropic reason assigned by him is a sufficient justification for surrendering ft fortified town, an army, and a territory, is for the government to determine. Confident 1 am, tiiat had the courage and conduct of the general been equal to the spirit and zeal of the troops, the event would have been brilliant and successful, as it is now disastrous and dishonorable." {: Hull's behaviour, then, can * The same ofticer who, as Gonoral CasH and senator from Michiffan, ovinccd so hdstiio a disposition towanls (Jioat Britala ou the subject of thi' Oregon, in tlie session of Congress of 184,1-6. t Doubtless aa error for 1330, the entire British force. t Colonel Cass a))peared to thinl< ilie following: couplet from the works of a poet, who tiourishod two centurn-s before, applicable to the general, ■wliose unhappy destiny it was to render the lines singularly prophetic . Or witti pretence of chasing: thence the Brock, Send in a cur to worry the whole flock. Ben Jonsun, Sad Shepherd, SIR ISAAC nnotK. 251 only bo accounted for by the supposition that the boldness of his adversary's inovi'incnts led him to believe he had to contend with a fir f^reater ])ropor- tion of regular troops; or, that liavinLr threatened to refuse qiuirter to the wliitc man found lightini^ by the side of the Indian, he was af)prchcnsive, in the event of defeat, that this threat would he visited with severe retaliation, particularly by the Indians, whose fury, in a successful assaidt, it might have been very diffi- cult to restrain. To their honor, however, be it said, that although they took a few prisoners on the ad- vance, the enemv sustained :io loss of life bevond that caused by the British batteries ; and in general orders, at Detroit, they were told, that in nothing could they testify more strongly their love to the king, their great father, than in following the dictates of honor and humanity by which they had hitherto been actuated. " The news of the surrender of Detroit," says the American historian. Brown, " was so unexpected, that it came like a clap of thunder to the ears of the American people. No one would believe the first report. The disastrous event blasted the prospects of the first campaign, and opened the northern and western frontiers of Ohio to savage incursions. *' Previous to the surrender of Detroit, the go- vernors of Ohio and Kentucky, in obedience to the directions of the war department, had detached power- ful reinforcements to the aid of General Hull. Had he deferred the ca|)itulatiou but a few days longer, his army, Detroit, and the Michigan territory, would have been saved. " The forces advancing to his support consisted of 2,000 militia, under Brigadier-General Payne, and a battalion of mounted riflemen, under Colonel R. M. Johnson, from Kentucky ; a brigade of Ohio militia, under the orders of Brigadier-General Tupper ; and nearly 1,000 regulars, under the command of General ' ■ i 252 LIFE AND COIIUKSPONDENCE OP I.: Winchester. They liad roacliod tlie St. Mary's river when the news of tlie capture of Detroit was received. Dut for the well-timed aTival of the above force, a wide scene of flight and misery, of blood and deso- lation, must have ensued. Nearly half of tlie terri- tory of Ohio must have been depopulated, or ha inhabitants fallen victims to the scalping knife." "The chagrin felt at Washington," observes James in his Military Occurrences, '* when news arrived of the total failure of this the first altenpt at invasion, was in proportion to the sanguine houes entertained of its success. To what a pitch of extravagance those hopes had been carried, cannot better appear than in two speeches delivered upon the floor of congress, in the summer of 1812. Dr. Eustis, the secretary at war of the United States, said : ' We can take the Canadas without soldiers ; we have only to send ofli- cers into the province*!, and the ])eoplp, disaffected towards their own government, will rally round our standard.' The honorable Henry Clay seconded his friend thus : ' It is absurd to suppose wo shall not succeed in our enterprise against the enemy's pro- vinces. Wo have the Canadas as much under our command as she (Great Uritain) has the ocean ; and the way to conquer her on the ocean is to drive her from the land. I am not for stopping at Quebec, or any where else ; but I would take the whole conti- nent from them, and ask them no favors. Her fleets cannot then rendezvous at Halifax, as now ; and, having no place of resort in the north, cannot infest our coast as they have lately done. It is as easy to conquer them on the land, as their w hole navy would conquer ours on the ocean. We must take the conti- nent from them. / icish ripver to see a peace till we do. Cfod has given us the power and the means : we are to blame if we do not use them. If we get the continent, she must allow us the freedom of the sea.' This is the gentleman who, afterwards, in the charac- SIR ISAAC nilOCK. 253 tor of a commissioner — ntul it utands as a record of liis iiiiblusliinj;^ npostacy — !«i[riie(.I tlic treaty of peace. " Tccuinscli, who was slain iti the year followinfj, headed a |)arty of his warriors on tiiis occasion, and in tljo rou^h sketch already nientioiu'd, Major-Cieneral Brock remarked: *' Amoni^ tli(! Imliuris whom I found at Amliersthurfr, and who liad arrived from distant parts of the coiuilry, there were some extra- ordinary ciiaracters. lie who most attracted mv attention was a Shawanee chief, Tecumseh, tlie bro- ther of tl)P pro[)het, who \\)V tiic last two years lias carried on contrary to otir remonstrances, ;in active war against the United States. A more safracious or a more gallant warrior does not, I. believe, exist. He was the admiration of everv one who conversed with him. From a life of dissipation he has not only become in every respect abstemious, but he has like- wise prevailed on all his nation, and many of the other tribes, lo follow his example.'' Previously to crossing over to Detroit, Major-General Brock in- quired of Tecumseh what sort of i country he should have to pass 'hrough in the event of his proceeding further. Tecumseh, taking a roll of elm bark, and extending it on the ground, drew forth his scalping knife, and with the point presently edged upon the back a plan of the country, its hills, v.oods, rivers, morasses, and roads — a plan which, if not as neat, was fully as intelligible as if a surveyor had prepared it. Pleased with this unexpected talent in Tecumseh; with his defeat of the Americans near Brownstown j and with his having, by his characteristic boldness, induced the Indians, not of his own tribe, to cross the river prior to the embarkation of the white troops, Major-General Brock, soon after Detroit was sur- rendered, took ofi' his sash and publicly placed it round the body of the chief. Tecumseh received the honor with evident gratification, but was the next day seen without the sash. The British general, iii; i 1 ; 2^54 LIFE AM) (OnUESPONDENCE OP f^ fcarinpf that 8oinctliiri»^ hafl llsplondod tlie Indian, sont iiis interproler for {.»> vxplanation. 'I'eciiinsch told liiin, that not wisliinLj '■ > "ear sucli li mark of dibtincliun when an older, and, ai^ lie said, an abh^r warrior tlian himself was present, he liad transferred tlie sash to the Wvandot chief, Uoundhead.* The unfortunate General Hull, on his return to the United States, was tried bv a court martial nnd con- denined to death ; but the sentence was remitted by the president, iu consideration of his aj;e and services during the war of independence. [ His name was, Ijowever, struck od" the rolls of the army. He had evidently lost the enerfify of character which had marked his early career ; and although it is most strange that he did not either meet the British in the open field, or try the cliect of a few discharges of grape shot on their advancing column, yet it is due to him to add, that two or three 12 lb. shot fell into the fort from the British battery, killing and wound- ing a few oHiccrs and men,| and that the fort itself was much crowded, not merely with trooj)S, but with the terrified inhabitants of Detroit, who souglit refuge there from the Indians, believing that, with the beginning of the conflict, they would rush into the town, and commence an indiscriminate slaughter. § Thus very few disapproved of the surrender at the critical moment, although so many were loud in condemning it afterwards. Tlie general's son and aide-de-camp at Detroit, Captain Hull, was killed in July, 1814, in the hard -fought battle of Lundy's Lane, near the Falls of Niagara. * James' Military Occurrences. t For his revolutionary services, sec Appendix A, Section 2, No. 2. J An\ong the killed was Captain Hanks, the commaudant of Michili- mackinac at the time of its surrender. S General Hull in his dispatch, already quoted, said : " The fort at this tinie was filled with women, children, and the old and decrepit people of the town and country : they were unsafe in the town, as it was entirely open and exposed to the enemy's batteries. Hack of the fort, al)0ve or below it, there was no satcty for them on account of the Indians." SIR ISAAC nnocK. 2/5." !\rajor-Orncml nr()ck's services tliroiinhout tlii'i short. (:iiTnj)iii<^ri, closed by an ucliif^vpinrnt wliich lii-4 CDcrijy and derision crowned witli siioli uniiualihed success, were liij^lily Jippreeiated l»y the jirovortnniMit at home, and were iinniediatoly rcwanh^l with llio order of tlje bath, whicli was then confined to one doijfreo of kniphthood ordy. He was ^azelled to thin mark of his country's approbatinn, so •iratifvin"' to the feelini^M of a soldier, on the iMth of OcIoIkt;* but he lived not lonj^f enonn;h to learn that ho had obtained so honorable a distinction, the knowled^'e of which would have cheered him in Ijis hist motnents. Siujjjularly enou|:jh, ids dispatches, accompafiied by the colours of the I\ S. 4th re^nment, reached London early on the morning of the (Jth oi" October, the anni- versary of his birth. His brother William, who was residinf^ in tin? vicinity, was asked by bis wife whv the park and tower mins were saluting. *' For Isaac, of course," he replied ; *■' do you not know that this is his birth-day?" And when he came to town ho learnt, with emotions which may be easily conceived — emotions rendered the more acute by his recently altered circumstances — that what ho had just said in jest was true in reality; little thinkin*:, however, that all his dreams, all his anticij)ations of a beloved bro- ther's increasintc fame and prosperity would thai day week — one short week — be entombed near " Where Nlaijiira stuns with thiiDdcriiiff sound," In the first chapter (page 14) we have made men- tion of a gallant Irishman, who, in a very few years, rose from the ranks to the adjutantcy of the 40th ; and as his example may serve as an incitement to young soldiers — especially now that merit among them is oftener rewarded bv a commission than it m * " WinTKiiAi.r., October 10, irtl2.— His royal higlmoss the prince regent has bee' jj'L-asod, in the name and on the behalf ol his majesty, to nomi- UKtL anil '^(jpoint Major Cicnoral Isaac Bru<.k to be an £xtra Knight of the Most Honorable Order oi the Bath," 4 250 LIFE AND CORUESPONDENCE OP ( ' ■ If' >[ was at that period — we give a few interesting parti- culars of his life, reiterating our hope that in doing so we do nothetray his conBdence. When we begged of him, soon after the first edition was publislied, to point out any errors, either of omission or commis- sion, into which we might have inadvertently fallen, he replied : " I write this short note merely to ac- knowledge the receipt of yours, and to give you an assurance of my great desire to be at all instrumental, even in the humblest degree, in adding to the fame of ray earliest and best benefactor. And if there were another man for whom I felt an almost equal degree of regard and gratitude, that man was John Savery Brock .... That I might do honor to the general's memory, I have ever striven to sevve my country well ; and the Almighty has bles- ed my poor efforts more than in early life I had eve: anticipated. The poor, uneducated, private soldier, raised up by Sir Isaac Brock until he held in turn his majesty's commissions of ensign, lieutenant, and captain in the army, has been promoted in the civil service of Canada to a silk gown, which he has worn for the last eighteen years. In honor of the general's me- mory I make this hurried statement, and not to gratify any personal feeling of my own." Having subsequently received from him several letters, com- posed with singular perspicuity and elegance, and containing much valuable matter, as well as many incidents which were new to us, we could not forbear expressing to him our surprise that he should write so well, and he then said : *' This too I owe to Sir Isaac Brock — when at York, in 1803, he told me that he intended to recommend me for the adjutantcy, adding : * I not only desire to procure a commission for you, but I also wish that you qualify yourself to take your position among gentlemen. Here are my books — make good use of them.' The orderly room of the 49th I have sometimes called my grammar school, and the mess room my university. Lieute- i u SIR J-JAAC nKiiClC. y.>7 to ring nants Strctton, Brnckcnhurv, and T/OrlriLS were mv kind toacliiMs. Tlie firsst died a coloia-l — ho was last of tin? 40dj re«;iniciit ; — tlic second retired from the 17th Light Dragoon?? as a captain, and 1 know not wliat !ias become of liiin ; he was the son of a clergyman in Tiinoolnshire, and was an aecompli-hed schohir, and a nohie fellow; — a)i'J, iit iNIontrcal, Colonel Brock dictated to me while 1 wrote for him in the orderly room. On writing the last word, I liad to pronounce it that he might proceed. Once the last word was ''ascertain," which I pronounced *' ascerten," when he turned to me (for he was walk- ing to and fro in the room) and said : " Ascertain, von no; man At that time my iiinorance of mv deticiencies was very great, and 1 thought myself (juite sutHcient master of die languw. oe Liscovery ol one error roused me. an id I But this went into town the same day and purchased a grammar and a dictionary, books which 1 had never even seen belore, and on studying them I was amazed at my great I'trnoranee of cver\ thing which the grammar taught; for although I could write and speak pretty accu- rately, because T had read much, chieHy silly ro- mances sold in Ireland to the peasantry, and some ancient history, yet of orammar technically I knew ubr-olutely nothing.'' He adds, that his father held a small farm of fourteen acres and a half, for which he paid in annual rent one guinea jicr acre, and that he worked on this farm until he enlisted into the 49th, as his brothers worked also. " Whether my success in the army stimulated them, I know not, but one of them is now a queen's counsel in Ireland." T)jc gratitude of this gallant and self-taught veteran 1' 258 LIFE AND COURESrONDENCE OF i I -If -^ to his early putron knows no bounds, as lio writes *' that lie would think a lonjjf lifo well spent in niaiii- festing his frratitnde /"or all he owes to Sir Isaac Brock and to his family ;" but we feci acutely that the man- ner in which he has so ably come forward to rescue some of his benefactors' best deeds from oblivion, has immeasurably repaid the oblip;ation. And who that reads this episode does not think with us, that the protege was well worthy of his patron, or does not entertain towards him, who was once " a poor, uneducated, private soldier," sentiments, as we do, of the highest regard and reverence ? Upon some occasion, at Quebec, in 1805, Colonel Brock asked his youthful sergeant-major why Jje had not done pomething he had ordered him to do. The sergeant-major replied that he found it impossible to do it, when the colonel exclaimed : " lly the Lord Harry, sir, do not tell me it is impossible ! Nothing should be impossible to a soldier; the word impossible should not be found in a soldier's dictionary ! " Two years afterwards — in October, 1807 — wheji the same sergeant-major was an ensign in the regiment, he ordered him to take a fatigue party to the bateau guard, and bring round to the lower town twenty bateaux, to embark troops suddenly for Montreal, an apprehension being then entertained that the Ameri- cans were about to invade tlu> province, in conse- quence of the affair between the Leopard and Chesa- peake. On arriving near the bateaux, the party discovered that the tide had left them, and that about two hundred yards of deep mud intervened between them and the water, over which the ensign thought it was impossible to drag the bateaux, which were large, heavy, flat boats. He therefore gave the word, " To the right face," intending to return and r'^port that it was impossible to move the bateaux to the water. But it suddenly occurred to him, that in answer to his report tin, colonel would ask : " Did you try it, sir?" and that on replying in the negative, he would ! 4 SIR ISAAC BI'OCK. 2.50 I I i t i sliarply rebuke and send him bnok. He therefore ^avo the word, "Front," and said to tlie H(jldiers: *' I think it injpossihh> for us to put these bateaux afloat, but you know it will not do lor nic to tell Colonel Broek so, unless we try it ; let us, therefore, try — there are the boats; J am sure if it be possible for men to ])ut them afloat, you will do it : po at them" — and in half an hour the boats were afloat. The, ensign then determined never after to consider any thing impossible, before trial, that was not mani- festly so. And he tells us that it must be clear to any one readinjT this statement, tliat it was the sj)irit of Colonel Broek which led to the aecomplishment of his orders, and which was, at the time, of some im- portance, as it enabled the troops to be embarked a day earlier than if the boats liad not at once been conveyed round to the lower town. '' In this way," he adds, " it is that the indomitable spirit of a mili- tary commander is, as it were, infused into the minds of all who serve under him." While travorsinfj: the northern sliore of Lake Eric in open Canadian bateaux, in August, 181'2, on his way to Amlierstburg, with reinforcements to attack General ITull, as already narrated, the bateau in which General Broek was ran upon a sunken rock. Oars and poles were immediately employed to shove her off, but, seeing that this was not quickly done, the general jumped overboard, and, as must be sup- posed, every one else in the boat was overboard instantly. Th uoat consequently floated at once, and the crow f vlio kept what in Canada is torimd u "sloie," that is, a shop for pupplyinix such wares and merchandize as the farmers and other irdiahilants re((uirc. It was a retail stm-c of little consideration. With this indivi- dual, hv name Hobi'it Nicdiol a smart litth^ Hcolch- man — Colonel Brock som(:lio\v Ixx-nnio ac(|urinfcd, and, to the surprise of the officers of the 49lh, invited liini to the mess from time to timt I) unntr that year, Mr. Nichol drew up, at the coluncl's request, a sketcii of Uj)per Canada, shewing its resources in men, horses, j)rovisions, kc- — its most vulnerable and issailable points were indici ited -- •anO I it was, 111 f\ict. a militarv statistical memoir. embracin<>' every detail which a commander of an arinv in tlie country could desire in the event of a war. Our informant ailds : ik Here is a curious instance of Sir Isaac J>rock' foresi^^dit. I saw the document in l^^lrJ, and by that time every sialenient Mas proved to be most accurate and valuable.'' On the ealliufr out of the militia, In 181*2, General Br0(dc immediately appoinfeil Mr. 2s'chol to be his quartermaster-general of that force, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, althou«j:;b the a]ij)ointment i^ave irreat ort'ence at tlic time to some of those hiffb in station in the ]>ro\ incial iroverrimcnt Tl ic services of Colom! Nichol were, after the war, rewarded by a pension from the British rrovernment of i^-OO per annum for his life. He died in 18*24. ■''^ The following was related to our inforniant by one who was pre.'jcnt when Cieiieral Brock first met Te- cumseli and hia Indians : * Colonel Nichol waf rrally an extraordinary man— naturally plotnirnt, posscsKJnu' a piodiuious nicmury uiul crcat spirit, and, coiisiderini? Ins opiiortunitios, Jiis acqnirt'nu'nt> were in ni'iiiy rifsiiects surpri-.ing'. \aiiily wa>< his fal"ihrions cli- inaic, a prodnctive soil, and a uater comniunlcufion vitli the upper and lower lakes and the river St. Lawrence, we can scarcely conceive any ihincf njoro favorable than the freo'jfraphica! position of the adja- cent country. MicJjiqan alfordcd a rich fit id for "fowling'' and H^hinp;, and its forests V( re plentifiiUy supplied witli various kinds of qamo. It was the opi- nion of a former f^overnor of I'pper Canada, Sinicoe, t)i it the peninsula of ijjat province, f(^rined hy Lakes IJuro.i, St. Clair, Kr'w, Onfario, llice, and Sinicoe, would alone furnish a surplus of wheat sutticient tor the wants of Great Britain. The hanks of the Detroit were in many plriees thickly peo)>U, f)Iunis, pcaclics', tirape*^, and nectarines, attain tlie liii^liest dcj^r* t, of perfection, and exceed in size, beauty, and flavour, those raised in any otlier part of fiie province. ('ider abounds at lh(! table of the meanest |)easant, and there is scarcely a farm that has jiot a fruitful orchard attached to it. Tlie fineness of the iVuit is one consequence of tho amelioration of climate, wliich takes place in the vi- cinity of ihe Detroit river and Lake St. Clair. The seasons tliere are much inild(!r and n)ure serene than they are a few hundred i liles below, and the weather is likewise drier a id less variable. Comparatively, little snow falls d "ing tlie winter, althoiitih the cold is often suflicien. intense to freeze over the Detroit river so stronfjfly, that person"*, horse*, and even load- ed sleighs, cross it with ease arul safety. The springs are somewliat cold and linj^cring, in conse(iuence of the ice on Lakes Huron and St. Clair breakin|v up late and floating down through the Detnjit. In summer, the country jtresents a forest of blossoms, which exhale the most delicious odours ; a cloud seldom obscures the sky, while the lakes and rivers, which extend in every direction, communicate a re- viving freshness to the air and moderate the warmth of a dazzling -un ; and the cleariifss and elasticity of the atmosphere render it equally healthy and exhiiiratinfT.* The fort of Detroit was originally' constructed to over-awe the neiiihbouring Indian nations, and its military importaiicc as the ke\ of the upper lakes appears to have been well known to ihem. liut, neither possessing battering cannon nor understanding "* Howibon's Upper Canada, i oudou, I8i!l. sin iH/kAc. nnocK. 2G;' it kud art of attaolviiiLij fortilicd pliiocs, tliry ooiiM oiilv rn- duce tlunn by stratnix<*in or l.iiiiinc, and Di.'truit could always 1k» su|)|)rK'd widj provisions by water. Tn the vear 17'vV the Indliio oi lef, I'mitiMc, whose name lias alr(;;idy appoan-d, ( p!ii;c- IH)^, ) tbrriicd a jmwiM'fiil coidodoracy ot rlic ildlfrt.-nt trilio, Tor llio !)urposo of revengiiij;' ih(;ir past wrotiu;s and of pii'vciitiiig thoir total iiMirpation, wliieh thry wcrt" crronctiiT^ly l«d to hdii'vo was conlt'inpiatcd. Irt !i sodden, jxoneral; and siniultant'ous irrnption on tin' Hriti>^h frontier, thi\y obtained posses'^ion, cliiotly b\ stratnni rn, of Mlehili- mackinac,* Presqu ile, Le H(euf, and \ <.'nango^ wiiii other sinallor post*, ; bnr there ^till remained throe fortresses fonnidable alike by f.heir streni;th aii'l posi- tion, whieh It ^^•us iieei'.'^sary tin.' Indiuns should sidj- due before they eonld reup any permanent advantage from their i^uei'esses. These were Detroit, Niagara, and Pitt-bur<2, , | and di<' tirsi and last, although ho remote from eaeh other, were invested almost at the same iiiontent. The eonlayed in this alai'niinj^ war, was sM]ipi>rt- cd by a proportionate decree ui' eourane, determina- tion, and perseveranci^ ; anrl never did they approve tluMiiselves a more stubborn and tormidable efiemy than in this final stand against the eneroaehnnnts of European douiinion and t:i\ ili/ation in .North Ame- rica. General Amhers^t, sensible of ihe daii^er, sent * Tlio Kii''"**"* 'J' MichihindckiiiHc ufts sur|)n>ioi|, iiol '.cintr i»\,var(' oi tlie war, uinl the hiilians nmssaiTtii thii'i'dmiths nt tlu t'liijlisli, ii» nuiiitier ahuut lif<. riic trimii^ corisiHtcil nt tlit c )iiuiiiUiiluM! Majoi Ktlu'rin^rt')!!, two siihiilrorus, hii I niiuty 'utdicrs ; ami tlnii' wen , iiime- ovoi. iDur Ktiffli-'li Irailor.s tliiTi'. •>! tlu'^o, Kit-utt riunt Icnutlo. ulxint seventy solitiiMS, uiul m- ntulfr, wrii' killod ; Imt (hi- cuinniHiulaiit, LifUtiMiant i.i'slic, uiui thv rtniiiiiuItT wcic |ir«'sirvo«l t>v flic ortiiuas, hikI restdrcd «t tlir [u'ai'i' Ir, i;"(W. An Knijlisli fi:iili'r AIcmhiiIi'i llrnty, vliOM' tiavf'h li> (anatla aro ooi-a-sionali) ■ itcd 'iiilr, liavin;;- hivn coo. oeak'd iii tin.- Iuiii vi uiif )»'lit Id tlii' iiia->sH(:r(> from an n|ii-rtiiii' which att'ordt'd t.iiii a i u\v ui th'' aioa ot (in luit lU; dehciihC' It a>f()lltiw.i •' I lulu-Id, in -;ha|ii'-i tlu I'luli'st and mct.it ti-rrihle, tilt- Ifr'jijioiis triumphs III Itaihariari i <(H|ii('ri>i«,. Hio dtad weir «<'Hlpi'(l and manpU'ii ; 'ho dj iii^r w-(-rt wri tiling and vhritkinjr, niidi'v 'he iii^ati'-iti.'d kuifV' and tDmahnwk ; and fnim tlio Ividii •^ oiiu', niipi'il open, th'lr biiti-liiMs well di'iil-ii)j< fiu' 'dcmd scoopi-d tip in the liullow of jciiucd hands, and niiatl'od ajnid shouts ot' raye and vutnry." t The aite ot tiie olU Fteuch iwst, Fiit Duquesne, iu Pen iisyl rail iii. N 2G(> LIFE AND cou;;f,8PONDrnce of :» it immodifitc siiccourfl to those two vi-';t<'rn cffirrisons, and thus prevented tlieir fall. C't[iy a sharji tire on their front, which was presently followed hy a similar dischari^o on their rear, and then succeeded by destructive vol- lies from every side. In the darkness, neither the position nor the numbers of the Indians could be ascertained. Did/ell was slam early, and his whole detachment was on the brink ol" irretrievable confu- sion and ruin, when (I'apiain Grant, the next in com- mand, pereeivin: famine, and on tlir 14tli of Soptcrnlior, wurrotnidinf; a ctujvoy of provisions wliicli lunl Tu^arly ivncliiMl its destination, tiny succeciied in niukinp; it tlicir prey l)y u sudden ittiick, in M'liich 70 ot' iho Brilisli sol- diers were shiin. Slidrtly nftrr, as a schooner was crossin«i l.'dkc l-rle \viih supplio for Detroil, ^ha was attacked l>v a numerous tleet of ciinocs, in wliicli were nearly 4«HJ Indums. IJnt this aUenipt was \oh» successful ; and, afrcr a warm en^aiienient, the Indian flotilla was repulsed with considrTahie loss, as, in a coidlict wilh an arufcd ve'-'sel, they were iri">''ed to the t;"ne di.-'advantii;^es which attended th'':' >^{. 'ra- tion ,i>^alnst fortified j>Iaces. iNiagara. I rj.-in^: at le> :' h( men each, M'ilh their provisions. The troops, having embarked at Fort Schlausser on the ]4th. coasted the. southern side of the lake, and on the fifih day reached Pros- qu'iU , where the barges were dragged over the neck of land, prububly with more loss of tune than if they had been rowed ruun.l it. <>n the twentieth day the flotilla was oH' the mouth of the river, which falls into Sandusky bay, and it was deternniicd in a coun- cil of war to attack tiie Indian \ illages on the Miami ; but as the troojis ontend the river for that purpose, they were received by a deputation olinang peace, and the chiefs agreed to meet the British general in « Gralianu'S History of the IJuitcd States, IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) V. {/ A I/a t= 1.0 I.I 11.25 !^ 1^ 12.0 M III 1.6 V] ^a 'W / <^'VV Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 < -*^ \ \ <^ <^ fii '°J%^ Ua II 2m LIFE ANT) (JOBRESPONDENCE OF fl f.i' fifteon days ai Detroit, whither tlie army arrived on the 8th of August. The cJiiot's of tlic Miami were punctual, and the Indians being unable to contend with so overwhelming a force, a general peace was quic^loiiel and tficer nents niiy's two hich II the enemy's loss was considerable, whilst ours amount- ed to li killed and 13 wounded ; '^ amongst the latter, 1 have particularly to regret Captain Muir and Lieu- tenant Sutherland,! of the 41st repjiment ; the former an officer of great experience, and both ardent in his majesty's service. Batteries had likewise be;.n com- menced opposite Fort Detroit, for one l8-pounder, two 12 and two -"il-inch mortars, all of which opened on the evening- of the l-'ith ■, (having previously sum- moned Brigadier-General HuU to surrender;) and although opposed by a well-directed fire from seven 24-pounders, such was their construction under the able direction of Captain Dixon, of the Royal Engi- neers, that no injury was sustained from its effect. The force at my disposal being collected in the course of the 15th in the neighbourhood of Sandwich, the embarkation took place a little before daylight on the following morning ; and b} the able arrange- ments of Lieutenant Dewar, of the quartermaster- general's department, the whole was in a short time, ■without the smallest confusion, landed at Spring Well, a good position, three miles west of Detroit. The Indians, who had in the raeaii time effected their landing two miles below, moved forward and occu- pied the woods, about a mile and a half on our left. The force, which I instantly directed to march against the enemy, consisted of 30 artillery, 250 41st regiment, 50 royal Newfoundland regiment, 400 mi- litia, and about 6 if; If ] crossed the river, witli an intention of awaiting in a stronjj: i)osition the ctTect of our force upon tiie ene- my's camp, and in tlic hope of compellinn Jiirn to TTjict us in the field; but receiving; information upon Ianclin<:!^ that Colonel M'Arthur,* an ofhcer of high reputation, had left the j^arrison three days before Avith a detachment of oCK) men; and hearing, soon afterwards, that his cavalry had been seen that morning tljree miles in our rear, I decided on an . 1 immediate attack. Accordiucily, the troops advanced to within one mile of the fort, and havinjj ascertained that the enemy had taken little or no precaution to- wards the land side, I resolved on an assault, whilst the Indians penetrated his camp. Brigadier-General Hull, however, prevented this movement, by propo- sing a cessation of hostilities, for the purpose of preparing terms of capitulation. Lieut. -Colonel J. M'Donell and Captain Glegg were accordingly de- puted by me on this mission, and returned within an hour with the conditions, which I have the honor herewith to transmit. Certain considerations after- wards induced me to agree to the two supplementary articles.! The force thus surrendered to his majesty's arms cannot be estimated at less than 2,^)00 men. In this estimate, Colonel M'Arthur's detachment is included, as he surrendered, agreeably to the terms of capitula- tion in the course of the evening, with the exception of 2r"ims^^m^ imm:mr fi^' 274 LIFE AND COURESPON HENCE OP h-i id he is diargod vvifli tlie colours taken at tlie capture of Fort Detroit, and those of tho 4tli United States rejjimeiit. Captain Glo.g^ is capable of p^ivinj;^ your excellency every information respeotini;, the state of this ])ro- vince, and I shall esteem myself highly indebted to your excellency, to afford him that protection to which his merit and lenper Canada, and of his foiled attempts to invade Amherstburg; but 1 shall delay his departure from hence untd the 1st of Sep- tember, in hopes of obtaining from you, before that * Captain Gh'c:is was made a brevet-major for the capture of DctJoit. Sir George Prevost's aidc-de-CHinp, Captain Coore, was also made a brevet- roajor for taking the dispatches to JLnglaid. lapture of id States xcelleiicv this pro- dcbtcd to ectioii to vo him a c. opy of a Ml taking ' my dis- ne vessel, cJi. 10, 1812. id's, your h instant, the com- isures for render of y with so tances of ich have and, and lonel St. Enj^land h details -General ad of his I shall t of Sep- i'ore that It i j SIR ISAAl IIROCK. 275 ; of Detroit, dc a brevet- time, furtlior particulars of the operations which led to General IIuH's disgrace. Well aware of thu diffieulfics you liavo surmounted for the preservation of yum t^overnnn'nl entire, I shall endeavour to do justice to your merit, in my report to his majesty's ministtr upon the buccess which has crowned your etierfry and ioril. A warrant, i^^ivin"]: to you more exl(^'nslve power over the sentence of .such general courts martial as you may be called on to assemble, was siifued by me ten days since, and lias I hope reached you. I am in hourly expeotatiou of receiving from (Jene- ral Dearborn intciligiMico respecting the reception of the proposed suspension of hostilities, in consequence of the revocation of the orders in coimcil, which Jtre the plea for war in the American cabinet ; and also whether Mr. Baker has been allowed to assume, p7'o temporp, the character of a charge d"afFaires at Washington, where .Mr. Foster had left him in a demi-ofiicial capacity. I consider th'" arrangement entered into by General Dearborn with Colonel Baynes, requiring tlie confirmation of the president, to establish its sacredness. The king's government having most unequivocally expressed to me their desire to preserve peace with the United States, that they might, uninterrupted, pursue, with the whole disposable force of the coun- try, the great interest committed in Europe, I have endeavoured to be instrumental in the accomplishment of their views ; but 1 consider it most fortunate to have been enabled to do so without interfering -w'lb your operations on the Detroit. T have sent you men, money, and stores of every kind. P. S.— I have addressed to you a public letter, con- taining my sentiments upon Major-General Sheaffe's alterations in the original conclusive and binding conditions transmitted to him by the adjutant-general. I:: I 27(J MM, AS It COKRF.SPOMIKXCE OF Nii ^^iV George Prvvmt to Mnjor-Genvral limch. Heud Quiirtrra, Moturcil, Aiii:. lU, 181-2. I lifid scurcolv closed tlio lottcrs 1 addressed to you ye"!)ttM'tlay, ulion an aide-de-camp from Alajor- General !)< arl>oru made Ids a|i|»oariiiice, and deli^ ered. to me the di^ijiatcli berewitli rnmsmilted. It will expose to yv>ur view the disposition of the prcsid(;nt of tho United States on the provisional measnro tem- porarily aij;r(etl upon between the Ameriean coni- niarider-in-(diiof and inyseH!> in conseqnenee of an earnest desire not fo widen the breach e\istin<^' be- tween tlu> two rountries, the revocation of the »>rders in eonncil havintr removed the plea used in (!or)<>;re8S for a decliiration of w;ir .ij^ainst (ireat Hritain. 1 am mii<',h disap)ii>iiiteil that tho particulars of the surrend(;r of Detroit have not as yet reached me, particnlai'Iy as my aide-de-camp, ('aptain Cooro, is to leave Montreal this eveninj.r for Quebec, where a slii}> o( V, ar is on the point of sailing; for Halifax, from whence I espect the adnnral will give hiin a convevanee for l^ni'land. lieing' unacquainted with the condition:? attached to the surrender of .l?rifj;aiJier-(ienend Jluirs army, and giving scope to your expressions of prisoners of Avar, 1 have made arrangements for increasing their security against any attempt to rescue them, by- ordering Cai)tain (»ray to )»rocecd with two flank companies to Prescott. [The fiispntch horn CJeiiocal Dcarbvn'n, dated Orconliusli, August 2(5, was to amn'mii'f Mie (lisi-onuimaiicc i>f \\\v tenipiirarv anriistiuc agreed to hclwi'rn tii'ii ;uid ('(jlrme) Uayuos, iti lour days after tlic I'occiiit ol the coiiaiiKiiication at the troiuier (lobts in (.'anada T'lc Amt'i'ican tri'iieral adili'd " If a ^u-.p..'risioii (il oflensivo upi'ralions shall tia\ r been uuitwall/ constiiitrd to bctwicM (ii'iu'ial Hull liiid thi (■Mi\iman(lint; iiflit'Oi (>J the liritish forci s at and lu'ar Di.'troit. as proposed, they will rff^ptctnoly be aulluinxod, at the expiration or four days sub^C(]uent to their receiving copies of this ('oiimituueatioii, to consider theinsielvc.s released from any atijeement thus entered into."] f^ M As we have already commented on Sir George Prevost's management of tho war, and shall have SIR ISAAC TIROCK, 277 occusionally to rlo so a;jjiiin, ne Lcladly pivo Iilm cre- dit tor till' very liandsonie njanricr in which he spoke of Mriitir-dciieral lirock, in lils dispiitch to Marl niitiiiirst, ono of Ids majesty's )iriiici|uil sccrolarios of slate, unnoanciii^ (he surrender of JJelioit, and dated Montreal, '2i\i\\ of Auj^usit, lHj'2. *' It was under these cireumstunces at tins critical period, and when the enemy were b<'a^inninn" to con- snlt their securitv bv cntr(;nehinL!: themselves, that (Jeneral Urook entered Andiersthiirfi: uith a rein- foreeinent, which he was fortunate!}' enabled to do on the 13th instant, without the smallest molestation, iu coMsecjuenee of our decided naval superiority on the lakes. To his active and intelligent nund, the advan- tages which his enemy's situation allorded him over them, even with his very inferior force, became imme- diately a])parent; and that he has not failed most eifectually to avail himself of those favorable cir- cumstances, your lordship will, I trust, be satisfied, from the lettei' wlileh I have the honor of transmitting. •* Having thus brought to your lordship's view the different circumstances which have led to the success- ful termination of the cam|)aign on the western fron- tier of Upper Canada, I cannot withhold from Major- Gcneral Bi'ock the tribute of a|»|)lause so justly due to him for his distinguished conduct on this occasion ; or omit to recommend him, through your lordship, to the favorable consideration of his roval lii<;hnes3 the prince regent, for the great ability and judgment with which he j)laiined, and the proniptitude, energy, and fortitude with winch he has efi'ected, the preserv- ation of Upper Canada, with the sacrifice of so liltle British blood in acconiplishing so important a service. " My aide-de-camp, Ca))tain Coore, w ill have the honor of delivering to your lordship this dispatch; and as he is well qualified to give your lordship information res[)ecting the military resources of this command, I shall beg leave to refer your lordship to him for further particulars." 27m LIFR AND rORUKSI'ONDKNfa OF ( I i : I- M \n i J At th(' sumo time, triitli (lompols us to add, tlmt Sir (foorj^o IVcvoht took credit to IiirnseK, to vliioh be. was not entitled, wlioii lie wrote to Lord Iiitliur:rotnpt and as eU'eetiial as tlir oirciunstancosi by wliicli 1 \>a8 plaood by this new war would permit mv. to send, adopted the most vitjorous measures lor the safety of tliat part of tho frontier whicii had been attacked." And again- "The certainty of tlio (Expected reinforce- ments, and tho vveaknes-s of the eneujvon the Niajxara frontier, had m the mean Inne induced General Brook," kc* The last dispatoli which, wc believe, Major-General IJrock had received from 8ir George i*revost, when on the Oih of August he left York for Detroit, was dated the 10th, and received on tho 21)th of July ; a!id in lliat dispatch (see page 200) no reinforccincnts were promised, and indeed offensive operations were deprecated. The first reinforcement sent from Lower to I' pper Canada, appears to have consisted of about 100 mi;n of the Newfoundland regiment and 'A) of the A'eterans, who left Quebec on the 30th of July for Kingston, to strengthen that post; and the adjutant-general, on the 1st of August, (page 2'2b<,) wrote that Sir Gtori>-e Prevost regretted extremely his inabilitv to render Major-General Brock more efficient aid. It was on'y on the 2d of August that Sir George Prevost proini.sed an additional rein- forcement of four companies of the 49th regiment, (page 232,) and on the 12th of the same month the remainder of the regiment. ({)age 234.) Mr. Justice Powell confirms this view of the subject, in his admir- able letter, page 283. It will be seen in the sequel that, on the 13th of August, the adjutant-general * In conseqneiicp cjfUit^e assertions, Lord Bathnrst wrote toSir Gefir;?c Prevost on the Kith of October, 1812, in reply to his letter announcinp- the capture of (itjiicral Hull ; " 1 am further coinmamlud by his royal highness to say, that in giving every crertit tn Major General JJrock, and t)ie army under his command, he is fully sensible how much your exertions and arrangen to tin; rciiKirk rcl;itiv<' to the Nvcakiioss of tlio enemy on iIk^ Niai^ani tronticr, wo pliuil otdy mention tliat Major-(c(.neral J3rock statos in a MS. before ns, that it was tlic stronc; American forrc on tliat frontier which compelh'd liim to take with hint to Detroit only half of the militia who volnnteercd. Sir George Prcviml tn Karl JJathurnt. Head (^narter!«, Montreal, Sept. 1, ^>^\'2. Since I Ijad the honor of tran.sinittinu: to vonr lordisliip mv letter of the 'iOth ultimo, in charge of my aide-fle-camp, (. aplain Cooro, I Jiave received from Major-General Brock a dispatch, of which ihc enclose slaui. SIR ISAAC BROCK. 281 worthy of all admiration and Invo. I am y verbatim. [Here follows a transcript of the short letter to his brothers, dated Detroit, August Ui, as given untc.'\ It is satisfactory to me that we shook hands before 1 was aware of the contents. I liave written a long letter* to Isaac since the dispatches have arrived, and I have again seen Captain Coore, who told me that the prince regent had spoken to him about Isaac for nearly half an hour. His royal highness was pleased to say, tliat General Brock had done more in an hour than could have been done in six months' negociation with Mr. liusscll — that he had by his exploit given a lustre to the British army — that the dispatches had aiforded him (his royal highness) more pleasure than any he had received for some time, &c. Ike. &c. * Unfortunately, we cannot find this letter. IP 282 LIFE AND COBUESPOXDENCE OF ! f Captain Coore also said that Mr. Vansittart* had expressed liiinself on the occasion with greater glee than even the other ministers ; and certainly the very prompt manner in which the red riband has been conferred, confirms the flattering remarks of the prince, and proves the favorable impression of the ministry. I look forward to Isaac receiving the thanks of parliament whcMi it meets again. Captain Coore thinks that he will next take Niagara. What is your opinion of Isaac's proclamation, in answer to that of Hull, and of his dispatches to Prevost? I think them admirably written, and so does every person with whom I have conversed on the subject. Let me know what effect the good news have had upon you all. I have scarcely slept for the last week, I can tell yon. May Sir Isaac long live to be an example to your Julius, t and an honor to us all4 With my hearty congratulations, believe me, kc. The following letter strikes us as singularly appro- priate and ])k'asing, and as creditable to him who wrote it as it must have been gratifying to him who received it. Mr. Justice Powell, who was then the senior puisne judge of the court of king's bench, be- came chief justice of Upper Canada in the year 1816. § * Then chancellor of the exchequer — created Lord i3f\ley, in 1S23. t Julius Urock, the only son oi Savery, died in boyhood. t How futile frequently is hu)\ia>i hope. Sir Isaac Brock had fallen that very mornins", and was then lyinp a bleeding corse in a house in the viUage of Queenstown. Many need rejoice in trembling. § Chief Justice Powell retired from tlie bent h in 18'25, and died about ten years afterwards. His abilities were oi a very superior order, and he is believed, in Upper Canada, to have been the author of General Brock's proclamation, in answer to that of Hull, He was at Die time a member of the executive council, arul, with his numerous duties, the British general would naturally avail himself of .ludfjc Powell's talents on such an occa- sion. If so, the proclamation was the happy effort of one who, both in speaking and writing, \isually acquitted himself with felicity. Its clear and logical language was justly admired, and it did much good both in and out of the Canadas. Mrs. Powell, the widow of the late chief justice, is still living ; she is about ninety-two, and in the full pobsessiou of her faculties. ■ i ... SIR ISAAC BROCK. 283 the 1S23. 3'Ae Hon. William Dumme.r Poivell to Major-General Brock. Kingston, August 27, 1812. I cannot persT ^dc myself to offer my hearty con- gratulations tix s\\ the medium of a third person, and hope you will believe that no one sympathizes more cordially than myself in your feelings on the late happy event. I shall never again regret little disappointments, when I consider to what they may lead : had your early representations been attended to, and produced their proper effect, you would probably not have to boast of the most brilliant success, with tlie most Inadequate means, which history records. There is something so fabulous in the report of a handful of troops, supported by a few raw militia, leaving their strong post to invade an enemy of dou- ble numbers in his own fortress, and making them all prisoners without the loss of a man, that, although your report may be sanctioned by Sir George Prevost, it seems to me that the people of England will be incredulous until they see the exterminating boaster a prisoner in London. We find in a cover by General Sheaffe, that the first report of the cannon taken was one-third short of the real number. I shall hardly sleep until I have the satisfaction of hearing particu- lars of the wonderful excursion, for it must not be called a campaign. The rcni, vldi, vici, is again the faithful report. Your good fortune in one instance is singular, for if your zeal had been thwarted by such adverse winds as frequently occur on the lake, the armistice might have intercepted your career.* That it did not, I heartily thank God, and pray that no- thing may occur to damp the entire satisfaction of yourself and family in the glory so well earned. I ara impatient to hear from Colonel M'Donell, but have no doubt that he justified your warmest expec- tations in every trial. May I beg to be presented to Glegg, and that you. Sir, will believe me, &c. * "South-west winds prevail much" (on Lake Erie) " during a preat part of the year, and often, lor weeks together, prcvt.it vessels from sailing westward." — Moivhson's Uppt;r Canada. ; iih 284 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ll I i* r ! ■ , Major- General Brock to his .Brothers. Lake Ontabio, Sept. 3, 1812, You will have heard of the complete success which attended the efforts 1 directed asainsl Detroit. I have received so many letters from people whoso opinion I value, expressive of their admiration of the exploit, that I begin to attach to it more importance than I was at first inclined. Should the afiUir be viewed in England in the light it is here, I cannot fail of meeting reward, and escaping the horror of being placed high on a slicif, never to be taken down. Some say that nothing could bo more desperate than the measure ; but I answer, that the state of the Province admitted of nothing but desperate remedies, got possession of the letters my antngonist addressed to the secretary at war, and also of the sentiments which hundreds of liis army uttered to their friends. Confidence in the general was gone, and evident despondency prevailed throughout. I have succeeded beyond expectation. I crossed tlie river, contrary to the opinion of Colonel Proctor, , &c. ; it is, therefore, no wonder that envy should attribute to good fortune what, injustice to my own discernment, 1 must say, proceeded from a cool calculation of the pours and contres. It is sup])osed that the value of the articles cap- tured will amount to 30 or <£40,00(); in that case, my proportion will be something considerable. If it enable me to contribute to your comfort and happi- ness, I shall esteem it my highest reward. When I returned Heaven thanks for my amazing success, I thought of you all; you appeared to me happy — your late sorrows forgotten ; and I felt as if you acknowledged that the many benefits, which for a genes of years I received from you, were not unwor- thily bestowed. Let me know, my dearest brothers, that you are all again united. The want of union was nearly losing this province without even a strug- sru ISAAC TRorK. 28,5 gle, a, '1 be assiire»l it operates in the same degree in regard to families. A cessation of hostilities has taken place along this frontit r. Should peace follow, the measure will be well; if hostilities recoiutnence, noaiing could be more unfortunate tiiaii this pause. I cannot give you freely an account of my pituation — it is, how- ever, of late nmch improved. The militia have been inspired, by the recent success, with confidence — the disalfected are silenced. The 41)th have come to my aid, besides other troops. I shall sec Vincent, I hope, this evening at Kingston. He is appointed to the corrimaiui of that post — a most important one. I have withdrawn Pietideneath from Niajxara to assist him. Plcnderlealh is sitting opposite to UiC, and desires to be remembered. James Brock is likewise at Kingston. I believe he considers it more his interr I to remain with the 41)tli than to act as my private secretary ; indeed, the salary is a mere pit- tance. Poor LcLigatt is dead, and has left his familv in the most distressing circumstances. His wife died last year. jNIajor Smelt and (Japtain Brown have sent me your letters, for which 1 thank you. Let Richard Potenger be assured that his letter afforded me the highest gratification. I trust in Iluaven that the whole of his thoughts will be directed to study, and to qualify himself lor the holy profession lie has chosen. Ignorance is despised in most men, but more particularly in the clergyman educated at one of the universities, who must liave neglected so many opportunities of acquiring ktiowledge. I received the other day a long letter from Sir Thomas Saumarez, from Halifax. I regret the death of the two Harrv Brocks.* I have likewise been particularly unfortunate in the loss of two valuable military friends. f I begin to be too old to form new * Henry Frederick Brock, Esq., jurat of ttie Royal Court of Guernsey, and liieutenant Iteirry Brock, R.K. f Major-Gfueral Vc^ey, mentioned onte, was probably oiuv 280 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF friendships!, and those of my youth are dropping; off fast. General Slieaffe lias lately been sent to nie. There never was an individual .