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Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbols — ^ signifie "A S J!VRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre fiim^s d des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clichd, il est filmd d partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 i MA TilK MI'K AM) COriRESl'OXDENCE OP MAJOR. (.ENERAL SIR ISAAC RROCK, K, R. ST. 1'\UL's CAllitimAL ;^,- THE SOUTH-WEST AMBULATORY. Majopv-General Sir Isaac Brock, — A tabular monument. The General is represented expiring in the arms of a soldier j an American Indian looking on, filled with sorrow and grief. Above, are the helmet and sword of the gallant knight. C. RossT, RA. It has this brief inscrip- tion : — .Erected at the public expense to the memory of Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, who gloriously fell on the 13th of October, M,DCCCXII, in resisting hu attack on Queenstown, in Upper Canada. Cost ^£1,575. 3 I II K IJFK AM) (H)1:IIKSP()M)I:NC1 OF M A.IOR-CiEN'EHAl- Sll{ ISxVAC BROCK. KB IVTKIlSl'Kll^Kli WITH NOTICES OF THE CELEIJRATEI) IN'DIAX CHIEF, TECl'MSEH AMI (•().MI'K1>1\(; nitliK MKMOIUS nv IIA.MKI- DK I.ISl.K UllOCK, KSQ.; LIM'TKNAM i:. W I'lU'PKH, U.N., AM> COLOXKL W. DK VK' TlM'l'lK, Uliiil lioiiii til It tu liiivf lu'iMi rii li alivf ■ Wlint 111 \u :\t f Wliiit til 111' i;ti>ri If iiltrr (Until III) tiiki'ii dnth survive Of liiniu'r lii'iiiu: ill tliis iiiiirtal luuisc, lint .-^It't'iis ill ilust, ilcuil anil iiiL'lnriiius ' " SpKXrF.U's " H^lill^ .if TiliK KDITEll HY Ids VKIMIKW, KUDINANl) BROCK TirPPER, ESQ. LONDON ' SIMPKIX, MARSHALL .v Co. <;i.kiinsi;y ii. hedstoMl RrR e \4 ^ e)nft4 Printi'il liv S, Uauhkt, fiuoinscv, PREFACE. In tlip (?arly part of' List year, a box of manu- scripts and the trunks belonging to Sir Isaac Brock, wliich had remained locked and unexa- mined for nearly thirty years, wore at Icngtli opened, as the general's last surviving brother, Savery, in \vhose possession they iiad remained during that period, was then, from disease of the brain, unconscious of passing events. With that scnsibilitv which shrinks from the si^ht of objects that remind us of a much-loved departed relative or friend, he had allowed the contents to remain untouched ; and when thoy saw the light, the general's uniforms, including the one In which he fell, were much moth-eaten, but u..' manu- scripts were happily uninjured. On the return of the Editor from South America in Mav last, he for the first time learnt the existence of these effects ; and a few weeks after, having hastily perused and assorted the letters and other papers. VI 1'RF.I ACK. Iio (Ic'cidcil oji tliL'ir |>ublication. Whether tliis decision was wise, tlie reader must determine. If, on the one hand, part of llieir interest be lost in the lapse of years ; on the other, they, and the comments they have elicited, can now be pub- lished with less risk of woundinjj^ private feelings. It has been the Editor'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 Isaac Brock, to withhold nothing descriptive of his energetic views and intentions, and of the obstacles he experienced in the vigo- rous prosecution of the contest — obstacles which his gallant spirit could not brook, and which necessarily exposed *' his valuable life" much more than it would have been in offensive opera- tions.* He regrets, however, that in the perform- ance of this duty, he must necessarily give pain to the relatives of the late Sir George Prevost, of whose military government in Canada he would much rather have written in praise than in censure. Brief memoirs are inserted, at the conclusion of the Appendix, of one of Sir Isaac Brock's bro- thers, the bailiff or chief magistrate of Guernsey, and of two of their nephews, Lieutenant E. W. * See pages 275-280, 298, 304, 305, 315-31;. I .. I'liEFAn:. Vll }r tliis rniitic. be lost nd tlie e pub- selings. I unne- e, so as . But to the lotliing mtions. B vigo- wliich ^vliicli much opera- srform- 3ain to ost, of would ensure, ision of s bro- ernsey, E. W. Tuppcr, R. N., and Colonel W. Dc Vic Tuppcr, of the Chilian service. Tin; premature fate of these two promising yoimg officers is, to those who knew them best, still a source of unceasing regret and of embittering remembrance. The notices of the celebrated Tecumseh inter- s})ersed 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 apparently authentic sources, and the Editor believes that it is more copious than any which has yet appeared of this distinguished In- dian chief. A perusal will perhaps awaken sym- pathy in behalf of a much-injured people ; it may also tend to remove the films of national preju- dice, and prove that virtue and courage are not confined to any particular station or country, but that they may exist as well in the wilds of the forest, as in the cultivated regions of civilization. Guernsey, January 15, lSi5. * ,1 w Is mad his c ( () NT i:\TS. ( IIAPTEU 1. I'arcntairc niwl birth— IJoyliond—EntorH the Kinjr's Ropinioiit — Triiit of (IctiTinitrntioii olchJiractiT— Hdcdihcs Lii-uti'iiiiiit-Colo- iiil of Vw 4!)th— C'ampni)?!! in lIollHnd, In 1799— Russian troops ill (Jiiuriiscy -Hattlc of Copenhasfn, in 1801— Notice of John Savery Urocli, lisq 1 CHAPTER II. Proceeds to Canada with the 49th — Suppresses a mutiny at Fort George— tteturns to Kuroi)e, and recommends the formation ot a Veteran IJattalion for Upper Canada— He-embarks for Canada, and succeeds Colonel Howes in command of the troops there — Letters to Lieut. -Colonel Gordon, Right Hon. VV, Windham, the Adjutant-General, Mr. President Uunii, and to Lord Castlcrcagh —Arrival of Sir James Craig -^6 CHAPTER III. Is made a Brigadier— Letters to his family— Proceeds to Upper Canada — Letters from Colonels Baynes and Thornton— Lieut. - Colonel Murray— Baroness de Rottcnburg ij CHAPTER IV. Letters to and from Lieut.-Govcrnor Gore— from Colonels Kempt and Baynes— to Sir James Craig and Major Taylor— from Colonel Vesey — P. Carey Tuppcr, Esq (5s CHAPTER V. Is made a Major-General- Sir James Craig returns to England ; his character and administration— Letters from Major-General n X CONTKNTS. Vcsoy and Cnldiiol IJuyncs— Diike of Mjinche'Jtcr — Arrival of Sir (icurffc i'rt'VOHt — Letters Irum Lieut.- ficiieral UruiiuiKJiul ami Lieut. -Colonel Torrcns — to and from Sir George Prcvost •<[) f'lIAPTl-H VI. Origin of the American war— Letters to and from Sir (L I'revost and Colonel liayiies— Meeting ot the Legislature— Letter to C'l'lo- nel IJaynes relative to Detroit and .Miehilimakinack, ^:c. — Let- ters to Lieut.. Colonel Niehol— from Sir James Saumarez, Major- Gciieral Le Couteur, and Sir John Dumaresq 1 1 J CHAPTER VII. Dcseription of tlie boundaiies, military posts, and lakes of I'piJer t'anada — of the Michigan territory, Detroit, and Miehilima- kinack !.')() Mi CHAPTER VIII. War declared — Major-General Brock's ])roceedings— Force under his command — Letters from Colonel Haynes, and to and from Sir George Prevost — American newspaper lt)5 CHAPTER IX. (icneral Hull invades tapper Canada — Flis proclamation, and that of Major-General Brock in reply — Letters to Sir G. Prcvost and from Sir T. Saumarez — Meeting of the Legislature — Critical stat(> of the Province 1 8"> 111 CHAPTER X. Capture of Miehilimakinack — Letters to and from Sir G. l'revt)st, from Colonels Baynes and Bruyeres 2(i5. CHAPTER XI, Occiurenccs in the Western District — Tecumseh — Major-General Brock proceeds to Amhcrstburg — Voyage described— (General Order — Indians, and notice of Tecumseh— Summons to General Hull, and his answer — Surrender of Detroit, and its conse- If xu CONTENTS. APPENDIX A. SECTION I. — BlUTISIl AUTHOnS. 1. Letter from Lord Aylmer— 2. Dispatch from Captr.in Roberts — ;<. Extracts from Letters of Vciitas — 4. Sir G. Prcvost's general order— 5. Hrief extracts (nm\ various authors— fi. Council of condolence — /. Monument in St. Paul's cathedral — 8. A Huron chief's surprise on seeing this monument — 1). Address of the Commons of Upper Canada to the Prince Regent — 10. Rc-inter ment described— 1 1 . Dickens' American notes i\; SECTION ir. — AMERICAN AUTHORS. I. .leffcrson's correspondence— General Hull's revolutionary ser- vices — Letter from Captain Wool — Uattleof Queenstown — Hull's army at Detroit i:\j APPENDIX 13. Daniel Dc Lisle Brock, Esq i r, APPENDIX C. Lieutenant E. William Tuppcr, R. X t -,:• APPENDIX D. Colonel W. Dc Vic Tuppcr, Chilian service I'i-' Erratl'm.— Page 2;), line 26, for produces, rmd produce. Adukndlm. — Pagj4l4, line y, for tw descendant, ri-nd no ^alc dcs cendant. n Rohcrts— )st's general , Council I if -8, A Huron ;lrcss of the 10. Rc-inter 417 ,S. itionary ser- own— Hull's i.'.j \:,: I ifvi !Ce. it,! no nifilc iles INTRODUCTORY ANECDOTES. I AM chienv indel)te(l lo a vcrv able and -i-allant otticer, V served many years in tlie 4!Uh re^ji- nient, b. whose name I am not at liberly to jiiention, for the followiiifr niost interestinj^ pai?- sa"-es in the life of Sir Isaac Brock : tliev have been elicited by a perusal of this work, and 1 avail nivself of the few remaining]:; copies to an artificer. At midnight, the sergeant of th(' guard informed the sergeant-major that three of his guard were missing, and that a boat was taken from a shed in charge of one of his sentries, who was also missing. The sergeant-major instantly reported the circumstance to the colonel, who ordered him to man a bateau immediately, with a sergeant and twelve men of the light company, which was done ; and at the same time the roll was called in the barrack rooms, when it was ascertained that three other men were also miss- ing, as well as the corporal of the 41st. At half- ) h l\ TNTHODITTOUY ANi:CDUTi:s. XV for whom lie the rcuiiiioiit lie WHS pro- ctlv c'harircd id tohl liim tlier mcMi to tliey should they would urors, whicis would curso me. ik M; ui- ei^itated, and onel quickly lenohed, and he truth, liko treated you le and certain len," rejoined uded men all tandinn; what 3u all kindly, )lease. )olonel Brock ce six of his hy a corporal left there a> reant of the that three of at was taken entries, who jor instantly olonel, who atelv, witli a ht company, ime the roll when it was re also miss- t. At half- iiast twelve, the colonel himself eml)ark( d in the Iffiteau, ii:ikin^ to intercept the deserters, should they liave take?» that course. They, however, had cr'>-scd the lake direct to the American shore, and v. ere over- taken hy the party I'rom jVianara, every man heinj; brought hack. The manner in which the fiifiitivcs ' 'Mc captured deserves mention. The detachment sent in pursuit from Fort George was accompanied hy an Indian, wlio, after some time, asked per- mission to land, that he mio;ht shoot on shore, keepin*^ witliin a short distance of tiie hoat as it coasted the lake. He unexpectedly met the de- ^erters in their red jackets in the woods, and at once runnin;^ to the lake, he hailed the officer, and informed him of what he had seen. The otHcer and ids party immediately landed, and set out in pursuit ; they walked a feu' miles 0!i a very hot day, hut were unable to discover the fugitives, and some of the party asked leave to ovcrnment been awai'e of the circum- stance, they probably would have considered it as a violation of their territory. No other desertions oecurred from any post personally commanded by Colonel Brock in Canada. It was said that >\\ \ 1 ■ / ! ! XVI iNTnoDrcTonv axecdotes. Lieut. -dcncrnl Ilinitcr, nvIio comma ndml tlio troops ill both provinces, and was tlicn in York, oxprcsscd Jiis disploasiiro to the colonel for his so rashly vf;nturiii 1 i (1 i! XVlll INTROnCCTOUV AN JIC l.OTES. tlip usual oouipliincnt to ;i coininandiiiij^ olTiocr. Tlio day was very hot, atid it l)oiii«ij llio soldiers' diniior hour, not an officer or man appeared out oC doors. TIk; colonel crossed llio square to tlic iriiard, wliicli lie found commanded hy Seri^^eaiir, Clarke. Now, it was j)art of tlie plan that the mutineers were to take to fli(Mr arms on some ni^'lit when Ser<^eant Clarke; and Corporal O'Brien were on ^iiard, and the colonel by chance found them both on this oiiard. On apj)roa('hin<]; the ijjuard, whlcdi had already presented arms to him. Colonel Brock said : " Serjreant, let your p,u:inl slsoulder arms," and it watj done, when tlie colonel continued : ''Conn; here, serp;eant, — lay down your pike;" pronounced in a tone which produced instant obedience. " Take off vour sword ami sash, and lav them down" — this was also done. " Corporal O'Brien, brinn' a pair of handcuH's, and put them on thi> sernjeant, and lock him nj) in one of the cells, and bring- me the key.'' This was soon done. " Come here, corporal, lay down your arms — take oiF vour accoutrements, and lav tliem down also." It was done. "Come here, you grenadier," the rifj^ht hand man of the pfuard, '"' brintr n, pair of handcuffs and put them on this corporal, and lock him up in another cell, and brinLX me the key" — and it was soon done. " Drummer, beat to arms" — and it was done. Up to this moment no one in the fjarrison, ex- cept the sentr}^ and the <:Miard, knew that the colonel was in the fort. The first person seen issuinn' from the officer's barracks, the nearest buildin<]f to the guard-house, was Lieutenant Wil- liams, with his sword and belt in his hand, to whom the colonel said : " Williams, go and in- stantly secure Rock, and if he hesitate to obev, even for a moment, cut him down." Lit;utennut .!i .VVv s. iNruoi)i( TonY .\m:('1)0ti;s. \\\ ti(llii;i; ofliocr. r tlu; soldiers' j»|)(.';irc'(.l out of sfjiiar;' to tlic [ l)v Seri^cniit, plan tiiat the iviiis on soini! •poral O'Brii'U clianc'u fuutid li Iiiid ulrcnd) Brock said : }r arn»s," and lucd : "Come ;" pronounced Ltit ohodluncc. and lay tlicni poral U'Brivn, tlieni on tlii> ' the cells, and lone. " Come ms — ti'.ko olF down also.'" renadier," the inonie without them.' '• I must have my arms, sir" — at the same time stretchinir out his hand towards his musket, in th'- arm-rack. '* If vou touch your musket, I will cut vou down — instantly jxt) down befv)re nu' ' '' aiul at the sanie time he drew his sabre. Kock lueyed, and was with ten other conspirators put ii irons, and the wdiolo, witli Fitzpatrick, were i.nmediatcly embarked for York, in charno of a Hiianl of tli(! Royal Artillery — in number twelve; (H)nspiralors, with a (corporal and s(>ven deserters, bitely overtaken in the States and brought back — in all twenty. Lieut. -General Hunter, then at Quebec, ordered t'lat the deiinfjuents shoidd be tried in that ijar- rison ; and thither tliey were pent in September, liieut. -Colonel Sheafi'e bein^j; the prosecutoj-. In i. January following, the j)roceedint;s of the court I martial wore transmitted to the ijencral at Y'ork, and he issued an order for carryinij the sentence jnto execution, by which four of the mutineer (Clarke, O'Brien, Rock, and Fitzpatrick, ) and three deserters (one each of the ()th,41st, and 4()il' regiments) vyere condemned to suiTer death. They v.ere shot on the 2d March, 1804, at Quebec, in presence of the entire jijarrison, and a most solemn and afFectinn; sijjjht it was. At a quarter past ten. a.m., the procession moved ofi' from t)ie prison in « the followinsx order : Two H lisle Horns. Major Campbell, with a lar>;e party of the 4Ist as the ailvaiicii! guanl. Artillery, with a Field-Piece. The Firiiiu: Party, titty-six in number. Seven C'offii!:?, borne by two men eai-li. i; 1 I XX INTIlODr(HillY AM < liftTi'.S. f T'-iorl with the I'risoiu'rs.atfoiuli'il !>> iniirKonmii CfttliolicC'lfri^yincii. HOil flic \U'\. M;-. Mmiiitfiiti. Siirir«''>ii>' <»t till- (iiiiTisi II Kiiil Ki';riTiicrits. K;iiiit of Music 'it flic ll-f, |il,i\ iiiy: a l»ir;;c. Majnr.(icii(Tal Mann, K.lv, anil Staff olViccrs dltin.' (Jnrrisoii. |-i.l(|.|»ilTC. I. cuf.-CiiiorK'l (ila>i;()w, witli tlic main l)i)(ly of the Artillery. I'icld-l'iccc. I.aut.-l'oloiicl I'roctor, at flii" head ot the Jlst Regiment, with fin.* ( (iJDiirs. kluJor.M ifer.of thcCith, with the two flank roinpHtiicH of that Itc;;imcnf. .New Urunswiik Voliiiitiii^, almiit seventy in nmubcr, withiiiit aims. At about l)filf-|)iist ton they arrived on tlin ground, wlieii the soutciicL' ttiid warrant of excru- tioii were read ; tlic pri^ioncr-; about to siilIiT \\;'n: tlieii led to ibcir cofHns, upon wliich fbcy rcs- ])ectivoly kneeled, and were kept nearly thn^- (jiiarters of an liour in prayer. During; this time the wind was easterly, strong, and cold, \kc. (as at page 28.) {NoTK. — The (Dnl'esxed itilentiuii of the mutineers was to cnntino the officers in the cells, in wliich several deserteis were then inipn- Koned, while tliey marched to Uueenstown, seven niik's distant, ami there crossed over to the State of New York. It is, however, the helicf of an officer of the lyth, that had the inutiiieers succeeded, t!ic life of I.ieiit.-e'olonel Sheafl'e would have been saerifiei'd ; hut we willingly add, in justice to him, and on the authority of the officer just alluded to, that he i)rotited hy this fatal experience, and hUtcrlv iiecame a i;oolic('lcr;,'yin(Mi. nfs. 1 till- riarrisoii. till' Artilli-ry. ^'inu'iit, with tlu- soltliat I{o^'ilHcnt. ill iiuinl)ci', rived on tlio •aiit of oxcru- to suIHt \v;'n; icli tliev res- nearly three insary, ami would never have .80.">, Colonel iiajor wliy he cd liini to do. found it ini- l exclaimed : tell me it is possible to a not be found ;rs afterwards me sergeant- he ordered patcau guard- nid brini; round to tlio lower town twenty bateaux to cinlmrk troops suddenly for Montreal, an appro- liension beinjjj then entertained that tlie Americans ^v(■^(' about to invade tli(^ province, because of tbc iitl'air between the l.eopard and Cliesapeakc. On ai-rivin!^ near tbo bateaux, the party discovered that the tide bad left tbem, ami that about two liuiidred yards of deep mud intervcuied between tliom ami the water, over which the ensiii'n thought it was impossible to drag the bateaux, whicdi were laru'c, heavy, Hat boats. Ho therc^fore gave the word, " To the right face," intending to return and report that it was impossible to move the bateaux to the water. IJut it suddenly occurred to liiin, that in answer to his report the colonel would ask : " Did you try it, sir ?'' and that on aii-wering in the negative, he would sharply re- liiike and send him back. He therefore i;ave the word, " Front,'' and said to the soldiers : " 1 tliink it impossible for us to put these bateaux fiHoat, but voii know it will not do for me to tell Colonel Brock so unless we trv it ; let us there- fore trv — there are the boats; 1 am sure if it be |)ossible for men to put them afloat, you will do it : •fo at them " — and in half an hour the boats were atioat. The ensign then determined never after to consider any thing im[)ossil)le before trial, that was not manifestly so. And he tells us that it must be clear to anv one rcadintr this statement, that it was the spirit of Colonel Brock which led to the accomplishment of his orders, and which was at the time of some importance, as it enabled the troops to be embarked a day earlier than if the hoats had not at once been conveved round to the hnver town. " In this way," he adds, *' it is that ■ ihe indomitable spirit of a military commander is, as it were, infused into the minds of all who serve under him." While traversinci' the northern shore of Lake li^ 1! I I 1 NXM INTROni'CTOUY ANF( DOTKS. I''rio iti ojtcn Cairidiiiii hatcaiix, in AnJt, IHI'J. on his wav to AnilicistlturLr wilii roint'orconicnt-. fo attack (icncral Hull, tlio bateau, in wliich (foncral Brock wa!-', ran upon a sunken rock. Oars and poles were iirnnediately enj|)loved to shove her oil', hut, seein;; that this was not, (juicklv rincipal officers, to consult on the propriety of crossing the river to attack the American army and Fort Detroit. Ordy one of them agreed with iiim on the jiropriety of tlit de(!ision he had already come to in his own mind. Colonel Nichol, the quartermastcr-<;encral of the militia, eagerly seconded the general, telling him that, as he had resided for some time at Detroit, he knew every feature of the town and fort, and that he would lead the troops to any point selected for the attack. Upon this the general said : " 1 liave decided ou crossinti", and now, gentlemen, iiHtead of anv further advice, I entreat \ tniii tr 8pi lip I'iirii fell );'•••' Ihe pwe tld\ (lieir Iiie i lleve Tlie II lid ; firiiiL for ll Of the f lirue Mils n i 'iui;i( mj)|)l fiirme jofail vidijii little! . rcl U the su give me your cordial and hearty support. }' * I heard last month (December" from an ofticer, formerly of the •Ji)th retriiiieiit, that the inateriiils relative to Major-tieneral Proctur ill the " C'ampaiirns in the ('aiiadas," Quarterly Review, No. "ii, oeeasiiHially cited in tlii^ vohmie, were Inrnislied l)y C'ai)tain I'roctor, tiis nephew and son-in-law. In that article, Major-General Proctor i> nndnly culnjjized, and always cruelly at tlie expense of Sir George VllL'Ust, ISl'J. 'oiiitorc'onicriN lu, in whicli RUiikcii rock. ciiiployoil l(j lis not (juickly , tind, as iiiii>t o.'it was oviT- iicntly floated ird !i|j;aiii, sin tlicti took his lass of spirits, lies. Sc'vcrril cilition, iiK'ii- s siij<;io act of had the ino»t le greater part Brock assoiii- ) should rather lers, to coiisiih r to atta(;k tiic Only one of nrictv of the lis own mind. Micral of tlic 1, tcliinyj him av at Detroit, and fort, and point selected ral said : " I , gentlemen, [•eat of you tu ort.* pr, formerly of the &r-(iencral Proctor lU'viow, No. "ii, |y (.'aiitiiiii I'roctor, Uieiieral Proctor i> liisc of Sir Georsj'' INTHO Die TORY A >E( HOTF..«<. .\xm When the troops Inid crossed over, the next tnoriiini:', they ioi ined and advance il in column, nr who-e head the ^n-neral placed himself. On ii|mfo;udiin<4 the point w lure the nims ot' the fori \S()ii!d hear on the column. Colonel Ni(diol went li|i to him, ami >u'<\ : " I'uidon me, general, but 1 cannot forhear entreating you not to expose your- ftdf tliU-i. If we loiij)plying such wares and merchandize as the farmers and other inhabitants required. It was a jefnil store of little consideration. With this iiuJi- Aidual, by name Hobert Nichol — a mean lookinr little Scotchman, who squinted very much — Colo- . |i(l Brock somehow became acquainted, and, to Ihe surprise of the otiicers of the 40th, invited him J'livost, because the latter saw fit to speak of the battle of the Mora- f mil town with unqualified censure (see pai?e :i(it)). In the satiic 'iiamuT, more credit is t,'iven in the review to Colonel Proctor for tlie ; :ai)tiire of Detroit than to Major-Cieneral Urock, althuutjh the former ; idvisert the latter nut to cross the river! :,Sce papc at)".! Captain i Proctor furnished his materials ten years after Sir Isaac Brock's death. ' orfji'ttiii); perhaps that although dead men tell no tales, their private ) liters sometimes do. Did Captain Proctor ever hear of an anecdote i )f Tecumseh, who used to say in his l)roken English: "General [ iroL'k say, 'Tecumseh, faine tight Yankee.' General Proctor say, Tecumseh, ^'u tight Yankee!'" fSee Tecuniseh'^^ speech, page ' 102 -I'. IJ. T. It XXIT INTIIODLCTORY ANKCDOTES. |!) ' hi '■ : i to tlic mess from lime to time. Durin«x tliat rear. Mr. Nicliol drew up, at the coloners request, a sketch of Up[)er Cauada, shewiiily, William, married to Judith, daughter of James De Beauvoir, Esq. ; * John, married to Elizabeth J)e Lisle, daughter of the then lieutenant-bailiff of the island ; Henry, mar- ried to Susan Saumarez, sister of the late Admiral Lord d(> Saumarez j and Mary, wife of John Le Marchant, Esq.t John Brock, Esq., born January 24, 17*29, second son of the above-named William, had by his wife, Elizabeth Dc Lisle, a very numerous family of ten sons and four daughters, of whom eight sons and two daughters reached maturity. He died in June, 1777, at Dinan, in Brittany, whither he had gone for the benefit of the waters, at the early age of forty-eight years. | In his youth he was a midshipman in the navy, and in that capacity had made a voyage to India, which was then considered a great undertaking. As he was 1 > I 'i ' uS ',' i B i^ i ^ 1 v'i ' HV 1 « ! lernsey f ip.39,40. * The name of this ancient family, second to none in wealth and station, became extinct in (iiiernsey, in 1810, on the death of Usmond T)e Beauvoir, Esq., when his larj^e property was inherited by distant relatives. — Dunctin's Ilisturi/ f th offi( th time as one ot tne most fortunate omecrs m mo service. In a little more than seven years, he had risen from an ensign to be a licut. -colonel. Owing to gross mismanagement and peculation on the part of his predecessor, who was in conseciucnfo recommended privately to sell out, if he did not wish to stand the ordeal of a court martial, the reirimcnt was sadlv disorganized ; but the com- mander in chief, the late Duke of York, was heard to declare that Lieut.- Colonel Brock, from one of the worst, had made the 4J)th one of the best regiments in the service. In 1798, the 49th was quartered in Jersey, whence it proceeded to England early the follow- ing year, to take part in the projected expedition to Holland, as in 1799 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 by a Rus- sian army. The first English division, consisting of twelve battalions of infantry, among which was the 49th, and a small body of cavalry, assembled at Southampton under Sir Ralph Abercromby, and, having embarked, finally sailed from the Downs early in August. On the 2Gth of that month, the fleet, consistin of fifteen ships of the line, from forty-five to fifty frigates, sloops, and smaller vessels of war, and about one hundred and thirty sail of transports, anchored along the coast of North Holland, from the mouth of the Texcl as far as Calants-Oge. Early the next morning, I !fl * SB \M :i 8 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OP I :■ .i/V the flank companies were hinded, under the pro- tection of tlie rjuns of tlie fleet. An enjraijement commenced as the British were about to march forward ; but beino^ continually reinforced by the arrival of fresh troops, they compelled the enemy to retreat. This warm en«j:arrement lasted till four o'clock in the afternoon, and cost the British about 1,000 men. Sir Ralph Abercromby, having become master of the point, or peninsula, of the Ilelder, completed his landinj^, entrenched his advanced posts toward the rifj^ht, and occupied with his left the point of the Helder, and the bat- teries there which had been evacuated. In these positions he awaited the arrival of the second divi- sion, under the Duke of York, the commander- in-chief, which remained in England until news w^erc received of the landing of the first on the coast of Holland. These two divisions were com- posed of thirty battalions of infantry, of 000 men each, 500 cavalry, and a fine train of artillery.* During this campaign, Lieut. -Colonel Brock dis- tiniruished himself in command of his resjiment, which, on the 2d of October, in the battle of Egmont-op-Zee, or Bergen, had Captain Archer and Ensign Ginn killed ; and Major Hutchinson, Captains Sharp and Robins, Lieutenant Urquhart and Ensign Hill, wounded; Lieutenant Johnston missing, and supposed to be killed, exclusive of nearly one hundred non-commissioned officers and * New Annual Register for 1799, page 395. SIR ISAAC DROCK. 9 pro- ;cmcnt march by the enemy 11 four [British Imvin}^ of the ed liis icupied he bat- n these id divi- iiander- il news on the re com- men lery.* k dis- iment, attle of Archer linson, uhart ihnston isive of ers and privates killed and wounded.* In this action, Lieut. -Colonel Brock was sliglitly wounded, al- thouf^h his name does not appear in the returr.^ ; and his life was in all probability preserved by i. j wearing, as the weather was very cold, a stout cotton handkerchief over a thick black silk cravat, both of which were perforated by a bullet, and which prevented its entering his neck : the vio- lence of the blow was, however, so great, as to stun and dismount him. The following letter con- tains some interesting particulars relative to this campaign, and the part taken in it by the 4Uth. Lieutenant-Colonel Brock, Adth regiment, to Ids brother, brevet Lieutenant- Colonel John Brock, 81sf regiment, at the Cape of Good Hope. "London, November 20, 1700. " I was pretty constant in my correspondence with you whilst tlie regiment was quartered at Portsmouth, and no opj)ortunity offered from thence direct to the Cape witliout taking letters and newspapers from either Savery or myself, and often from both ; but the very active and busy life I have passed since put an end to all such communications. Knowing, however, that you will be gratified in hearing from my own pen the various incidents which have occurred since that time, I proceed to give you the substance of * See tlie returns in the New Annual Re.irister, for l"99, Principal Occurrences. i)af!:e 143. Singularly ennuj^h, the loss of the non- commissioned officers and privates in each corps is not given, but the casualties among the officers of the 49th exceeded those of any other retfimeut engaged un this day, with the exceptiun of the 25th and 92d. A* il I'l 1, f m HI i\ .A \\ I) i\ ii ->;! 1 •1 , 1 1 u 10 LIFE AM) COUUKSPONDENCE OF tliom. You will have seen in tlir ptihlic prints that tlio 4J)tli cnibari^dd anioni^ tlic first regiments under Sir Ralph Abcrcroniby, and that tho army, amounting to about 10,CM)0 men, after Ijcatin^ th(? seas from the 8tli to the 27th of August, circctcd a landing near the Ileldcr ; that the enemy most unaccountably ofi'ered no opj)osition to our land- ing ; and thot, after a well-contested fight often hours, he retreated, and left us in quiet possession of the Heights, extending the whole length of th(^ Peninsula. The 4th Brigade, under General Moore,* consisting of the Royals, 2oth, 49th, 71)th, and l)2d, kinded to the left, where th(; greatest opposition was expect(.'d, as it was natural to suppose that so essential an object i.b the Helder would be defended to the last, but, lo our utter astonishment, the enemy gave us no annoyance ; on the contrary, soon after tlie affair on the right had terminated, he evacuated the town, which we took quiet possession of the following morning, and with it the wliolo of ihe fleet. The garrison, consisting of 1,000 men, could easily have been intercepted had it not been for a large body of cavalry and a number of cannon, which com- pletely comman.led a plain of a mile and a half in breadth, necessarv to be crossed to iret to them : as we had neither the one nor the other, it would have been the height of folly to attempt it. The regiments which distinp-uished themselves most on this occasion were the 23d, 27th, and 55th. * Afterwards Sir John Moore, who fell at Coruuna. ritit-^ icnts rinv, ('ctcd most land- af ten ession of the cneral , 79th, reatcst iral to H elder r titter yance ; e riglit icli we orning, irrisoii, been odv of com- a half them : would The es most d 55th. a. ^e I SIR ISAAC nnocK. U The evening of our landing, a relnforooiui t of 5,(H)() men arrived, hut could not dlsenil)ark until two days after, owing to the hadness of the wea- ther. During all this time tlie troops lay exposed on the sand hills, without the least shelter to cover them aixainst the wind and rain. At leiiiith the army moved forward eleven miles, and got into al( I the whole cantonments aion*; a canal exienainijc tiie wnc breadth of the country, from the Zuyder sea on the one side to the main ocean on the other, ppo- tcctcd by an amazingly strong dyke, running lialf a mile in front of the line. In this position we remained unmolested until the 10th of September, on which day the enemy made a most desperate attack in three columns, two on the right and one on the centre of the lin(! : he could not avoid being beaten, as it was the most injudicious step ima- ginable, and his loss was in proportion very great. The Guards, SOth, and 40th, acted conspicjious parts in this affair. The 49th was here again out of the way, with the exception indeed of Savery, whom nothing could keep from going to see what was doing on the right, and as it happened he proved of great use to Colonel Smith,* whom he assisted from the field after being wounded. The French soldier was taught to consider the British troops as the most undisciplined rabble in the world, and he advanced confident of conquest ; but this affair, and others which followed, made * Lieut. -Colonel Smith, commanding the 20th, a native of Guernsey, afterwards Colonel Sir (ioorge Smith, aide-de-eamij to the king, lie died at Cadiz, in ltiU9, aud was a dibtiuguishcd utUccr. j ■ ' 1 ! : M m I 12 MFi: AND COnnESPONDENCE OH Notl \}. him very soon clianirc liis opifiion. iNothinfj reinarkahlo occurred after this until th(! arrival of tlic J)uke of York with the remainder of the British troops and 1(),(KM) Unssians, wliich in- creased tlic arinv to ahoiit 3o,()iX) men. Continued rum. However, )rcven ted an^ tl iinif he inir done before the 10th, when the wiiole army was put in motion. Sir Ralpli took 12,(J(X), of which tlie 4th Brigade formed a part, to tlie left on the evcninjjj preceding^, and got possession of tlie city of Horn the followinji; morninij: at davliuht, with- out a shot being fired : 200 j)risoners were taken. Horn is a very populous, handsome city, and evidently in the interest of the Prince of Orange. Nothing could exceed the joy of the inhabitants at our arrival, and in projjortion as they rejoiced they mourned our dej)arture, which took place before sun-set, in consequence of a fatal disaster which Imd befallen the liussians on the riaht. They of course threw the blame off their own shoulders, and wished to attribute the whole mis- fortune to the want of concert and a proper support on the part of the British ; but I verily believe the real fact to be this. After most gal- lantly driving the enemy before them as far as Bergen, where it was previously arranged they should halt, they dispersed for the sake of plun- der ; — the French, hearing of this disorder, renewed the attack, and never gave the Russians an opportunity to form, but continued driving them with the bayonet until they encountered a I Prince derably pily cm molesta cause o were su ance, is are rati) clumsy ; features, nance, grenadie possesseci The ofKc wretches always b( themselvc They tak artillery, flanks, ai their fori being on( cause of the 19th. brigade t< evidently inf?Iy, on mittingit light at F of a coluii 11 i I' ( ,11 ^y a SIR ISAAC BROCK. l.*} body of T!nn;lisli, urulor rioricral Mannors nnd Prince William, whose brigades stitrcrtd consi- derably. The Russians were, however, thus hap- pily enabled to effect their retreat without further molestation : thev were certaiidy the original cause of this disaster, but whether the JJritish were sutticiently brisk in coinin<^ to their assist- ance, is doubted. The Russians in their persons are rather short of stature, and very thick and clumsy ; they have nothin«]j ex|)ressive in their features, but resemble much the Chinese counte- nance. I remarked an excej)tion to this rule in a grenadier battalion, who, with tall, elen;ant persons, possessed remarkably fine, commanding faces. The officers in general are the most despicable wretches I ever saw : accustomed, as they have always been, to fight witli troops much inferior to themselves, they thought themselves invincible. They take the field with an immense number of artillery, with which they cover their front and flanks, and thus never dreamed it possible, from their former experience, for troops to rally after being once beaten. This fatal security was the cause of the misfortune which befel the allies on the 19th. After the retreat from Horn, the 4th brigade took its station on the right, preparatory evidently to being actively employed ; accord- ingly, on the 2d of October, the weather not per- mitting it sooner, the brigade assembled before day- light at Petten, and formed the advanced guard of a column, consisting of 10,000 men, which was I ?! i =*■ M ««■ "ff"* ill '!( • 1 1 14 LIFE AND COnnESPONDENCE OF to proceed along the beach to En;mont-op-Zec mom arranf After every tiling had been properly arranged, it moved forward, supported by 1,000 cavalry, under Lord Paget. It was intended that the reserve, under Colonel M'Donald, should cover our flank, and that the column should rapidly advance to Egmont, in order to turn the flank of the enemy at Bergen. This was, however, prevented by a strong body of the enemy, who engaged the reserve the moment it ascended the sand hills ; and al- though he retreated before the reserve, he con- strained Colonel M'Donald to follow in a diflerent 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 proceeded five or six miles that we found the least opposition. The enemy then appeared in small force, and the 2.Jth was ordered up the sand liills, but, he having increased, the 79th followed, and it was not long before the 49th was also ordered to form on the left of that regiment. It is impossible to give you an adequate idea of the nature of the ground, which I can only com- pare to the sea in a storm. On my getting to the left of the 79th, I found that its flank was already turned, and that the ground, which we were to occupy, did not aflbrd the least shelter : my deter- mination was instantly taken. I had gone on horseback to view the ground, and on my return to the regiment, which I met advancing, I found the left actually engaged with the enemy, who gal] SIR ISAAC BROCK. 15 [1, it nder ;rve, ank, 3C to leniy by a serve id al- con- Tercnt g our mpede ve had id the red in ip the 79th ith was ;iment. idea of corn- to the ilready fcvere to detcr- :one on return found ly, who had advanced much beyond our left. I, however, continued advancinf^ with six companies, and left Colonel Sheaffc with the other four to cover our left : tlie instant I came up to the 71)th, I ordered a charge, which I assure you was executed with the greatest gallantry, though not in the greatest order, as the nature of the ground admitted of none. The enemy, however, gave way on every side, and our loss would have been \cTy trifling had the 79th charged straightforward ; but unfor- tunately it followed the course the 49th had taken, thereby leaving our right entirely exposed. I detached Lord Aylmer* with the grenadiers, who, after charjjinc: difterent times, totallv cleared our right. The 25th then advanced, and behaved with the greatest good conduct. The enemy after this never attempted to make a stand, but conti- nued to retreat, and their loss on this occasion was very considerable. Nothing could exceed the gallantry of the 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 company to the attack in a most soldier-like manner ; and even after he had received iiis mortal wound, he animated his men, calling on them to go on to victory, to glory j and no order could be more * The present General Lord Aylmer, G.C.B., formerly governor- general of British North America. He was then a captain in the 49th. aee Appendix A, ISec. 1, No. 1. \\P \n t s i ' F I 1 - • ( '■'*«* 16 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE Of ?^ ) ' J A i 'I 1- M, effectually obej'^ed : he is an irreparable loss to the service. I got knocked down soon 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 the whole day as aide-de-camp either to Sir Kalj)h or Moore, and nothing could surpass his activity and gallantry. He had a horse shot under him, and had all this been in his line, he must have been particularly noticed, as he has become the astonishment of all who saw him. We remained that night and the following on the sand hills ; you cannot conceive 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 (5th) into Alkmaar, where we enjoyed ourselves amazingly. Alkmaar is a most delightful city ; but the inha- bitants are rank patriots, and none of the higher class remained to welcome our arrival. The fol- lowing 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 extraor- dinary 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. * In this engagement, the gallant Lieut.-Colonel Bainbrigge, of the 20th, was killed. He uiarried Miss Dobree, of Beauregard, Guernsey. ,0 the ' the 1 the alf an ay as I, and an try. lU this ;ularly , of ail nd the mceive nearly vithout eat but by this rot into i) into izingly. \e inha- higher Che fol- in con- er than severe extraor- to find to our retreat. {^frc, of the Guernsey. i •i SIR ISAAC nROCK, 17 I shall say no more of tlio expedition to Holland, as what remains to h added, you will see fully detailed in the papers. 