«o miserably off for the necessary assistance. Sir (ieorge Prevost has kindly hearkened to my remonstrances, and in some measure supplied the deficiency. The 4lst is an uncommonly fine regiment, but, with few exceptions, badly offi- cered.* You mention JohnTupperf in a manner as to leave hope that he may still be living. God grant it ! He is a great favorite of mine, and I should lament any disaster happening to hirn. Perhaps Glegg may be sent home by Sir George, and in that case I hope he will allow you to taee the colours taken from the 4th U. S. regiment. The generality of the English will esteem them very little : nothing is prized that is not acquired with blood. Kingston, September 4. I this instant receive your letters by Mr. Todd. So honest John Tapper is gone ! I could not have loved a son of my own more ardently. Hostilities I this instant understand are to be renewed in four days ; and though landed only two hours, I must return immediately to Niagara, whence I shall write fully. Chief Justice Setvell, of j ower Canada, to Major-General Brocli. Quebec, Sept. 3, 1812. In your present situation, T am perfectly sensible of your occupations, and know that your time is * The oulv field officer with the 41st at this time was, we believe, Colo- nel Proctor ; and owinp to the long: stay of the refitment iu Canada, the promotion had bi.fcn so slow, that two of the captains were brevet-lieute- naiit-coloneis, and two others brevet-majors. t His nephew, John E. Tupper. Esq., aged twenty, perLshed at sea la January, isi'j.'n the Mediterranean, tlie vessel in which he was a pa.ssen- gcr from Catalonia to Gibraltar having never been heard of after sailing. He was educated at Harrow at the same time as Lord Byron, Sir Robert Peel, ^c. Mention is made of this fine but ill-fated young man at page il 5. Iropping . There for tbo 18 kindly measure aminonly [idlv offi- nanner as Jod grant 1 should Perhaps lid in that lurs taken ity of the lothing is mber 4. Mr. Todd, not have ostilities I d in four I must ihall write jor-Oeneral 1812. ly sensible Ir time is Ibelieve, Colo- li Canada, the Ibrevet-lieute- Ished at sea iu vas a passcn- after sailing. tn, Sir Robert tn at page 115, SIR ISAAC imOCK. 287 ^ : i| precious. Yet I lake the liberty to intrude upon you with my congratulations upon the brilliant suc- cess ^vbic]l lias attended llie measures nhlcb you have pursued with so much judommt in ( 'ppor Canada; and the thanks of an individual who feds the benefits which he, in common with every other subject of liis majesty in British America, derives from youi exerliona. The next letter is from General Maitland,* who was colonel of the 41)tb loot from the 2i')th of May, 1708, to the period of his death, in February, 1820, or nearly fifty -two \oars!t Majoi-General Brock held tliis gallant veteran in high estimation, having re- ceived from liirn much attention and kindness, which were continued to some of his relatives after his fall, and it will be seen that the feeling was mutual. General the Jlonorahle Alexander Maitlnnd to Major-General Brock, ToTTKaiDOK, October 8, 1812. Yesterday being mail day for America, 1 dispatched my usual monthly letter to the regiment, and in which, as I always do, I desired to be remembered to you, with my best and warmest wishes for your health, happin "ss, and success. I had not then heard, but did a few hours after, of your (fl.riov.< victory over our mest unnatural enemies, (such an one as can hardly be equalled iu the annals of history,) that of not only beating, but taking prisoners, more than double your numbers ; and now that you have con- quered them in the field, I trust that their wrong- headed government will be brought to reason and * Created a baronet on the 30th of Novembor, 1818. t Although General Maitland was so many years colonel of the 49th, yet we find that the Mavfinis of Divigheda held a similar appointment for a lon{,'er period, being colonel of the i8th Hu.^sav? from the 3d of August, 17()2, to October, iti-ii, when that regiment was disbanded, or above fifty- nine years ' f iiSR LIFE AND CORHESPONDENCE 01 > I i fM'; i; M ; peace ; Ibr it will prove to them, if tliey persevere, that thev will be forced to it, nml terms dictated to them. Therefore allow me. Sir, with the warmest feelings of an old friend, to congratulate you, as 1 do the j)iiblic, on the essential service you have done the country on the present occasion ; as T do my friend, your aide-de-camp, Captain Glegg, so far as the sphere of his duty could assist in the great Mork ; and / (jlon/ to sai/ yox ore hoik 4\)-th('r,^. I could write sheets on the sid)ject, but, not to take up your valuable time lonfjer than 1 liave done to express my pleasure and feelings, 1 will stop by adding the sincere congratulations of all related to me here as well as elsewhere. But 1 cannot heljt now observing how prophetic I was in what 1 wrote to Colonel \'incent yesterday concerning )ou, whicli was, that if 2/^'"' '^'^^^ 2>roj)('/'li/ snppurtcd, I thoiuj/it the enemy iratihl uerer cross the tine of your connnand, a proof of which 1 had a few hours afterwards. AVheu you see any of our friends of the 49th, pray remember me in the kindest manner to them, and I am sure thev will thank you that thev are safe and warm in tin ir quarters, in place of having a winter campaign in so severe a climate. And now I will only add my warmest wishes for your heolfh and happiness, and that the same good fortune that lias hitherto attended you may continue ; and I beg that you will be so good as to convey the same to my friend, }0ur aide-de-camp. Believe me to be, ray dear general, &c. P. S. — I send this after the mail, whicli left London last night, in hope it may overtake it at Falmouth, as I know the packet seldom sails for some days after her time. SIR iSA/c nnotK. •28S) Mahr-Gemrnl J )hn Burnet to Sir Inane Brock, K. B* Sin-vnEUHV, Ireland, Oct. 11, 1S1*2. There has existed too long nnd too sincere ii fricnd- sliip between us for inn not to feel the most lively interest in the event whieh lia:< achled mieh rchit (o your {icliievenient ut uiy old qiiiirtcr, Detroit.! To evince to yon how uiiich 1 rr|j;ard you, nnd liow much I have talked of vou, a I'riend of mine at the Ilor«fO Guards enclosed me the Kvtrnordinary Gazette, sayinf]^ he knew how nju(di I sliould he gratilied : Judge then, my friontl, of my feelings that you hail acq iii tied yourself with such address ; and I feel some degree of pride that my 0)>inion .vas so iustlv formed of your conduct, Avhenever vou should liave an opj)ortuuity to di-^piay your talents. Accept, then, the very sincere congratulations of an old fViend on this occasion, and he assured of the happiness it gives me, as well as INlrs. Burnet, who is with me, and sends her love to you. With respect to my situation, 1 oll'ered my services to go to the Peninsula as soon as our promotion took place, and at one time flattered myself I should have gone there ; but superior interest pi-evailed, and 1 ■was placed on the staff of [relaruJ. 1 first went to Londonderry, hut have been here six months, as more central to the brigade uruler my command. I have mv hamLi full of business, and little time for private correspondence ; hut 1 could not resist the impulse on an occasion so highly to the honor of an old friend. Believe me, my dear Brock, &c. P. S. — If Commodore Grajit be still alive, pray remember me warndy to him and Mrs. Grant. * This letter is api>arently written with the left hand, as if the writer had lost his ri{rht. + John TJurtiet was a lieutpiiant nf the 8th (kinp;'s> regiment, in Upper Canmla, dniing and after thir first American war , and was eaptaiii lieute- nant of that rcgiiiient when Isaac Broil; entered it in I7h5. Detroit was retained hy the I'.ritihh nntit the year i7yCi, wlieu it was given over to the Americans.— See pages 180, ISl, uutf. O 290 LIFE AND COnilKSPONDKNCE OP J' ■ ' I ' l Ih I'- ^ li m Lieutenant- Colonel Nichol, Quartermantrr-Guncral of MilitiUf to Mtijor- General Jinutk, Detuoit, August *2r>, 1812. I have been just informed by Colonel Proctor that he intends scridirif^ an express to-morrow to F;)rt George, whinh gives me an opportunity to forward a few printed copies; of your ])i-oclamufion, and to inform you that, in order to carry it into eHcct, it has been found absolnti'ly necessary to organize the civil government. Under existing circumstances, 1 have advised Colonel Proctor to assume the administration until your pleasure is known, to which he has agreed, and the necessary arrangements consequent thereto have been adopted and promulgated. In JudLje Woodward, who has been appointed secretary pro tenij he will find an able coadjutor ; and as your object undoubtedly was to tranquillize the public mind and to give the inhabitants a proof of the mo- deration and benevolence of his majesty's government, as well as to ensure the due administration of the laws, 1 do not think a more judicious choice could have been made. Tn all the discussions which took plncc on this subject. Colonel Proctor did rnc the honor to consult me ; and 1 have no hesitation in saying, that I urged him to the step he ])as taken, of which I hope you will, as it is only temporary, approve. \Vc have had much difficulty in collecting the public cattle and horsee, and liave suffered great- ly from the predatory spirit of the Indians ; indeed, their conduct has been infamous. There is hardly a house on either side of the river that has not been robbed by them ; they have taken away the greater part of the captured horses and c.ittle, and without our being able to prevent it. It has not been in my power as yet to send a statement of all that we have captured, as the property is so .-icatlered, but I hope to finish this week. We got upwards of iil,200 in inoney, and have sent down a hundred packs, worth, r SIK ISAAC BROCK. 201 \ineral of >, 1812. I'octor tliat ,v to F:)rt o forward m, and to ['cct, it lias c tlic civil es, 1 have inistratioii las anjrcod, nt thereto In JuUljc retfiry pro il as your the public »f the rno- )vernnient, ion of the oire could lich took d rnc the sitation in as taken, emporary, collecting red great- ; indeed, is hardly s not been le greater d without een in rnv It we have )nt I hope i-1,200 in s, worth, T snppofc, £l,r>()0 more. I have reason to think the captured propr>rly will not be mueli under f40,()(K). We have still WM pri-uners to ship oil", but I hope to get rid of them in a few days. Public eonlidence seems to be piirlially restored; business is again going on, and I iiope tiiat the country will become perfectly quiet. It is impossible for in<; to say when I shall get done here. 1 hope, however, it will not be long. I regret that we are not able lo send you complete returns of every thing; but the captured property is in so many ddl'erent pluces, and .so scattered, that it cannot be done. Extract from a Cunadian Nevispapcr. Montroal, Scptfmbor 12, 1812. Last Sunday evening: the inliabitanti* of tins citj were gra- tified witli an oxliiliilion (jqimlly novel and infi-reslinj^. That. Cictieral Hull should liavc eiitL-red into our citj so 900)1, at the lu-ad of liis troops, rather I'xcieeded our expect- ations. We were, however, very ha])py to see him, and received him with nil the honors due to his hit;h rank and iniporlanco as a public character. The following particulars, relative to his journey itnd reception at Montreal, may not be unintorc?ling to our readers : It aj)pcars that (jleneral Hull and suite, nccompanied by about 'i,') officers and \M>() soldiort^, loft Kingston, under an escort of l^U) men, comnmtided by IMojor Ileathcole, of the Newfoundland regiment. At Torn wall, the escort was met by Captain Gray, of the qnarterniaster-gcnerai's department, who took charye of the prisoners of war, and froiu thence proceeded witl» them to La Chine, where they ariived about two o'clock on Sunday afternoon. At La Chine, Captains Richardson and Ogih ie, witli their companies of Montreal militia, and a company of the king's, from Lower Chine, commanded by Captain Blackvnore, formed the escort till they were met by Colonel Auldjo, with the remainder of the flank companies of the nnlitia, upon wliioh Captain Black- inore's company fell out and presented arms as the general and line passed, and then returned to La Chine, leaving the prisoners of war to be guarded by the militia alone. The line of march then proceeded to the town in the following order, viz. i: LIFE AVn roKUKSrONDKNCE OF I I \' > ' I. JJnnd tif flit» kind's rcaiinK'nt. !2. Tlio tirht (livisiim of the t'HCKrt. a. (ii!iici!il Mull ill fi cnrriiiiiif, iirrnmpanird by Ciiptnin Grny. Ciiptnin I full niul Miijar Hlu'klotoii follDwcil in tlu: H'coiidi (ind MOinc wouiulod nfiicerH occupied lour utiiers. 4. Tlio AirK'iiemi ofK<'i'r-«. A. Tlio iion-r'DimnisHioru'd <)Hic'cr8 and soldicrh. Tim socdnd division of tin.' escort. It iiiif'orluiiafply pnivj-d ratlior lafr; in tin- evening for the vast ff)uc'(>uise ol spi'ctiitor.^ iistteuibled to cxpcrifnco fliut ^^rati titration tlioy fo nnxiounly lt»ok«.d for. Tlii«« incojjve- iiienoe was, liowj'vcr. in a ;;i('iit nu-asurii romodiiMl hy the iliiiniiiintions of tho sirrt'fs tlirougii wiiich tin; liuc of nuiroh passed. When llu-y arrivrd at tlu.' gener.il's liouso, tlie ge- neral was ronductcd In. ami prcscntoil to lii& excel leney Sir Georgo I'revost, rind was received with the greatest politeness, and invitcnl to take iiji liis ri'sldence there during liis stay at 3Iontri.!al. Tin* other othecrs were aecoininodatod at Holmes' hotel, and the soldiers lodged in the Quebec barracks. Tlie general a|)pears to be about sixty years of age, and is a good looking nian ; ninl we are informed by those wh(» have had frequent opportunities of conversing with him, that he is a man of general inforniati.:very possible '^ix'eii s and degree of weak concession, which he ditrnified with tin; name of eonciiiation " These assertions are denied by his family, and wn certainly thirds that Sir tJeorgc Prevost was both wise and politic in conciliatitnr the freucU Canadians, who had been too long treated as a conquered people. •. t I » I ' 1 , \ ( 298 LIFE AND CORUPPONDENCE OF the first time, we got a supply of good arms. The success of this first enfer[)riye, in which the mih'tia were en;^aged, acted like an electric shock throughout the country : it awed the disaiiected, of whom there were manv; it confirmed the timid and the waverintr; and it induced the Six Nation Indians, who had until that time kept aloof, to take an active ]jart in our favor. At that moment, such was the energy and confidence that had been excited by our illustrious chief and the success of his plans, that had he been I)ermitted, he could, and would, have destroyed and aid waste the whole American frontier, from San- dusky to St. Regis.* Your excellency doubtless re- collects the armistice which immediately preceded the capture of Detroit, which gave the enemy an opportunity to recover from their consternalion, to fortify and strengthen their lines, to accumulate in security the means of annoying us at pleasure along our whole frontier, and which sent at least 800 of our Indian allies in disgust to their own homes." I (1 I I i !■ Colonel Bayncs to Major- General Brock. Montreal, August 13, 1812.t I wrote 10 you from Albany on the 8th instant, but as my letter was submitted to the inspection of General Dearborn, 1 of course confined myself to the sole subject of the armistice entered into with that officer .... A clause, admitting reinforcements to pass with stores, was readily agreed to on my part. General Dearborn told me that a considerable rein- forcement with stores was on its way to Niagara, and that he could not delay or alter its destination. I informed him that we were also forvvardins; reinforce- * From Sandusky, at the head of Lake Ene, to St, Regis, on the river St. Lawrence, the distance by water is about 550 miles. t This letter was forwarded by Brigade-Major 8hekleton with that of the lath of August, ^inserted antu,) from Sir George Prevost, who doubt- lesH wrote another tlie following day relative to the urmistice, but we cannot find it among Major. tieuerul Brock's papers. SIR ISAAC BHOCK. 299 on the river meiits and stores, and that it would be advisable lo agree that all movements of that nature on either side sln)uld be suflered to proceed unrnoltstedly by troops uuder instriiotions to preserve defensive mea- sures. I ura apprehensive that (General Dearborn may not explicitly explain all these ])oints ; and I have, therefore, cautioned all the officers to whom I have conimunieated (hem, to net with the utmost caution, and to be prepared for all events that may arise. I feel extremely prepossessed in favor of General Dearborn, whose manners appear to evince great candour and sincerity : he assured me that no event of his life would afford him so mucli satisfaction and happiness as resigning his command, in conse- quence of our honorable adjustment of differences. He told me that General Hull was placed under his orders merely for form sake, but that he acted by particular instructions from the war department, and would not consider himself bound to obey any order that was not in conformity to them. [Colonel Baynes deHciibes at length the incipient state of tnililary prev>ai"ation for ifie invasion of Li)wer Canada, M'hich he witnessed on his journoy ; and at'ler mentioning that tlie Americans had sent the most efficient of their forces to the Niagara frontier, he adds ; ] Under all these circumstances, which I have repre- sented to Sir George, I have strongly urged his sending you further reinforcements, which I am sure can be spared : we are at present checked from the want of conveyance, but I trust after the corps, now on their route, are dispatched, that Sir George will be induced to send you further aid, and that of the best description. I think it of the highest import- ance, particularly if we are likely to arrange matters with the States, that the balance of military events should be unequivocally in our favor. 1 found a very general prejudice prevailing with Jonathan, of his own resources and means of invading these pro- vinces, and of our weakness and inability to resist, ii' I' ! I li ' ' l; 3(J0 LIFE AND CORRF.SPONOnNCE OF f: r \ i: ( 'f: ■i-. ■ both exajxgcrated in a most absurd and c\travaukened in ch, I beg edaje, and I SIR ISAAC DKOCK. 30;3 The enclosed copies of letters will inform you of the state of affairs to tlic westward. It appears evi- dent the enemy meditates a second attempt on Am- / herstburg. The greater part of the troo))s, which are advancing, marched from Kentucky with an intention of joining General Hull. How they arc to subsist, even for a short period, in that already exhausted country, is no easy matter to conceive. Tiiis diffi- culty will probably decide them on some hohl mea- sure, in the hope of shortening the campaign. If successfully resisted, their fate is inevitable. The Indians, it appears by l he accompanying docu- ments, were adverse to retreoling without first mak- ing a trial of their strength. Taking, however, every circumstance into consideration, I am inclined to think that Captain Muir acted judiciously. Should the Indians continue to afford a willing co-operation, I entertain not the smallest doubt of the result that awaits this second attrmpt to turn my right; but your excellency will easih^ perceive that doubts and jealousies have already seized their minds. The offi- cers of the Indian department will, I trust, be able to remove all such impressions. Although, from the daily observations of what is passing on the opposite shore, a single man can ill be spared from this line, I have notwithstanding determined to send the two ilank companies of the royal Newfoundland regiment to Amherstbnrg. Fresh troops are daily arriving, \/ supposed to belong to the Pennsylvania quota of 2,000 men, known to be intended for this frontier. After the whole arrive, an attack, I imagine, cannot be long delayed. The wretched state of thf ir quotas, and the raggedness of the troops, will not allow them to brave the rain and cold, which during the last ■week have been so severely felt. Between 200 and 300 Indiana have joined, and augmented the force on the other side Their brethren here feel certam that they will not act with any spirit against us- • so I imagine, if we continue to shew a 't 304 LIFE AND COHRESPONnENCE 01' [ 1^ s. bold front ; l)ut in the event of a disaster, the love of ])lun(lor will ])rc\ail, and they ■will then act in a manner to he tliu inoist dreaded by the inhabitants of this country. 1 beg leave to reconrunend to your excellency's indulgent considoration, Colonel L'ro(!tor's a)»|>lication for an increase of ji.iy as corainandin^ a district, which I requet^t may con nience from the IGlh of August last. Colonel liayncs* to Major- General Tiroch. MoNTUEAf,, Septcniber 10, 18.12. Sir (Jcorge writes to you so fully upon the several subjects to which your letters refer, that 1 have little left to coinniunicate to yon. Major Heuthcote leaves this to-day, with all the small description of ordnance stores intended for Arnherstburg, but we have detained the 12-pounders and shot: as you have helped your- self so amply at Detroit, it is imagined you do not now want iheni. I enclose a letter from Captain Roberts, who was, 1 suppose, induced to address himself direct to head quarters, by an opportunity of doing so offering: itself ot the moment. The North- West gentlemen are very urgent in recommending a reinforcement in tliat quarter; but Sir George has told them that their representations must be addressed to you, who will act as you deem pro|)er. Your friend, Mr. Isaac Todd,i is arrived, and looking much better for his trip; he was suffered to pass by Albany and the lake. He tells me that Mr. M^Donell is confirmed as attornev-n-eneral, and tiiat the governor's salary is increased .£1 ,00<) a year. I sincerely trust that it will soon be your own. Sir * Colonel Bayncs became a major-general in Jnne, 1814, and died in that rank, at Sidmouth, in I8-29. + Scvrral letters in tiie collection written by Mr. Todd to Sir Isaac Brock's family after his deatli, prove him to have leen a warm admirer and friend of the general. We learn in "Astoria," thit the armed ship, " Isaac Todd," of "iO guns, was prepared by the North- VV<>st Company, in 1813, with which to form an establishracat at the mouth of the Columbia river. SIR ISAAC HUOCK. '.MU. M, and (lied ia ■1 GeorfTO lias, in Jils ofHcIiil (lis|)rit<;1i(!S, after pay ■!_ that tril)iitc of praise fo Justly your duo, stated as hi» coufiruipd opinion, that the salvation of the IJ^pper Vroviiire has, in a very great measure, arisen from the civil and rnilitarv authority heintj: coniliined in able hands. The prisoners, with their general, arrived hero on Sunday night ; as they had not halted since they left Kingston, and were in a very dirty state, we kept them here on Monday, and they yesterday proceeded to William Henry, on their way to (^uebee ; the officers are to be on parole in Charlesbourg, and the men confmed on board two transports in the river. Sir George has permitttxl most of the officers, who liavc families with them, to return on their parole; four of them are proposed to be exchanged for the officers of the Royal Scots, taken by the Kssex, frigate. Sir George has also consented to allow General J I nil to return u|)on his parole : he is loud in his complaints against thi' government at Washington, and the gene- ral thinks that his voice, in the universal cry, may be attended with beneficial eiVects, and has allowed him to return and enter the lists. General Hull appears to possess less fl'eling and sense of shame than any man in liis situation couhl be supposed to do. He seems to be perf(.'ctly satisfied with himself, is lavish of censure upon his government, but appears to think that the most scrupulous cannot attach the slightest blame to his own immediate conduct at Detroit. The grounds upon which be rests hi^ defence are not, I fancy, well founded, for he told us that he had not gunpovvder at Detroit for the service of one day. Sir George has since shewn him the return of the large supply found in the fort ; it did not create a blush, but he made no reply. He })rofesses great surprise and admiration at the zeal and military preparation that he has everywhere witnessed; that it was entirely nnlooked for, and that he has no doubt that his friend. General Dearborn, will share his fate, if he has the imprudence to follow his example. Hull seems cun- / \^ \\ ' JWO LIFE AND COIinESl'ONnK.XrE OP .•?! : f r^ i I n\uo; nnd unprincipled : liow rnnoli roliuncft Is to be placcil on his professions, lirno will shew. General Dearborn lias certainly left Albany for Skcensborougli, at the head of the lake, where ^reat preparations have ]hcu niakinoint of attack. Colonel Murray commands at St. John's, and will give them a warm reception. I do not feel a doubt of Jona- than's complete discomKture and disgrace, if he make the attempt : we could, I fancy, bring as many it. on as ho will be able to persuade into the field, and of very superior stuff, for our militia have really im- proved beyond all expectation in discipline, and with it in spirit and confidence. This town woidd turn out 2,0(X,) volunteer militia, a great proportion of whom are clothed and very tolerably drilled. We have destroyed all the roads of communication in our front, leaving open the water route only ; and these woody positions will be shortly occupied by the Indians of this neighbourhood, and a corps of volun- teer voijahe(l by Captain Vroetor, his nephew and son-in-law. We hail always su^pcrted that they were the production of Major-trcneral Pri.iotor or cf his friends, as they bear internal evidence of heinp so. In that article, comparatively little is said of Sir Isaac Brock, while General Proctor is unduly enlogi/ed, and always cruelly at the expense of Sir (leorg-e Prevo'st, hecause he saw tit to speak of the battle of ilie Moravian town with unqwalified censure. In the same manner, more credit is i,'iven in the Review — ysee ext/act in Appendix A, Section 1, Nf). (5,' with what justice the reader niust deter- mine—to C-'olonel Proctor, for the capture o( Detroit, than to Major- (ieneral Urock, althoLi^h the former advised the latter not to cross the river ! arid Tecumseh, by his Crt|)ture of the American dispatches, certairily contributed far more to the success than Cohnicl Proctor, t^aptaiu Proctor furnished his materials ten years after Sir Isaac Urock's death, forg'etting perhaps that althonf;h dead men tell no tales, the\r private letters sometimes do, DitI Captain P — - ever hear of an anecflote of Tecamseii, who used to remark m hi.s broken Knglish . " (ieneral Brock say ' reeumseh, row*' fight Yankee ' General Proctor say, 'Tecumseh, ffo flight Yankee.' "] Sir George Prevost to Major-General Brock. Montreal, September 14, 1812, Captain Fulton arrived on the 11th instant with your letter of the 7th;* the intelligence yuu have communicated by it convinces me of the necessity of the evacuation of .Fort Detroit, unless the opera- tions of the enemy on the Niagara frontier beai a character less indicative of determined hostile miin- sures against your line in their front, than they clid when you last reported to me. You will, therefore, be plea.sed, subject to the discretion I have given you under the circumstances to which I have alluded, to take immediate steps for evacuating that post, toge- * Wc cannot discover a copy of Major-General Brock's lettei ol the "til September, to Sir Georj^e Prevost, to which the latter otficer refers in his letter of "he 14th. We may add, that we have given every letter o( interest which passed between these two ofticers that we have found, but .some letters from SirGeori^e Provost, especially those cujoiuiug defensive measures, are evidently missinij. sifi ISAAC nnorK. a09 tlier witli tlic territory of Mioliigan ; by tin's nirnsnre vou will bo enabled to witlidrau a <;roatcr mmiber of the troops from Amlierstburp;, iui^tcaii of takiiip; lluni from Colonel Vineejit, \vliosc regular force ought not, on any account, to be diminished. 1 have already atiorded you reinforcements to the full extejit of my ability ; you must not, therefore, expect a further supi)ly of men froivi hence until I shall receive from England a cronsiderable increase to the present re<:;ular force in this province ; the posture of affairs, particnlarly on this frontier, requires every soldier who is in the country. In my last dispatch from Lord Bathnrst, dated the 4th of July, he lells me, " that his majesty's jrovern- ment trusts I will be enabled to suspend with perfect safety all extraordinary preparations for defence whicii I may have been induced to make in conscciuence of the precarious state of the relations between this country and the I'nited States; and that as every specific requisition for warlike stores and accoutre- ments which had been received from me liad been complied with, with the exception of the cloth ing of the corps proposeil to l)e raised from the Glengary emigrants, he had not thouuht it necessary to direct the preparation of any further supplies.'' This will ati'ord you a strong proof of the infatuation of his majesty's ministers upon the subject of American affairs, and shew how entirely 1 liave been left to my own resources in the event which has taken place. Judging: from what }ou have already effected in Upper Canada, I do not doubt but that, with your present means of defence, you will be able to maintain your position at Fort George, and that the enemy will be again foiled in any further attempts they may make to invade tlie provitice. I leave to your discretion to decide on the necessitv of sendina a reinforcement lo Michilimackinac. 310 LIFE AXD CORRESPONDENCE OF I .'i f I > Major-General JJroch to Colonel Proctor. FouT George, September 17, 181 "2, 1 have had before me vour several communications to the 11th instant, addressed to myself and to Major- General SheafFe. I approve of your havinjT detached a party to aid in the reduction of Fort Wayne, not only because its destruction will render your position more secure, but also from the probable result of sav- ing tbe garrison from sharing the fate of that of Chi- cago ; but it must be explicitly understood, that you are not to resort to offensive warfare for purposes of conquest. Your operations are to be confined to mea- sures of defence and security. With this view, if you should have credible information of the assembling of bodies of troops to march against you, it may become necessary to destroy the fort at Sandusky, and the road which runs through it from Cleveland to the foot of the rapids : the r )ad from the river Raisin to De- troit is perhaps in too bad a state to offer any aid to the approach of an enemy, except in the winter ; and if a winter campaign should be contemplated against you, it is probable that magazines would be formed in Cleveland and its vicinity, of all which you will of course inform yourself. In carrying on our opera- tions in your quarter, it is of primary importance that the confidence and good will of the Indians should be preserved, and that what6oe%er can tend to produce a contrary effect should be most carefully avoided. I, therefore, most strongly urge and enjoin your acting on those principles on every occasion that may offer, inculcating them in all those under your influence, and enforcing them by your example, whether in your conduct towards the Indians or what may regard them, or in your language when speaking to, or of, them. I am aware that they commit irregularities at times, which will make this a difficult task ; but you must endeavour to perform it — attending, at the same time, to the means already suggested to you for pre- SIR ISAAC BROCK. 311 venting, as much as possible, a repetition of disorderly conduct. Colonel E is a respccablo, gentlemanly man, but he by no means possesses the influence over the Indians which Captain M'K does. I recom- mend to you to promote, as far as in you lies, a good understanding with and between them, and to observe a conciliating deportment and language towards the latter, that his great influence may be secured and emploj'ed in its fullest extent for the benefit of ar district, and for the general good. In conversation with him, you may take an opportunity of intimating, that I have not been unmindful of the interests of the Indians in my communications to ministers ; and I wish you to learn (as if casually the subject of con- versation) what sUpulations they would propose for themselves, or be willing to accede to, in cat-o either of failure or of success. I understand tliat salvarre has been demanded from individuals on several accounts, for property recovered or restored, for patents, &c. &c. I lament that such a course has been adopted, for it was my intention, and it is now mv Mish, that our conduct in those mat- ters should be governed by the broadest principles of liberality. You will, therefore, be pleased to have returned to the several individuals the amount which each may have paid as salvage on any account. With respect to calling out the militia, I am parti- cularly desirous that it should not be resorted to but in cases of urgent necessity, and then only in siich numbers as shall be actually required. It appears to me that the cavalry employed exceed the number that may be indispensably necessary : if, without risk or detriment to the public service, any of either of those corps can be spared, let them be dismissed. I wish the engineer to proceed immediately in strengthening Fort Amherstburg, his plan for which I shall be glad to see as soon as possible. Of the ordnance stores of every description, you \ 'I .1 ;312 LIFE AND COKRi:srONDENCi: OF flH will reserve sunli proportions as may he iibsolutely required i'rv tlie ])ul)lic service in your aiftriet, and cause rlie remainder to be embarked and sent down lo Fort Erie witb tlie least possible delay. I cannot at present make tbe change in the distri- bution of the 41st re^^imejit whieli you propose, but whenever circumstances may ))ermit, 1 shall be happy to accede to your wishe?. " Major- General S. V. Renaselai^r to 3foJor-Ge)urnl Brock. Head Quarters, Lewiston, Sept. 17, 1812. 1 have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday evenin<4; an extract of a letter addressed to you on the 1-lih instant by Captain Dyson, of the United States rfginieni of artillery ; also a packet addressed to the Honorable Albert Gallatin, secretary of the treasury of the United States. Colonel Van Rensselaer will have the honor to deliver this communication, and 1 have entrusted hiiu to solicit your pcrmissioji lor an inlervic w with Captain .T3yson, for the purpose of ascertaining, particularly, the condition of the prisoners of war under his charge, to the end that they mav be relieved from Fort Niagara, if practicable ; and if not, that I may, without delay, state their condition to the government, that they may receive from the proper department the earliest pos- sible supplies. The women and children, and siicli other persons as have accompanied tlic detachment from Detroit, and ought to be here received, 1 will immediately receive at Fort Niagara, or such other convenient place as you may order them to be landed at. In a communication wliich I some time since had the honor of receiving from Lieut. -Colonel Myers, he assured me that it had been the constant study of the treneral officer commanding on this line to discounte- nance, by all means in his power, the warfare of sen- sin ISAAC BROCK. 313 i'mvU ; yet the frequent recurrence of this warfare ^vltliin a few days past, would warrant the presump- tion that a different course has been adopted. I wish to be assured, of this fact. Major-^ General Brock, to Mnjnr- (General S. J". Rcni'sclaer. Head Quarters, Fort George, Sept. 17, 1812. T have the honor to acknowlcd^-e the receipt of your letter of this date. Captain Dyson has obtain(Ml my permission to cross on his parole to tlie United States; he lias, however- reque^'ted to remain till to-morrow, to settle willi the men of his detachment. He shall in the mean time have an interview with Colonel Van Kensselaer. Measures will be immediatelv tal'.en to land the wonien and children at Fort jNiagara. It has been with the utmost regret that I have per- ceived within tht'se few davs a very heaw lirin'ijfrom both Sides of the river. .1 am, however, given to undersland, that on all occasions it conanenced on yours ; and troni the circumstance of the flag of truce, which I did myself the honor to send over yesterday, having been repeatedly tiresl upon, while in the act of crossing t!ie river, 1 am inclined to give full credit to the correctness of the information. Without, how- ever, recurring to the past, you may rest assured on ray rej)eating my nu)st {)ositive orders against the con- tinuance of a practice, which cun only be injurious to individuals, without promoting the object which both our nations may have in view. We cannot find the dis))atch from Sir George Prevost of the 7th of September, to which the next letter is an answer, but it could not have been of a very pleasing character. • t I ! i fl:^^ 314 LIFE AND COUHESPONDENCE OF t>i I , If If! U I Major- General JBrock to Sir George Provost. FouT George, Scptembor 18, 1812. I have been honored with vour excellency's clls- patch, (luted the 7th instant. 1 have implicitly fol- lowed yonr excellency's itnitnictions, and abstained, under great temptation and provocation, from every act of hostility. Tlin information received from a deserter, and which I had the honor to dolail in my last, is lar from correct, and, where credit is to be given, the facts apply solely to tbe regular force. The militia, being selected from the most violent demo- crats, are generally inclined to invade this province — provisions are in tolerable plenty — the oidy complaint arises from a want of viMjfetables. It is currently reported that the enemy's force is to be iticreased to 7,000, and that on tlieir arrival an attack is immedi- ately to be made. I am convinced the militia would not keep together in their present situation without such a prospect, nor do I tjiink the attempt can be long deferred. 8ickneri!S pre\ails in some degree along tlie line, but principally at Black Rock. The fiank companies of the royal Newfoundland have joined me. A sergeant find twenty-live rani: and file of the Veterans arrived at the same time, whom 1 propose sending to Michilimackiniic. The enclosed letter from Colonel Proctor will in- form your excellency of a force having been detached, under Captain Muir, for the reduction of Fort Wayne.* I gave orders for it jirevious to rny leaving Amherst- burir. which must have induced Colonel Proctor to proceed, upon receiNing intelligence of the recom- mencement of hostilities, without vvaiting for further directions. 1 retjret exceedinfjly that this service * Fort Wayne is situafcd at the junction of tin St. Mary and St. Joseph rivers, which t'r)rni tin; Miami ol tlic lake, and ?)0i more tlian twelve miles from tiie navifcrabtf waters of the Wahash. 'riii> post is nearly in the cen- tre of thi' liidirin scttleraeiits on this side the Mississij)pi. Many Indian villagres lay from twelve to sixty miles from this \AB.ce,~-Urown's Aineri- van Ihstun/. Auburn, 1S13 SIR ISAAC BROCK. 315 should be undertaken contrary to your excellency's wishes; but I beij; leave to ns'^uro you, that the prin- cipal object in sending- a British turce to Fort Waynu / is with the hope of pre^ervino- tlie lives of the ' si ; 'I 1 V the latitude left by your exeellency to my diseretloi., tlie evueuation of I'ort Detroit. Such a nuayurc would most prolrably J • followed by the total extinc- tion of the |)o|»ulatiou on that side of the river, or the IndiaiiH, aware of our weakness and inability to earry on active warfare, would only think of enferinu; into terms with the enemy. The Indians, since the Miami afl'air, in J7*.>'^, have been extremely suspicions of our conduct ; but the violent wrongs committed by the Auierieans on tlu.'ir tenilory, have rendered it an act of policy with them to dis-guise their sentiments. Could they be persuaded that a peace between the belligerents wouUI lake place, without admitting; their claim to an extenriive tract of country, fraudulently usurped from them, and opnosiiitr a frontier to the ])re8ent unbounded views ot' tin American?;, 1 arti satisfied in my own mind that they would imme- diately compromise with the enemy. J. cannot con- ceive a connection so likely to lead to more awful consequences. W w< can maintain ourselves at Niagara, and keep the communication to Montreal open, the Americans can oidy subdue tlu; Indians by craft, which we ought to be j)repar(d to see excited to the utmost. Tiie enmity of tlie Indians is now at its heijijht, and it will reijuire much manaL^ement and lar^j^e bribes to (Jfect a chanfje in their jwlicv ; but the moment they are convinced that we either want the means to j)ro- si?fcute the Avur with spirit, or are neiijociating a sepa- rate peace, they will bey;in to study in what manner they can most effectually deceive us. Should neg;ociations for peace be opened, I cannot be too earnest with your excellency to n^present to the king's ministers the expeiliency of including the Indians as allies, and not leave them exposed to the unrelenting fury of their enemies. The enemy has evidently assumed defensive mea- sures along the strait of i\iagara. His f(U'ce, I appre- hend, is not equal to attempt an expedition across the tlisrrctioi., a nicapurc toiiil cxlino •ivtr, or the llty to carry iitcrimi; into e tlic Miami cioiiM ol'oiir itti'd l»y the red it nn act seiitinu'iits. l)Pt\vcoii tlie miftiti^ llxMf fraudiilL'iitly oiilier to the icims, 1 am kould inimc- I cannot con- nioro awful ra, and keep lO Auicricans "t, Avliich we tilt; inmost. hoijulit, and ifo bribes to Tiioniont they neans to Jtro- utin*5 a sepa- ^vhat manner lied, I cannot represent to including the : posed to the iftTisive mca- )rce, I appre- I 8IK isAAr nnorK. 3^-21 river uith any proba})iIiiy of siiccrsp. It is, liow- over, currently reported that iar^'e reiiiforoernentM are on tlieir march ; shonid they arrive, an attack iNinnot be long delayed. The approKrh of tlie rainy seanou will increase tiio sickness with which the troojw are already attlictcd. Those under my command are in perfect health and spirits. I iiavc the honor to transmit the jnirport t)f a con- fulential coinmiinication "^^ received in my ahsetujc by Brifjade- "Major Iwans from Coh)nel Van Kcnssclaer. As your excellency's instrnctions a^rcc with the line of conduct he is anxious I should follow, uotliin<; of a lioblilc nature shall he attempted under existing circumstances. T>. G. O. FoKT Georijk, SoptPinbor 22, 1812. The major- pfon oral eomirianilirig r mniH his particMilar thanks to the inililia (or the huiHlsomi niamior in wliich they havp, on all occasions, vnlunfforcd their services for duties of fatipue, and is pii-ascd to direc t, iliat, lor the present, service for such duty bhull be diapcuscd with. By Ord.jr. Thomas Evans, li. M. * Thlscoinmunictttion, of which wohavc no imrticiilurs, is the more sin- gular, as (..'olonel \ tin Ki'iissclafi coninuincliHl tlic ^t(l^an^•p of tt •Amtricnii attuckiiit: iiarty oii tlie I'Uti r)t Octithcr, wIkh Sir Isaac- Brock lust his lift'. Colonel Vaii Reiisbdaer was severely wouiidtd on that day. y t , _; ; i \ on across the II ♦ 322 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF CHAPTER XIV. " He bleeds, he falls, his death bed is the field ! His dirge the trumpet, and his bier the shield • His closing eyes the hcani of valour speak, The flush of ardour liiifrers on his cheek ; Serene he lifts to heaven those closing eyes, Then for his couutry breathcb a prayer, and dies ! " Mrs. Hemans. ill 1 'i m The Americans, burning to wine away the slain of their discomfiture at Detroit, and apparently deter- mined to ])enetrate into Upper Canada at any risk, concentrated with those views, along the Niagara frontier, an army consisting, according to their own official returns, of 5,*20(3 men, under Major-General Van Rensselaer, of the New York militia; exclusive of 30() field and light artillery, 800 of the 0th, 13th, and 23d regiments, at Fort Niagara ; making a total of 6,3(X) men. Of this powerful force, 1,040 regulars, under the command of Brin;adier Smvth, were at Black Rock ; 380 inililia at the last named j)lace and Buffalo; and 1)00 rctrulars and •2,270 militia at Lewistovvn, distant from Black Rock 28 miles. Thus the enemy had, along their frontier of 30 miles, 3,f>50 regulars and 2,0o0 militia.'^ To oppose this force Major-General Brock, whose head quarters were at Fort George, liad under liis immediate orders part of the 41st and 49th regiments, a few comj)anies of militia, amounting to nearly jiaif these regulars, and from 200 to 300 Indians— in all about 1,500 men — but so di^persed in difllerent posts at and between * James' Military- Orcurrerjoes. s. Hkmans. the stain of ently deter- it any risk, he Niagara ^ their own or-General exclusive {5th, 13th, cing a total regulars, I, were at med place ) militia at nil OS. Thus miles, 3,r)50 e this force ers were at orders part ompiiiiics of oulars, and ,500 men — nd between i SIR ISAAC HROCK. 323 Fort Erie and Fort George, '3-1 miles apart,) that only a small number wms quickly available at any one point. With unwearied diligence tlic British com- mander watched the motions of the enemy ; but under these circumstances it was impossible to prevent the landing of the hostile troojis, especially when their pre- parations were favorod by the ob'-curity of the night. On the Dth of October, the brig Detroit, of '200 i/ tons and G guns, (lately the U. S. brig Adams,) and the Norlh-Wcsl Company's brig Caledonia, of about l(M) tons, having arrived the preceding day from JJerroit, were boarded and carried opposite Fort Erie, before the dawn of day, liy Lieutenant Elliott, '^ of the American navy, v.'ith 100 seamen and soldiers in two large boats. This officer wjis at this time at Black Rock, superintending the ('(jiiipment of some schooners, lately purchased for the service of Lake Erie. But for the (hfohslrf measures to which Major-Oeneral Jkock was restricted, he would pro- bablv have destrovcd these verv schooners, for whose equipment, as vessels of war, LieutcMiant Elliott, and 50 seamen had licen sent from New York, The two British brigs contiiined 41) prisoners, some cannon and small arms, captured at Detroit, exclusive of a valuable quantity of furs belonging to the South- West Company, in the Caledonia. Joined by the prisoners, the Americans \\ ho boarded numbered 140, and the crews of the two brigs, consi.-tmg of militia and Canadian seamen, amounted to ()S. After the capture. Lieutenant Elliott succeeded in getting the Caledonia close nnder the batteries at Black Rock, but he was compelled by a fen well-directed shots from the Canadian shore, to run the J^etroit upon Squaw Island. Here she was boarded by a subal- tern's detachment from Fort Erie, and the Americans soon after compluted her destruction by setting lier on fire. Some lives were lost on this occasion, and among the Americans a Major Cuyler was killed by a shot from Fort Erie, as he was riding along the } ■ '1 1^ i i .M ; 'i s ( 324 LTFE AM) COnRESPON PENCE OF iM 11 ii < : i »-' beach on the opposite side of tlie river. It will be seen bv the fo! lowing letter that Sir Georn-e Prevost is tacitly reproached for havin<;', by his instructions, ))revented tlie destruction, or at least the attempt, of the incipient American navy on Lake Erie, and which the followinj; year wrested its command from the liritish. But Sir Isaac Brook's hands were tied, and lie was doomed to "the bitterest of all griefs, to see clearly and yet to be able to do nothing," Sir Isaac Brock to Sir George Prevost. Fort Geougk, October 11, 1812. I had scarcelv closed my dispatcdi to your excel- lency, of the !)tlj, when I was suddeidy called away to Fort Erie, in consequence of a bold, and, 1 regret to say, successful attack by the enemy on his majes- ty's brig Detroit, aiul the private brig Caledonia, which had both arrived the preceding day from Am- herstburg. It appears by every account I liave been able to collect, that a little before day a number of boats full of men, dro|iped down with the current unobserved, l)oarded both vessels at tlie same moment, and, cutting tiieir cables, were proceeding with them to the American shore, wlien Major Ormsby, who witnessed the transaction, directed the batteries to open upon thcni, and soon compelled the enemy to abandon the D-troit, which grounded about the cen- tre of Sqnaw island, a little more than a mile below Black Rock. Slie was then boarded by a party of the 49th reginient ; but as no anchor remained, and being otherwise unprovitled with every means by which she could be hauled off, the otHcer, throwing her guns overboard, after sustaining a smart fire of musketry, decided to quit her, A private, who is accused of getting drunk, and a prisoner of war, who was unable from Ins wounds to escape, with about twenty prisoners brought by the Detroit from Am- herstburg, remained however behind ; these it became sill ISAAC nuocK. a-2rj necessary to remove before the vessel could be de- stroyed, and Cornet Pell Major, of the provincial cavalry, offered his services. Bcinjj unfortunately wounded as he was gcttiuo; on board, and fallini^ back into the boat, a confusion arose, during which the boat drifted from the vessel, leaving on board two of the 41st, who iiad ftreviously ascended. In tlie mean time the Caledonia was secured by the enemy, and a cargo of furs, belonging to the Houth- West Company, londcd. The batteries on both sides were warmlv enszuo-ed the whole of the day, but I am happy to say no mis- chief was sustained by tlic enemy's fire. 1 readied the s]»ot soon after sun-set, and intended to liave renewed the attempt to recover the Detroit, which I had every prospect of accompli'>l»ing, assisted by the crew of the Lady l*revost, which vessel had anchored a short time before ; but before the necessary arrange- ments could be made, the enemy boarded her, and in a few minutes she was seen in Hames. This event is particularly unfortunate, and may t iduce us to incalculable distress. The entmy ig iiaking every eiceriion to gain a naval superiority on both lakes, which if they accomplish 1 do not see Ijow we can retain the country. ]More vessels are fitting out for war on tie other side of Squaw L>>land, which I should have attempted to destroy but for your excellency's repeated instructions to forbear. Now such a force is collected for their protection as will render every operation against them very hazard- ous. The manner our guns were served yesterday, points out tlie necessity of an increase, if possible, of artillerymen to our present small number of regulars. The militia evinced a good spirit, but fired without much effect. The enemy, however, must have lost some men ; and it is only wonderful that, in a contest of a whole day, no life was lost on our side. The fire of the enemy was incessant, but badly directed, till the close of the day, when it began to improve. X 326 lAFT AND UORHESPONnENCE OF I ^ I . i'^i ^ f Lieutenant Rolette, who commanded the Detroit, had, and I believe deservedly, the character of a brave, attentive officer. His vessel must, however, have been surprised — an easy operation whero she lay at anchor ; and I have reason to suspect that this consideration was not sufficiently attended to by tlie officers commandini^ on board and on shore.