1 i>;o to Norwich, where the regiment is quartered, this evening. Another expedition is talked of, under Lord ]Moira. Adieu." In the battle of Egmont-op-Zec, seven pieces of cannon, a great number of tumbrils, and a few jiundred prisoners, were taken, and the loss of the enemy was estimated as exceeding 4,000 men. ]\[ajor-General Moore, in whose brigade was the 40th, althoun;h severely wounded throuirh tlic thiixh, continued in action for nearly two hours, until a second wound in the flice obliged him to quit the field. • In his dispatch relative to this battle, the Didce of York observed, that " under Divine Providence this siirnal victory obtained over the eneinv, is to be attributed to the anima- ting and persevering exertions which have at all times been the characteristics of the British sol- dier, and which on no occasion were ever more eminently displayed." The followina: extract from this dispatch, dated Alkmaar, (ith of October, will shew the part borne in the engagement by Sir Kalph Abercromby's division, in which wasMajor- Gencral Moore's brigade. " This was the last event which took place on the side of Bergen ; and, as the close of the day was fast ap- proaching, Colonel Macdonald with two battalions was sent to the snpport of General Sir Ralph Abercromby. Tlie heights of the sand hills, snrrounding Bergen for about three mileS; remained crowned and potisessed by il ( : i, \:i lU-W-J" .uMr i' M -i< »- J 18 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF I II -M abotit eleven Britisli battalions. General Sir Ralph Aber- crouiby had marched, according to the disposition, along the beach, with Major-General D'Oylcy's, Major-Gcncral Moore's, and Major General Lord Cavan's brigades, the cavalry and horse artillery, (the reserve under Colonel Macdonald not having been able, owing to the great extent of the sand hills, to rejoin him, after turning to the left at Canipe.) The main body of Sir Ralph Abercrouiby's column had proceeded, without meeting with much resistance, in the early part of the day, but was nevertheless much inconvenienced, and his troops harassed, by the necessity of detaching continually into the sand hills to his left, to cover that flank against the troops whom the enemy had placed in the sand hills. The admirable disposition, however, which he made of his troops, and their determined spirit and gallantry, enabled him to arrive within a mile of Egmopt. Here he was seriously opposed by a very considerable corps of French infantry, which occupied Egmont-op-Zee, and the high sand hills in its front, and who had formed a very strong corps of cavalry and artillery to their left. The engage- ment was maintained during several hours with the greatest obstinacy ; and in no instance were the abilities of a commander, or the heroic perseverance of troops in so difficult and trying a situation, more highly conspi- cuous. Animated by the example of General Sir Ralph Abercromby, and the generals and officers under him, the troops sustained every effort made upon them by an enemy then superior in numbers, and much favoured by the strength of his position. Lafe in the evening, the enemy's cavalry, having been defeated in an attempt which they made upon the British horse artillery on the beach, and having been charged by the cavalry under Colonel Lord Paget, was driven, with considerable loss, nearly to Egmont-op-Zee; his efforts then relaxed considerably on the right ; and General Sir Ralph Abercromby, having soon after been joined by the reinforcements under Colo- SIR ISAAC BROCK, 19 )h Aber- n, along -General ides, the Colonel lie great turning ir Ralph meeting day, but is troops lally into ^ against and hills, ade of his , enabled -e he was of French the high ery strong le engage- with the le abilities of troops y conspi- Sir Ralph nder him, them by favoured ening, the mpt which the beach, LT Colonel )ss, nearly msiderably by, having nder Colo- nel Macdonald, took post upon the sand hills and the beach, within a very short distance of Egmont-op-Zee, where the troops lay upon their arms during the night." In the battle of the Gth of October, in which the 49th was not engaged, the English and Russians, after gaining some advantage, were suddenly charged by the enemy's cavalry and separated, 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 resources from the country in their possession, their supplies were necessarily obtained from the fleet. The Duke of York, therefore, assembled a council of war, whose decision was, that the allied forces should fall back and wait the instructions of the British Government. As the season was so far advanced, as the approach of winter was daily makinoj the navigation of the coast more danger- ous, and as there was no time to effect diversions or to change the plan of operations, the Duke of York was ordered to evacuate the country. In tii8 meanwhile, as the English and Russians con- centrated themselves behind their entrenchments at the Zyp, the enemy pressed upon them, and the Duke of Y^ork sent a flag of truce to General Brune, proposing a capitulation on the basis of an armistice, or of the free embarkation of his army. This was agreed to at Alkmaar, on the 18th of October, and thus ended this memorable expedi- ) i ^; : !'^ t v 1: i h 20 LIFE AND corui:spondi:nce op h; tion, the most consiclcraMo Hint litul Ix-fMi artomptod in modern times up to tliiit period. As the intro- duction of foreirrji troop'^ into England was prohi- bited by tlie J5ill of Kij^hts, the Russians were sent to the islands of Jersey and Guernsey, the season not udniittiiiL; of their return home. About (),()()() were qiuirtered in the latter islaiul, where a disease, contraeted by exposure to the marshy grounds of Holland, carried off some hundreds, who wore buried at the foot of the hill on which stands Vale Castle, and where their 'graves are still to be seen. Their conduct in (ruernsey was at first pe.icenble and orderly; — the inhabitants -^ere surprised at seeing them eat the grease from the cart wheels, and they were also excessively fond of ardent spirits; and, having plenty of money, they indulged in them freely, swaUowing largo 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 robbing vege- tables on a snudl fa -m, M'hich had been frequently plundered by his comrades before, was fired at and wounded by the proprietor. This so exas- perated the whole body, that fears were entertained of their reventi-ini!: themselves on the inhabitants generally ; and as the British garrison was very small, it required all the tact and conciliation of the lieutenant-governor, Sir Hew Dalrymple, to prevent an outbreak. The Russians embarked, but the guns at Castle Cornet were kept shotted to prevent their relanding.* * Duncau's History of Guernsey. M^i Pin ISAAC BROCK. 21 Tlic 49lli, on flic rotnrn of tlio cxpodiflon from Hollinid, after romiiiriiiif^ a sliort time in KiMjjIand, was atj^ain quartorrd in Jersey, wlicro tlic fine ])erson and manly bearinp; of Lieut. -Colonel Brock arc still favorably remembered. In return for the nmny attentions which he and his officers received in that island, he obtained an cnsitincv in his own reu;iment for a voun«j: man resident there, whom he afterwards pushed forward in the service, and who died recently a inajor-ixcneral and a compa- nion of the batli. Earlv in the vear 1801, the 41)tli was embarked in the fleet destined for the Baltic, under Sir Hyde Parker; and Lieut. -Colonel Brock was second in command of the land forces at tiie memorable attack of Copeidiafj^en, by Lord Nelson, on the 2d of April. lie was apj)ointcd to lead the 4l)th in stormini^ the principal of the Treckroner batteries, in conjunction with five liundrcd seamen, under Captain Fremantle,* of the Ganges, of 74 guns ; but the protracted and heroic defence of the Danes rendering the attempt impracticable. Colonel Brock, during the hard-fought battle, remained on board tlie Ganges; and at its close he accompanied Captain Fremantle to the Elephant, 74, Nelson's flag ship, where he saw the herot write his cele- brated letter to the Crown Prince of Denmark. Savery Brock was also on board the Ganges, and while in the act of pointing one of her quarter * The late Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Fremantle, G. C. B. + It is worthy of remark, that Lieut. -Colonel Urock's almost imme- diate t^iiperiors, durinfj his active serviee in Europe, fell like himself in action, as knights of tlie bath, viz. Sir Ualph Abercromby, Lord Nelson, and Sir John Moore. I'-. .\ '■ w ( i ■^ it- h I i't 5 i ;fc -T-,- -• — j r a aaBai '(.■■ ' limi >' 22 LIFE AND rOnilESPONDENCK OF '((: ^ deck guns, his cocked hat was torn from his head by a grape sliot : a naval officer, who was present, afterwards descrihed the scene whicli followed this narrow escape in these words : " I now hear Sir Isaac exclaim, * Ah ! poor Savery is dead ! ' But Savery was not an instant on his buck ; in the same moment lie rubbed his head, assured his bro- ther that he was not injured, and fired the gun with as much coolness as if nothing had hap- pened." The effect of the shot passing so near liim was such that, although a remarkably power- ful young man, six feet two inches in height, he was knocked down and stunned for the moment. Of the 49th, Captain Sharp was badly wounded on board of the Bcllona, and Lieutenant Dennis w^as wounded on board of the Monarch, which ship had 5*5 killed and 155 wounded, exclusive of officers, but including 8 soldiers of the 41)th killed, and 20 wounded. In addition to the 49th was a detachment of the 95th, rifles — consisting, we believe, of two companies — under Lieut. -Colonel the Honorable William Stewart,* who was senior officer of the troops embarked. As such his name was included in the thanks of Parliament ; but we cannot understand why a lieutenant-colonel, with only two companies, was placed over the head of an officer of equal ra^k with his entire regiment, unless indeed the cause was that Lieut. -Colonel Brock was not an "honorable!" We are not * Afterwards Sir W. Stewart, G. C. B., who commanded a division in the Peninsular war. Sm ISAAC BROCK. 23 Ion in aware that lie ever complained of what appears to us to have been an act of injustice to liini, and we mav therefore be wroni; in our view of the subject. The Britisli loss, in killed and wounded, was i).j3, or 58 more tlian fell at the battle of the Nile. In mentionina; the lo^ iit Copenli.igfen, Southcy, in his admirable Life of Nelson, s.iys, on what authority we know not : *' Part of this slaughter might have been spared. The commanding officer of the troops on board one of our ships, asked where his men should be stationed ? He was told that they could be of no use ; that they were not near enough for musquctry, and were not wanted at the guns ; they had, therefore, better go below. This, he said, was impossible — it would be a dis- grace that could never be wiped away. They were, therefore, drawn up upon the gangway, to satisfy this cruel point of honor ; and there, with- out the possibility of annoying the enemy, they were mowed down ! The loss of the Danes, in- cluding prisoners, amounted to about 0,000." John Savcry Brock, of whose gallantry mention is made in the preceding pages, was the next younger brother of Lieut. -Colonel Brock, and had been in the navy ; but it being supposed that he was influential, in the year 1790, in inducing his brother midshipmen, of ths fleet at Spithead, to sign a round robin against dieir being subjected to the practice of mast-heading — one having been hoisted up to the gaff' end in an ignominous man- ner, because he refused to go to the mast head as 6 I i| *l4 ,i ; 24 LIFE AND COIlUr.SI'ONDKNCr; OP ;i piinislirncnt — lie was rccomnicndctl privately to retire from the .service* Beiiij; at this time a tall and high spirited young man of eighteen, it is not surprising that he deemed such a punishment unneeessarily degrading to the feelings of an offic(!r, and which has since been Vc-ry properly abolished. Had it not been for this circumstance, it is the o))inloii of a naval officer of high rank, that Savery Brock would have distinguished him- self and risen to eminence in the; Tiavy during the late revolutionary wars. Some iiiiio time after this aH'air, being in Guernsey, he wished to go to England, and was; oti'ered a passage in the Amazon, frigate, Captain Reynolds, afterwards Rear-Admiral Reynolds, who perished in the St. George, of 98 guns, on her return from the Baltic, in 1811. The Amazon, bound to Ports- mouth, left the roadstead late in the afternoon, and before she was clear of the small Russel — a Jargerous passage — night overtook her. By some accident the pilot mistook the bearings, owing to the darkness and thick weather. Savery Brock, being acquainted with the intricate course, was on the fore yard looking out, when he sud- denly espied some rocks towards which the frigate was steering. There was no time for communi- cation, and, without hesitating an instant, he cried "( * Wliilc the above was in type, the Duke of Rutland visited Guernsey in his yacht, and wrote the following note at Detroit, the residence of the once outcast middy, on whom, while we write tliis, the hand of death is hut too apparent • "The Duke of Rutland called to pay his respects to Mr. Savery Brock, and sincerely regrets to liuU that he is so unwell. tSaturday, July 13, 1841." SIR IS)AaC UUOCK. 25 out ill tnu* Tifiiitical slylo : " Il-ii-r-d up, li-a-r-d up." *' ll-ii-r-d up it is,'' replied the liclnKsinaii. " H-a-r-d up," rcpciitcd Savory iu a loudor key. *' (it'iitly, youu^^ man," said tlic captain, who was standinijj tbrward. ThosiJiip fortunatc^ly horc away just in time to clear the rocks, and was tlius saved by the prompt iutcrf'erence of lier |)asscnil>lc one, as tlio men in a IxkIv roiild have (grossed the river Nia- l^ara without molestation or diHicidty. The suspi- cions of the officer in eomniand havin<^ been aroused, he liastilv wrote to Lieut. -Colonel Brock on the suhiect, and sent his letter by one of the men, who delivered it as the latter officer was shooting'', or on his return from a shooting excur- sion. (.)n reading the letter, and knowing from the character of the man that h<' must be enrjaircd in the conspiracy, if there were any, he threatened to shoot him on the spot, if he did not instantly divulge the names of the rin 1 'i^l \ il 1 IM d i 1 '■ i > ''1' ^J ^ 30 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF I' I bors. It mifjlit liiive been olliorwise some years mro ; but now tliat tlie country, particularly the opposite shore, is cliicfly inhabited by tlie vilest characters, who have an interest in clebauchinnr the soldier from liis duty ; since roads are opened into the interior of the States, which facilitate deser- tion, it is impossible to avoid the contagion. A total change must be effected in the minds and vieM's of those who may hereafter be sent on this duty, before the evil can be surmounted." In a letter from Lieut. -Colonel Gordon, dated Horse Guards, January 17, 1800, Colonel Brock received the Duke of York's " thanks for the com- munication of his very sensible observations res- pecting the distribution of the troops in Canada, which his royal highness will not fail to take into consideration at a seasonable opportunity."* While on a visit to his family and friends in Guernsey, Colonel Brock deemed the intelligence from the United States to be of so warlike a cha- racter, 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 vessel, well manned and armed as a letter of marque, bound to Quebec. He left London on the 20th June, 1800, and hur- ried 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 quali- i * The 10th Royal Veteran Battalion arrived in Canada the year following. j! SIR ISAAC BROCK. :u in mce ha- da liis rk led ec. ur- to om li- iveav tics; but he liad tlie satisfaction of knowin*; tliat the comuiander-in-cljicf Tvas niacli pleaded \vitli tlic zeal and devotion evinced bv him on this occasion. Soon after liis arrival in Canada, Colonel Brock succeeded, on the 27th September, 1800, to the command of the troops in the two provinces. Colonel Bowes* havinfj resigned that command on his departure for England. At this time, the civil government of the lower province was admi- nistered by Mr. President Dunn, and Colonel Brock resided at Quebec, in command of the forces, until the arrival of the governor-general. Sir James Craig, in October, 1807, who appointed liim to act as a brigadier, which appointment was confirmed by the king, to date from the '2d of July, 1808. Colonel Brock to Lieut. -Colonel J. W. Gordon. Quebec, September 28, 180(). 1 have the honor to acquaint you, for the infor- mation of the commander-in-chief, that Colonel Bowes, preparatory to his departure for England, has resigned the command of his majesty's forces in this country, which, as the next senior officer, devolves on me. I find great pleasure in reporting to his royal iiighness the good order and discipline which, much to the credit of Lieut. -Colonel Sheaffe, I * Afterwards Major-Cicncral Barnard Foord Bowes, slain on the '27th June, 1812, while Icadiny; the troops to the assault of the forts of Salamanca. Monuments in St. Paul's, to the memory of Major- (icneral Bowes and of Sir Isaac Brock, were voted in tlie House ot Commons ou the same day, 20th July, 181 J. 1' J !i f ■J ! 3-2 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF Nl I ' found on my arrival to prevail amonf^ the eisjlit companies of the 40th regiment, quartered in this garrison. It has been the fate of the 49th to be divided, for the last four years and a half, several hundred miles apart, and however anxious I must be to assem- ble the whole tofrether, I have not, considering the youth of the lOOrh regiment, which alone affords me the means of effecting that measure, thought it prudent to withdraw the company stationed at St. John's and the other frontier posts of this province, but the one at Montreal will be relieved this autumn. Colonel Bowes having complied with Lieut. - Colonel Otway's earnest application for leave to return to England, I have appointed Captain Ori'" by, of the 49th regiment, an officer of ap- proved merit, to act as deputy adjutant-general during his absence ; an arrangement which, I pre- sume to hope, his royal highness will be graciously pleased to sanction. Colonel Brock to the RighJ Hon. W. Windham. Quebec, February 12, 1807. I have the honor to transmit for j'onr consider- ation a proposal of Lieut. -Colonel John M'Donald, late of the Royal Canadian Volunteers, for raising a corps among the Scotch settlers in the county of Glengary, Upper Canada. When it is considered thai both the Canadas furnish onl) two hundred militia who are trained SIR ISAAC BROCK. :i:3 of las id to arms, tlie advanfngos to be derived from sucli an ostablislimcnt mn«!t appear very evident. The militarv force in this countrv is verv small, and were it possible to collect it in time to oppose any serious attempt upon Quebec, the only tenable post, the number would of itself be insufficient to ensure a vigorous defence. This corps, being stationed on the confines of the Lower Province, would be always immediately and essentially useful in checking any seditious disposition, which the wavering sentiments of a large population in the Montreal district might at anv time manifest. In the event of invasion, or other emerirencv, this force could be easilv and expeditiously transported by water to Quebec. The extent of countrv which these settlers oc- cupy, would make the permanent establishment of the staff and one sergeant in each company very advisable. I shall not presume to say how far the claims of the field officers to the same indul- gence are reasonable and expedient. In regard to the Rev. Alexander M'Donald, I beg leave to observe, that the men being all Catho- lics, it may be deemed a prudent measure to appoint him chaplain. His zeal and attachment to Government were stronn-ly evinced whilst fillin"; the office of chaplain to the Glcngary Fencibles during the rebellion in Ireland, and were irra- ciously acknowledged by his royal highness the commander-in-chief. His influence over the men is deservedlv jrreat. n I (I :U LIFE AND rORriESPONDENTE OF and 1 hiive evcrv reason to tliiiik that tlic corps, hy liis exertions, would be soon com|)lefcd, and liereafter b( come a nursery from which the army might draw u number of liardy recruits. The following letter affords a good idea of the confidential report of a general officer on the state of a regiment after its periodical inspection. Colonel Brock to the Adjutant-Gcnoral of His Miijcstifs Forces. QuEHEc, March 17, 1807. in obedience to the commander-in-chief's com- mands, communicated to me in your letter dated 20th November last, I shall proceed to state, for His Royal Highness's information, such ob- servations as a strict attention to the conduct and interior economy of the 100th* regiment during the preceding six months has enabled me to make. The greatest praise is justly due to Lieut. -Colo- nel Murray, who has commanded, with only a sliort interval, from the first formation of the regiment to the present time, for his unremitting care and attention to the several important duties of his office. Thejiood effects of his exertions and intellifrence are strikingly visible in every department of the corps. He has been ably su])ported by Major * On the passapc of the Idoth to Quebec, in 1805, one of the trans- ports was wrecked on tlie -Jlst ()etiil)er, on the coast of Newfoiindland ; and -Major Uertrani, th:ee captains, six lieutLiiants, the assibtai\t- surgeun, and about :i(5o men of the regiment, miserably perislied. I ! *;iu ISAAC nuo( K. 35 'g a le ce he or Ins- lul; Int- llamllton and the rci^t of his officers, uho on ull uccasions evince the utmost zeal for the service, and the liighest respect and attachment towards liis person. He has succeeded in establishing an interior discipline and economy, which I have never before witnessed in so young a corps, and scarcely seen surpassed by any, and in a way too the most satisfactory to the feelings of an officer. Altlioufrh I tr"st the garrison dutv at (>uebec is carried o 'Viui "crv rey-ard to ti safety of the ])lace, together with the strictest attention to all prescribed forms and regulations, yet the winter has nearly passed without a single instance of neglect or misconduct haviny; occurred amonij^ the l(.)Oth regiment ; and it is a pleasing task to report, that so exemplarily have the men behaved, that, even regimentully, only one corj)oral punishment has been intiicted for the last three months. I am now speaking of men who, being nearly all Irish, are of all others the most volatile and easily led astray. Should they, therefore, here- after be seduced by the various temptations by which they are surrounded, I hope to escape the imputation of judging too hastily and partially. The men were j)rincipally raised in the north of Ireland, and are nearly all Protestants ; they are robust, active, and good looking. The troops in this country are precluded, by the severity of the climate during seven months in the year, from exercising out of doors : it cannot, therefore, be expected that the 100th regiment iu 31 ; MFF. ANn rORIlKSPONDEM K OK H\ rnn, consideriiifj the little pmctico it has liiid in the fiold, and after siicli a long- iiitorval, be very expert in its nuuKruvres ; bnt as Lieut. -Colonel Murray possesses botli capacity and inclination, and as a good foundation is already laid, the most rapid progress may be expected so soon as the season enables him to commence his labours. A larf]je room has been allotted in the barracks to the purposes of drilling with arms, from which the garrison has derived essential benefit. The clothing for the present year is all fitted, and appears very good. Every man is provided with a great coat, agreeably to His Majesty's regulations ; but as the great coat is necessarily worn on all occasions for six months in the year, it cannot by the strictest economy be made to last the specified time. Those of the lOOlh 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 alternative but sup- plying others at the charge of the men, which opi- nion I have given to Lieut. -Colonel Murray, who applied to me on the subject. The messes have been all along abundantly pro- vided. Indeed, the soldier i in this country live in a perfect state of luxury unknown any where else. The non-commissioned officers and privates ac- knowledge to have received every thing which is their due in respect to pay and clothing. One man claims a part of his bounty, which, he sfiys, has been withheld. A regimental court martial biasb. aiai&taMiaKdBiMkMt Sm ISAAC nRO'-K. 37 lin< alroadv decided acjninst liim, but th" linsinesx sliall aht that as manv thousands could easily, and with |)erfect safety, he formed into corps ; and that (^uehec, the only military j)ost in the country, was not in a condition to make much defence aiiainst an ictive encmv, as the walls on the western side were old and decay- ed, and could not possihly sustain a continued lieavy fire. He ac'ded, that he wished to throw- up such works as would remedy this fjlaring de- fect ; but as the garrison was totally inadequate to such an undertakinc;, he required from (500 to 1,000 men everv day for six weeks or two months, besides a vast nuniher of carts, &.c., to conij)lete the necessary defences of the citadel. This letter being submitted to the council, that body replied, that the only means by which assistance could be ixiven by the civil fjovernment to the military, in the manner proj)osed by Colonel Brock, would be by embodying a proportion of the militia accord- ing to law, the men for which service must be !i ; ! \\ m\ 'I I I iii llrii 'iH 40 Mil". AND ( onnrspo\nrN( K of tdknn from jlifHTPrit |iiirt«; of the provinro. Anil lliut til lutd omI' nut .'IS TIMS nicasiirr luid only otioo uctoro. hcon rosortfMl to in the provinct', on which occjasioii a decided di'^ohcdieiico vn« 'generally manifested, find wa«! njruin to l)e anticipaled, the council in- (|iiire(I (if Colonel Mroek whether he had the means, and would furnish them, to enforce the attendance of the militia, who, Avhen cndjodied, were entitled to the same ])ay and allowances as the kin«j:'s troops. The cotincil further informed Colonel Brock that it woidd meet anain the next dav, for the j>urpose of takinjj into consideration any repre- sentation, in writinjj^, which he mi<;ht thiid< proper to make in answer to their communication, and that, if convenient to liim, they requested his per- sonal attendance. Hip 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 him by Mr. Ryland, and begs leave to observe, that in addressing his lionor on the 17th instant, it was far from liis intention to assume a political character. His sole object was to state the assistance re- quired hy the military to remedy a glaring defect in the fortifications of Quebec, should his honor conceive that preparatory measures were necessary to be adopted in consequence of the event which recently occurred between his majesty's ship Leo- pard and the American frigate Chesapeake, but •mv stn ISAAC imorK. 41 moro pnrticiiljirly tlip siih^pquont n(T^rrs».ivo pro- vinioris oontJiiiicd in tlic proclamation of the Ame- ricaji p^ovoriiiiicnt. In thus ooinplyinfij willi tli(» diffates of liis dutv, f\)loriol IJrook was not propanul to lioar that thn jmpiilation of tho province, instead of atfordin'^ hirii ready ajid cttectual support, nii|j^ht prohahly add to the number of liis enemie-! ; and he feels much disappointment in l)einp informed by the first authority, that the oidy law in any den:ree raleuhiled to answer tlio end proposed was likely, if attempted to be enforced, to t leet with s!icii general opposition as to require the aid of the military to jrive it even a momentary impube. Colon(!l J^rock is therefore obliijed to observe, that the officer commanding certainly would nt t choose the time when the troojis may ever; ii stant be called upon for the defence of Quebec, to dis- perse them over the country in aid of the civil government, coercively collecting a body of men, which, under sucb circumstances, would be of more detriment than service to the reffular armv. Colonel Brock cannot, therefore, look for any as- sistance from tbat quarter, but, should an emer- gency arise, he is confident tbat voluntary offers of service will be made by a co; -^'lerable number of brave and loyal subjects, and il'els himself jus- tified in savinjr, that even now several gentlemen are ready to come forward and enroll into com- panics men on whose fidelity they can safely rely. It remains with his honor to determine the i s ' I I i'l M ' I i, I .'I I P 42 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ' \H degree of countenance whicli ouglit to be given to such sentiments. Colonel Brock will he at all times proud to attend deliherations of his honor in council. Colonel Brock to Lord Viscount Castlercagh. Quebec, July 25, 1807. I think it my duty to transmit for your lord- ship's information a copy of the communication that has passed between his honor the president and me, relative to the military situation of this country. Your Lordship will perceive from the minutes of the council, how very inadequate the militia law is to afford assistance to the regular force, and the degree of de))endance that may be placed on the population of this province. My own observations, however, enable me to assure your Lordship, that a respectable force might be trained and rendered exceedingly useful on anv exisrencv, were the least encouraiiement given to the spirit which at present pervades a certain class to volunteer their services. To such characters arms might be safely en- trusted, but I (certainly would consider an indiscri- minate distribution to the militia, were it possible to collect it, as highly imprudent and dangerous. What 1 stated to his honor the president respect- ing the weakness of the works alonu the whole of the west front of this garrison, is consonant to the opinion transmitted by the oliic rs of engineers Is. t- iof le Irs SIR ISAAC BROCK. 43 iind firtillory, in tbcir half-yearly periodical report, to the niastcr-f^eiKM-al of the ordnance. To a question from the president, viz. " Should the council conceive it necessarv to call out the militia, whether I thought myself warranted to issue pay and provisions to them ?" I ans^wered, Certainly not : that in all British Colonies, of which I had anv knowled |i nd le- of res rill lie. ite I be tau CHAPTER Til. Brigadier Brock to his Brothers. Montreal, July 20, 1H08. I have written to all of you since tlie navin^ation opened, and the only letters I have received from any of the family for several months came from Irvine:, who, to do him justice, is inhnitely the most attentive and regular correspondent among you. My appointment to be brigadier I first announ- ced by the March mail. Those who feel an interest in my prosi)erity will rejoice in my good fortune, as this distintruished mark of favor affords unde- niable proof that my conduct, during the period of my command, was approved; — a gre.it gratifi- cation, considering^ the many difficulties I had to encounter. I once thought I should be ordered to the upper province, but General Ferguson being among the newly appointed major-generals, will not novv 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, where it was intended he should be stationed. What will be the result of our present unsettled relations with the neighbouring republic, it is very \ i, I 1 1 f ' 48 LIFE AND COItUESFONDENCE OF difficult to say. The government is composed of such UDprinciph'd men, that to calculate on it by the ordinary rules of action would be perfectly absurd. We have completely outwitted Jefferson in all his schemes to provoke us to war. He had no other view in issuing his restrictive proclama- tion ; but, failing in that, he tried what the embargo would prodm^e, and there he has been foiled again. Certainly, our administration is deserving of every praise for their policy on these occasions. Jeffer- son and his party, however strong the inclination, dare not declare war, and therefore they endeavour to attain their object by every provocation. A few weeks since, the garrison of Niagara fired upon seven merchant boats passing the fort, and actually captured them. Considering the circum- stances attending this hostile act, it is but too evident it was intended to provoke retaliation : these boats fired U|)on and taken within musket shot of our own fort ; their balls falling on our shore, was expected to have raised the indignation of the most phlegmatic ; fortunately, the com- mandant was not in the way, as otliervvise it is difficult to say what would have happened. A representation of this affair has been made at Washington, and, for an act certainly opposed to existing treaties, we have been referred for justice to the ordinary course of the law ! If our subjects cannot command impunity from capture under the guns of our own forts, it were better to demolish them at once rather than witness and suffer such lUfr me ; ?ket our tion ;om- it is A at id to stice jects the lish such SIR ISAAC BROCK. 41) indignity. By the treaties which have expired, the navigation of tlie waters that divide the two countries is regulated and stipulated to be still in force, although every other part should cease to be obligatory. I got on here pretty well, but this place loses at this season the undoubted advantage it possesses over Quebec in winter. Great additions are mak- ing to the fortifications at Quebec, and, when completed, the Americans will, if I mistake not, think it prudent not to trouble the place, for they can have no chance of making any impression upon it during the short period which the severity of the climate only permits an enemy to lay before it. I erected, as I believe I told you before, a fa- mous battery, which the ])ul)lic voice named after me ; but Sir J mes, thinking very properly that any thing so ry pre-eminent should be distin- guished by the lost exalted appellation, has called it the King's li.ittery, the greatest compliment, 1 conceive, that he could pay to my judgment.* Not a desertion has been attempted by any of the 40th for the last ten months, with the exception indeed of Hogan, Savory's former servant. He served Glegg in the same capacity, who took him with him to the Falls of Niagara, where a fair damsel persuaded him to this act of madness, for the fellow cannot possibly gain his bread by labour, as he has half killed himself with excessive * In some book of Travels in Canada, Duncan's we think, it is stated that the highest battery in Quebec is calkd Brock's Battery : we know not whether it is that erected by Sir Isaac Brock. (;! i * I " I \ \i i I; w r>o LIFE AND CORHESPONDENCE OF drinking ; and ^\■c know lie cannot live upon love alonf. The wcatlier has been exceedingly hot the last week, the thermometer fluctuating from 94^ to 100^ in the shade. The embargo has proved a famous harvest to some merchants here. It is certainly the most ridiculous measure imaginable, and was evidently adopted with the view of pleas- ing France ; but no half measiire can satisfy Napoleon, and this colony has been raised by it to a degree of importance that ensures its future prosperity. Brigadier Brock to his Brothers. Quebec, September 5, 1808. T have been here but a few days, having been superseded at Montreal by Major-General Drum- mond. I do not approve much of the change, as being separated from the 49th is a great annoyance to me. But soldiers must accustom themselves to frequent movements ; and as they have no choice, it often happens that they are plnced in situations little agreeing with their inclinations. My nomi- nal appointment has been confirmed at home, so that I am really a brigadier. Were the 49th ordered hence, the rank would r.)i be a sufficient inducement to keep me in this country. In such a case, I would throw it up willingly. Curious scenes appear to have occurred in the Baltic. I fear very much that Sir James (Sau- marez) may be induced to return to his retirement in Guernsey. Indeed, the navy has little left to I !■■ to SO loth ient luch the lent to r 1 I SIR ISAAC DROCK. r>\ do, while tlio army Iijis now a o;lorious opiiortunily of distincuisliinj; ilself as much as the sister ser- vice. Valour the British troops always possessed, hut unless they evince discipline, their fame will he hlasted for a century to come. Brigadier Brock to his Brothers. Quebec, November 19, 1808. Yesterday Irving's letter of the lOtli September reached me. How very thankful I feel for his attention. But I have not received tliat which he mentions Savery had written on the same day, giving an account of his proceedings in Spain and Portugal. This is a truly mortifying disappoint- ment, as it is impossible to discover by the public prints the mystery by which the conduct of our officers has been influenced. The precaution which Irving took to transcribe a part of the letter, has proved very lucky. Notwithstanding, 1 look for the original with unusual impatience, as Savery 's opinion must be formed upon what he saw in full practice in the best disciplined army that ever, I imagine, left England. His observations are never thrown away. I am still confined to my room, more indeed on account of the badness of the weatlier than any want of progress in my recovery. We have had very hard gales from the East. The Iphigenia frigate, with her convoy, could not have cleared the land, and the greatest apprehension is enter- tained for her safety. Her commander, Captain fd *■ \i I i 1 i;. 51 i i;i B2 LITE AND LORUESPONDENCE OF Lumbcrt, is a friend of Goorge Brock. I find liiin an exceedingly good fellow; and I have rea- son to think that he left us well satisfied with th(! attention he received from me.* Sir James Craig lias certain intimation of the appointment of Colonel Baron de Uottenburg, of the 00th, to be a brigadier in this country, and he is daily looked for. This most probably will make a change in my situation, as one must go to the upper province, and, as he is senior, he will c'oubt- less have the ciioice. My object is lo get home as soon as I can obtain permit^sion ; but unless our affairs with America be amicably adjusted, of which I see no probability, I scarcely can expect to be permitted to move. 1 rejoice Savery has begun to exert liimself to get me appointed to a more active situation. I must see service, or I may as well, and indeed much better, quit the army at once, for no one advantage can I rea- sonably look to hereai'ter if I remain buried in this inactive, remote corner, without the least mention being made of me. Should Sir James Saumarez return from the Baltic crowned with success, he could, I should think, say a good word for me to some purpose. Vincent t is doing extremely well. I liowcver dread the severity of a winter upon his shattered * "The ynnnp and pallant" Captain Honry Lambert, mentioned abi)vc, was jiiortally wouiuied in DocemhiT, isi'j, in conmiand of H. M. S. Java, wlion slit- was captured by the American fritjate Con- stitutiDH, ot f;reatly surerior force. t The present (ieneral Vincent, colonel of the CQth foot. He was then major of the 49th. rez to red Incd 1(111- Kvas Sin isAA( iinocK. ■>:j frnmc. 1 niii^t eontrivc to JTi(>ct nml dlssipntc llic dull liours with my good frirtids of tlic 4'.)tli. I liavo prevailed jijxjii Sir James to appoint Seriicant Rohinsoj), master of tlie hand, to a situation in the comnii*: ' (liously avoid (loiri<; tluit for wlilch hey shew so ^rcHt an anxiofy. Tlirir fir)arict's, \r'i\ 'vijl ixTCcive, arc v(Tv low, ami tliov dare not . ''oi.ose dirc'(;t taxes. They must liavr recourse to h)ans at a time when they have ojdy six friu;ates in comniission, and ahout five tliousand men embodied. To what a state of poverty and wretchedness would the ac- cumulated expenses of war reduce them ! But they look to the success of their privateers for a supply, and (Contemplate the sweepiufjc away of all foreign debts as tlie means of reducing the calls upon their treasury. Whatever steps Enghind nifiy adopt, 1 think she cannot, in prudence, avoid sending a strong military force to these provinces, as they are now ])ecomc of infinite importance to her. You can scarcely conceive the quantity of timber and spars of all kinds which are lying on the beach, ready for shipnjent to Kngland in tlie spring : four hundred vessels would not be suffi- cient to take all away. Whence can England be supplied with these essential articles but from the Canadas? J}onaj)arte, it is known, has expressed a strong desire to be in possession of the colonics formerly belonging to France, and now that they are become so valuable to England, his anxiety to wrest them from us will naturally increase. A small French force, 4 or .'5,0(K) men, with plenty of muskets, would most assuredly conquer this province. Th(> Canadians would join them almost to a man — at least, the exceptions would be so few as to be of little avail. It may aj)pear surprising he lies ley to kitv pis iost tew ing fl SIR ISAAC IlltOi K. • )•> tlmt men, petted as tliey have Ixeii and induli^ctl in every tliin;^ they could (h'sire, shouhl \vi>h lor a change. ]^it so it is — and 1 am apt to tiiink thai vvrre I'jigli.shmcn placed in the same situation, they would shew even more impatience to escape from French rule. How essentially ditlerent are the f('clin«;s of the people from when I first knew them. The idea prevails i^enerally aim)nj; them, that Napoleon must succeed, and ultimately get possession of these provinces. The hold and vio- lent are becomin«» everv dav more audacious ; and th(! timid, with tiuit in)j>ression, thiidv it better and more prudent to withdraw altogether from the society of the Knglish, rather than run the chance of being accused hereafter of partiality to theni. The consequenco is, tiiat little or no intercourst; exists between the two races. More troo}>s w ill be required in this country, were it only to keep down this growing turbulent spirit. The governor will, it is foreseen, have a difficult card to play next month with the assembly, wjiich is reallv getting too daring and arrogant. Every victory which Napoleon has gained for the lust nine years, has made the disposition here to resist more mani- fest." Brigadier Brock to his sistcr-in-lau^, Mrs. U'. Brock. Quebec, June 8, 1810. It was my decided intention to ask for leave to go to England this fall, but I have now relin- quished the thought. Several untoward circum- M 1 \ t ■ « { i i/ m MFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ! 