* We have not onlv sustained a heavy loss in the vessel, but likewise in the cargfo, which consisted of four 12-poundors, a large quantity of shot, nnd about 2(K) muskets:, all of which were intended for Kino-ston and Prescott. The only consolation remaining is, that she escaped the enemy, whose conduct, after his first essay, did not entitle him to so rich a prize. The enemy has brought some boats over land from Schlosher to the Niagara river, and made an attempt last night to carry off the guard over the ston* at Queenstown. I ghall refrain as long as possible, under your excel- lency's positive injunctions, from every hostile act, although seuL^ule that each day's delay gives him an advantage. Sir Isaac Brock to Colonel Proctor, at Detroit. The unfortunate disaster which has befallen the Detroit and Caledonia will reduce us to great dis- tress. They were boarded wliilst at anchor at Fort Erie and carried off: you will learn the particulars from others. A quantity of flour and a little pork were ready to be shipped for Amherstburg ; but as I send you the flank companies of the Newfoundland, no part of the provisions can go this trip in the Lady Prevost. It will be necessary to direct her to return with all possible speed, bringing the Mary under her convoy. You will husband your pork, for I am sorry to say there is but little in the country. * Sir Isaac Brock was much displeaseti, and justly, at the want of pre- caution wliich allowed these two \ essels to ')e cajitured under the guns of Fort Erie : and, we df lieve, that he immediately entrusted its command to I.ieut. Colouel Myers, in whom he had great confidence. sin ISAAC BROriv. 327 An active, intercsfino- scene is goinn- to commence with you. I uni perfectly ut ease as to the result, providrd we can nianai^c the Indians and keep them attaclied to vonr cause, which in tact is theirs. Tiie fate of tlie province is in your hands. Judg- in|T by every appearance, we are not to remain long idle in this quarter. Were it not for the positive injunctions of the connnander of the forces, 1 should have acted with trreater decision. This forbearance may be productive of ultimate good, but I doubt its policy — but perhaps we have not the means of judg- ing correctly. You will uf course adopt a very ditlerent line of conduct. The euemy must be kept in a state of constant ferment. If the Indians act as they did under Tccuniseh, who probably might be induced to return to Amhersiburg, tliat nrn)y will very soon dwindle to notliing. Your artillery must be more numerous and effective than any iho enemy can bring, and your store of ammunition will enable you to harass hiui conlinuallj , without leaving much to chance. I trust you will have destroyed, every barrack and public building, and removed the pickets and other defences around the fort at Detroit. Y'ou will have the goodness to state the expedients you possess to enable us to replace, as far as possible, the heavy loss we have sustained in the Detroit. Should I hear of reiuforcements coming up, you may rely upon receiving your due j)roportion. Nothing new at Montreal on the 2oth ult. Lord Wellington has totally defeated Marmont, near Salamanca.* I consider the game nearly up in Spain. May every possible success attend you. [The iireccdin^ letter is transcribed frnm a rough copy in tlie general's handwriting, and, not bcin/,' dated, ina)' ncit have beeu transmitted, as it was wiitttn only a day or two before his rt,.ath.] * " It is also creditable to the military character of the little island of Guernsey, that ot the five British peneraN killed in action m 1S12, two, whose names follow in the obituary of flu- Aiutunl Irmi/ List fur Irtl3, wero Major- CivnuTal L-j Marchanl, tith Dragoon Guards, at the battle of Salamanca, and Major (iencral Sir Isaac Urock, K.B., 49th foot, in America,"'— D«/iC(in'« History of Guernsey. > ! I! 328 LIFE AND COHRESI'ONDENCE OF rK;< Miy or- General Brock to Sir George Prevost. October 12, 1812. The vast imtnber of troops wliit-h havo been this dav added to the strong fon?e )>revioaslv collected on ihe opposite side, convinces me, with other indica- tions, that an attack is not far distant. T have in consefjiicnce directed every exertion to be made to complete the militia to 2,(.M){) men, but fear that I shall not be able to etTect my object with willini^, well-disposed characters. Were it not for the num- bers of Americans in our ranks, we mi^ht defy all their efforts against this part of the province. [Tfii' ahovi! lottpr is also from ii ropy written Imrriedly by Sir Isaac Hrock only u few lioius tu-lnn hi* d' ath. aiift it may not have been forwardt'U. Plus was probably tlie lasf time tic ever wrotf.) A dav or two prior to the battle of Queenstown, Major-General Brock wrote copious instructions for the guidance of the officers contmanding at the dif- ferent jiosts on the Niagara river, in the event of their being attacked, and he explained the probable points which ho thoufjht iho eneuiv would select for accom- plishing his descent, lie evidently entertained a high opinion of the discipline and prowess of the British soldier, as in tliese instructions he observed ; "• If we weiifh M'ell the character of our enemy, wu siiall find liini more disposed to brave the impediments of nature, when they afford Jiim a probability of accomplishing his end by surprise, in pnjftjrence to the certainty of encountering IJriti'-h troops ready formed for his re- ception." The original draft of these instructions in the general's writing, contains scarcely an erasure or correction. On the 4th of October, an American spy was sent to the Briti-^li side, and returned Avitli information that ^Major-General Brock had proceeded to Detroit with all the force that could be spared from the Niagara frontier. Encouraged by these false news, SIB ISAAC BROCK. 3-29 wliic'h porliaps tlu; Amcricau general circulated fo induce his troops to <3ross over, every prci>aralion was made for a descent upon Quoenstoun. On the niorn- infj of the 11 ih, the enemy assembled aforoo at Lewis- town, opposite to <,'iiecnsr,own, with tlie view of mnk- incj an immodiute attack on the latter; but, throuLjjh some mismanajjement in eonduciintc the bouts to the place of embarkation, tho attack was delayed. Early on the morninj:; ot Tuesday, tlie liJth, the enemy's troops were agahi concentrated and errd>arked in tliirteen bouts at Lewistown, rmder cover of a com- mandin'^ batt»^' of two 18 and two 0-)jounders, which, w t\» . " dd-picccs, cont)>l ■<.]• commanded every part of the opposite shore, from whicli musketry could be effecturd in opposin<^ a landing'. Tlic only British batteries from which ilio enemy could be annoyed in the passag'e were one, mounting" an 18- ])Ounder, upon Queenstown Heights, and another, mounting a ti4-pound carroiuule, situate a little below the village. Tlirec of the boats put back, while the remaining ten, with 2'25 regulars, besides officers, struck the shore a little above the village of Queens- town, and immediately returned for more troops. The British force in Queenstown consisted of the two Hank companies of the 49th regiment and the York volunteer militia, auiounling in all to about 3(X) rank and file. Of these about ()(), taken from the 49th grenadiers, and Captain Hatt's company of militia, imder Captain Dennis,* of the 41)lh, advanced at four o'clock, a. m., with a 3-pounder against the first division of the enemy, under Colonel Van Kensselaer, wlio liad formed liis mea near the river, and was awaitino: the arrival of the next boats. The Ameri- cans were driven with some loss behind a steep bank, close to the water's edge, where they were reinforced by afresh supply of troops, aiul whence they returned the fire of the British. In the mean time, the re- * Tho present (oloncl Sir James Deimis, K, C. H., lieut. -colonel 3d foot: an officer of above fifty years full-pay service, and several times woundeil. i I 330 LIFE AND CORIIF.SPOXDENCE OF r t \ :'! ;r I f iiifiliitlor of the 41)tli gronadiors and of the militia ooiiipnriy joined (Japtaiii Dennis ; wliilc the 40th light company, under Captain Williams, with Cap- tain Chisholnrs conii)any of militia, stationed on the brow of the iiill, fired down upon the invaders. Sir Isaac Brock for some days had suspected this invasion, and the evening preceding it he called his staff together, and gave to each tlie necessary Instruc- tions. Agreeably to his usual custom, lie rose before dayliglit, and hearing the cannonade, awoke Major '"' Olcgg and called for liis liorse, Alfred, wlilch Sir James Craig I.ad presented to him. His first impres- sion is said to have been, that the attatrk indicated bv r tlie firing was only a feint to draw the garrison from Fort George, and tliat an American force lav con- cealed in boats around the point on which Fort Niagara stands, ready to cross over as soon as the rusfi had succeeded. He. therefore, determined to y ascertain personally the nature of the attack ere he withdrew the garrison ; and with this view he gal- lopped eagerly from Fort George to the scene of action, passing, with his two aides-de-camp, up the hill at full speed in front of the 'ight company, under a heavy fire of artillery and musketry from the American shore. On reacliing the 18-pounder bat- tery at the top of the hill, they dismounted and took a view of passing events, which at that moment appeared highly favorable. But in a few minutes a firing was heard, which }>roceeded from a strong de- tachment of American regulars under Captain Wool,* who had succeeded in gaining the crest of the heights in rear of the battery, by a fisherman's path up the rocks, which, being reported as impassable, was not guarded. Sir Isaac Brock and his aides-de-camp had not even time to remount, but were obliged to retire precipitately wiih the twelve n)en stationed in the battery, which was quickly occupied by the ene- * This officnr is, we believe, the Aaicrican general of that name, now eng'aged in the war against Mexico. SIU ISAAf" niJOCK. 331 bat name, now my. IIo now dispatchetl orders to M.-ijor-Oenoral Slicaffe to liastcii up with tlie troops iroiii Fort Georpe, and also for the l)uttcriii«^ of the American fort Niii^rara.* Captain Wool havin() regulars, Captaiji VViiiianis' detachment, of about 100 men, advanced to meet them, personally directed hy the general, wlio, ohserviiig the enemy to waver, ordered a charge, which was promptly exe- cuted ; but as the Americans gave " ey, the result was not e(jual to his expectations. Captain Wool admits that he reinforced his regulars, " notwith- standing wliich the whole were driven to the edge of the bank." f Here some of the American officers were on the point of lioistiny tlie enemy, llis provincial uidc-(le-cainp, Liciit.-Colonel M'Doticii, ot* the mili- tia, and the attorney-general of Upper Canada — a fine promising young man — was mortally wounded soon after his chief, and died the next day, at the early age of twenty-five years. Although one bullet had passed through his body, and he was wounded in four places, yet he survived twenty hours ; and dur- ing a period of excruciating airony, his thoughts and words were constantly occupied with lamentations for his deceased commander and friend. lie fell while gallantly charging, "with the hereditary cou- rage of his race," up the hill with UK) men, chiefly of the York volunteers, by which charge the enemy was compelled to spike the 18-pounder in the battery there ; and his mcniory will be cherished as long as courage and devotion are reverenced in the province. The flank companies of the 4i)th having sutl'ered severely, and both their captains being wounded, the disputed ground was lost soon after the death of the general, and the troops retreated in front of Vrornont's battery, where they awaited the expected reinforce- ments. The Americans remained in quiet possession of the heights of Queenstown for some hours, during which they were but partially reinforced, as their militia, who a day or two before were so anxious to invade Canada — having heard from the wounded men sent back what they must expect if they came in contact with the 49th, " the green tigers," as they called them from their Qvcen facinjjjs — could not now be induced, either by threat or entreaty, to cross the river. Indeed, the flank companies of the 49th, in the excitement arising from the loss of their late beloved colonel, are said to have fought with such animosity throughout the day, as to have fully sup- ported this new title. In the meanwhile, Major- General Sheaffe arrived from Fort George with nearly 400 of the 41st regiiiient, under Captain I i sin ISAA( BPOCK. ',W\ Porcnzy, from '2 to tUM) militia, and 'i^M) hwliaiii; and — ufler boiti;^ joined Ity the rciniiant of llii' 4!)fli flank compiinicH and tlio iiiililia, cngnf^fd in the r»orninf(, and leavin;^ two ticld- jii( res with .*M> men in front of (^necnstown, to |)rev«Mit its occupation by the Americans — ho procoodod by a circuitous route to tiie right, to gain the crest of the heights upon vhich the tncniy was |H)stod, and thus took fhcni in Hank. Here hv was reinforced hv the arrival of the 41st grenadiers and some militia from Chip|ia\\ah, the whole of tiie British and Indian force tiius assem- bled rather exceeding 1,(MX) men of all grades, of j whom nearly (K'U were rcLTulars. In numl)ers the ; Americans were about equal — courage they had, but they wanted the coniidencc atid dis^i)diTui of British soldiers. The undoiihted prowess of the latter needs not to be raised at the expense of truth ; and in com- mon justice it must also be adiled, that the enemy had only one iield-piece, a us and skilful co-operation with the guns and hnwit/ers urjder his initnediatc superin- tendence ; their well directed lire contributed mate- rially to the fortunate result of the day.''* The Indians, being more active tlian the white troops in ascending the hill, first came, at about two * in R brief record of sir Rogpr Slicafto's scrvicis, in Hart's Annual Army List, it is stat^-d, 'iiat at Qurrristown tie Anu'rlcan Kfnrral -urren- dered himself anil his surviving; troops, "tlii:ir minihorK far cxctx'ditiiJr the assailants." We cannot vcronoilothi^statoinciit with that of '• Jami-s," a vory ("orrect writer, or with Major-deneral Shcaftc's own dispatch, dated Fort George, October i:t, Imt written (lelil)eriifel.v a day or two afterwariN, as, after nientioiurt: that "many officers, witii goi) men, have been made prisotiers," he a(ld> : " I ha.w not heen able to ascertain yet the numherof our troops, or of those of the enemy engaged j onrs, I believe, did not exeeed tin number of the prisoners we have taken." Thus, a day or two after the battle, tJeneral Sheaffe fmlifi-d that his troops enga|j;ei amounteil to nt Ifii.it g.ii) me.i, ineludinjr probably only the rank ai'd file, and, if so, about 105i; ot all ranks. Anil, notwithstand- ing, in till I'nitfd Sttvire (hizette of Xovembor 2:>, iH^.'i, it is asserted, apparently on the authority of Sir H. Sheaft'e, that "the force under his command amoni'ted, by offirinl returns, to 740 men, not on? half of whom were regulars, and the prisoners captured to y')ii'" ' Jf tins assertion be correct, which we rnucli doulit, e^ cry antnorit) that we have cunsulted, uot excepting the above dispatch, is singularly at fault. ;m MFE AND COlinnSl'ONnENC E OP if i ■ 4 i1 'f .1 .' o'(.'lock ill tlio iiftornoon, in coiilurt with tlic enemy, and Urovo Iiini bot'uri- llicni ; lint tliu Ainorirnns soon rnllifd and r<'|)ul! Indians;, advani-ed at the double (|Miek or running pace, wlion tlie enemy, j)erceivin rnciny, aiis soon ['(>ll lock r a littln )iii|)Uiiioil ;J at the rncniy, lod down slau'^litor ans could who al- V driven in their ic ai'^hi of '68 vvihlly (he bushes heir hold, th ; while 1 their at- the dread- warfare ! ■iean corn- surrender; 30 otHeers ese a larfijc American ranks are int-niajors) i rojiulars ; ■sh gohcr.al ife on that Thoir loss hile that of ()5) wonnd- vere killed tlu'y fled with detl." — Jamns' ibcr, eulogizes iiiizv aud Uul- or wounded early in tin; niornin|r. The vietory, thouf;h easily won, was ronijilctc ; hut ii was frii by lh<^ cotuiuerors as a poor ((iniiK inafiiMi for tht- loss of the JJrilish chieftain, thus |)rfMiutu/»'ly cut oil' in the priilo of uunihowd and in the noon-tido of his career; wliih^ the sorrow inanilested throuirhnut both pro- vincrs proved that those; u ho rejoiced in tlu.' fuilurc of this second inv.ision, would «;la(ll\ have forf^oru! the triumph, if bv such means thev could havt; reijained him who rendered the heights of (Queens- town memorable by liis fall. Joy'it hurstinfr Hhnut in whi'lminif Krit'f wrs drnwrK-d, And Victciry's self unwilllnif midieni •» f'niml j On c\ir\ liriiw tlie i-lond "i .-(adiK'ss hun(f.— I'tio SDiiiida of ti'iiimiili died nu cvt-ry toutfiic ( "The news <»f the death of this exe. Kent oiKcer," obs(>rved the (,)u<'lVx^ (ia/etle, "has ixen recci' od here as a public calamity. The attendant circum- staiuH's of victory fcarci'lv cluu^ked the ])ainful ocn- satiori. His lon)' BiitU'r and Ourk, aud Miuor .Moiritt, of tlir militia; and tapi. • il;,tt, Uuraiid, Kowi', Apphi,'urtli, Jitnii.'s, e rooks, Cooiht, Kobcrt Hainilt n, M'Ewen, and Dunran v.:anirvon ; and I.iiniti iiants Rictiardson and I'lioinas Hutler, coniinandin)i^ tlatik coinpanifs of tin York ar..l Liiiroln militia; Captuia A. Hamilton Vohintiurs Sliaw, Thdnisi . , and Jar» is, attarlied to the flank cuuipauies ol the ^^tlt te^itueiit; a.'y\x Uie Indiau chief, Nurtou. a3(] LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF I : I ;■ I l^^ i f i < a (I fcelinfjs are excited bv his lo?s. General Brock liad ac(juircd the contidence of tlie inhabitants within his government. He had secured their attachment per- manently by liis own merits. Thev were one people animated by one disposition, and this he had gradual- ly wound up to the crisis in which they were ))lacrd. Strange fis it may seem, it is to be feared that he had become too important to them. The heroic militia of ITpper Canada, more particularly, had knit them- selves to his person ; and it is yet to be ascertained Avhether the desire to avenge his death can compensate the many embarassments it will occasion. It is in- deed true tliat the Kj>irit, and even the abilities;, of a disiinfruished man oiien carry tlieir influence beyond the grave ; and the present event furnishes its own example, for it is certain, notwithstanding (ireneral Bruck was cut off early in the action, that he had already given an impulse to his little army, which contributed to a : " a sermon undor this title was iirenebed hy tlie Rev, VNilliam Smait, at lirocif thoirenlU'riifn of the vil; igc. Tin: text was; " How are the mighty fallen in the midst of tlie t)altle " 1- J.ient. Colonel Aj'tloncll died on the I Uli of Octoticr. t BrigaanT Townshend, who, in eonsei|inn( e of the death of Wolfe and the wuunds ol Hrigadii r Moncktou, wrote the dispatcli announciuK the Ci ■'i i 338 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OP i I whose (loath in battle is recorded by a Collingwood, and the pcntiinents of the Uritisli tcovernrnent on the melancholy occasion were far more appropriately and elegantly expressed in a dispatch from Earl Bathnrst, the secretary of state for the colonies, to Sir Gcorfre Prevost, dated December 8, 1812 : *' His royal liigli- ness the prince regent is tnlly aware of the severe loss which his majesty's service has experienced in the death of Major-General Sir Isaac Brock. This would have been sufficient to have clouded a victory of much greater importance. His majesty has lost in him not onl}' an able and meritorious ofiicer, but one who, in the exercise of his functions of provisional lieutenant-governor of the province, displayed quali- ties'admirably adapted to awe the disloyal, to recon- cile the wavering, and to animate the great mass of the inhabitants against successive attempts of the enemy to invade the province, in the last of which he unhappily fell, too prodigal of that life of which his eminent services had taught us to understand the value." * His lordship added : " His royal highness has been also pleased to ex])ress his regret at the loss w^hich the province must experience in the death of the attorney-general, Mr. M'Donell, whose zealous co-operation with Sir Isaac Brock will reflect lasting honor on his memory. ' The Montreal Herald of April 29, 1815, blames Sir George Prevost for having suppressed all but she I ;;: . vioton near Qoebei", KUh September, 1751), has been justly accused of au unM:en^•rou^ iiKliffercnce to the memory of tin* preat nmn wlu) led him to victoiy, because in that dispatcti, ilated 20th !Septemb«:r, or a week alti»r ttic- victory, the (.inl> mention he madr of th(.' hero was the folluwmK " Our troops re-erved their fire till wilhin fifty yards, which was then so well contijMivd, that the enemy every where pave way. It was then thrit our itinstiious general feil at the hcAtl oi i!ratj;ge"s and the Louisburg jfrenadicrs, ndvnncin(,f with their luiyonets ; and abom the same tune lirigadier-Geucral Munekton receiv ed his wound at the he;iu of Laocellts." * TliP prince regent atterwards Cjt-orfre the Fourth, told the late John Julius Antrir^tein, Ks'|., who was a frietul of one of Sir Is.iac Crock's brothers, that if Mie general had surv-ved the battle of Ciueen^tnwn, his royal liigrhness N\ ild have made him a baronet, arid conivr.-ad upon him a pcubiuu oi, vm tliiuk, jLl,20oai year. SIR ISAAC BROCK. 039 ;' first sentence of Loril Ratlmrst's letter relating to Sir Isaac Brock, whicli sentence only was f^iven in his ijenoral order to the army of lOtli March, 1813, '* because the sentiments expressed by the prince are those of the loyal people of Upper Canada, who would be glad to have seen them soon after the offi- cial letter arrived in Canada." A.nd *' considering the cliaracter of the distinguished chief who fell on the British side at the Qiieenstown battle," * we certainly do think that this very handsome acknow- ledgment of his services and eloquent tribute to his memory should, even as a matter of policy, have been immediately published without mutilation. The Canadian boat songs are well known for their plaintive and sootliing elfect, and a very beautiful one was composed on the death of Major-General Brock. The writer of this memoir, while sailing one evening in the straits of Canso, in British North America — the beautiful and picturesque scenery of which greatly increased the effect of the words — remembers to have heard it sung by a Canadian boat- man, and ho then thought that he hail never listened to vocal sounds more truiv descriptive of melancliolv and reiiret. Even the vourig in Canada invoked the Muse in expression of their sympathy, and the fol- lowing lines were indited by Miss Ann Bruycres, described as "an extraordinary child of thirteen years old," the daughter of the general's friend, liieut.-Coloncl BruyercSj of the Royal Engmeers, who died not long after him in consequence of disease contracted in the field : As K»mp -ilifrJitcd on the mountain's + crest, Slic loiully blew Ijer ifumjit't's iniitlity blast } Ere slic rciu-titeii Victory's luitos, --lie ( ast A look around, and stopped : of power bereft. Her bosom heaved, her brei th alie drew with pain, Her favoritt lliioi k lay sUiiiKhtered on tlie plain ' Glory threw i>n his Krave it huirel wreath, And Fame proclaims " a hero sleeps beneath." * James' Military t)ornrrence?. t The raountaiu above Quccustown, where Major-General Brock u-as Blaiu. 340 LlFi: AND CORRESPONDENCE OF i ^ i ; it ; .( It 1> I i ' ^ As if to complete the iIouMe allusion to Fame in the precedinj^ lines, singularly enough the mournful intelligence of Sir Isaac Brock's death was brought from Quebec to Guernsey by the ship Fame, belong- ing: to tliat island, on Tuesday, the 24th November, two days before it was known in London. Sir Isaac Brock, after lying in state at the govern- ment Ijoiise, where his body was bedewed, with the tears of many atlectiouate friends, was interred on the IGth of October, Avith his provincial aide-de-camp, at Fort George.""*' Jlis surviving aide-de-camp, .Alajor Glegg, recollecting the decided aversion of the gene- ral to every tbing !.liat bore tlie appearance of osten- tatious display, endeavoured to clothe the distressing ceremony willj all his "native simplicity." But at the same time there were military honors that could not be witblield, and the tbllowiiig was the order of the mournful procession, " of wliicli," wrote Major Glegg, " 1 enclose a plan ; but no pen can describe the real sctiies of tliat mournful day. A more solemn and atiecting spectacle was ])erhn|)s ncA'cir Avitnossed. As every arraiigement connecti;d with that afilici.ing cererr-^ny fell to my lot, a second attack being hourly expected, and the minds of all being fully occupied with tbe duties of tlieir resf)ecti\e stations, I anxiously endeavoiired to [ erform tliis last tribute of aft'ection in a manner corresponding with the elevated virtues of my deparled patron. Conceiving that an inter- ment in every respect military would be the most appropriate to tbe character of our dear friend, T made clioice of a cavalier bi)stiou in Fort (jeorge, which his asj)iring genius bad lately suggested, and which had been just tinishcd under his daily super- intendence." * The survivors of the flank (jmupariies of the 4!)tli were marched from Qneeiisiuwi\ to lio prcsftit ur thi funeral, and they were --fVi.TaUy admitted to new the eortiu, which coiituiucd tlio remain:-! nf tlioirlatc beloved eommauder . SIR ISAAC DROCK. 341 :;ro marched from MVinvlly adinittfil tlioirlatc beloved Fort Mnjor Camnbell. Sixty Men of the list K<'ii;in\t iit, cuminandod by n Suhnltcrn. Sixty of tlu' Militia, ciiiimmiuU'd liy a Cuiitaiii. Two Six IViuiiilcts - (\r\UK mimitf jjiiii-i. RcmalninK Corps and Detac liiiu iits o| the dairison, with about 200 In- dians, in rcv(>r-.f(l ordiT, forming a sticct tlirrli wliicb t'lo procession piUiSt'd, extending from tin- tjovernmtMit Iioh-ju to tin- f;arrisun. Hand of liie list Ri-jfiinciit. Drums, covered witli t)lack cloth, and muffled. Kate General's Horsf, fully caparisonid, led by four lirooras. St rvaiit.s of the di'iioral. I'bt fieiioral's Hotly St-rvant. Surgfeon Mniiljcad. Doctor Kerr. Doctor Moort'. stutf Surgeon Thorn. Reverend Mr. Adilir-on. [Thf Body of Lieut.-( i,lonfl M'Donel', F.A.D.C.) Capt. A. Cameron 1-icut. J. U. Robinson, 1 J. Edwards, Ksti. Supporter, Mr. fJickst)!), Chief Mourner, Mr. M-Uoncll. I.ient. Jarvis.* Lieut. Ridout. Capt. Crooks. Supporter, Captain Canuron (The Bmlij of Major- Oeneral Brock.) Supporter, Supporter, James Coffin, Em(-. t) A. C. G. ■■■ Captain Williams, ffjth Rcgt. Capt. Vigoreaux, R. E. Capt. Derenzy, 4 1st Regt Capt. Dennis, 4{)th Regi Capt. Holcroft, K. A. Supporter, Brigade-Major Evans. Major Merritt, L. H. Lin. Mil. Lieut.-Col. Clark, Liu. Mil l,ieut.-Col. HutU:r. Colonel Claus. Supporter, Captain Glcgg, A D. C. Major-Gei:t>ral Shtalfe. Ensign Coffin, A \) C. Chief M;>urnerK Lieut. -Colonel Mvors. D. Q. M. G. Lieut. I'owler, A D. Q. M. G. Tilt', Civil Staff. Frien(l^ of the Dccea.sed. inhabitants.: * Lieuttmant afterwards Colonel; Jarvia of the militia, accompauicd Major- General Hroik to .\nilu>rstburg, and IVmght bravely at Qui-cuhtown. + Lit'Uteiiai\t RobiuMin also mt lunpanied the ifcueral to Amhersthurg, and fought tridlantly at Uuct;n&town ; be is now the emiuL-ut cliict justice of Cppcr Caiiatla. t Extracted from the ^ urk Gazette, October 24, 1812. n42 LIFE AND COnnESPONDENCE OF Such was tlie esteem iti which Sir Isnnc JJrock was hold hv tlic enemies of his countrv. Jor he liud or could have no personal enemies, tliat Major-Geueral V an Rensselaer, in o lei tor of condolence, informed Major-Genoral Shcatl'e that ininiediatol)' after the funeral solemnities* were over on the British side, a compliment of minute j^uns would be paid to the hero's memory on theirs ! ! ! Accordingly, the cannon at Fort Niat^ara were fired, "as a mark of respect due to a hrave enemy." t How much is it thf n to be ret(relt(d that \\c should ever come into collision with those who possess the same origin and the same language as ourselves, and who. by this generous feeling and conduct, proved that they are a liberal, as tlicy undoubtedly are a gallant, people ; and may the future rivalry of Itoth powers be, not for the un- natural destruction of each other, but for the benefit of mankind. No words can bettor express tbe favor- able opinion entertained by tlie Americiuis of the de- ceased than ihe language of their president, Madison, Avho, alluding to the battle of Queenstown in his annual message to congress, observed : *' Our loss has been considerable, and is deeply to be lamented. That of the enemy, less ascertained, will bo the more felt, as it includes amongst the killed the commanding general, who uas aho the governor of the province." * Extrnct from Jl. G. O. fur thf Fimrrnl. T\\v cifticors will wcnr cni))!-' )ii tluMf left arii>> and on thoir sword knots, and (ill order Tuo« >s Evans, B.M. + " I well reinemher tlio tribute of respert p.iid by the enemy, atid the melancholy satistaetion n aft"orded tn tlurNe who were so bitterly lanu>ntin^ their irreparable loss, (ieneral Hmek was not only admired and rcspeeted by tin Ainerieati people ; but he was in truth very kindly regarded by them. In his arrani!;eiiit iit< i'oiisc(|ucnt un the capture of For* Detroit, they had an opi'tutuiiity .if observing tliat honest trankness, and warnfj benevolence of iieart, whieb eharaeterizi'd him fleshowed the fjreatcst liberality and most induljrciit eonsideration in dealintr with and diRposing of till- various deseriptions of force wliich siirrendereit 'o him on that oe( afi'iii, J iiclii've no man ever heard either friend or foe speak unkindly of (jciieral Broek."— f Vne/ Jiuitki.' HuhiuMm. SIR ISAAC MHOrK. ju;) Ere wo proceed to delineate the person and cha- racter of ihis able soldier and excellent man, we shall tran8crii)e the sketches of two strangers, * lest the portrait of a relative should he dciined too hif]jhly coloured, That portrait lias b^cn drawn by them with a master hand, especially the first ; and although feelingly alive to our incompetency for the task, we also must endeav<)ur, with a trembling pen, to do justice to the memory of the hero. "Thus cnd(>d in their total discomfiture,'' says Christie in his Historical Memoirs, already cited, *' the second attempt of the Americans to invade Upper Canada. The loss of the British is said to have been about 20 killed, including Indians, and between -50 and <)() wounded. The fall of General Brock, the idol of the array and of the people of Upper Canada, was an irreparable loss, and cast a shade over the glory of this dear-bought victory. He was a native of (iuernsey, of an ancient and reputable family, distinguished in the protoseion of arms. He Iiad served for many vears in Canada, and in some of the ])rincipa' ampaigns in liiiirope. He commanded a detachmr of his favorite 49th regiment, on the expedition ! Copenlmgen with Lord Nelson, where he distingulf ''d himself. He was one of those extra- ordinary men who seem born to iritiuence mankind, and mark the aire in which thev live. Conscious of tl..? ascendanc\ of his fjenius over those who sur- rounded him, he blended the mildest of manners with the severity .md dis(upline of a camp ; and tiiough his deporiment was somewhat grave and imposing, the noble frankness of his character imparted at once confidence and respect to those who had occasion to approach his jterson. As a soldier, he was brave to a, fault, and not less judicious than decisive in his measures. The enerfjv of his character was stronjjlv expressed m Ins countenance, and in the robust and * For brief cxtrncts relative to Sir Isaac Brock from other authors, ace AppeudLx A, Section l , No. 7. :J44 MFK VNI) CORUKSPONDE.NCE OF I 1 \ 'I ' manly syinniotry of his frame. As u civil governor, he was firm, priidfMit, und (njuitabii'. In tine, whcliier we view him as a man, a statesman, or a soldier, ho equally descrvosi the esteem and re«;|tect of his eon- fenijioraries and of postrrity The Indians who flocked to lii-t standard were attached to hink with almost enthusiastic aflection. and tlie enemy even expressed an involuntnry rei^ret at Ijis untimely fall. Mis p rod i finality of life bereft the conntry of his servi- ces at iIk' earlv n\ic of fort\-t\vi.i A'ears. The remains of this f^allant oflieer were, during the funeral service, honored with a disehari^e of minute yuns from the American, as well as l!ic British, batteries ; and with tho>e of his faithful iii(le-de-eamj>, Lieut. -Colonel M'Donell, \U're interred in the same irravc at J'ort CJeor^e, on tlic Kith ( k-toher, amidst the tears of an affectionate soldiery and a frrateful pt-ople, who will cherish his nu'niory with vtiieralion, and hand to tlieir posterity the imperishable name ot iUtOCIv.'' "General IJjock was killed at the battle of (^neens- town Juiglits," observes Tlowison in his Sketdies of rjpper Canada, "and the jjlace where he fell was pointed out to mo. 'I'he Canadians liold the memory of this brave and e\cell(;ni man in great veneration, but hiiv(! not yet atlenipted to testify their respect for his MrtiK's in any way, except by shewinijjto strangers the spot on whicth he received his mortal wonnd. He was more prjpnlar, and more )>e!oved by the irdiabi- tants of CpjK 1 Canada, than any man they ever had among them, and wiili reason ; for he possessed in an eminent degree those virtues whiclj ruld l.istre to braverv, and those talents that shine alike in the cabinet and ifi the field. Jlis manneis and disposi- tions \\(.'re so conciliating a? to uain the alllL-ction of all whom he commanded, while his innate nobleness and dignity ot mind secuired him a respect almost aiTH)unting to venerati«>n. Tie is now styled the Hero of l'j)j)er Canada, mid, had he lived, there is no 8IH ISAAC ilROCK. 'M!i doubt but the wrir vould liavc terrninatod very dlll'er- entlv fVom whai it diil. Tbo Cu'iadiun fanners are not ovcr-burtbened witli sensibility, yet 1 liavc seen several of tbeni shed tears when an eulo<^riiiin was pronounced upon the immortal and gcnerous-niinded deliverer of tlieir country. '* General Urocl; was killed close to (bo road that leadn through (^ueenstuwn village, and an aged thorn bush now niarks the place where ho fell, when the fatal ball entered his vitals. This f.j)ot may be called classic ground, for a view of it nm^t awaken in the minds of all those who roj)ortioned, al- though in his latter years liis figure was perhaps too portly ; and when a young nuiii, at the head of his com|»any of grenadiers, he attracted general observa- tion by his martial })resenee. Jlis Hnc \\m\ benevolent countenance was a j)erfect index of his mind, and his mam ^rs were courteous, frank, and engaging, al- though both denoted a fixedness of purpose which could not be mistaken. In society ho Avas a modest nan, greatly disliking parade or ostentation, and one V, ho knew him well never remembers him to have made an illnatured remark. Brave, liberal, and humane ; devoted to his sovereign, and loving his country with romantic fondness ; in command so gentle and peisuasivc, yet so firra, that he possessed the rare faculty of acquiring both the respect and the attachment of all who served under him. When, in * In height about, or utarly, six feet two iuchcs. J}4(> LIFE AND COUHESrONDENOE OF P ' : .' I July, I'Oi), he resigned tlie chnrejc of tlm troops in < Quebec to Colonel Howes, it was remarked how iiiuoh the discipline of liie {jjarrison had in^proved under his (!Oiuniand. IJad his talents been exerted on a Euri)()ean field, there is every reason to suppose that his sjdiere of fame, if not of usefulness, would have been greatly extended ; hut as his memory is Marmly cherished by the people among whom ho fell, his liite, premature as it was, is still enviable, notwithstanding tliat their applause fell on *' the dull, cold ear of death." If his anxiety ever to shew a good example by being foremost in danger, induced liini to expose himself more than strict prudence or punctilio warranted, it must be remembered that every thing depended on that example, as he had scarcely a staff oflieer of trust and experience with him, enterprising oHiccrs of that day striving to serve in the Peninsula — that of his two regular regiments, the 41st was then with few exceptions badly officered, and the 49th had five captains in England — and that the militia required to be led and animated. But even if he erred on this point, his error was that of a soldier.* Elevated to the govpinment of Upper Canada, lie reoluimed many of the disaffected by mildness, and fixed the wavering by the argument of success ; aiid having no national partialities to gratify, that rock on which so niany provincial go- vernors have split, he meted equal favor and justice to all. British born subjects soon felt convinced thai with him their religion or their birth-place was no obstacle to their advancement. Even over the minds of the Indians Sir Isaac Brock gained, at and after the capture of Detroit, an ascendancy altogether * A\nicn Kclaon — althouich a rear admiral and a knight of the Bath, and he had so distiiitcuished hiinsdl at the battle of St. Vinci'nt — with liis biir(jL''s crew of eUn .-n men, exclusive of t attain Freniaritle and himself, tMii^aged a Spanish armed launch, cairyin(r an otticor and twentj-six men, near Cadiz, in I7y7,atid captured her alter a desperate hand to liand fight with swords, in which eighteen of the Sjianiards werv killed, ami all tiie rest wou«v .(!, he might equally have been charged with rashness, had he failed or luilcu. sill ISAAC liROi K. 347 unexampled, nnd Avhicli ho judiciously rxf^rcisod fur jiiirposiN (joi.ilucivc * fninlly to the criusi' of liimmuity and to the interest., of lii> country. lie ctiiiiiLTed tlifiii to throw aside the scalpini^ knife, im|«l.'int;iire and |)rido in the compassion extendctl to a vanqui>hef»«>> DKNTK 01' i ' troil, is illiistrative of tlw siMitiiiirnts uith v»}j!' "h h^ lind iiispiri'd ihvHc ujirlik«- tribe-. *' I liuvi' 1 .t)iaku )>y the liaiid a brave brotluir \vnrrior. The Anwrioans endeavour to pjive us ji mcjin oj>iMii»ii of British trcuerals, but we liave been the Miinesses of your vaN>ur. In ciotisinti tlic river lo altaek the eneniv, we ob.«.(r\ed voii from a (listaritM -tanding the whole lime in an erect poi^lurc, and, when tht: bi>at» reached thr .-horc, y<"i were anions ilio first u|io jninpeil on land. Your bold and Mublen niovoniefit^ tVisihtfued the enemy, and }ou couipellod him to burrender to half their own lorce. Of all the ^jooil qnaiities whieh adorned this ac- eonjpIi.«hed solilier none vas more proiniiMMit than lii^ deoi-ion, and it was;! ev«?r Hfider the {guidance of a somikI jadL^nient. His slront;' attachment to the service, and j»ariienlnrly to Ins retjjin»ent, f(»rmed amnher distinguishing fcatnre in his eharacter. Hav- ing, wliile in command at Fort (rcorge, received a Ittter annonneinu the e.xecution oi' the inntiTjeers and inifie!* nf puni«i|inicnt, wliiidi llic exuciioris of tli?icipIi/io vvill .-oinctinHs oc- casion, rjtrilv roiiched his iiumi. And vol shortly • • • before ho siiocetdcd to tho coniinund of the refjinient, it was in a sad state of disor!:i:'»ni/ation, from the ranses already explained. ( Pa^a- (I.) ])nrin^r the mutiny on board ilie lieet at the Nore, in Ma\, 17!>7, the 4Ulh Avas (juartered on the borders of the river Thames; atid us the privates evidently sytnpathizetl Milh the seamen, Major IJrotk not only >(,ldorn \vent to Ix'd till nearly da\ li«:lit, but blept widi j(»ailed pistols, wiiile during tlie day he fr('(|iiently visited the mess-rooms, to tear down or erase siieh inscrip- tions as "The .Vavy for Kver." Hut soon after he became the iieiitenaiit-colontd, by hapj)Ily blending conciliation with Hrniniss, and briii'^in^; to a court martial one or two othe-M-s, whose misconduct could not be overlooked, In: fjui<:kly restored t'je discipline of the forps. Havinii' eticeted this, he afterwards tjoverned it by that sentiment of esteem which he hinisell" had created, and the cojisolaliori was j^iven him to terminate a brief but brilliant ccuirso in tho midst of liis professional faniily. A part of the refji- ment assisted at his last obsequies ; and those wJio knew the comtuander and his men m ill be eonvmced, tliat on the day of his funeral there was an entire detachment in tears.* It deserves to be recorded as an instance of pood fortune, unprecedented pcrliaps in nulitary annals, * Tlie officers of (lie i9tti, ttftor his doath, instnicteil the rejjiniental apoiit id London to procure tlien; a li';eiit«s of Sir l>-aac Brci* k, tliaf it riii;tit tie plared ni thoir nifssro. >in, !,•. allotted a liandsoiiii; sum tor this purpose. Tho ai?enl: a|>)i!ied to the ficnly lor a copy, but unfortunately they possessed uo good likeness of the general. 3ij() MFE AND CORKESPONDENCE OF ■ r, anil especially in a countn'- wlierc the advantano and facility of escape were so great, tliiit from the ()tli of August, tlie dny on wlilch Major-General J'.roek left Yorlv for Detroit, to the pcrioil immediately )>roce(l- iri|^ the l)at(lo of (^ucenstowii, the force under his j)ersonal command snfVered nodindnution in its num- herseith(!r h} desertion, natural death, or the sword.* This comprehended a period of nearly ten weeks, diiriiifj which an army ami fortress were raptured, and a journey af several hiuulrcd ndles, by land and water, accomplished with extreme raj)idity. In compiliii;::^ this memoir, wi; have been much struck with the swiftness of Major-General Brock's r.iovcments : he apj)ears to have been everywhere, and, as Veritas observed of him, to have " tlown, as it were.'' To-day at York, en^aned in his civil and military duties — to-morrow at Fort (ieorj^e, super- intendinu,' the dclences of the Nia'^ara frontier, or at Kiny^stori, reviewinr^ and animatiu"^ the itnlitia. To- day at Fort (reor£j;e, watch iuf^ the enemy — the next at York, dissolving the legislature — and a fortnight after, on his return from tlui capture of Detroit! To-day at Fort (ieorge again — a lew hours after at Fort Erie, endeavouring to retake the brigs Detroit and Caledonia. And yet this most active and ener- getic oiiicer was compelled, by his defensive instruc- tions, tamely to look on the ojf'enxivf preparations of the Americans for the invasion of the province com- mitted to his charge ! In conclusion, it is due to the memory of this ex- cellent man to declare that, eminent and undisputed as were his juiblic virtues, he was no less ejitimable in private Tde. At the time of his death, a youth of about nine years of age had been residing under his roof and protection for nearly two years, it being the general's intention to provide for him ; he was the * It i.s tlio more rpmarkabli- that no disease occurnd, when it ih consi- ili'r<3Ll tliat the exiJi'ilitioit took plaee at a season wlieii the lieat is exces- sive, an'l thiit ciriunistnuecH atlnuttcd of but little prejiaratioii being made for the eoMifort of tlie men. 8IU ISAAC nnor-K. a^i •oviuee com- I illcp;ilimate son of Captain irorcuirs K , of tlie 41)lli, who was iiiifordinatcly drouried on Ms |)!issa<^c; from C.'anaila to En|rlari(J two or tlireo yoars jirc- viously, the vessel in whi»jh lu' cinharkod havin'^ jievor hoen heard of aftnr sailing;.* In liis own f.iinily Isaac Mrock was the ohjert of the warmest aHeetion, and iiis servants oarotully j)roservc(l relies of their "dear master," as they styled hiui to their dviriif dav. His cares and anxieties had no reterence to tho wealth he tihonld amass, but to the sum of human misery he mi^ht relievo ; and towards tho close of his brief carcc.T, as the prospect of increasinrj honors anil emoluments opened to his view, it will have been seen that lu; conteinplated his Ljood fortune only as tho means of diti'usintj felicity, of dryinir the tear of atilietion. t Some of his nearest relatives ha\e since been cut off more prematurely, and far more cruelly, than him.self; but those who still survive him possess the never-failin memory of our lamcnied chief. Of the thousands present not one had cause to feel so deeply as I, and 1 felt us if alone, although surround- * Tor thr artilrrss, see Apiii'mlix A, Scctioii l, No. il t Till" fclldwiiij,' i* a iloscriiitioTi nf two coijiht luiliponny tokens, in nrriilutioii in liritisli Nortti Amt'ticH it (cw wars ugi). Out uf llir I'oiiis lu'ar- oil Ujc ohvor^i' a sep'ilt'lirai irii >tantlini!: on a pi-di'sfai, on wliicfi an- iiisciilie.l, " Kki.i. Octuhkh i;i, ihii.'' Two wintrt'd (rtinii hovnr 'iver tlje urn, ami rrosvu it with a s^rcatli ni Imircl tlio wliclc is siirroumied wttli Ihe loffcnil, " Sik Isam limn k I'iik Hkiio of (U'i-kk < av aii v." Till' roviTst'l)fur.-< tin date ihKi, wiUi tliv-k'^ciiil, "Slc'.kss to CoiiMhRr k, A.Mi Hkack to i'iik WoKi.ri." Tl.o other coin iM-ars on the one siile a three-masteil ship in fiUl sail, with till- leBTond, " Si i < kss to tiik (.'om:\ikiu:k ok Ui'i'Kit ank I^owkk Canada ; and on tlic other side, "Sia I.saa( Uimx k. tick IIkro ok Uri-Ki« Canai'A, who kki.i. attiik iiLoaioi.'.s Uatvik uk Ui ke.nstown ilBii.trrii, ON rtiK Kim O' roi)k:i<, iHli" t This column co>t ntarly .*;i,()MO, Halifax currency. See acts of the piovincial letfislatuic, Appcmlix A, Section 1, No. I'J. « For the details of the re-iuttrineut, s( c ,\ppundi\ A, ^^cction 1, No. 13. ^1 3F ons of Upper jent |j;rant of i)vas bestowed Isaac Brock, .11 of t*-i a 1 pavliaineiit. as lie is i^till ilie provincial 1 (^uecnstown )S0 of 1 1 is gnl- I Fort Gcorji^e c-tober, lS-24.§ iico the inter- idcriione little (.ct iiiitl rasily iiiel M'Doneil tion. One of lMtz*n\\, Ll'l'Kll AM) 1/0\VKR oi K. rnK IIkro ok K OF UlKENSTOWN ii> . See acts of the A, Section 1, No. 1'3. SIR ISAAC nROCK. a')3 k ed by tbe nuiltitmb?. IIo bad been more tl)an .. fafber to me in lljat regiment wbicli be ruled like a fafber, and 1 alone of bis old fri<'rfls in tbat regiment was present to einbalm \vitb u tear bis lust bonored retreat. Wbat I witnessed on tbis day would bavo fully confirnied me in tbe opim'on, bad confirmation been wanting, tbat the pnl.lic feeling in tbis province lias been permanetitly improved and elevated by Sir Isaac Brock's conduct and actions wbile governing- its inbabitants. These, tofjetber willi bis dvinjj; in tbeir defence, buve done more towards cementing our union witb tbe mother country than any event or circumstance since tbe (existence of the province. Of tbis our leading men are aware, and are carefid to seize every opj)ortunity of preserving recollections so productive of good effects." Tlie ceremony of re- iriternicnt was indeed a most imposing one, and it was attended by the lieutenant-governor, Sir l^erc- grinc -Mailiand, and other otHcers of rank, tbe Ju'lges, the members of tbe executive and legislative councils and of the bouse of assembly, tbe Indian cbiefs of tbe Five Nations, the entire 7l»ib regiment, several regi- ments of militia, &c. kc. "The time occupied in moving iVom the fort to (^ueeiistown, a distance of nearly seven miles, was about three hours, including sto[)pages. Being arrived opposite tbe spot where the lamented Ihto received bis mortal wound, tbe whole procession baited, and remained for a few mi- nutes in solemn pause !" The height of tbecolumn,* wbicb commanded a view of tbe suiroundintj country foi" al)oiit fifty miles, was from tbe 'rw to tbe suni- init l:J'*> fe(!t, and fr(nn the l(;\el - i the. Niagara river, which runs nearly under it, 4i.i^ I'eot. It was built with grey coloured limestone of primitive form- ation, and aj)i)roacbing to white ail tbe exterior being * M was a TuBcaii coliuiiii on a rustic iiodestH,!, with a peilfsta! tor a Ktutiie ; till' diaiiii'tor of Hio Ijiisf •)( tiii" ool iinn was scvciitot-ii focr --i.v inclit's, and the abafiisof tlic i-apital wis siirro'uided with an iron rniliiig. The eeiitre shalt, containing the spiral W/odcn btaircasc, was ten feet in diameter, 3.54 IJFE AND COnRESPONDENCE OF executed with cut stone of superior workmansliiji. The followinpf inscription was engraven on tljis splen- did tribute to the unladin<]f remembrance of a grateful people ; * i;PPEH CANADA HAS I)KI>1CATKI> THIS MOVl'MKNT TO THE MKMf>Ky Ol' THE I.ATE MAJOR. liEVF.RAI. SIR ISA.\C BKOCK, K. D. PROVISIONAL LIEirr.-CiMVEHNOR AMD COMMANDER OF THE FonCES IN THIS rHOVIM'E, WHOSE RKMAINS AIIK UEPOSirKli IN THE VAULT BENEATH. OPPOSING THE INVADING ENEMY, HE FELL IN ACTION NEAR THESE lIEUiHTS, ON THE 1;Uh OCTOHlill, INI3, l.N THt 43ta YEAR OF HIS AOE, REVERED AND LAMENTED BV THE PEOl'LE WHOM HB OOVERNKD, AND DKrj.OHED IIY THK SOVKHEIGN TO WHOSE SERVICE HIS LIFE HAD UEEN DEVOTED. I( The cataract of Niagara is supposed to have com- menced on the heights of Queenstown, and to have gradually receded, or worn its way backwards to its present site, seven miles above, near Chippawah, the banks of the river on both sides between the two spots being perpendicular, 25() to iWX) feet in heiulit, chiefly of solid rock, and of the same level as the full.f "The village of Queenstown is beautifully situated at the foot of a hill, and upon the side of the Niagara river, the hank of which is high and precipitous. The imagination i>< agreeably struck with the first view of the place. On one side of tlie village is a nunuitain covered with a shrubbery and verdure; — behind, a rich and cultivated plain expends backwards, which * We speak in the pftst tense, because the column, as will be seen in the sequel, was scipitoas. The le first view of is u mountain j;; — behind, a i wards, which nn, as will be seen icfiuiie its recoil- present century at •c.iloijist, thiiiiis one must hdvo Ulten at ■ i ■ I \ SIH ISAAC HROCK. JJ.'Si) is hounded in every direction by luxuriant woods; while in front, the Niagara river glides in majestic stillness, and may hv. traced, with all Its windings, till its waters are swallowed up in the vast expanse of Lake Ontario. The soil around Queenstown consists chiefly of a red clay, the bright colour of which, upon the roads and declivities where it is exjmsed, forms a singular contrast, daring summer, with the pure green of the trees and Holds in the vicinity " Queenstown must infallibly acquire magnitude and importance when the province bec«jmes populous and flourishiner Canada must unload and leave their cargoes at (Queenstown, that they may bo conveyed overland to Chippewa, where the Niagara river again becomes navigable. Even now, a good deal of this carrying business goes on during the summer months. The North -West Company for- ward a considerable quantity of stores to the Indian lerritories by this route, and the courjtry merchants receive annual su]»plies of goods from Montreal, ami send down pork, flour, staves, and potash, in return.* *' The environs of <^ueenstown are beautifully pic- turesque and romantic, and nothing can be finer llian the prospect up the Niagara river. Immediately above the village its chauuel narrows very much, and the hanks rise to the height of iM)C> feet perpendicular, while at the same time thev become wild and rockv, and arc thickly covered with trees of variiMis kinds. In pome places they partly over-arch the river, and throw an appalling gloom upon its waters, now dashed into turbulence and impetuosity by the ruggedness of their sloping bed. * The ennstrijction oi the Wellnnd eanal has since furnished better meafH of transi>ort t>efwocii the tw lakes by iuiother route, and Queens- town has iu consequence lost the advantage wluch it once possebsed. ^1 ' 35(j Lll'E AND COUKESPONDENCE OF r " At the ferry, tlio Niajjara river is 1,2^50 f<-'Ot in hrcadtli, and from 2()0 to 'J(M) in doptli. The current is very rapid, and. the wnatliinpj and perturbed ap- pearance of 0 t'.'ct In The current pertiirbod ap- Mirso is nmcli intiTiul, M'liich or, otlicTwiso, li a larjio river imlormitK" and U enlarge and I SIH ISAAC UKOCK. ;jo7 CHAPTEJl XV. . mSTOKKAL. ' jnstown moun- that l.'|»per rvcL\ cornbiucs The wild and I) part of the rod expanse of undii^coverable i) ih'e verdant 1 fields, f;lu\v- Drni !i scone of in York, which , can 1)0 seen ;ar weather." * L IIKOCK, wave ., H. K ;ticinn, 1821 . " If 1 niiRlit (fivo a Hhnrt hmt ti tin lnip«rtinl writer, it would ho to tell tiiin hi-^ lati' li hi' u'shIvcj to \ciil.iirc tiiion tlu' (hiimiToiis prpcipici' ot telling unbiassi'd triitti, lot him |iruclaini war witli mankind -■ m-i'lior ti) givv. noi to tiiKo (jiiaiter." Hk Fok. Sir Jsaac IJrock was succeeded in liis civil and military ooininands in I^|)per Canada by Major- General Sheafli?, * who was created a baronet for the dearlv boiifflit victory of Oiieensiown, which was scarcely achioxed <'rc he afrrnotl, on the same after- noon of tiie fiit.tl IJUh of October, to a cessation of firinfr for throe days, on condition of tl.e Americans destroying- their bateaux, which they complied with ; anil the truce was pr(jl()nf,aMl on the l()ih to an indefi- nite period. -I- After the battle, (ieneral Wadsworth and some of the principal AmericJin officers were paroled, the remainder proceedinfj; to (Quebec. Among the prisoners, 2i) were found to be deserters from i'^nglish repriments, and British born snbjects ; and * noth Mic t'anada« were now governed by British oflRcers, horn in the Unitcil states. t "T) Maj(. iiidiii»4 un Fridny , the 1 Itli mstunf, at four o'clock, p. ni., the officers ti,nim>iiiiliiix tin- sivt ral [Kist;* oa (lie line will rcculsto tUv.n conduct arconliiiifly. Tmom \> ."ivAv^, H.M." "1> <; (). Fort Ooorgc, ifdh October, ihi'j.-- A piuloiistHtion of the cc^sHticiii of hostilities haviiiir hceii ai:recd iipon between Majur-fJciieral Sheattc iiiid Ma.iiM .(Ji'iutui Van kcuss-clair for au iiiideiMii'd period, the oflicors comiiiaiHlii'u; posts ainrifr the hue will strictly e;ovcrii theniHelve:* iccordjiiirly until tiiither order's. Uy order. Tho.mas Ev.^.vs, B M," ■t .t>:at aw LIFB AND COHHESPONDENCE OP I they were sent to Kri^'Iaml for trial as traitors. This oaiiscil a rctalialiori upon British prisoners in the United ^«tatcs., and an cijual niinibcr were put bv the American government into close confinement us host- utjes for the seciiritv of llio traitors. On the iHih of Ootoher, (icneral Smyth assumed the ronimand at N'ia^'ara, and applied lo the British general for an armistice ; and notwithsfandiri'j^ the widl-known prejudicial eHect of the former one pro- posed by Sir (Jeorgc Prevost, it was also agreed to ))y ^lajov-Cfeneral SheaH'e ! ' This unac^countable proceeding, as niigiit easily have been foreseen, proved of material dotrimetit to the Briti'ib on Lake Erie, as the Americans availed iheniselves of so favorable an occasion to forward their naval stores uimiolested from Black Kork to Presciu'ilc bv water, which they could not otherwise have efh'Ctcd Imt \v ith inmiense trouble and expense by land, and equippei! at leisure the Heet which the ncctyear wrested from us he com- mand of that lake. When the enemy was prepared for a third invasion of Upper Canada, (Jeneral Smytli did not fail to give tlie thirty Jiours notice required for tlie cessation of the armistice, which terminated on the 20th of November. pi "After the surrender of Detroit," said the inha- bitants of Niagara in their spirited letter to Sir George Prevost, already quoted, (page iii)7,) *'the enemy were sutt'ered uninoUsted to concentrate u large force on the Niagara, at Saoketts liarbour on Lake Ontario, and at Ogdonsburg in the vSt. Lav-i rcnce J they were nor interriipted in bringing for\\ard to these places a large (juantity of Iteid and heavy artillery, with the requisite supplies of ammunition, and in equipping a Hotilla, to dispute v\ith us the superiority of the lakes. When th»;ir pre[)arations « " bit' (.erieral ShrxflV, like his suin'n.n, \»'8KaIi)\cr of arn.istii-es. nnd atlt r the acti<>ii In ounfliideii oiio ol lu> own with tlic Auiciican gfiu'ral, for which tin ri'nsun, civil or intlitary, wa.-, evvr asKig^iied." — Tjnail'-.rlij Jlfvifu; July, irirJ; articli!, " Canii)aiirii» ui U»e Cauatlas." )F SIH ISAAv: HROCK. 359 raitors. This sontM'S in the [•10 |)ul h\ tlie Bineiii us liost- inylli assumed lo tlie liritish lifitandiii'j: tlio irmor one pro- also ntfroed to nnacTOuntable iresoon, proved jn l-ako Erie, >t' so favorable res unmolested ,er, which they ^vith immense ppeu at leisure om us *hc eom- r was prepared (icneral Smytli lofice required ieh terminated said the inha- letter to Mr o-c 21)7,) ''the concentrate u t'ft Harbour on I the St. Liiv% inijinrr forsNard eld and heavy ji' unnnniution, te with us the it prei)arations I i(i\cr of arn.istices. 1 A'ith The Ainorican «-, t!Vir iissiRned." — .ii Uie (. auailas " were complete — when our regular and iniHtla forces were nearly exiiansted with incessant watching' and fatigue, occasioned by the movements of the enemy, which kept them constantly on the alert by uncer- tainty as to the ))oint of attack — they at len«;th, on ihe I'Jth of October, attacked our line at Queenstown. The behaviour of both rcjjulars and militia on that memorable occasion is well known to your excellency, and added another wreath to the laurels they had gained at Detroit: the ^'lories of that day were, how- ever, obscured by the death of our beloved and now lamented chief, whose exertions Imd prepared the n)ciins of acliicNin*: this great victory. TUis was another triumph for the militia ; they liad fairly measured their strength with the enemy, and derive-d additional confidence from the glorious result. Here was nnoiher opportunity that slipj^ed away without being improved : Fort jViagara was abandoned by the enemy, and might have been with the greatest ease destroyed, and its guns brought away by a trifling force. It is neither necessary, nor do we feel inclined to enter into the causes why it was not done; we have, however, ihe strongest reason to believe that, had General IJrock survived, it would have been attempted.* In addition to this (as we consider it) capital err(tr. Major Mullaney. and other natural born stdjjects of his majesty, actually taken in arms as commissioned otfieers in the service of the United ii^tates, were released aiid allowed to return on parole to that country ; and a partial armistice was agreed to, liable to be broken oil at thirty ])0urs notice, whicli could be productive of no real advantage to us, nor give any repose to our harassed and sutlcring militia, though it enabled the enemy to recruit his * " Such wa« tilt! iii$;may of tlic enemy at Itn' result of the urtion at QiiOenstown. Uiat ha.l (icneraJ Slioaffo, wiio coinniandcd aftor the death i)f Bnu'k, crushed f^vei immediately afterwards, as it is said lie was strniiifl) urired l)> iiis otViccrs to do, tiie fort of NiaB-rira, -wliirh its purrison hail eveii evacuated for <>ume time, iiii^'ht have been caiitured, and the whole of that line cleared of the American trooiya, "—Quarterli^ lievieu. :HiO MIE AND ( OnnEfiPONDENCE OV stiTiijjtli ond orfrnni/c at will the im-nri!. of nitarkiiif^ UH niunv. Ilo wa^ obsorvol Imsil^ .itiil acti\<'l\ ein- plovcl, tbioarrlioiit a jrrr.af jMirf. \ho among ns can retnin hi** ^i^vavity .' ' It is true,' says the cencral, *compl.'te succe>*s did not nititinitely <;rown this en- ter[^ris<: ; but two great cnd^ were ohtaiiud for the counlrv . !l ro-establisln(l iht- chara< t(!r of the Ame- rican amis;' — it did mdeed ! — 'and dejirivcd the eneny, by the death of ( icneral Brock, of the hist ortiter tjiat ha« headed *h«ir troops in ( Vmadu f hrough- out the var;' — trulli Jindeninble !— ' and, with his loss, put at. riid to tlieir then bnlliatit career;' — yet the oaptiin; of (iencral Wadsworth took place in less than five ho\n> afterwards. '*The if.stant we know wliat the American? expect- ed li! iiiMii, a ti>lerabhj idea mav be foriiii-d ot' what ?.];':'> rruudly lest by the aitiiiA upon <^neenstown. General Van Hensselaer, in a letter to Major-Cieneral l)earlK>rn, written five days previously, savn thus : ' Should vse isucceed, av(; shall efieei, a great discom- fiture of the cnemv, bv b)'ealA<- away part of tlie score of our past disgrace — pet excellent harru?ks and uinfer f|ii;irtcr*', and at least he prepared ior un ( ;irly runipai;^n anothtr year.' '• It is often saiii, liiat W' tiirow awiiy hy the pen what we pain hy the sword. Had (itneral Brock beon less prodjoal <4* his valuable lite, nrid survived tlic^ (^necnstowri hntfle, hi; woiilil have niade the IDtli of Ofinhtr a still uu>tc * nienioral)l(>' d;iy. hy cross i nil thfi river and carryinp I'ort Niiijjara, which, at that prccihc time, was nearly 8trip])ed of ita parn-ion. Instead of doinu iliis, and thus jiiiftin'j" an end to the canipiupn upon the Mfn.vn"a frontier, Major-(ieneral iSheatle, dene; a! Jircii'k'-^ •.U(!cessor, allowed himself to be pcrsuailcd to sin;n an nn >.tire." IlaviiiLT piven these two . viraets, wc think it due to Major-Cierieral Shentfe . ♦<> ruth to add, that as reparil- the attack on I'ori "^ ra, much allowance should be nunle for his l'eii,_, -^u -nddenly and unex- ])cctedl\ called to the chief commiind, e\cn if such a?i attack had been p.iidi.'nt and feasible, which, however, admit'^ of nnn h doubt. 7^ut of the impo- licy of the armistii-c there ••an, we eonceive, be no nuestion ; and we arc assured, on the best authority, tnat it excited \ erv , 7 IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I :!: 1^ 12.0 1^ m 11.25 II 1.4 1.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation h A A \ V ^^ \ \ ^9> V o^ ^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 i ; 'MV. I II I. ANi» t (iiniisrdN ni'.Nci; t»i" r «>rili(' ISMli. Il(^ NviiM imrolt'd l»y ( '(Miimodorf" (Miimii- (•('V, wlm, Id lii>» iTctlit l><" il siiid, iiimirdiMlcly rr- sIohmI " (III' plnlr mid cHrclM |)cloii!;iii};' lt> IiIh lafr illii^lrioiis nliilixt'. ' uldrli lie was convey iii'^ li'oiii I'orl ({('orL't' lo Kiii'-sttiii. Tlic Ixn cd' Icllcrs niid olIuM' |>ii|)i'r^, tV«)iii Nvliirli (liis liltlc work lias liccti |>i"iii«'i|)allv »'»)iii|>il('d, was, we ladii'NC, aiiioii^ i1m's<> rlVocfs ; and we kindly st'i/,t< this o|)|)»»rliiiiily lo cx- pn'ss (lie ol)li|'^a(ioM of Sir Isaar llrork's laindy lo the t'(Miiiii()dttrt' lor Ins t.'.rii''i'osily on lliis occasion. ♦ Tlio |)rt>|M'icty «)(' iMijor-(«ciicral nro(d;'s inlcniion of ullaclxiiuv Saclvi'tl's I larlioiir onl\ (wo inonllis licl'oro must, now he inandc'^l, a • liad il lallcii, as is prolial.lc, this very sunadion would doiihlh'ss liavt> Itceii lonnd ill the course of preparation, and Ihc whoh- of lh(i vessels hronidit ollor destroyed. Sir No'4»>r Sheailc appears to ha\'c he»Mi so ahirniiMl hy tlic a>-t"cnihiiicy ol' the enemy .-ii Lake ( )nlario, that he |)ropos<'d immcdialely to Sir (»eor<^e INt^vosl. to ahau(h>ii the \iai;ani iVontier, and, as a natural oouse(nienct\ the \vhoh' id' I'pjier Canada west, of cither \'orii or Kingston, proliahiy the latter. Tho iicncruoi-^encral seems \o lia\e lent a williiiLj ear to this proposal, and to have <:,i>cn instr.iclions to savo the tr<)ops at all hazards; hut. (ieiicral ShealVe was liappily restrained iVom his purpose hy the pressiup; reuumstrances ot' the militia lichl ollicers and other Icrtduig men of the iVontier, who urged him to main- in India, l''i\ o oIIum liiiu-k-., tiist t'ousitis of tho ciMU'ivd, \vv\\- in ftu' isrniy ; ur,uin;; tlivin was Miijin .lunu's lirui-k, ol llio iiiili Li^lit Hihi-vimius, wl>o tlii'tl youiiir. ami tin' piOM'ot Coloiul Samiiuic' llrork, who soivitl um uoaptuin ot tin- t:u| l.i^ht liituiilr> llinMii;lioiit tlu' I't'iiiir^iilHr war dikI at Nv'w l>iU'iiiiN, ,\iHt tm> H luMwion toi woiiiiil.'i. ,\iioiliri t'u>t coiiNin, IMiilip Urovk, imils',\i|iii\:oi ni II. M. S, Ktiio. was ovi'itiiki'ii on slioro liy u snow storm 111 Ncwiouiuliioul, ami lio,-,i a to ilcalli * " tt ^la^ alroady lui'ii uotivu-il, that a vcssi'l oaptinoil on I, akc Ontario, m whii-h was i^aptain llr.uU, liad on lio.'ud. aimmi:- otlirr v:diiablu arti. I'los, I'.'.oiK) dollars in spii'U". 'riiis appi'ars to lla^^' liccn tlii' privato proiRTty ot' tlio lato Majvu -Cionoral IMoclv ; and tlii' la^'t hi-im,' i\iadi' Unown to ovir sailors, they nnaninunislv atrrocd to rclimiuish it. 'I'liiis do our tn's heat llie ononu . as wa'II ni ^oni'rosity as in (rnllaidrv." — .V/V-vv' W'rfhli/ liiXftrr, lialtinuMi'. Uoi'i-niht-r I'.', iSli' - Not ono word ol truth as rLirards tJic spccio, and threc-tuniths of the turs wcro prohaMy IJritish isnhjocts. HI It ISA,V( llltiM K. :5i;:j n (MiMim- :il('Iy ro- ) Ills liiti; iii;^ iVoiii llci'M mill IlIlM llCCll )ii<^ llic'^o \\y lo I'X- laiuily fo i('CIImI()||.+' 'ciilioii (>r lis hi'l'oro |)l'(»l»ul.|(', (-11 roniiil \v. of tlu! > ;il:ir)MO(I ( )Ml;iri(>, ' l*r(!v<)sf, II Miititral wcsf, «)f or. 'I'l.o r>u; onr to s (o s:ivo 'iilVc was pi'ossin^ ml oflior to niaiii- wi'ii.- ill tlio it l)rim:<"">'<, ho m'ivkI hs r wur niJtl at )ii''iii, I'liiliit by a MU)w nkcOtitiirio, iliialilL' iiiti> till' jiiivatt; luidc Known 'riiiih (lit our 1/rs' Wri'Uli/ h as rc^ranls 1 .suhjocts. tain liin posltiun, and to cviiKrc u Uriii <1i'tt'rrriiri;tti(»ri ol" iCHislaiH'c (() llif 1,1^1, 'I'Ik' iiilialjitanls «i( flic (li,4- tv'u'i. wcri! iiiiliiriillv iiiili<.Miaii(, at llir iiilfnfion of JM'iiij;" lIiMH liiinicdly ajtaiujoiicd ; iukI m tlirir Ictlor (if I )cn'llilH'r |<», IMJ'J, ;ill.:ulv tvvicM' <•!((•(!, tlicv ('.\|ir(>sr(l lli('iiis('|s'< 111 l( riiis wJiicli, lniWuVfT (IIh- j)l('asiii;i^ to llic two foniiiiiiiidi rs, liccaiiic i'lcc and }.^';ill;nit iiicn, aiiMom to defend llicir liomcH ainl pro- |i('rtics. On tlic oilier ji.ind, the situation of tlio Jlrilisji lriM)|iM, |ioili on die .Niajrara und Detroit, must liav( ixcn one of mindi anxiety, as li.id tlic ciKMiiy possessed Hiillleieiil < nierprisc to cinbark u Hti'oii}^ land f<»rce on hoiid their s(|iiadron, and la dehark it (m (lie ('uniidiuM shore in the rear of Sir no(.<;cr Slualle's division, the hitler nii<,dit not only hii\a! been taken in rcvervc, Imt pliiced lietween two iircH; and the retreat •'<' leniilars and militia, with from 10 to •'">() Indians, tla.' whole iind«:r the inimt'diiitf command oi Sir Roeer Sheafie', Iti ro sislirit!,- (Ih! enc'inv, the Mienadier 0()inp;tny of tlio Hth (lli(! kin;;'s) regiment i^reatly distiii«;iiish.'d iJiem-clvi-'S, losiiie- their capliiiii, M'Neal, and heiri;; nearly anni- liihited."* JJy an cxplos^ion of (ho powder mai^azine, lo which a, (rain had hcon laid, '2i'A) of the Americans wore killed or woundi.'d, includiii'^ ]Jri;^adior I'ikfj junom': the' former; atid thev were thrown into such confusion, I (hat an immediate and resolute attack * Tlierc were (jiily two conMinnii"* of tlic xei cni^ai^cd at Vork, un-i they liuil 1 caiitdin, I st.'it^caiit iiiiiior, ;i SLTlccants, H) laiik and file killed — total, !.'> killed and i[) wounded, partly, howcvt r, hy tli( fxplonion of a wooden jiowdcr iiiiifii/im' -an ijiniHiially >c\LTr io--i and little known, Ix'caiisc tlicir K'lliaidry was cxeitcrt on an nntortnnatc occasiun. At tlie liattU- of Maida, tin- entire loss of the Uriti.sli army in killed was precisely the same as tliut (jf these two companies, viz. 1 cfticer, :j sergeants, and tl rank and tile. t "(;eneial .SliealTc has Itoen much blatncd, fir=t for t^e injudicious pobition of the troops, by whicii the grenadier c(j/npany vf the btli rejfi- i WW fi f r, • i rip ■> .13 .!:■ i il: ! ■"^; ll^'i-l ;> 't :JG4 LIFE AND CORTIESPONDEXCE OF would probably have sent tbein buck to their ships. The British general *' drew oti" his regulars and left the rest to capitulate within the town, wherein consi- derable public stores were lost;"* and the Americans, having secured their booty, re-embarked and sailed on the 2nd of May for Niagara. The inhabitants of York do not appear to have been satisfied with the conduct of Major-Gen eral Sheafte in this affair; and, although it was not ascertained whether his removal was the result of the displeasure of the commander- in-chief, he was replaced in June or July by Major- General de Rottenburg, and on his arrival in the Lower Province he assumed the command of the troops in tlie district of Montreal. f As the number of the American troops, although all wore not landed, exceeded that of the British in proportion of nearly three to one, the dissatisfaction of the inhabitants of York certainly docs seem, at this distance of time, to Lave been unreasonable; and if ttiis were the onlv cause for removing Sir Jloger Sheaffe, we conceive that he was treated with harshness and injustice ; although, on the other hajid, we believe that he was in the same category as very many other officers, who, however well they may discharge subordinate duties, are unequal, in an emergence like this, to the complicated functions of the command of an army and the government of a province. A few months after, the Baron de Rottenburg was in his turn suc- ceeded by Lieut.-General Gordon Drummond, who commanded in Upper Canada to the end of the war, having been sent out from England expressly for that purpose in the Ethalion frigate, with a strong convoy for Quebec, in the autumn of 1813, and accompanied by Major-General Rial), as his second in command. ment, who behaved with preat, gi' in a wood, and a^'ain fur not reli of a powder masaviine had destro. into confusion." — Quartirly lieview. * PictoriulHistory of En^ln id. "y, were exposed to be cut to pieces ; to the attack, after the explosion . jO of the enemy, and thrown them t Christie's Memoirs, before cited. I ir sliips. and left nn consi- nericans, id sailed )itaiits of with the lir; and, removal imander- V Major- il in the :l of the number t lauded, )f nearly jitants of time, to the only conceive tijustice ; t he was officers, jordinate s, to the an army ' months urn sue- nd, who the war, ' for that I convoy rnpanied nmand. !ut to pieces le explosion irowri ihem H'fore cited. SIR ISAAC BROCK. 3C)5 We have alluded (paf,'e 'iOO) to the discomfiture of Sir George Provost before Sackett's Harbour, that naval arsenal whoso destruction Major-General Brock was so unfortunately prevented from under- taking. The g'overnor-gctieial having proceeded in Mav, 181'3, from Montreal to Kini;stou with Sir James Yeo, who had just arrived from England to com- mand the British navnl forces on the lakes — the squadron on Lake Ontario now consisting of two ships, a brig, and two schooners — the public was on the tiptoe of expectation for some decisive dash on the enemy's flotilla on that lake. An attack upon Sackett's Harbour, in the absence of their fleet at Niagara, was resolved upon, so as to destroy " the forts, the arsenals, and the dock-yard, Avhere the Americans had a frigate almost ready for launching, and several other vessels ; but when this wavering and spiritless general reconnoitred the place, he would not venture an attack, and returned across the water towards Kinjxston. Then he changed his mind and went back to Sackett's Harbour ; and (but not without more wavering and loss of time) our troopi', about 7oO strong, were landed. The Americans were presently driven at the bayonet's point into some loop-holed barracks and forts ; and so panic-stricken were they, that they immediately set fire to their new- frigate, their naval barracks and arsenal, and destroy- ed a gun-brig and all tlie stores wbich liad so recently been captured at York. While the arsenal was in flames, while the Americans were flying through the village, and when the complete success of the assail- ants was certain. Sir George Prevost sent a precipi- tate order for retreat, merely because a momentary resistance was oifered by a party of Americans, who had taken refuge in the log-barracks ! The British troops reluctantly obeyed their general's order and returned to their boats, men and officers being acutely sensible to his folly, and wondering by what means so incompetent a commander had been placed over ,/ :3(J() I.IIE AXT) COHHESPO.NDENCE OF I ,! ?l i. hi I I! ' I them. If Sir Geornr Prcvo^t Imd sliidicd the liistorv of tiic war of" the Aniericim revolution, it couhl only iiavc been with an eye to co|>y all the indneislons and blunders of the fornialiisinfj, badlv instructed Jilnijlish f^enerals of that period. But the Howes, Clintons, and Burgoynes, were at least always ready to fight. As soon as the Americans could believe that the English were really abandonlnj:^ their enterprise at ihe moment that it was all but completed, they rushed back to stop the conflagration : they were too late to save the stores which had been brouglit from York, the navy bari-acks, or the brig, but the frigate on the stocks, being built of green wood, would not easily burn, and was found but little injured. If the destruction at Sackett's Harbour had been completed, ■we should have dejirived the Americans of every prospect of obtaining the ascendancy on the lake."* And, as if to crown this mi>erable failure, the details were narrated by the adjutant-general, in a dispatch to Sir George Prevost, as if Colonel Baynes had commanded in chief, and the governor-general had been present as a mere spectator If From these humiliating occurrences on Lake On- tario, we turn to tlie captured post of Detroit, which, it will be remembered, was left by Major-General Brock in charge of Colonel Proctor. No sooner liad intelligence of the surrender of Hull reached Washington, than the renewal of the North-Western army for the recovery of the Michigan territory be- came the anxious object of the American government. That army, which eventually outnumbered the former * Extract from the Pictorial History of England. + "SirGeorKf Prevost was hejoiul all doubt the of this expedition. Hut lu found it foiiveuient character; and the only detail of oporafioiis was patch from the adjiit;uit-(»:».iKral to liiuiself, obli wiiat was already sufhcieiitly known to him. Uy lie in some measure averted the exposure of mis and generously yiehh d liis laure.N, sucli as they w submissive follower." — (Juurtfj-l;/ Uecieiv. immediate commander not to appear in that in the sliape of a dis- g-iiigly communicating this ingenious device, carriage from himself, ere, to his grateful and ! tlie ])istory could only !oisj"oiis and ted Ji^nijlish S Clintons, ly to figlit. that the itrrprise at leted, they iv were too )uj3^ht from the fn'o-ate would not 3d. If the completed, > of every he lake."* the details a dispatch aynes had ^neral had Lake On- lit, which, 3r-GeneraI N^o sooner 11 reached h-Western rritory be- 'vernment. the former te fommandcr ppear in that liape of a dis- iminunicatin^ :nious device, from himself, s grateful and SIR [SAAC nnocK. '3Cu one, was placed uitfler the coniiirind of Major-Gcneral Harrison, (who died a few years since, while pret^ident of the I'nilod States,) and in Scpteniher was in full march for the Miami (or ]M,nunee) rapids, the spot assigned as the njeneral rentlezvous. In January, 1813, Colonel Proctor received information that a brigade of that urniy, iitidir Briga;lier Winchester, was en- cam))cd at Frenchtown, on the river Raisin. 40 miles south of Detroit. Tiie liritish commander, although he had orders not to act on ilie offensive, jiromptly determined to attack this brigade before it was rein- forced by die main body, a lew days march in the rear; and with his disposable torce, consisting of 500 regulars, militia, and seamen, he made a resolute assault, at dawn <'ii the 2'i(l, on the enemy's camp, wliich was completely successful. In this ufl'air, the Americans lost between and 400 men killed; and Brigadier 'Winchester, 3 field otfii^ers, 9 captains, '20 subalterns, and upwards of -vOO 7ncn, in prisoners. This gallant evploit secured Detroit from any imme- diate danger, but the day after it was sadly tarnished by the straggling Indians, who massacred such wound- ed j)risoners as were unable to walk, the guard left for their protection deserting their charge on a false alarm of General Harrison's approach. This success, for which Colonel Proctor was immediately j)romoted to the rank of brigadier, together with t!ic spoil obtained at Fretichtown, brouglit down several warlike tribes of Indians from tlie river Wabash, and even from the more distant Mississippi, to join the British standard. Towards the cud of March, Proctor learnt that General Harrison intended to eommcnce active ojierations for the recovery of the Michigan territory, on the arrival of considerable reinforcements, which he was expecting. Resolved to try the issue of ano- ther attack before tlie enemy, already much superior in numbers, gained a fresh acquisition of strength, Proctor embarked at Andierstburg with 520 regulars and 400 militia, and made for the mouth of the Miami, V 1 (: i :* . I 308 I.TFi; AND CORnrSPONDENCE OP fl>' '!i •. ;l ; :}l ; f ■] (or Maiimoo, ) whicli falls into Lake Erie. He as- cended tliat rivor, about 1,200 Indians co-operatin;^ with him, and landed his troops, stores, and ordnance, on Ihe 2Sth of'Aj>ril, near I'ort Meigh, (about twelve miles from its mouth, ) mountinj^ ei,t Fort Meigs, and many of them hastily returned to A»r- herstburg. Proctor next re -embarked his troops, and landed on the 1st of August near the Sandusky river, investing immediately, with nearly 400 regulars and between 200 and •M)0 Indians, Fort Stopiionson, about eighteen miles from its mouth. On the 2d, a fire was opened from two O-pounders and two o^-inch howitzers against the fort, which appears to have possessed only one masked 0-poi«nder, and to have been garrisoned by about 180 la ■ i, under Major Croghan ; but as the fire produced no impression, the place was ordered to be stormed. The assailants reached the ditcli which was raked by the masked gun, and sustained m consequence so severe a loss, that they retreated precipitately, liaving their gallant leader, Brevet Lieut. -Colonel Short, of the 41st, with 3 officers and 52 men, killed or missing, besides 3 officers and 38 men wounded ; while the Americans ■ F If :i70 I.IFL) AND COHUrSPONDMNCE 01' ; I • t ■■ liad onlv 1 killed mul 7 slif^Iitly womulod ; and iioi- vvithstaiidiii:; aoiiK* of tiieir historidiis have been hoiu- bastic enough lo coniparo the dnfonco of ibis littlo fort to tbat of I lie |(USi» of Tlicrruopylir, probably oonceivir){5 also Major (.'roglian to be anotlier Lco- nidas. The Iiidiatis did not assist in the assault, Avitii- (Irawiiif^ to a ravine out of gun sli it. Tiius foiled, Proctor retired on the J3d, and after abandorung " considerable baggaoe and a j;un-boat laden Avitli cannon ball,' lie returned to Andierstbiirg. The attack is said, even by the British, to have been *' ill digested," and the expedition to have ended Avitli '' some disgrace." * Towards die end of August, (1813,) the American squadron, under Commodore Perry, became too ])ow- erful for the Jiritisl), under Captain JJarclay, -vvho now remained ut Amherstburg to await the equipment of the Detroit, recently launched. The British forces in the neighbourhood falling short of various supplies, for which they depended chiefly upon the licet, Cap- tain Barclay bad no other allernative than to risk a general engagement. With this purpose be sailed on the 0th of September, with his small s(iuadron wetch- edly manned, and the next day encountered the enemy. For some time the fate of the battle poised in favor of the British, as the principal American ship, the Law- rence, struck her colours; but a sudden breeze turned tlie scale against them, and the whole of their squa- dron was compelled to surrender, alter a desperate engagement of upwards of three bonrs. Caj)tain Barclay was dangerously wounded; Captain Finnis, of the (Jucen Charlotte, killed; and every comman- der and officer second in command was either killed or wounded. Major-General Proctor's army was deprived, by this disastrous defeat, of every prospect of obtaining * "Tl'.e retreat of Proctor was precipitate. It is difficult to acconnt for his Iciiving' a smi-boat in the possession of the victors, as it was not exposed to the fire of tlie fort." — lirown's Americnn Ilinlori/. 1 III ; and iiot- v'O bi'cn boni- ot' this littlo lir, probably imotlicr Lco- assaiilt, wilh- Tliiis Ibilod, abiindoniiif:^ t lacb^n with tbiD'g. Tlie have been ended with he American line too ]K)w- tarcbiy, -vvho 10 equipment Jritish forces ons supplies, le Heet, C ap- ian to risk a he sailed on dron wctch- d the enemy, d in favor of ip, tlie Law- reeze turned f their squa- a desperate I's. Ca])taiu itain Finnis, ry com man- either killed le[)rived, by of obtaining lit to arconnt for s, as It was not M\\ ISAAC liliO' K, 371 ] its necessary suppli(N throujrh Lake I'rie, and a speedy retreat towards the head of Lake Ont.irio became inevitable. StuiiL'' with grief aiul in(li;^Miution, Tecuiiiseh at first refuso'l to iigree to the measure ; and in a council of war held at .VnilnTstburfj^ on the 18th of Soptembor, he delivered his sentiments aiiiiinst it in the following extemporaneous oration, which combines so much pathos and dignity minj^led \s\\.\\ sarcasm and reproach — so atlectiii^ a recital of j)ast injury and correct an apprr hension of future abaiulon- ment — such a rcli|:;ious I'ervour and resiirnalion to the Divine will — that it must command for this un- lettered chief the love and resjiect of the g'ood and brave; and vet the harangue, simply eloquent as it is, surters under all the (lHadvantu' ids red ciiildren know what liis inU'iiiions are. YfMi always fohl ii« to rt-uKiin liere and ttike (Mire of our lanils ; it made our liearts ^lad lo licar tlnit was your wish. Our siroat t'allier, tiie king, is the head, and you represent him Y;)u always told us lluit yc u would never draw your l')ot otl' nritish ground ; hut now, iatlier, we sco you arc drawing back, and we are sorry to observe our lather th, also destroyiufj the public property at I'oth posts ; and commenced liis retreat on the evenitifj^ of the 'iTtli, alouf^ the river Thames, with scarcely tMlOofticers and privates, chiefly of »,hc 4l3t re^nment. In this reverse of fortune, Tccumseli si ill adhei-ed to tlie Britisli standard with unswerving fidelity, and with the India, s covered the retreat. On the '2d of October, Genen I Harrison procjcded from Sandwich in pursuit with about JJjAOO men, accorni)anied part of the way i)y tliree gun- boats and a number of bateaux up the Thames, which is a fine deep stream, naviprable foi vessels of a cour siderable burthen. On the 'Jd and 4th, the Americans succeeded in capturing a few prisoners, a large num- ber of muskets, and two*24-pounders, with a quantity of balls and sliells — this exclusive of three boats * "Mo jilace in llio ITnUcd Stati's j)ri'senfs siicli a series of events in- tercstinj;: in tlien solves, and !)erinan(!ntly aftVctine:, an they oeeurred, both it.*^ prijiiros unci pro^perity. Five limes its flag lias ehan^ed ; three different sdvereigntie.s have claimed its allttfianee : and sinee it has been held by the United .States, its government has been thrice transferred twice it has been besieged by tlie Indians, once eaj)tured in war, and ouce burned to the ground." — Hisluricul Ulctc/ieii of Michigan. !^ ; f-V. k IP. I- ;._ ! 1, M :)74 LIFE AND COllHF.SPONDENCE 01' laden with arms and ordnance, and other stores, wliich were set on fire by tlie Britisli. On the rnorn- inrj of the 0th, the pursuit was ean;erly renewed, and before nine o'clock two gun-boats, and several ba- teaux, were captured, with which the American army was enabled to cross over to the right or opposite bank of the river, when it was ascertained that tlie British were halted in a jiosition twelve miles higher, and scarcely two miles from the Moravian village, (an Indian settlement, eighty miles from Sandwich,) to prevent, if possible, the further advance of the enemy. Proctor's entire force now musteied barely 850 regulars, including nearly 100 in th ; liospital, and perhaps 1,000 I ndiaris.* The former were drawn up in a straggling wood, in open files and in two lines, their left secured by the river, a gun fianking the road, and their right extending towards the Indians, who were posted wliere the wood thickened, so as to form a retiring angle with them, and to turn the enemy's flank on their advance. The extreme riffht of the allies was, moreover, covered bv an impassable swamp, and, thus flanked, the position was calculated to render the immense superiority of the pursuing force in a great degree unavailing. This description of the battle field was apparently fur- nished by Major-Gencral Proctor, or his friends, to the Quarterly Review, and it is confirmed by an American account before us ; but, on his court mar- tial,!" he was found guilty of having " neglected to * The Qviarterly Review says, that not more than 500 warriors remained with Tecumseh. (iuiieral Harrison states, in his dispatch, thtit tliere were considerably upwards of 1,000 Indians in the action -, and Sir licorpre Vrevost mentions, tliat l.'JOO Indian warriors accompanied the Hritisti army on its retreat — so ditHcult is it to arrive at the truth. The Quarterly Review estimates Proctor's force at only SOO ejfhuives, whereas (iOO regu- lars were made prisoners, and 2H\ escaped 1 t By tlie court martial lield at Montreal, in December, 1814, and January, 1815, on Major-General Proctor, lie was adjudged " to Ije publicly repri- manded, and to be suspended from raiili and pay tor the period of six calendar months," Owing' to some informality in the proceedings, the prince regent only confirmed the former part of the sentence, but con- veyed at the same time his iiigli disapprobation of Major-Geueral Proctor's conduct. SIR ISA.U JiROLK. •)■-■ - •tlicr stores, ► ii tlio rnoni- enowod, and several ba- icrican army or opposite r)cd tliat the niles liif^her, v'ian vlUai^e, Sandwich,) ariee of tlie teicd barely ;h'; hospital, were drawn and in two nin ilankinir towards the 1 thickened, and to turn .'he extreme cred. by an the position iperiority of lilinff. This arently fur- friends, to nied bv an court mar- iieglected to irriors remained itcli. thrit there and SirCjeorpe lied the Hritisli The Quarterly icreas (ioo regu- N.aiidJanuary, publicly repri- le period of six roceedings, the tetice, but con- eneral Proctor's occupy the heights above tlie Moravian villaije, al- thoufrh he had previously removed his ordnance, with the exception of one O-pounder, to that position, where, by throwing up works, he might have awaited the attack of the enemy, and engaged them to great advantage ; and tiiat after the intelligence had reached him of the approach of the enorny on the morning of the said f'jtli of October, he halted the said division, notwithstanding It was within two miles of the said villarje, and formed it in a situation hiirhlv nnfavor- able for receiviri;:; the attack." The enemv com- meneed the attack at four o'clock, p. m., with a regiment of mounted riflemen, the clit<; o»' their army, formed into two divisions ot" 500 men each, one of which charged the regulars with great impetuosity, while the other advanced with a company of foot a^rainst the Indians. The regulars, dissatisfied by fancied or real neglect, and dispirited by long conti- nued exposure and privation, made but a very feeble resistance ; their ranks were pierced and broken, and, being placed between two iires, they immediately surrendered; with the trifling loss of 1*2 killed and 22 wounded, the Jiritish general and a part of the troops seeking safety in flight.* But the Indians car- ried on the contest with the left of the American line wHli great determination, and did not retreat until the day was irretrievably lost, and 33 of their num- bers had been slain, including the noble Tecumseh — a warrior not less celebrated for his courage than for his humanity, his eloquence, and his influence over the different tribes. + The Americans returned to Sandwich iramodiatelv after the action, in which thev * "The ardour which had, till the fatal nth of October, ilistinguishcd tlie Ust regiment, arTnrds u strou;: belief it was not cowardice that made that corps surrentier so lamely, no matter to what superiority of force. The privations the troops had undergone, and the marked neglect which had been shewn at head quarters to the representations of th.eir com- mander, had probably possessed them with an idea, that any change would be an improvement in their condition." — James' Military Occurrrnces. <■ " Had th€ men of the 41st regiment at all emulated the Indians, the fate of the day might have been changed."— -/iirf. V ! .'37G LITE AM) COnnESPONDENCli OF kiln 'I ',; It \,' had only 7 killed and 22 wounded. Proctor, who until this retreat possessed the reputation of an active and zealous officer, is accused of leavinj^ entire the bridges and roads in the rear of his retiring army, of encumhering it with a cumbrous quantity of his own personal baggage, and of unnecessarily lialting the troops for several whole days ; and certain it is that his defeat led to the harshest recrimiiuition between Sir George Prevost and himself. The general order of the former on the subject was of unparaHeled severity, as he said : " On this disgraceful day up- wards of GOO officers and soldiers were taken pri- soners almost without a struggle, of whom but very few appeared to have been rescued by an honorable death from the ignominy of passing under the Ame- rican yoke, nor are there many whoso wounds plead in mitigation of tliis reproach." * The fugitives made the best of their wav to Ancaster, at the head of Lake Ontario; and on the 17th of October they numbered there 240, including the general and 17 officers. The consequence of these disasters was tiie relinquishment, by the British, of the Michigan terri- tory, with the exception of Michilimackinac ; the abandonment of the posts in Upper Canada to the westward of the Grand River, or Ouse; and the loss of the services of the whole of the north-western Indians, with the exception of 200 or 300, who sub- sequently joined the centre division of the army.f General Harrison, after garrisoning Detroit and Amherstburg, and discharging his Ohio and Kentucky * Killed, wounded and missing-, in the retreat and in the action of the ftth of October, 1813 : 1 inspecting field ofticer, 1 deputy assistant quarter- master-pencrai, I fort adjutant, 1 hospital mate, 1 lieutenant-colonel, <) captains, \'i lieutenants, ;i ensig:ns, 1 ))aymaster, 1 assistant-surgeon, •Jl sergeants, 13 drummers, 5j9 rank and rile, -iti horses ; total, officers and privates, (i34. t " The reader now sees the fatal consequences ; first, of not having, in the antumn of 1812, destroyed the two or three schooners which were equipping at Buffaloe by Lieutenant Elliott, secondly, of not having, in the spring of I813, secured the possession of Sackett's Harbour ; thirdly, of not having, in the summer of the same year, captured or destroyed the whole American rteet, as it lay, uumaaued, in Presqu'ile Harbour." — James' Military Ocuvrrt-nves. STR ISAAC BROCK. 377 *roctor, wl}o of an Jictive If; entire the ing army, of y of his own lialtinf; tiie tain it is that :ion botween general order unparalleled iful day up- e taken pri- ons but very an honorable er the Ame- roiinds plead 'he fuGjitives t the head of )ciober they eral and 17 stei's Avas the chigan terri- ckinac ; the nada to the and the loss orth-westera K), who sub- army ,t Detroit and id Kentucky ;he action of the ssistant quarter- uleimnt-colonel, isistant-surgeon, otal, officers and of not having:, ncrs which were ( not having, in irliour ; thirdly, eel or destroyed 'lie Harbour."— fe volnnteers, embarked on the 2*2d of October, witli his dirnosable re^^ular force, on board of Commodore I .y's squadron, to join the troops on the Niagara i atier. About the same time, the prisoners taken at the Moravian-town v/ere transported by water from Detroit to the yortagp. on Lake Erie, distatit 4o miles, and thence marched to Franklin-town, 130 miles further. Here they were sent in boats 100 miles down the Scioto to Chillicothe, at which place some of the sergeants and privates were detained. The remainder of the prisoners again ])roceeded by the Scioto to Cincinnati on the Ohio, wht;re, and at New[)ort-town, a military depot, half a mile across the river, nearly all the remaining non-commissioned oificers and privates were retained. The small rem- nant, consisting almost wholly of commissioned offi- cers, proceeded to the ultimate point of destination, Frankfort in Kentucky, (JOO miles from Detroit, and about the same distance from the r ,'arest Atlantic port.* Fort George was taken in May, 1813, by a large American force, under General Dearborn, which compelled Brigadier Vincent to withdraw his troops from Fort Erie and Chippawah, and to retreat to Burlington Heights, at the head of Lake Ontario, the British losing o'l killed, besides U[iwards of 300 wounded and missing. Immediately alter the cap- ture of Fort George, General Dearborn pushed for- ward to Stoney Creek a body of 3,(KJ0 infantry, with nine field pieces and 2o0 cavalry, for the purpose of dislodging Brigadier Vincent from his position. Lieut.-Colonel Harvey, f the deputy adjutant-general, and a very zealous and intelligent officer, proposed a night attack on this body, whicli was approved ; and with the 49th, under Major Plenderleath, and five companies of the 8th, under Major Ogilvie, (the whole only 704 firelocks,) he led the attack in gallant * James' Military Occiirrencs. + Tlie present Major-Ueneral Sir John Harvey, K. C. B. !./■ 378 LIFE AND CORUESPONDENCE OP il 11 -11 ! 1 Style ; and at two o'clock on the morninj^ of the Gth of June, the British, with fixed bayonets, rushed into the centre of the American camp. The enemy, although completely surprised, evinced a highly cre- ditable state of order and discij)line in repeatedly forming, though compelled as often to disperse before the resistless power of the British bayonet. Two brigadiers, (Chandler and Winder,) 7 other officers and 116 men, with three guns and one brass howitzer, were taken in this intrepid attack, which, as it reduced the Americans from offensive to defensive operations, was of the greatest importance to the salvation of the Upper Province. The enemy, however, occupied Fort George till the month of December, when they were compelled to evacuate it and retreat across the Niagara.* In that month. Colonel Murray surprised, and very gallantly captured by a night assault. Fort Niagara, which was retained by the British till the end of the war. From July to September, 1814, the Canadian bank of the Niagara became the theatre of a succession of obstinate and san' harassed inhabitants of the Niajjara district once more to tranquillity and repose. The recovery of Michilimackinac had long been seriously contemplated by the American government, and would have been attempted in the fall of 18L3 but for the lateness of the season, when the expulsion of the British from the banks of the Detroit had opened the passage into Lake Huron. On the other hand, the necessity of retaining a post so favorably situated, if in possession of an enemy, for annoying * The latter called by the Aiuorieans the battle of Hridgewater. + A concspoiident in the United Service Magazine, June, 1845. ■ II I I :J80 LIFE AND CORRESPONDrNCE OF ! *lf I I the British north-western trade, pressed itself on Sir George Prevost ; and in April, 1814, a reinforoerncnt of about 90 men, under an active and zealous ortieer, Lieut. -Colonel M'Douall, was forwarded with mili- tary stores and provisions, by a back route to Michi- liniackinac. They embarked In twenty-four bateaux from Nottawassef^a Bay on Lake Huron, distant 200 miles from Michilimackinac, and, after a very tem- pestuous passaat liritian, being at peace with the remainder of the w(M-ld, was in a condition to prosecute the contest with all her energies; but her people wished for repose after tne long and arduous struggle in which they had been enuaged ; and a treaty of peace, signed at Ghent on the *24th of De- cember, was ratified by the two governments, the plenipotentiaries on both sides waiving ever}' question at issue before the war, and restoring every acquisition of territory duriuLT its urojTress.i Thus the Americans had onlv the Canadian and defenceh'ss side of the Detroit to give in exchange ibr their fortress of Nia- gara and their key possession of Michilimackiiuic. Should Great Britain nnfortunately be driven into another Anierican war, as is too probable amid so many elements of discord, added to the reckless pre- tensions of the Southern, and more especially of the Western States of the Union, it is to be hoped that * John GnUianic, of Claverhoiise, was mortally woundril at tJ.e pa's of Killicrankic, in IM[), and died the next daj'. With him expin.-d he '.;ausc' of James tlie Second in Scotland, as, altlioufjh tlie war tanfrui.-'lied in the hiplilaiRh for two years after, notliinj; of importance occiirfd. When William was nrged to send more troops into Scotland, he replied : " It is unnecessary, tlie war has ended with Dundee's life." t With Groat Britain tlu. war was purely defensive. She fought not for new conquests, or to establish new claims, hut for tho protection of her colonies and the maintenance of riijhts, which had received the solemn contirmatiol of time. And these objects were completely secured ; the ratification of the treaty of Cihent by .America was a tacit abandonment of every assumption against whicti the government of this country had cnntcuded—Quarlerly Jievkw, July, 1822. 384 LIFE AXD rOnilESPONDENCE OP I'-l I; t i? ■*f:i If ih-l the Britisli jrovcrnmcnt will profit by the tiital expe- rience of tlie past, and that it will not again seek to entwine th(? olive hninch arouii'l ihc sword. The prophetic words of Sir I',^^l of its liberties, while such are a f( deration's unhullo\ycd oH'erings at the shrine of freedom. Early in 181 •5, Sir George T*revost was directed to return to England for the purpose of meeting ac- cusations relative to his conduct at Plattsburg, which Ijad been preferred by Commodore Sir Jaujcs Yeo, who, after some delay, produced his charges in legal form ; and to aiford time for the arrival ol' the neces- sary witnesses from Canada, the general court martial was postponed to the 12th of January, 1810. In the mean tiuie the health of the late governor-general, naturally of a delicate cast, became seriously affected, partly from anxiety of mind ; and he died in his 49th '' I 38(; MFK AND CORUESI'O.NDENCE OF : ! I yrar, in London, on tlic r>th of Januiiry, rxactly a week prcc'i'dinf; the day a|)|)ointc'd for Ida trial, leav- ing a widow, onft son, and two danj^litcrs. Previously to his dopurturo from Lower Canada, the commons, or Frond) party, voted him tlie miiniricent sum of .£.">,<)()() for tho purchase of a service of |)iiite, as a tril)Utc of respect, which vote was ap|)roved of hy the j)rincc recent ; hiu the h.'f;ishitivo council, or Miifjlish party, refused their assent to a l)ill for ihut pur|)ose. As Sir Geor wvvv. intended as an approval ol" his mili- tary condijct durin;jr the contest, r-ertairj it is that his confenip<»rari('s indij;nrinfly refused to ooncedc his claim to limn, and tiiit no historijin has as yet ad- mitted that claim.* It was unfortunate for Sir (m orge that ho \\n» called upon to wiige Mar against the I'niled States, as his natural .ind excusfible sympa- thies in favor of a people airiong whom he had been born, and at. Irast partly < duealed, may have intlii- enced his iiid«;mt>nt, wiihont miv coii^<;ious betraval of the great charge ontrur>red to him ; and this remark applies with double foree to his schoolfellow. Sir Roger Sheatl'e, whose entire family and connexions Were Anu'rican. in any cas(>, it was hard on Sir Isaac Brock, after being retained in Canada by Sir James Craig, \\]\cn he was so anxious to serve in the Peninsula, because that officer could not spare him, * Wliilo tlu'sc rcnip.rks wrrc in type, wo liciird ucridrntally of a Innjc moniiiiu'iit, ill tin ratlinlral at Wiii.hi'stiT, to the mtiiiory of Sir (icortfc I'rovost, Willi n laiiitatory inscriijtioii, for a f<'\i\ of whi. ii wo iMiiiicdiatoly wrote to a fricml, and wtiirti wi< now tran.scriln! without ciiiiimt'iit, as wo rospei't tlic tetliiiffs of coiijujial alfi'ctiou Ijy which the e|iUapti was i vl- dently dictated. " Sacred to the Memory of T,icul .