1! Mil ■u n stances combine to oppose my wishes. The spirit of insubordination lately manifested bv the French Canadian population of this colony, naturally call- ed for precautionary measures, and our worthy chief is induced, in consequence, to retain in this country those on whom he can best confide. 1 am highly flattered in beincj reckoned among^ the number, whatever inward disappointment I may feel. Some unpleasant events have; likewise hap- pened in the upper country, which have occasioned my receiving intimation to proceed thither, whe- ther as a permanent station, or merely as a tem- porary visit. Sir James Craig has not determined. Should, however, a senior brigadier to myself come out in the course of the summer, I shall certainly be fixed In the upper province, and there is every probability of such an addition very soon. Since all my efiforts to get more actively employed have failed ; since fate decrees that the best por- tion of m}' life is to be wasted in inaction In the Canadas, I am rather pleased with the prospect of removing upwards. There is a lady living at Barnet for whom I feel much Interested. If you should by chance drive that way, and do not object to form a new ac- quaintance, I wish you to call upon her. She is the wife of Ca))tain Manners, of the 49th, and the daughter of the celebrated Dr. Rush, of Philadel- phia. She has a most amiable disposition and genteel manners. Her sister, Mrs. Ross Cuthbert, a charming little creature, makes her husband — my «i ic- is he f, SIR ISAAC HHCM K. .»/ hv most intimate fricntl, nnd with wliom T pass a grrnr part of my loisuro hours — a most happy man. I received the other (hiv a lonii" fii'd execedirifjlv well written letter from Ifenrictta Tnpper* — she i< reallv a charminff ijirl. What Maria* (Poten^er) do you Ix'fjin to slacken in your attention to vout poor devoted uncle .' JJriijailicr Brock to his hrother Irvimj. Qlehf.c, July 9, 1810. I have u thousand thanks to ofl'er vou for tlu very irreat attention vou have shewn in executiiiLT mv commissions : the ditlbrent articles arrived in the very hest order, with the excej)tion of the cocked hat, which has not been received — a most distressing^- circumstance, as, from the enormity of my hcad,t 1 lind the utmost difhculty in gettinj^ u substitute in this country. I proposed writinjj to you early to-morrow, but Sir James having' this instant intimated his inten- tion of sending me upwards immediately, I avail mvself of an liour's leisure to do that liastilv which I would gladly have done quietly, and, conse- quently, more fully. If I am to remain in this country, I care little where 1 am placed ; bur going up, as I do now, without knowing whether I am to stay or return, is ])articularly awkward, and interferes materially in all my future arrange- * His niece. + It has hofii rrniarkcd, that men with very small heads are seldom clever, and I'ertamly the Uroeks ol this tuniily had larj^e hut wi'jl stiaped heads, with full foreheads. s.; i 08 LIFK AM) COURESPONDENCE OF incuts : pcrliaj)s T sliall be able to pet tbe point settled l)('for(! I oonmicnce my iourncv. Every tliinf^ bcrc remains in a state of perfect qnietness. It is but too evident that tbe Canadians pfenerallv are beconiinp; daily more anxious to p;et rid of tlie Entrlisli. Tliis tliev cannot effect unless a French force come to their aid, and I do not think that Bonaparte would risk the loss of a fleet and army for the chance of gettiiifjj possession of the country. "What infiituation ! No people had ever more cause to rejoice at their fate ; but they are not sinn;ular, as all mankind seems prone to change, ho-vvevcr disadvantageous or productive of confusion. Saverv forwarded your pamphlet to me. You liave taken a very proper view of the })olitical dissensions which at this moment disn;race Ens;- land. Those to whom I liave allowed a perusal, and who are infinitelv better iudijes than I can ])rctend to be, speak of the purity of the language in terms of high approbation. You have happily suited the style to the nuitter. Several copies have, within a few days, been in circulation here. Savery speaks of a letter you received, in conse- quence, from Lord Melville. I liope you will not fail in sending mc a copy, as I am ali anxiety for your literarv fame. As you ditf(>r in sentiment from the Edinburgh Review, I hope that you have made u|) your mind to an unmerciful lashing. I do not see the snuiUest prospect of my getting away from here, as the disposition manifested by I. lO" SIR I.>A.\( HHOCK. 59 the Canadians m ill occasiion a large military fbrc( to be kept in the eountrv, and it will serve as a plea to retain all at their posts. 1 wish that I could boast of a little more j)atience than I teel I now jiossess. The t'orlitications of Quebec are improving ])retty rn])idly, but workmen cannot be j)rocure(l in sufficient number to j)roceed as fast as govern- luent would wish. Labourers now get 7s. (Jd. a day, and artiHcers from I'is. to los. Upwards of three hundred vessels have already arrived — a prodiL'^ious number. Br'ujadier Brock tu )iis sister-in-law, Mrs. Wi Ilium Brock. Quebec, July 10, 1810. I cannot allow the frigate to depart without sendinjj niv aiU'Ctionate love to you. A Guernsey vessel arrived a few days aixo, which brouuht me a letter from Saverv of 10th ]Mav, and nothinir could be more gratifvinu" than the contents. The Mav fleet, which sailed from Portsmouth the •24th, reached this in thirtv davs, but as it had not a scrape of a ])en for me, its arrive] did not inte- rest me. We have been unnomuu alv icay the last fortnight : two frigates at ancl'or, and the arrival of Governor Gore from the upper province, have civen a zest to society. Rac;,i,, country and water parties, have occujjied our time in a continued round of festivity. Such stimulus is highly neces- sary to keep our spirits afloat. I contributed my share to the general mirth in a grand dinner given ^ i 1 ^ ] I \ !( ()(» /.IFF. AND rORHr.SrONDENfE Of 1, * 1 ( ,,il! Ml lo Mrp. Gore, at wliicli Sir J. Crni'u was procnnt. and a ball to a vast asscml»laf]fc of all (loscrij)tioii9. I mcntionod in a former letter my apprehensions of bcinn^ ordered to tlio npper province. 1 return tliis moment from waiting upon Sir James, who sent for me, to say lie r('«i;retted he must part with me, as he found it ahsolutelv necessarv that I should proceed upwards without delay. 1 am placed in a very awkward predicament, as my stay in that country depends wholly upon contin- trencies. Should a l)riy:adier arrive I am to be stationary, but otherwise return to Quebec. No- thing could be more provoking and inconvenient than this arrangement. Unless I take up even' thincf with me. I shall be miserablv off, for nothinir bevond eatables is to be had there ; and in case 1 j)rovide the requisites to make my abode in the winter in anv Mav comfortable, and then be or- dered back, the expense will b(.' ruinous. But I must submit to all this without repining, and since I cannot get to Europe, I care little where I am placed. I have the most delightful garden ima- ginable, with abundance of melons and other good things, all which I must now desert. What am I to tell you from this out-of-the-wav place. Your old friends of the 49th are well, but scattered in small detachments all over the country. They are justly great favorites at head quarters. I mentioned in a former letter my wish that, pro- vided you could make it perfectly convenient, you would call upon Mrs. Manners, the wife of a fl sin ISAA( HRfXK. (11 cnptain ol' tlie 4nth. I nm satisfied that vou would, after a short acquaintance, a|»|)rove of her niucli — jshc is all jjoodncss. Bv the last accounts they resided at Barnci. I have no douht that Maria and Zelia (PoteiMjer, liis nieces) continue to conduct themselves in such a manner as to reward vou amplv for the un- hounded kindness you have all along' shewn them. If I am ahle in tlie fall to procure handsome skins for muffs worth their accoplancc, I shall send some to the dear little irirls : thev ouirht, however, to write to me. There are few here brought up with the advantages they have received ; indeed, the means for education are very limited for hoth sexes in this colony. Heaven preserve you. I shall probably begin my journey upwards in the course of a few davs. Brigadier Brock accordingly proceeded to the Fpper Province, Baron de Rottenburg having replaced him at Quebec, and, with the exception of a few months in 181"', during which he visited Lower Canada, he continued in comnuind of the troops there till his death, Lieut. -Governor Gore at first administering the civil government. Colonel Bdyncs- the Adjutant-General, to Br'ujadler Jirock, at Fort Georyc. QuEUEC, September 0, 1810. The Briiradier-Gcn(>ral (Baron de Rottf'nburtr) is Sir James' (Craig) senior in age by a year, but ' f ? y 62 LIFE AND COUUElSPONDKNCi: OF '< ^iH is still stroM*^ and active, and looks mucii younger. I ani well pleased with tlie little I have seen of um, hicli l)v the hve is very little, for I onlv returned yesterday from Sorel. Mrs. de llotten- bur«jf* has made a conij)l('te conquest of all hearts. She is in reality remarkably handsome, both in face and fiijure, and her manners uncommonly j)leasing, graceful, and affable. There is, I fancy, a \ery great disparity of years. They both s|)eak Eniilish very fluently, and >vith yery little forei«i;n accent. Sir James (Craig) is remarkably -well : Ave celebrated the anniversary of his sixtieth vear yesterday at a very pleasant pnrfy at Powell Place. Our general court martial is over, and will be published in orders to-morrow. A soldier, wlio was under sentence of death for desertion from the 101st regiment, und transferred to the 8th, and a Jonathan of the Canadians, who is considered a ringleader, are sentenced to be shot ; the others, a dozen in number, are to be transported to serve for life in the African corps. Brhjadivr liroch to his Brothers. Fort George, Sept. 13, 1810. M v jrood and dear friends, — 1 liave been of late so much upon the move, that I had no thought of writing to you, and no letters of yours put me in mind that I should do so. Here 1 am stationed tor some time, unless I succeed in the application I meaij lo make shoiJy for permission to visit * The mother of Lady William Paget. .'I I' III kl m lit SlU IsAAt HUOCK. (W Kiif;lnntl. At ircsont ^'ill(•cut, Glcg'g, and Wil- liams, 4',)tli, enliven this lonesome place. Tliev are here as nienhers of a iite to General de Rottenburg. Sir James, who was suffering extremelv from the commencement PiR ISAAC nnocK. (V5 of a very severe attack of illness, could contain liimself no longer, and silenced Murrav 1)V a verv severe but liighly just rebuke. Hotfenbur*^ ap- peared much hurt, and said to nie that lie was very sorry to find that any officer, entrusted with the honor of commandinj^ a corps, could take a. pleasure in exposinf^ such sentiments as he had lieard from Colonel M. Colonel Kempt, who naturallv feels much interested for his vounjr cou- sin, (Mrs. Murray,) and who really deserves and merits it for her own sake, was much mortified and vexed at Murray's impropriety.* The charms of Mrs. de Rottenburjj have not effaced vou from the recollection of vour friends, who very sincerely regret your absence. Lieut. -Colour I Thornton^ {Military Secretary and ^first Aiiic-de-t'ainp) to BrUjudU'r lirock. Quebec, October 4, IHIO. I was yesterday favored with vour letter of the 23d ultimo, and have not failed to communicate to Sir James your account and your charity to- wards the poor old fellow, formerly of the king's. + He has in consequence directed the allowance of * Whatever may have been Colonel Murray's indiscretion on this occasion, he proved himself one of the most (jallant and enterprisinff olficers i!i Canada diirinp: the war, and particularly disthiff uished him- self in the assault and capture of Fort Nia>?ara, in Decenihcr, IHln, where he was severely wounded. If Colonel Murray admired Col)- bett's writinj^s he was not sinprular, as he was perhaps the most forcible political writer in the EuffUsh language. + Afterwards Lieut. -General Sir William Thornton, K.C. B., Sic. t Sir Isaac Brock was several ysars in the sth regiment, but this old man had i)rohably served with his brother, Lieut. -Colonel John Brock, who was many years in the Sth, in Upper Canada. i i It (U) I.I IK AND (JOIinKSPONnKNfE OF tlic ration to l*c aulljori/cd ami contiinud to hiin, for which purjjosc I must rrqnost his (Miribtiufi name and tlic (hitc of the first issue, hut I am to rciiiind you of tlic (hnifj^er of cstahli jiin*^ a |)rccc- dont of this nature, and to request in the general's name that you will refrain sis much as possihlc from induiuing the natural henevolence of your disposition m this way, as he has hitherto resisted all applications of this g stationed in the Upper Province, that he docs not conceive himself at lih( rty to overset an arrangement which he has heen two years soliciting the means to carry into effect, and the absoln nceessitv of which he is highly impressed wit' li reply to an ol)s<'rv- ation of mine, that yt-n ri'etted the inactive prosj)CCt hefore you, anu iook'd with envy on those employed in Spain and Portugal, he said : " I make no douht of it, hut I can in no shape aid his plaiis in that respect; I would not, how- ever, he the means of preventing them, and al- thoii;j:h from his local knowledge I shoidd re»;ret 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 I would ask for ano- ther g(!neral officer being sent in his |)lace imme- diately to Uj)per Canada." 1 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 j)erha})S be more readily in- duced to let you go ; as matters stand, I do not think he will, althouirh I am convinced that he will feel very sincere regret in refusing you on a .subject upon which you aj)pear to be so anxious. ; i i til IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) i- 1.0 I.I 71 1^ 12.0 L25 ■ 1.4 1.6 V <^ z *»■.>?> Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 } <' % yi i/j. ^ 68 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF CHAPTER IV. Brigadier Brock to Lieut. -Governor Gore. Fort George, Jan. 6, 1811. Having lately received a letter from Colonel Vesey, in which he urges me to ascertain whether it be possible to secure to his family some benefit from the grant of five thousand acres he has so long unprofitably held, I am encouraged by the disposition your excellency has uniformly evinced to serve him, to renew my earnest request that your influence may be now exerted in his behalf. I am given to understand that there are exten- sive tracts of excellent land at the disposal of the crown on Lake Erie, and that a new township is undergoing a survey near the head of Lake Onta- rio. Were it possible to ensure Colonel Vesey eligible situations in those districts, he no longer would hesitate in incurring the necessary expense. Your excellency having signified your intention of visiting England in the course of next summer, I am impelled to the present application by the consideration that before your return the land, which I 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. SIR ISAAC HROCK. (){) 1 5 ! m Lieut. -Governor Gore to Brigadier Brock. York, January 21, 1811. Your letter of the Otli instant should have been earlier acknowledged, but that I was desirous to render 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 kmg, as in the case of Colonel Talbot. The diagram by which the crown 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. The townships lately surveyed are partial ex- ceptions to the general rule, for the express pur- pose of establishing roads through the province, and the locations in that exception are by an act of government expressly reserved for actual settlers. The utmost in my power to do for Colonel Vesey is to ado])t the latitude directed by his majesty in favor of General Arnold, which is to permit his representative to locate his land in any open township, and to pass the patent without his personal attendance. Exclusive of my very strong desire to serve Colonel Vesey, I beg you will believe that I should \4 ■J* I . 70 LIFE AND CORHESPONDENCE OF Nl have had a very particular gratification in promo- ting the success of any measure for which you are pleased to express an interest. Brigadier Brock to his brother Irving. Niagara, January 10, 1811. I cannot sufficiently thank you for your con- stant attention to me ; you contribute largely to render my present sequestered abode tolerable, and let me entreat you to continue the practice you have lately adopted of sending me a letter every fortnight. In addition to the last daily paper, send me likewise the Observer, or any other weekly depository of domestic news. You, who have passed all your days in the bustle of London, can scarcely conceive the uninteresting and insipid life I am doomed to lead in this retirement. My situation obliges me to maintain some sort of esta- blishment, otherwise I should, from inclination, confine my intercourse to a very limited circle. I have been for some days projecting a jaunt into the interior of the States, and I may probably visit New York before I return, but I shall weigh pass- ing events well, ere I hazard so long a journey. The heavy rains which have fallen for the last ten days have delayed my progress, as I did not choose to undertake the journey on horseback. I by no means admire travelling alone in so com- fortless a manner, in which the gratification would not repay the ir venience. I purpose dircc jng my steps in the first instance SIR ISAAC BROCK. y, '-^'^■°:z-z:!!t;c:7 i',r' '-';'■'••'■ "<" only ,0 „i,e h *f ; • "" '""' '«" davs, "n idea that\h /I , L ■""''^'■^' ""^ ^ '•''^« f«^' at this moJL « f^^^-^able to me. I wonders, and make me ln°t " ?'"'"'"=« beefsteak with a p ti^e M ""'" "■"" "P»" '^ abstemiouslv and L! . P'"''"' ^ '''>'« very r mention dirr' "T '°"'=" '^"'^ a-n.ements deprived T^fT ""' ''" "^«- -mpanion. Exlctinl? , '" """''»'■' of a England, I thoXXlfluT'" '""'" '» ^'-^ "oyW such an^• d ,1 t r "r sadly the want of a l,V^/ '^'' '"''' ^ ^eel -•a.e. I hardl/eveVXtt""?""'"'^ ^-'- «o™pany at home 1 1 ' ""''' ""'^^^ I have hate borrow! „/,°tl ^"'^^ ^ '''"''' ^^ ^ and afterwards reve „ 'T' " '""^ '!"'«'''>. •nade the deepest ml ' P^'""-"' "' hav^ ™-.ostimpCtr~ri"'''''''''''-^'<' cannot eonvenientiv nursTel . '"''""'''•' ^ ""■ne. Should you findHr' ""^ '"">'' ^e here, I wish you t„ sel 1 "" ""''' '° """'"■'' '■" hislorv, partielr V „ ■ """' "'""■'^'' '""'>"" Jl -} i (■ ■ it I I 4 72 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF my youth Pope's Translation of Homer, but till lately never discovered its exquisite beauties. As I grow old, I acquire a taste for study. I firmly believe that the same propensity was always inhe- rent in me, but, strange to tell, although many were paid extravagantly, I never had the advan- tage of a master to guide and encourage me. But it is now too late to repine. I rejoice that my nephews are more fortunate. The president's address is sufficiently hostile, and if I thought that he would be supported to the extent of his wishes, I should consider war to be inevitable. Congress will hesitate before con- senting to go the length he proposes. The taking forcible possession of West Florida may provoke a war sooner than any other act, but it is impos- sible to foresee how such a step may be viewed by the Cortes. We are at this moment in awful suspense — the king's illness, the proximity of the armies under Massena and Wellington, and the measures our government may deem proper to adopt to meet the hostile proceedings of the Ame- ricans, afford serious matter for contemplation. I have seen " Thoughts on Political Fanati- cism," in answer to your admirable pamphlet. The author appears to me to proclaim his servile attachment to Bonaparte, without in any degree refuting your arguments. When you tell me that Peter Tupper is a son of the jurat, and a member of the Junta of Valencia, you by no means satisfy my curiosity. Is he equal to fill the situation? sill I^,\A( ISJl()( K, 73 till As mly ilie- lany van- But my stile, 2d to rar to con- aking ovoke m pos- ted by awful of the d the er to Ame- >n. •"anati- iphlet. [servile [degree le that lernber satisfy lation ? Has lie di>protioii, iiiid i> Ik^ distiii'fui'-lK'd h\ ;i stroiiq^ mind and undaunted fouraL^c, as these arc (|ualitie3 tliat can alone b(! servic'cal)]o at such a crisis ? I observed Ills name some little tinu! back in the j)ublic prints, \vil!ioiit knowing who he cou Id b( an tre bv d I I suppose that 1 le IS my junior in several vcars Colonel Kmipt ^ ( Quartrnnfisfir- Grncral) to lir'ujddicr liroch. Que MEC, lamiai y 17, 1811. Bayncs tells me that he has written to you re- i)eatedlv, and mostfiUlv and conhdentiallv, on the subject of your apjilication for leave. The letters, v.hieh I have received from home, explicitly state that th(> last brevet was made so extensive with the view of doing away with the appointment of bri- fadier, so that no oth by General Calvert and Colonel Gordon, ^vlio unquestionably spoke tlie sentiments of the then commander-in-chief, and in such a way as to impress me with a thorouirh conviction that few- officers of your rank stood higher in their estima- tion. In short, I have Iio manner pf doubt what- ever that you will readily obtain employnfent upon active service the moment that you do get home, and with this view I recommend you to express, through Baynes, your sense of his excellency's good intentions and wishes towards you in respect to leave of absence, and your hopes that when the ciiciimstances of the country are such as will per- mit him to grant six months' leave to a general officer, that this indulgence will be extended in the lirst instance to you. I am very happy to find that you are pleased with Mrs. Murray : I have just received a long letter from her, giving me an account of a splendid ball given by you to the beau monde of Niagara and its vicinity, and the manner in which she speaks of your liberality and hospitality reminds me of the many pleasant hours I have passed under your roof. We have no -iuch parties now, and the indisposition of Sir James having prevented the usual public days at the castle, nothing more stupid than Quebec now is can be imagined. } SIR ISAAC BROCK. 75 Colonel Fiaynes to Brigadier lirockj at Fort George. tt the low is Q Fcbr lEUKC, rcbrufiry 14, 1811, From tlio sincere and lively interest wliicli I am sure you t'cei for our worthy chief, I am happy to announce to you that an important change has taken place in his disease, from whicli his medical attendants augur, with great confidence, most es- sential and permanent relief. On Sunday last I received a summons to attend immediately at thIrits and for- titude to those around. At the clocc he stood up for several miuutes to let the water drain from the higher parts of the body, and thirty-six pints, weighing nearly as many pounds, were altogether drawn off. Sir James lately received accounts of the 14tli of November, that his brother, General Peter 1 • 1 :. 'I iAiK AND (;ouiiesi'om)i:n( i: oi Craii^, was tlien so rediicod and weak fVoiii a lon^ and severe illness, that no hopes were enteitiiined of hint. YiHi will eoneeive what a severe shock lliis has Ix'cn, tin; more so as Sir James never liarliourcd a donht that his elder brorher, from his a|)))arei>tly stron!easure I experience at the receipt of your letters? I have already deseribi^d my sombre kind t f liTe, l.iit T am sure you will rejoice to hear that 1. y I -\';ei!t quiet has bt'cn productive of the essen- tial li'.io:] of restoring: my healili. I now consider jiy'-^'if (juite re-tstabliidied 5 thcreiore, my good sin isAAi nno( K. 77 Irviri'jf, (T'lu'l all your wlnnns on my Mccoiinf. I oticc tliotiulit of vi*iitint^ IJiillsfou ri, Itiit, as ;i trial of tlio s])rij)u;>; thvvc was iny (.'Iiicf motive, I nave M|) tlio jonnioy flio moment I foinid tiicrc vas no mcdifiil occasion to undertake it. I (I(t not admire the nr.umers of the American people. I liavc met witli some whose society was everv thins^ one could desire, and at Boston and New York siudi characters are, I believe, numerous, but these are the exceptio?is. l*oIitics run \ery lii tl m f ! 82 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF fonfidenlially to you what may pass at those councils, as well as any other transactions in which the Indians are concerned, and which may come to their knowledge j these reports you will forward to me occasionally, as you may think them of importance." The conduct which the military are expected to pursue in their intercourse with the Indian depart- ment is so explicitly stated in the above, that I need not say a word more on the subject. But I think it highly necessary to put you in possession of the policy which Sir James Craig is very anxious may be observed in the present uncertain state of our political affairs. " I am decidedly of opinion, that upon every principle of policy our interest should lead us to use all our endea- vours to prevent a rupture between the Indians and the subjects of the United States. Upon these considerations, I think it would be expedient to instruct the officers of the Indian department to use all their influence to dis- suade the Indians from their projected plan of hostility, giving them clearly to understand that they must not expect any assistance from us. The officers, however, should be extremely cautious in pointing out to them that it is for their own good only tliat this advice is given to them, and not from any dereliction of that regard with which we always view their interests ; it will perhaps re- quire some management to avoid exciting their jealousy or resentment ; the doing so must be strongly recom- mended." I wish you to comprehend clearly the sentiments of Sir James upon this essential point ; because, although I entertain great respect for the personal cliaracter of Mr. Elliott, yet I should be unwilling 1 c h t: b V If Ir SIR ISAAC BROCK. 83 to place entire dependance in an affair of such n'lnifcst importance, upon a judgment biassed and judiced as his is known to be in every thing that regards the Indians. To act with due pru- dence, lie participates in and feels too keenly the arievous wron^js thev have suffered. Should vou, therefore, perceive the smallest indication to depart from the line so strongly marked by his excellency for the govf nment of the Indian officers, you will, without creating suspicion of an intention of controlling their measures, offer friendly advice, and even have recourse to written protests to deter them from persevering in any act that may have a tendency to irritate and expose the two nations to endless controversy. All this you of course will do as coming from yourself, and you will be very regular in reporting circumstantially every occur- rence that may come to your knowledge, to enable me to conform strictly with the instructions of the commander-in-chief. Colonel Baynes* to Brigadier Brock, at Fort George. Quebec, March 4, 1811. Sir James desires me to tell you that he had fully intended writing to you himself by this day's post, but, from the arrival of the January mail and the departure of the Halifax courier to-mor- * Owing to the communication by post between Lower and Upper Canada being so slow at this period, we observe that many ot Colonel Baynes' letters to Brigadier Brock, at Fort George, were transmitted through the United States. There was only a post on'-e a fortniglit between Montreal and Kingston, anu in Upper Canada the post office was scarcely established. f 84 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF row, he finds liimself so miicli occupied that he has deputed me to explain to you the cause of his not announcinjj to you by liis own pen the resolu- tion he finds himself under the necessity of adopt- ing, of returning to England early in the summer. I think it probable that he will leave this by the July fleet ; indeed, the extremely weak and debi- litated state of his health will not admit of his deferring his departure longer, lest it might in- volve him in inconveniences attendant upon an equinoctial or fall passage. It is with the deepest regret I observe that his strength is visibly sinking under his disease, although the latter does not appear to have increased in violence ; on the con- trary, for this fortnight past he seems in better spirits and to suffer less pain : the first probably arises from the prospect of his being speedily re- lieved from the weight and anxiety of his public charge, for, with regard to himself, his mind is most perfectly made up, and resigned to a very speedy termination of all his sufi'erings; and his anxiety has been latterly much excited from the apprehension of his becoming too ill to be able to undertake the voyage, and being obliged to linger out the short remnant of his life in this country. I assure you he is very far from being indiffer- ent in regard to forwarding your wishes ; but from the necessity of his retiring himself, and even without waiting for leave to do so, he feels it the more indispensably necessary to leave this country in the best state of security he can, and that, under SIR ISAAC BROCK. 85 i existing circumstances, he cannot attend to your request for leave. He desires me to say, that he regrets extremely the disappointment you may ex- perience, and he requests that you will do him the favor to accept, as a legacy and mark of his very sincere regard, his favorite horse Alfred, and that he is induced to send him to you, not only from wishing to secure to his old favorite a kind and careful master, but from the conviction that the whole continent of America could not furnish you with so safe and excellent a hort . Alfred is ten years old, but being a high bred horse, and latterly but very little worked, he may be considered as still perfectly fresh. Sir James will give him up to Heriot, whenever you fix the mode of his being forwarded to you. 1 have requested Sir James to allow me to accompany him home, a duty I should feel a most grateful pleasure in performing ; but with a kind regard to what he thinks more to my interest, he will not accede to my wishes, but insists on my remaining here, as he thinks that my appointment will be considered permanent. Kempt goes home, his private affairs requiring his presence, and having strong ground to hope that he will be able to resign his 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 ambi- tion to so desirable an object. You will have seen by Sir James' speech, the very complete triumph his firmness and energy adier. You have such a lot of generals in Canada ai j)resent, that it is impossible to continue them all upon the staff. Your wish will be to come home, I dare say, and very glad I should be if you were in England at present, while all the arrangements arc making. It may perhaps be your fate to go to the Mediterranean, but the Peninsula is the most direct road to the lionor of the Bath, and as you are an ambitious man, that is the station you would prefer — so should I, but I have been advised not to solicit for it, but to go where I was ordered ; therefore, am I proceeding. I need not say how rejoiced I should be if you were of the party. The return of the duke of York to the head of the army gives general satisfaction to all military people, and indeed to most others I fancy : his old worn-out predecessor has long been superan- nuated. I still retain my appointment of deputy barrack master-general in Nova Scotia, to the astonishment of every body, because I suppose they do not like to take it from me yar force, without giving me something in lieu of it. I have |i II I* \ : V !)2 r,iri: and rouiiKSPoNDHNc k of ! ) tokl llic trciisiiry fluit. I would not givd it ii|t n])()ii any otlicr tt-rnis than for my licntrnant-colonclfy, hut that they had tlic power ot" takinj^ it from mo if ihcy chosi' to do me that injustice : I suppose thrv will as soon as mv hack is tur?it'd. Lord William ncnlinck is cxpoctt'd down to-diiy ; h(» ^a)rs to Sicily in flic Caledonia, with Sir Ivhvard Pcllcw. As it is possihlc von may have left Canada, I shall enclose this letter to our friend Hruyeres ; hid him reafl it and forward it if you arc yet in tliat country. Colonel liaijncs to Mujor-Gvncral JJrock, at Mnntrctd. QuEmx, Auiiu^t 13, IHll. We were very mucli surprised on Thursday last by the arrival of the Racoon, slooj) of war, from Jamaica, with the duke of Manchester on hoard, who is come with the view of visitiuix the lions of Canada ))revious to his return to England ; he is gone, attended by General Drummond, to see the falls of iNIontmorenci, and the "general desires n)e to let you know that his grace intends leaving this in the stai^e on Tuesday morninj]: for Montreal. The duke has no attendant except a Colonel Gold, cl-dcvant miHiairc ; he appears to be very affable, and perfectly sans focon ; he particularly request- ed that no compliments or ceremony of any kind might be shown him, and that he might be per- mitted to indulge his fancy by going about as he ])leased. His grace is not likely to have many volunteer aides-de-camp, for he treated those who silt ISAAC IIIIOCK. m formed lii< suite vestcnlnv to a wnlk of Iiulf ii (lo/cii lid'-, ill (lie SUM at mid-day round llie works, flic towers, plains, tSce. ; und from wliieli lie did not a|»|i<'ar to ixpericnce the slightest in<;on- vcnieiicr, liciiiM in flii! haliit, ue are told, of takiiij^ similar rtiinldes even in tlie West Indies. The duke will pay \ou l)iit a very short visit, hcinu; limit<'d for time, and anxious to make his tour a> extt;ii.-iye as possihlc. He seem'* to like a jila»Js of Madeira, and would match any of the Canadian tribe in smokinyineiit ; I should most Avillingly sacrifice iiuinv domestic comforts to obtain it, but I fear the rsmk I have just attained Mill interfere with my prosj)ects. I have often regretted, durinjj^ my residence in this countrv, that we Jiave been so much se|)ai'ated, which has deprived me of the op- jtortunity of cultivating your friendship, which I sliall ever feel anxious to possess ; and be assured it w ill always afford me the most sincere satisfaction to renew an acquaintance with one for whom 1 have so ^reat a regard. Captain Glegg's appointment •will be in general orders to-day. Captain and Mrs. Fulton arrived this morninix : I have not seen him vet. I understand Sir Geortje Prevost was to embark three days after the Hunter sailed. I shall j)robably embark in the Melamphus. for Halifax, and from thence in the packet for Eng- liind : should vou have any commands, I shall be happy to charge myself with them. Mrs. Drum- iTiond unites with me in sincere wishes for your liealth and happiness. Colonel Bayncs to Major-Gcncral Brock. Quebec, October 7, 1811. I have a letter from Thornton of the 2d of August ; the party arrived at Deal on the 27th of July. Sir James (Craig) bore the passage re- markably well, and he has received the most flat- terintr and satisfactory assurances that his conduct, civil and military, has met with the most unqua- SIU ISAAC HROCK. 97 ictive ritioe fear with lo; my !cn so lie op- hic.li I ivcd it faction 1 have ntmeiit in and ive not Prevost • sailed. Iius. for ji- Eng- all be Druni- or your 111 1811. 2d of 27th of ;ag;e re- ost ttat- jondiict, unqiia- liiied approbation. KenijH has experienced a vcr\' honorable reception : the duke told him he would give him a carte blanche as to his future destina- tion ; he has requested to have a brigade under Lord Wellington, and was preparing to go to tlie Peninsula. Thornton does not allude to the pro- bability of its effecting his present post, as he says Kempt writes to you at length, and will tell you of himself. Ellice* has found great difficulty in effecting an exchange. Dalrymple, Sir Hew's eld- est son, had no objection till he found that the duke set his face ajjainst the continued exchanjre of that ])0sr, and that he would not permit it to be made a mere stepping stone for the brevet rank. He in consequence declined it, and Ellice is on the hunt for a lazy married major of dragoons, who has no objection to obtain it as a fixture. Thornton has l)cen ap])ointed to a regiment, but he neglects to 1 lention the number, although he enters into a long explanation respecting it, viz. that it is of two battalio""ns, the second in Portugal and the first in the East Indies, but, by a recent regulation, the senior lieutenant-colonel has the option of remain- ing 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 rnoie desirable quarter : if he fails in his rhetoric, lit! expects shortly to travel that route himself. Tlie following paragraph is copied verljatim * Lieut. -Colonel Ellice, inspecting field officer of militia. fi !i I? 'If 98 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF I i! i i; from Tlioriiton's letter ; he is connected with Torrens and in habits of familiar intimacv, so that [ am inclined to think he draws his inference from that quarter: *' Pray give a hint in private to (generals Brock and Sheaffo, that if tlie former were to ask for a brigade at home, or on European service, and the latter to be put on the staff in Canada, I am almost certain thev would succeed.'' Lieut. -Colonel Torrens to Major- General Brock. Horse Guards, October 17, 181 1 . 1 have had the pleasure of receiving your letter of the Oth of July, and I beg you will be con- vinced 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 accomplishment of the object you have expressed of returning; to Enp-land. I have made known your wishes to the com- mander-in-chief, and his roval hifchness has ex- pressed 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 afi^'airs with the American government. Should you wish, however, to quit the Canadian staff with a view to serve in Europe, his royal highness will not object to your return to this country, under the arrangement of your being immediately succeeded by another officer. And \ ■3 I't H I ■ffm ; SlU ISAAC HIIOCK. !)!) as Major-Geiicral Slicaffe is on the spot, and has strong- claims to employment on the staff, his royal highness will have no objection to furnish Sir George Prevost with an authority to employ that officer in your room, provided he has not yet left Canada. I trust this arrangement may be acceptable to you. An official communication to the etiect of this note will be made to Sir George Prevost. Culoncl Bayncs to 3Iajor- General Jirock. Quehec, November 21, 1811. We fortunately received yesterday the last batch of recruits for the 41st regiment, as from the pre- sent state of the weather and appearance of the river, 1 fear their situation would have been verv desperate. They have, poor devils, been sixteen weeks and four days on their passage, and have suffered much from dysentery. Four men have died, and several are sick ; but as the former detachment recovered fast when landed and taken care of, I doubt not that these will also : they amount to three hundred, and are in general very fine young men. What a noble battalion they will make when brought together ; and the officers say that about 200 more were left at the depot, for want of room in the transport. What do you think of the president's speech ? In any government more consistent, it would mean war. I think that he has committed himself more openly and more unjustifiably than could have 1(10 /.IFF. AND ( ORRESPONDF:\rE OF been exj)ecto(l, in tlio relation of the afFair of tiit- Little Bolt, by aecusing that poor little sloop of a wanton act of agp'cssion by attaekin*T a hiigt American frig'atc, when Commodore Rodixers him- self admits that he was for nearly cioht hours the chasinn; vessel. Governor Gore has revived the formation of the Glensarv Fencibles, and I have shewn Sir Oeorjxc what passed on a former occasion. I hope the latter will be able to provide for his school-fellow, Major-General Sheaffe,* and he expresses himself very anxious to do so. 3ln}nr- General Brock to Lieut. -General Sir G. Prevost, Bart., at Quebec. YoKK, December 2, 1811. The information contained in the messajre of the president to congress, relative to the existing dif- ferences between England and the United States, will justify, I presume to think, the adoption of such precautionary measures as may be necessary to meet all future exigencies. Under this impres- sion, I beg leave to submit to your excellency such observations as occur to me, to enable you to * The present General Sir Roger H. Sheaff^, Bart., colonel of the Sfith rcfjiment, born at Boston, United States, 15th July, 1763, and entered the British army on the 1st May, 1778. N. B.— On the day on which the last sheet was printed, we disco- vered that we had been misled by tlic Times of 2-Jtli November, 1835, in stating our bchef that Sir George Prevost was " Canadian born." He was born at New York, May ij), 17(J7— his father, a native of (jcneva, settled in England, and became a major-general in the British army — his mother was Dutch, and as regards nativity. Sir George Prevost was certainly not an Englishman, so that our remark at page p,". on this point applies almost equally. Sir G. Prevost was created b baronet iu laiOS. '( } SIR ISAAC IIUOCK. Idl ■r *m form Ji correct jud<4inc'nt of the uctuiil state of this; jiroviuc'C. Tlio military force which heretofore oceu})ied tlie frontier posts Ijeing so ina(U;(jiiatc to their defence, a ijeneral opinion prevailed that no opjio- sition, in the event of hostilities, was intended. The late increase of ammunition and every species of stores, the substitution of a stronfi; re<;iment, and the appointment of a military person to admi- nister the «^overnment, have tended to infuse other sentiments amon^' the most reflectin*^ part of the community ; and I feel happy in beinj^ able to assure vour excellenov, that duriny; my visit last week at Niagara, I received the most satisfactory professions of a determination on the part of the principal inhabitants to exert every means in their j)0wer in the defence of their property and sup})ort of the ejovornmeni. They look with confidence to your excellency for such additional aid as may be necessary, in conjunction with the militia, to repel any hostile attempt against this province. I shall beg leave to refer your excellency to the communications of Lieut. -Governor Gore with '^ir vJames Craig, for a correct view of the temper and composition of the militia and Indians. Altliouirh perfectly awav! of the number of imj^roper cha- racters who have obtained extensive possessions, and whose principles difi'use a spirit of insubordi- nation verv adverse to all militarv institutions. I am however well assured that a large majority ^vould prove faithful. It is certain that t)ie best i i i\ H :< 8 "■' I m I! I i\ : i Ill I I I 1! 102 LIFE AND COnRESrONDENTE OF policy to l)c pursued, should future circumstaucos call for active preparations, will be to act with the utmost liberality, and as if no mistrust existed ; for, unless the inhabitants give an active and effi- cient aid, it will be utterly impossible for the very limited number of the military, who are likely to he employed, to preserve the province. The first point to which I am anxious to call your excellency's attention, is the district of Am- herstburg. I consider it the most important, and, if supplied with the means of commencing active operations, must deter any offensive attempt on this province, from Niagara westward. The Americaii government will be compelled to secure their wes- tern frontier from the inroads of the Indians, and this cannot be effected without a very considerable force. But before we can expect an active co- operation on the part of the Indians, the reduction of Detroit and Michilimakinack must convince that people, who conceive themselves to have been sacrificed, in 1794,* to our policy, that we are earnestly engaged in the war. The Indians, I am made to understand, arc 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, have already, although explicitly told not to look for assistance from us, commenced the contest. The stand which they continue to make upon the Wabash, against * Miami affair. + Doubtless the aftcrwants celebrated Tecumseh, or his brotheif . «# 4; f •* SIR ISAAC BROCK. liKj al)Oiit *2,00() Americans, including militia and regulars, is a strong proof of tlie large force which a general combination of the India 'is will ri iidcr necessary to protect so widely cxtenu ,d a frontier. The urarrisons of Detroit and ^lichilimakinack do not, I believe, exceed seventy rank and file each ; but the former can be easily reinforced by ihc militia in the neighbourhood, which, though not numerous, would bo 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 otience or defence, from the Ohio, an enterprising, hardy race, and uncommonly expert on horseback with the rifle. This species of force is formidable to the Indians, although, according to reports w hich have reached me by different channels, but not official, they lately repelled an attack of some magnitude. Unless a diversion, such as \ have suii'siested, be made, an overwhelming force will probably be directed against this part of the pro- vince. The measure will, however, be attended with a heavy expense, especially in the article of provision, for, not only the Indians who take the field, but their families, must be maintained. The numeral force of the militia in the vicinity of Amherstburg exceeds bv 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 liereafter give stronger indications of a rupture, I a i 111 ■i: I t 104 LIl'E AND ( OIlHKSI'ONDENf E OF I propose aiif^incntinf^ tlic gfirrison of Amlicrstl)iirfr with two liuiulrcd rank iiiid file from Fort Gc'or .s, unless superseded by a regular 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 Avill not be considered a bar to the arranijement. The state of the roads will probably stop this pro- jected movement until the end of this month or beginning of the next ; nor do I intend that the troops should leave their present quarters, unless urjjed bv some fresh circumstances. I therefore SIR ISAAC niU,< K ]on i •fr look to receive vour exctlhiicv ? . iiirii.i .j i>r<- vious to their depnrture. From Aiul»erstl)urLr to Fort Erie, rny chict *\' • (leiidiince must rest on a nuvfil force i'or tlie pio- tectioii of that extensive coast; but, considerin;:: the state lo whicli it is reduced, extraordinary exertions and |j;reat expense will be required before it can be rendered efficient. At present, it con- sists only of a ship and a 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 Jiave a sloop, and a fine brig capable of carrying twelve guns, both in perfect readiness for any service. If, consequently, the garrison of St. Joseph's is to be maintained, and an attack on Michilimakinack imdertaken, it will be expedient to hire, or pur- chase from the merchants, as many vessels as mav 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 considerably ; indeed, we have very few oi" that description. I therefore leave it to your ex- cellency's superior judgment to determine whether a sufficient number of gun-boats for both lakes, so constructed as to draw little water, ought not be added to our means of ofi'ence and defence. It is worthy of remark, that the only American national vessel on Lake Ontario, built two years ago, and ^ Ms r:. ! i- 1 fast as po«in i««AA( nnot K. 107 The cnr hrigade will he particiihirlv useful in ohsirueting tlicir ])as>ajxc ; and 1 cannot 1*0 t<»o iipffcnt in solicitin armv sterlinrr per annum. [private.] Sir George will fill up the new Glengary corps with as many officers as he can from the line, with permanent rank, and I have availed myself of the «»pportunity to projiose one. in whose advancement f I IM' 1^ f III ill f\ '. Ill i '-1 . '' ' tl ll 'I r) lii H u 1 112 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF I know voii feel an interest. He has allowed me to note Lieutenant Shaw, of the 49th, for a com- pany, and you are at liberty to inform his father, the general, of Sir George's favorable intentions towards his son. Sir George Prevost to Major- General Brock. Quebec, December 24, 1811. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2d instant, which reached me by the courier on Saturday, and I have not failed to give it that consideration which the importance of the several points, to which it alludes, entitles it. In addition to the president's message being full of gunpowder, the report made to congress by its committee on the state of the foreign affairs of the United States, conveys sentiments of such decided hostility towards England, that I feel justified in recommending such precaution as may place you in a state of preparation for that event ; and with this view you must endeavour to trace an outline of co-operation, compensating for our deficiency in strength. I agree with you as to the advantages which may result from giving, rather than receiving, the first blow ; but it is not my opinion war will commence by a declaration of it. That act would militate against the policy of both countries ; therefore, we must expect repeated petty aggressions from our neighbours, before we are permitted to retaliate by open hostilities. It is very satisfactory to observe the professions of M sill ISAAC nnocK. 11:3 i It the Iiihabltaniis of Upper Canada in defLMicc of their property and in support of their government. I will look into the corrcspondeni^e you refer to, which took place between Sir James Craig- and Lieut -Governor Gore, in 1807, 1808 and 1S09, respecting the temper and disj)Opition of your militia, and the policy to be observed in your in- tercourse with the Indians. Your views, in regard to the line of conduct to be observed towards the militia forces, notwith- standing 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 thev can be brouf]rht to act witli us. The utmost caution should be used in our language to them, and all direct explanation should be delayed, if possible, until hostilities are more certain ; though whenever the subject is adverted to, I think it would be advisable always to intimate that, as a matter of course, we shall, in the event of war, expect the aid of our brothers. Although 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 I had, previously to the arrival of your letter, given directions for the building of another schooner for Lake Erie. [The remainder of this letter is uf no interest.] If i^' i i.< i I ■■■it r. rl ., I ' « 'I VI 114 LIFE AND rORHESPONDENCE OF CHAPTER VI. Our memoir having now reached the year IHl'i, in uliich the United States of America dechired Gi Bi in, wc proceed to give a brief review of the causes which led to tliat event; and in doing so it will be necessary to go back to the commencement of the century. The first president of America, the immortal Washington,* and his successor, Adams, enter- tained friendly sentiments towards th(3 British jio- vernment and people ; but early in 1801, Jetferson succeeded the latter functionary as president, being elected by ten of the sixteen states then constitu- ting the Union. Jefferson was as inimical to England as he was favorable to France, so was his secretary of state, and successor in the presidential chair, Madison. Although there were many in- tervenient heart-burnings, it was not until the year 1807, when Jefferson was a second time pre- sident, 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 * He (lied at Mount Vernon, on the I4th December, 1^99, in the sixty. eighth year of his ape, leaving a widow but no issue. I «'" A '^ M if & the ^ ij 41 SIR I?*AA( lillOCK. 11. state of hlofkadc, and to interdict all neutrals from Trading with tlic British ))orts in any commodities Avliatever, produced fresh retaliatory orders in council, intended to suj)port England's maritime rights and commerce, and to counteract Bona- parte's continental system. The Berlin decree was a gross infringement of the law of nations and an outrage on neutral rights, which especially called for resistance from the Americans, a neutral and trading people ; hut they neith(>r resisted nor seriously remonstrated against it. Other causes of dispute arose from the determination of the British government to exclude the AmericaTis from the blockaded ports of France, and from that inex- haustible source of quarrel, the impressment ot British seamen from American vessels, especially as the difficulty of distinguishing British from American seamen led occasionally to the impress- ment of American native born citizens. In tf une, 1807, occurred the rencontre between his majesty's ship Leopard and the Chesapeake, which termi- Trated in the forcible extraction from the American frigate of four deserters from British ships of war. The British government instantly disavowed this act, and recalled Vice-Admiral Berkeley, who liad given the order to search the Chesapeake. Jefferson, Iiowever, not only issued a proclamation interdicting all British ships of war from entering the ports of the United States, but [)roposed to congress to lay an embargo on American vessels, and to compel the trading ships of every other II! iM :| III' Hi 1 II 1^4 'J ;} '1 1 r IK) LIFE AND COURESPOXDENCE OP nation to quit the American harbours. This pro- j)osition was warmly opposed by tlie federalists, or Washingtonians, but it was nevertheless adopted by large majorities. Thus matters remained, with subsequent slight modifications, from the month of l)eceml)er, 1807, to the declaration of war in 1812, an interval which the commercial classes spent in a hopeless struggle against bankruptcy and ruin. Attempts were not wanting on our part to arrive at a friendly accommodation, but Jefferson de- manded, as a preliminary, tlie revocation of the British orders in council, and the entire exemption of American ships from any search, or from any que&tion as to their crews or cfirgoes. The British government pledged itself to repeal the orders in council as soon as the French decrees should cease to exist. In 1809, Jefferson was succeeded as pre- sident by Madison, who was compelled to yield somewhat to the popular outcry, and to repeal the universal embarijo substituting a non-intercourse act with England and France, both which nations, it must be confessed, having by restraints on their commerce given the Americans just grounds for dissatisfaction. On the SSd June, 1812, the prince regent in council revoked the orders in council 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 conceded a few weeks earlier, there would have !•'' ¥^ I SIR ISAvr HROf'K. 117 a ^^ licon no war with Amorlca ; but iMadison lind l)orn treatinp: witli Bonaparte's government since tlie Olid of the year 1810, and the whole course of his conduct, with his evident desire to iihistrate his presidency by the conq.iest of Canada, proved his determip" -on to brpve a war with England. He and liis party nicely calculated on which side the g'rcatcr |)rofit was to be obtained — x'^hother the United States would gain more by goini^ to war with England than by hostility against Bonaparte and his edicts. " Every thinjr in the United States," says James in his naval history, '' was to be settled by a calculation of profit and loss. France had numerous allies — England scarcely any. France had no contiijuous territory ; Enn- land had the Canadas ready to be marched into at a moment's notice. France had no commerce ; J'^no'land had richly-laden merchantmen traversinu: every sea. England, therefore, it was against whom the death-blows of America were to be levelled." The struggles of England against Napo- leon enabled the American government to choose its own time. On the 14lh 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 mercy of Engrland when war was finallv declared, 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 18th of I ii 1 1 >i a il I ■ i lis f.IlF. AND COUHKSPONDKNCE OF .FuiK., bct'orc the revocation of" the orders in council \vas known in the United Stales, a declaration of war was carried in the house of representatives by seventy-nine to forty- nine votes, its supporters heini* chieHv from the western and southern states to Pennsvlvania inclusive, while the advocates for })eace were principally from the northern and eastern states.* Sir her, accompanied with high wind, and .1i i it ' 1 i ! 1i *i « f I I'iO UFt. AM» ( OHHKSl'ONDENrE OF IK-'VLT rising,' (liiriii;;, all lliiit tii-ic iihovo 15° below — it is sit fills iiioiin'iit *2C)''' uii'lcr (;ij)licr : forlunato vou, tliatJM'c in a milder oliiiialc, for we are sullbr- iiii: (Ircadfiillv from excessive cold. Uv your des- ( rijition of your j)asliine in sliootin. " I'i'incipally composed of the sons of a loyal unj(ruetion, to form a most efficient force. "The irrowing- i)rosperity of these provinces, it is mani- fest, begins to awaken a spirit of envy and ambition. Ilic acknowledged importance of this colony to the parent "•tate will secure the continuance of her powerful prnter- tion. Her fostering care has been the first cause, under I'rovidence, of the uninterrupted hap|)incss you have so long enjoyed. Your industry has been liberally rewarded, and you have in conse(iucnce risen to opulence. <* These interesting truths are not uttered to animate your patriotism, but to dispel any apprehension which you may have imbibed of the possibility of England forsaking you ; tor you must be sensible that if once bereft of her support, if once deprived of the advantages which her «:oinmeice and the supply of her most essential wants give you, tills colony, from its geographical position, nmst iuovitahly sink into comparative poverty and insiani- fiiMuce. " But Heaven will look favorably on the manly exer- tions which the loyal and virtuous inhabitants of this happy land are prepared to make, to avert such a dire calamity. " Our gracious prince, who so gloriously upholds the 3. I .1 .1 !<§• f1 II * 1 o.> I 'WAm Ml E AND COHUESPONDENC E Ol (li'tjnity of tlie empire, already appreciates your merit, anil it will be your first care to establish, by the course of your actions, the just claim of the country to the protection of his royal highness. " I cannot deny myself the satisfaction of annonncim; to you from this place, the munificent intention of his royal highness tho prince regent, who has been graciously ])leased to signify that a grant of £100 per annum will be proposed in the annual estimates, for every future mis- sionary of the Gospel, sent from England, who may have faithfully discharged, for the term of ten years, the duties of his station in this province. " Gentlemen of the House of Assembly, " I have no doubt but that, with me, you are convinced of the necessity of a regular system of military instruc- tion to the militia of this province; — on this salutary precaution, in the event of a war, our future safety will greatly depend, and I doubt not but that you will cheer- lully lend your aid, to enable me to defray the expense of carrying into effect a measure so conducive to our security and defence. '* I have ordered the public accounts to be laid before you, and have no doubt but that you will consider them M'ith that attention which the nature of the subject n.'ay require. " Honorable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen of the House of Assembly, " I liave, without reserve, communicated to you what has occurred to me on tlie existing circumstances of tliis province. We wish and hope for peace, but it is never- theless our duty to be prepared for war. " The task imposed on you, on the present occasion, is arduous ; this task, howcvc, I hope and trust, laying aside every consideration but that of the public good, you \\ill perform with that firmness, discretion, and prompti- tude, M'hit,h a regard to yourselves, your families, your country, and your king, cujl for at your hands. i I SIR ISAAC nilOCK. 1-2:3 " As for myself, it shall be my utmost endeavour tn oo-opcrate with you in promoting such measures as may best contribute to the security and to the prosperity ot this province." The addresses of the provincial parliament in reply were highly satisfixctory, and in answer Major-General Brock observed ; " The congratulations offered upon my appointment to the honorable station 1 hold in this province, and the con- fidence you so early repose in me, are, be assured, received with pride and heartfelt «atisfaction. " Impressed with the assurance of your support, I feel a most perfect reliance that the exertions of this province will be found efjual to meet every emergency of this im- portant crisis." The conclusion of the followinu; letter is descrip- tive of Major-General Brock's views and intentions in the probable event of a war ensuing between Great Britain and the United States, and which a lew months afterwards he carried into effect with a success that must have exceeded his most sanguine expectations. Major-Gcncral Brock to Colonel Baynes, the Adj. -General. York, February 12, 1812. The assurance which I gave, in my speech at the opening of the legislature, of England co-operating in the defence of this province, has infused the utmost confidence ; and I have reason at this mo- ment to look for the acquiescence of the two houses to every measure I may think necessary to recom m , f J ' u bs I' ' 124 LIFE AND rORRESPONDENf E OF f; incnil for the peace and defence of the country, A sjjirit hns manifested itself, little expected by those who conceived themselves the best qualified to judpc of tJje disposition of the members of the iiouse of assembly. The most powerful opponents to Governor Gore's administration take the lead on the present occasion. I, of course, do not think it expedient to damp the ardour displayed by these once doubtful characters. Some opposed Mr. (iore evidently from personal motives, but never ibrfeited the right of beino; numbered among; the most loval. Few, very few I believe, were ac- tuated by base or unworthy considerations, how- ever mistaken thev mav have been on various, occasions. Their character will very soon be put to a severe test. The measures which 1 intend to j>ropose are : 1. — 'A militia supplementary act. Sir Geor how 1,1 ■J 1 uroper uUowance to the disposition oi tlie people) they are peculiarly calculated to meet the local situation of the country. I 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 number of arms may he sent, according to the enclosed re([uisition, to the places therein specified, on the communication between Glengary and Kingston. Every man eajiable of carrying a musket, along the whole of that lint, ought to be prepared to act. The members of the assembly from that part of the country are parti- cularly anxious that some works may be thrown up as a rallying point and place of security for stores, ^cc., in the vicinity of Johnstown. I shall request Colonel M'Donnell to examine, on his re- turn, the ground which those gentlemen recommend as best suited for that purpose. Beino; imme- diately opposite Ozwegatchie, some precaution of the sort is indispensable, were it only to preserve a free communication between the two provinces. I have been made to ex[iect the able assistance of Captain Marlow. Should he be still at Quebec, have the goodness to direct his attention, on his way up, to that quarter. He had better consult Colonel Frazer and Captain Gilkinson, men of sound judgment and well accpiainted with the country. The militia will have of course to l"; employed on the works. 1 must still press the necessity of an active, en- tcrprizing, intelligent commander being statioi.ed 8! I- i '( I i-2(; LH-E AM) (.ORRESPONDENf E OF on tlifil important line of communication. 1 w isli Colonel Ellicc * were here to undertake the ardu- ous task, as it is wholly impossible that 1 can do so. Every assistance in my civil capacity 1 shall always be ready to give, and to that point my exertions must be necessarily limited. Niagara and Amhcrstburg will sufficiently occupy my at- tention. I deliver mv sentiments freelv, believin■ ii time 1 consider an officer of rank necessary ai Amlicrstbnrg, particularly during the absence ot Messrs. Elliott and Babv, who are both here at- tending their parliamentary duties. You will imagine, after what I have stated, that it is the in- thu-nce of his rank I alone covet, and not hi^ personal aid. He has very fortunately given tinieiv proof that he is in no way ambitious of military fame, therefore unfit for so important a command.. Should it please his excellency to place the 41st and 41)th at my disposal, I propose sending the for- mer rrgimcnt to Amhersburg, as we cannot be too strong 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 ot a project which I consider of the utmost conse(]uenci in the event of hostilities. I set out with declaring mv full conviction, that unless Detroit and ^Vliclii- limakinack be both in our possession immediately at the commencement of hostilities, not onlv the district of Amherstburg, but most probably the whole country as far as Kingston, must be evacu- ated. How necessary, therefore, to provide effec- tually the means of their capture. From Amherst- burg it will be impossible to send a force to reduce IMichilimakinack. Unless we occupy completely both banks, no vessel could pass the river St. Clair. What I therefore presume to suggest for his excel- lency's consideration, is the adoption of a project nhich Sir James Craig contemplated three years 1 ■ 1 I J I I i! i ! if 12S LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF I ago. The north-west company undertook to trans- port 50 or 00 men up the Ottawa, and I make no doubt would engage again to perform the same service. If therefore a war be likely to occur, at the time the canoes start from Montreal, I should recommend 40 or 50 of the 49th light 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 the reduction of Michilimakinack ; and should peace succeed the present wrangling, the 4yth detachment coidd be easily removed to Amherstburg. Colonel Bayncs to Major-Gencral liroc.k. Quebec, February 20, 1812. Captain M'Donnell has not clearly understood the purport of his mission to Upper Canada, and the general regrets that he should have proceeded the length he has done without having previously received your advice and instructions, to obtain which was the chief object of his visit to York. It is to be hoped, however, that sufficient patronage still remains open to meet your wishes, as the appointment of three of General Shaw's sons may be considered, from the sentiments 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 directed me to inform you, that he readily accepts of your pro- jiosal to recruit two companies, to be added to the «-.',i A SIR ISAAC BROCK. 120 Glengary Fcncibles ; the nomination of tlie offi- cers, viz. two captains, two lieutenants, and two ensigns, to rest entirely with you. The general has approved of the following quotas of men for the respective ranks : captains 30, lieutenants 15, and ensigns 20 ; the 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 lir 21. <^;olonel ; but I anr :—? that you will not feel less disposed to promote tue formation of this corps, when I inform you that it is his intention to recommend me to the commander-in-chief for the appointment of colonel. Colonel Baynes to Mojor' General Brock. Quebec, February 22, 1812. Sir George is much pleased with the favorable account Captain Gray has given him of your pro- ceedings. Your speech is highly approved of here, and we shall rejoice to find our house fol- lowing so laudable an example as your commons have shewn them : but I am not sanguine ; they have already commenced with great illiberality and violence to vent their spleen and resentment against Sir James (Craig) in votes of censure, and I fancy Sir George, with all his amiable, concilia- tory manners, will hardly succeed in keeping them within bounds. (H ) -." (1 i ii I*; ' " i '- i'l ! i i I' 13i» LIFE AND CORUESPONDENCE OF Major- General Brock to Sir George Prevost. York, February — , 1812. 1 cannot permit Colonel M'Donnell to return home without giving your excellency a short ac- count of our proceedings here. I had every reason to expect the almost unani- mous support of the two houses of the legislafun' to every measure the government thought it neces- sary to recommend j but after a short trial, I found myself egregiously mistaken in my calculations. The many doubtful characters in the militia made me anxious to introduce the oath of abjura- tion into the bill : there were twenty members in the house, when this highly important measure was lost by the casting voice of the chairman. The great influence which the numerous settlers from the United States possess over the decisions of the lower house is truly alarming, and ought immediately, by every practical means, to be dimi- nished. To give encouragement to real subjects to settle in this province, can alone remove the evil. The consideration of the fees should not stand in the way of such a politic arrangement ; and should your excellency ultimately determine to promise some of the waste lands of the crown to such Scotch emigrants as enlist in the Glengary Fencibles, I have no hesitation in recommending, in the strongest manner, the raising of a Canadian corps upon similar offers, to be hereafter disbanded and distributed amonjjj their countrvmen in the «*in ISAAC nnocK. VM 1 .« vicinity of Amherstburg. Colonel M'DonncIl being in full possession of my sentiments on this subject, I bog leave to refer your excellency to him for further information. The bill for the suspension of the habeas corpu?, r regret to say, was likewise lost by a very trilling majority. A strong sentiment now prevails tliat war is not likelv to occur wi''> the United States, which, I believe, tended to influence the votes of the members ; I mean of such who, though honest, are by their ignorance easily betrayed into error. The low ebb of their finances appears to stagger the most desperate democrats in the Stains, and may possibly delay the commencement of direct hostilities ; but should France and England con- tinue the contest much longer, it appears to mo absolutely impossible for the United States to avoid making their election ; and the unfriendly dispo- sition they have for some years past evinced to- Avards England, leaves little doubt as to their choice. Your excellency, I am sensible, will excuse the freedom with which I deliver my sentiments. Every day hostilities are retarded, the greater the difficulties we shall have to encounter. The Americans are at this moment busily employed in raising six companies of Rangers, for the express purpose of overawing the Indians ; and are besides collecting a regular force at Vincennes, probably with a view of reinforcing Detroit. Indeed, re- port states the arrival of a large force at Fort i '.i I ■ \M »■' \'&Z LIFE AND tOllUESPONDENCt Of Wayne, intended for tlie former garrison. Tlieir intrif^ues among the different trihes arc carried on openly and with the utmost activity, and as riu expense is spared, it may reasonahly be supposed that they do not fail of success. Divisions are thus uninterruptedly sowed among our Indiati friends, and the minds of many altogether estranged from our interests. Such must inevitably he the consequence of our present inert and neutral pro- ceedings in regard to them. It ill becomes me to determine how long true policy requires that the restrictions now imposed upon the Indian depart- ment ought to continue ; but this I will venture to assert, that each day the officers are restrained from interfering in the concerns of the Indians, each time they advise peace and withhold tho accustomed supply of ammunition, their influence will diminish, till at length they lose it altogether, I find that ever since the departure of Priest Burke from Sandwich, the <£oO per annum paid from the military chest to that gentleman have been withheld, on what account 1 have not been able to ascertain. The individual at present offi- ciating is highly spoken of; and as several gentle- men of the Catholic persuasion have applied to me to intercede with your excellency to renew tlir allowance, I presume to submit the case to your iuduliient consideration. yiH. ISAAC UROCK. UW Colonel Daynes to Mnjor-Ocncral Drock. QuEHEc, March -0, 1812. I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the VZih. February, which I have communicated to Sir George, who is highly pleased to find you are satisfied to retain tlie imj)ortant post you fill, and which you appear to govern under such very auspicious prospects. I sincerely trust you will be able to ke(}p your subjects, and particularly your house of representatives, in the same good humour and sound principles which they have hitherto testified. You will perceive in the main sentiments of Sir George's opening ad- dress, 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 eighteen hours. It would have been more to their credit had thev left out the allusion which has drawn from Sir George a very appro- priate retort. Your friend, James Cuthbert, was very warm and eloquent upon the occasion, and the demagogue party seemed sensible of the seve- rity of his satire, when he compared the factious cabal to ^Esop's fable of the ass kicking at the dying lion. Having vented their spleen, they will, I believe, prove a little more tractable : the militia bill 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 tor two or three months, for three N ' •■': Hi 134 LIFE AND tOURESPO.NDENCE OK successive years ; after the second year to he re- placed by a new quota, and to be selected by ballot, and no substitutes permitted to serve in the place of a militiaman drawn bv lot : this will be a '^reat point gained. Mnjor-dcnoral liroch to Colonel JJaynes. York, March 9, 1812. ( received yesterday your letter dated the *20th February, and liave to express my thanks to Sir Georf'c Prevost for his readiness in attendinjjf to my wishes. His excellency having been pleased to authorize the raising of two companies under my superin- Tcndence, giving me the nomination of the officers, 1 have to acquaint you, for his information, that Alexander Roxburgh, Esq., has been appointed by jjie to raise men for a company, and William 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 2'jth 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 res- pect to the remaininiT commissions, but will report the instant the individuals are nominated. Captain Dixon (royal engineers) proceeded four (lavs acfo to Amherstburjj, with the gentlemen who were returning from their parliamentary duties. 8111 ISAAC nnoCK. i:r» it I request you will liavc tlir goodness to inform me of the probable time I nmy cx|)e('t the honor of seeing Sir George Prevost, as I shall consider it a duty, whicli I shall execute with the utmost plea- sure, of meeting his excellency at Kingston. Colonel liny lies to Major- Gene ml Brock. QiiEBKc, March ID, Lsl2. I regret to find by your late letters to Sir George Prevost, that your expectations from your legislature have not been realised to the extent of your well grounded hopes. Sir George, who is well versed in the fickle -nd untractab'o disposi- tion of public assemblies, feels moie regret than disappointment. He has a very delicate card lu play with his liousc of assembly here, wl .> would fain keep up the farce of being highl • ciiarmed and delighted with his amiabh disposition 'o A affable manners : they have eve n g">ne the length of asserting, that these traits in his character have afforded them the most entire confidence tiiat in his hands the alien act would not b'; abused. They have, however, taken the p.'ecaution of strip- ping it of its very essence and spirit, while last year they passed it without a division, when Sir James, (Craig,) on whose mild and affable dispo- sition they did not p-'^tend to rely, told them that it could only alarui ncli as were conscious of harbouring seditious designs. They have jiassed iin amendment to the militia bill, which, though not affording aU that was required, is still a mate- I I !in i 1 I r' I t fl 130 LIFE AND (OHRESPONDENCE OF •I l:''^. -^x^ac- mil.— rial point gained. 2,000 men are to bo ballotted to servo tor three months in two successive siim- nuirs ; one of their strongest objections was tlie apprehension of the Canadians contracting military habits and enlisting into the service. Sir George has directed me to inform you, 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 having a due proportion put under your immediate com- mand,) his means of doing so are but very limited. His excellency is not sanguine in his expectation of receiving reinforcements this summer ; on the contrary, the appearance of hostilities beginning to abate at Washington, and the pledge held out in the prince regent's speech of supporting with energy the contest in Spain and Portugal, are likely to prevent troops being sent to this quarter, imless a more urgent necessity of doing so should appear. 1 will not comment on American politics, in which we all appear to agree that the deep- rooted jealousy and hatred of that people must in the end lead to hostilities, and that it behoves us not to lose sight of an event which, if not prepared to meet, we shall find more difficult to repel; — under this impression, Sir George is disposed, to promote the several plans you have recommended lo him, relating to the general line of conduct you would wish to adopt in the defence of the impor- tant province committed to your charge. If no SIR ISAA( liROCK. 137 additional forces be sent out, lie will send up the stronir dctaclnncnt of the 41st, composed of un- coniinonly fine young men, and in very good order : tlie <:;encral lias it also in view to send vou !i stron*j detachment of the Newfoundland rejxi- iiient, seloctin*;!: tlieir seamen and marine artificers, wlio will be most useful in the proposed works to be carried on at York ; and here I am apprehen- sive that the means of augmenting your strength must be bounded, unless the Glengary Levy can be rapidly formed, and Sir George is sanguine in his expectations of its being speedily placed upon a respectable footing : in that case, it could occuj>y Kingston and that line of communication between the provinces, which you deem so essential to be uuarded. This corns will have the verv great advantage of starting with a better selected body of officers than has fallen to the lot of any Fcncible regiment in Canada. I hope you will feel inclined to bring forward Shaw as one of your captains, as without your countenance I fear he vvtll find it an arduous task to provide for himself and his bro- ther. The uniform of the corps is to be green, like that of the 95th rifles. Sir George expressed himself very sensible of the policy of the line of conduct you would wish to pursue respecting the Indiauja ; but as other considerations of the greatest political delicacy are so minutely interwoven with them, and as the American government arc already inclined to view every transaction with those people with a jealous 11 I 1 1! r i f ■ 1 ' i ' > ' s 4 T ■ b \ . 1 1 ■ i l:Vs MIE AND CORRESPONDENCE 01 ' I i :m(l suspicious eye, he would recommend the ut- most caution and forbearance, lest a different line of conduct mitjht tend to increase the irritation between the two governments, which it is evidently the wish of Great Britain to allay. Our weather has been, and still continues for the season, severer than ever was recollected by the oldest stati:ers, and has rather put our Halifax friends out of conceit with the fine climate of Canada, particularly as Lady Prevost's health is delicate, and she is very sensible of cold. Mrs. Cator and jNIrs. Baynes beg to be most kindly remembered to you. General Bowes accompanied Kempt to Portugal in the end of December. Colonel Dayncs to Major-Gcneral Brock. Quebec, April 2, 1812. Manv thanks for the very kind and friendlv note which accompanied your letter of the 9th ultimo, and I beg you to rest assured, that 1 am very sensible of your friendly disposition towftirds me, and feel particularly grateful and flattered by the kind manner in which you have the goodness to express it. The American papers, under the head of Eng- lish news, as late as the i20th January, uive a circumstantial account of the death of Sir James Craig, on Sunday, the l*2th, at his house in Char- lotte Street. There are too many circumstances corroborating" an event which was so ccreatlv to '•e apprehended, to leave a shadow of doubt of the SIR ISAAC BROCK. l:i<» vrvcrc lo:^s that all, who were favored with his I'riendship, have sustained. To me, from my ear- liest youth, he has hecMithe best and kindest friend, a steady and powerful patron ; for few sons ever experienced more truly paternal care and ati'ec- tionate regard from the best of fathers, than I have received at the hands of that best of men. The iirief that I cannot suppress is a selfish tribute to my own irreparable loss : his release from a slate of cruel, lingering suffering, which, as I had so lonn; witnessed, he bore with a degree of fortitude and patient resignation unparalleled, could have been no cause of regret to him, and therefore oug!it Tiot to be so to those who most sincerely loved him ; but I have; so long been accustomed to chc- risJ) the grateful and affectionate sentiments of a highly favored son to the best of parents, that however I might have been prepared for this ine- vitable shock, I still feel that there are affections so rooted in our hearts, that this world's changes can never efface the impression. His memory will lonix be remembered with admiration bv all who knew iiis merit. As a soldier he had few equals, and no knight had a fairer claim to the proud title of sans peur et sans raproche ; while the widow, tlio orphan, and every distressed object that claimed his aid, will testify the generous heart that once animated that good and lionor- ablc man. The ladies of this house alwavs beix ^o he re- membered to vou, with the sincerest ii;ood wishes i i K ! < \ \ 1 1 1 1 V: i ,' ■■ i i ; \, '■■1 ;": . i^ ■;'' j I % ■ Y \ ,u Ui) LIFE AND roUUESPO:(DENCE OF for your lieulth and Iiupj)iness. Mrs. Baynes ha? been plotting with Mrs. Colonel Robertson to elope and pay you a visit, pressing Heriot* into their service as their knifjht errant. Mdjor-Gcncral Jirnck to Licut.