-(ienornl Sir Oconre Prevost, Haronet, of lU'liiioiit, in tins (.ouiity, {iovornor-dfiii ral and ( oniinander-in-Cliief of tiio ]lrili'*h I'orecs in Niirth Amei'.iii; in wliicli eoninmnd, hy )iiw wise and enii(r»'ti(; measures, and witli a very inferior fnree, lie jiriserveil the C'aimdas to the Hritish Crown frurn thi* repeated inv;isioris of a powerful enemy. His constitution at len^'tli «ank under ineossant mental and bodily exertifms, in diseliarjring the duties of tliat arduous station ; und havinir returned to Kntrland, ho died sliorti> afterwards in l.ondon, on the .Mil of .January, iHiri, ajjed jn, thirtvl'our years of whieh had been devoted to the service of his Country. He was intered near the remains (it lii^. father, Major- fiencral Augustus Prevost, at East IJarnet, in Hert- ford.ihire. His Royal in«:hness the Prime lle!?ciit, to evince in an espe- cial nu\nner the sense he entertained of liis distini^uished conduct and services during a loni? period of e(5n»taut active employment, in stations of t'ri-at truHt, both Military and Civil, was |)leascd to ordain, as a histinjj Memorial of His Majc-ty's Ro\al I'uvor, that the names of the Countries where his C-ouratje and Abilities had been siufiially displayed — the West Indies and Canada — should be inscribed on the Banners of the Sup- porters, granted to be borne by his Family and Descendants. In testi- mony of his Private Worth, his Piety, iritefj^rity and Uenevolence, and all those tender, domestic virtues, whieh emleared him to his Family, liis Children, his FrieiK's, und his Dependants, as well as to prove her un- feifcned Love, (iratitude, and Kespeet, Catherine Anne Prevost, his afflicted Willow, caused this Monument to be erected. Anuo Domini ijjiy, y . • A''V*.^-. 388 MFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF -l\ I I .? I and after at length obtaining leave to return to Europe for that purpose — it was liard, we repeat, when hosti- lities did at last break out in America, that his ener- gies should have been so cramped by the passive attitude of his superior. Remembering, however, the maxim, de niurtms nil niai bonum, the editor has refrained from transcribing aui^ht reflecting on the memory of that superior when he could do so con- sistently with truth, although he feels acutely tjiat the death of Sir Isaac Brock— -hastened, as he believes it was, by the defi;nsive policy and mistaken views of Sir George Provost — was? an irreparable loss to his many brothers,*^ who were at that period just rising into manhood, and in consequence required all the interest for their advan(?ement which their uncle woukl probably have possessed. One especially, who closely resembled him both in appearance and character, and who would have been an ornament to any service, was compelled to embrace the profession of arms, for which he had been educated, under the banners of a foreign and far distant country. In that country, Chile, Colonel Tupper cruelly fell at the early age of twenty-nine years ; and if the reader will turn to the memoir of this ilaring soldier in the Aj)pcndix, neces- sarily brief as it is, he will prol)ably agree with the British consul who wrote, that he had '' for many years looked upon his gallant and honorable conduct as rellecting lustre upon the English name;" nnd he will think with the French traveller, who, after highly eulogizing him, said : '' N'est-il pas deplorable que de tcls hommes en soient reduits a se consacrer i\ uno cause ttrungere ? " * Fncluiling' the editor, ten; viz. two died youn/.', of scarlet fever, and were buried in tlif same ooffiii j two drowned at riift'erent times j tvro slain, two died at sea, while passengers on board his majesty's packets from Rio de Jamiro to Falriujntb, on the same day of the same month tl5th August' in different years, 1833 aud JSa; ' and only two still survive w E OP SIR ISAAC BROCK. 389 oturn to P^lui'ope oat, when liosti- u, that his ener- by the passive ig, however, the the editor has jflectins; on the ould do so con- acutely tjiat the 1, as he believes istaken views of •able loss to his 'riod just rising required all the heir uncle wouUl illy, who closely d character, and to any service, ion of arms, for the banners of a n that country, the early age of will turn to the ippcndix, neces- agrce with the had '' for many norable conduct name;" and he vho, after highly tltplorable que consacrer i\ unc •, ul scorkt fovcr, and rtiffirciit times , two his majesty's packets ly of tV.e same month 1 only two still survive. CHAPTER XVI. (TECUMSEH.) As the heroic and undaunted Terumseh* was so conspicuous In the annals of this war for liis fidelity and devotion to tiie British ?rown, and as his name has occurred so often in thcso pa Ai^ikir»W.Vt i . * f ' < > 300 LIFE AND (ORRESPONDENCi: OF •;l; much more formidable expedition, under General Wayne, entered tlie Indian territory ; tlie warriors gradually retired as the Americans advanced, but at Jeno;tii imprudently determined on making a stand. In the battle which ensued, the Indians were so com- pletely discomfited, that, the foUowinp; year, th>^y agreed to the treaty of Greenville, by wliicli th<.\y were compelled to cede a large tract of country as an indemnity for past injuries! As Tecumseh had then i^jarcely completed liis twenty-fifth year, and as tlie Indians pay great deference to age, it is not probable that he had any hand in this treaty, the more espe- cially as, from that period to 1812, he laboured inces- santlv to unite the numerous aboriuinal tribes of the North American continent in one grand confederacy, for the threefold purpose of endeavouring to regain their former possessions as far as the Ohio, of resisting the further encroachments of the whites, and of pre- venting the future cession of land by any one tribe, without the sanction of all, obtained in a general council. With this object he visited the different nations ; and having assembled the elders, he enforced his disinterested views in strains of such impassioned and persuasive clo(iuence, that the greater part pro- mised him their co-operation and assistance. But, to form a general alliance of so manv and such various tribes, required a higher degree of patriotism and civilization than the Indians had attained. From the numbers, liowever, who ranged themselvc with Tecumseh under the British standard, on the breaking out of the war in 1812, it is evident that lie had ac- quired no little iniiuence over them, and that his almost incredible exertions, both of mind and body, had not been altogether thrown away. About the year 1804, Els-kwa-ta-wa, brother of Tecumseh, proclaimed himself a prophet, who had been commanded by the Great Spirit, the Creator of the red, but not of the wltite, people, to announce to his children, that the misfortunes bv which thev were , k I : OF under General ; tlie warriors Ivatieed, but at lakirig a stand. IS were so com- ing year, they by wliicli they )t' country as an umseh hud then car, and as the is not probable the more espe- laboured inces- >1 •i %' assailed arose from their having abandoned the mode of life whioli He had pros^cribcd to them. He de- clared that they must return to their primitive habits — relinquish the use of ardent spirits — and clothe themselves in skins, and not in woollens. His fame soon spread among the surrounding nations, and his power to perform miracles was generally believed. He was ioined ')v manv, and not a few came from a great distance and cheerfully submitted to much hardship and fatigue, that they might behold the prophet, and then return. He first established him- self at Greenville, within the boundarv of the United States ; but the inhabitants of Ohio becoming alarmed at the immense assemblage of Indians on their fron- tier, the American authorities insisted on ids removal. Accordingly he ])roceeded, in 1808, to the Wabash, and fixed his residence on the northern bank of that river, near the mouth of the Tippecanoe. Here his popularity declined, but, through the influence of Tecumseh, he was again joined i3y many among the neighbouring tribes. The prophet's temporal con- cerns were conducted bv Tecumseh, who adro'tly availed himself of his brother's spiritual power to promote liis favorite scheme of a general confederacy. In 1811, Tecumseh, accompanied by several hun- dred warriors, encamped near Vincennes, the capital of Indiana, and demanded an interview with tlie governor of that state, Major-Gcneral Harrison, the same officer who, in 1813, commanded the victorious troops at the battle of tlie Thames, in which Tecumseh lost his life. The interview was agreed to, and the governor inquired whether the Indians intended to come arm(M.I to the council. Tecumseh replied that he would be governed bv the conduct of the white people ; if they came armed, his warriors would be armed also ; if not, his followers would come unarmed. The governor informed him that he would be attended b} a troop of dragoons, dismounted, with their side arms only, and that the Indians might bring their m'^ :f 392 LIFE AND COnUESPONDEXCE OF lb \\ It t ; war clubs and tomahawks. The meeting took place in a large arbour, on one fide of which were the dragoons, ei(i,hty in number, seated in rows; on the other, the Indian^. But besides their sabres, the draejoons wore armed with pistols. The following incident is said to have occurred at this interview. Tecumseh looked round for a seat, but not finding one provided for him, he betrayed his surprise, and his eyes Hashed fire. The governor, perceiving the cause, instantiv ordered a chair. One of the council offered the warrior his chair, and, bowing respect- fully, said to him : *' Warrior, your father, General Harrison, offers you a seat." "My father!'" ex- claimed Tecnmseh, extending his hand tovvards the heavens, " the sun is my father, and the earth is my , mother; she gives me nourishmetit, and 1 will repose on her bosom." Jle then threw himself on the ground. When the governor, who was seated in front of the dragoons, commenced his address, Tecumseli declared that he could not hear him, and requested hira to remove his seat to an open space near himself. The governor com|)lied, and in his speech complained of the constant depredations and murders which were committed by the Indians of Tijjpecanoe ; of the refusal on their part to give up the criminals ; and of the increasing accumulation of force in that quarter, for the avowed purpose of compelling the United States to relinquish lands which they had fiiirly pur- chased of the rightful owners. Tecumseh, in his answer, denied that he had afforded protection to the guilty, but manfully admitted his design of forming a confederacy of all the rod nations of that continent. He observed, that "the system which the United States pursued, of purchasing lands from the Indians, he viewed as a miijlitji water, ready to overiiovv his people, and that tlie confederacy which he was form- ing among the tribes, to prevent any tribe from selling land withoijt the consent of the others, was the dam he was erecting to resist this mighty water." And OF Pill ISAAC DHOCK. ao:^ inn- took place liich were the 1 rows ; on tlie L'ir sabres, the The following this interview, mt not finding; J surprise, and pi'rceivin* which would have been conferred upo!) the late Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, and which the prince regent has been pleased to direct should be deposited with his family, as a token of the respect ■which his royal highness entertains for the memory of that officer. I am, Sir, yours, F^KDEfticK, Commander -iu-Chief. * The medal if. a very laige and Iieaiitifully executed gold one, made to s-Hspcud from the neck. On the obverso is, " Detroit i" on the reverse, the flijrnre <'f Britannia; and round the rim, "Major-General Sir Uaac Brock." The uiedal was given only to the principal officers. / 398 LIFK AND f ORUESPONDENCR OF . 1.' H '! In llio year 1817, Mr. Savory lirock vlsitod the rnited States and Canada, and, wliiltj in the latter ronntrv, received the grants of tlie l'i,(MK> acres of land voted by the lec;ishitnre of the Tpper Province to the four brother* of Sir Isaac Brock. The letters written by him durin*;; his travels were hi«;hly ])ri/ed at the time, and the following are brief extracts from them : YoKK, Upper Canada, Aug. '20 to '2-5, 1817. 1 travelled with three gentlemen from New York as far as Fort George, where they left me on their return by Montreal. We crossed at RuHalo on the 9th instant, at which place we arrived iialf an hour before the l*resident ; and although one of our party (Mr. Gouverneurj was his nephew, we did not delay our journey to have a view of his coui'teiiance, and oame over to Fort Firie, or, projieriy speaking, its remains. Seven miles from the fort, 'vo stopped the next i.iorning to breakfast at a house where Isaac liad lived six months, and the landlord told me with tears : '* He was a friend and a father to me. 1 was close to him when he was shot ;" — with these words, unable from his feelings to add more, lie walked away quickly up his orchard .... On paying my respects to Mrs. Powell, th : iady of the present chief justice, and to Mrs. (Haus, they were greatly affected, and shed tears ; and ]Mr. Scott,"^ on whom I called yesterday, was equally so. Every one here is most kind- Isaac truly lived in their hearts: from one end of Canada to the other, he is beloved to a degree you can scarcely imagine — his memory will long live among them. " To your brother, Sir, we are indebted for the preservation of this province," is a sentiment that comes from the heart, and is in the mouths of too many to be flattery. This is pleasing, no doubt, to me, but it is a mournful pleasure, and recalls to me the past. 1 dine at five with the gen- * Thetlien late chief justice. P, OF ock vi^iitotl tlie It; in tlic latter l-i,(MH) acres of '^ppcr Province :k. Tlie letters ■e. bitihly prized tf extracts from •i(> to 'iO, 1817. roin New York ift nic on their Rurt'alo on the ;(l iiiilf an hour lie of our party e (lid not delay urteiiance, and y ■speaking:, its VD stopped the se where Isaac •d told mo with r to me. 1 was ith these words, drc, he walked On paying my he present chief greatly affected, whom 1 called ne here is most irts : from one ved to a degree uory will long er, Sir, we are province," is a , and is in the 'his is pleasing, .1 pleasure, and e with the gen- siR ISAAC nuo( K. mo K > tlemcn of this town, and I see a spj "d tnhl. 'aid out up stairs — the garrison is invit«'d. I fournl no way to avoid these m irk.s of rospei^t to Isaac's nie- mory. I assure you that it is truly unpleasant to mo to sec 80 many persons putting themselves in some degree out of their way to gratify me, as I think it, though I am aware that tliev do it to satisfv their own fe(!lings. 1 should also mention, that last Saturday 1 ilined at Fort George, by invitation of the gentlemen there and its environs; we were f()rfi/-/iine in num- ber, and it was the anniversary of the capture of Detroit! I was invited, without their rcn>enibering the day of the month — it was a curious coincidence. The clergynum, who was of the parly, made allusion during divine service next morning to Isaac, and to my being in the church. 1 mention these particulars, that you ma) fully judge of the kindness o( all. After the service, three fine young farmers came up to me and wislied to shake hands, having been at Detroit and Queenstown. Nothing could exceed their marks of attachment. I>ery body, they said, uotmected with Isaac would always be seen v\ith pleasure : they were, like myself, most sensibly af- fected. I hear of such misconduct on the part of most of the generals, of such negligence that was occasioned by it on the jmrt of other officers, that it is only surprising we retained the country. Every general required so much urging to permit an attack, that it was leally a favor for any enterprising officer, who grieved that nothing was done, to be allowed a hand- ful of men to beat the eneni) with. I'oor Vork ! how miserably detcnded ; but 1 shall not enter into particulars; as no interest is now entertained for these artairs. MoNTUEAL, October '24. I have had 7,(X)0 acres granted in East and West Flamborough, at the head of Lake Ontario, about twelve miles from its margin ; this is the best of our ¥•■ 4«M) LI^'K AND CORKFSI'O.N DENCH OF lanil, Init not u lioii'^c within niyjlit or riino miles of it ; 1,2(M) acrts in ilrock tounsliip, on Lake Simooe ; 3,(H)0 nnres in Monajj;lmn, on llic llice Lake ; and 800 acre;* in Murray, on Lakr ( )ntiirio. I crossed from York to Kinjjston in a steam boat of 7*J*2 tons, \-iiS feet keel, und >)() feet beam — in u buteiui to La Cliine, and nnicliod Montreal on the lOth instant. On the KMi I left this at six o'cdock a. ra. in a steamer of r»l() tons, and reached (Quebec tlie next (lav (Frida\) at aht)Ut one o'clock, p.m., having anchored all nij-dit, the ehaiinel beinrr too nar- row to pass in the dark. 1 remained until Tuesday night at Quebec, and arrived here last evening' at seven o'clock — thi^ is quick and pleasant travelling — the cabin of tlitse boats is good, and tin; meals, four a day, e.\n Lake Simcoe ; Rice Lake ; and rio. i ill a flteani boat feet beam — in u Montreal on tlie his at six o'clock I reached (Quebec le o'clock, p. m., nel beint^ too nar- icd until Tuesday ? last evening at asant travelling — id the meals, four ;>• board and wine, t )lace have formed waited on me to ueaday is named, m quite overcome earf, of the IMJth, Isaac's memory rely. At Quebec, &c., visited the as much ple;ised ,c is highly vene- me to find it so many other gene- ur. arc spoken of s. he brought the model Oil at New York, steam nd. Ilo cxhiV)itcct this , aiul sircnifly urged the iner in th'.; suppression of li oi.e of the naval lords, oople of England would ,1 cimvass, and gave this '.ngland can over prevent cannot, so surely will Kxtract from iho Montn'til Ifirultl of Sovtuihtr 1, IH17. On Tiifhday, tlic 'JHth ultiuui, llir itrinripiil it iialtKautH of Moiitrcul ^;avt> a public diiiiior iil Mio Maii^iini ilousKs io Jl<' in a luaimor wortliy of the acca^sion wliicti tho company hail asseuibleil to cotiiiiiotDoratc. After the cloth was removed, a scries of npjtroi^riHlo toasts wen; given Iroin llie eliair. Wlicn " ihc memory of tho lato Mnjor-fJenerul Sir It^aue IJroek ' \\;\.* piedjjjetl and «lnink, Mr. 11. availed himself of the. universal Hilence it ereat«'d to address) the company. In a short Hp the tram- mels of superior authority ; the ailvance of an b istiU; army, liowever, upon our provincial territory, developed tho re- sources of Ids military tzeiiius, and alVorded him a glorious op[)ortunity of proving to his country what he miijlit have achieved under diH'erent eircumsfanees. Mr. IJrock ajjolo- gized to the company for detaining them a few unnutes longer, in reading somi- extracts of letter* be had received from the late general, at different times, ])revious to the battle of Queens'own. These extracts corrt)borateil what Mr. B. had previously stated ; and it is remarkable that in one of theuj, with a spirit almost proi)!ietic, the hero foretold the iirsiie of that eventful day. when the hand of victory was destined to nungle the cypress and the laurel over his grave. Mr. Brock's feelings were a good deal alfeeted in addressing 80 numerous au assendjhige of his latf- brother's personal friends ; and we may venture to add, that never were feelings steam iKiats navigate the llritish channel." Althongh foiled and unheeded at this time, Mr. Brock lived to witness the fulfilment of his views and proposals, which were then treated as visionarv. — See Uitrrnseij anil jKrseii Miii^'izinr, vol. v. p. 117.) I'e was a man of great decision and energy of character, of wiiich many interestui;;' anecdotes are related. 402 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OP f; n of the same description more sacredly participated than those of Mr, B. on this occasion. Mr. li. conchuled liis speech by drinkiiifr the hetilth of the company, and "success and pros- perity to the city of Montreal." At eleven o'clock the president retired, and was suoceet.'d in the chair by the Hon. W. M'Gillivray, who iuimediatfly proposed the health of the worthy baronet, with three tinies three. The band of the 99th rec;iment attended and played a variety of beautiful airs, which, in addition to a number of excellent songs given in the course of the evening, seduced the party to remain until the *' little hours" stole upon them. We rcj^ret that want of room prevents us from iioticing as we couhi wish the neat and soldierlike address of thanks from Lieut. -Colonel M'Bean, on behalf of the garrison of Montreal, or of recording a translation of the figurative speeches, deli- vered in the Indian language by Lieut. -Colonel M'Kay and A. Shaw, Esq., excited from those gentlemen by a recurrence to the co-operation of the gallant warrior, Tecumseh, with the lamented chief whose immortal memory forms the subject of this article. f is Irving Brock, Esq., to his niece, Miss Caroline Tapper.*^ London, April 12, 1825. I went to Windsor on Wednesday last with the four Indians, accompanied by my friend Mr. W , to shew them the castle, Frogmore, &c. ; but the chief object, wliich T had secretly in mind, was to have thorn introduced to his majesty. Sir John C , the late mayor of WinJsor, assisted me very ctFectually, and the upshot of the matter is, that the king expressed his desire to see the Indian chiefs, although every bodv treated this as a most chimerical idea. They wore, for the first time, the brilliant clothes which Mr. Butterworth liad had made for them, and you cannot conceive how grand and im- posing they appeared. The king appointed half-past one on Thursday to receive our party at the royal lodge, his place of resi- dence. We were ushered into the library ; and now 1 am going to say somewhat pleasing to your uncle * Tlio present Mrs, Dc lieauvoir T)c Lisle. h I E OF fipated than those lied his speech by ' succeijS and pros- and was suoceot.'d who immediately , with three tiiiies [led and played a ion to a uumher of ! eveniiiir, seduced i" stole upon them. IS troni noticing as ress of thanks from irrisonof Montn^al, tive speeches, deli- olonel M'Kay and nen by a recurrence 3r, Te'cuinseh, with ry forms the subject Caroline Tapper.* ^pril 12, 1825. lay last with the lend Mr. W , re, &c. ; but the in mind, was to esty. Sir John , assisted me very natter is, that the he Indian chiefs, u most chimerical me, the brilliant ad had made for Av grand and im- le on Thursday to , his place of resi- brary ; and now in"- to* vour uncle SIR ISAAC BROCK. 403 l)e Lisle. Saver} . As Sir John C was in tlie act of intro- in French, very observe you have ou permit me to arquess tlien pro- d coronation peer ■d hy a rich maza- seeing this, drop- th., knig took tlie is hand, and said : joodness to tie this Vmd Nagle, with '.count of tlie gout, I who wore a list hiefs, and received tlie cordon on the e much amused to . dispel the gout, ithin reach of the re was completed, th the utmost ear- •dour which must d. The king ap trong and unequi- The other chiefs jT could have been ctter taste. After lem to rise and to ,ts, and, which ap- majesty remained was thiit the grand lis feelings, poured voice and action, SIR IJiAAC BROCK. 40^5 the following unpremeditated speech in his native Indian tongue. I say un|iremeditated, because that fi!',e alhision to the sun could not have been contem- j)lated while we wore wailing in the library, the room where we ex))ccted the interview to take place. I was pleased to find that the presence of this mighty sovereign, who governs the most powerful nation upon earth, did nc>t drive from the tlioughts of the pious chief, the Kinfi" of kings and the Lord of lords. The Instant he had finished, flie chief of the war- riors interpreted in the French language, and I wrote down the speech as soon as I left the royal lodge. It should be ul)served, that the cliiels iiad been previously informed by me that, according to etiquette, they should answer any questions which his majesty might be pleased to ask, but not inrroducc any conversation of their own. The sun was shining vividly. THE SPEECH. I was instriiclod not. to speak in the royal presence, unless in answer to your majesty's (juostions. But rny feelings cver- power me. >ly heart is full. I am amazed at sueh unex- pected grace aixl tondesoensirin, and cannot doubt that I shall he pardoned fur expressing my gratitude. The .sun i? shedding his genial rays upmi our heails. He reminds us of tlie great Creator of the universe — of Him who can make alive an'? who can kill. Oh! may that gracious and benefi- cent Being, who promises to answer the fervent prayers of his people, blfs' abundantly jour iiiajosty. May He grant you much bodily health, and, ior the sfake of your happy subjects, may He i)rolong your valuable lite ! It is not alone the four individuals, who now stand before your nmjesty, who will retain to the end of their lives a sense of this kind and touching reception — tlie uhole of the nations, whose representatives we are, will ever love and be devoted to you, their good and great father. His majesty felt deeply every word of the speech, when interpreted I'V the chief of the warriors. The king answered, that he derived high satisfaction from the sentiments they had expressed, and assured them that he should always be much interested in the hap- piness of his North American subjects, and would 40() LIFE AND CORRESPONDKNCE OF i N avail himself of every opportunity to promote tlieir welfare, and to prove that he was indeed their father. After acknowledging in gracious terms the pleasure which the speech of the grand chief had all'orded him, he mentioned, in an easy and affable manner, that he had once before in his life seen some indivi- duals of the Indian nations, but that was fifty-five or fifty-six years ago. He inquired of their passage to this country, the name of the ship and of the master, and was persevering in his questions as to tiie treat- ment they had experienced at his hands, whether they luid been made comfortable in all respects, and if lie had been polite and attentive. While the grand chief was delivering his speech in the Huron language, it seemed as if it would never end ; and, observing the king look a little surprised, I informed the Marquess Conyngham, in a loud whis- per, that this was the mode in which they expressed their sense of any honor conferred, and that the chief of the Marriors would interpret the speech in the French language. The king asked me to repeat what I had been saving, and Geortre and Irving conversed for some time. His majesty, on another occasion, asked me under what circumstances the Indians had been introduced to me. 1 answered that they were recommended to my notice, because thev had been invested with the medallions of his late majesty by my brother. His majesty hoped the Indians had seen every thing remarkable in Windsor, and told us we were welcome to see the interior of tlie lodge and pleasure grounds, that Sir Andrew Barnard would accompany us every- where, to his stables, menagerie, aviaries, dtc, and afterwards he trusted we would partake of some re- freshment. He also offered us the use of his car- riages. The refreshment was a truly royal repast — we eat on silver — the table groaned, as Mr. Heath- field would say, under the king's hospitality. We made a famous dinner — pine apple, champagne, CE OF SIR ISAAC nnocK. 407 to promote tlielr deed their father. ?rms the pleasure lief had alforded i affable manner, }ocn some indivi- it was fifty-five or >f their passage to md of the master, ns as to the treat- 5 hands, whetlier 1 all respects, and jring his speech in if ft would never . a little surprised, ,m, in a loud whis- ch they expressed and that the chief the speech in the me to repeat what 1 Irving conversed 1 another occasion, es the Indians had •ed that they were ise they had been Is late majesty by ad seen every thing s we were welcome pleasure grounds, company us every- aviaries, ike, and artake of some re- le use of his car- uly royal repast — ed', as Mr. Heath- s hospitality. We ipple, champagne, claret, &c. — servants in royal liveries behind our chairs. After dinner the Indian's gave us the war sou^, when, (in your uncle Savery's poetry about Maria Easy,) "Thoiish Un: (liijjs ran o\it in a prciit fright. The ladies rushed in with much dcliijht." [NoTK.— Those ff)\ir Indians came to Kn^laiul for the purpose of endea- vouring' to recover lands whicli lutd be(Mi j^ivi-n to their tiil)e hy Louis the Sixteenth, tuit it appears that tl\ey did not succeed. They were very pious Koman Catholics, ai.d tliosc wlio saw them were much amased with their simple and primitive manners —En.] Extract of a Letter from Wnlter Broml -v, K.tq., (Intel London, ISth April, 1825. — Fro./t a H'llif/i.i A'. .S. /ifuwjiapi'r. The Indian cliief, who accompanied me to ICngland, sailed in the \^'ard, for New Brnnswick, a few diiys ujijo, headed with presents to hi.s family and peopli;. I tlunk his apiieiirunce here l\as heen more benciiciai than if volumes had been printed on Indian civilization, and I am in liope that nt\ l)r)tli sides of the Atlantic a sencral symprdliy has heen excited. Tlie four Canadian chiefs have attracted much attention, and have licen pre- sented to his majesty by the 'orotlur of tlic late (iei.eral Brock ; they arc the most mterestitijf characterb 1 ever saw — are extremely polite — and speak I'rench fluently. Mrs. (Lieut. Colonel) EUot* tn her sistor, in Gucrnsfi/. QiEBEt', January 12, 1831. With my kindest love to the Tuppers tell them that I often see Colonel Glcgg, who was Sir Isaac Brock's aide-de-camp : he is now Lord Aylmer's civil secretary, and we meet very often. He speaks affectionately of his ohl patron, and has made many- inquiries relative to the family : the tears come into Jiis eyes when he talks to me of old times. He and George (Lieut. -Colonel Eliott) were a great deal together during the war in the Tipper Province. The other day, at dinner at the ciiateau, he told me that he had had a visit from Sir Isaac's old housekeeper, who is still living here in a similar situation to the House of Assemblv, and gets £50 a year salarv. He knew her directly, and seemed quite affected when telling me thai she had brought her credentials * Her husband, who distinguished himself in Upper Canada during the war, was then scrviug on the staff in Lower Canada. W' 408 LIFE AND CORRESPON'DKXCE OF ii 'I a i .i I >i i I; with her in case he Imd not recognized her, as many years had ehipsed since fhcy met ; and she opened a pocket hook carefully, ^v•llich she had in her hand, and took a piece of a shirt with the initials of General Brock's name, which she said she liad cat off when the hody was broun;ht in to be hnried at Fort George, and preserved it as a relic of her dear master. This little, triflinj^, aifeciionate i^eniomhrance of the old creature, shews her real attachment. Colonel Glegnj j]jave her a new snuff box, filled a\ ith sjiutt' from Pa- ris, and told her to come again to see iiiin. Perhaps the Tappers will be pleased to hear this little anecdote, [Mrs. Eliot, whose maiden name was J.-vne M'Crea, is the daughter of an American loyalist and a gallant tield otticer, now deceased, and the niece and namesake ot the untoituiiate Jane iM'Ciea, whose trafrical fate in the Americr.n revolutionary war exeit?d so niiieh commisseration, and pave rise to a correspondence In-tween the American >!:eneral, Gates, and General Bnrgoyne. The former wrote: "Miss M'Crea, u young lady, lovely to the sig-ht, of virtuous charai.ter and amiable disposition, engaged to an ottieei' of your ann>, was with otlier women and children, taken out of a hoiihC near Kort Kdward, carried into the woods, and there scalped and mangled in a most shocking manner ... The miserahle iate of Misj* M'Crea was iiartieularly aggravated by being dressed to receive her pro- mised liii.-baiul, but met her murderer emiiioyed by you." The latter, in his reply, stated, that "two chiefs, wl;o had brought her off for the purpose ol security, P'lt of violence to her pc^rson, di^^puted which should be her guar 1, and in a lit of .savage i)assiou in one, from whose hands .she wa.s snatched, the unhappy woman In came the victim," ] We have in a precedino; chapter described the mo- nument, on Queenstown Heights, to the memory of Sir Isaac Brock, a monument which " the popularity of the general had caused to be regarded with more affectionate veneration than any othi r structure in the province." On Good Friday, the 17th of April, 1840,^ a miscreant, of the name of Lett, introduced a quantity of gunpowder into this monument with the fiendish ]»urpose of destroying it ; and the explosion, effected by a triin, caused so mucli damage as to render the column altogether irreparable. Lett, who was by birth an Irishman and by settlement a Cana- dian, had been compelled to fly into the United States * On the same day, ten years previously, Sir Isaac Uroek's nephew, extorore, colonel Tupper, was slain in Chile. a I OF 3(1 her, as many ml she opened a ad in her hand, litlals of General lad cut off when [ at Fort George, ar master. This -anee of the old Colonel Glegg h sputt' from Pa- ?c him. Perhaps lis little anecdote. fre«, is the daughter of . now deceased, and the ica, whose tragical fate u-h commissiTatioD, aud ica.i Koncral, Gates, and ^ M'C'rca, a young lady, Khle disposition, cngagert n and children, taken out voods, and there scalped •he mis^erahle late of Miss* ressed to receive her pro- Ed by you." The latter, I brought hcv off tor the n. ili.puted which should |u.>, from whose hands she ictim."! descrihed the mo- to the memory of h " the popularity Uarded with more [u r structure in the he 17th of April, I Lett, introduced a [lonurnent with the and the explosion, uch damage as to luvahle. Lett, who 1 settlement a Cana- the United States [ir Isaac iJrock's nephew, .4: Sill I>AAC nilOCK. 40<) for his sliare in the recent reheilion ; nnil *' well knowinf; the feeling; of attaclmient to the iiainc ami ineriiory of General IJrock, as pcrvailing all classes of Canadians, he soufrht to lri};e, an officers of the nid bled with the V were assembled iiey had come to enthusiasm with rpd may easily be .ictinesquo combi- /, beheld from the luid the brightness [ect of the whole.' )Out 8,000 persons, .;is increased by a ruards, with tlicir 11 ; and by the 93d solutions, of which with admiratioTi and Sir Isanc Brock led iillant militia, and the oppose the invaders- id his sagacious policy force apparently over- ice Macaulay. the speakers \UanMafNRl^! Mr.Thor- is colonel R. »• Fraser; :olona Kerby ; ^^«!«"?\*^^ the Hon. Mr. Sal hvan ; '. Colonel M'Dougal ; the ,'. Lieut-Colonel Kearnes , Esq "anil Lieut-colonel Montreal was also held in lenstown Heights. SIB ISAAC IJHCCK. 411 We catmot refrain from transferring to these j)a<:fes parts of the lon^ ajid cloqut-nt speech of llie chief iusti(rff, Itobinsoti,* ^vllo on advancing to tlio front of the }iii>^Mnirs to mov<. the si.xth resolution, was rcceivec' ...uid tiie most, enthusiastic cheers. If it were intended Sy tlio.se wljo committed this sliameful oiitratje, tliat tlu- injury slionld l»e irreparabN', the scene wliicli is tiow betort' us, on lliese interesting i...ipj...j, sliews that they little nnderslood llie feelings of veneration for the memory of BiiorK whicdi still dwell in the hearts of tlie peo- ple of Upper Canada. No man ever established a bt'tter claim to the aftVctions of a country ; and, in recallint:^ the recollections of eight and twenly years, there is no difficulty in accountin<;: for the feelintj which has brouy;ht us together on this occasion, .imotiu; the many who are assembled here from all parts of this prdvince, I know there are some who saw, as I did, with f^rief, the body of the lamented general borne from the Held on which he fell — and many who wit- nessed, with me, the melancholy scene of his interment in one of the bastions of l-ort George. They can never, I am sure, forget the countenanees of the soldiers of that gallant regimi-nt whieh In- had lung commanded, when they saw deposited in the earlli the lamented officer who had fur so many years bei'ii their pride; they can never forget the feelings displayed by the loyal militia of this province, when they were oonsigtiing to the grave the noble hero who had ao lately achieved a glorious triumph in the defence of theii" country: they looked forward to a dark and perilous futurcj. and they felt that the earth was closing upon him in whom, more than in all other human means of defence, their confi- dence had been reposed. Nor can they forget the counte- nances, oppressed with grief, of those brave and faithful Indian warriors, who admired and loved the gallant IJrock, who had bravely shared with him the dangers of that period, and Mho had most honorably distinguished themselves in the Held, where he closed his short but brilliant career. • •«»»» It has, I know, Sir, in the many years that have elapsed, been sometimes objected, that General Brock's courage was greater than his prudence — that his attack of Fort Detroit, though it succeeded, was most likely to have failed, and was * chief Justice Robinson is, from all wc hear of him, the most eminent and talented man in liritish A'lierica. Sir Francis Head, who, in his work Thi" Kmiifraiit, must hit^lily, uid, we believe, most justly euloi^izes his public and pris-atc worth, sti.;os that he is a native born Canadian, and is the son of a Briti>th officer, who served during the first American war, and accompanied Cienurai Slmcoe to Canada. ) t 41-2 IIFE AM) COKKF.SPONDKVt K OF u I. i'. 1: ■!!'i therefore injudicious — ninl Umt. a r>imilar raslmrss and want of rool caloulutioii were displayed in llie inniiTicr of liis deatli. Those «h() lived in Cpper Cnnadu while fhoo evi-nts were pnssinjr, ('an t'orui a truer judi5:inent ; tliey know that what may to some seem nxslmess, was, in fact, prudenee ; unless, indeed, the defence of Canada was lo bo n't.vinioned, in the almost desperaie eireunist;uiees in which 'jeicrai Urock. was I)laced. lie had witii hiin bnt a liandliil o'' men. who 'lad never been used lo military discipline — few, indeed, that had ever seen actual service in the Held , and he knew it nnisl bo some months before any considerable reinforcement eould be sent to him. He felt, therefore, that if he coidd not impress upon the enemy this truth, that — wherever a miijor-jicoeral of the Jiritish army, with but a few gallant sohlit-rs of the line, and of the brave defenders of the soil, eould be aspembled against them — they must re' ire from tiit land which Ihey fiad invaded, his cause was hopeless. If he had begun to compare numbers, and had reserved his snuill force in order to make a safer effort on a future day, then would thousands upon thousands of the pe(ji»le of the neiglibourir.g States have been found pouring into the western portions of this province; and when at lat-t our mother country could Pend, as it was certain she would, her armies to our assistance, they would have had to expend their coiirajre and thoir stren^'th in taking one strot,,. position after another, that had been erected by the eneiny within our own territory. A\ ' at the moment when the noble soldier fell, it is true he fell in discharuing a duty which mitjht liave been com- mitted to a subordinate hand ; true, he might have reserved himself for a more deliberate and stronger ett'ort ; but he felt that hesitation might be ruin — that all depended upon his example of dauntless courage — of tearless self-devotion. Had it pleased Divine Providence to spare his invaluable life, who will say that his ettbrt would have failed ? It is true his gallant course was arrested by a fatal wound — such is the fortune of war; but the jieojde of Canada did not feel that his precious life was thrown away, deeply as they deplored his fall. In later periods of the contest, it sometimes hap- pened that the example of General Brock was not very closely followed. It was that cautious calculation, which some suppose he wanted, which decided the day against us at Sackett's Harbour — it was the same cautious calculation which decided the day at Plattsburg ; but no monuments liave been erected to record the triumphs of those fields — it is not thus that trophies are won. The Hon. Mr. Justice Macaulav, in niovincj the third resolution, thus elegantly cxj)ressed himself; SIH ISAAC imoiK. 4Ui »s and want r h\* dentil, events were tliat whiit ce ; unless, ned, in the i IJrdck. WHS [i. who 'lad ;(1, that had V it nnisil bf? -nt couhl be not impress ijor-'^i-iieral liiers of the ic assembled whir^h they id beijun to ree in order d thousands ariiig States ions of lliis couhl send, stance, they jeir 9tren),'th at had been 11, it is true ; been com- ave reserved but he felt ed upon his otion. Mad ble life, who is true Iiis -such is the lot feel that ley deplored letiuies hap- as not very ation, which figainst us calculation Tuonuments lose fields — Tiovinpj the liruself : It was not my good fortun ■ to nerve in the field under the illnsfrions llrock, hut I was under his ooniinand for u -hort jieriod when coininandant of the garrison of (^>uebec, thirty years ago, and well rcuienduT his eoiiirratulaliug mo upon i-eeeiving a counnisNiou in tlie army, uicouiitauied with good wishes foi uiy welfare, vvliii>h I shall ni-ver forget. I h'el myself a huniide sabaltern still when called upon to a(Mrei«H Bueh an auditory, mid u|toM such a topic as the memory of JJroek. Looking at tin aiiimaled muss covering these heights in lrt-l(>, to do further honor to the iiufortunuie victim of a war now old in history, one is prompted to ask, how it hop- pens that the gallant general, who has so long slept the sleep of death, left the lasting impression on the hearts of his countrymen whidi this scene exhibits ; how comes it thut ihe fame of Brock thus lluais do«i. thu stream of time, broad, deep, and fresh as tlit^ waters of the famed river with whose waters, it might be almost >aid, his life's blood miuKled? In rejily, we might dwell upon his eivil and military virtues, his patriotic self-devotion, his chivalrous gallantry, and his tri- umphant fichiovements. fllere one of the auditors added, '•and that he was an honest man" — an attribute most warmly responded to one every side, for an honest man is the noblest work of God.) Siili it micrht be askt.'d, What peculiar jiersonal (piaiities predominated and gave hliu the talismanic infiueuce and a-eendancy over his fellow men, which lie acrpiired and \vieliled for his country's good? I answer. Are there any seamen among you.' (Yes, yes, an- swered from the crowd) — then I say it was the Nelsonian spirit that animated his breast; it was the mind intuitively to conceive, and the soul promj)tly to dare, incredibh,' things to f eble hearts — with a skill and bearing which infus«;d this chivalrous and enterprising spirit into all his followers, and impelled them energetically to realise whatever he boldly led the way to accompli-h. It displayed itself too, not only in the ranks of the disciplined soldiers, luit in those also of the untrained militia of Upper Canada, as was amply proved on this memorable ground. Such were the shining and conspi- cuous qualities of the man that have rendered very dear Ids ni?inory and his tame. Gentlemen, the resolution which I hold in my hand is expressive of the indignation felt through- out the province at the lawless act, the eH'ects of which are visible before us. After the rcsolntiotis had been carried by acclatna- tion, and the public pruccediii'is had terminated, (KK) persons sat down to dinner in a temporary pavilion erected on the spot wliere the hero fell, "Chief Jus- i 414 LIFU AND COUKESrONDKNCE OF i 5 tico Robinson presldinj^; mid at tliis, ns rit tlio morn- ing nicpfin^-, great elc;.|iu'n<'o was (lispIayiJ in \\u* spc'Oflics, great loyalty evinctMl i'l the feelings, and great entliupiasm prevailed." Alter llio queen's health liad iiecn drunk, the chief justice rose and said : I hnvo miw to propose ilie meniory of the late >];allniit Sir Jsuuc Urock, of Colonol M'Donell, unci those wh- fell with them oil C^ucenstown lle'e^htH. That portion of yon. mwitle- ineii, who were inhabitniils of Upper CaiiiKiii while (icueral lirook served in its defence, are ut no lost* to account for the enthusiastic afl'ection with wliicli his memory is cherlslied among us. It was not merely on account of liis intrepid courujie and heroic firmness, neither was it solely because of liis brilliant success while he lived, nor because he so nobly Jaid down his liie in our defence; it was, I think, that he united in his person, in a very remarkable degree, some rpia- lities which are peculiarly calculated to attract the confidence and ali'ection of mankind — there was, in all ho said and did, that honesty of character which was so justly ascribed to him by a gentleman who ]»roposed one of the resolutions — there was an infiexible integrity, uncommon energy and decision, which always inspin confidence and respect — a remarkable union in his whole demeanour of benevolence and flrmie^s — a peculiarly commanding and soldierlike aj)pearanee — n;^ ne- rous, frank, and manly bearing — and, above all, an entire devotion to his country. In short, I believe I shall best convey my own impression, when I say it would have required much more courage to refuse to follow General Brock, thaa^ to go with him wherever he would lead. **The meeting presented a proud display of high and noble feelings, honorable to the memory of the dead, and equally so to the character of the living. It was conducted with great dignity and judgment, and no accident occurred to interrupt the pleasures of the day ; the steam vessels re-embarking their passengers soon after sun-set, and conveying back the individuals composing this congregated multitude to their respective homes in safety." * It having been resolved by the meeting that the most suitable monument, to replace the shattered * The extracts given in inverrted commas are from "Buckingham's Canaila," that gcnUeman being at Toronto at the time, but unable from illness to attend the " gathering." sill ItiAAC IIKOCK. 415 tlio luorn- L'J ill llu< in<:j«, and Mi'b licalth said : pallniit Sir lu, lull with 'ou, utMitle- lile iiciieral jiint lor the 9 clu'rishecl Ills intropid V beouuge of lie 80 nobly Ilk, that he !, some qna- i couttdotice aid and did, ribcd to him ions — there lid decision, renmrkuble 1 ftrmi <'?3 — CO — n^; ne- 11, an entire I shall best uve roquired lirock, than^ ay of hiph ory of the he living^, udgmerit, pleasures iiig their r hack the ultitude to cr that the shattered Buckingham's it unable from cohimn, would be an oheh'sk on the eito of the mutihitcd structure, the roiniiiittte otKred a iircinium for a desirge, on the )bon's party, cs from that [ered in the upon them, ird to recon- consistintr of ank and file, inetiv aseer- . of timber ; [ndiaiis were nown to the ould now be molestation, ning them to nt with his xcculion, he the apparent It. He then truce, and one of the came out to majiiiified )ossibility of an attack, le 41)th de- d 14 provin- ally allowed nd, although or reinforce- )r de Haren, 1. iccrs and men. !r SIR ISAAC nuOCK. 417 of the Canadian Fencibles, soon after came up with about 220 men, but the entire nurit uf thii:^ capturing 23 officers and 41)0 non-com missioned officers and privates of the regular army, (exclusive of 28 militia- men, who were paroled,) with two field pieces and a stand of colours, belonged to Lieutenant Fitzgibbon and his small detn-jhrnent ; and he was accordiuirlv promoted to a company.* In alluding to this event, the jrallant officer wrote to a friend : '• W'htMi 1 brouirht in these oOO prisoners and delivered them up to General Vincent, I then thought I would Ikuc given the world's wealth that General Brock were alive, that I miiiht sav to him : ' Here, sir, is U)e first in- stalment of my debt of gratitude to vou for ail vou have done for me. In words I have never thanked you sufficiently, because Mords could never express my gratitude for such generous protec^tion as you have hitherto unceasingly extended to me. " In 1815, the regiment returned to I'.ngland, after an absence of above thirteen years ; and in Janiiary, 1816, "in consequence of its doing duty ovir her royal highness the princess Charlotte of U'ales, at Weymouth, she was graciously plea'^ed to nominate it her retriment.'' In December, 1821, the 49th em- barked for the Cajio of Good Tfopcj and in 1828 proceeded on to Bengal. In April, 1840, the regi- ment embarked for China, where it distinguished itself, and suffered much from climate. In gaining possession of tlie heights which overlook the city of Canton, on the 2-')th of May, 1841, "as the two brigades advanced together, there was some little rivalry between the 40th and 18th reginu-nls, as to which should have the honor of commencing the attack upon the two forts. The 49th, having the advantage of a shorter and perhu|)s rathtr better road, got the lead, which they maintained ; so that the left bricrade carried both the eastern Ibvts before the I8th * i lie particulars of" this exi/oit arc abridged from " The Soldier's Coni- paiiion, or Martial Recorder. " 418 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OP (t came up, and with little loss." * In February, 1843, after the Chinese hud been coerced into a peace, the 49th returned to Calcutta, and in the following month embarked for Enfjland, where the head quarters arrived on the 24th of Au<:;ust, after an absence of nearly twenty-two years — an example of the arduous service in which the British infantry of the line is constantly engap^ed. The 49th, (the Princess Char- lotte of Wales',) or Hertfordshire regiment, bears on its colours and appointments the distinctions of Eg- raont op Zee, Copenhagen, Queenstown, the Dragon, and China. Of Sir Isaac Brock's brothers, the eldest, John,t a brevet lieutenant-colonel in the 81st regiment, was killed in a duel, in July, 1801, at the Cape of Good Hope, by Captain M ,; in consequence of his liaving, as steward of a public ball, very properly resisted the introduction, by his antagonist, of a female of disreputable character. The second bro- ther, Ferdinand, § a lieutenant of the (50th regiment, was slain in the def-nce of Baton Rouge, on the Mississippi, 21st Septtmher, 1779, at the early age of nineteet). The third brother, Daniel De Lisle, a man of distinguished ability, was bailiff and president of the States of Guernsey. No chief magistrate of the island was ever so beloved, honored, and regret- ted, as Mr. Brock; and so universal was the feeling of admiration for his talents and services, that the Royal Court decreed him a public funeral at the public expense — a tribute of respect never previously paid by that body to any individual. || The ninth * Bernard's NarraUve of the combined Naval and Military Operations in China. London, 1844. + Wliile an ensign in the 8th rejjiment, lie was quartered at Fort Niagara, in July, l,"". t Captain M , the son of a baronet, fell as a major and aide-de-camp to Lord Lake, at tlie siege of Bhurtpore, in 1805, ) Ensign 8th February, irr6; Lieutenant 25th December, irrs. II For a brief memoir of him, see Appendix B. lary, 1843, , peace, the ivintr month ,d (|uarters absence of the arduous ' tlu^ line is ncess Char- nt, bears on ions of Eg- the Dragon, jst, John,t a Ljinient, was ape of Good nonce of his ivy properly jonist, of a second bro- h regiment, 3, on the ic early age De Lisle, a id president ajxistrate of and regret- the feeling es, that the eral at the r previously The ninth jlitary Operations I at Fort Niagara, Ind aide-de-cainp ler, 1778. 