-Culoncl Nichol, Com- mimd'nvj 2fl Ifrgbncnt Norfolk' Militia. YoHK, April 8, 1812. The power which is vested in the person admi- nistering the government, by the amended act of the militici, passed the last session of the provincial parliament, of forming two Hank companies, to be taken indiscriminately from the battalions, being limited to the end of the ensuing session, would almost deter me from incurring public expense upon a system which will cease to operate before its utility and efficacy can well be ascertained. But being anxious at this important crisis to organize an armed force with a view of meeting future exigencies, and to demonstrate by practical experience the degree of facility with which the militia may be trained for service, I have to re- quest you to adopt immediate measures for forming and completing, from among such men as volun- tarily offer to serve, two companies, not to exceed one captain, two subalterns, two sergeants, one drummer, and thirty-five rank and file each, in the rejjiment under vour command. You will have the goodness to recommend two * The late Major-General Heriot, C B., then Captain Heriot, ci< the »9th. SlU ISAAC BROCK. 141 V captains, whom you conceive the best qnalitird to undertake this important duty ; the nominating ot the subalterns is left to your discretion. Such other regiments as arc; conveniently situ- ated to receive military instruction, shall have an opportunity afforded them of shewing their ardour in the public service, which cannot fail of creating a laudable emulation among the different corps. Assisted by your zeal, prudence, and intelli- iii;cnce, 1 entertain the pleasing hope of meeting with very considerable success, and of being abh^ to establish the sound policy of rendering perma- nent to the end of the present war, a mode of military instruction little burdensome to indivi- duals, and every way calculated to secure a power- ful internal defence against hostile aggression. Printed rules and regulations, for your future guidance, are herewith forwarded : the most sim- ple, and at the same time the most useful, move- ments have been selected for the practice of the militia. Experience has shewn the absolute necessity of adopting ever\' possible precaution to preserve in a proper state the arms issued to the militia, and of guarding against the heavy defalcations which have heretofore occurred. You will make applications to the officers com- manding at Fort Erie for the number of arms and accoutrements wanting to complete the men actu- ally engaged to serve in the flank companies ; and that officer will be instructed to comply with your i ll ;1 i fm 142 Lll E AND (.01tF{KSP0NDEN( E Ul rm -tl rc(jiiisitioii, upon your transmiftinL!; to him dupli- Ciite rfceipts, one of which is to he forwarded to Iiead quarters, tliat you may l)ccome responsihie fur the articles delivered to your ordc;r : at the ;-ame time, tlic most liheral construction will he given to any representation accounting for such contingencies as are incidental to the service. [The roniaininj!: details in this letter arc omitted here.] :Sir James Saunu^rcz, Bart,* to Majui'-dcncral Druch. Si'iTiiEAi), April 14, 1812. Lieutenant Le Coutcur t heing ordered to join fiis regiment in Canada, permit me to recommend him to your kind notice : he is a promising young otticer, and being connected with our family, makes me interested for his welfare. I congra- tulate you upon your present distinguished aj)- pointment. A few weeks previous to my leaving town, 1 was informed by Lord Liverpool that Governor Gore had leave of absence, but that if he did not return to his command, he would be happy in taking: your services into consideration. From what his lordship was pleased to add, I have no doubt of your succeeding to the government, in the event of Governor Gore obtaining any other situation. r am on the ]ioint of returning to the Baltic, wiiere there appears a strong disposition on the * The late Admiral Lord de Saumarez, G.C.IJ., &c. ■^ The present Colonel Le Coutcur, Militia Aidc-de-Camp to the Uueeii, in Jersey. In the Unitrd Service Journal iov Octoha, I8HI, Colunel Le Couteur has described the winter march of the lOith rcjri- mcnt. early in IM !, from New iJrunsvvick to Canada, SIU ISAAC BKOCK. 14:5 to the I8:ii, til rctri- jurt of Russia and sonic of tlio otlier j»(nver» to rrsist the ag's^ressions of Bonaparte, — I trust wiili >\ ell-founded hopes of ultimate success. Major- ficncrul, Lc Coutcnr to Mnjoi'-Genernl lirock. Lisuox, April 10, \^\'2. 1 am here in consequence of a mistake in orders i^ent to mc by Lord Palmerston, to join tlie army in Portu<:;al, when his lordship meant Jamaica. On my arrival at Lisbon I found out the mistake, and 1 hope in a few days to sail for my real destination. My son, uhom you perhaps will remember an infant when you were in Jersey, will have the pleasure to deliver you this letter, if the lU4ih reiiiment be in your neighbourhood. He is only seventeen years old ; very young to be sent loost on tlj< wide world. Allow me to recommend him to y( r kindness and friendly jirotection ; and shoul he be quartered at some distance from you, permit me to request you will be so good as to introduce him to some steady officer, or to such ot vour friends as mi. dopar- turc for Quebec with recruits. His fhtlier, who is now in Portugal, had some hopes his sou iniirht liave heen allowed to be on his stnff; but it steins that could not take place until he has served a (jcrtain time in th«; regiment, lie is a young man (not yet eijjhteen) of an excellent dis])osition, edu- cated at Marlow, where he has given the most ])leasing testimonies of early professional abilities and attention to his duty. I shall esteem it u great favor, as well as his father, for any mark of atten- tion or notice which vou may have i\ in vour power to shew him whilst under your con}mand. Major-ijt'Hcral lirock to Sir George J'tiiroaf. York, April 22, ]iSl2. 1 had the honor yesterday to receive your ex- cellency's letter, dated the 21st ultimo, and 1 entreat you to believe that no act within my con- trol shall afford the government of the United States a legitimate pretext to add to a clamour which has been so artfully raised against England. We have received the account of the renewal of the embargo, and that the most rigorous measures have already been adopted to prevent the least infringement of it upon the IViagara river. Armed men, in coloured clothes, are continually patrol- ing along the shore. These troops are stated to have recentiv arrived, but I have not been able to ascertain whether they belong to the new levy or TO the militia. They arc rei)orted to amount to , SIR ISAAC nnocK. 14.J al)OUt .31 M>. Colonel Pro(;tor lius doubtless written fully on the subject, but unf'ortunutely tlie letttTs, by some negligence, were left ut Niagara. The ac- counts wliich have reached inc are not therefore so satisfactory us could be wished. An idle boy is stated to have wantonly fired with ball at the guard o|)posite Queenstown, and it appears that the Ame- ricans were guilty of a similar outrage by firing during the night into a room in which a woman was sitting. Luckily no mischief followed. Being detained here upon civil business, I have sent Captain Glegg over to see how matters stand, and to arrange with both civil and military the best means of preventing a recurrence of a practice which may easily lead to serious consequences. 1 liope to be at Niagara myself the day after to- morrow. I beg leave to assure your excellency, that I receive with no small degree of pride the praise bestowed on my endeavours to improve the militia system of this province ; and as the bill underwent some alterations after the departure of Colonel McDonnell, particularly in limiting its operation to the end of the ensuing session, I shall have the honor to forward for your excellency's information the law as now enforced. I have, by partial and gentle means, already commenced to give it ope- ration, and I make not the least doubt that a suffi- cient number will be found ready to volunteer to complete the flank companies ; and I here beg leave to call your excellency's attention to the 1' ■■ U(i l.ll K AM) ( UllIlKSI'ONDKNCi; iii(>aiiio8 six times in each nioiilli; hut as no pro- vision is matle for remiineratint; the men, I pre- sume to suhrnit for your excellonev's iridultrent consi(hration, that the commissaries he instructed to issue rations for the numher actually present at t'xercise. Tlicse companies J expect will be com- posed of the best description of irdud)itants, who in most cases will havf; to f^o a ^reat distance to attend parade; and, unless this liberal provision be allowed, will be liable to heavy expense, or be subject to considerable privations. According to my present arrangements, the number embodied will not exceed 7(M), and when the com|)anies are completed throu«^bout the province, they must be calculated at 1,H(M); ami, as during harvest ant' the winter months f(.'W or no parades will take place, the total expense attendirij^ the measure can be of no material consequence in a pecuniary point of view, and may in apolitical light be produciivc, at this juncture, of considerable benefit. J have likewise to request that such portion of clothin;^ as your excellency can conveniently spare from the king's stores, may be forwarded, to enable me to clothe such companies as are the most likely to be called upon duty. I am anxious to hear the real object of the em- bargo ; should it be directed solely against Eng- land, the probability is that it leads to a war ; but should France be included in its operation, nothing of the kind need be dreaded. till' flank as no pro- •n, I pro- irululp;<'>u iii«tr»ioti'(l prt>ent at 11 he corn- rants, who listance to rovision hv use, or be icordinp; to cinhodicd !) panics are [>y must be larvest aiu' i will take icasiire ean niary point )roduciive, portion of lenlly spare |l, to enable most likely of the cni- lainst Eng- |t war ; but )n, nothin*^^ I SIR ISAA( UnO( K. 147 In the expectation of havino the honor of seein*; vnur excellenrv shortiv at York, I limit, for the present, the works of the military artiticerh at this place, to pre))arin|jf a temj)orary maj^azinc for the reception of the spare powder at Fort (ieor^c and Kinuston, and the excavation of the ditch for the proposed fortifications of the spot on which the • rovernment house stands. I transmit, for your excellency's perusal, a de- tailed account of the transactions which led to the unjustifiable censure pass» l by the house of assem- blv upon Chief Justice Scott. It is written bv Mr. Nichol himself; and the warmth with which he has expressed his indignation at the wanton exercise of a power yet undefined, as far as regards this i)rovince, is not therefore surprising. I am convinced that whenever the business is brouj^ht letrallv before the iudjjjes, thev will refuse to sane- tion the enormous power, under the name of privi- Icue, which the house arrogates to itself The executive will in that case be placed in a very awkward predicament : Mr. Nic^hol having com- menced civil actions against the speaker and ser- geant at arms for false imprisonment, will, should he succeed in obtaining damages, bring the ques- tion with double force on the tapis. The violence and ignorance which, in all probability, will mark the proceedings of the house, cannot fail of pro- ducing a dissolution. I aj)ply forcibly to ministers for instructions, but should they be contrary to the opinion which the judges of the court of king's lU III 5 ^ \\A !i it • f !l 14.S i.iii: AM> < oiiui^i'uMniNf i: OF Im'iicIi liavf rornii'd of tlie law, I am led to hclicvi tl itli th u'V will not intliit'iicc Xh-- iinnnhors ; tljcn'fbro, uiic of two alternatives ui'. '. 'ic r98(»rto(l to, cither tile a|»i»oifjtmriit of more docile judges, or the decision of the question by a IJritiijii act of parlia- nu'tit. I trust, for the tran(|uillity and prosperity of the province, that the latter mode may he pre- ferred. I have thus freely, and perhaps with rather too mucii haste to he sufficiently ex|)licit, stated the difhculties which in all likelihood I shall have to encounter at the next meeting; of the letiislature. Should the (ffcct of the embargo appear to be directed solely at Great Britain, I shall avail mv- self of the confidence placed in me, and order the purchase of horses, to enable the car brij^ade to act in case of necessity. This, being a service wlilch requires infinite trouble and practice to bring to any degree of perfection, cannot be too soon attended to. Sir George Prcvost to Major-General liroch. QuEHEC, April 30, 1812. I have just heard from Mr. Foster that the secretary at war, at Washington, has transmitted orders to Governor Tompkins, of New York, to send 500 of the state militia to Niagara, 500 to the mouth of the Black River, opposite to King- ston, and GOO to Champlain, in consequence of the hostile appearances in Canada. Mr. Foster is of opinion the government of the United States cal- bc'licvi! n'tbre, either or the parliu- isperity be pre- is Witll xplicit, hood I of tilt r to be ail rny- •cler the ^ude to service !tice to he too [k. 812. at the siuitted ork, to 5(X) to King- of the er is of tes cal- Major-ircnvrnl limrk. (^EDKc. May 14, iHl'J. I have great satisfaction in telling you that I have reported the Glenffary liirht infantry more than complete to the establishment of 4(K) rank and file, and have received Sir George Prevosl's commands to recruit for a hij^her establislnuent : indeed, the quotas the officers have engai;ed to fulfil will nearly amount to double that number ; and from the verv great success that has attended our exertions, I have no doubt of succeeilinjr bv the end of this vear. Two officers have divided Nova Scotia and New Brunswick for their hunting ground, and are permitted to recruit Acadians ; and Lieutenant Ronald M'Dounell, of the Cana- dians, proceeds in r 'ow days lo Picfoii and the W \ I 1' I i i s \v :l ii loO I. in: AM) ( ORRESPONDENfE OF i ' ' li liinhlnnfl poltlrmonts on the coast and gulf: lie is an ofliccr tliat a])pcars to be eminently qualified for that service, and lie is sanfruino that the proflTer of lands in the Scotch pottlenicnts of Upper Canada will induce great numbers to enter. I am assured from various channels that the men I Iiavo «rot are generally young, rather too much so, and of a good descri))tion, there being very few Yankees amongst them. I have long letters from ray friends at liome, giving me a detailed account of the death of my excellent and best of friends : the duke of York sat by liis bedside for half an hour the day before he died, and, Somerville says, was extremely af- fected. Sir James, (Craig,) on the contrary, ral- lied from the jileasure he experienced from this condescendiiiir kindness. Sir James had a codicil urilten fair ibr liis signature, the chief object of which was to add a legacv for a female cousin whom he did not know to be in existence, and to direct the sale of the priory and freehold, which cost l*2,0iX) guineas, to enable the payment of the letracies : this instrument, not havinu been exe- cuted, will lead to what he most deprecated and w ished to avoid, a lawsuit. The heirs at law will possess the freehold ; and Wilkie, who, besides ;£n,0()i), is left the two houses in London, furni- ture, &c., as residuary legatee, will be stripped of the whole that is not given by special bequest, to make up the legacies : he will however, I believe, liave at least j£l 0,000 left — very ample payment for his services. : lie is Lialifiod proffer Canada assured not are id of .1 Yankees home, of my .f York '• before lely af- rv, ral- 3m this codicil )joct of cousin and to which of the icn exe- ed and aw will besides , furni- pped of uest, to believe, avment ^ 1 SlU ISAAC imocK. ir,i sir Georjxc has announced his intention of re- coniniendiiifj Battersbv to be lieutenant-colonel of the Glenrrary corps, and ordered him to take the command of the recruits assembled at Tliree Rivers. Your major of brigade* will be recommended to succeed to his majority in the kinjjj's regiment. Mnjor-Gencral Broch to Sir George Prcvost. York, May 1(5, 1812. 1 have this dav been honored with vour excel- lencv's confidential communication, dated the 3()th ultimo. I have long since thouGjht that nothinn; but the public voice restrained the Ignited States govern- ment from commencing direct hostilities; and it is but reasonable to expect that they will seek every oj)|)ortunity to influence the minds of the people against England, in order to bring them the more readilv into their measures. It will be mv study to guard against every event that can give them any just cause of complaint ; but the proximity of the two countries will in all probability produce collisions which, however accidentally brought about, will be represented as so many acts of ag- gression. It would not surprise me if their first attempt to excite irritation were the seizing of the islands in the channel, to which both countries lav claim : such was rc])resented to Sir James Craig on a former occasion to be their intention. * The prospnt Major-Ccneral Thomas Evans. (Mi then a caiitain of the sth toot. 1 • rii ■ t ! m ,3 't ■ 3 \ . I I H tl ( 1 M' J.>2 LIFF. AND CORnESPO:fDEN( E OF In addition to the force specified by your cxccl- Iciicy, I nnderstnnd timt six companies of the Oliio militia are intended for Detroit. Our inte- rests with the Indians will materially suffer in con- sequence of these extensive preparations l)einrsing, assured me that an exceedingly good dis))osition prevailed among the ])eople. The flank companies, in the districts in which tliey have been established, were instantly completed with volunteers, and indeed an almost unanimous disposition to serve is daily manifested. I shall proceed to extend this system now I have ascertained that the peo})le are so well disposed — but mv means are very limited. T propose detaching \i)i) rank and file of the 41st refjimenf to Amherstburo", almost immediately. I '% r SIR ISAAC UKO( K \rj^ cxpol- of the ir inte- in con- beiii<5 always )uld be part of brcc to placed ided to Its bnr- Black e force, rsion to iians of he bead 1 bad bat ail nnir the icts in istantly almost festcd. I bave osed — of the diatelv. Colonel Dayncs to Major-dlcturnL lirock. QtEpEf, May '21, 1H12. Sir Georjje has allowed me to make the follow- ing extracts from a dispatch of Mr. Foster's, dated the 28tb April, which I do in the minister's own words : " The American government aH'ect now to liave taken every step incumbent on the (jxccutive as preparatory to war, and leave the ultimate deci- sion to non Tlio circniiistanc" wliioli liappcncd to fiir iiuard statioiK'fl opposite to (iiiccii^towri, arrived Iwrv. niiicli exaogerated. Your account of it silenced tlie idle reports in circulation. T a^'rce with vou in dcijlorino; the limitation, until the ond of the ensuiny; session, in the opera- tion of the militia act for Tppcr Canada; hut as in th(! event of hostilities it mi<^ht not he possihh' to convene the le^jislature, then the hill would in all prohahility continue in force durinix the war, provided you were not induced to make an exer- tion for a more perfect law. Colonel Bavncs havin"; informed me lie had an opportunity of communicatinn; with you more ex- peditiously than hy j)ost, J desired him to make you acquainted with the peaceful intellifccnce I had just received from Mr. Foster; hut aithou;,;Ii it comes with a good deal of reservation, still it warrants me in recommendin<^ the most rigid <'('onomv in carrvinfj on the kinq;'s service, and in avoiding all expense that has not become abso- lutely necessary, as it is with the utmost difficulty money can be raised for the ordinary service. r am apprelienslvc that T cannot look forward to the pleasure of seeing you before the end of August, as my presence in the province is become indispensably necessary during the first operation of the new militia law. Many thanks for the particulars of the transac- tion which led to the censure nassed bv the house of assemblv on Chief Justice Scott. 8 i,,.tj i u i ( 1/ l.j(i I UK AN!) ( OHUESPONUKNCi: OF CHAPTER \ [I. It will 1)0 a«enrcelv fiftv houses; and 18 miles lower, anil within four of the termination of tlie sirait, is the British villane of Amherstburi^, then eontaininp; ahoit one hundred houses, and a fort where a small <;arrison Avas maintained, and where the principsd vessels for the service of Lake Erie were constructed The American villafre of Brownstown stands nearly opposite to Andierstburir, which is distant from ()uel)ec bv the m ircst route by water Sl-"3 miles, from Fort Erie about '2oO miles, and from York 31 o miles. Lake b^rie, from Miamis Bav to the entrance of the straits of Niagara, is in length 2»j7 miles, in breadth (14 miles, and in circumference ()oH miles. The greatest dejith of water is between forty and foi'tv-tive fathom*;, but a very rockv bottom ren- ders the anchorage unsafe in blowin\) M the harbour, and oontaitis a clonk yard, in wliloh rhe Americans built their Lake l^rie fleer. To the eastward of the town staiuls a stronjr batterv, and on the ])oint of the Peninsula forming' tlie harbour, ;i bio(;k house, for the protection of tliis naval depot. The rivers Raisin, Sandusky, and ^Miiimi, the scenes of imj)ortant ojierations durinjjf tli<' war, discharjxe themselves into Lake Erie. On tiie north-western side of the entrance to tiie Via^rara river stands, at a distance of Od-J miles t'roni (Quebec, the British fort Va'w, at best a very 'uconsiderablc work. Near to the same outh;r from Lake Erie is Buffalo Creek, on the border of which is built the American village of Buffalo; and about 2 miles beyond it. Black Rock, where there is a battery, and a ferry, al>out 80() yards across, to Bertie, in tapper Canada. The Nian^ara pro- ceeds at a quick rate past several small and one large island, called (rrandc Isle, 10 miles long ; about 2 miles below which, on the American side, and distant 2 miles from the Falls, is the site of Fort Schlosser. At about the same distance from the Falls, on the opposite side, standing on the northern bank of the river Chippewa, is the Bri- tish village of tlie same name, distant from Fort Erie 17 miles. Chippewa consisted chiefly of store houses ; and near it was a small stockaded work, called Fort Chippewa. At the distance of "23 miles from the entrance to the Niagara, is Goat Island, about half a mile hng, and which extends lo the precij)ico that gives rise to the celebrated I »l i a \in) Liri: AND connESi'ONDENc i: mf Falls. Tlic larprr l)o7, and on the New York side 10*2, feet perpendicularly. Fron the caiaract, the river is a continued rapid, half a mile in width, for about 7 miles. At this point stand, opposite to each other, the villages of Queenstown and Lewistown. The latter, situate upon the American side, contained, till destroyed as a retaliatory measure, between fortv and fiftv houses. At about six mih;s and a half from (^ueenstown, near to the river side, stands Fort Georiije, then constructed of earthen ramparts and palisades of cedar, and mounting no heavier metal tiian 0-pounders. About half a mile below Fort George, and close to the borders of Lake (Jntario, stood the beautiful and Hourishin^ villafre of Newark, which was burnt by the Americans. Directly opposite to Newark, upon a neck of land projecting: partly across the mouth of the river, which is here 875 yards in width, stands the American fort of Niagara, the scene of so many conflicts. It was built by the French in 1751; taken by us in 1759;* and, along with ;/ ^ ' The jgih British rugimcnt assist'jd at the reduction of this fort in July, ir^y. .<' V ■i.^ SIR HAAC HROf'K. Kil sovnvfil oilirr frontier posts, ocded fo tho riiitcd Sfatrs in 171)4; and, tlioiitjjli sinco t!ik«Mi, liiis nf aefivc warfare durinix ''•(), and in cireiimfereru;e 4(17 miles. Tho depth of water varies much, it beinrij in some places three or four, in others Hfty fathoms : towards thece!itre three hundred fathoms of line have, it is said, not found the bottom. York harbour lies on the north side of Lake Ontario; is nearly circular, of about a mile and a half in dianetcr, and formed by a narrow j)cninsula ex- tendinji' to (iibraltar Point, upon wliich a block- house has been erected. The town of York, (now called Toronto,) the infant capital of Upper Ca- nada, is in hit. 43^ :J-j' north, and lon;\ >:v^ i/.A 1G2 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF Kingston harbour is situate at the eastern ex- tremity of Lake Ontario. It contains f^ood anchor- ao;e in tliree fathoms water, and was defended bv a small battery of 9-poiinders on Mississaga Point, and another, of the same metal chiefly, on Point Fred(.'rick. The town, wliich was the lar>.- SIR ISAAC BUO( K. lO-J I go- ;fore spells CHAPTER VTIl. Tli(.' discussions which had been so long pending between Great Britain and the United States, as- sumed, during the winter of 1811-12, a very serious aspect. But many did not believe that the latter ))0wer was inclined to proceed to extremities; while others, who foresaw that it onlv awaited a favorable moment to invade the Canadas, which were supposed ripe for revolt and would therefore fall an easy conquest, were prepared to expect what soon after followed, a declaration of war against Great Britain. As this was not the first time that the American government had proceeded to menaces, and as the northern and eastern states were known to be averse to hostilities, the British rainistrv were de- luded into a belief that peace would yet be main- jained. Mr. Foster, the English minister at Washington, seems to have partaken of this delu- sion, for it does not appear that he had taken any precautionary measures to convey to the governor of the British North American Provinces the ear- liest intellisjence of the declaration of war on the 18th June, 1812 ; and, had it not been for the prudent foresight of some British merchants at 4 ir ' V m ail f* ? Ill I ■ fei I) !()(> MFE AND ( ORUKSl'ONDE.NC i: 01' New York, it is possible that the first intinuUion would have been received from the mouths of tlie American cannon. To Upper Canada Mr. Foster sent no notice whatever of the war, and Major- General IJrock Avas left to learn it officiallv throujjjh the circuitous and dilatory channel of the governor-general. Happily, individual dili- rovince in as resj)ectable a state of defence as his verv limited means would admit. The instant the navigation opened in the spring, a supj)ly of ordnance and other stores was hurried up to fort St. Joseph; and its commandant, (,'ap- tain Roberts, was instructed to be constantly on his guard. Similar precautions were adoj)ted relative to Amhtrstburg:, to which post Major- General Brock paid a visit early in June, and fcjrtunately took witli him a reinforcement of 100 men of the 4lst regiment. But in the execution of his plans he had to encounter manv obstacles, among which tlie subordinate nature of his command was not the least formidable. Even as late as the 27th Mav, Sir George Prevost does not seem to have consi- dered hostilities so near, as on that day he recom- mended to Maior-General Brock the most riirid economy in carrying on the public service, and in avoiding all expense that was not absolutely neces- sary, on the plea of the great difficulty of raising monev. Sir George has, however, been wronolv accused of not sending anv instructions whatever to Major-General Brock for some weeks after he received intimation of the war, as he did so from Montreal on the 7th and 10th of Julv, or in less than a fortnight afterwards ; but, either from liis dispatches not being transmitted by express, or from some other unexplained cause, they did not reach their destination until the 29tii of Julv, or ' * ' 1 i • < ; I'l ' i { 1 ' V i \ i i 1 ■ 1 ,i^ \ J ':| : 1()8 LII'K AND (;OHRKSl'ONDEN( E OF exactly five weeks after tlic declaration of war was known in U|)per Canada. On the breaking out of hostilities, the re«iidar force in Upper Canada arnounfr d to barely 1,5(.M> men, including seamen, as under : 41st Regiment IKK) lUth V'eterans ^-OO Newfoundland Regiment 2^50 Roval Artillery 50 Provincial Seamen fjO Total 1500 men. This force had to occupy the forts St. Joseph, Amherstburg, and Chippewa — Tort Erie and Fort George — and York and Kingston — to maintain the superiority on the lakes; to j)reserve the com- munication and escort convoys between Coteau de Lac and Kingston ; and to defend an assailable i'rontier of nearly 800 miles, reckoning from the confines of Lower Canada to Amherstburg, and excludinff the British coast from the Detroit to Fort Sf. Joseph. With this v^v^ inadequate force, it was the opinion of the highest authorities that the country could not be maintained. Miior- General Brock was well aware that, in carrying on the war along so extensive a frontier, uncovered bv a siiiijle fortress of strength, and with such a handful of regular troops, he could only expect success in the aid and zealous co-operation of the people. But the province had long been torn by intestine disputes, and the prevailing faction — SIR ISAAC DUOCK. KiO A' war was lu; rop:iilar rely l,^iU(^ [KH) 2.50 50 50 500 men. St. Joseph, ie and Fort maintain ^'6 the com- 1 Cotean dc n assaiUi)»le 170 LIFE AND ( OIIUESI'ONDEXCK OF imiiiodiatcly ostahlis-licd his head (jiiartcrs. It w.'is at first liis inlontion to capture the o|)|)osite Ame- rican fort Niagara; hut tlic higli respoiisihiiity he %vas about to assumo, of acting Avithout instructions or an official coniniunieation, being represented to liim, he confined himself to collecting and pre- paring his snjall force for otlensive or defensive operations. Early in July he j)rocured a " Na- tional Intelligencer,'' win'ch contained the act ot congress declaratory of war, and the message of the president accompanying it, and this informa- tion was of course decisive. Colonel Baynm to Major' Gene ml Brock. Quebec, June So, 181*2. Sir George Prcvost desires me to inform vou that he has this instant received intelligence froni jMr. Richardson, by an express to the north-west company, announcing that the American govern- ment had declared war against Great Britain. This dispatch left New York on the 20th instant, and does not furnish anv other circumstance of • intellinence whatever. Ilis excellency is induced to give perfect and entire credit to this report, although it has not yet reached through any offi- cial channel. Indeed, the extraordinary dispatch which has attended this courier, fully explains his not having received the minister's letters, of which he will not fail to jjive vou the earliest intimation. Mr. Richardson informs his excellency that it is the intention of the company to send six large !l s. It was site Anie- sibility lie structions esented to lUid pre- (lefoiisivo Nfi- a 4( lie act of iessa<^e of" iiiformu- , 181-2. form vou ;rice f'roiii lortli-west n govern- Britairi. Ii instant, stance of 3 induced is report, any offi- dispatch plains his of which itiraation. that it is six large SIR ISAAC MROCK. 171 canoes to receive their furs by the Grand River, (or Ottawa,) and shoidd it he thought expedient to reinforce the post of St. Joseph, that they will he able to carry six soldiers in each boat.* Anxious as Sir George leels to render you everv aid in his power, and to afford every possible assistance and protection to th le north-west com- pany, who have on their part assured his excel- lency of their ready and active co-operation to the utmost of their ability, his excellency, nevertheless, does not think it advisable, under existinnj circum- stances, to weaken the 41)th re I! ^ i: i-i m ! I 174 LIFE ANT) CORRESPONDENTE OF liouses of congress ; that is, whether war be actu- ally declared. The car brigade lias been completed for service with horses belonging to gentlemen, who spared them free of expense. I have not been honored with a line from Mr. Foster, nor with all my endeavours Iiave I been able to obtain information of any consequence. The Prince Regent made her first voyage this morning, and I purpose sending her to Kingston this evening, to bring such articles as are abso- lutely necessary, which we know have arrived from Quebec. I trust she will out-sail the Oneida brig. Colonel Baynes to Mojor-Gcnoral Brock. Montreal, July 4, 1812, We have a report here of your having com- menced operations by levelling the American fort at Niagara. The n;eneral is most anxious to hear good and recent intelligence from your quarter. There is no considerable assembly of troops in our neighbourhood as yet ; the Hank companies, embo- died under Colonel Young, are on their march, and the 2,000 militia will form a chain 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 and drilled, and will take their proportion of garrison duty to relieve the troops. The proclamation for declaring martial law is prepared, and will be 1 SIR ISAAC DROCK. 1 /•) ! ! 3e actu- service spared om Mr. I been qiience. gc this jngston e abso- arrived Oneida 1812, g Corn- wall fort to hear quarter. t? in our , embo- marcli, >f posts militia ,000 in led and garrison tion for will be m I ? s])ecdily issued. All aliens will be required to take the oath of allegiance, or immediately quit the j)rovince. Our cash is at its last issue, and u substitute of paper must per force be resorted to. This has been Sir George's j)rincipal object in callintr the leirislature tofjether. You have a verv arduous and difficult card to play, and have our sincere and confident wishes for your success. Sir George strongly recommends extreme modera- tion in the use of the Indians, and to keep them in control as much as possible. [This letter cnntains the details of a larpe and armed assembly at La Chine, near Montreal, of Freneh Canadians, who refused to serve m the embodied militia. They were dispersed by the liisht eompany if the 4!Kh, and a detachment of artillery with two tield pieces, under the command of Major Pleiulerleath, of the (!»th, but not before om- Canadian was killed and another dangerously woundetl.] Sir George Prcvost to Major-Gencral lirnck. Montreal, July 7, 181'i. It was only on my arrival at Montreal that 1 received Mr. Foster's notification of the congress of the United States havinjj declared war against Great Britain ; the fact had been previously ascer- tained through mercantile channels. I am convinced you have acted wisely in ab- staining from offensive operations, which in their effect might have united a people governed by public opinion, and among whom too much divi- sion exists, at this moment, to admit of its influ- ence in promoting vigorous measures against us. The manner of the flank companies of militia turning out must have been very satisfactory to \\ IM 17G LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF you. I hope your supplies of ordnance and ord- nance stores, on their way from Kingston, have arrived safe. I have caused arms, accoutrements and ammu- nition, to be forwarded for the use of the Corn- wall, Stormont, 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 prejudice 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 ser- vices of the Indians ; but restrain and control them as much as you can. Whatever appoint- ments you deem indispensably necessary you are authorized to make, as well as the sacrifice of some money to gain them over. It is projier we should maintain our ascendancy over the Indians, and feed with proper food their predeliction for us. Colonel Lethbi'idge, an inspecting field officer, Is under orders for Kingston, and there to wait your commands. ': :! -1 Colonel Baynes to Major-General Brock. Montreal, July 8, 1812. I was highly gratified yesterday in receiving your letters of the 3d July, for we have felt ex- tremely anxious about you ever since we have learnt the unexpected declaration of war, which had been so lonsT threatened that no one believed silt ISAAC BROCK. 1// I'J i! it v;oiild ever seriously tako place ; and oven now it is the prevailing opinion that, from the ojiposi- tion testified by the eastern states, offensive niea- surrs j not likely to be speedily adopted ajjainst this f untry. Sir George is inclined to let these sentiments take their course, and as little advan- tage would accrue by more active measures on our part, our present plans are all defensive. General de Rottenburg is arrived, and the flank companies embodied are on their way : this corps, with the embodied militia, will form a chain from La Prairie to St. John's, with a light corps advanced in their front. We have reports of the 103d regi- ment being in the river, and, it is added, recruits for the 100th regiment. Sir George has had applications from so many quarters for militia below Kingston, that to insure a general arrangement and to adopt the best system that circumstances will admit, he has directed Colonel Lethbridge, the inspecting field officer here, to proceed through the line of settlements to see the several colonels and corps of militia so a^^ ro fix their quotas, and afterwards to proceed to Kingston and assume the command of that post, if necessary : he will be placed under your orders, but you will perhaps not wish to bring him in contact with the 41st regiment, as he is senior to Colonel Proctor. Sir George desires me to say, that he does not attempt to prescribe specific rules for your guid- ance — they must be directed by your discretion II* i ' :,! '•■ , mi ii t\'\ \M ,: 17^^ LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF i '.1 and tlie circumstances of the time : the present order of the day with liim is forbearance, until hostilities are more decidedly marked. Sir George Provost to Major- General Brock. Montreal, July 10, 1812. Colonel Lethbridge's departure for Kingston affords me an opportunity of replying more fully and confidentially to your letter of the Od instant, than I could venture to have done the day before yesterday by an uncertain conveyance. That officer has been desired to transmit to you, toge- ther with this dispatch, a copy of the instructions given to him for his guidance until the exigencies of the service make it necessary in your estimation to substitute others, or to employ the colonel in any other situation of command. In them you will find expressed my sentiments respecting the mode of conducting the war on our part, suited to the existing circumstances ; and as they change, so must we vary our line of conduct, adapting it to our means of preserving entire the king's pro- vinces. Our numbers would not justify ofl'ensive opera- tions being undertaken, uidess they were solely calculated to strengthen a defensive attitude. I consider it prudent and politic to avoid any mea- sure which can in its effect have a tendency to unite the people in the American States. Whilst disunion prevails among them, their attempts on these provinces will be feeble; it is, therefore, our ■\ SIR ISAAC nUO( K. 17<) diitv carefully to avoid committina; anv act whicii may, even by construction, tend to unite tl'.e eastern and southern states, unless, by its perpetratioM, we are to derive a considerable and important advan- taife. But tlie n;overnmeiit of the United States, resting on public opinion for all its measures, is liable to sudden and violent changes ; it becomes an essential part of our duty to watch the eiiect of parties on its measures, and to adapt ours to tjje impulse given by those possessed of influence over the public mind in America. Notwithstanding these observatio' -, I have to assure you of my perfect confidence in your mea- sures for the preservation of Upper 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 have afforded, in arms and ammunition, to vour militia at Cornwall, Glengary, Dundas, 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 Kingston ; and as Major-General de Rotten- burg is to remain here in command of a cordon of troops, consisting of regulars and militia, (esta- blished in this neighbourhood to prevent an irrup- tion for the plunder of Montreal,) whilst I attend to parliamentary duties at Quebec, on that subject you may communicate direct with the major- 1 f,. H 1 ■ i i 1 i i 1 11 i 1 i; 18(j LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF Efeneral, as he has my instructions to co-operate with you on preserving this important object. Major-Gcneral Brock to Sir George Prevost. Fort George, July 12, 1812. Witli the exception of occasional firing from the opposite shore, (the unauthorized act of an undis- ciplined militia,) nothing of a hostile nature has occurred on this communication since I last had the honor of addressing your excellency. The enemy is busy constructing batteries at different points in the river, but he does not ap- pear to have yet received cannon to place in them. We are doing all we can on this side to counteract his views, and the arrival this morning of the Royal George and the vessels under her convoy, brin-T^ing various pieces of ordnance, will give us in this respect a decided superiority. The militia, which assembled here immediately on the account being received of war being de- clared by the United States, have been improving daily in discipline ; but 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 attend to their farms, that I found myself in some measure compelled to sanc- tion the departure of a large proportion ; and I am not without my apprehensions that the remainder will, in defiance of the law, which can only impose a fine of j£20, leave the service tlie moment the harvest commences. There can be no doubt that « I SIR ISAAC nUOCK. 181 a large portion of the jjopiilation in tills nei<»li- l)ourhood are sincere in their professions to detcrul the country ; but it appears likewise evident to nie that the greater part are either indifl'erent to what is passing, or so completely American as to rejoice in the prosp<*Gt of a change of government. Many who now consider our means inadequate, would readily take an active [)art were the regular troops increased. These cool calculators are nume- rous in all societies. The alacrity and good temper with which the militia, in the first instance, marched to the fron- tiers, have tended to infuse in the mind of the enemy a very different sentiment of tlie disposition of the inhabitants, 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, I have every reason to believe, in that expectation. 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 con- fidence can be placed, they would not only over- awe the disaffected, but prove of essential use in the event of invasion. The militia assembled in a wretched state in regard to clothing ; many were without shoes, an article which can scarcely be provided in the country. After the cannon, which have arrived this morn- :t 1 i'l- • ^•i I 'lU r^ 1 , I .- If •1. ■ 182 LIFE AND COnnESPONDENf E OF in«j;, are mounted, 1 shall consider my front per- fc'ctlv secure. I do not ima^ino the enemy will hazard a water excursion with a view to turn my flanks. He probably will wait until winter, when the ice will 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 the enemy may bring to invade the pro- vince. Should the troops have to move, the want of tents will be severely felt. A person who left Sandwich yesterday week, pretends that the enemy was then in the act of cannonading the place. I have not heard from Lieut.-Colonel St. George since my last letter to vour excellency. An officer is so absolutely necessary to command in the eastern district, that I have consented to Major- General Shaw proceeding thither in that capacity. I have full confidence in his judgment, and his conduct in the field is undoubted. He of course will assume the command in virtue of his militia rank, and will be liable to be superseded by any lieutenant-colonel vour excellency may be pleased to appoint. The expense of defending this province will unquestionably be great ; upon a rough calculation, and supposing that 4,000 militia be constantly embodied, it cannot be estimated at less than .£140,000 per annum. However great the sum, it will be applied to very considerable advantage, [)rovided your excellency be enabled to send rein- SIR ISAAC BUCK K. U rn'('(|(»m iiU'l in(lo])( ndenct? we now enjoy. Mciny; cliildrcn, tln'reiorc, nf the siuiir I'lunily witli ii>i, and li(>ir>i to llii> sainc! li'Titnifc, flu; arrival of an army of rru'tid«i must 1)0 Iiailod li\ . ou witli a oordinl wclconio. You will lie cuianripafc*! from tyranny and oj>prc"«xion,nnd rc^^tonjil to the ditjniticd station of t'roenien. Had r any (h)Mht of cventiia! sucooss, I miyht ask your assistance; but I do not. I conic propaird tor every con- tiuffcncy. I have a force which will look down all oppo- sition, and that force h but the vani^uard of a much vrreater. If, contrary to your own interests and the just expectation of my country, you should take part in the api)roachin !\( I m 1 * • I , Hi «tl [ !!; s I / 1 1 1!)4 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF I DOW express my apprehensions on a supposition that the slender means your excellency })ossesses %vill not admit of diDiinution ; consequently, that 1 need not look for reinforcements. It is evi- dently not the intention of the enemy to make any attenij)t to penetrate into the province by this strait, udIcss the present force be diminished. He seems much more inclined to work on the flanks, aAvare that if he succeed every other part Diust verv soon submit. My last official communication from the Lower Province is dated the 25th ultimo, when the adju- tant-general announced the receipt of intellif;:ence, by a mercantile house, of war being declared by the United States against Great Britain. Major-Gencral Sir Thomas Saumarcz, Kt.,* ta Major- General Brock. Halifax, July 22, 1812. Being this moment informed that an express is. to be dispatched immediately from hence to Que- bec, I have great pleasure in having an opportu- nity to inquire after your health and welfare, and to acquaint you that your relation, Lady Saumarez, and mvself, arrived here about a month since. I assure j'oii we consider ourselvco particularly for- tunate in not having fallen into the enemy's hands, as the Americans had declared war a week before we reached this. We came out in a very valuable * General Sir Thnmas Saumarcz, now in his S5th year, and brother ot the late AUmiral Lord de Saumarez. I supposition y possesses lentlv, that It is evi- 3 make any ce bv this • [liniinished. ork on the other part I the Lower DH tlie adju- intellifjence, declared bv ,* to Major- 2-2, 1812. n express is !nce to Que- an opportu- ivclfare, and V Saumarez, th since. I icularlv for- niy's hands, week before ery valuable |-ear, and brother SIR ISAAC nnocK. iD'j ordnance store ship, wlilch would have been a great acfjuisilion to the enemy, at the brcakinjij out of a war esj)ecially ; and the loss to us would have ])i'f'n seriouslv felt here, as all the stores on board were very much required. Another ship witli naval stores accompanied us; they were much wanted by our squadron, and possibly as much &o by the ships of the enemy. Our squadron on this station has been very active. Prizes arrive here dailv, I could almost say hourly. The Emulous brit; brouujht in ten vestcrday, and 30,000 dollars were found on board some of them. Mr. Foster, late ambassador to the American States, has been here nearlv a week ; he is to sail for Enccland to- day. Accordino; to the best information we can obtain here, the Northern and Eastern States of America are extremely inimical to, and dissatisfied with, the war; so much so, that there is reason to suppose they will dissolve the Union shortly, and declare themselves totally independent of the Southern and Western States. The American privateers are extremely nume- rous and daring in this neighbourliood ; and, I am sorry to add, they have proved but too successful, having captured several of our vessels bound to ((Quebec and New Bn Mswick, and some to tliis ))ort. I received a note about an hour ago from Lieut. -Colonel Pearson, wdio sailed from hence last Sunday, with his wife and family, for Quebec, being appointed inspecting field ofiicer in Canada, to inform me that he had been made prisoner by '■:■ )! ?■ I :• '/ i l I ' m }\ ion I.IFK AND rORHESrONDENCE OF an American privateer. Most of our sliips arc looking out for the sf|ua(lron the Americans have at sea, under Commodore Ro(lu;ers, who is supposed to have sailed from New York witli a view to intercept our West India fleet homeward hound. We are as husy here as possihie in placing all our out-posts in the hest state of defence. I sup- pose you are not less so. A transport, with 140 men of the Royals, from the West Indies to Quebec, was boarded by the Essex Americnn frigate about ten days ago, and permitted to proceed, on condition that the master of the vessel promised to pay a ransom of 12,0(J0 dollars for her ; and that the officer commanding considered himself on parole, and gave his- assur- ance that the troo|)s would not fight against the Americans during the war. The transport arrived here yesterday, and the remainder of the battalion is supposed to have reached Quebec. You have probably heard of the many improve- ments in our little island. An excellent road was finished from town to Vazon Bay, and from Fort George to llocquaine ; also one from town to Lan- cresse. The Brave du Valle is now under a sta^^'^ of cultivation. Roads of communication were nearly finished; one of them from what is called the Long Store passes Amherst Barracks and my house, and joins the great road to the Forest and St. Martin's : the opening of all these have dis- covered many beautiful views, which we did not know the island possessed. SIR ISAAC nU()( K. 11)7 ' sliips arc ricans liave is siip|)osc(l a view to (I hound, placing all ce. I sup- ovals, from tied bv the s aii(,'Ii uide room for suspicion ; and rciiily to ex- pect tliiit this fickh; nice will remain in a state of ncntralitv in the midst of war, would he truly uhsurd. The Indians Jiave probably been led to this (diangc of sentiment by emissaries from (iene- ral Hull, whose j)rochimation to the Six Nations is Jierewith enclosed. I huve not deemed it of sufficient conseciucncc to commence active operations on this line, by an attack on Fort Niajj^aru. It can be demolislied, ^lien found necessary, in hiilf an hour, and there mv means of annoyance would terminate. To enable the militia to acquire sonio de;j;ree of disci- pline witliout interruption, is of far greater conse- quence than such a conquest. Every thin^; in my power shall be done to overcome tlie difficulties by ^vhich I am surrounded; but without stron"; reinforcements, I fear the country cannot be routed ' ft to make exertions eqi.d to meet this crisis. I proceed immediately to York, to attend the meetinj^ of the legislature, and I hope to return on Wednesday. The charge of this frontier will in the mean time devolve on Lieut. -Colonel Myers, ft ' who appears worthy of every confidence. The actual invasion of the province has compelled me to recall that portion of the militia whom I per- mitted to return home and work at harvest. I am pre|)ared to hear of much discontent in conse- quence ; the disaffected will take advantage of it, and add fuel to the flame. But it may not be sin ISAAf IIIIOCK. JO i net ofTords }iillv to ex- II ji state of il he truly jt'Cii led to Voiii (Jeiie- Natioiis is 0iise([ucncc Hue, bv ati lemolislied, , aud there liuate. To ce of dij^ci- catcr couse- :liinn I 204 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OK in a modified form. Not only amonjj tiie militir* was a diisposition evinced to submit tamely, but five hundred in tlie western district souirht the protection of the enemy. It is true that the people tlien were far removed from the seat of irovern- menf, and the more subject to liostile influence, as they were principally composed of French Cana- dians and of the natives of the United States, or their immediate descendants; but even the In- dians, who were located on the Grand River, in the lieart of the province, positively refused, with a few exceptions, to take up arms ; and they an- nounced their intention, after the leturn of some of their chiefs from General Hull, to remain neu- tral, as if thev wished the authorities to believe that they would remain in peace in the midst of war. Major-General Brock had not long admi- nistered the government of the province, but where he was individually known, and where his personal influence extended, a better feeling prevailed ; and his counter-proclamation served not only to ani- mate the well disposed, but to counteract the machinations of the disaflected. The confident tone of his address to the provincial parliament was also productive of the best eflects, whatever inward misgivings he might feel ; and those who were dastaraly enough to join the invaders of their native or adopted country, were quickly taught to repent of their baseness and treason. 1^ 1^ < i militiri Iv, but ^ht the ; people o-overn- encc, as h Canu- ,ates, or the In- 1,1 ver, in k1, with hey aii- of some ain neu- > believe midst of I or ad mi- lit where personal ed ; and to ani- ract the jonfident rliament whatever ose who of their laught to SIK ISAAC lUlOCK. •2or> CHAPTER X. We have mentioned that Major-General Brock, had in the spring provided for the protection of Fort St. Joseph, a small British post, distant by water nearly 700 Imndred miles from York, and situate about 40 miles, also by water, to the north-east of the American island and fort of Michilimakinack, or Makinack, which island is in latitude 45° 3-5' north, and longitude 84° 30' west ; and one of his first cares, on hearing of the declaration of the war, was to send, on the 2()th of June, a notification of it to Captain Roberts, who was stationed at St. Joseph with a detachment of the 10th Royal Veteran Battalion, accompanied by orders to make an immediate attack upon Michilimakinack, if practicable ; or, in the event of an attack by the Americans upon St. Joseph, to defend it to the utmost. Captain Roberts re- ceived at the same time another letter from jNIojor- General Brock, dated the 27th June, suspending the orders for the attack from tlie uncertainty he was under of the declaration of war. In a third letter, dated Fort George, the 28th June, Major- General Brock, being sufiiciently informed of siieli a declaration, directed Captain Roberts to adopt 1 ii ! i ' » I i 1 i 1 i. I Hi. ; 2()() LIFE A\D CORRESPO-VDEXCE OF tlie most prompt and cifoctual measures to possess liimsolf of Micliilimakinack, and for this purpose to summon to his assistance the Indians witliin his influence, as well as tlie gentlemen and depend- ants of tlio British fur companies near Iiis post. On the day that Captain Roberts received this letter, another reached him from Sir George Pre- vost, dated Quebec, 25th of June, by which he was directed to take every precaution to secure his post against any attempt by the enemy, and, in case of necessity, to effect his retreat.* This con- trariety of instructions from the two general offt- cers did not fail to perplex Captain Roberts, who, however, with great promptitude and decision made preparations for the attack. By another dispatch of the 4th of July, from Major-General Brock, Captain Roberts was left at his own dis- cretion to adopt either offensive or defensive mea- sures, as circumstances might dictate. On the IGth July, he accordingly set out with a flotilla of boats and canoes, in which were embarked 45 officers and men of the 10th Royal Veteran Batta- lion, about 180 Canadians, and nearly 400 Indians, the whole convoved bv the Caledonia brio;, belong- ing to the North -West company; and on the ensuino: mornino;, the British force effected a land- ing before Michilimakinack, t the garrison of which, consisting only of 61 officers and men, * This order strikes us as an uumilitary interference on the part of Sir (ieorge Prevost with Major-General Brock's authority, Captain Ky of two letters from Lieut. -Colonel St. Georn;e, who is in command at Amlicrstbur<^, and some interesting documents found on board a schooner, which had been takc-ii bv the boats of the Hunter. In consequence of your havinfj desired Colonel Proctor to proceed to Andierstburg-, and of your presence being necessary at the seat of government to meet the legislature of Upj)er Canada, I have taken upon myself to place Major-General Sheatfc on the stalf, to enable me to send him to assist vou ' ft in the arduous task you have to j)erform, in the able execution of which I have great confidence. He has been ficcordingly directed to proceed with- out delay to Upper Canada, there to place himself under vour command. I believe you are authorized by the commission under which you administer the government of Upper Canada, to declare martial law in the event of invasion or insurrection ; it is therefore for vou to consider whether you can obtain any thing equi- valent to that power from your legislature. I have not succeeded in obtaining a modification of it in Lower Canada, and must therefore, uj)on the ocjurrence of either of those calamities, declare the law martial unqualified, and of course shut the doors of the courts of civil law. I I ;! I ; •1 ^i i •I 1 ' ? ■ 1 , ) 1 1 i ! 1 210 LIFK AND ronUESPONDENCE OF Tlio report transiniirod hy Captain Dixon, of tlie I?oval Kn<>inccrs, to Licnt. -Colonel lirnvcres, ot'the state of defence in Avhieli he liad placed Fort Anilierstburg;, to«i:ellier with the description of the troops allotted for its defence, oivc me a fore- bodinfj; thai the result of General Hull's attempt upon that fort will terminate honorably to our arms. If Lieut. -Colonel St. Georn:o be possessed of the talents and resources required to form a soldier, he is fortunate in the oj^portunity of displaying them. Should General Hull be compelled to relinquish his operations aiijainst Antiierstburg;, it will be proper his future movements should be most carefully observed, as his late march exhibits a more than ordinary character of enlerprize. Your supposition of my slender means is but too correct ; notwithstanding;, you may rely upon every exertion being made to preserve uninterrupted the communication between Kingston and Montreal, and that I will also give all possible support to your endeavours to overcome every difficulty. The possession of Maiden, which I consider means Amherstburg, appears a favorite object with the government of the United States. I sincerely hope you will disappoint them. Should the intelligence, which arrived yesterday by the way of Newfoundland, prove correct, a remarkable coincidence will exist in the revocation of our orders in council as regards America, and the declaration of war by congress against Eng- land, both having taken place on the same day in London and at Washington, the 17tli June. I, of tlie s, of the a Fort 11 of tlic a fore- nttenipt \r arms, d of the soklie er 1 playing A\cd to burg, it oiilcl be exhibits but too )n every 5ted the on t real, iport to tv. ft consider ect with ncerely Bsterday rrect, a ocation ca, and t Eng- day in sin ISAAC inio( K. •211 Colonel Ticnjni's to Maj(H'-Gcncriil lirock. QuEni'C. August 1, 181:2. Sir George ycstr ''ay received your letter of the •20th with its several eiiiclosures, which are, I assure you, hiuhly interesting to all, and doubly so to those who feel warmly and sincerely attiicui, J to you ; and few, I believe, possess more friends and well wishers than vourself. 100 eH'eetive of the Newfoundland, and ijO j)icke(l men of the Veterans, left this in boats on Thursday, and, as it has blown a gale of east wind ever since, have I trust made great progress : they were intended to reinforce the garrison of Kingston, and to relieve the company of the 49th that escorted stores to that place. Sir George regrets extremely his inability to render vou a more efficient aid, but, under existing circumstances, he does not feel himself warranted to do more. I regret to find vour militia at Sandwich so lukewarm, to call it by no harsher name ; but I fear that little can be expected from those recently settled, or of Ameri- can extraction, and with our Canadians we have found a very reluctant compliance. I trust we may still look to considerable reinforcements from home this year. We are led to expect the 1st battalion of the Rovals from the West Indies immediately, destined indeed to relieve the 41st. I hope we shall not be disappointed, as our militia will feel bold if well backed ; and I am sure Sir George will rejoice in receiving the means of rendering i t ^ii.li I ill !M|r ;!i!'l « r- ! •212 LIFE AND COUIIESPONDENCE OF you further assistiiiicu. It appears to bo crcditCLl that the orders in eounoil were reseinded, in as far as refjarded Auierica, ou the 17lii June, the day the war vote was carried : this will strengthen the oppositionists in the States, a id the timid will feel alarmed, not without reason, when thev read the glorious and judicious exph/it of Captain Hot- ham, in tlie Northundjcrland, 74, in destioyiiif^, under circumstances of great difHculty and peril, two French 44-gun frigates and a sloop, which received a suj)erior degree of j)rotection from bat- teries on the shore than can be aiforded to Com- modore Rodgers in anv harbour of the States. The Americans are forming depots in tlie neigh- bourhood of the Montreal frontier and building batteries on the lake, but they liave not brought forward any considerable shew of strength; — on this appearance of weakness we cannot rely, as it \ Duld answer no good end making a j)arade before they intended to attack. If they be serious in their views on tliis province, the attempt will be probably backed by predatory incursions on various points. A corps of militia is kept on the Point Levi side. Our legislature meet this day to terminate the session. One great object has been accomplished in the house, adding the provincial security to the army money note bill ; the province pays the inte- rest accruing upon the notes and the expense of the establishment, and they are constituted a legal tender. Without this step we were completely at unli- e the islied to the inte- nse of lesial ely at sill ISAAC unofK. 213 a stand, for wc could not o!)tnin money to |>ay the liist month's subsistence to the troops : ^rcat l)cnoHt is expected to accrue from tlie operation of tiie bill. The clerM)nN( K OF to their cliftrijc. It is vcrv iliHiciilt nt tins (listjim-o to suiTijcst nnv ideas lliul iiiiulit l)i' iiscriil, ns cv(;rv opcTfitlon in wliicli you arc ciij^iiucd iimst (1('|k'ii(1 so entirely upon local circunislancHs, pikI llic con- duct which the cneinv niav pursue towards attain- in|^ the oi)jcct he has in view. 1 am glad to find that the new arrival of the Royal?, expected at (^uehec to-morrow, will give you the reinforce- ment of tlie 4t)lh regiment, which, with the (h>tach- ments of the Newfoundland and \'eterans, and gun-hoat No. 7, will add something' to your pre- sent streniTth. Sir George Provost to Majnr-Gonvrnl Jiroch. QuEiuic, August !2, ISl'i. Last evening an officer of tlie DSth regiment arrived here express from Halifax, the hearer of dispatches to me, dated on tlin '2*2d ultimo, from Mr. Foster, who was then in Nova Scotia. 1 lose no time in making you acquainted with tlie subst.ince of this gentleman's communication. He informs me that he had just received dis- j)atches from England, referring to a declaration of ministers in parliament, relative to a })roposed repeal of the orders in council, i)rovided the United States government would return to rela- tions of amity with us, the contents of which may ])ossibly induce the American government to agree to a suspension of hostilities as a preliminary to negotiations for peace; — that he pro])0.ter and to write to me the result of his inter- vieu'. Should tin.' |)resident of the Tnlted States thiidv pro])cr to signify that hostile o|)erations r-liould cease on the American side, Mr. Foster sugijjcsts »!'c expediency of my hein^* prepared to make a L^imilar sii^nitication on our part. As 1 propose sendiuii; Colonel JJaynes imme- diately into the I'nited States, with a proj)osal for a cessation of hostile o|)erations, I enclose for your information the copy of mv letter to(»cneral Dear- J ft » horn, or the commander- in-chief of the American forces. Mr. Foster also suhmits the propriety of our ahstaining from an invasion of the United States territory, as only in such an event could the American noyernment he empowered to order the militia out of the States. 1 am led to believe from this, that General Hull, in possessing himself of Sandwich, has exceeded his instructions ; parti- cularly as Mr. Foster informs me that Mr. Monroe had told him Fort Maiden (Amherstburg) would not be attacked, but that General Hull had stated to a friend of his, some time ago, that he would attempt it. A report has been made to me that a frigate and six transports, with the Royal Scots (1st battalion) on board, from the West Indies, are just below Bic ; — in consequence of this reinforcement, I < 1 r 1 , . iJ ill ! H \\\ i r^ 210 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF have ordered tlic company of the 41)tli rc'2:3 vill'i^'c a party of '2()i) Amcrioans, under Major \'aii Horiio, on their march* from Detroit to tlie HIver llaisin, (40 miles south of Detroit,) to meet a detachment of volunteers from Ohio, with a eonvoy of provisions for Hull's army. The In- dians, firin«5 suddenly, killed "20, including •"> offi- cers, and wounded about the same nund)cr of the Americans, who liastlly retreated, and were pur- sued seven mil'' ')v tlu.' warriors alone, not a Britisii soldier I, n* e j«jed. In this l.iir, General Hull's dis|)atches and the correspondence of his troo|)s fell into the hands of Tecumseh, and it was partly the desjionding nature of their contents which afterwards induced Major-General Brock to attemj)t the ca))ture of the American army. Foiled in the reduction of Fort Anihersthurg ; dis- appointed In his hope of a general insurrection of the Canadians ; and, " above all, dismayed at the report of General Brock's resolution to advance against him,'' t Hidl's schemes of conquest vanish- ed ; and he who, less than a month before, had landed In Canada boastful of his strength and with threats of extermination, now saw no other alternative than a hasty return to Detroit, under the pretence of concentrating his forces ; and after re-opening his communication with the rivers Raisin and Miami, through which he received his * The captain of the spies was killed and scalped r)n the march. " Thus fell the Inavc, gciieroiis, and patriotic Me Ciilluch, captain of the spies,"— and in a foot note a tew pa«-es l)eforo — " Captain McCul- loch, of the spies, scalped an Indian, whom he killed in the cn^ajre- ment," in ri)per Canaila ' We (piote from Urown's American lli>tiiry, so it ai)pears that at least one patriotic American could t^iut/i as well as the Indians ! t Christie's Memoirs. . i I I i. 1^^ m i ■ i: si m y-^ \ i ! I 2-24 LIFE AND COKRIiSPONDENCE OF supplies, of rcsumirifT ofVensivo operations. Ac- cord in;uaga, between Browns- town and Detroit, but, after a severe conili'jt, Cap- tain ]Muir was compelled to retreat. From the moment that Major-General Brock heard of the invasion of the western district, he determined on proceedinpi; thither in person after he had met the lef^islature and dispatched the public business. Haviuf; expressed a wish of being accompanied by such of the militia as mi^ht, voluntarily offer their services, «j()0, principally the sons of veteran soldiers who had settled in the province, cheerfully came forward for that pur- pose. The threatening attitude, however, of the enemy on the Niagara frontier, obliged the general to content himself with half this number; and he left York on the 0th of August for Burlinjjjton Bay, whence he proceeded by land for Long Point, on Lake Erie. In passing the Mohawks' village, * Christie's Memoirs. , Ac- list tlic itli tlie cliurji;c ) on the ell tlicy •ival of \ll|4llSt, \isy. tlie •oniiiiu- II i, WHS C'iipluin irowiis- jt, Cap- Bro(-'k rict, he \m after ic'd tlie wish of ini^lit icipally d in the lat pur- of the general and he rlington Point, village, SIR ISAAC BROCX. 22r) on the Grand River, or Ousc, lie desired the Indians there to tell him wlio were, and who were not, his friends ; and at a council held on tlie 7th of August, they promised that about 00 of their number should follow him on the ensuing Monday, the 10th. At Long Point, a few regulars and nearly 300 militia embarked with hi... on the 8th of the same month in boats of every description, collected among the neighbouring farmers, who usually employed them for transporting their corn and flour. The distance from Long Point to Amherstburg is about 200 miles along the shore, which in many parts is a high precipitous bank of red clav, with scarcely a creek for shelter. The little flotilla encountered heavy rain and tem- pestuous weather, but nothing could for a moment retard its progress, or diminish the confidence of the men in their indefatigable leader. Among his general orders from the commencement of hosti- lities, the only one relating to this voyage is the following, which, from the singularity of the cir- cumstances attending it, is thought worthy of being preserved : G. O. Head Quarters, Pointe au Prince, Aug. 12, 1812. It is Major-General Brock's intention, should the wind continue fair, to proceed during the liight ; officers commanding boats will therefore pay attention to the order of sailing, as directed yesterday ; the greatest care and attention will be required to prevent the boats from separating or K* 1 . ! i 2'2(5 LIFE AND CORItF.SPONDENCE OF fallirif^ behind. A ^rerit part of tlic banks of tlw lake, where the boats uiil this (hiy fmss^, is much more danfjeroiis and diHienIt of access than any we have passed ; tlie boats will, therefore, not hind except in the most extreme necessity, and then great care must be taken to choose tlie best place for beaehin'T. The troops bein<^ now in the nciglibourhood of the Ciiem}', every precaution must be taken to guard against surj)rise. By Order. J. 13. Glegg, Aide-de-Camp. After five days and ni• I I 1 228 LIFE AND COnUKSPONDENCE OF uniform, tanned deer skin ja(?kc!l, with loni; trou- sers of the same material, the seams of hoth heir»«^ covered with neatly out frinire ; and he jiad on his fuel leatlier mo(3assinH, nJiieh ornamented witii work made from the dyed (|nills of the |)or<'U))inc. "The first and nsual salutation of shaking hands* heing over, an allusion was made to the late Hriri}; of musketry, and Tecumseh at once approved of the reason given by jMajor-(ieneral Hrock for its discontinuance. It being late, the parties soon separated, with an understanding that a council would be held the followinjj morninu-. This ac- cordingly took place, and was attended by about a thousand Indians, whose Cfjui|)ment generally might be considered very imposing. The council was opened by General Brock, who informed the Indians that he was ordered by their great father to come to their assistance, and, with their aid, to drive the Americans from Fort Di'troit. His speech was highly ap|)lauded, and Tecumseh was unanimously called upon to speak in reply. He commenced with expressions of joy, that their father beyond the great salt lake (meaning the king of Kngland) had at length awoke from his long sleep, and ])ermitted his warriors to come to tlie assistance of his red children, who had never ceased to remain steady in their friendship, and were now all ready to shed their last drop of blood in their great father's service. After some speeches from other chiefs, aiid replies thereto, the council broke up. General Brock, having quickly disco- 11 tron- on lli^^ will I iipiiie. li:indi» veil of for il!4 3 goon council Ills ac- »l)oiit a ncrallv • council nt'd the ; father aid, to His li was . He t their no; the •om his ;onio to never ip, and ff blood pecches oiincil di SCO- SIR ISAAT Uno< K. '2-29 vored the superior «iiif;nrity and intrepidity of Teeumsch, and iiis inHiicnee over tlie Indian**, and not dot'inini; it prinhtit to (h'vch^p Itcfore so mixed an ass('inhlaj;e the vii'ws wliich were at tliat mo- ment uppermost in his thoughts, and inten(h'd to he carried so quickly into execution, directed Colonel I'illiott to inform this Shawanee chief that he wished to see him, acocmpanied by a few of the oldest chitjfs, at Colonel I'^liioft's quarters. There the general, throu<4h tiie medium of inter- preters, communicated his views, and ex|ilainel the manner in whicjii he intended to carrv into execution his operations aj^ainst Fori J)itroit. The chiefs listened with the most aj/parenl ea|jjer- ness, and expressed their unanimous assent to t'-^' j»roposed plan, assuring General JJrock that their co-operation, as pointed out, niii i>\vi. soldier^, or a \ery nii>tiikeu one ol those who were com- niandt.ll hy the Auiericcin general." ' ■] •■,■ have vliich 1 tliis re bo r con- tlieir 3r the IS." T was reso- i with iplated 181 2. rinire of It is far ination ; Indians will be mences. tions as Lieut. - thori/.ed )revent }neral. carried the War," \fi.ri<3r in ral Brock the sur- provvcS'^ of A-ere eoiii- 8IR ISAAC KROCK. 231 tlie siinimoiis, and, after (Ictaiiiino; him upwards of two hours, returned the following answer : Head Quarters, Detroit, Aug. 15, IHl-i. I have received your letter ol tliis date. I have no other reply to make than to inform you, that 1 am prepared to meet any foree whieh may be at your disposal, and any consetiuenees wliich may result from any exertion of it you may think |)roper to mak(>. W. llui.r., IJrigadier-iieneral, Commanding the N. W. Army of tije L'. S. Notliirio; daunted, and contrarv to the advice of sonic of his officers, Major-Oeneral Brock at once deterniincd on crossing; tlie river, with the view of attcmptin*^, by a sudden and resolute attack, the annihihition of the enemy's power in tliat quarter. In the afternoon, a fire was oj)encd from a battery of five guns, erected opposite to Detroit, under the direction of Captain Dixon, of the Roval Eniri- neers : this cannonade was returned from seven 24- pounders, but the British general, perceiving that little effect was produced by either fire, '^avo or- ders that his should cease. The troops retired to their bivouac and lay on their arms, with orders to cross the strait, or river, which is here about three-fourths of a mile in width, on the folhnving morniny;. Accordinnlv, at the first blush of dawn, on Sunday, the Kith of August, when the fire from the British battery was resumed, 330 rerru- lars and 400 militia were endiarked, with five pieces of light artillery, in boats and catioes of every description, and soon effected a landing without opposition, near Springwell, four or five < 11 232 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF i • miles below Detroit. About 000 Indians, under Colonel Elliott, had crossed the river during the nip;ht, and were ordered to be so j)Iaccd as to take the enemy in flank and rear, should he attemj)t to oppose the landinj^. The white troops marched towards the fort, while the Indians moved through the woods, and covered the left flank, the right resting upon the river, and j)rotccted 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 sucli unequal numbers. Contrary to Major-General Brock's expectation, the Americans abandoned a favorable position, strengthened by pickets and two 24-pounders, and retreated into the fort on the advance of the British, who halted in a ravine within a mile, and, discovering the weakness of the works on the land side, prepared for its assault. While the various columns were forming for that purpose, a flag of truce, borne by Captain Hull, was unex- pectedly seen emerging from the fort, — Lieut.- Colonel M'Donell and Captain Glegg accompanied him back ; and shortly after the British troops marched in with Major-General Brock at their head, the American general having assented to a capitulation, by which the Michigan territory, Foit Detroit, with thirty-three pieces of cannon,* * Incliuiing four brass field pieces, captured witli General Burgoyne, at Saratoga, in \777, and wiiicii wore retaken by the Americans, at tlie battle of the Thames, in October, 18)3. I ii SlU ISAAC nuo( K. 2:33 tlie Adams vessel of war,* suid al)oiit 2,'">00 troops, iucliuliii^ one f'oiii|)ii!iy of arlill(;rv, some cavalry, and tlie entire 4tli I'. S. regiment of infantry, ■with a stand of colours, were surrendered to the JJritisli arms. An immense quantity of stores and the militarv chest were also taken ; and as there was a «i;reat delieiemiy of arms in the Kjjper Pro- vince wherewith to equip the militia, the '2, 000 stand of American hccame a vahiahhi acquisition. To this surrender the after preservation of U|)per Canada, at least, may in a great measure be as- cril)ed, as it caused a delav of nearlv a whole vear in the meditated invasion, f and secured the support of some of the liulian tril)es, who were he>it;Uing' as to the side they should espouse. It was the more fortunate that M;ijor-Gen(3ral Brock act(!d with so much promj)titude and vigour, because large rein- forcements were on their way to General Hull ; and not only would that ofHcer's reverse otherwise liave been spared, but the western districts of Upper Canada would probably have fallen before the overwhelnjing' numbers which would soon have been brouiiht against them. The surrender of Detroit was so unexpected, that it produced an almost electrical effect throughout the Canudas : it was the first enterprize in which the militia had been enganed, and its succ(;ss not only im|)arted confidence to that i^ody, but it in- spired the timid, fixetl the wavering, and awed the * Alttrwanli" imnu'il tlif Detroit, t Appendix A, .Section •-', Xo. 1. Julterson's Correspondence. '■\\\ I ; \ u U 4 I! i I ll f r 1 2:34 LIFi: AND rORRF.SI'O.VDEN( E OF disiifTcctcd. jMajor-CiiMicnil IJrock from llii;? nio- iiicnt hccaino tlio idol of the ijivsit inasMi of those whom ho •j;overiicd ; and when ho rt'tiiniod to York, wliithor ho arrived on the "iTlh of Am'j;usI, lie was received amidst the lieartfelt acehimations of a fjratefiil |)eo|)Ie, rescued by his promptitude from the iirnomiiiv of suhmittiiiu; to a conciueror. Tliey remembered that in the short sj)ace of iiiiie- tcen (hivs lie liad, not onlv met the let^islahire and settled the j)ublic business of the ])rovince under the most trvinix circumstances that a commander could encounter, but, with means incredibly limit- ed, he had .3() Liri: AND ( oiun:si»oM)i:N( K of I! Indiiin, lie ^v;ls aj)|)reliL'nsiv(', in the event ot" defeat, tlrat lliis tlireat would be visited witli severe retaliation, particularly by tlie Indiatis, whose fury, in a successful assault, it niii^ht have been very difficult to restrain. Ti> their honor, however, be it said, that although they took a few prisoners on the advance, the enemy sustained no loss of life beyond that caused by the Uriti>h batteries ; and in txeneral ordiM's, at J)etroit, they were told, that in nothiuir could they testify more strouiiiy their love to the kint;;, their pjrcat father, than in tol low- inn- tiie dictates of honor and humanity by which they had hitherto been actuated. " The news of the surrender of Detroit," says the American historian, Jirown, " was so unex- pected, that it came like a claj) of thunder to tlio cars of the American j)eople. No one would be- lieve the first re])ort. The disastrous event blasted the prospects of the first campaign, and opened the northern and western frontiers of Ohio to savafjc incursu)us. " Previous to the surrender of Detroit, the f»o- yernors of Ohio and Kentucky, in obedience to the directions of the war department, had detached powerful reinforcements to the aid of General Hull. Had he deferred the capitulation but a few days loujjjer, his army, Detroit, and the Michigan territory, would have been saved. " The forces advancinn; to his su))port consisted of '2, 000 militia, under 15ri;j,adier-General Payne, and a battalion of mounted riflemen, under Colonel ?nt of sevcro L' I'lirv, 1 VIM'V fcr, l)u »crs on of lito ■; ; and il, tliiit V tlieir follow- - ^vll it'll t," says ) uncx- i- to the )nkl bc- l)last("(l opened liio to tlic *j;o- e to the ftached Kicncral It a few !ichij^an lonsisted Payne, I Colonel j-in i<\\c nno( K. 2V I?. M. Johnson, from Kentucky ; a hrlirade of ( )hio militia, under the orders of liri'jadier-Ciencrai Tupper;* and nt>ariy ],(K)(> r«';j,nhirs, under the eoniinand of (ieneral ^\'inehesfer. ThcN* had reaehed the St. Mary's liiver when the news of the eapturc! of Detroit was reeeived. Jiut for tlic well-timed arrival of the above force a wide seene of tli'^ht aiid ndsery, of blood and desolation, niu>t have ensued. Nearlv half of the territorv of Ohio must have been dep(»pulafed, or its inhabit- ants fallen victims to the seal|)in^ knife.'' "The ehaijrin felt at VVa-^hin^ton," observes James in his Military Oecurrenees, " wjien news arrived of the total failure of this the first attempt at invasion, was in |)roj)ortion to the sanpean ; 1 is to )'nv^ at ikc tilt! L'ln no oiis at resort y have 1 on the ours on n them, lod has ; arc to lie con- the sea." the cha- as a re- le treat V sin isAA( imor K. 2:v.) rior docs not, I believe, exist, lie was the admir- ation of evervonc wUo conversed \\\\\i him. Fn^m a life of dissipation lie has not only become in every respect abstemions, but Ik; has likewise pre- vailed on all his nation, and niauv of the other tribes, to follow his exam|)le." Previously to erossin|j^ over to Detroit, Major-General JJrock iiKjuired of Tccumseh what sort of a country he should have to pass ihrouiih in the event of his ])roccedin<^ further. Tecumseh, taking; a roll of elm jjark, and extending it on the n;r(nind, drew forth his scalping krdfe, and with the jioint pre- sently edixed u|)on the biiek a plan of the country, its hills, woods, rivers, morasses, and roads — a ))lan which, if not as neat, was fully as intellii>ro- Idicr, on o- enousli })\c a dis- iild have iiigidarly lic rolours on early the anni- iam, \vho d by his Ion '2, No. '-' Sill ISAA( nilOCK. •241 uit'e why the jmrk and tower tjiins were salutiiijjf. " \'ov Isaac, of course," he re|»lie(l ; " do you not know tliat this is his I»iirli-d:iv ?" And wlien lie ciinic to town he hanit, with emotions which may be easily conceived, tliat what he had just said in jest was true in reality ; little thiidrm(;(l hy Lukc'!!. Huron, St. Clair, JCrio, Ontario, Uice, and Si'incoc, Mould alone furnisli a sur|)lus :•" wiient siiHi(;ii'nt for the wants of (ircat JJiitaiii. Tln' jjiuiks of tlu Detroit were in many places thickly peopled and in a fair state of cultivation. Tlie inhahitiints on the Canadian side were chieHv of Fn'nch oriirin, who betxan to occupy the courjtrv when Canada was still under the dominion of France. Tiie\ still retained that urhanitv of manners which dis- tin|Tuislies them from the peasantry of most coun- tries. Further hack, the country was settled principally by Americans, partial to the United States. Three or four years after the war, the houses were so numerous and so close to^^ether upon the banks of the J)('troit, that there was an apj)ear- ancc of a succession of vlUaires for more than ten miles. The farms were very narrow in front, ex- tending' a lonj,^ way back, and were allotted in thih awkward and inconvenient form, that their resj)ec- tivc occupants mij^ht be able to render each other assistance when attacked liy the Indians, who ■were at one time very numerous and troublesome in this vicinity. The banks of tlie river Detroit are the Eden of tapper Canada, in so far as regards tlie production of fruit. Apples, pears, plums, peaches, grapes, and nectarines, attain the highest degree of perfec- tion, and exceed in size, beauty, and flavour, those raised in any other part of the province Cider abounds at the table of the meanest peasant; Si'IlCor, .iiHi(.'it'iit \s of the |)IimI und ititnts oil h origin, I Canadii ;. They hich dis- ost con Il- ls settled le United war, tlic tljcr upon m aj)i)car- ) tlian ten front, cx- ted in tlii> ir respcc- ich otiicr ans, who oublesonit Eden ol iroduction 3^^, grai)es, of perfec- d flavour. province. St peasant. sm ISAAC niio( K. •Jia .111(1 there is soareelv a farm that has not a fruitt'ul orchard atfaclieil to it. This finene.ss of the fruit is one con«e(iuencc of the amelioration of <'limafe, which takes place in the vir;inity of the Detroit river and l.ake St. Clair. Tlu; seasons there arc much milder and more serene than they are a few hiindretl miles helow, and the weather is likewise drier and less variable. Comj)aratively little snow fulls durin;.j the winter, although the cold is often sutlifiontlv intense to fre(^zc over the Detroit river so strongly, that persons, horses, und even loaded sleighs, cross it with ease and safety. In summer, the country presents a forest of blossoms, which exiialc tlie most delicious odours ; a cloud seldom obscures the sky ; while the lakes and rivers, which extend in every direction, communicate a reviving freshness to the air, and moderate the warmth of a dazzling sun; and the cl(;arness and elasticity of the atmosphere render it equally healthy and exhilaratiii'jc.