1 * I V SIR ISAAC BROCK. 41U brother, Savery, wlio died on the 7th August, 1844, has been already noticed; and the tenth, Irving, who deceased in 1838, at Batli, was "the accomplished translator of Bernier's Travels in India,'' and a povvert'ul amateur writer in support of the government in 1810, at a very ..-ventful and critical period.* Sin- gularly enough, of the eiiiht brothers of this family of the Brocks who reached maturity, no male d:!scen- dant of their name is now in existence. Of their two sisters, who grew to womanhood, tlie elder, Elizabeth, now the only survivor of tbe family and in her 81st year, married John E. Tujjper, Esq., of Guernsey; and the youtjger, Mary, was the wife of Thomas Potenger, Esq., of Compton, in Berkshire, first cousin to the Countess of Bridgewater. Of the five ne|)hews tnid one groat nephew of Sir Isaac Brock, who have hitherto cnd)raced the profes- sion of arms, not one survives, four of the former and the latter having sadly and j)rematurely perished, viz: first. Midshipman diaries Tapper, of his m;ijes- ty's ship Primrose, drowned at Spithead, in 1-Slo, by the upsetting of the boat in which he was accompany- ing his conimander from Portsmouth to the ship; second, Lieutenant E.W. Tuppor,!- his Majesty's ship Sybille, mortally wounded in action with Greek pi- rates, near Candia, on the 18th of June, iJS'itJ; tiiird, Lieutenant William Potenger, adjutant !2'2d regiment, died on the 19th November, 1827, of the fever, at Ja- maica; fourth, Colonel W. I)e Vic Tupper,:}: of the Chilian service, slain inaction, nearTalca, on the 17th April, 1830 ; and, fil^th, the great nephew, Ijisign A. Delacombe Potenger, § of the oth Bengal Native In- fantry, while in command of the light company, was killed bv a bullet which entered his breast, in the dis- » * One of his pamplilets went through four editions. (• For a short nirnioir, sot' Appendix C. t For a memoir, see Appendix I). § The only son of the Rev. Ricliard Potengrer, mentioned n>it>'. With iliis fine yotuiK man expired the latt liope of his family, and the continu- ation of his line. 420 LIFE AND COUHESPOXDENCE OF astrous retreat of the British armv from Cabool, in January, 1842. The rfmainininj nephew, Captain Eugene Brociv, of tlie 20th rep^iment, died at Ber- muda, in January, 1844. And to this melancholy catalogue may be added the name of anotlier nephew, John E. Tupper, who perished at sea in the Mediter- ranean in 1812, and of whom mention has been made in the preceding pages. 11 II :ii! I I i~ Our memoir is concluded, and even if in its progress we have but feebly and imj)erfoctly narrated the career and portrayed the character of him who is the subject, we trust tliat our labour has not been in vain, because we feel that we have rescued much from oblivion, relative to his services in Canada, that was hilherto unknown and unrecorded. To preserve the memory of so good a man — to prolong, as it were, a career which, unhappily for the interests of ])' country, was too brief — to hold up his benevo- lence in command as an example to other officers — to prove to them that military discipline can be better maintained l>y humanity and kindness than l)y harsh- ness and severity — seemed to us little less than a duly. Such were the feelings which prompted us to undertake this work; end, in completing our task, we are not without hope that the simple language of soberness and truth will be preferred to a memorial composed with more art, but dictated by less since- rity. It has been well observed by Doctor Johnson, "that there has rarely passed a life, of which a judi- cious and authentic narrative would not be useful ; " and perhaps this will not be thought the exception. And should we in the course of these pages have inadvertently fallen into undue panegyrism, that very common error of biographer:,, our excuse must be, that we could scarcely avoid eulogizing one of whom it was written, soon after his untimely fall, by a bosom friei?.d : " General Brock was indeed a hero, SIR ISAAC BROCK. 421 Caliool, in r, Captain ed at Ber- neiancholy ?r nephew, e Mediter- bcon made a hero in the only true and in the most extensive sense, rcsembllnj; what history or fable ])a? repre- sented, rather as the ofikprirjjr uf the imagination than a personage that could have real existence, so entirely was every great and good quality comprehended in his character." 1 it in its y narrated liim who is lot been in ;ued much aiiada, that Co preserve long, as it interests of ^is benevo- officers — n be better by harsh- ess than a pted us to our task, anguage of memorial less since- r Johnson, Ich a judi- e useful ; " exception, ages have , that very must be, e of whom fall, bv a ed a hero, [ SUPPLEMENTARY. ] The three letters following were received too lato to be inserted in their proper places : Colonel Brock to James Cuthhert, Esq., Btrthicr, District of Montreal. Quebec, October 12, 1807. You may well suppose that the principal subject of conversation at head quarters is the military state of this country. I have been careful, in justice to you, to mention to Sir James Craig the public spirit you have manifested in forming a company from among the inhabitants of your seigneurie without the least pecuniary aid, or any other assistance from go- vernment. His excellency is exceedingly ple.'sed to find a principle in some measure established by your indi- vidual exertions, the basis of which he means to pur- sue in forming an extensive, and, he trusts, an effi- cient system of defence ; and he requests you to state the nature of the engagements under which the men assemble for exercise, and the degree of service they are under promise to perform. You must be aware that in any future general arranirement it will become an essential obiect with government to secure a more substantial hold on the services of the men than their mere promise ; and as 422 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF i^ it is intended to give every possible latitude to their prejiuHces, and to study in every thing their conve- uicnoe, it is thought no regulation to that effect can operate to diminish the niiinber of voluntary offers. As vou have been the first to set such a laudable example, Sir James thinks it but just that Berthier should take the lead in any new project he may adopt, and he desires me to ask your opiniofj in regard to the following points. Governnjont will undertake cither to provide or give an allowance for clothing. Arms and accoutrements must, for obvious reasons, be provided as far as practicable by the individuals themselves. One shilling: will be allowed everv time the volun- tcer assembles for exercise, not to exceed thirty days during the year. The men to be bound to attend drill whenever ordered, and to be in constant readiness to march to any part of the province in case of euiergency, at llie discretion of the governor-general. From the mo- ment they receive the order to march, to be placed precisely upon the same footing with his majesty's regular troops in regard to pay and allowances. Such are the chief conditions wliich I understood Sir James to say he wished might be adopted : he, however, will be always ready to attend to any sug- gestion that tends to improve, and give spirit to, the object in view. A proportionate number of non-commissioned offi- cers will unquestionably be allowed. I can say nothing in regard to the officers — they, of course,' will not be forgotten in the arrangement, but they cannot expect to be exalted to such a height as to interfere with the just pretensions of the regulars. Being in some measure pledged for the success of the ex})eriment, I shall be under considerable anxiety until I hear vour sentiments. Every consideration of policy ought to make the e to their ;ir conve- eH'c'ot can ' offers. I laudable ; Berlhier t he may )piMion ill )rovicle or 13 reasons, ndividuals the vol 11 n- hirty days whenever [) inarch to incy, at the m the mo- be placed majesty's nces. understood ted : he, o any sug- irit to, the jioned offi- ers — they, angement, ;h a height e regulars. success of le anxiety make the SIR ISAAC DnOCK. 423 proposal to apj)car to come from yourself; therefore, vvl»;n you consult those around you, it will be unne- cessary to state your having received a coininuuication on the subject. Colonel Brock to James Citthbert, Esq,^ Berthier. (^UEHKC, December 13, 1807. You will do ine the justice to believe that I did not lose a moment in laying the clear and satisfactory s* aentyou sent me, '*' -> constitution and charac- ter he volunteer coni,.any under your command, before the governor. His excellency has likewise seen your letter of the 7th instant, and I cannot more stronirlv express the sense he entertains of your exertions, or more clearly • ' • point out the line he wishes you to pursue, than by transcribing the note he wrote to me in consequence. " Colonel Brock is requested to reply to Mr. Cuth- bert's letter, that the governor has by no means lost sight of his object, but that some le'^al diPicultiea have arisen which are now under discussion, and which he trusts will be got over immediately. Arms, such accoutrements as we have, and a supply of am- munition, are in readiness, and shall be forwarded as soon as the business is brought to a conclusion ; but Mr. Cuthbert must send a return of his people, that the number requisite may be ascertained : more than is indispensably necessary cannot be spared. " Mr. C is requested to take every measure for keeping up the spirit his people have hitherto manifested, and he mav assure them that thecrovernor will not be unmindful of it. '* (Signed) J. H. C." That something w'll shortly be done there is no doubt, although the prevailing idea here is .against a war with our neighbours : they imagine the Americans will not dare to engage in the contest, but as I consi- der their councils to be directed solely b\ French influence, it is impossible to say where it will lead them. The true interests of that country will b'^ little consulted in their decision. .r-- \ 424 LIFE ANT) CORRESPONDENCE OF I' i Colonel Brock to James Ciithbcrt, Esq., Berthior. MoNTKKAL, July 7, 1808. Tt was only yosterday I rt'freived your letter of the 15tl) ultimo. I was cxceedin/> hicr. 1808* er of tlie ar young tantl tliat s country •0 mcrelv id of the Should I, he ensi'^u 1 interfer- ipon such al renpons le. Were [ he would ' you such •e*e of jea- unpleasant the very ou to send nee me of ice can in tlnients of more than ricans ap- ous prcdi- ut of the hefore we u a justice 1 should at such a [dismissals of consi- Ito meddle with tiic indopendenco of a juchje. Oh ! he is as vile a fellow as ever fillcil the chair! Best regards anil high respects. [Tlie llonorahlo James (dthbcrt, the father of James and Ross Cuth- hcrt, Es(|s., iiieiitioni'il in this volunii', sorvud in early lift' in tin' iiiu \ as lieutenant in the tlair ship at the bictfi- of tartlia>;ena, ami carried Imnio the intelligence of its fall •, he was iitti-rwnrds apiiointeil to tlie cumniand • ■f one of the Inilependent ('(irniianies ar Inverness, called the lli.;iilaiid Wateli, and was apiKiirited til the -I'id at its formation, lie w.is present, In the ISth rejfiment, at tlio eaiitnre nt Lonistinri!:, and served under ^^■()lfp at CJiiehee, tonveyinic lo Kiiffland the ilispatches of Hri(ja'!ier Murray, to whom he was aide-do. canij). Me was appointed hy Lord Dorchester one of the members ijf the tirst letrislative council alter tlu; C()ni|iicst, havin); left the ainiy and " ■< .nic a settler in Canada. Durini? the American revolutionary war, he i»«as particularly active, visitinif the enemy's eam|i at Sorel to ohtuin iiiforniation, and in ci)nse(,uence he was seized upon at Herthicr hy the Americans, who sent him in irons to Alhatiy, hurnt th'j manor house, and destruyeil his property to a cunsiiler- able amount ] THE LAURliL OF GLORV. Elegiac Stanza, on the Death of Mijor.Generul 'Sir Inniic Brock. The laurel of plory eternal shall bloom, Triumphant, and branch o'er the warrior's tomb I O'er the patriot, that battled his eo\intry to save, The laurel of glory shall cirele his grave. Nor climate, nor season, nor time's iron hand, E'er injure or sap it, in Britain's proud land ; O'er the manes of the soldier, for ever shall wave The laurel of glory, the meeil of the brave ! Nor envy, nor faction's fell venom be seen, To wither a leaf of its beautiful green I Like the life buds of .spring shall new verdure e'er find. And wave o'er the worth of the hero enshrin'd. Tho' age after age may moulder away. The fame of the patriot can never decay ; Like the oak of the forest, each tempest can brave. And the laurel of glory wave over liis grave. I • 420 LIFE AND CORUESPONDENCE OF CHAPTER XVIIT. ( JUSTIFICATORY, &c. ) SIR GEORGE PREVOST, BART. While the first sheet of this, the second, edition was in the press, I accidentally met with " Some Account of the Public Life of the late Sir Georpe Prevost," published by his family in the year 182iJ, in reply to the strictures on his military -character, contained in the Quarterly Review for July, lt<22. Of the existence of this volume I was previously igno- rant, and T think that it successfully refutes some of those strictures, the vituperative spirit of which is much to be regretted, the more so as that spirit has been copied i)y later writers w'th increased acrimony, — one dismissing this unforl mate officer with the following cruel malediction : '* Disease and a natural death saved him from the vengeance of military law ; but as a warning and example may shame and infamy rest upon his grave ! " * It is true that, unhappily for his fa^'ie as a soldier, he sought to oppose the vis inerticv, to the enemy's insatiable thirst for the con- quest of the Canadas, a mode of defence only suited to arid deserts or a pestilential climate ; but the Quarterly and its copyists do not appear to have been aware that the British government approved of Sir George Prevost's pacific policy at the commencement of the war, as on the 1st of October, 1812, or before the refusal of the American president to ratify the * Victoria! History of England. SIR ISAAC BROCK. 427 id, edition h *' Some Jir Georpe year 182^3, ^liaracter, uly, lt<22. ously igno- ;es some of f wliich is ,t spirit has acrimony, r with the d a natural litary law ; nd infamy lappily for ose the vis jr the con- only suited ; 'but the have been ved of Sir mencement 2, or before, ratify the unuistice was known in Knglaiid, K.iri J3athurst wrote to the governor-<^ener!il : ♦' The desire whicli you have unceasinj^ly nuinifosfod to avoid hostilities with the suhjetUs of the United States, is not more in con- formity with your own feeling's than with the wislies and intentions of his majesty's ;^overnment, and there- fore your oorrcHpondonce witli General Dearborn rannot fail to receive their cordial concurrence.'' Givinf^, however, Sir Georj^c I'rijvost every benefit of this approval, my opinion, as expressed in this memoir, of his defeuiive course after the rejection of tlie armistice, and while the British were in the ascendant on the lakes, remains unchanged. I'liat lie was an able provincial governor, as well as an amiable man in private life, and that in his military station he anxiously exerted himself to the best of liis ability, 1 see reason to believe; but although I think that his friends labour in vain in attempting to con- vince the public that he was either a skilful or an energetic conirnander, or that the deplorable affairs of Sackett's Harbour and Plattsburg were not dis- graceful to t'le British arms, yet they may justly urge his early services, his limited force at the outset of the American war, and his redeeming cpialities in a civil capacity, as entitling him to the indulgent, if not to the favorable, judgment of posterity. — F. B. T. SIR ROGER HALE SIIEAPFE, BART. Having ascertained from this officer himself, after the sheet containing the account of the afternoon con- flict at Queenstown had been struck off, that his force on that occasion amounted to only 740 men, including less than 50 Indians, his evidence as to this disputed point would of course be quite conclusive, if unfor- tunately he had not forgotten whether the officers are included in this number, so that he evidently is not in possession of the ojficial returns. I therefore feel i . 1 ! 428 lAVV, \xr» COiniKSPONDRNrE OP f called upon, in my own jaytificnlion, to cite the autho- rities on which I have stated tiiat force as *' rather e\coedin'4 1,(M)0 men of uU jjradts, of whom nearly ()()() were rcgiilurs," (see pa^o JKiJi, ) not thinking it just to enumerate the entire lorce on the American side, and to dediu't a tithe on that of the Britisl), by ineludinfj rank and file only. 1. — Major-Crerjeral Sheallc's own dinpafch, a«quot- c;tl in foot note at pajre IVX]. lie moreover mentions fttH'hu' otiicers as commanding llunk companies of the Jiincoln and York militia, whicli, at only IJ'"J mei\ pur company, would ^ivc 420 militia. ii. — James, the celebrated naval historian — who, in his "Military Occuvrcnces" of the secoml Ame- rican war, appears to be sinj»ularly accurate in his hf.atements, although often minute to tediousness — after mentioning that about 50 Indians, under the chief Norton, attacked the Americans, and that they retired, after a sharp conflict, " towards the reinforce- ment of regulars and militia, under Major-General Sheafle, which had just arrived from Fort George, adds : "This reinforcement, consisting of about OSO rank and file of the 4lst regiment, under Captain Derenzy, and about 0(K) militia, accompanied by one 3-p()under, joined the remnant of the40lli flank com- panies ; and the whole proceeded to the lieights, by a route througli the enclosures ; the Indians pointing out to the troops the best track for ascending the mountain. As soon as the British column had reach- ed a field adjoining the road to the falls, about GO of the 41st, under Captain Bullock, and a party of militia, arrived from Chij)pawah, Tiie wjjole British and Indian force, thus assembled, did not amount to 1 ,000 rank and file, of whom about r>00 w ere regular troops." 3. — "General Sheaflo soon came up with a rein- forcement of 300 men of the 41st regiment, two com- panies of militia, and '2fj»0 Indians. Reinforcements having also arrived from Chippawah, the British gene- } tlie autho- Hi " rallicr liom marly tl)iiiUii)({ it .' AiiH'rican Britisli, l>y tell, iisquot- er mcnfioiH >Hnirs of liu^ ;i'j men per )rlan — who, ocoml Arne- 'iiratc in his }(liousiiess — ^, under the ind that tliey lie reinfbrce- ajor-General I'^ort Georp:c', ' ahoiit 'JHO ler Captain micd by one flank com- leights, by a ans pointing; ^ccndinjj; the n had reach- about 00 of a party of ,-holo British ,ot amount to nerc regular \vith a rein- nt, two coni- inforcernentd British genc- »in i?\Ar niiocK. 4'JU ral rolloctod his wIioIp forcr, anu)untinf5 to upwarcU olbUO men,'' ko.. — Christie's Mcniuirs. 4. — A militia oHieer, in a MS. copy of n lonj: Icfftr brforo rnc, dated Brown's Point, Nia;,'ara, October l.l, 181*2, after dcecM-ibintj both tlir niornini; and after- noon contlict'4 at Queent.ff'\vn, in the former of \\ Inch he was wounded, nays: " Bat (General Slieiitle arriv- ing; from Niagara witii a detachment of the 4l8t of about 300 men, some militia, and about vJoO Indian*!, and bcinjx joined by all that lie could collect of the troops who were oriLiinaliy eujLMj.'ed, tliey ascended the mountain some distance to the rij^ht of the Ame- ricans," &c, •'). — A correspondent in the United Service Mapja- zine for iM arch, 184(1, pa e 441, who \\;is serving; in Canada with the 41st re^Minent when the battle of Queenstown was fou^dit, remarks: '* It is no dispa- raijcinent to thsi^allantrv of the 40th n^jriiiient to av, tliat they were beaten at QueenstoN. ii, but i, is never- theless true that, \inable to kec fi their '*•■> t,nd, they were driven down the mounlaiu, and div. not resi":ne the offensive until, \\ht'n the ener.y vore in full j os- session of tlie heights, the 41st (4(0 strong) 'nade their aj>pcarance from Fort Ceorge, under Captain Derenzy, and the grenadier company, mustering nearly 100 bayonets, under Captain Bullock, from Chippawah." With these authorities before me, I estimated, and I tliink reasonably, Major- General Sheaffe's total force as follows : From Fort George, 41st foot 4(X) Militia 'Zm ,, Chippawah, 4. * r^renadiers iK) Remnants of 49th flank companies 100 „ of milit?a, engaged in the morning 100 E.XiUsive of the Indians 980 430 LIFE AND CORRESPONnENCE OF 1/ ' m f [ ( I H Sir Rorjer Sheaff'e liavins: evinced so mucli cour- tesy and good feeliijcj in a correspondence between us relative to this Memoir, which he commenced by sendinfj me various documents, " being willinjj to believe that I was in search of truth," 1 gladly seize this opportunity of recoriling my sense of the gentle- manly manner and tone of his communications, which liave indeed fully justified the opinion entertained of him by one of my informants, who is "as gallant an officer as ever lived," (I quote this character of my informant from the Naval and Military Gazette,) and who, after detailing the causes of the deplorable mutiny of the 4i)th regiment at Fort George, in 1803, writes : ** But he at length became a good conmiander of a regiment, for he was at heart kind, benevolent, and religious ; but these sentiments were, in his ear- lier days of command, nearly, if not entirely, over- ruled by his extreme id?as of military authority, and by his high opinion of his talent for drill, and ot his unqualified zeal in the public service." In justice to Sir Roger Sheaffo, I also willingly add, that .mother gallant officer of the 49th, Lieut.-Colonel IMender- leath, who was present at Fort George when the mutiny was suppressed, and from whom I sought information on the subject, in his reply expressed *' the high regard he entertained of Sir Roger Sheatfe's great benevolence and love of doing kind offices," and his conviction '* that no officer ever had more at heart the good of the soldier." Having done this justice to Sir Roger Sheafie, I may perhaps be per- mitted, as " the moping owl does to the moon com- plain," to mourn that this love of doing kind offices Ava^ not, alas I extended to a youth who had not only some claim on his kindness, but possessed many of the characteristics of " the admirable Crichton," and whose cruel disappointment and untimely fate have been one of the embittering circumstances of mv exis- tencc. M;- present emotions on this painful subject are, however, more those of )rrow than of resent- much cour- ; between us imcnced by r willing: to gladly seize f the gentle- itions, which ntertained of as gallant an racier of my :;azelte,) and e deplorable rgo, in 1803, 1 commander , benevolent, •e, in his ear- ntirely, over- LUlhority, and 11, and'ot his In justice to , that another ,nel IMender- jfre wlicn the om I sought jly expressed ofjjer Slieatte's ind offices," had more at ntr done this Irhaps be per- e moon com- ^ kind otfices 1iad not only Issed many of Irichton," and ely fate have 9 of my exis- inful subject [an of resent- n 1 SIR ISAAC BUOCK, 431 ment, because Sir RoGjor Slieatfe lias written to me with a feeling which does him honor, tbat, " being unable to assist my hrotlier, he vvould derive comfort from the belief that Sir Isaac Brock's nephew could need no aid from him." It has been asserted, and may again be urged, that what I conceive to have been the ungenerous treatment of mv brother lias prompted me to speak disparaginjjly of Sir Hoger Shejiffe's services in ('i^por Canada; but while I caiididly admit that this impression has enabled me tj write more impartially of General Sheafle than I could have done had I felt under obligation to liim, I unequivocally deny that I have narrated one word which my authorities did not bear me out in believing to be strictly true. When I informed Sir llocfor Sheaffe that the second edition wa< in tlie course of publication, I told him : *' In that edition Mr. Tupper thinks it due to Sir Roger to tell him candidly that he has not hesitated to narrate wlial be believes to be facts ;" and indeed I hold that truth is not always to be withheld because its expression may wound the feelings of public men, whose official acfs have sub- jected them to public censure — if it were, history and biography would cease lo be guiding stars, and, above all, would offer no wholesonu; restraint to the cruel, or corrupt, or incompetent exercise of autho- rity. Had I thrown the wJiolt blame of the conspi- racy at Fort George on the unfortunate t-uiierers, so ns to exonerate their commander, and shield mvself from personal responsibility, I should have written what I believed to be false, and, to y-pare the livintj, liave committed a gross injustice on the memory of the dead. It is, however, very probable that the mutineers were not altogether blameless, as the proxi- mity of the United Slates possibly rendered them impatient of discipline and desirous of change ; but certain it is, that at their trial they urged Colonel Sheaffe's rigour in extenuation of their cruilty design, and I am assured by an officer of the 40th, that they 432 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF were in a great measure the victims of languajje and annoyance, which were too prevalent in the BritiiJh armv in those days, but which would not now be tolerated for a moment. F. B. T. 'I 1 i ! I: ' 41sT, (the welsh,) regiment. In the United Service Man;azine for March, 1846, there is an able but plausible commentary on Sir Isaac Brock's unfavorable opinion of the officers of the 4Ist regiment in 1812, as ex])ressed in the preced- ing correspondence. This commentary, signed in the Welsh motto of that regiment, " Gwell augau neu CiiwiLYnD," i*, however, descri|)tive of great admira- tion of the general, as among otlier tributes of praise, the author observes : '* That no soldier, who has ever had the honor of serving under him, could entertain a liighcr opinion of General Brock than I do, will be made sufficiently a|)parent to the compiler," &;c. The author states himself to have been a young volunteer, swerving with the 41st for his commission at the cap- ture of Detroit; and he asserts, that not ordy is the charfje of that regiment beinixbadlv officered an erro- neous one, but '* that a liner bodv of officers was never united in the same corps." In proof of this assertion, he gives several instances of their personal intrepidity, and adds that, as " General Brock wa^ never more correct than when he describt-d the men as an uncomnionly fine regiment," so '* the officers were not less ren)arkable for the raatdiness and ele- gance of their appearance." It is very possible that Sir Isaac Brock may have been mistaken in his estimate of the officers of the 41st; but it mtist be borne in mind, that Colonel Proctor was the only regimental field officer with tlie corps at that time, and that, owing to its having been so long in Canada, the promotion had been unusually slow, two of the captains being brevet lieutenant-colo-. SIR ISAAC nnocK. 43:i nptun'Te and the .Brilii?li not now be F. B. T. T. larch, 1846, itury on Sir lie officers of n the preced- pigned in the ,L AUGAU NEU rreat admira- ites of praise, who has ever Id entertain a I do, will be lor,"&c. The n" volunteer, 3n^ at the cap- lot only is the cercd an erro- officers was proof of this their personal lal Brock was |ril)t'd the men the officers iness and ele- lock may have lofficers of the that Colonel tfficer with the having been )een unusually ieutenant-colo- nels, and two others brevet majors. Even these brevet officers aj)pear to iiavc been a})sent, as they were nut at Detroit ; and at Qucenstown nearly r>(M) men of the 41st were coniniamled l)y a captain. Tiiese disadvantages, added to the dispersed state of the regiment for many years, were sufficient to repress the energies of the most zealoi's, and to account for tjic inexperience and inefficiency of any body of officers. My assailant — I use the term because I cannot conveniently designate liiin by his long signature — tliinks it very ungrateful in Sir Isaac lirock to liave held the opinion he did of officers to whom lie was principally indebted for his knightliood of the Buth at Detroit ; but he forgets to add, that the general crossed the river to attack the enemy, contrary to ilie opinion of Colonel l*roclor, of the 41st; and that of the British force, composed of KJi^) regulars, militia, and Indians, only •2")0nicn belonged to that rcixin)enf, or less than one-fil'th uf the whole number ! .Surely, the detachments of the royal artillery and Newfound- land regiment, the 40() militia, and the (>ertain it is men killed >owther, of llery officer is own corps ;se two men le matchless ch in such a ecially when n, but of its 41st may be vould admit, gallantry on throw a veil )ravian town, death of Sir latter of hls- Sir George I may be e he attenipls i should first ill order, one verity in the rove General perhaps the cer? were in called forth "crood taste the remarks fter the lapse not an officer V no necessity t hesitate to town to the '.) i ^^ incafanUf' of Major-Grneral Proctor, who was so long lieutenant-coionol of the 41st, and who led the regiment to its trophies at Fnnchtown and Miami. Sir Isaac Brock wrote generally, and ** with few exceptions" — my assailant names an officer lonsr deceased, wliose incapadty^ if the charge be well founded, would afford an additional argument against himself, on the principle of *' like master like man," or on that of a good colonel making good officers, and a bad one the reverse. I am really not aware, as my assailant accuses me, of having drawn any invidious comparison between the 41st and 49th regiments, and it was certainly never my intention to do so : they both did good service in Upper Canada, and if the character of the former suffered at the Moravian town, it has since amply redeemed its reputation in Ava and Candahar, at Ghuznee, and in Cabool. 1 cannot conclude this reply without adding how sincerely I respect the motives which ha\'o induced my assailant to come forward with so much tact and ability to the rescue of his former companions in arms ; and he perhaps will do me the justice to believe, that in this reply I seek not so much to vindicate my editorial labours as to uphold the memory of one whom he highly eulogi/.es and yet indirectly arraigns, as fiiiling in discrimination and gratitude. F. 13. T. We trust that we shall not be deemed jjuiltv of a breach of confidence in giving extracts from a very long letter from Chief Justice Robinson, in reply to our solicitation that he would have the goodness to point out any error which he might discover in the first edition of this work. Although this letter was written in haste, and certainly not intended for publi- cation, it does no little credit to the head and heart of its author. 43(5 APPENDIX A. — SEfTIOX I. > ■ t Chief Justice Robinson to F. li. Ttipper, Esq. Toronto, Janimry 1{), 184G. The perusal of the Life of Sir Isaac Brock has certainly convinced me tiiaf he only r<'r)iiiied a more enlart^ed sphere of action to ha\e risi ii rapidly to an eminence which few men are pcrnnited to attain. Though I was old enough to be upon Mie expedition to Detroit, and m the action at Queens- town, I \sas too young to h(! in a i)osilion to know more of General Brock than could he observed by seeing him in jjublic, but I ntniii a very distinct reeolleotion of hi-* person and manner. I hail always thought of him, more exclusively I now see than was just, as a man admirably qualified to distinguish himself as a soldier ; hut it is quite evident from his correspondence that he valued highly the endowments of the mind, and was ardently bent oji improvin-j: them. lie was master too of a style clear, accurate, and pleasing. If ho had been thrown, in the course of his service, into situations which required the afiplieatiun of various j)owersof (he mind, he would have earned, I am persuaded, no small portion of such praise as has been awarded to the great and good Lord Collingvvood. It isnmnilVst from what was seen of him in his brief but most arduous service here, that besides iiis heroic courage, he possessed most, if not all, of those great qualities whiclj can alone enabh? a man to mainlain a ditficult and highly responsible statioji with credit, He was not only clear and decuU'd ui his plans, but rapid and fearless in their execution, and could direct his attention to various points at the same moment, foreseeing difticuUies, and preventing them by timely aitplication to details. Provio instantly have infused, under such discou- raging cireumstanees, into the miutls of a whole people, the spirit which, though it endured h)iig after his fall, was really caught from lum. His lioiiesfy, firmness, frankness, bene- volence — his earnest warmth of feeling, combined with dig- 7iity of manner, and his soldierlike ni)pearanee and bearing — all united to give him the ascendancy which he held from the first moment to the last of his command. It seemed to be impressed u])on all, and at once, that there could be no hesitation in obeying his eall, and that, while he lived, all was safe. The atFeetiou with wliich the memory of General IJrock has ever been regarded in this province is as strong as the feeling of admiration, and these feelings still pervade the whole population. S»R ISAAC BROCK 437 ;r, Esq. :,ry IJ), 1B40. has certainly iilart];t'd spbere nee which few d tniougli to be :ion ut Qiiecns- kiiow more of seeing him in II of hi"* person if)ro exchisively jly qualified to tf evident from endowmenta of in'j: tlieui. He pleasiiiu;. If he , into situations ers of the mind, small portion of t :ind pood Lord en of him in his asides his heroic e {xreat qualities a difficult and was not only fearless in their arious points at and preventing ovidence placed lere of immense a post which itained — but he »n whom I have atr such discou- lole people, the fall, was really rankness, bene- bined with dig- (' and beurinq; — 1 he held from It seemed to ere could be no lie he lived, all nory of General e is as stronj; as still pervade the APPENDIX A. SECTION I.— BRITISH AUTHORS. No. I. Page. 13. Licui.- General Lord Aijlmer, Govcrnor-dcncrnl of British North America, to J. Saver i/ Brock, Enq. SoREL, Lower Canada, August '2.3, 1834. I received yenterday your letter of the lUth March The sight of your handwriting reminded ni«! of old times, and brought buck the recollection of scenes which almost appear to have taken place in another state of existence I made a tour in Upper Canada last summer, and visited with a feeling of love and reverence the nioimnient at (^neenstown, erected to the memory of one who was as brave as he was ood, und a better man never l)reathod ; to have enjoyed his riend:-hip and good opinion, is to me a source of p'ide and satisfaction. Yours, my dear Savery, very sincerely, Aylmer. \_Exirnct of a note from Lord Aylmer to the Editor. — " Ldnhdv, August 5, 1844.— I am very plad to Icaru by your letter that a work is shortly to appear, intituled 'The Lite and Correspondence oi' Sir Isaac Brock,* I'or sure ) am that tlu: mine of him that is made known to the public, the more higlily will his valuable services be api rciiated."] No. 2. I'age 224. From Captain Rofjerts to the Adjutant-General. Fort Michilimackinac, July 17, 1812. On the 15th instant I received letters, by express, from Major-General Brock, with orders to adopt the most prudent measures either for oftence or defence, which circumstances might point out ; and having received intelligence from the best information, that large reinforcements were expected to be thrown into this garrison, with the thorough conviction that my situation at St. Joseph's was totally indefensible, I determined to lose no time in making the meditated attack on this fort. h 438 APPKNDIX A. SECTfON I. i! On the lOtli, at ten o'clock in the morning, I oniharked my few men, witli nboiit one himUred and eiphty Canadians, and two iron (J-pc binders. The bouts arrived without the smallest accident at the port of rendezvous, at three o'clock the foUowinfi; moniing : by the exertions of the Canadians, one of the guns \.'as brouglit up a height commanding the garrison, and ready to act about ten o'clock. A summons was then sent in ; u copy of the capitulation which followed I have the honor to enclose. At twelve o'clock, the American colours were hauled down, and those of his majesty were hoiisted. A committee has been appointed to examine into the state of the public stores. Enclosed also are the returns of the ordnance and military stores found in the fort, and the strength of the garrison. The greatest praise is due to every individual employed in the expedition ; to my own officers I am indebted, in particular, for their active assistance in carrying all my orders into eff'ect. No. 3. Page 272. General Brock. Detroit, IGth Aug. 1812. I propose u cessation of hostilities for one hour, to open a negociation for the surrender of Detroit. I am, &c. [Address.] William Hull, Sandwich. Br. Gen. Com. Sir, Detroit, 16th Aug. 1812. The object of the flag, which passed the river, was to propose a cessation of hostilities for one hour, for the purpose of entering into a negociation for the surrender of Detroit. am, &,c. William Hull, General Brock. Br.-Gen. Com. Camp of Detroit, lOlh August, 1812. Capitulation for the surrender of Fort Detroit entered into between Major-General Brock, coni'v-unding his Britannic majesty's forces on the one part, and Brigadier-General Hull, commanding the north-western army of the United States, ou the other part. 1st. Fort Detroit, with all the troops, regulars as well as militia, will be immediately surrendered to the British forces xmder the command of Meyor-General Brock, and will be considered prisoners of war, with the exception of such of the militia of the Michigan territory who have not joined the army. 2d. All public stores, arms, and all public documents, including every thing else of a public nature, will be imme- diately given up. r, I embarked ity Canadians, J without the L three o'clock he Canadians, nmandin^ the A summons ivhich followed , the American majesty were I examine into fc and military f the garrison, mployed in the , in particular, ders into effect. ,h Aug. 1812. hour, to open r.LIAM HULT,, Br. Gen. Com. h Aug. 1812. river, waa to for the purpose der of Detroit. LLIAM HlTLL, Ilr.-Gen. Com. August, 1812. )it entered into his Britannic r-General Hull, nited Slates, on ulars as well as e British forces ;k, and will be n of such of the oined the army, ilic documents, will be imme- 8IR ISAAC DBOCK. 439 3d. Private persons and property of every deacription will be respected. 4lh. His Excellency Bripiidler-General Hull having ox- pressed a desire that a detachment from the State of Ohio, on its way to join his arn:y, as well as one sent from Fort Detroit, under the command of Colonel iM'Artliur, should be included in the above capitulation — it is acconlingly agreed to. It is however, to be understood, that such part of the Ohio mitilia us have not joined the army will be permitted to return to their homes, on condition that they will not serve during the war; their arms, however, will be delivered up, if belonging to the public. 5th. The garrison will march out at the hour of twelve o'clock this day, and the British forces will take immediate possession of the fort. J. Macdoneli., Lt.-Col. Militia, P. A. i). C. J. B. Gleco, Major, A. D. C. James Miller, Lt.-Col. Sth i;. S. Inf. E. Brush, Col. Cora. Approved. Ist lleg. Michigan Militia. W. Hull, Br. -General, com. the N. W. Army. Isaac Brock, Major-General. An Article supplemental to the Articles of CapHulation, concluded at Detroit, the 16 tlic liands of tin; trallarit Urock from executing' \\'\> intcndi.'d phin of s\voe|)in^' the Amer.can jio^ts to Saokett's Harbour, incluHivp — an operation tl.'Ut most ocrtaluly woubl have been then tflecti'd. Tliis* urmisticc, ])roposod t>y Sir (Jeurf^o Prevost, merits seriouii consideration, from its optTation beiuf^ so fjreatly in favour of the enemy at that time, and so disadvnntai^eous to U!». A period most proeious to us, if we had profited by it witli viiiour, was thereby lost in inaction, and the enemy in (•on>eqtu;ne<^ allowed to recover from tlie panic into which lliey were thrrtwn by Hull's capture. The transport of tiie American stores, ordnance, and provisions, of each of wliidi they W(;re nuicli in want, not beinp' prohibited by that armistiiie, was accord in j; I y protected and facilitated l)y it on I^aki' Ontario and alon^ the Nia^taru frontier beyond the eu'iny's most sanj^uine hopes, wliilst Iheir tiien only disposulde and invii(lin(j; force, under General Hull, on the Detroit frontie,-, was left at full liitcrty to [)rofit by circumstances, the armistice as to him beinu at his option. Most fortunately, however, Hull's laij^iness was settled by capitulation before the armistice was known to General llro('k or him ; but had it reached him in lime, he of course would gladly have accepted i(, to gain delay for the arrival of reinforcements ami a supply of jirovisions, from which would * "Till" ' Letters of \Critas ' were <>riu:inally printed in a weekly iiapcr pul)lis)ic(t at Montreal, in Lower I >iiiailti, and suhseqiu'ntly colU'c'fil int''> tlu' little voIiiMu l)(.'fore us. Within n small coinpass these unpreti'ndiii)*' letters eontain a greater body of usetiU iidorniation npon the canipaitfns in the C'anadas than is any where else to be found. They are, we believe, the prodnetion of a irentletnan in Montreal, of known respcetahility. ThouiJ:li not a military man, he enjoyed the best opportunities for acquaintance with tlie cirennistanecs of the war ; and as these letters, which exeiteil grcB\ attention in the Canadas, appeared in sneeessivt- papers while Montrial was filled with almost all the oflieers nf rank who hail serveil in the country, il may reasonably be pri-sumed that his frrors, had tie eomniitted any, would not have escaped withont censure. Yet no reply was ever attempted to his statements, no doubt ever expressed in the provinces, of the correctness of hiy assertions."— (^(rfz-^tv/^/ lit-riew, lull/, ISJJ. SIR IHAAC II HOC K. 441 contiilnimj it triit'iDn iif Sir the ( 'iintul(i.uri» adisjjust ai,d dJHtrust would hu\eb('cn iJnTeby eveited axeoiild never have been removed ; and the tirst etleel of whieh w«»nkl have app«;ared in Ih.- iinincdjale dispermun ol the Indianx. whose powerful and inili-ix-ritiiblc aid iit that early period of the contest would have been totally lost lo us. Madison'H re.jectiun of this annistiee was followed by that chillitui defimsivf sijuton whieh (Jenend Hroek wan inHtructi'd by SirTJeor^^e to follow, and wliicli jmlsied hitopemlions nufil Ills country liad to mourn over his fatal loss at the battle uf Queenstown, on the Kith id October, lui'J Such, however, wa» the impulse he hud tjiven, and the valour !ind zeal wherewitli the re^'ular troops, militia, and Indians, had been inspi d, that the vuluahlc effects thereof survived him ; ami i^avc a brilliant vi<-tory on that day to his successor, (Jeneral .Sheatfe, a lover of armistices also, who, id proof thereof, made one of hh own, which threw away most of the advantajv, no positions were ever more untenable, tor to think of conciliating an enemy by leaving to him the full benctlt of maturing in security all his meaiis of annoyance against yi>u, and iit the same time muzzling yourself, is a most extraordinary doctrine ; surely, to do so must ensure success to thai enemy, as we know that success will unite discordant parties and interests, whilst defeats promote disunion, and would havt strengthened ihe anti-war party in the States by furnishing to them unanswer- able arguments wlieii depicting Ihe folly and i)iipoIicy of the war, which had been so wantonly declared by the iVladi- soniau party. Were facts in support ot' this vievv' of the subject necessary, they would be found in the oJVects upon the public mind in that country, produced by the capture of Michilimackinac and Detroit, with lluil'-s armv. Did these events irritate and 44-2 APPENDIX A. HEfTION I. unite llio ont'iny nprain^t h»? No, f hfv >• .'reaped iiriiution, it U true, but ui^aiiiHt tlioir own icuvfratrv-i't. (In hi» ti'iitJi «»r CDriciudinix letter, v •' i« i.\fi[itu?ntnd I1I9 preeC'liUK arf>uuient8, uml olHervcd :) TK/d t)»ly after tlnj declaration of war, shews in thtj stronuest nuuiner how fully they had prepared themselves for that event, and liow lii/lily they had fluttered themselves witli lliidini; if an easy eon((nesl, from the suj)pr;'Jod weakness of the force opposed to them, and the spirit of di^aflTeetion which they had jtrevioinly endeavoured to excite amongst its inlial)itniits. Foded as they have been in th -. attem|)t by the brave and united etforts ol tlie regular forc( , utilitia, and Indians of that province, uiiiler the command of their dihtinnuished leader, their whole army with if» general oaplured, and their only remainiii;:: fortress and post in the adjointn<; fi'rritory wrested from Iheiri, it is not to be doubted but that the American (rovernnient will keenly feel this disa|i])ointm('nt of their hopes, and consequently endeavour to avail theniHclves of the surrender of Detroit, to term it arj invasion of their country, and to make it a ground for calling upon the militia to march to the frontiers for the conquest of the (^'anadas. A pretext so weak and unfounded, though it may deceive some, will not t'liil t) be received in its proper light by others; and it will l)e immediately perceived by those who will give themselves the trouble to reflect on the subject, that the pursuit of an invading army into their own territory, is but a natural consequence of the first invasion ; and the capture of the place, to which they may retire for safety, a measure indispensably necessary for the security and protection of the country originally attacked. No n. Page 308. " Early in the year 181C, the American government had assembled a force near the Hetroit frontier, with the intention of invading Canada ; and as soon as their projected declaration of war was issued, '2,ol)(» men crossed the Detroit under General Hull, and took possession of the Uritisiv village of ?d tiritatJon, it jHj itu'nfod liifl iiMii'ral Ilrock'd TM. iiloii;; with [jrc^'LTViitioii of iwer Canada a» •ilir, Montreal, f tliv American undprtakpn bo sIlC'WS III tllti ri'd thcmst'Ives Tcd UuTlMt'lVOS l)<;>»i'il wpakn«>s3 of (lihaffi'ction Mto ainoiiKHt its li'i nttpiii|it l)y >i , militia, and iiand of tlieir th its general ind post in the t to be douhied eidy feel this tly L'rxh'iivoiir , to term it an mild for calling' the conqiiedt of ded, though it I in its proper perceived by reflect on the into their own lirst invasion ; may retire for le security and -vornmpnt had the intention •te J declaration Detroit under •itish village of SIH ISAAC unuCK. 44:3 Sandwioli. T'pon the ifurri^on of AudierHthiirtrh, Ijowever, under Lieutenant-Colonel M. (tcor^e, who ^imt hiiiiveli up in total inaction, the. AnuTintn uentTal n)adi> no attempt. Ah Hoon aH fieneral Urork learnt tie- futnincf id Hull into Canada, he sent up (!olonel I'rocter I'rnm llic Nuiiiara Imntier to aSHume tlie eouutiuuil at AnihcrKtliurgh, and that t»tiicer'4 operations were no prompt and judicious, iliat Hull hastily reorosited the strait, and cneunipeil under the waIN of fort Detroit, airain»t which Colonel Procter, luhancinu; to Sand- wich, threw up hattrriu-* on the Hritish sule. Here, (icinTal Jirock nrrivinuf with a reinlorcenienl, the enemy, already reduced to extr<.initifs before hi-* appearance,* capitnlat«!d on the MIth of Auj^ust, to th"- nuinbcr of -JiriiM) men, witli lUl pieces of cannon. Tlief)rtof Detroit, its ordnance, storeg, and a tliiu ve8.«el in the harbour, fell into the bauds of the victors. ♦ ♦ ♦ • • " Hull eertainl> eviiu-ed trieat incapacity after his jjassa^je o( the Detroit, in not iniini-ilialeiy iiuir( bini^ upon Amberstl- burt^h with hiswiude lore? . fur he would, in all probability, have carried the plac< had he made the attempt before Colonel I'roettT-, arrival, by liuy;erin<^, however, at Saiulwich until tbttt o:li«'er look the comuiaiid, lut ott' his eommunica- tion.s, and (d (he lndian», on his rear, he could not subsequently etleii a retreat."- -QMa?7(,//i/ A'tcicM-, ./«///, I8"J"2. In (lie " Prrfutw to the Sicnnd IJtlition nf Travels in Cannda and the I'nih'd Stutis, in IMIO oinl 1HI7, In/ Lti'utcnant FranciH Hull, Wth Li'jlit JJnnjnon.s, U. P.," the authur oft.vc/tt',v, in iillusiiin tn ^Iiijitr-denvrul Proctor: Soon after the publication of these tnivels, the author received an anonymou-. coimnunieation, cbiiruint? Iiim with misrepresenting' the conduct of the otiicer who succeetleil Sir Isaac I^rock in the command ^s witli an ample supply (if prDVi^ii'iis, stuns, \-c.. anil his troups had sultrrcd un essential check or privation And if the .Aniorlcan ufiii'iul wic n'dm.H'd to siiili »',\trnn)ty, wh> did Colonel Proctor aihise Maj( r-Gcucrai Brock not to cro.ss the strait to attai k him > - V. B. T t This pasba;.;c i.s contained in a foot note in l^icutenant Hall's Travels, and is as follows : "On onotlier occasion, when by w;iy of pacilviiiK his remonstrance's with a mctaplmr, in the Indian manner, our cmninander professed liis ieftd:i..-s to lay his bones by his side, 'Tell the do^,' said the .ingiy warrior, • he has too much regard fur hia carcase to lay his bones any where' " ! i 1 i 444 AI'i»ENDIX A, jiKdION 1. »i li ii J t The only insinuation intended to be oonvoyed by llie terms " no kindred spirit," was, that tlie general wlio succeeded Sir Isaac Brock was inferior to liim in talents, and was so consi- dered by Tecumseli. Tins is a mere matter of opinion ; but such as the author conceives every man is free to deliver, with respect to the conduct of an individual employed in a public ca])acity ; nor, huwevc he njay be unfortunate euoufrh to ditifer in it from hi:^ correspondent, does lie believe it would, by any means, be considered a singular opinion by llie oHicers who, at that lime, served in Upper Canada. Mis correspondent u>. lies that Tecumseh ei^er used the expressions, "Tell (he doc:," & said he received his mortal wound. His career was a short but a brilliant one, and had the direction of the affairs of the Upper Province, after Jjis death, been characterized by an ecpial degree of courage, prudence, and humanity, a very ditferen sciries of subsequent events would have claimed the attention of the historian." — Duncan's Travcds in the United States and Canada, in 1818 and lt<10. SIR ISAAC lilii «.K. 44 o the terms cceile nie during ny pleasant ffi'cers, that ut the least nt costume ; he race, the t in groups ogether was res l^jAstks, ich General bush at the <\ his mortal Irse, and had ce, after Jiis of courage. f subsequent listorian." — uda, in lbl8 *' Close to the spot when we hnulefl in Canada, there stands a monument to tiie galhnil deiieral Unak, wlm was killed during the battle of (^ueenstown. m ihe act of repelliug an invasion of the frontier by the Americans, during llie late war 'J'he view frini the top of the monument extended far over lake Ontario, and sljowed us the windinirs of the Niagara, through the low and woody country wiiich lian;;s like a rich green fringe alouL- the southern skirts ul titat great sheet of water." — Captain lius'd HuiVs TruvelH in yortli America^ in IH'27 and 18-JH. Travelling in the state of Tsew York, the authi.r obiprves : "The hite Sir Isaac Urock was, by some ai'cident, me.'tioned. The canal agetit spoke of him in terms ol grei»t resj)ect. a^ tiie best commander the IJritish liad ».'\(Tsent to Canada — etjually regretted on both sides of the St. Lawrence " From Niagara Falls we proceeded by the stage first to Queenstown, (seven miles,) near which a numumenl has been erected to the memory of Sir I.-aac Brock, from the top of which, about I'iO feet high, there is a noble view of Lake Ontario and the adjoining country, and thence to the villager of Newark, (seven miles,* formerly called I'ort 00 inhabitants." — 'the CanadaSf by Andreir Picken. " Leaving a garrison in Detroit sufficiently strong to keep tlie inhabitants in awe. General IJrock lost no time in quitting the conquered ])ost and hastening to Niagara — a 440 APPENDIX A. SECTION I. f 1 command he had only relinquished tor the piirposn of uridortaking an ncliievement whicli the giiUantry and deter- mination of his character could alone have crowned with such unquuliDed success "The month of October was marked by an event of the most melancholy nature — the death of Cienerul Hrock, who fell a victim to 1 lit.- intrepidity and daring of his character. . . . The loss of their leader, however, cast a gloom over every English brow, and an advantage thus iiurcija«eil was deemed at too higii a price. (Jeneral Brock was beloved by the soldiery, particularly the 4!)th, of which he iiad long been lieutenant-colonel, and the indignation of th<'ir grief for his loss cost the Americans many a life on that day, tbat had otherwise been spiired. At Amherst burg, the account of his deatii WHS received with heartfelt concern, and not a man was there of those he had lately led lo victory who failed to pay that tribute to his meujory, which the gallantry and magnanimity of this glorious chief were so every way calculated to awaken in the breast of of the soldier." — *A Candida (^uitipuit/ii,' fnj a IJritisfi Officer, in the iVcio Monthly Maijazine for December, l&2(i, and J'i'hruary, 1827. ■•t " Immediately opposite the town of Prescott, on the sliore of the L'nited States, is the town of Ogdensbiirg ; and twelve miles higlier up, on the (Janadiau ^hore, stands* the delightful village of Urockvilh!, so called in honour of tlie late lamented Sir Isaac lirock. This enchanting little spot unites in its situation every beauty of nature. In front of it flows the river St. Lawrence, interspersed with numerous islands, variously formed and thickly wooded ; behind it is an asseinblnge of small hilN rising one abi>ve another in ' gay theatric pride;' and on eacii side are a nuudjcrof well cleared farms, in au adviinced state of cultivation. Every thing combines to render it pre-eminently beautitul. The dwellings are built of wood, and tastefully painted ; and the court house, in an elevated sitimtion at the back of the village, seems, from its superior size, to l)e the guardiiin of the villagi-rs — an idea of my fancy, which 1 did not seek to confirm by entering within its doors. IJrockville contains 4.")0 souls. It has a parsonage house, but no church has hitlierto been erected." — Five Years in Canada, by J2. A. Talbot. ** We remained an hour or two at IJrockville, the village of palaces; and few villages have I seen more attractive than this one. It is situated on a shelving bank, with r. southern asjject, and groves of trees round it. The houses and churches are built of grey stones, and, being covered with tin, have a light and pleasant apix'arancc." Alcxanderif TransatUmtic Skt'tchcs. Loudon, IH'M. SIH ISAAC imOCK. 447 »nrposfi of and iletcr- wued witli ,'ent of the Jrock, wlio ractor. . . • over every ivtis (leeuH'd ved I)) the 1 U)iig hccu grief for his y, iliut hud louut of his not a man r who failed le gallantry ) every way jldicr."— ' ^l feio Monthly '21. on the shore ; and twelve he delightful ate iuni''nted luniles iu its It fl»>ws the us islands, d it is au hor in ' gay well cleared Every thing ic dwellings toiirt house, llage, seems, diag<'rs— an by "entering It has a creeled." — the village of traetive than Lh r. southern and churches li tin, have a 'TransatU'.Htic [NoTK — Hrot-kville contained in I84fi about 2,ooo inhabitnnt.s. There ia also a townstiip nuincd Unjck, anil another large dii-ilrict of the same name iu Canada.] No. 8. Page 'Ml. At a General Council of Omdolfnce, held at the Council House, Fort Geortje, (\lh Xovanber, 1KI2. Present — The Six Nations, Iliirons, Potawatitimics,anil Cliijipawahs. William (Mau-<, Deputy Superintendent- • iericral. Captain Norton. (7apiain J. U. Itosseanx, and several others of t!ie Indian Department. Kaseiieayont Cayonga t.liief, Speaker. Br'tthersy — The Americans have long threatened to strike us, and in the beginniii-^ of the niuniner thej' declared war against us, and lately they reconimeiu ed hostility hy invading tlie ccnntry at Queenstown. In this conte!*t, which, witli the help of (I remembrauco of your loss by the remaining stains of blooil. Dclivorcil right strings of white wanipuin.* Brothers.. — That the remain-* of our late beloveil friend and comniamler, (ieiieral Urock, shall receive no injury, we cover it with this belt of wauipunj, which we do from the grateful sensations which his kindn<»!is towards us continually inspired, as also in eonformi.'y witi/ .'.c customs of our ancestors ; and we now expres"J, vvith ♦he '.ina'-Mnuu^ voice of the chiefs aiul warriors ot our i'espeetiv« bivnds, the greal respect in which * Wanijuini is the current .noney amtir.tc tholiulinm^. It is of twt^ sorts, white and puriile ; tli>' vluto is worked out "t the insides of the great Congucs into the flt' is worked i-iit of tlu? insiile mI the nirscle shell. Tlipy ate wove as broad as one's hand, am! about twofe.'f long , these they call belts, and give and reeeive them at trieir tn-aties, a.s the seals of friemlship. For less motives, a single number is made to eijiial one of a greii'er, i>y so many as are wanted b ii^ fastened to the l)clt by a string. ■-/?ttt7i««(i"'.s XvrtU Amerii''tn liuiians. 448 APPENDIX A. SECTION I. i I I ,f>- .. we hold his memory, and the sorrow and deep regret with whieh his loss has tilled our breasts, althoiifrli he hastalicn iiid departure for a better abode, where his many virtues will be rewarded by the great Dispenser of good, who has led ua on the road to victory. A large wliite belt. BruthcrSf — We now address the successor of our departed friend, to express the confldence we feel that his heart is warmed with similar sentiments of affection and regard towards us. We also assure hiin of our readiness to 8U])port him to the last, and therefore take the liberty lu speak, strong to all his people to co-operate willi vigour, and, trusting in the powerful arm of God, not to doubt of victory. Although our numbers are small, yet, counting Him on our side, who ever decides on the day of battle, we look for victory m henever we shall come in contact with our enemy. Five strings of white wampum. (Signed) W. CLAUS, D. S. G. No. 9. Page3r>l. Uxirucf from a Description of St. Paul's Cathedral, In the western ambulatory of the south transept is a tabular \/ monument to the memory of Sir Isaac llrock, by the same artist (VNestmacott). A military monument, on which are placed tlie ft*\ord and helmet of the deceased; a votive record, suppopcd to have been raised by his com[)anions to their honored com- mander. His corpse reclines in the arms of a British soldier, whilst an Indian pays the tributeof regret his bravery nnd humanity elicited. EHKiTI'.I* AT Till', ri ni,lf F.XI'KNSE TO I'HK Mr.MOKV OK MAJOn-liKNtUAL SIK ISAAC niUHK, WHO GU)UI01ISI,V KKI.I, ON THE i;titi OF Ot.TOBKH, M.U»< :(;.xii. IN IIESISTIN(. A.N" AIT\(K 0\ gi EENSTOWN, IN I'l'PKH CANADA ^ret with I taken l>is les will be led U9 on r departed it) heart in ud re'p'urd to 8ui)port leak strong trusting in [lim on our e look lor our enemy. SIR ISAAC BBOCK. 44t) Vo.\0. PageSol. ''ThU chief of the branch of the once grout tribe of tlie Ilurons visited Engiatid sotno time ago. I afterwards No. 12. Page 3rj2. An Act tn provide for the. erection of a Monument to the. vwmnrij of the late President ^ Major- General Sir Isaac Jirock, [Sixth Parliament, 55th Geo. III.] [Passed 14th March, 1815.] r. r Most Gracious Sovereign, Whereas at the declaration of war by the United States of America against Great Britain, the government of this pro- vir?^'^ wa? administered with great uprightness and ability by the ■ te ; i^jor-General Sir Isaac Brock ; And whereas by the wis'.iom of his counci's, the energy of his character, and ti»o vi^' >! with which h^ carried all his plans into effect, the inhaijitants of this province, at a time when the country was almost destitute of regular troop", were inspired with the leges of his inly conduct ortli for self- rient services, tow on them enue for even ave no funds nd deserving, jholding that It and general js; and while njoy the high ghness in his aeft to suggest lajesty'a most e most grati- tp.ble to hem, tie connection the name of neral so nobly ly contributed rved to fill the palled for the of the British thful subjects, Lhe Sixth Day andTliirteen. lument to the eral Sir Isaac \ March, 1815.] lited States of nt of this pro- and ability by kvhereas by the racter, and tiio 11 to effect, the e country was )ired with the SIR ISAAC DROCK. 451 fullest confidence in him and in tlieniselves, and were thereby induced modt cordiall.* to unite with and follow him in every operation which he undertook for their defence; An»l whereas after liaving achieved the most brilliant success, and performed the most splendid actions, tliat truly illustrious commander contending at the head of a small body of regular triM»ps and militia, against a very superior fonjo of the enen>y, devoted liis most valuable life ; And wliereua the inhabitants of this province, reverencing his character, fiel it a tribute due to his memory to express the same by a pjt'lic and lasting testimonial, kc. [Preainblc. j^'iooo granted for the constructing a monument to the memory of Major-Gcueral sir Isaac Brock.] An Act to ijrant n further unm of moHc;/ for the completion of the Monument to the mcmonj of the late Major- Gf neral Sir Isaac Brock. [Passcfl 30th January, 1826. IVIost Gracious Sovereign, Whereas it has been represented by the surviving com- missioner appointed undi^r an act of the parliauient of this province, passed in the lifty-fifth year of his late mujesiy's reign, intituled, "An act to provide for the erection of a monument to the memory of the late President, Major- General Sir Isaac Brock," that a further sum of money is required to complete the said monument upon h scale which appears to the commissioner worthy of the object : And whereas the legislature of this province are happy in testifying on this occasion to your majesty tlie continued veneration with which they regard the memory of the late Sir Isaac Brock : May it please your majesty that it may be enacted, 6:c. [j6600 jjran^ed to complete the monument to the memory of the late Major- General Sir Isaac liiocic.] No. 13. Page 352. Anniversary of the Battle of Quecn/ttotcn, and the reinter- ment of the late much-lamented Mojur-Gcneral Sir Isaac Brock. There is something so grand and imposine in the spectacle of a nation's homage to depa-ted worth, which calls for the exercise of so many interesting feelings, and which awakens so many sublime contemplations, that we naturally seek to perpetuate the memory of an event so pregnant with instruc- tion, and so honorable to our species. It is a subject that in other and in older countries Im-^ frequently exercised the pens, and has called forth all the descriptive powers of the .'■s^mMts 402 AIM'KNDIX A. HEfTION I. ablest, writers.* But \u'.rc it is new; and lor tlie first time since we lie«'unie n sepuruto province, liave we seen ii >:re(it puhlio funeral procest^ion of all ranks of p.o|>le, to the anionut of 8(!veral tltonsaiids, bearing tlu! remains of two Ininented lieroes to their la»t dwelling on earth, in the vaults ofu grand national monument, overtopping the loftiest heights of the most inagnitieent !i»H'tition on (^ueenstown htjightst "The weutlier was reiuar.'iably fine, and before ten o'clock a very large concourse of ]ieo])le, from ail ]»ar(s of the country, had assembled on the plains of Niagara, in front of Fort George, in a bastion of which the bodies had been deposited for twelve years. t "One Iiearse, covered with black cl')th, and drawn by four black horses, each with a leader, cont 'tied both the bodies. Soon after ten, a lane was formed by tin >t and 4th regiments of Lincoln militia, with their right on the gate of Fort TJeorge, and their left extending along the road towards Queenstown, the ranks being about forty paces distant Irom each other; within this line was formed a guard of honor of the 70th regiment, in parade order, having its left on the fort. As the liearse movetl slowly from the fi>rt, to the sound of solemn music, :i detachment of royal artillery began to fire the salute of nineteen guns, and the guard of honor presented arms. " On moving forward-* in ordinary time, the giMrd of honor J>roke into a column of eight divisions, with the right in front, and the procession took the following order : • It is impossible here to fortfot Imwcver different were the circum- stances and cliaraeter cf tli*- tw<) warriors'^ that line passasre ^y rlie spieiiilid tiistorian of Rome, wlierein iu' inunortnli/cs tiie ileath ami funeral of liu- ferocious Attlla, in liint;uai;f at onee musical and sublime, and wliicli is jinihahly witliotit an eciiial in the wi: ile raiifce ot Kntflisli literature ; " His body was solemnly cxp' -od in the midst of tin plain, ur ier a silk'-n pavilliori : and the '.'iioson squadrons of the Huns, wiieeiing round in measured evolutions, chaUHtcd a funeral ponjf to the memory of a hero, glorious in tiis life, invineibleUn Itisdeatlt, the father of )u^ people, the scourge of hif cnemich, and the terror of the world,"' * The laoniimeiit itself is not ye* finished , we shall therefore defer our description of the edirtee until it is completed, t It is remarkable that, on inspectini; the remains, the body of Colonel M'Donell wa>) found to be alni<)st entirely cl(^eolnpo^ied,— whii»>t that of the ffeneral %vas still firm and riearly entire -, some of the tlesh aud liucaiucnts of his marliai couutenaucc being yet visible. e first time seen a ^irellt th(! amount ro Inmeiitt'il aofii graml i(ihtrt oi t'lP liiftgniticcut )f the battle jin\uMously the remains ant aidf-ile- Its prepared i ten o'clock thu country, font of Fort en ilepositcd rawn by four li the bodies. ith rejriments F(.rt < ieorge, tiueenslown, each other ; jot the 70th he fort. As ii\ sound of ("grin to fire lor presented lard of honor ght in front, TP the cii->nim- pHssase '.y flio the >!i'atU and ■III ami -lublitni', i-f of Knu;Usli l>,t ,,f thf plain, lulls, wtieelingr till' mfmory of CI of 111- puople, r( lore defer our ody of C oloni'l -whilst that of tUc tlesh au(t :3 A Stuff Officer. Subdivisicii of (irtiiKiluTs. IliHid nf Music. Rigtit Wiiijr of Hic 7«itli Kcpinent rilK UODY. Aidc-dc-Camp to the Intc Major-licnoral Sir l^AAr Uruck. rtiicf M. iirncrs Relatives of llu' late I olnncl M'OovKLl.. (-'oniinissioiK T-i lur the Momiineiit. Heads of PuMic Dei.artiiuiits oi Uic t.'i\ il Govcruiaent. Jnil^t . Members of the K.MJUtive Council. His Excellency and Suite. Left Winjr of the r''th Ktpinient. Indian Chiefs of tlie Five Nations. Ofllccra of Militia not on duty-junior raiikH -First forward, I'ou. deep. AMaf:istrate8 and Civilians, With a Ions' Cavalcade of Horsemen, and Carriages of every dcsrtijitioii. "As the profession passed ahjn<^ the lane of militia, the latter wheeled inwards by subdivisions in sucee.-s.sion, as soon as its own fronl was clear, and followed tlie proot-sision. At a certain distance from Fort tieorw the quick niarcli v(>>,iffi| III fh»;\aiilf bciuHili. Haiiuir exiii-lU'd the North Wt-Hfcrn .\rmv "f thv ' /ntptl Sr«f> », arhx-vrd lt» capture, received the tturrpnitiT of Kort Dotont. ntul the f rrltoiy uf MirhlKan. under ririumstaniies which have riMidcri-d h.is rume illuitrioim, he returned In the protection of this fronllir; ^nd udvmicinjf with his small foree to repel a "icotid tnvaMir)n of the enemv.flieu in j,i's«ei.Hl(in of these heiifhtN, he fell in action, on the l.ttli of Oitolier, IkC', In the lorty-thUd y«'ar of hln a>fe. honoured and lulnvetl hj the people whom lie |fov»rned, and deplored by his yovertiKn, to whose serMce liii> lile had hecii di voted." REMARKS. "By the best compulation we could make, and avoiding all exatf»>eriitiou, at I lie lime th'' procesuiun reaclu'd the Dioiiument iheroc oM ii,,t he l«'s«i than hvi' lhou>• ho had served again-^t h .u \ »nw him fall, that they lann nted his death as mu' i bh they ^^'luld have done that of any of their own g(mcral-. on account of his hunianity, and the \(veal attention he had uniformly shewn to his prisoners. "His excelleney the lieutenant-yovernor (Major-tJencral Sir PeriffriiM' Maitiami, K V. l^.) was in full dmsH, and, wo are ha^ipy to say, appeared in ^ood health utter his late, fatiguinc' journey of inspectifm to the Lower Province. The two M'nth regiment. On the hearse being brought out of the fort, the guard presented arms, and the royal artillery fired a salute of nineteen guns. '' The procession moved in the following order; Captain Brown, 37t]i Recfiment. Grenadiers of the "(itU Regiment. Band of do. Right wing of 76th Rogimcnt. Isaac Swayzf, Es^ci. THE HEARSE, Drawn by four Black Horses. Chief Mourners : — Colonel (rivens, of the West York Militia, and Cohmel Uorinld M'Oom '1. Supporters to the Chief Mourners. — Lt.-CoUiRi'l Duncan M'Donell, and Capt. Wilkinson, of the Glerigary Roeiim nt, in lull uniform. Coramissioncr.s for the Moimment. GentlcuiCTi of the T'resis. Biirri -iters. Medical (lentlenien. Members of tne House of Assembly- Members of the Legislative Council. Sheriffs, Coroners, and Magistrates. Oflicevs of the Army and Xavy on lialf pay, Heads of public Departments Judges of the Court of King's Bench. Members of the Executive Council. His Excellency Sir Peregrine Maitland and Suite. Colonels Wardlaw and Leonard. Left Wing (if the ;iith Regiment. Officers of the W st York Militia, inider the command of Lieut. (;ol. Jiakie, Captain George Dennison, of tlie York Dragoons. Officers of the East York Militia, tiniler the command of Lieut.-('olonel Hcward. Colonel .John Beverley Rol)inson and Major Radenhurst, of the second East York Militia. Chiefs from each Tribe of the Five Nations. — Captain Brant, Ahyonwaeghs, Tehanagarene, Tewaserake, Skayentakaeu, Thalotatro, Kaghnitake, Teyothorewen. ^ ■^'.•; '"■■»v '!',•:■■£': '■ ■ fT, onWednes- Vlajor-Geiieral -camp, Lieut.- monvinient at ho attended to es were highly L be Ifss than tland, Colonels lie ground half t George. th regiments of s apart at Fori IT, consisting of i hearse being arms, and the iJer: irk Militia, and a^i M'DoneU, and full uuiform. pay, i SSuitc. omniand of mmand oi irst, of the second -Captain Brant, kayeiitakaen, •eii. SIR ISAAC TiUOCK. Markham Cavalry -Captain and Lieutenant liutton. Gore Militia : — (:oloiiol James frooks, C aptnin M. Crooks, l.ieiitrnaiit Fiiidlay, and Dr. lliunilton. Oxford Militia —Coloiu I Horner and Dr. Cornish. 56i( ( icnth'iiHii nil linrsflmci^. 285 Carriages, digs, and i>leasnro Wauj^ons, filk-d with well dressed ' -^dies and Gciitlenicn. "The pedestrians were nunu'roua, "The procession asriended the mountain ten minutes after two o'clock, and ruarthed through a lane formed by the 'id and 3d regiments of Lincoln iniliiia, tu the monument. " Upon the bod'es being taken froui tlie hearse and depo- sited in the vault within tlie monument, the guard presented ar;iis, and the artillery, posted on tlie height*, fired a salute of ninfteen guns." — York Observer, October 18, 18'i4. No. 14. — Page -ii.i. "Queenstown, at which place the steam boats start for Toronto, is situated in a delicious valley, through which the Niagara vjver, in colour a deep green, pursues its course. It is approached by a road that takes its wuiding way among the heights by which the town is shfltercd, and, seen from this point, is e.xtremely beautiful and pioture.-'que. On the most conspicuous of these heights stood a monument, erected by the provincial legislature in memory of (General Brock, who was slain in a battle with the ik.mericau forces, after having won the victory. Some vagabond, supposed to be a fellow of the name of Lett, who is now, or wlio lately was, in prison as a felcn, blew up this monument two y.^nrs .igo; and it is now a melancholy ruin, with ri long fragment oif iron railing hanging dejecttdly froni its top, and waving to and fro like a wild ivy branch or broken vine stem. It is of much higher importance than it may seem that this statue should be repaired at the public cost, as it ought to have been long ago; first, because it is beneath the digiiity of England to allow a memorial, raised in honor of one ot her defenders, to remain in this condition, on the very spot where he died; secondly, because the sight of it in its present state, and the recollection of the unpunished outrafie which brouuht it to this pass, are not very likely to so Miie down border fejdings among English subjects here, orcomj)ose their border quarrels and dislikes." — Dickens' American Noteif, vol. ii., pp. 187, IBb. W 4.j8 APrExVDlX A. SECTION II. SECTION II.— AMERICAN AUTHORS, •I I, ■ill ' 1- No. 1.— Page 248. Extract from Jefferson's Correspondence. ■ October 1, 1812. ■Monticello, "I fear that Hull's surrender has been more than the mere loss of a year to us. Besides bringing on us the whole mass of savage nations, ;vhoni fear, and not affection, had kept in quiet, there is danger that, in giving time to an enemy who can send reinforcements of regulars taster than we can raise them, they may strengthen Canada and Halifax beyond the assailment of our lax and divided powers. Perhaps, how- ever, the patriotic efforts from Kentucky and Ohio, by recalling the British force to its upper posts, may yet give time to Dearborn to strike a blow below. Eifectual posses- sion of the river from Montreal to Chaudiere, which is practicable, would give us the upper country at our leisure, and close for ever the scenes of the tomahawk and scalping knife." No. 2.— Page 254. ^'Revolutionary Services of General Hull, as taken from his Defence before the Court Martial, in starch, 1814. "For more than half a century I supported a character without reproach. My youth was devoted to the service of my country ; I fought her battles in that war which achieved her liberty and independence, and which was ended before many of you, gentlemen, who are my judges, were born. If upon any occasion a man may speak of his own merits, it is at such a time as this : ard I hope I may be permitted to present to you, in very few words, a narration of my life, while I was engaged in scenes which were calculated to prove a man's firmness and courage. 1 shall do it with less reluctance, because the testimony I have oflfered of the venerable men who served with me in the revolutionary war, will vouch for all I have to say. In the year 1775, at the age of about twenty-one years, I wps appointed a captain in one of the Connecticut regiments ring that campaign, and until March, 1776, when th: ;my evacuated Boston, I served with the army at Cambnuge and Iloxbury, and in the imme- diate command of General Washington. I was with that part of the army, in March, 1776, which took possession of Dorchester heights — the movement which compelled the enemy to evacuate Boston. The next day, the regiment to SIR ISA\C BnocK. 459 )RS. — Monticello, a than the mere the whole mass )n, had kept in an enemy who an we can raise ifax beyond the Perhaps, how- and Ohio, by 9, may yet give 'effectual posses- diere, which is f at our leisure, fi'k. and scalping taken from his !/t, 1814. ted a character the service of which achieved as ended before , were born. If )wn merits, it is be permitted to of my life, while ited to prove a 1 less reluctance, ij venerable men r, will vouch for he age of about in in one of the aign, and until Joston, I served lid in the imrae- was with that .)k possession of compelled the he regiment to which I bolont-'cd marched for New York. T was on Long Island when the t'neniy landeil, and romained tmfil the niuiit the whole; army retrcait'd. I was in !>everal small skirmishes, both on liOtig Isliuid and York Island. beiVire the army retired to the While Plains. I fljcn l)eloii.;od to Culunel i'harlcs Webb's regiment, of ronneoliciU. "This regiment wuh itt tlu- severrst part of the action on Chalterdon's flill, a little adMinccd of tin.' VVlnto I'lains, a few days after the niuin body of the: army iihimtloned New York. This battle ismenuirablc in the history of our country ; and the regiment to which I belonged reoei\ed the piirticular thanks of (ieneral Washiniiton, in his public orders, for its bravery and good conduct on t!ie occasion. It was [mrticu- larly distinguished from all the other troops engagod ia the action. I received a slight wound by a musket ball in my side, but it did not prexent me from reuiauiini^ at the head of my company. " I was in the battle of Trenton, when the Hessians were taken, in December, I77, 1 commanded the American posts in advance of the White Plains, near Kings- bridge, during which time I had various skirmishes with the enemy. In May, 177!), the principal part of the British army advanced up the Nort'.i Elver to Verjiluiik's and Stoney Poin<, and 1 was ordered to retreat before them to West Point. '* I then joined the light iniuntry, nnfler the command of General Wayuf, ,ind was in the memorable attack on Stoney Point, wiih a separate command ot four hundred light infantry. " For my conduct on this occasion I received the particular thanks of General Wayne, General Washington, and congress. '''In the summer and autumn of 17M(), I commanded the advanced posts of tlie army ; and in December of that year, I commanded an expedition against the enemy, stationed at Morrissina, which was successful, and for which I received the tlianks of General Washingion, in liis general orders to the army, and likewise the thanks of congress. General Washington, in his orders, I well remember, made use of these words: 'He thanked me fur my Judicious arrangements in the plan of operations, and for my intrepidity and valour in the execution. ' " From the conclusion of the revolutionary war I have lived with the respect of my countrymen, and have enjoyed repeated marks of their contidence in the offices which have been bestowed upon me. When 1 found tiiat the independence, for which 1 hud so often fought, was assailed, — that again my country must appeal to arms to avenge her wrongs, and to protect her rights, — 1 felt that J might yet do her some service. For though many years had parsed since I had fouglit under her standard, and though my own arm might i.iot have had its wonted strength, yet my spirit was unbroken, and my devotion to her unimpaired. I thought in the field, where there could be but few who had any military experience, what I had learned in the most active scenes of a seven years' war, might be useful. I fondly hoped tliat in my age, as well as in my youth, I might rend(*r services that should deserve the gratitude of my country — that if F i'ell by the sword of her enemies, my gra'.e would be moistened with the tears of my countrymen i that my descendants would be proud of my , ( and took and licli compelled liile. tion of (General belonged was r the command the army the !»pring of 1778, a, I was in the :ommanded the 18, near King'S- lishes with the le British army d Stoney l'oin<, est Point. if command of tack on Stoney d light infantry. [I the particular n, and congress. ;onimanded the er of that year, iiy, stationed at 'liich 1 received &ncral orders to 'ress. General ade use of these rrangements in and valour in ry war I have have enjoyed e^ which have indopeudence, that again my wrongs, and to ersorae service. d fought under not have had oken, and my le field, where perience, what ven years' war, age, as well as uld deserve the sword of her the tears of my i proud of my SIK ISAAC IIHOC'K. 4(11 name and i'i\nu\ But how vain is anticipation! I am now accused of crimes wiiicli would bliist my former honors, and transmit my memory with iuliitiiy to ]>()sterity. And in that hideous catalogue, there is none from the inii)utation of which my nature and my feelings linve more recoiled than from that of cowardice, to which 1 iuu to answer." "The appearance of General Hull was venerable and prepossessinp. Beneath snowy locks, of nearly sixty winters' l)li'achiii(,', he exliiliited a countenance as fresh and hliDniinjras a youth of e.^'hteen. His; eloriueiice was perspicuous and graceful."— /l/,i(T;<7i)( Ilixtoni. No. :;). — Page 331. Letter from Captain Wool to Colonel Van Rensselaer. "BuFFALOE, October 23, 1812. "I have the honor to communicate to you the circumstances attending the storming of (^ueenstown battery, on the 13th instant; with those which happened previously you are already well acqtmiiitcd. " In pursuance ol your order, we proceeded round the point and ascended the rocks, which brought us partly in rear of the battery. We took it without much resistano.'. I immediately formed the troops in rear of the buttery, and fronting the village, when I observed General IJrock with his troops formed, consisting of four compauii>s of the 40th* regiment, and a few militia, marching for uur left tlnnk. 1 .immediately detached a party of one hundred and fifty men, ifo take possession ol the heights above (iuoenstovvn battery, and to hold General Brock in check ; but in consequence of his superior force they retreated. 1 sent a reinforcement ; notwith- standing which, the enemy drove ns lo the edge of the bank ; when, with the greatest exertions, we brought the troops to a stand, and ordered the officers to bring their men to a charge as soon as the ammunition was exi)ende(l, which was exe- cuted wuh some confusion, and in a few moments the enemy retreated. \Vp pursued them to the edge of the heights, when C'olonel M'Donell had liis horse shot from under him, and himself was mortally wounded. In the interim, General Brock, in attempting to rally his forces, was killed, when the enemy tlispersed in every direction. As i\. under Colonel, since liientenant-Cieneral, Jlrock, and nsiially called the ' Egyp- tlan Invincibles,' was amonpr the prominent corps, and was led by its favorite commander. In the second engagement, this reginn ntof British regulars, 60(J strong, encountered a body of 320 American regulars, supported by a few militia and volunteers, the whole under Colonel Chrystie. They mutually resorted to the bayonet, and after a bloody conflict, the famous invincibles yielded to the superior energy of their antagonists, although the latter were so far inferior in numbers. They were rallied by Lieut. -General Brock, who was killed in conducting them a second time to the charge. The American prisoners were kindly treated by this brave regiment, who, after the battle was over, acknow- ledged they had never opposed more gallant adversaries."— The 49th, not having been with the British army in Egypt, could not be called the "Egyptian Invincibles;" and instead of this regiment, tioo strong, being led by Major ( not Lieutenant} General Brock, only the flank companies were present, with a small body of militia, together about .300 men. In fact, four companies of the icjth were at Kingston, ifio miles distant, and the remaining four battalion comi)anies were, we believe, at Fort Erie, 2" or 28 miles from Queenstown: and thtiofore. the assertion that the " famous invincibles'' yielded to far inferior numbers, is something worse than ridiculous. Such, however, is the correctness of this American historian on the subject, and with such materials is history too often compiled.— Eu,] " REPORT OP THE BATTLE OP QUEENSTOWN " — (Extracts.) "Captain Wool discovered the British troops forming at Queenstown, and i'ormed the troops under his command in line. General Brock was at the head of tbe British troops, and led them round about to the lieights in tbe rear of tbe battery. Captain Wool detached ]G(> men to meet the British ; this detachment was driven back, reinforced, and the whole driven to the brink of the precipice, forming the bank of the Niagara river, above Queenstown. "At this moment some of the officers put a white hand- kerchief on a bayonet to hoist as a tlag, with intention to surrender. Captain Wool inquired the object. It was answered that the party were nearly without ammunition, and that it was useless to sacriftce the lives of brave men. Captain Wool tore off the flag, ordered the officers to rally DANIEL DE IJjd.r, U)10( K, LSti. 4(1:3 the mon, and brinjj them to tho churth couhl not stand the Aniericjiii hsiyoiu't. The British troojis >veic routed, and Mujor-General IJrock, in gallantly exerting himself to rally them, was killi?d. His aid, Colonel M'Donell, fell mortally wounded at the sn.me lime. ** The British beinj; eoniplelt'ly driven from the heiglits about ten o'clock, the line was reformed and Hankinc parties sent out." — i\'i/tV Weekly Ihg'ister, \M'Z. Extracts from Niles' Weekly Register, Baltimore, 181->. "Extract of a letter from a gentleman ai Detroit to his friend in Pitt^burj?, dated July 7, 181-2.-— ' General Hull is making preparations to cross the river this evening or to-morrow, and it is expected that an innnediate attack is contemjjlatcd on Maiden (Andierstburg). The army are all in health and {^ood spirits, and wait with anxiety to be put on the other shore: they a^e eertaiuly as tine lookinu' n)en as I ever saw.' " "We have several reports of the capture of Fort Maklen. General Hull has sent expresses to the crovernors of (,»hio and Kentucky for further supplies of troops, sujiposed for the purpose of maintaining the ground he may take, and to keep the allies in check. We trust he may reliiriously adhere to his proclamation, whatever General Brock may say, and give •no quarters to the white savages when found fighting by the side of the Indians, for whose extensive murders the Jlritish should be made respf)nsible." APPENirrx a DANIEL DE LISLE BROCK, Esq. BMLIFF OF GUKRNSEV. This able magistrate, the third son of John lirock, Esq., was born in Guernsey on the lOth of December, 1702, and closed a long and useful career on Saturday evening, the 24th September, 1842, at the age of 70 years and nearly 10 months. After receiving such rudiments of education as the island (/ 4(54 APPExni.v n. ( I t: in r-.' It w ■■ I. coukl furnish in those days, ]w was pinced nt Aldorni'y, to lvu.ru t'lie French langruogt'. iiikUt M V'iill;itt, a Swi?s protes- taii rlcrgyinmi, and a iiiini of talent, who was attcrwards rector ol St. I'eter-in-thi'-W'ood, m (iiioinsey. From Alderney he was sent to a M.'hool at Ilii.-huiond, in Surrey, whore hf remained only two years, as at thu early age of fourtt'en he w»'nt to Dinan with hi- iatlier, wIjh died I here. Tlie premature death of Iiis jiarenfs was an irre|)nr!d)h; Kiss to the son, us it was the cause of liis not relurniny to school, wliere he had already sliown that, he possessed a vi^rour of intelleft much beyond liis years. Hii two elder brotln^TS were in the army, and the pardonable fondness of his mother induced her to retain at home the only one of her sons, who could in some measure replace the counsels of her husband. In ITd/i, he went by sea to the Mediterranean, and spent upwards of a year in visifini^ Spiiin, Malta, Sicilj, Italy, Swit/criand, and Franc*.'. In 17!it<, he was elected jurat of the Royal Court ; and the ijreater part, if not the whole, of the public ducunients of tluU body, were from that period written by him. In ]H-il, he obtained the high and respon- sible appointment of bailitl, or chief magistrate, of Guernsey. " It has been truly said tiiat the history of Guernsey, for the last fifty years, was, in fact, the history of Daniel De Lisle lirock . So exclusively has the better part of Mr. Brock's life been devoted to the service of his country -so completely have his affections been wra{)|)ed up in her welfare — so ardently, so /.ealously, and so unceasingly has he la- boured to promote her prosperity and to protect her privi- leges—and so intimately has he been connected with all the important occurrences of the period alluded to — tliat in read- injj the histDry of the island, we read the history of this, the most able and devoted of its friends." Between the years liS()4 and 1810, Mr. Brock was deputed by the States and Boyal Court of Guernsey no less than four times, as their representative to government, in matters connected with the trade and privilege^ of the island; and he also went once to Jersey, to confer with tin.' l^oyal Court there on the same subject. In these missions, ^Ir. Brock distinguished himself by his luminous and argumentative jiapers,* and the authority of the Royal Court was happily preserved intact by his representations and unremitting exer- tions. In one of his official visits to London, he became known to the Duke of Northumberland, at whose table he was an occasional guest. The Duke mentioned to him that his grandfather, who had been Governor of Guernsey (a sine- * "There are some of the piililic papers written Dy Mr. Biock which may ho profitahly .^.tucUed as umtlels of this kind of couipositiuij." — Guernsey Star, Stptcmber 26, 1842. at Aliloriii'y, to , n Svvisi!! protos- wii'^ altirwards Iroiu Aldcrney iiirrey, whore he jt' of fourteen he . 'I'lie premiiture to the son, us it yi, where he had if iiitellefr nuieli ■ore in tlie army, • indiiceil her to 10 could in some mean, and spent a, Sicily, Italy, s eleeted jurat of lot the whole, of from that period higli and respon- ite, of Ciiiernsoy. of Guernsey, for )ry of Daniel De tter part of Mr. i" his eountry — so up in her welfare jingly has lie la- tniieet Ikt privi- eeted with all tlie to — tliat in read- ^tory of this, the ock wa» deputed nc> less than four lent, in matters the island ; and tlie lloyal Court ions, ^[r. lirock d argumentative >urt was happily inrevnittin;^ exer- ndou, he beeauie t whose table ho oned to him that Guernsey (a sine- ,lr. Block which may osition." — Guernsey nAMEi- nr i.isi.f": nnocK, khq. 4Gr> euro) from the year 1742 to his denih in 17r)(), had expressed his surprise that, diniii>jr tluit pcriud, he had ne\ I'r been a^ked for a sintyle favor by any inliahiimit nf the i-latid. In those days the natives, with their -iuiplf habits and nwjderale wants, were happily more independent of the smiles ur frowns of ])ower than tiiey are at present, as. posses>*inu: no pirliainen- tary influence, they have little elianco in the distribution of government jiatronage. *' In IfS'il, an act of i>arliamerit h!ivitit>- been passeil prohi- Ijiting the inijx.rtalion ot fereign eorn into the Channel Islands, whenever its entry for eonsumplioti wa^ jirDliibited in England, to wit, until it reaehed l!ie price of 8()s. per 'piarfer, Mr. IJrock was 'ypuw ibpiited to London to contend against a measure fraught mIiIi inch fatal conM'(|ueuccs to the islands, and at tin; same time to ubtain some n\odiHca- tions in the navigation laws. Mr. Brock, wlio was essentially assisted in this bii-iness by Mr. .Iain<-^Can>y, jurat, sueceeiled in both these object-^. 'riu> obmj.sious coin law was lepealed so far as the Channel Islands were concerned, and some important privileges coneeiled to their trade and navigation, especinlly in uranting Iheni IVee intercourse wii.li the IJritish colonies, and tin." American continent and islands. So highly were these last services appreci.'ited. that when .Mr. lirock returned to Guernsey, on the -J4th ,Iidy, lH'J-2, he was received with unexainpleil enlliu-iasm. On huiding in the morning, he was sainted with deafening ciies ol' ^^ li rock Jar cee;- .' " " LotKj luai/ he lire ! " &c. The public Joy was manifested on this occa-ion in many ddferent ways. The shipi)ing in the harbour Imisted their flitgs; crowns and garlands of flowers, flags, loaves of bread, with ears of corn, were ttistefidly arranged, and suspend^'d in almost every street; mottos and devices, exyjressive of unbounded gratitude, were exhibited in every direction, and in the greatest variety; and the clnn-ch bells throughout the island rang merry peals during the day. Bands of music ]>araded the town, followed by crowds, on whose happy eounlenances " Mirth, admit tno of thy crew," was expressed. The musicians wore various co- loured bands n und their hats, wiiii the motto of " Lomj livn Bailiff' Brock!" They surrounded a banner crowned with flowers, hearing the following inscription : "The grateful iniiabitaiits of Gurriispy, to tlu- worth v Ilaihff, DANJF.l. OK I.I.SI.I': tiHOCK. Happy is he who lalio\irs to promote the happiiioss of h'.s fcllow-citizeiis. He will secure their eternal liratirnile. T!\ey will lllK•t•usin^'ly exclaim; •May God preserve our fiieuil, our hencfaetor, and cur paieiit.'" "This inscription, having been borne in triumph ia every pari of the town, was presented to the object of w.il-merited praise, and accepted. Preparations had been made by the 460 APPENDIX II. militia bands to receive \U\ti distinj^uiiiihod putriot at the liindiuQ^ place ; but their j^cmhI iiitc'iifi were quickly raised for this purpo.«p, uikI other Jess valuable, but not Jess gratifying, testiuioniaJ"> were presented to him. Nor was Jersey less grateful, as a public meeting was lield in the town of St. Ilelier, \*hen llie tlianks of the ishmd and a handsome piece of plate were unanimously voted to liim." In 1820, General Sir John Doyle, Bart, and G.C.B., for many years lieutenant-governor of (iuernsey, vi:'ited the island; and at a piihlie dinner, given to him on the '^iJth August, at the Assembly Rooms, he ro.'ie and spoke as follows ; " ficntlcmcn, — llavinjf rpcelved permission from the chair, I rise to propose a toast which would be well received in any society where the enlltfhtcned iiidivicUial is known. But here I anticipate it will be met by acclamation and enthusiasm. I do not propose his health, merely be- cause he is my friciul, althotiich I feel truly lionnred by his friendship ; and the more so, as I know that it oripnated and was cemented by hi.s conviction of my honest zeal for the \)ul)lic good, and the deep interest I took in the welfare of his native land. Hut I i;ive him us a publie man, who, to a sound, xidrorous, and cultivated lUKlerstandinx, joins a liberal and enlightened mind— an innate love of justice, and hatred st ancient and vital privileges of Guernsey — tlie right of the inhabitants to be tried in their own local court — was placed in peril, it being assailed by no less a character than Lord Chief Justice Tenterden, who sought to extend the power of tlie writ of habeas corpus to this island. The liistory of this* event would occupy much more space than we can now devote to it. SufHcc it here to say, that after much correspondence on the subject, Mr Brock and IMr. Cliarles De Jersey, the king's procureur, were deputed to London, to act in conjunction with the bailiff and procureur of Jersey in opposing the measure. The mission r - 4 :i; \ DANIF.I. ni' MSI.E niiOCK, KSQ. •4(17 patriot at the .Ti' iliwnrtcd, in lie urrival took iits, It was de- r. lJrt>ck, OS a ricrvic'C's, and in laclimt'iit mij^ht and inif^lit dea- ds of £:ironiptly and so handsomely anticipated and fulfilled llieir wishes, and they looked forward to the moment of ]taying to their departed benefactor the last mournfid honors with feelings in which complacency was not unmingled with their grief. "Some hours before the time appointed for the ceremony, the inhabitants of the country parishes, mostly clothed in respectable mourning, were seen thronging into town; and by eleven o'clock a considerable crowd was collected in the front of Mr. Savery IJruok's house, from whence the proces- sion was to issue. Punctually at the time appointed, (twelve o'clock,) the authorities and other gentlemen invited to take part in the ceremony, together with a lan^e number of per- sons who attended S])ontaneously to pay the last mark of respect 'o the deceased, were assembled; and having been marshalled by tiie deputy sheriff's and the special constables, in the mann^'i laid down in the programme, the mournful cortege, coniprising nearly five hundred persons, issued into the Grange Road in the following ortler of procession : Four Assistant Constables, (each with lli^ Sfaft' of oftice, Two Deputy Slu'iilfs. -Doiiuty (ircilicr — I)t'|iuty Sergeant. Deputy H.iiliour Masti-r.— Postmaster. Sur\ I'yor of \Vorl.\ajni-(;eneral \V. F. P. Iwapier, l.ieut. -Governor.— Lioul.-CJyneriu Rnss, Peter B. DobvLkv -, ; r \V. (iosstiiii. Thomas I.o KctiUey. ] ••"■'^'^^- { H. I)..lm'e, jun. The Queen's Procureur.-The Queen's ComptroIkr.— UtT Majesty's Receiver. (ieneral.—(iivflii'r.--i.i. j---:.^''' . 470 APPENDIX n. t il I i: ^l l ('* ;: if I ^ j;! 4 . 1 burial ground, and it is believed that they considerably exceeded 4,000. An equal, or perhaps a larger number, were dispersed, as spectators, in tlie Grange Road and ad- jacent parts. Every house that comnmnded a glimpse of the procession, or the interment, was crowded. The windows, even to the attics, wer ^ peopled; whilst walls, gardens, and every spot from which any thing could be seen, were in like manner occupied. Notwithstanding the extraordinary num- ber of persons collected, a very creditable degree of order and decorum was maintained throughout the whole of the pro- ceedings." * The union jack Mas hoisted half mast at Fort George and Castle Cornet from the day succeeding the bailiff's death to that of his funeral, on which days also the bells of the parish church of St. Peter-Port were tolled, and the flags of the vessels in the two harbours and roadstead were hoisted half mast. On the day of the interment, the shops in St. Peter- Port were entirely closed until the mournful ceremony was completed. The lieutenant-governor of the island, Major-General Na- pier, the celebrated historian of the Peninsular war, evinced, in a manner as creditable to his feelings as it was gratifying to those of the family, an anxious desire to pay every respect to the memory of the deceased, his excellency, with the offi- cers of his staff, and Lieut.-General Ross, and Lieut. -General Sir James Douglas, ex-lieutenant-governors, attending the funeral in full uniform, as did all the officers of the five regiments of militia. All the civil and military authorities, as well as the whole of the clergy of the island, were present. ^ff; The following remarks are extracted from a long and most ably written article of nearly two columns, in the Guernsey Star of Monday, September 2G, 1842, in which the last mo- ments and character of Mr. Brock were feelingly portrayed by the editor, an English gentleman : "Mr. Brock's career, his talents, his services, and his amiable qualities, Eire so familiar to every native and inhabitant of Guernsc}' — they have, ns it were, become so much the common property of the community— they have been so much the objects of their study — so constantly the theme of their praise and admiration — that it may seem almost a work of supererogation in us to make any observation on them on the present melancholy occasion. We cannot, however, allow the grave to close upon him without strewing it with some of those offerings ot respect and praise which spontaneously spring to our hand as we pen the notice of his death. We feel that we enjoy considerable latitude on this occasion, because, from having been for years the political antagonists of Mr. * The extracts in inverted commas are from the Guernsey Star of Thursday, 29th September, 1842. y considerably arger number, Road and ad- i <;linipse of the The windows, , gardens, and 11, wer« in like lordinary num- ee of order and )le of the pro- ort George and liliff's death to Is of the parish he flags of the re hoisted half IS in St. Peter- ceremony was Dr-General Na- r war, evinced, , was gratifying y every respect , with the offi- Lieut. -General attending the ers of the five iry authorities, , were present. long and most the Guernsey h the last mo- ugly portrayed amiable qualities, nsey— they have, the community — so constantly the m almost a work 3m on the present le grrave to close igs ol Inspect and pen tlic notice of on this occasion, itagonists of Mr. 