* The fort of Detroit was oriuinnlly constructed to over-awe the neighbouring Indian nations, and its military importance as the key of the upj)er lakes api)ears to have been well known to them. Hut, neither possessing battering cannon nor under- standing the art of attacking fortified j)laces, they could only reduce them by stratagem or famine, and Detroit could always be supj)lied with jirovi- sions by water. In the year ]7()'5, the huiiiui chief, Pontiac, whose name has already appeared, * Howison's Upper Canada. Loudim, is.'i. u t ; I • i ii !l* i <' * '244 MI-E AND ronnF.SPONDENCK OF ]('■ Tm : I i I. i (paixc 1(54,) formed a powerful coiifcfloriicy of tlio rlifi'orcnt tribes, for flip piirjmse of revenijirifj tlicir ])ast wron|Ts and of pn;ventinj]^ tlieir total cxlir- ])atio?i, which tliev were erroneoiislv led to hclievo was conteinj)lated. In a sudden, general, and simultaneous irru|)tion on the IJritish frontier, they obtained possr'ssion, ehicHy by Ptrataoem, of Michi- iinuUvinaek,* Presqu'ile, and several smaller posts; but there still remained three fortresses formidable alike by their strength and position, which it was necessary the Indians should subdue before they could reap any permanent advantap' from their successes. These were ])ttroit, Niali trader, eoiieealed in the house of one of the I'reneh iriha liitants, beheld the nias.-aere from an aperture whieh afforded him n view of tin- area of the fort, lie describes it as (oilovvs " I beheld, in shapes the foiiU'st and most terrible, the ferocious triumphs of bar- barian en:i(|ueriirs. Th" dead were scalped and manL'led; the dvin^' were writhinjr and shiiekmtj under the insatiated knile and toma hawk, ami from the bodies dt some, ripped open, their bmehers wiit drinkini;' the blood seooiied up in the hollows of joined hands, aiii| quart'ed amid shout-s of rage and victory." of the irr tltcir 1 exlir- bclievo »1, and cr, tliey Michi- r po«ts; niidal)lo li it was )re tliov 111 tlif'ir ra, and ouii'li so Iniost at address, in*: ^var, of Con- nor over )orn and I au;ainst lion and Amherst, ccours to )vevcnted >t tlu> war. iibout 10(1 I mil iiitia iidod him ■■< I tielH'ia. uphs of biii- thr dviiit-' e and tiuna luohers wcii' hands, an'' SIR ISAAC nuoc K. ') 'J 4." tiioir tall. Captain Dalzell, after coiidiichTi«4, in Jiilv, a strontr reinforecinent to Detroit, was in- diiccd to think that he could surprise the Indian force encamped about three milis from the fort, and he sat out at ni<;ht witli *27() men, adoptint; the most judicious precautions for the secrecy and o;ood order of his march. ]iut the Indians, aji- ])rized of his design, were ])repared to defeat it, and every step from the fort only conducted the English trooi)s further into the jaws of destruction. Their advance was suddenly arrested hv a sharp fire on their front, which was presently followed bv a similar discharire on their rear, and then succe(;ded by destructive vollics from every side. In the darkness neither the position nor the num- bers of the Indians could be ascertained. Dal/.ell was slain early, and his whole detachment was on the brink of irretrievable confusion and ruin when Captain Grant, the next in command, jiereciving that a retreat, now the only resource, could otily be accomplished by a resolute attack, promptly rallied the survivors, who, steadily obeying his orders, charged the Indians willi so mnch sjiirit and success as to rcjed with n armed I i sad V an- il nst for- th been the I li- lt, and Wijiitt'd uimer of attacked icv were to bui'ii of peace ,ero dic- Sin ISAAC HROCK. '247 CHAPTER XII. The following letters* relate chielly to the en- orprize a{i;ainst Detroit, and, although not in the chronoloirical order we have hitherto observed, will form the subject of this chapter. Major- General Brock to Sir Geonje Prevust. Head Quarters, Detroit, Aug. 1(1, \HV1. T hasten to apprize your excellency of the cap- ture of this very important post : 2, •>()() troo|>s Jiave this day surrendered prisoners of war, and about 25 pieces of ordnance have been taken with- out the sacrifice of a drop of British bloori. f had not more than 700 troops, including militia, and about 000 Indians, to accomplish this service. AVhen I detail my good fortune, your excellency will be astonished. I have been admirably sup- ported by Colonel Proctor, the whole of my staff, and I mav iustlv say, everv Individ n. J under m\ command. Major-Gcncral Brock to Sir Gcorrjc Pricost. Head Quarters, Detroit, \ ug. 17, IHl'Z.f I have had the honor of informing voiir excel- lency, that the enemy effected his passage across * Wo can discover none from Colonel B&i iics on the sul)jt ct. ^ This ilisiiatch was published in a (ia/.ette Extraordinary, in Iaw- tlon, ou tlie (Jth of October. See page 2^0. I. ) r f '- ' ... •1 r i 248 lift: and COItUKSPONnKNCK OF t\w Detroit river, on llic I'Jtli ultimo, witliout oppo- isitioii ; and that, after cstaMishin^ Iiiniself al Sandwiel), lie had ruvaj^^ed the country as far as the ^Moravian town. Some skirmislies occurred between the troops under Lieut. -Colonel St. (ieor^;e aiul the enen)y, upon the river Canard, which uniformly terminated in his being rej)ulsed with loss. 1 Judged it proper to detach a force down the river Thames, capal)le of ficting in conjunction with the garrison of Amhcrstburg olfensively, but Captain Chambers, whom I bad a|>j)()inted to dii'eci this detachment, experienced ditticulties that frustrated mv intentions. The intellitiencc received from that (luarter admittinu; of no delav, Colonel Proctor was directed to assume the com- mand, and his force was soon after increased with ()0 rank and tile of the 41st regiment. In the mean tinu', the most strenuous measures were adoj)ted to counteract the machinations of the evil-disj)0sed, and I soon ex])erienced the gra- tification of receiviuii" voluntarv offers of service from that j)ortion of the endjodied militia the most easily collected. In the attainment of this impor- tant point, gentlemen of the first character and influence shewed an example highly creditable to them ; and I cannot, on this occasion, avoid men- tioning the issential assistance I derived from John M'JJoiu'll, I'Ls(j., his majesty's attorney-general, who, from the beginning of the war, has honored me with his services as my provincial aide-de- camp. A suHiciency of boats being collected al oppO- clf at t'iir as [Ml r rod ieorral, loiiored idc-dc- ctcd at SIU ISAM lUlOCK. •241) Lonf; Point for the conveyance of 300 men, the embarkation took |)lace on tlie 8th instant, and in five (hivs we arrived in safety at Amherstl)iirf;. I found that the judicious arranu:ements which had been adopted immediately upon the arrival of Colonel Proctor, had comj)ellcd the enemy to re- treat, and take shelter under the n;uns of his fort : that officer commenced operations by sending strong' detachments across tlie river, with a view of cuttinsiiad(' tliciii (Vom it. Sonic of tlic princijial cliii-fs liiip- jx'ned to be at Ainlicrsthiiiy, trvin^; to prcteiirc it supply of arms and ammunition, whicli for years had been witldicld, a«;rc'cably to tbc instructions received from Sir James Crai<^, and since r(|)eated >y your excellency. Trom that moment they took a most active part, and appeared foremost on every occasion ; they were led yesterday by Colonel I'^lliott and Captain JM'Kee, and nothin«» could exce< 1 their order a»ul steadiness. A few prisoners uei taken l)y tlieuj durinu' the advance, whom thev treated \vith every humanity ; and it affords me much pleasure in assurin«j vour excellencv, that such was their for- bearanec and attention to what was requiretl of them, that the enemy sustained no other loss in men than what was occasioned by the lire of our batteries. The hit!;h sense I entertain of tlie abilities and judi^nientof Lieut.-Colonel Myers, induced me to aj)j)oint liim to the important command at Nia- gara ; it was Avith reluctance I deprived myself of his assistance, but 1 had no other exjiedient ; his duties, as head of the quartermaster-n;enerars de- partment, were performed to my satisfaction by Lieut.-Colonel Nichol, quartermaster -general of the militia. Captain Glegg, ray aide-de-camp, will have the SIR IsiAAC nUOfK. 'J.-):} th( lionor of (lclivcrin<^ tlii> disparch to your cxncl- It'Dcy ; lie is cliiirj^cd with the colours takoii at tlio capture of Tort Detroit, aud tlioso of the 4tli (nitcd States' rc<;iincut. Caj)taiu (Jlcfr'j; is capable of jjivinji^ your exccl- leuey every inforuuitiou respcctiuj:; llie state of tliis jM'oviuce, and I sliall esteem myself hiixldy indebt- ed to your excellency, to atford him that protection to which his merit aiul length of service iicii de- tails ay I aui in possession of, respecting lJri<.;ndiei- (ienerid Hull's previous invasion uf Upper Canada and of his toiled uttern|)ts to invest Andiersthurj; ; hut I shall delay h\> dcjiarturc from henco until the 1st of ScDtenihe' in hopes of obtainin<^' from you before that time further particulars of the operations wliich led to General Hull's disgrace. Well aware of the difficulties vou have sur- » mounted for the preservation of your government entire, I sliall endeavour to do justice to your merit in my report to liis majesty's minister U})on the success which has crowned vour enerjiv find /eal. A warrant, uiving to you more extensive power over the sentence of such geneial courts martial as vou may be called on to assendile, was signed by me ten days since, and has I hope readied you. I am in hourly cxj)ectation of receiving from Cfcneral J)earborn intelligence respecting the re- ception of the proposed suspension of hostilities, in consequence of the revocation of the orders in council, which are the plea for war in the Ameri- can cabinet ; and also whether Mr. Baker has been allowed to assume, pro fonpure, the character of a charue d'atVaires at Washington, where Mr. Fos- ter had left him in a demi-ofticiiil capacity. 1 consider the arrangement entered into by General ; H F rcoriio and to Iji!i;lt.nd li >ucli t uiiequivo- onllv expressed to m«' llieir desire to |)reserve pcaee with tin.' Ihilted States, that they might, nninter- rnpted, pursue, witli the w jiole disposable toret; of the country, tiie : reat interest committed in Eu- rope, I have endeavoured to be instrumental ii the accomplishment of their view- but I consider it most fortunate to have been tibh d to do s(i with- out interfering with your opi ill 'is on the Detroit. I hav«„ sent you men, mone > .nJ stores of every kind. Sir George Provost to ^Ta}or-Gvncral Bmck. Head (Quarters, Montreal, Aug. iJl, IHI-J. I had scarcely closed the letters I addressed to you yesterday, when an aide-de-camji from ^Major- General Dearborn made his aj)]>earancc, and deli- vered to me the dispatch herewith transmitted. It will expose to your view the disposition of the president of the liiited States on the provisional nuastire temj)orarily agreed upon between the American commander-in-chief and myself, in con- sequence of an earnest desire not to widen the breach existing between the two countries, the revocation of the orders in council havinn; removed tile plea used in congress for a declaration of war against Great Britain. I am much disappointed that the particulars of M \ t M ■ i IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 150 ""^■» £ lii ° Iffi 1110 iS. U il.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 \ V ^^ \ :\ ^0 LIFE AND COURESPONDENCE OF tion of its reaching Captain Coore previously to his leaving Canada, which, with the colours of the 4th United States' regiment accompanying it, I trust that officer will have the honor of delivering to your lordship. J^arl Bathurst to Sir Geonje Provost. Downing Street, October 10, 181'2. I have had the honor of receiving your dispatch, dated the 2()th August, together with its enclo- sures, from Major-General Brock, and I lost no time in laying intelligence so important and satis- factory before his royal highness the prince regent. I am commanded by his royal highness to desire you to take the earliest opportunity of conveying his royal highness' approbation of the able, judi- cious, and decisive conduct of Major-General Brock, of the zeal and spirit manifested by Colonel Proctor and the other officers, as well as of the intrepidity of the troops under the command of Major-General Brock. By the united exertions of this little army, the enterprize of the American army has been defeated ; the territories of his majesty in Upper Canada have been secured ; and on the enemy's fort of Detroit, important to that security, the British standard has been happily placed. You will inform Major-General Brock that his royal highness, taking into consideration all the difficulties by which Major-General Brock was surrounded from the time of the invasion of the I \'' 7» Sin ISAAC RROrK, •2()l provinco by the Amcripaii army, undor tho coin- iiiand of General Hull, and the shiLjiilar judpoint him an extra knight of the most honorable order of the bath. The foUowinq; letter strikes us as sinjrularlv Hp|)roj)riate and pleasinj^, and as creditable to him who wrote it as it must liave been ijratifviny: to him who received it. Mr. Powell, who, we be- lie\c, was then one of the puistie jud«res, was chief justice of Upper Canada in the year 1817. William Dummcr Powell, Esq., to Major- General Brock. Kingston, August 27, 1812. I cannot persuade myself to offer my hearty connratulations throuijh 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 consi- der to what thev may lead : had vour early repre- » ft ft' »' 1 sentations been attended to and produced their proper effect, you would probably not have to boast of the most brilliant success, with the 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 double \i . '■i 1 1 1 I \'i n ■'■■i ■ ' I iMH 2f>2 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF numbers in his own fortress, and making tlicm all prisoners without the loss of a man, that, filthough your report may be sanctioned by Sir George Prevost, it seems to me that the people of England will be incredulous until thev see the exterminat- ing 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 particulars of the wonderful excursion, for it must not be called a campaign. The venij vldi, viciy 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 armis- tice miglit have intercepted your career. That it did not I heartily thank God, and pray that nothing may occur to damp the entire satisfac- tion of yourself and family in the glory so well earned. I am impatient to hear from Colonel M'Donell, but have no doubt that he justified your warmest expectations in every trial. May I beg to be presented to Glegg, and that you, Sir, will believe me, &c. Chief Justice of Lower Canada, Scivcll, to Mnjor- Gcncral Brock. Quebec, Sept. 3, 1812. In your present situation, I am perfectly sensible of your occupations, and know that your time is precious. Yet I take the liberty to intrude upon CJIU ISAAC nuocK. 2(>3 you with my congratulfitions upon the brilliant success which has attended the measures which you liave pursued with so much judgment in Upper Canada, and the thanks of an individual who feels the benefits which he, in common with every other subject of his majesty in British Ame- rica, derives from your exertions. 1 i I I, Sir, The next letter is from General Maitland,* who was colonel of the 4i)th foot from the 2fjth May, 1708, to the period of his death, in February, 1820, or nearly fiftv-two years ! Maior-General Brock held this gallant veteran in high estimation, hav- ing received from him much attention and kind- ness, which were continued to some of his relatives after his fall, and it will be seen that the feeling was mutual. Although General Maitland was so many years colonel of the 49th, yet we find that the Marquis of Drogheda held a similar appoint- ment for a longer period, being colonel of the 18th Hussars from the 3d August, 17G2, to October, 1821, when that regiment was disbanded, or above fifty-nine years ! . 1 'I. General the Honorable Alc.:a<-der Maitland to Major- Gencral it rock. ToTTERiDGE, Octobcr 8, 1812. Yesterday being mail day for America, I dis- patched my usual monthly letter to the regiment, * Created a baronet on the 30th November, 1818. V:) H|l- m .#■ u I K'i I ii 1 ' V \ I i 2f)4 LII'K AND ( onurSPON'DENt T- f>l and in wliicli, as I always do, I (lojjirtd i.o be reineinbercd to you with my best Miid \'orr/ie!it wishes for your health, happinesF, and yuecM;s*i. I had not then licard, but did a few (lours uffcr. of your i/loriuus ridorij over our nioyi, unnittfirui enemies, (such an one as can hardly bt. ocjuallcd in tlie annals of history,) that of not only inntii!^^, but taking prisoners, more than double your num- bers ; and now that you liave conquered fbem in the field, I trust that their wrong-headed govern- ment will be brought (o reason and peace, for it will prove to tliem, if they jierscvero, that thov will be forced to it, and terms dictated to tjiem. Therefore allow me, Sir, with the warn.est feelings of an old friend to congratulate you, ns I do the public, on the essential service you hav ? done the country on the present occasion ; a^ J do mv friend, your aide-de-camp, Captain G'egg, as far as the sphere of his duty could assist in tbo great work; and I (j lory to say you are hoth '^:i~thers, I could write sheets on the subject., biu:, not to take up your valuable time longer tloi'. I liuve done to express my pleasure and fe^i'ij^^vs, J *viH stop by adding the sincere congratuhiti )ni oi all related to me here as well as elsewlivro. Bui. 1 cannot help now observing how proplu^ie i ^^a-. in what I wrote to Colonel Vincent yesterday < on- cerning you, which was, that if' yoK n:r it that tboy tj tlioni. > clone tlic ] .'o in> ;g., as far ibo grf?at ii, not t" t;.. I huve ,)r!S oi' all . f'.xu. ] tit; J "'at rJav ( on- imJi I bad SIR ISAAC nnocK. 'irv") Wlu'ii von sec anv of onr friends of the 49tli, pray rcinoniljcr nic in tlio kindest manner to tlicra, and f am sure tliey will thank you that they are (>('> LIFE AND COUnESrONDEN'CE OF address ; and I feci sonic drj^rcc of prido that my opinion >vas so justly ibrniod of your conduct, whenever you should have an opportunity to dis- play your talents. Accept, then, the very sincere congratulations of an old friend on this occasion, and be assured of the happiness it gives me, as well as Mrs. Burnet, who is with me, and sends her love to you. With respect to my situation, I offered my ser- vices to go to the Peninsula as soon as our promo- tion took place, and at one time flattered myself I should have gone there ; but superior interest pre- vailed, and I was placed on the staff of Ireland. I first went to Londonderry, but have been here six months, as more central to the brigade under my command. I have my hands full of business, and little time for private correspondence ; but I 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 Grant be still alive, pray remember me warmly to him and Mrs. Grant. ■ Major' Gene ml Brock to his Brothers. Head Quarters, Detroit, Aug. 1(5, 1812. Rejoice at my good fortune, and join me in prayers to Heaven. I send you a copy of my hastv note to Sir George. [Here follows hi;: short dispatch of that day. Sec page 247.] Let me hear that you are all united and happy. ■ k It my id net, o dis- incerc asion, ac, as scuds ly ser- iromo- ysclt' I ?st pro- rclaiid. ?n here ; under tic time ot resist honor )ck, &c. re, pray ant. 1 0,1812. mc in of my ;c 247.1 happy. sin ISAAC 11I10( K. 207 Mnjor-CSvnrrnl liroch to liis lirnthvrn. Lakh Ontauio. St'ptenii)cr 3, 1812. You will liavc licard of tlic comph>te success wliicli nttcnded the cflortM I directed aj^ainst De- troit. I \\\\\'o. rct'civod so many letters from people whose opinion I value, expressive of their admira- tion of the cxj)luit, that 1 begin to attach to it more importance than I was at first inclined. Should the affair be viewed in England in the light it is here, I cannot fail of meeting reward, and escaj)ing the horror of l)eing placed high on a shelf, never to he taken down. Some say that nothing could be more desperate than the measure ; but I answer, that the state of the province admitted of noiijing but desperate remedies. I got possession of the letters my anta- gonist addressed to the secretary at war, and also of the sentiments which hundreds of his army uttered to their friends. Confidence in the general was . gone, and evident despondency prevailed throughout. I have succeeded beyond expecta- tion. I crossed the river, contrary to the opinion of Colonel Proctor, , &c. ; it is, therefore, no wonder that envy should attribute to good fortune what, in justice to my own discernment, I must say, proceeded from a cool calculation of the pours and coyitres. They say that the value of the articles captured will amount to f30 or ,£40,000 ; in that case, my proportion will be something considerable. If it !• I I- U ''i- 19: 'i ( * * .! ^' . ■ t ? J ■ ■ ' ' , I 1 I h. . j t ' .. 1 ' \ i ; I i i '\ ' ■ LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF enable me to contribute to your comfort and liap- piness, I shall esteem it my liigliest reward. When I returned Heaven tlianks for my ama/ing success, I thought of you all ; you appeared to me liappy — your late sorrows forgotten ; and I felt as if you acknowledged that the many benefits, which for a series of }'ears I received from you, were not unworthily bestowed. Let me know, my dearest brothers, that vou are all ao;ain united. The want of union was nearly losing this province without even a struggle, and be assured it operates in the same degree in regard to fiimllies. A cessation of hostilities has taken place along this frontier. Should peace follow, the measure will be well ; if hostilities recommence, nothing could be more unfortunate than this pause. I cannot give you freely an account of my situa- tion — it is, however, of late much improved. The militia have been inspired, by the recent success, with confidence — the disaffected are silenced. The 49lh have come to my aid, besides other troops. I shall see Vincent, I hope, this evening at Kingston. He is appointed to the command of that post — a most important one. I have with- drawn Plendcrleath from Niagara to assist him. P is sitting opposite to me, and desires to be remembered. James Brock is likewise at Kinj*;- ston. I believe he considers it more his interest to remain with the 49th than to act as my private secretary ; indeed, the salary is a mere pittance. Poor Leggatt is dead, and has left his family in liap- ward. lazing to me felt as wliicU , were V, my united. •ovince perates e along iieasure nothing use. I y situa- 'd. The success, enced. other evening mand of with- ist him. es to be t King- interest private ittance. mily in '^e SIR ISAAC nnocK. 200 the most distressing circumstances. His wife died last year. Minor Smelt and Captain Brown have sent me your letters, for which I thank vou. Let Richard Potengor be assured that his letter afforded me the Injxhest irratification. I trust in Heaven that the whole of his tliouj;hts will be directed to studv, and to qualify himself for the holy profession he lias chosen. Ignorance is despised in most men, but more particularly in ihe clergyman educated at one of the universities, who must have neglected so many opportunities of acquiring knowledge. I received the other dav a lonu; letter from Sir Thomas Saumarez, from Halifax. I rejiret the death of the two Harry Brocks.* I have likewise been particularly unfortunate in the loss of two valuable military friends. I begin to be too old to form new friendships, and those of my youth are dropping off fast. General Sheaffe has lately been ?ent to me. There never was an individual so miserably off for the necessary assistance. Sir George Prevost has kindlv hearkened to my remonstrances, and in some measure supplied the deficiency. The 41st is an uncommonly fine regiment, but, with few exceptions, badly officered. You mention John Tupperf in a manner as to leave hope that he may * Henry Frederick Brock, Esq., jnrat of the Royal Court of Guern- sey ; and Lieutenant Henry Brock, R. N. In his letter, ,see page IQl,) Sir Thomas Sauruarez, speaking of the latter, says : " He was a most promising young officer, and, had the poor fellow lived, my brother James would probably have made him a commander this sumnricr." t His nephew, John E. Tujipcr, Esq., aged twenty, perished at sea in January, iai2, in the Mediterianean, the vessel in which he was a 1 III M II; ^ 1 If J \ ir.^- It f.-' i;- 270 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF still be living. God grant it ! lie is a G;rcat favorite of mine, and I should lament any disaster happening to him. Perhaps Glegg may be sent home by Sir George, and in that case I hope he %vill allow you to see the colours taken from the 4th U. S. regiment. The generality of the Eng- lish 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 Tuppcr is gone ! I could not have loved a son of my own more ardently. Hostilities I this instant understand are to be re- newed in four days ; and though landed only two hours, I must return immediately to Niagara, whence I shall write fully. Lieut. -Colonel Nickol, Quartermaster-General of Militia, to Major-Gcncral Brock, Detroit, August 25, 1812. I have just been informed by Colonel Proctor that he intends sending an express to-morrow to Fort George, which gives me an opportunity to forward a few printed copies of your proclamation, and to inform you that in order to carry it into effect, it has been found absolutely necessary to organize the civil government. Under existing circumstances, I have advised Colonel Proctor to passenger from Catalonia to Gibraltar having never been heard of after sailing. He vyras educated at Harrow at the same time as Lord Byron, Sir Robert Peel, &c. great isastcr e sent )pe he m the prized 3r 4. Todd. Id not dently. be re- nlv two lagara. Militia, .812. f^roctoi' TOW to inity to Imation, it into isary to existing )Ctor to heard of le as Lord SIR ISAAC BROCK. 271 assume the administration until your pleasure is known, to which he has agreed, and the necessary arrangements consequent thereto have been adopt- ed and promulgated. In Judge Woodward, who has been appointed secretary pro tern, 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 moderation and benevolence of his majesty's government, as well as to ensure the due administration of the laws, I do not think a more judicious choice could have been made. In all the discussions which took place on this subject, Colonel Proctor did me the honor to consult me ; and I have no hesitation in saying, that T urged him to the step he has taken, of which I hope you will, as it is only temporary, approve. We have had much difficulty in col- lecting the public cattle and horses, and have suffered greatly 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 cattle, 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 scattered, but I hope to finish this week. We got upwards of ^1,200 in money, and have sent down a hundred packs worth, I suppose Jl,500 more. I have reason to think the cap- tured property will not be much under £40,000. I 1 : ii *, i 4 272 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF We have still 350 prisoners to sliip off, but I hope to get rid of them in a few days. Public confidence seems to be partially restored ; business is again going on, and I hope that the country Avill become perfectly quiet. It is impossible for me to say when I shall get done here. I hope, however, it will not be long. I regret that we are not able to send you complete returns of every thing ; but the captured property is in so many different places, and so scattered, that it cannot be done. Extract from a Canadian Newspaper. Montreal, September 12. Last Sunday evening the inhabitants of this city were gratified with an exhibition equally novel and interesting. That General Hull should have entered into our city so soon, at the head of his troops, rather exceeded our ex- pectations. We were, however, very happy to see him, and received him with all the honors due to his high rank and importance as a public character. The following particulars, relative to his journey and reception at Mon- treal, may not be uninteresting to our readers : It appears that General Hull and suite, accompanied by about 25 officers and 3oO soldiers, left Kingston, under an escort of 130 men, commanded by Major Heathcote, of the Newfoundland regiment. At Cornwall, the escort was met by Captain Gray, of the quartermaster-general's department, who took charge of the prisoners of war, and from thence proceeded with them to La Chine, where they arrived about two o'clock on Sunday afternoon. At La Chine, Captains Richardson and Ogilvie, with their com- panies of Montreal militia, and a company of the king's ,« SIR ISAAC BROCK. 273 from Lower Chine, commanded by Captain Blackmore, formed the escort till they were met by Colonel Auldjo, with the remainder of the flanic companies of the militia, upon which Captain Blackmore'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 : 1. Band of the king's regiment. 2. The first division of the escort. 3. General Hull in a < rirriage, accompanied by Captain Gray. Captain Hull anl Major Shekleton followed in the second, and some wounded officers occupied four others. 4. The American officers. 5. The non-commissioned officers and soldiers. 6. The second division of the escort. It unfortunately proved rather late in the evening for the vast concourse of spectators assembled to experience that gratification they so anxiously looked for. This in- convenience was, however, in a great measure remedied by the illuminations of the streets through which the line of march passed. When they arrived at the general's house, the general was conducted in, and presented to his excellency Sir George Prevoat, and was received with the greatest politeness, and invited to take up his residence there during his stay at Montreal. The other officers were accommodated at Holmes' hotel, and the soldiers lodged in the Quebec barracks. The general appears to be about sixty years of age, and is a good looking man, and we are informed by those who have had frequent opportunities of conversing with him, that he is a man of general information. He is communicative, and seems to bear his misfortunes with a degree of philosophical resig- nation that but few men in similar circumstances are gifted with. On Thursday last General Hull, with eight American officers, left this city for the United States, on their parole. i I n k. ? ■ •V > I M ui:* M I- 274 LIl'i: AM) ( OUIIESPONDENCE Oi-' CHAPTER XIII. After issuing a proclamation to the inhabitants of the Michigan territory, by -which their private projjerty was secured and their laws and religion confirmed, and leaving as large a force under Colonel Proctor as could be spared at Detroit, Major-General Brook hastened to return to the Niagara frontier ; and while on his voyage across Lake Erie, in the schooner Chippewa, he was met on the 23d of August by the provincial schooner Lady Prevost, of 14 guns, the commander of which, after saluting the general with seventeen guns, came on board and gave him the first intel- ligence of the armistice which Sir George Prevost had unfortunately concluded with the American general. Dearborn. Major-General Brock could not conceal his deep regret and mortification at the intelligence, which he feared would prevent his contemplated attack on Sackett's Harbour. Sir George Prevost, early in August, on hearing of the repeal of the British orders in council, which were the principal among the alleged causes of the war, had proposed a suspension of hostilities until the sentiments of the American government were received on the subject j and to this suspension the mtil ivere Ision SIR ISAAC BROCK. 27r) Gcnci'fil l)carl)orn readily agreed, with the excep- tion of tlie forces under General Hull, who, he said, acted under the ininicdiate orders of the secretary at war. But, )»y the terms of the truce, General Hull had the option of availing liimself of its provisions if he thought fit, and that he would ijladlv have done so there can be no doubt. ITapj)ily, however, owing to the raj)idi(y of Major- General Brock's movements, the news of the armistice did not reach the belligerent com- manders in time to prevent the surrender of the one, or to snatch well-earned laurels from the brow of the other.* This armistice was attended with very prejudicial conse(|uenccs, as it not only marred the attcnij)t on Sackett's Harbour, but it rendered unavailing the command of the lakes, which was then held by the British. f The successful commander, in transmittino: bv Captain Glcgg his dispatches to the governor- general at INIontreal, expressed, tlu'ough his aide- de-camp, his intention of proceeding immediately to Kingston, and from thence to the attack of the naval arsenal at Sackett's Harbour, on Lake On- tario. Had its destruction been accomplished — and no one can doubt that this was the proper * To the facts and observations above stated I must add the extra- ordinary circumstance, that a staff officer was sent, express from Montreal to Upper Canada, to prevent (ieneral Brock from proceeding to the western district, but which most happily was prevented from taiiing effect by llie extraordinary rai)idity of tlie movements of tliat most zealous and gallant officer, who had arrived thither before the officer so sent could reach him. — Lt-lttrs of Veritas. + See extract from Letters of Veritas on this point. Appendix A, Section l. No. 3. n : ^ i'll p !i i 't l\ Ir I \ih: 1 ■% • 270 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE 01' period to attempt it, as tlie enemy, dispirited by the capture of Detroit, would |)robably have offered but a feeble resistance — the Americans could not, without much additional difficulty and future risk of destruction, have built and efiuij)ped the fleet which subsequently gave them the naval ascend- ancy on that lake, and enabled them twice in 1813 to capture the capital of U])per Canada. The armistice, however, caused a delay of nearly a fortnight in the necessary preparations, as Major- General Brock returned from Detroit to Fort George on the 24th of August, and the cessation of the truce was not known to him until his arrival at Kingston, on the 4th of September. The dis- tance by water between Fort George and Kingston is about IGO miles, and from Kingston to Sackett's Harbour only 35 miles ; so that the destruction of the arsenal might have been effected early in Sej)- tember, had not the armistice prevented the at- tempt. But, unhappily for the interests of his country and the credit of his own fame. Sir George Prevost disapproved of the proposition, and com- manded Major-General Brock to relinquish all idea of the contemplated enterprize, although the official intelligence of the president's refusal to con inue the suspension of hostilities reached him at Montreal on the 30th of August, a day or two before Captain Glegg, with the dispatches and trophies of the capture of Detroit. At the com- mencement of the war, a defensive attitude was perhaps excusable, especially as the British cabinet at- liis ►rge !om- II all II the il to hiin two and :om- was Ibinet SIR ISAAC imocK. 277 <;ccms to have bcrii anxious to accommodate tlie diflcronccs between the two countries ; but after the American government bad refused to continue tlie armistice, it appears to us that Sir CJeorgc Prevost was pursuing a suicidal course, as to wait for the enemy till be sball bave j)repared bis forces and passed your frontiers, to plunder your towns and occuj)y your country, is a very recent expe- dient recognized by no government, and practised by no people of ancient or modern times. Hut notwithstanding the delay caused by the armistice, the proposed attack could still bave been carried into effect after its cessation ; and it was only relinquisbed by express orders from the com- mander-in-chief. We seek not to impugn his motives, as they probably originated in a mistaken sense of duty, and evidently from an impression that to attack the Americans again on their own frontier would be to render the congest more popu- lar among them. It was undci* this impression that, in a general order* issued at Montreal on the 31st of August, the commander-in-chief was weak enough to offer an indirect apology to the American people for the invasion of their territory at Detroit. Whether this continued defensive policy was such as, imder all the circumstances, ought to have been observed, we leave it to others to determine ; but certainly the result did not jus- tify its expediency, and the tree is usually judged of by its fruit. Forbearance in war, where suc- * Appendix A, Section 1, No. 4. ( I !'