'juernsey Star of TIAXIEL DE MSr.K imO( K, ESQ. 471 Brock, and having braved his hostility when living, our tribute to his emory cannot be looked on u> other than the genuine offspring of our nig and our jutlgement. ' Mr. Brock was not an ordinary man. He was constituted of mate- ,a]s which rt'oulrt have led tlieir owner to distinction in whatever sphere he might have been placed. Indebted hi.t little to early education, he possessed within himself a faculty of extracting knnwledjre from every thing that came within his observation; and, gifted with a powerful memory, a reliecting mind, and the art of methodizing and arranging the ideas and information which he ac(|uired, he was enabled at all times to bring a mass of well digested and pertinent knowledge to bear upon and illustrate any subject which he was required to discuss He had a sin- gular talent for comprehending )irin(.iples and for seizing information, anil arranging and applying it ; so that there were few sub.iects upon which he entered, on wtiich he "ould not lay down sound principles, and illustrate and maintain them by sound arguments. Too confident of his strength, and perhaps over-elated with his many victories, he would scjmetjmes venture on ui\tenable ground, and expose himself to the inroads of an able enemy ; but tiiese indiscretions were of rare oc- currence, and the memory of his temporary checks was generally can- celled by the skilfuluess of his retreats. If Mr. Brock was thus distinguished fox his mental powers, he was no less so b\- the strength and u licity of his .style of writing. He had the rare talent of putting propei words in their proper places, He wrote English with English plaiiiTiess and English force. There was nothing aflfectcd or modish in his manner. He gave bis readers an iujpression that he wEis clear in the conception of liis own meaning, ana he made it equally so to them. He aimed at no ornament : the beauty of his writ- ings consisted in their per^p;cuity and strength. A verbal critic might discover inaccuracies in his compositions, liut the man of sense would find in them nothing umneaning— nothing useless — nothing vapid He was not a turner of tine periods — he was not a Jine writer— bnt he wrote with strengtli, precision, and kicidily ;, and his compositions, even where they failed to produce conviction, could never be read without creating respect for the masculine talents of their a\ithor "But the main ground on which the memory of Daniel l)e Lisle Brock must rest its claims on the affection, the nispect, and the gratitude of his fellow-countrymen, is the devoted— the engrossing love which, during his whole life, he bore to his native land. Every thought, every wish, every feeling of pride or ambition, centeree in his beloved Guernsey. She was the idol of his affections — the object of all his solicitude — the glory of his inmost heart. His endeavours for her welfare may occa- sionally have been misdirected— -his objections to change in her institu- tions may have been ill-founded — but his motives have ever been beyond the reach of suspicion or reproach. They were concentrated in the desire for her good. Her people, her soil, her laws, her customs, nay, even licr prejudices, were dear to him — they were his household gods. He wor- sliipped them, he lived for them, and he would have died for them "The private character of Mr, Brock presents an embellishing and graceful adjunct to his public qualities. Bold even to temerity in his acts; firm even to obstinacy in his opinions; entertaining an exalted estiniate of the ofiice that he filled, and of the interests that he embodied or represented in his person, he was, at the same time, simple, courteiMjs, and benevolent in his private manner, to a degree tluvt was as honorablo to himself, as it was gratifying to those who came in contact with him. Mr. Broc!: on the bench, and Mr. Brock in private, were distinct charac- ters. In the former position, conscious, probably, of his talents and his authority, he was firm, and sometimes, though rarely, in appearance even imperious; in the latter, lesigning himself to the feelings of the gentleman, ho was affable, kinii. and even diffident. In his privacy he displayed all the attributes of a superior mind. He was entirely devoid of pride and osteutatiou : his mind was superior to the weakness they >* i^*»^-itti»ji*ui»tto*4P*i',iit^*ifc-j«.i -.vac^i.-ui t'Uf^iiJa^'Li.*. :. M 472 APPENDIX C, ir ilenotp. He disdained the conventional habits of society, for nature hart created him <<. (yentloman, and he needrd not the aid of art. He mingled not in tliat society wlicxc \ui niiglit iiave received ttie homage to which his talents were entitled. He sjient his time in study, or workini;: fcr the public welfare ; his relaxations heinjir in his fields and garden, or in the conversation of casual visitors who, uninvited, occasionally resorted to his unceremonious and hospitable roof. Ardent as he was in iiolitical discussions, prone as he was to enter into controversy, the feelinifs of animosity which he expressed died in their utterance. The adversary of to-day was the welcome guest of the morrow. The hand whicli had ilistilled the ^all of disiiutation at one moment, was readily extended in kind fellowship the next. Mr. Brock was probably not exempt fiom failings, but he had certainly nothing of littleness about him. He res- pected an h;)n.)rable and open adversary, more than a flattering and servile friend. His hostility was strong, but it was shortlived; his enmity was vigorous, but it had no memory. In other respects, too, he evinced a generous and benevolent he.irt. At all seasons and nnder all circumstances, liis time and attention were willingly devoted to those who sought his assistance or advice, tie was the friend and counsellor of all. Many is the angry feeling he has all yed — many the lawsuit he has prevented — many the family division he 1 as closed. H is kind offices were at the command of all. No labour was too great for him, when called on for his assistance ; but if at any time he foimd liimself obliged to reject a claim which was made on him, he so softened his refusal with courtesy and kindness, that the disappointed seldom left him without experiencing a sense of obligation. " Possessing these characteristics, Vhieh are hastily sketched by the pen of a political opponent, Mr. Hrock. it must be admitted, was a dis- tinguished man. His sphere of action was limited, but within that sphere lie acted an honorable, a useful, and a noble part. Had he been cast upon a wider stage, thert; can be little lioulit that his talents arul his resolution would have acquired for him a more extensive reputation : but, even as it is, his fate is enviable. He sought the welfare of his country, and desired its respect and gratitude as his reward, lloth objects have been attained ; and he now ^tleeps, at the close of a long and honorable life, regarded by all his countrymen as the most able, the most useful, the most disinterested, and the most patriotic of the rulers to which its destinies ha\e ever b('en committed. No rr.an has been more beloved and respected in his life, and none more regretted at his death. Feace to kismun^s !" ' APPEITDIX C. LIEUT. E. WILLIAM TUPPER, R. N. This young officer was descended from John Tapper, Esq., who was the common ancestor of the Guernsey family of his name, having married and settled in the island about the year 1592. He was an English gentleman, of German ex- traction, his forefather, it appears, hJiving, about the year 1525, fled from Cassel daring the religious persecution in (he LIKUT. K. AVII.I.IAM TlPPnil, U.N. 473 ioty, for nature harl :if art. He minified lioniaffu to which . or workiiiic fir the (I gar(lt:n, nr in the sionally resorted to he was in imlitical rsy, the feelings of . The ariveisary of le hand whicli had readily extended in y not exempt fiom )out him. He res- in a rtatterini? and ras shortlived •. his ler respects, too, he iisons and nndfr all ly devoted to those iend and eonnsellor iiany the lawsuit he L'd. His kind offices reat for him, when und liinisclf obliged lied his refusal with m left him without ily sketched hy the •dmittcd, was a dis- it within that sphere Had lie been cast his talents anrl his tensive reputation : the welfare of his his reward. Uoth the close of a long s the most able, the itriotic of the i-iilers No rr/an has been jre regretted at his R. N. n Tiipper, Esq., iey family of his sland about the of German ex- aboiit tlie year rseciition in the reijrn of Charles , forming one ot a party landed from the Heet, tu co-operate with the army. On the night of the storm, this i)arly, in conjunction vviili tlie 80111 light infantry, under Colonel I'hornlon,* attacked some fortified works on the right bank of the Missi«sipi, and were complete- ly successful ; btit the failure of the iriDiu a.-fsault rendered this success unavailing. In the same year he, joined the Hag ship of Sir Thomas Fremantle, who, having iK'-n a t'riend of his late uncle. Sir Isaac Druck, kindly assured him of his influ- ence and support; but pciice taking place before he had attained the requisite age for promotion, all tlx' bright pros- pects with which he entered the s-(!rviee were !>!ight;ed. fn November, 1S17, on his return in the Active frigate, Captain Philip Carteret, from the Januiica station, he passed at the naval college at Portsmouth, and was one of four midship- men complimented as having undtjrgune a superior .-xamina- tion. In Ih23, lie was appointed to the Revenge, J^ir Harry Neale's flag ship, in the .Mediterriiiu'an. and placeo' on the admiralty list for advanceiuent. Early in ]h2(), he was at length promoted into the Sernigapoiam frigate ; but Sir Joiin Pechell, under whom he had previously served for a short time, prevailed upon the aduural to transfer him tr his own ship, the SybiUe, i>f 48 guns, '-'a crack frigate," in a high state of discipline, the crew of which was renuirkable for its skill in gunnery. The Sybille was at Alexandria, when intelligence arrived there of the plunder of a Maltese vessel, under atrocious circumstances, by a nest oi! Greek pirates, on the southern coast of Candia. Sir John Pechell set sail immediately in quest of these lawless and desperate men. On Sunday, the 18th of June, 182(1, at daylight, tw.) mislicoes were observed under sail, near Cai)e Matala, standing towards the frigate; but on discovering their mistake, they made for the land, and were followed by the Sybille, into the narrow creek formed by a rocky islet and the nuiinland of Candia. On this islet were posted from 200 to 300 armed Greeks, chiefly the crews of three or four piratical nnsticoes at anchor in the creek ; and in a desperate attempt to cut out these misticoes, with the boats, Midshipman J. M. Knox and twelve men were killed; and the first lieutenant, CJordon, dangerously; * The same officer whose letters have been given in this volume. 476 APPKNDIA ( I ! i ■ I- I M: Lieutennnt Tapper, mortally ; Midsliipmcn AVilliam EcJmon- stoue and Robert Lets, both very sevorciy ; and twenty-seven Jiien wore wounded, of wli07n tivo died in a few days. Two of tlje misticoes were afterwards sunk, and many of the pirates were killed and wounded by flie frigate's {;uns.* Lieutenant Tapper commanded the launch, and althouf^h severely wounded in tliree |)laces, he stood up the whole time, and retained the command of her until he returned to the ship. Th bullet, which proved fatal, entered his x'v^l breast, an'i was extracted from under the jkin over the false ribs. Havino,' gone into action with his coat and epaulette, he was doubtless particularly aimed at, as the four midship- inen, Ti. M. E. Allen, the Hon. l-'rederick J'elliam, Robert ^?poncer Robinson, and tlie Hon. Edward IMuukelt (now till captains) who were in the launch, escaped unhurt, lie lin- gered until the 'JGth .lune, when lie breathed his last, in a state of delirium, on board the Sybille, at Malta, where his remains were interred, and a monument was erected to his memory by his captain and messmates. In person he was rather above the middle height, with a pleasing and intelli- gent countenance; and when his brother Charles and he were midshipmen together in the Victory, in the Baltic, they were designated on board as the handsome brothers, t The surgeon of the Sybille, in a letter to the family in Guernsey, wrote of Lieutenant Tupper : " When T first saw him, he was firm and cool. Ho asked me to give my opinion without reserve, ami knowing- him to be posses.^ed of f,''rt'at t'orti- tiide, I told him that the wound \\\ the chest was of a most ilun^rrous nature, ))iit not ner^^siirilii fatal. He had by this time lost a great deal of blood, hut the internal hein';rrl>ai;:e, th"utrh the most alarming, was slight. He renmined so low for Miree days, that it was cxpectv.l he would have sunk, though lu^ still eotitinned eollected and tirm. On t!>e fourth day he rallied, his pulne became more distinct, ami he evidently encoura^'ed hopes. Need 1 say that I felt myself incapable of destroying them — indeed 1 was not altogether without hope myself The principal danger was from hemorrhage upoii the separation of the sloughs, and niy fears were fatally verified, for mi the 'i.ith, at noon, it conunencedand increased internally, until his lungs could no longer perform their functions, and he died at about three o'clock on the morning of the afith. During the whole time he was resigned, evincing the greatest strength of mind .... As it was with unfeigned yorrow that I saw a fine and gallant young man fall a victim to fiueh a cause, so it was with admiration that \ witnesseil his heroic hearing when the excitement was past, and hope itself was almost fled. I have seen many support their firmness amidst danger and death, but it belongs to few to sut^taiu it during protracted suffering, which is indeed a trial often too severe for the bravest, but through which >our lamented brother came with a spirit and resignation which reflected lustre upon himself and family, and endeared him to all his shipmates." *See " United Service Journal," March, 1841, pp. .332 3. t By a singular coincidence, the two brotlicrs commenced their career in the same ship, the Victory, to which their rieai relative, Lieutenant Carr6 Tupper, belonged when he was killed in the Mediterranean, in one of her boats, and all three lost their lives in boats ! COLONKL \VlLLi.\M DC VIC TLrPlKK. 477 WilliiUTi Rdmori- arid tvvenfy-seven a few duys. Two iiid rnaviy of the ntf's {ifuiis.* ich, and although ip the whole lime, V returned to tho entered his rijrht ?kin over the false >at. and epaiHetle, the four midihip- . I'elhain, Robert IMiinkelt (now all unhurt. He lin- ;)ied liis last, in a , Malta, where his vas erected lo hia In person he was ?nsing and intelli- harle'? and h(! were Daltie, they were lors. t to the family in ! asked me to give my ises.->fti of f,'rfat forti- c)f u most ilan^fvowi no lost a greiit deal of alaiminf?, was sliglit. ■ctvil he would iiave On t!>e lourlli day ho vidently encourap'ed dchtrojiug them — The pviiicipa! danger longlis, and my fears iicncedaiid increased their funetions, and le 2fith. During the ength of mind .... and gallant young admiration that I was past, and hope lu'ir firmness amidst it during protracted for the Inavcst, hut pirit and resignation endeared him to all iiuenced their career relative, Lieutenant editerrauean, in one APPENDIX D. COLONEL WILLIAM DE VIC TUPPER, My beautiful, my lirSTc! Ah 1 who lan tell how inRiiv « »f iiiaii^'ii;tiit stai, And wa){t'(l witli Fortunv an unciinaL «ar' This highly gifted yoimg man was a brother of the subject of the preceding memoir, their fatiicr having had ten sons and three daughters. He was born in Guernsey, on the 'iBth of April, 1800, and derived his Christian namen from a pater- nal uncle who fell in that island in a duel with an oHicer of the 27th regiment. Having received an excellent eductition in England, partly under u private tutor at J^osthill, in War- wickshire, he was sent, on the restoration of the liourbons, in 1814, to a college in Paris, in which he continued nniii the arrival of Napoleon from Elba, when he was gratitierl by a glimpse of that extraordinary man. When lie landed in France, although he had barely completed his fourteenth year, his stature was so tall and athletic as to give him the appearance of a young giant ; and on being asked his age at the police office, that it might be inserted iii his pa- port, his repl; was received with a smile of astonisliment and incredu- lity, which afforded much subsequent amusement to his elder fellow-travellers. At the age of sixteen, his str.;ngth and activity were so great tlnit few men could hav3 stood up against him with any chance of success. On his return to Guernsey, every interest the family possessed was anxiously exerted to indulge his wish of entering the British army, but owing to the great reductions made after the peace of lSir>, he was unable to obtain a commission, even by purchase. Those relatives who could best have forwarded his views, had been slain in the y)ublic service ; and in that day, few claims were admitted, unless supported by strong parliamentary influence. In January, 1816, he attended the levee of the commander-in-chief, in deep mourning for his next elder brother, Charles, a midshipman, who had been drowned in 478 APPENDIX D. •| ■( H .a ■ the nnvy n few Tnontha before : liis roynl hiRhiK'ss promised to take hiti ineuioriol into early coiiHifloriUion, mid it wan lioped by tlie family lhi\t his tall and strikii i^ly lianddome person woidtl have had some intiueiire; bur, mifortuiiately the yoiitii, then under si.Me.Mi, waited nlone on the Ouke of York, and had no one to pleiid his cause or to promote his wishes, lie was accompanied as far as the Horse Cluards by the late Lieut. -Colonel Eliot, (mentioned antiiy) who there, or in the neighbourhood, introduced him to Sir Uou,er SheaH'e, whom they met accidentally : but the general took little or no notice of the nephew of one to whom he was under much obligation, and whose fall hud been his rise! It is true that Sir Roger Sheatfe was also about to solicit an ensigncy for Ids own nephew, whose brother had a few months previously (September, 18l.'>,) received one in the 4l)th regiment ; but Bure we are, that had Sir Isaac Brock met the nephew of a gallant predecessor under similar circutustances, he would have presented him to the commander-in-chief, and urged his claims with all the warmth of companionship and grati- tude. And is it not mortifying to think, that two nephews of Sir Roger Sheaffe obtained that without purchase, which was withheld from the nephew of Sir Isa »c Brock, even Ay purchase — and that nephew of as noble a spirit as ever breathed? But wlnle we freely meni ion Sir Roger Sheatfe'a coldness and i.idifTerence, we apj)reciate, highly appreciate, his paternal solicitude for these two nephews, who Jiad previously lost their father, a surveyor of the excise at Mallow, in Ireland. Had, however, Sir Isaac Brock been ati careful of his person as were one or two general officers that we could name,* who served during the Mar in Canada, he woidd, doubtless, have also obtained an ei ^igncy for his nephew ; but he was dead, and the dead trouble not. This treatment of his nephew, a perfect counterpart (>f him8elf,t certainly reflects no credit on tlie military authorities of that day, over whom the mantle of Pericles had, alas! not been thrown, as the Athenians — like ths British, a naval people — were moved by him, in a funeral oration, which remains to this time a fitting testimonial of his eloquence and his grati- tude, to set apart a stipend for the widows and orphans of their countrymen, who had fallen in the first campaign of the Peloponnesian war. And be it remembered that Sir Isaac Brock left neither widow nor children, and that his only sur- viving sister, who had a very numerous family of sons, had * Or as Chief .lustice Robinsoti expressed it in more courtly l!ini?ua)?e at "the gatheriiiK " on Qtieenstown Heights, in July, 1840: "la later periods of the contest, it sometimes happened that the example of General llroelc was not very closely followed." (See ante.) + Sir Thomas Freniantle was struck with De Vic Tnpper's resemblance to Sir Isaac Brock, when he saw him iu Guernsey, in 1615. hip;hii(.'S9 promised iition, mill if. was rikii t^ly iiiiiidsiome bur, imforrunately tic on the iJuke of or to promote his e Horse Guards by ntd,) who tliere, or Sir Hotipr Slieafl'e, leral toolc little or le was umler much e ! It is true that it an ensigncy for moutlis previou!*Iy Itli regiment ; i)iit ■t tile nepliew of a staiiees, he would i-chief, and urired lioiisliip and <^rati- tiiat two nepliews t purchase, which ic IJrock, even hij i a spirit as ever sir Roj^er Slieati'e's hif::hly appreciate, ejjhews, wlio Jmd of the excise at jaac Brock been as vo general officers he war in Canada, in ei jigncy for his trouble not. This .>rpart of himself,t authorities of that id, alas! not been I, a naval people — which remains to ■nee and his grati- ws and orphans of St campaign of the red that Sir Isaac that his only sur- imily of sons, had lore courtly l!ini?ua?:e Inly, 1840 : " la later he example of Geneial Tapper's resemblance in 1&15. 1 COLONKL WIM.IAM HE MC TL'PI'I.K. 471) derived no benefit whatever from Ids death. But y )ung Tupper nnght then have uttered thisn reproach. " Man wronsrs, and tinio avciifrcs. and my name May form n moiminfnt not all obscure." He remained in Gnernse\ for nearly two years In tlie vnin hope of a conimissiou, and, itciti-j; thus cruelly disuppointed, ho proceeded in Decenilier, 1817, in his cinhtcentli year, to Catalonia, of which province a relative, P. (.'. Tupper, (men- tiiuied aiiti',) was Brilisih consul. He travelletl through Franco at a time when there wns a very hostile feeling towards the Kugiish, as the army of O(!cupation was then iu that country, and we learn from his fellow-traveller, who was u few years older than himself, that they uut frciiiu'ntly at tho tables d'hote with French c»fHcer!!, witli whom Tujiper hiid warm discussions, as they were any thing but friendly or civil, and boasted that they had beaten the Britiish army in almost every engagement. " We beat you at Saliimmica und Vittoria, at Toulouse und WaterUto," was the retort ; the officers looked fierce and curled their mustaohoes, but they probably liked not the gigantic I'ramc and resuliite bearing of the young Englishman, as they abstained fr(uu pcr^sonal insult. On one occasion, the officers omitted to ]);iss down the viands to the two travellers, who were sitting below them, — the waiter came in uith a roast duck, — "(jar(;oii, apporte/.-moi co canard,"' said Tupper, autliorifatively, and cutting it in two, he gave lialf to his companion, and kept the other half for himself. The officers were evidently much annoyed, but contented themselves with calling i.wice or thrice for the duck ; and the elder companion tells us that he was very glad to cross the frontier with his young frienti, sat'e. and sound, into Spain, as he was in daily dread of a hostile rencontre between the disputants. In Catalonia young Tupper spent two or three years, and at Barcelona, where ho was well known and an especial favorite, he received the public thanks oi the municipality for having boldly exposed his life to extinguish a conflagra- tion which threatened to destroy a whole barrier of the city. Here his vanity was constantly excited by exclamations, in the streets, on the manly beauty of his person. There was at Barcelona at this time a Spanish lieutenant-colonel of cavalry, who had served in South America, and was in the habit of bullying both the military aiuf Civilians. In going one even- ing to his seat in the pit at the opera, young Tupper had to pass this officer, who sat with his feet so extended as to reach the opposite bench. Tupper begged of him to draw in his feet — " pass over them ! " was the answer. Tupper asked him a second time, and received the same reply, upon which he kicked the officer's feet out of his way, and passed on. The ! "•aS?"/^..'!!s"'P'.r«?^^'i . 4H() COLONEL WILLIAM DF. VIC TI'PI'F.U. ■Ill i': officer fol!owo(1, iind sjiid lip wisliod to («i»cak lo Mm niitftldc. Tu|>p('r iiiinu'iliatoly ro^o, mid in H;'>iii^ out, hcokoried to un ].lii^liHh (;t'ritlL'innii, who wns Aitlii!;; in tlie boxen, and from wlioni we Imvc tlie parficninrs, to comu out nlso It \/M quickly ni^rocd tlint they >.lioul(l find liu'rnst'Ivi'H ntftoorta'n coilVt'-liousc tin; next niorniu'^ at i-itrlit f)'cloi;k, each wjtii u friend, to choose; the weapons and fiv tin; place of nicetinj?, youn^ Tupper teilinR the Spaniard that lie nnu;ht (dioose either broarl or i^tnall swcrd, or tlie pislol, as, althou^li he WU9 fi civilian, citlier weapon was indiftcront to liim. And he was, in fuct, an excellent shot and an eqiuilly good swords- man. The next morninj? the two I'^ntjiishuien went punc- tually to the coffee houi»e, which was soon crowded with military atid civilians, anxiouH to know the result of Ihe meetintj, as the colonel wa:< much disrliked. Nine and ten o'clock came, and no colonel, when Tupj)er asked the officL'rs present whether they thought ho was in honor bound to remain any lonjrer. They re|)lied that he was not, and Tupper and his friend returned honie. The same <)uiig Tiippcr is also said to huvf excited llnir nstonislinicut by ilu^ manner in v\hieh he seized on one of the ringleaders, a very athletic and powerful man, and led him captive to the boat. For this service, and for his cunduot in a cai ;)aign again«t the fierce Araucanians, wliuni the 8|»aiiiards had never been able to subjugate, lie was made in .January, \>->2i\, over the heads of all the lieuti nam-*, capiain ot the irrenailier company of battalion No, H, conimanded by the -uuk '.^idlant Freiuh- man, Colonel lieiiiichef. This company consisted of upwards of lOU exceedingly tine men. and aceonipanying the battalion shortly after in an expedition t) Arica, it excited the surprise of the comparatively diminutive I'eruvians, and to which its captain appears not a little to have n»iiiributed. This expe- dition Mas stion recalled from Peru to jiroceed under the director, General Itamon Freire, against the islands of Chiloe, so long and so bravely defended by tin,' Siianish governor, (juintanilla. On the return voyage from Ari(;a to Co(iuimbo, file v'ssel, which conveyed the grenadiers ol No. H, was short of both {-.rovisioii!; and water, and of the latter only a wine glassful was at la^t served out in twenty-four hours to each individual. Although the heat was intense, and two of tho grenadiers died, the company, when drawn up to receive the scanty draught, invariably refused to touch it until their captain had tasted of each glass ; and one dying soldier would confess himself to no one but his eajitain, &.» strong a hold had he already gained on the aft'ectiuns of those he com- manded, DOtwithslanding ilieir diffi-rence of religion, X 482 APPENDIX D. If M !vf il f l: ,/ ; 1*' ■' {■, '■' 4 t' il p; •T I We have just said that an attempt was about to be made to wrest the islands of Chiloe from the dominion of the Spaniards. In pursuance of this object, battalion Tio. 8 was embarked at Coquimbo in .Tanuary, 1H24, and landed on the small island of Quiriqnina, in the bay of Talcahuano, where it remained until the preparations were com[)leted. The troops were formed into three divisions, and Captain Tapper was named second in command of the third, but the nomi- nation giving great umbrage to several majors and lieutenant- colonels who hud been passed over, this arrangement was annulled, and battalion No. 8 was directed to take the ad- vance. The expedition reached Chiloe on the 24th of March, and the next day battalion No. 8 gained possession of the fort of Chacao, which offered but a slight resistance. On the 31st, a detachment consisting of two battalions, Nos. 7 and 8, and the grenadier company of No. 1, disembarked at Deicague, and at noon on the Ist of April commenced its march, through a very woody and broken country, towards the town of San Carlos. Two companies of grenadiers, under Captain Tupper, formed the vanguard of this detachment. A strong Spanish force awaited them in ambush at Mocopulli, which is an immense bog surrounded by underwood, having a masked gun on an adjacent eminence. The grenadiers and No. 8 marched through the mouth of the defile perfectly unconscious of their danger, and when within a few paces of the enemy so murderous a fire was opened upon them that they were thrown into the utmost confusion. The enemy was invisible, and in a short time 200 of the patriots had fallen, while No. 7 halted in the rear and refused to advance. Captain Tupper is represented a>? having behaved here with the most devoted heroism, charging twice into the thickets with the few grenadiers who would follow him to so perilous a service. In the second charge three men only accompanied him, one of whom was killed and another received a bayonet wound in the face, while Captain Tupper was himself slightly wounded in the left side by a bullet — another perforated his cap — and a Spanish sergeant made a blow at him with a fixed bayonet, which he struck down with his sabre, and it went through his leg. The bushes, however, favored their escape, and, after being nearly surrounded, they rejoined the battalion, which had retreated a short distance. Colonel Beauchef, as a ** dernier ressort," now boldly resolved on attacking the enemy in close column. Animated by their gallant commander, the men formed, although they were previously in complete disorder and No. 7 had retreated, and carried the position at the point of the bayonet, pursuing the royalists for about half a mile. But the field was dearly purchased, the detachment engaged, of scarcely 500 men, having 320 killed and wounded, including 13 out of 18 officers, about to be niafle doiniiiion of the [vttaliou INo. 8 was and landed on the alcahuano, where completed. The jd Captain Tapper pd, but the nomi- jrs and lieutenant- arrangement was ;d to take the ad- the 24th of March, possession of the hi resistance. On battalions, Nos. 7 1, disembarked at rii commenced its country, towards f grenadiers, under r this detachment, ibush at Mocopulli, mderwood, having The grenadiers and he defile perfectly thin a few pares of d upon them that sion. The enemy the patriots had fused to advance, ehaved here with into the thickets lim to so perilous only accompanied received a bayonet as himself slightly ler perforated his ow at him with a his sabre, and it ver, favored their they rejoined the istance. Colonel )C'ldly resolved on Animated by their hough they were md retreated, and onet, pursuing the field was dearly carcely 500 men, iout of 1» officers, COLONEL WILLIAM DE VIC TUPPER. 483 and 71 of 1;1G grenadiers or>mpo^.ing the vanguard. The division having thus suffered so soven?ly, and the nature of the country being so lavorabie to its' defenders, Colonel Beauchef returned next day to tlie ships ; and the lateness* of the season, added to the intelligence of the arrival in the Pacitic, from Spain, of the Asia, "of il4 guns, and Achilles, brig, cotiipeiled the squadrou to sail for Chile. Captain Tap- per was rewarded with a brevet majority for his conduct in this disastrous affair, and he wrote nearly two years after- wards, in allusion to some remarks relative to the Chile troops, as follow : <' The observations in F 's letters, respecting our troops, are not at all just ; tlie Chile soldiers are as tine a class of men as I have ever seen, extremely hrave and very capable of fatigue, indi-ed to a degree of which your English soldiers have no idea. Moreover, they are very robust, and so contrary to what F supposes, we have not a single blnck in the regiment. The discipline is tolerable now, and the clothing is superior to any i have seen in Spaiti. I perhaps speak ])assionately, as I dote on all my brave fellows, particularly on my old company of grenadiers, with the fondness of a brother; the feelings of absolute adoration with wiiich they regard me, and of which so many have given mo sucli niehuicholy proofs, are surely sufficient to draw my lieart towards them. I wish you could see my gallant servant as he now stands before me — his dark and sparkliiig eye intently fixed on my couiitenance, his sun-burnt visage, his black mustachoes, and his athletic fii;ure, altogether forming as line a soldier as can well be seen." The decisive battle of Ayaeucho having, with the solitary exception of the fortress of Callao, effected the liberation of the whole continent of Spanish America, it was resolved to renew the altemjjt to drive the Spaniards from the islands of Chiloe, which form the natural keys of the Pacific when approached fron) Cai)e Horn. Another expedition in conse- quence, commanded again by the director in person, set sail from Valparaiso in November. ]&li), and, ai'ter touching at Valdivia, reached Chiloe in .lamiary, when barely 2,()0[) men were disembarked. Major Tapper commanded the grenadier companies of Nos. (> and 8, forming part of the advanced division, and was left by its comniander, (lolonel Aldunate, chiefly to his own direction. The enemy, in force consider- ably above :KU0O men, including 400 cavalry, occupied a strong entrenched position, his right flank rostin? upon the soa, his left guardeil by impenetrable woods, his front jmli- saded and strengthened by a deep and muddy rivulet, which offered liut two passes, one near the wood defended by ;)0(» men, the other on the beach. On the 14th, Colonel Aldunate, with six tlank companies, took the beach, while IMjijor Tapper, with his two companies, carried the pass near the wood in a .!. i ,.^i;^iiii^;Ui©Jj*lR'.3giS*,*i'ja.»ij,^;(; ,:i':ii^ 484 APPENDIX D. M I K fl •1 ' .4 few minutes, with little loss, by jumping over the palisade, when he escaped almost miraculously, as, before his men could join him, he was exposed to a tremendous discharge of mus- ketry, which covered him with mud, and shot away one of his epaulettes. The royalists having been driven also from a second position, their cavalry attempted a charge, but were completely routed by the grenadier company of No. 8. The enemy now retreated to his last and strongest position on the heights of Bella Vista on the road to Castro, the principal town of the island, and was attacked unsuccessfully three different times by five flank companies. Colonel Aldunate thei. called Major Tupper, nnd, pointing to the royalists, said : " The glory is reserved for you — dislodge the enemy immediately." This was a most desperate service, as the road, or rather path, was so narrow as to admit of only three or four men abreast ; but taking a flag in his left hand. Major Tupper ordered his grenadiers to follow him without firing a shot. By running quickly, he reached the crest of the heights with the loss of only six men killed behind him, his escape appearing so astonishing to the survivors that they were convinced he wore a charm. Here he encountered a Spanish officer, named Lopez, eomnianding we believe the rear guard, who resolutely maintained his ground ; a personal combat ensued, and the Spaniard was killed by a sabre cut, which nearly clove his head in two. There was unhappily no alter- native, as the gallant Lopez would neither surrender nor give way. In the mean time fourteen or fifteen of the Spaniards having fallen by the bayonet, the remainder tied, and were vigorously pursued for about a league on the road to Castro, when orders were brought to the grenadiers to halt. In this pursuit a colonel and about 50 men were made prisoners. The action lasted altogether nearly four hours, and on the whole the enemy, whose troops consisted partly of militia, shewed but little conduct or courage, having indeed been routed by the eight companies, which were the only tr )ps seriously engaged on the side of the patriots, whose entire loss did not exceed 175 men in killed and wotnideiL A gal- lant North American, Lieutenant Oxley, of the navy, was killed in an attack on two gun-boats, the stronger of which was taken. Major Tupper, having volunteered, assisted at its capture, although, as a Chileno officer of his regiment, from whom we derive the information, writes : " It was not necessary that he should, as an officer of the army, seek to fight by sea, particularly when he was not ordered." The surrender of the island was the immediate consequence of these successes, and Major Tupper was rewarded with a brevet lieutenant-colonelcy, although much more was promised him when the impression, which his behaviour left, was fresh in the mind of the director. COI.ON'EL WILLIAM DE VIC TUPPRU. 48.n over the palisade, fore his m«n could discharge of mus- shot away one of J riven also from a charge, but were »y of No. 8. The ;st. position on the tvo, the principal sixccessfuUy three Colonel Aldunate to the royalists, slodge the enemy te service, as the dmit of only three is left hand, Major m without firing a :rest of the heights id him, his escape ■B that they Avere Hintereil a Spanish 2ve the rear guard, i personal combat II sabre cut, which mhappily no alter- snriender nor give n of the Spaniards der tied, and were he road to Castro, PS to halt. In this e made prisoners, hours, and on the partly of militia, iving indeed been re tiie only tr ^ps ■iots, whose entire wounded, A gal- of the navy, was ■stronger of which tccred, assisted at r of his regiment, tes : " It was not the army, seek to ot ordered." The ite consequence of inled with a brevet was promised him r left, was fresh in Colonel Aldunate, having been appointed as governor of Chiloe, remained there with No. 4 ; but in May ft.llowirx'- that battalion revolted in favor of O'lliggins, and compelled the governor to embark for Valparaiso. I.ieut.-Coloiiel Tup- per volunteered to accompany him back, and they left Valparaiso with less than iJOO men on the i>.")tli of .June, 1K'J(5, the greatest danger appreliended being froni the winter seasJn,' during which the gales of wind on the coast are very violent. " In horr.J. climes, whore Ctiiloo's tempests sweep, Tuiriultuous Dinrnuirs o'or the troubled deep."— rV/mpif//. On the 12th of July, the Resolution, transport, in which wfre Tupper and most of the lroo])S, was nearly wrecked on a very dangerous reef, and the lives of ull on board were for some time in imminent danger. During the niglit of the UUh and 14th, Tupper landed with 100 mon in the cove of Heniolinos, and before daylight surprised and captured the gnrrisons of two batteries, when he marched towards th(.' port of Chacao, and took the battery there. Colonel AUlunato havitig landed the next afternoon with the remainder ol the troops, the insurgents sul)initled without further difficulty ; and on his return from Chiloe to Santiago in August, Tupper learnt that he had been n)ade lieutenant-colonel elf oc live for his recent services. In De 'ember, he joined at Talca the army of the South, and commanded one of three divisions employed to destroy a horde of bandits, composeil chiefly of Indians and of nearly a thousand strong, who ravaged the province of Conception in summer, retiring on Ihe approach of winter to the eastern side of the Cordillera. Their leader was Pinoheira, the son of a I'uropeun by an Indian raoth'-r, who held the rank of colonel in the Spanish service, and eounuitted his depredations under the Spanish standard. With a squadron of dragoons. Tapper passed the Cordillera, i)arallel with the town of Chilian, in j»ursuit of the bandits, and went to the eastward as far as the river Nanken, in the province of Mendo/a. I'inoheira contrived, however, to elude all pursuit, and, soon alter his return to Santiago, Tupper wai- appointed. on the 1st May, 18'27, by General Pinto, who had replaced General 1 reire as president, fir.>t aide-de-camp to the supreme governnu'ut — an honorable and responsible office, in which he was actively engaged in suppressing t«o or three dangerous revolts, incited by a i)arty, whose private interes;?. had suf- fered by many exclusive privileges being nboli-li.'d. On the retirement of Colonel Heauchef in .June. 18'ii), Tupiter unlbr- tunately accepted the cnnimand of his old battalion, No. 8, and on the following month he vvus made full colonel. This, command necessarily embroiled him in the civil m arfarc which almost immediately ensued j and a few weeks before liosti- 480 APPENDIX D, f .' I M ri ;;■ •r J! if "fiJ l^ t \-- '<^l M- ' ^'?TVTT''PF>Ji.- J (d, Prieto having, led, attempted to ,ieek security in Prieto obtained and incorf)orated lis gross treaas his army, which consisted of about 1,700 men, had only two weak, squadrons of rei^ular cavalry and l'>ur pieces of artillery, while thnt of Prieto, auKJuntinfj to fully *2,'J(i() men, liad 800 veteran cavalry, and 11 or 12 pieces of artillery. The Chile cavalry is very formidable, the men being m ist expert riders, mounted on active and power- ful hors-es, and generally armed with long lanci.'9, which, they use with great dexterity. Prieto, observing this inexplicable movement, succeeded without diflicully in placing his troops between the constitutional army and Talca. In this manner its return to the town was completely cut off, and it had to fight in an extensive open plain with the enemy in front, the Qanks unprotected, and the river Liroay, a tributary of the Manle, close in the rear. After a long engagement, Freire's cavalry, consisting of about fiUOmen, inoluding rrnlitia and Indians, fled completely discomfited, and abandoned the infantry, composed of three weak battalions, to its fate. Their situation was now indeed desperate, as tiie ground was so favorable to cavalry, and tin- neighbourhood offered them no accessible place of defence or refuge. When they formed into squares to resist the hostile cavalry, they were mowed down by artillery ; and, when they deployed into line, the cavalry was upon them. In this dreadful emergency they maintained the conflict for nearly an hour, with all the obstinacy of despair; and at length, in attemiiting to charge in column, they were completely broken. There are two lines by the inmiortal Byron so concisely, and yet so faithfully, descriptive of a similar last effort, that we cannot avoid transcribing thera ; " One effort— one— to break the rircliiig liost ! They form— unite— chart e — waver — all is lost ! " The loss in Freire's army fell chiefly on the devoted infantry, and included eighteen ofiicers an)ong the killed. The only officers mentioned as slain, in I'rieto's hurried dispatch of the 17th of .!\pril, are Colonel Elizalde, chief of the staff": Colonel Tapper, and his gallant Major Varela, a young man of five or six and twenty. Colonel Tapper is said to have exhibited the most reckless valour during the day, and to have rallied his battalion several times. Having dismounted to encourage bis men, he was unable, in the vuUo when all was lost, to find his Jiorse ; and the accounts of the manner of his death are so contradictory, that it is impossible to reconcile tffem. All agree, however, in stating that he was particularly sought For (lio remf»inder tioral San MurtiM Snanish fl«neral ■rior in Tutiufjers, in I'rout of Taica, ig coukl be inuro [lonsisted of about if reijular cavalry 'rieto, ainuunting ilry, and 11 or 12 ■y formidable, the active and powcr- incc'S, wliicl'. tbey J this iiiexplicable placinp Ins troops In this manner off, and ir. had to leniy in front, the a tributary of the agenient, Freire's uding militia and d abandoned the s, to its fate. Their lie ground was so id oifTered them no r» they formed into vere mowed down ) line, the cavalry y they maintained the obstinacy of pharge in column, two lines by the hfully, descriptive .raniscribing thera ; ; ho8t ! Ill is lost ! " J devoted infantry, killed. The only led dispatch of the the staff: Colonel ung man of tive or to have exhibited md to have rallied mted to encourage ?n all was lost, to anner of his death ,0 reconcile tfferu. larticularly sought COLONEL WILLIAM HE VIC TUPPER. 401 I after, and that orders were given to shew him no rpiarter. Certain it is that he wa^ overtaken, and " sacrificed to the fears of Prieto, who justly considered him the s'- -rd and buckler of the irresolute and vacillating I'reire." e was pronounced by an English traveller, as " the handsomest man l)e had ever seen in either hemisphere," and undoubtedly his tall, athletic, and beautilully proportioned person, his r.lmost Herculean strength, the elej;ance of his manners, and his impetuous valour in battle, jfave the impression rather of a royal knight of chivalry, than of a republican soldier. The influence and popularity which in a few short years heac(iuired in his adopted country, by his own unaided exertions, and under the many disadvantages of being a stranger in a strange land, bei-t i)rove that his talents were of the lirsl order, and that he was no common character. A)id that fraternal affection may not be supposed to have dictated this eulogium, the following irnimrtial testimonies of its correctnei-s are appended, in justice to the memory of one whom a combina- tion of cruel circumstaru-es drove to a distant land to shed that blood, ami to yield that life, which he had in vain sought to devote to his own country : " Alas ! how hitter is his country's cnrKf!, To liini who for that country vvoulfl exiiire." An English gentleman, of ancient family, and author of travels in South America, who knew Colonel Tupper inti- mately, thus wrote of him : " He was ct'rtainly one of the finest fellows 1 ever knew — one of those beings whose meteor-like flame traverses our j)!ith, and leaves an impe- rishable recollection of its brilhaney 1 ha\e often held i)im up as an example to he followed of scrupulous exactness, and of a probity, I fear, alas! too unconipromisint!: in these corrupt times." The American chnnjt rZ'(j//htre« and consul-general in Chile, sairl, in a letter to Captain P. P. King, then of his majesty's ship Adventure, both perfect strangers to the family : • " The heroism displayed by Tupper surpassed the prowess of any indi- vidual tliat I have evfjr heard of in battle; but, poor fellow ! he was hor- ribly dealt wit; after (jetting: away with another officer. A party of cavalry and Indians was sent in pursuit, and they boast that poor Tupper was cut to pieces. They seemed to be more in terror of him, on account of his personal bravery and popularity, than of all the otiers. Guernsey has cause to be proud of so great a heto— a hero he truly was, for nature made him one." And one of the British consuls in Chile wrote to the editor : " 1 trust you will believe that any member of the family of Colonel Tupper, who may require such services as I am at liberty to ofTer, will be always esteemed by one who for many years, has looked upon h.is ffallant and honorable conduct as reflecting lustre upon the English name in these new and distant states."' * Tlie editor was at Rio de Janeiro when Captain King, whose ship had recentt> iiriived there from the Pacific, rectivtil this letter, and he kiudly sent it { - him tlirough a mutual friend. &■■■ . i 92 APIM'.NDIX I). ' ' I • A '■■ \ ■• All anonyhioiis French tniveller, wlio published in n Paris npwgpiiper, Le Semeur, of the 4tlt April, 1H3'2, !ii.4 "Souvenir d'un Sojoiirau Chili," thus expressetl himself: "l,hUhc iiiirr (ju'IIh aient de prmidcs obligations ii plusieurs dt? ci'ux ([Hi out fait t'liili Iciir patric iidoptive. Oepuls inon retour en K)iroi)o, uii dc com liotiitiu-s, ilix'ie d'unc haute estimc, ii ccss^ de vivri>. Ju vi'iix pailcr dii Colonel Tuppur, qui a (?t4 fait prlsoriiiier fi la tOto de son rdjfinu'nt ; et qui, apros avoir dti ti;nu, pendant une hcure, dans riiifcrtltucle siir sou sort, fnt crnellenioi\t 'mis h inort par les enneniis. I.e Colonel Tupper ^tait un honiine rl'une grunrt' ctween the coutendlnp forces was excessive. Neither tactics nor prodiMivS of valour couhi avail atfuinst tliis immense disadvantage. The liberals wore routed. W<.'Ul(l that 1 could throw a veil, not over a conquest wliivih proves nei- ther conratje nor talent in the conqueror, but over the hcrriu cruelties which succeeded the battle. The most furious savages, tiie most unprin- cipled bandits, would have been ashamed to execiUe the orders whicli the rebel army received from General Prieto, and yet which were executed with mournful fidelity. Tu)iper — illu-strious shade of the bravest (1f^^oldle^s, of the mobt e.stimable of men ; shade of a hero to whom Greece and Rome would have erected statues— your dreadful assassination wHl be avenged. If there be no visible punlshniv nt tor your murderer, Divine vengeance will overtake him.* It will dc\ ' /id an account of that infa- mous sentence pronounced aerainst all stra.igers by a man + who at the lime was the pupil and the tool of li vagabond stranger, t indebted for Lis elevation and his bread to the generosity of Chile." * These two sentencea in the original are as follows : " Tupper .... sombra ilnstre del mas valicnte de bw militares, del mas ajireciable de los hombres : sombra dc un heroe k quien hubitTan alzado esthtuas Grecia y Roma ; tu asesiuato espanto.-r> seril vengado. Si no hay Cf-istigo visible para tu verdugo, la justicia Divina lo tomaru a su cargo." + General Prieto, i Garrido, a Spanish renegade. 'I ill S. Barbet, Printer, Gnernsey. Iio ptiblishod in a T'urifl •il, 1832, \ih "8ouvenir liiuiself; ji prennent riu Bcnicc chez loiriu'on no i>tiis«c iiier qn'ilH et'ux ((ui out fait I'liili Iciir w, nil de oes hoinmcs, diKnc IX paikT (111 Culijiiel Tuiipcr, lUTit ; et qui, apri^s avoir tti 4iir sun sort, fnt crm-l lenient ippcr ^tait iin honimo U'une irmes iftaii'tit athl^tkpiOR, ct cliisc. n sc .scrait ilistinifutf olque sil'iation (ju'il efit tt^ iinmes eu soient I'^iiuils ii se 1 1'oii saiira appn^cier au Chili ipper a douii^ rixeinple." na, in 1831, by General during the civil war in act translafecl I'rom the fy the Rtrnteg ' movements disproportion Hetweeo the ictics norprodiK'*'* <'f valour c. The libei als wore routed, conquest wlilcti provcK nei- ut over the hi-rriu cruelties IS savages, the most unprin- jxecute the orders which the et which were executed with e of the bravest of soldiers, hem to whom Greece and eadful assassination wJll be t lor your murderer, Divine 7id an account of that infa- gers by a man + who at the I stranger,! indebted for his :'hUe.'' 1 as follows . " Tupper .... es, del mas ajireciabie de los ran al/ado esthtuas Grecia y I. Si no hay castigo visible a su cargo." Spanish reregade. ernsep.