• I I ! I ■Sx'i 1(1 > u 1*1 r ■ ■ W ;M il mi 278 LIFi: AND COllUEsiPONDEXCE OF CCS9 is probable, strikes us as a positive evil tbut a very doubtfiil pfood may ensue — it is seldom pro- perly apj)rcciated j and the governor-geiierul ap- ])ears to bave seen bis error uben too late, ;is in tbe followinj^ year be was bimself ignobly i'olK'd in an attack on Sackett's Harbour. AV'e crii::iot understand \vbv tbe attack under Sir Gcorjjo Prevost, in May, 1813, was more politic tbun it would bave been in September tbe year preceding:, under Major-General Brock ; and altbougb Cap- tain Glc«^|T met witli a very cbilling reception from tbe former officer, vet we would willinyjlv acquit bim of any jealous feeling wbere such im- jiortant interests were at stake. At tbe same time it is due to tbe memory of tbis unfortunate offi- cer to add, tbat bis civil administration \;as a?* able as bis military one in Canada was inf/'orious; and tbat altbougb bis conduct as a soldier was on more tban one occasion tbe subject of mucli and just animadversion in England, yet be acquireil tbe warm attachment of tbe French Canadians, who speak highly of bim to this day. Those leading men who, during the administration of Sir James Craig, bad been considered almost as enemies, were treated with confidence by bis sue- cessor, who gradually appointed them to situations of trust, and by this w^ise measure secured their aid and influence in the defence of tbe province. Certain it is, on the other band, that Major- General Brock did not approve of tbe defensive warfare to which he was restricted, and subsequent sin isAA( nuocK. 'J/D incuts too truly proved tliat had lie bccti porniittcd (.0 piirsuo tliiit course which his /rid iiud loresij^ht dictated, his vahiahlo lite Tni«j;ht have hccu sj)ared, :tnd a vcrv ditlerent series of incidents in tliat war claimed the attention of the historian. The hi;^h- rninded soldier could not brook a state of inaction Nsith such proniisiiin; j)rosjjects before him. His host fcelinjxs revolted at bciny; compelled to lan- iXdisli within the strict pale of military obedience, wlien so rich a field for doin^ j^ood service ])re- sented itself; and in place of becoming the assail- ant, lie was soon doomed, by awaiting the attacks of Ills opponents, to sacrifice not only life, but, ■vvJiat is far dearer, the opening prospects of honor- able ambition. On the lOth December, 181'2, the iidiabitants of the Niagara district addressed a spirited letter to Sir George Provost, from which we copy the following extract, as confirming what we have already stated on the same subject : *' Nevertheless, such was the popularity of the general, such the confidence he had inspired, that he was enabled to carry with him to Detroit, though under great privations, a large body of volunteers, which, in addition to the small regular force at Amherst- burg, enabled him to capture an entire army of our invaders, with the fortress from which they iiiid made their descent into Canada — a success unparalleled in the annals of war. Here, for the first time, we got a supply of good arms. The siiccess of this first enterprize, in which the militia ( ti n 'iU 111 i i ii* I 1*1 280 MFE AND (OnnrsPONDENC E OF wcro t'ii«;ii<;o(l, acted like an clectrif sliock tliroiitrli- out the countrv : it awed tlic disaflcctrtl, of whom there were many ; it coDfirined the timid and tlio wavering ; ajid it induced the Six Nation Indians, who had until that time kept aloof, to take an active part in our favor. At that moment such was the enerjrv and coniidcnce that had hecn ex- cited by our illustrious chief and the success of his plans, that had Iia heen permitted, he could, and would, have destroyed and laid waste the whole American frontier, from Sandusky to St. Regis. Your excellency douhtless recollects the armistice which immediately preceded the capture of De- troit, which gave the enemy an opportunity to recover from their consternation, to fortify and strengthen their lines, to accumulate in security the means of annoying us at pleasure along our whole frontier, and whicli sent at least 800 of our Indian allies in disjjust to their own homes." Colonel Daynes to Major-General Brock. Montreal, August 13, 1812.* I wrote to you from Albany on the 8th instant, but as my letter was submitted to the inspection of General Dearborn, I of course confined myself to the sole subject of the armistice entered into with that officer .... A clause, admitting reinforce- ments to pass with stores, was readily agreed to * This letter was forwarded by Brigade-Major Sheklcton with that of the I'ith August, (see page 217,) from Sir George Prevost, who doubtless wrote another the following day relative to tlie armistice, but we cannot find it among Major-General Brock's papers. T sin ISAAC nnorK. 281 on niv part, (iciicral Doarliorii told mil' tlifit a consiclcraldc rcinrorcemont nitli store* was on its way to Niai^ara, and tliat lie could not delay or alter its dt '^fination. I intornicd liini tliat nc wore ;iNo Ibrwardinj^ rcint'orconients and stores, and tliat it -would be advisable to njjrree that all movements of that nature on ritlicr side slioukl be snd'ered to |)rocccd unmolestedly l>y troops under instru>:tions to preserve dei'ensive measures. I am apprclicnsivo that General Dearborn may not ex- plicitly explain all these points; and I have there- fore cautioned all the otficers, to whom 1 have communicated them, to act with the utmost cau- tion, and to be prepared for all events that may arise. I feel extremely prepossessed in favor of General Dearborn, whose manners ajjpear to evince great candour and sincerity : he assured me that no event of his life would afford him so much satisfaction and happiness as resigning his command in consequence of our honorable adjust- ment of differences. He told me that Cieneral 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 liimself bound to obey any order that was not in conformity to them. [Colonel Baynes describes at length the inci- pient state of military preparation for the inva- sion of Lower Canada, which he witnessed on his journey ; and after mentioning that the Americans had sent the most efficient of their forces to the Niagara frontier, he adds : ] f ') !'■ ! i ]':. 11: ^iil M -» # t .■ Unj l I iirjj i 282 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF Under all these circumstances, wliicli I have represented to Sir George, I have strongly urged his sending you further reinforcements, which I am sure can be snared : W2 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 importance, particularly if we are likely to arrange matters with the States, that the balance of military events should be unequivocally in our favor. I found a very general prejudice prevailing with Jonathan, of his own resources and means of invading these provinces, and of our weakness and inability to resist, both exaggerated in a most ab- surd and extravagant degree — a little practical correction of this error would be attended with the best effects. The 1st battalion of the royals are upwards of 1,100 strong, but sickly, having suffered from their long residence in the "West Indies, and they are in consequence m^ked for the Quebec garrison. Major- General Brock to Colonel Proctor. Fort George, August 25, 1812. I wrote to you yesterday, informing you that a cessation of hostilities had been agreed upon be- tween Sir George Prevost and General Dearborn, and requesting you in consequence to postpone any attempt upon Fort Wayne, or any other post of the enemy. I consider the present forbearance I SIR ISAAC BROCK. 283 may lead to such consequences that I cannot re- frain from sending^ a second express, to urge you to restrain the Indians likewise in thc^ir predatory excursions : this, however, ought to be done with the utmost caution, and on <>;rounds foreiu^n from the present considerations. Colonel Myers tells me that ho forwarded on the 11th instant a dispatch received from Sir George Prevost to me, in which his excellency so clearly stated the principles of moderation upon which he thought it expedient to ace, that I fully expect, should you have received the dispatch and perused his sentiments, you will forbear from any hostile aggression ; in fact, act completely upon the de- fensive. Should every thing remain quiet in the vicinity of Detroit, you will proceed hither, bringing to Fort Erie the detachments which Captain Cham- bers and Lieutenant Bullock took to Amherstburg. All the spare ordnance is to be transported to Fort Erie without delay. I should also think that Lieutenant Troughtou and a few of liis men could be spared for some time from the duties at Amherstburg ; in that case, you will have the goodness to order them to ac- company you. Major-General Brock arrived at Kingston on the 4th of September, and left it on the Gtli for Fort George. During this hasty visit he reviewed the militia, and expressed his satisfaction at its :t'i I . '■( '1;!''- il M i ! ■ I li i I : ( m ill t«~dB 284 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF evolutions and appearance. He also received a flattering address from the magistrates, officers of militia, and other inhabitants ; and in reply lie told them with much tact, that it was the confi- dence inspired by the admirable conduct of the York and Lincoln regiments of militia which had induced him to undertake the expedition which terminated in the capture of Detroit, and that from the report of the ofliccrs of the garrison at Kingston, he relied with the same confidence on the bravery and the discij)line of the militia of that district. In the same manner, In an address a few days before from the Inhabitants of York, he said : "Gentlemen, — I cannot but feel highly gratified by this expression of your esteem for myself; but, in justice to the brave men at whose head I marched against the enemy, I must beg leave to direct your attention to them, as the pro- per objects of your gratitude. It was a confidence, founded on their loyalty, zeal, and valour, that determined me to adopt the plan of operations which led to so fortunate a icrralnatlon. Allow me to congratulate you, gentlemen, at having sent out from among yourselves a large portion of that gallant band ; and that at such a period a spirit had manifested Itself, on which you may confi- dently repose your hopes of future security. It win be a most pleasing duty for me to report to our sovereign a conduct so truly meritorious." beg pro- snce, that Itions .llow sent that ipirit lonfi- It Irt to SIR ISAAC BROCK, 285 Major-General Brock to Sir George Prevost. Kingston, September 4, 1812. Upon my arrival here an horr a^^o, Captain Fulton delivered me your excellency's dispatch, dated the 31st ultimo, enclosing a letter from General Dearborn, in which the president's dis- approval of the armistice is announced. I am in consequence induced to return without loss of time to Fort George. Captain Fulton having expressed a wish to accompany me, I have the more readily consented, as he will be able to give you -full in- formation of our actual state. The enemy was very busy upon Fort Niagara, and appeared in- clined to erect additional batteries. I may perhaps think it proper to stop their career. I enclose several documents lately received from Colonel Proctor, at Detroit. Tiiat officer appears to have conducted himself with much judgment. I likewise transmit a memorial which I have re- ceived from some merchants in the Niagara dis- trict, but of course I cannot judge of its merits. I shall be obliged to your excellency to direct the remittance of the £5,000, for which I sent a requisition some time ago, on account of the civil expenditure of this province, either in government paper or specie, as you may deem most convenient. I doubt not the former meeting a ready currency. The very flattering manner in which your ex- cellency is pleased to view my services, and your kindness In having represented them to his majes- 1? m i'!i ■' 'i \ r; ^lt < i tt| I I 'I I m Uj n J" I' n 28G LIFE AND COUIIESPONDENCE OF ty's ministers in such favorable light, are gratifying to my feelings, and call for my grateful acknow- Icdfjments. 3Iaj or- General Brock to Sir George Prcvost. Fort George, September 9, 1812. I have been honored with your excellency's dis- patch, dated the 24th ultimo, and have to thank you for ordering a company of the Glengary regi- ment to strengthen Colonel Lethbridgo at Prescott, Avhose force you have been led to believe was weakened in consequence of my interference, but which, I beg leave to state, was done without my knowledge, and contrary to ray intention. The enclosed copies of letters will inform you of the state of affairs to the westward. It appears evident the enemy meditates a second attempt on Amherstburg. The greater part of the troops, which are advancing, marched from Kentucky with an intention of joining General Hull. How they are to subsist, even for a short period, in that already exhausted country, is no easy matter to conceive. This difficulty will probably decide them on some bold measure, in the hope of short- ening the campaign. If successfully resisted, their fate is inevitable. The Indians, it appears by the accompanying documents, were adverse to retreating without first making a trial of their strength. Taking, how- ever, every circumstance into consideration, I am inclined to think that Captain Muir acted judi- • a living It'lirst, 1 liow- I am judi- SIR ISAAC BROCK. 287 ciously. Should the Indians continue to afford a ^villing' co-operation, I entertain not tlie Guiallest doubt of the result that awaits this second attempt to turn my right ; but your excellency will easily perceive that doubts and jealousies have already seized their minds. The officers of the Indian department will, I trust, be able to remove all such impressions. Although, from the daily ob- servations 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 flank companies of the royal Newfoundland regi- ment to Amherstburg. 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 their quotas, and the raggedncss 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 Indians have joined and augmented the force on the other side. Their brethren here feel certain that they will not act with any spirit against us — so I imagine, if we continue to shew a bold front ; but in the event of a disaster, the love of plunder will prevail, and they will then act in a manner to be the most dreaded by the inhabitants of this country. I beg leave to recommend to your excellency's indulgent consideration, Colonel Proctor's appli- H !.i I ■ *:! M! 1 t i !l U i ill i;i 288 LIFE AND CORUKSPONDENCE OF cation for an increase of pay ps commanding a district, wliich I request may commence from the IGtli Au<;ust last. Colonel Bayncs to Mojor-General Brock. Montreal, September 10, 1812. Sir Georcje writes to you so fully upon the several subjects to wliich your letters refer, that I liave little left to communicate to you. Major Ileathcote leaves this to-day, with all the small description of ordnance stores intended for Am- herstburg, but we have detained the r2-])ounders and shot ; as you have helped yourself so amply at Detroit, it is imagined you do not now want them. I enclose a letter from Captain Roberts, who was, I suppose, induced to address himself direct to head quarters, by an opportunity of doing so offering itself at the moment. The North -West gentlemen are very urgent in recommending a reinforcement in that quarter ; but Sir George has told them that their representation must be ad- dressed to you, who will act as you deem proper. Your friend, Mr. Isaac Todd, 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 attorney-general, and that the governor's salary is increased ^1,000 a year. I sincerely trust that it will soon be your own. Sir George has in his official dispatches, after paying that tribute of praise so justly your due, stated as 'us 'confirmed opinion, that the sal- I' ' I 'J uling a •om the 1812. pon the ', that I Major le small for Am- |)ounders ;o ami)ly ow want Roberts, 3 himself ' of doing rth-West Hiding a •orge has be ad- 1 proper, ed, and sutfered me that cral, and £1,000 a bo your patches, stly your t the sal- sin ISAAC nnocK. 280 valion of tlio I'pper Province has in a very great niensurc aris(;n from the civil and military autho- rity being combined in able hands. The prisoners, with their general, arrived here on Sunday night; as thev had not halted since th':!V left Kiny;ston, and were in a very dirty state, we kept them here on jNIonday, and they yesterday proceeded to William Henry, on their way to Quebec ; the officers are to be on parole in Charlesbourg, and the men confined on board two transports in the river. Sir George has permitted most of the officers, who have 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 Essex frigate. Sir George has also consented to allow General Hull to return upon his parole : he is loud in his complaints against the government at Washington, and the general thinks that his voice, in the general cry, may be attended with beneficial effects, and has allowed him to return and enter the lists. General Hull appears to possess less feeling and sense of shame than any man in his situation could be supposed to do. He seems to be perfectly satisfied with himself, is lavish of censure i.pon his government, but appears to think that the most scrupulous cannot attach the slightest blame to his owl immediate conduct at Detroit. The grounds upon which he rests his defence are not, 1 fancy, well founded, for he told us that he had not gunpowder at Detroit for the service of one day. Sir George has since shown him the N k 1 HI ■ ' t 3 r I; i ' 'il \ i t f I 2 LIFE AND COnnESPOXDENCE OF return of tlie large supply found in the fort; it did not create a biusli, but lie made no reply. He professes great surprise and admiration at the zeal and military prej)aration that he has every- where witnessed; that it was entirely unlocked for, and that he has no doubt that his friend, General Dearborn, will share his fate, if he has the imprudence to follow his exam])le. Hull seems cunning and unprincipled : how much reliance is to be placed on his professions, time will shew. General Dearborn has certainly left Albany for Skeensborough, at the head of the lake, where great preparations have been making in collecting boats and sendinjj the rcijulars from Greenbush to the stations in our vicinity. Major Cotton, with about 300 men, half of the king's regiment, is stationed at Isle aux Noix,* and two gun-boats have been carried into that river, as the enemy's j)reparations seem to indicate that quarter as their point of attack. Colonel Murray commands at St. John's, and will give them a warm reception. I do not feel a doubt of Jonathan's complete dis- comfiture and disgrace if he make the attempt : we could, I fancy, bring as many men as he will be able to persuade into the field, and of very superior stuff, for our militia have really improved * Cotcau cltt Lac and Isle aux Noix are the keys of Lower Canada , the former completely commands the navij^ation of the St. Lawrence between the Upper and Lower Provinces, and the latter had been so decidedly regarded as the barrier of Lower Canada from the Champlain frontier, that it excited the particulai- attention of the French eng'i- neers in the last defence of the country, and was afterwards fortified at considerable expense by General Haidimand, during: the war of the American revolution. — Qudvti'rli/ Jli'vittw. rt ; it reply, at the every- looked friend, he has 1 seems iance is ew. aiiv for Avherc llectin/iufr from what you Imve alroadv • 'Med in Upper Camula, I do not doubt but thai, your present means of defence, you will be able to maintain your position at Fort Geor<;e, and tliat the enemy will be aliitelv istricl, d sent lay. lie dis- ■opose, I shall I Broch. , 181-2. ^eipt of ct of a ant by [nent of Honor- sury of onor to trusted terview ertain- ners of Imav be and if condi- e from pplies. jersons etroit, diately SIR ISAAC BROCK. •297 receive at Fort Niapjara, or such otlier convenient place as you may order them to be landed at. In a communication which I some time since had the honor of receiving from Licut.-Colonel jVIvers, he assured me that it had been the constant study of the general officer commandinfj on this line to discountenance, by all means in his power, the warfare of sentinels ; yet the frequent recur- rence of this warfare within a few days past, would warrant the presumption that a different course has been adopted. I wish to be assured of this fact. Major- General Broch to Major-General S. V. Rensselaer. Head Quarters, Fort George, Sept. 17, 181*2. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this date. Captain Dyson has ob- tained my permission to cross on his parole to the United States ; he has, however, requested to remain till to-morrow, to settle with the men of his detachment. He shall in the mean time have an interview with Colonel Van Rensselaer. Measures will be immediately taken to land the women and children at Fort Niaijara. It has been with the utmost regret that I have perceived within these few days a very heavy firing from both sides of the river. I am, how- ever, given to understand, that on all occasions it commenced on yours ; and from the circumstance of the Hag of truce, which I did myself the honor to send over yesterday, having been repeatedly 'II I 1^ I 1 Ml '1 298 LIFE AND COURESPOr/DENCE OF fired upon, while in the act of crossing tlie river, I am inclined to give full credit to the correctness of the information. Without, however, recurring to the past, you may rest assured on my repeating my most positive orders against the continuance of a practice, which can only be injurious to indivi- duals, without promoting the object which both our nations may have in view. We cannot find the dispatch from Sir George Prevost of the 7th of September, to which the *\ext letter is an ans er, but it could not have been of a very pleasing character, and certainly Major-General Brock's implicit obedience to suck instructions is most creditable to him. I' ■ Major-General Brock to Sir George Prevost. Fort George, September 18, 1812. I have been honored with your excellency's dis- patch, dated the 7th instant. I have implicitly followed your excellency's instructions, and ab- stained, under great temptation and provocation, from every act of hostility. The information received from a deserter, and which I had the honor to detail in my last, is far from correct, and, where credit is to be given, the facts apply solely to the regular force. The militia, being selected from the most violent democrats, are generally in- clined to invade this province — provisions are in tolerable plenty — the only complaint arises from 's dis- ilicitly id ab- jcation, lation id the ft, and, solely ilected illy in- are in IS from SIR ISAAC BROCK. '299 a vv int of vegetables. It is currently reported that the enemy's force is to be increased to 7,000, and that on their arrival an attack is immediately to be made. I am convinced the militia would not keep together in their present situation without such a prospect, nor do I think the attempt can be long deferred. Sickness prevails in some degree along the line, but principally at Black Rock. The flank companies of the royal Newfoundland have joined me. A sergeant and twenty-five rank and file of the Veterans arrived at the same time, whom I propose sending to Michiliraakinack. The enclosed letter from Colonel Proctor will inform your excellency of a force having been detached, under Captain Muir, for the reduction of Fort Wayne.* I gave orders for it previous to mv leavinfj Amherstburfj, which must have in- duced Colonel Proctor to proceed, upon receiving intelligence of the recommencement of hostilities, without waiting for further directions. I regret exceedingly that this service should be undertaken contrary to your excellency's wishes ; but I beg leave to assure you, that the principal object in sending a British force to Fort Wayne is with the hope of preserving the lives of the garrison. By the last accounts, the place was invested by a numerous body of Indians, with very little pros- * Fort Wayne is situated at the junction of the St. Mary and St. Joseph rivers, which form the Miami of the lake, and not more than twelve miles from the navif^ablc waters of the Wabash. This post is nearly in the centre of the Indian settlements on this side the Missis, sippi. Many Indian villages lay from twelve to sixty miles from thi» place. — Brown's Amnriean History. 1 f :.'' ■ \i ? 1 *!i ;H I 'I '1 %\ ■^ i^ 99BK 300 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF pert of bein^ relieved. The prisoners of war-, Avho know perfectly the situation of the p;arrisoii, rejoiced at the measure, and give us full credit for our intentions. The Indians were likewise looking; to us for as- sistance : thev heard of the armistice with every mark of jealousy, and, had we refused joining- them in the expedition, it is impossible to calculate the consequences. I have already been asked to pledge my word that England would enter into no neirociation in which their interests were not in- eluded, and, could they be brought to imagine that we should desert them, the consequences must be fatal. I shall be obliged to your excellency to direct .£5,000 to be transmitted to the receiver-general, for the civil expenditure of this province. Army bills, I make no doubt, will answer every purpose. This dispatch is entrusted to Lieut. -Colonel Nichol, quartermaster-general of this militia, whom 1 take the liberty to introduce to your excellency, as perfectly qualified, from his local knowledge and late return, to afford every information of the state of affairs in the western district. He is in- structed to make extensive purchases of necessaries for the use of the militia, and I have to entreat your excellency to indulge him with the means of a speedy conveyaLce back to this place. SIR ISAAC BROCK. 301 Mojor-Gencral Brock to his brother Savcry. Fort George, Septornbcr 18, 1812. You doubtless feci much anxiety on mv account. I am really placed in a most awkward predica- ment. If I get through my present difficulties with tolerable success, I cannot but obtain ])raise. But I have plreadv surmounted difficulties of infi- nitely greater magnitude than any within my view. Were the Americans of one mind, the opposition I could make would be unavailing ; but I am not without hope that their divisions may be the saving of this province. A river of about oUO yards broad divides the troops. My instructions oblige me to adopt defensive measures, and I have evinced greater forbearance than was ever practised on any former occasion. It is thought that, without the aid of the sword, the American people may be brou'j^ht to a due sense of their own interests. 1 firmly believe I could at this moment sweep every thins: before me between Fort Niagara and Buf- falo — but my success would be transient. I have now officers in whom I can confide : when the war commenced, I was really obliged to seek assistance among the militia. The 41st is an uncommonly fine regiment, but wretchedly offi- cered. Six companies of the 49th are with me here, and the remaining four at Kingston, under N'incent. Although the regiment has been ten vears in this country, drinking rum without bounds, it is still respectable, and apparently ar- i£ ' •. 1i ' I ! lii 302 LIFE AND COnilESPONDENCE OF (lent for an opportunity to acquire distinction : it has five captains in England, and two on the staff' in this country, which leaves it bare of experienced officers. The U. S. regiments of the line desert over to us frequently, as the men are tired of the service : opportunities seldom offer, otherwise I have reason to think the greater part would follow the example. The militia, being chiefly composed of enraged democrats, are more ardent and anxious to engage, but they have neither subordination nor discipline. They die very fast. You will hear of some decisive action in the course of a fortnight, or in all probability we shall return to a state of tranquillity. I say decisive, because if I should be beaten, the province is inevitably gone ; and should I be victorious, I do not imagine the gen- try from the other side will be anxious to return to the charge. Ir, is certainly something singular that we should be upwards of two months in a state of warfare, and that along this widely extended frontier not a single death, either natural or by the sword, should have occurred among the troops under my com- mand, and we have not been altogether idle, nor has a single desertion taken place. I am quite anxious for this state of warfare to end, as I wish much to join Lord Wellington, and to see you all. Has poor Betsey recovered the loss of my young and dear friend ^ John Tupper ? P sill ISAAC BROt'K. Sir George Prevust to Major- General Brock. 303 Montreal, September 25, 181*2. It no longer appears, by your letter of the 13th, that you consider the enemy's operations on tho Niagara frontier indicative of active operations. If the government of America inclines to defen- sive measures, I can only ascribe the determina- tion to two causes : the first is, the expectation of such overtures from us as will lead to a suspension of hostilities, preparatory to negociations for peace ; the other arises from having ascertained, by expe- rience, our ability in the Canadas to resist the attack of a tumultuary force. In consequence of your having weakened the line of communication between Cornwall and Kingston, a predatory warfare is carrying on there very prejudicial to the intercourse from hence with Upper Canada. I have ordered a company of the Glengary to Prescott to strengthen Colonel Leth- bridge, and, under present circumstances, you are not to expect further aid. I agree in opinion with you, that so wretched is the organization and discipline of the American army, that at this moment much might be effected against them ; but as the government at home could derive no substantial advantage from any disgrace we might inflict on them, whilst the more important concerns of the country are committed in Europe, I again request you will steadily pur- sue that policy which shall appear to you best !! i " , I f^ J } I ^ ' 1 I 'M)4 LIl-E AND ( OiniESrO.VDENCE OF (;ulciilatcd to promote the dwiiidliniL^ away of such a force bv its own inefficient means. » 1 shall receive with much satisfaction Colonel Proctor's report of havinj^ saved the p^arrison of FortAVayne from the inhuman fury of the Indians. I am particularly anxious that class of beings should be restrained and controlled as much as })ossible, whilst there exists a pretence of implica- tinir the national character in their cruelties. II i The following letter not only explains the im- policy of obeying Sir George Prevost's provisional orders for the evacuation of Detroit and tlie jNIichigan territory, but also ably deprecates any abandonment of our Indian allies. With such leaders as its author and Tecumsch, what might not have been done in this war to obtain the secu- rity and regeneration of this much injured people ? But alas! these "kindred spirits" lived not long enough to plead their cause, and in the negocia- tions for peace their interests were shamefully overlooked or cruelly forgotten ;* although, in the first American war, the Indians had also, with few exceptions, taken part with Great Britain against the colonists in their contest for independence. It is true that their mode of warfare is abhorrent * "The Indians on this occasion" (the defence of MichiJimakinack, in 1814, " Ijchaved with excniplarj- zeal and fidelity in our cause: and indeed their attachment throuf^hout has been such as to make nie blush for my country, in the dereliction of their interests in the iiegociations at Ghent, after so mauy promises made them, and so fair a prospect at the commencement of these iiegociations."— Le/^o-.s vf Veritas. h SIR ISAAC TmOCK. 3(V long !;ocia- ifullv ill the 11 few jainst leiice. )rrent vinack, I cause ; make in the land so ILt'tters to Europeans, as dif]criiig; from the more luniorahh' slauirhter of cicilized enemies ; but Sir Isaac Brock pr oved lliat tliev were to be restrained, and Tecum- ih sell ' 'IS as I'uinanc as lie was brave. h iVI oi'cover. we should not condemn their previous excesses without rLmcmbcrin.> likely to lead to more awful consequences. If we can maintain ourselves at Niagara, and keep the communication to Montreal open, the Americans can only subdue the Indians by craft, which we ought to be prepared to see exerted to the utmost. The enmity of the Indians is now at its height, and it will require much management and large bribes to effect a change in their policy ; but the moment they are convinced that we either want the means to prosecute the war with spirit, or are negociating a separate peace, they will begin to study in what manner they can most effectually deceive us. sin ISAAC nunc K. 307 y Slioukl ncgociations for potico ho oj»cnod, I cannot be too earnest with vour ('\ocllen(;v to represent to the kini^'s niinistors the oxj)cdicncy of inchiding the Indians as allies, and not leave them exposed to the nnrelenlint; fiirv ol" their enenies. Tiic enemy has evidcntlv assumed defensive measures along the strait of Niagara. Ilis force, I apprehend, is not equal to allcinpt, with any probability of success, an expedition across the river. It is, however, currently reported that large reinforcements are on their march ; should thev arrive, an attack cannot be lonjx delaved. The aj)proach of the rainy season will increase the sickness with which the troops arc already afflict- ed. Those under my command are in })erfect health and spirits. I have the honor to transmit tlic purport of a coniidential communication* received in my ab- sence hv Brijxade-Maior Evans from Colonel Van Rensselaer. As your excellency's instructions agree witli the line of conduct he is anxious I should follow, nothing of a hostile nature shall be attempied under existing circumstances. The unlettered Tecumseh well knew the wronixs of the red men when he endeavoured, several vears before the war, to induce the Osages to unite in a general Indian confederacy against the continued * This communication, of which we have no particulars, Is the more siiif^ular, as Colonel Van R commanded the advance of the Amciic.in attacking party on tlic I3th of October, when Sir Isaac IJnx^k lo.st his life. Colonel Van R was severely wounded on that dav. I ii II M . ■M :30H I. mi; AM) ( oiiui:si'o.vui:.\ci: of t'licroaoIinuMits of the Americans, and u;avc' cxfciu- j)()raii('oiis utterance Ix'fore u lar^e assernljla'j;e to tlie iolluuiii^f simple \m\ f'aitlit'iil narration of their grievances. The haran<^nie, eloijuent as it is, sulfers) under all the disadvaiitii|^es of translation, and is but tlie shadow of the siuhstancc, because the ^:esturcs, and the intercst^i and feelings excited by the occasion, u hicli constitute the essentials of its character, are altogether wanting. Hrotliers, — Wc nil boloii}; to one family; v,o i,rc nil childrt'U of tho (ireiit ^pirlf ; we wulk. in the suuie path; sluke our Ihir-'t at the sn.ne sprini^ ; and now afl'uirs of the great es*t, eoneern lead us to &nioke the pipe around the same council fire ! Brothers*, — We are friends; wo must assist each other to bear our l)urdens. The hlood of nuiny of our fathers and brothers has run like water on the ••round, to satisfy the avarice of the wiiite men. V.'e, ourselves, are tlu'entened with a great evil ; nothing will pacify them but the des- truction of all the red men. Jlrothers, — When the white men first set foot on our grounds, they were hungry ; they had no place on which to spread their blankets, or to kindle their fires. They were feeble; they could do nothing for themselves. Our fiit hers commiserated their distress, and shared freely with them whatever the Great Spirit had given his red children. They gave them food when hungry, medicine when sick, spread skins for them to sleep on, and gave them grounds, that they might hunt and raise corn. — Brothers, the white people are like poisonous serpents : when chilled, they are feeble and harmless ; but invigorate them with warmth, and they sting their benefactors to death. The white people came among us feeble ; and now that we have made them strong, they wish to kill us, or drive us back, as they would wolves and panthers. n our icli to were it hers tliein lUlren. sick, undd, white jey tire rmth, that tirive SIR ISAAC nnocK. m) UrutluTJi, — The whiti* iiumi iirc not l'ri«'fnl«» to the In- dians •. lit first, thf'v only linked for hmd siitficient lor u Mijjcwani; now, nothini^ will satisfy them hut the whole of our hinitint; vjroimds, froin the ri^iiiu; to the sdiinir sun. Brothers, — The white men want mure than our hunting grounds ; they w'nh to kill our old men, women, and little ones. IJrothers, — Many winters ago, there was no land ; tluj sun did not rise and set; nil Mas darkness. The (Jreat Spirit mad(! all things. lie i^ave the white people a home beyond the great waters, lie sup|)lied these grounds with game, and gave them to his red children ; and he gave them strength and courage to defend thenj. Urolhers, — My people wish for peace ; the red men all wish for peace ; but where the white people are, there is no peace for them, except it he on the bosom of our mother. IJrothcrs, — The white men despise and cheat the In- dians; they abuse and insuitthem; tijcy do not think the red men sufficiently good to live. The red men have borne many and great injuries; they ought to sutt'er them no lonirer. My people will not ; they are determined on vengeance; they have taken up the tomahawk ; they will make it fut with blood ; they will drink the blood of the white people. Brothers, — My people are brave and numerous ; but the white people are too strong for them alone. I wish you to take up the tomahawk with them. If we all unite, we will cause the rivers to stain the great waters with their blood. Brothers, — If you do not unite with us, they will first destroy us, and then you will fall an easy prey to thein. They have destroyed many nations of red men, because they were not united, because they were not friends to each other. Brothers, — The white people send runners amongst us ; they wish to make us enemies, that they may sweep over i t • \ ™ 310 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF and desolate our huntinjj grounds, like devastating winds, or rushing waters. Brothers, — Our Great Father, over the great waters, ig angry with the white people, our enemies, lie will send his brave warriors against them ; he will send us rlHes, and whatever else we want — he is our friend, and we are his ehlldren. Brothers, — Who are the white people that we should fear them ? They cannot run fast, and are good murks to shoot at : they are only men ; our fathers have killed many of them : we are not squaws, and we will stain the earth red with their blood. Brothers, — The Great Spirit is angry with our enemies ; he speaks in thunder, and the earth swallows up villages, and drinks up the Mississijjpi. The great waters will cover their lowlands ; their corn cannot grow ; and the Great Spirit will sweep those who escape to the hills from the earth with his terrible breath. Brothers, — We must be united j we must smoke the same pipe ; we must fight each other's battles ; and, more than all, we must love the Great Spirit : he is for us ; he will destroy our enemies, and make all his red children happy. Conclusion of Major- Cieueral Brock's general order, Detroit, Kith August, 1812 : "The conduct of the Indians under Colonel Elliott, Captain M'Kee, and the other officers of that department, joined to that of the gallant and brave chiefs of their respective tribes, has since the commencement of the war been marked with acts of true lieroism, and in nothing can they testify more strongly their love to the king, their great father, than in following the dictates of honor and humanity, by which they have been hitherto actuated. Two fortifications have already been captured from the enemy, without a drop of blood being shed by the hands of the Indians : the instant the enemy submitted, his life became sacred." IS SIR ISAAC BROCK. :3n CHAPTER XIV. The Americans, burning to wipe away the stain of their discomliture at Detroit, and apparently determined to penetrate into Upper Canada at any risk, concentrated with those views, along the Niagara frontier, an army consisting, according to their own official returns, of 5,20G men, under Major-General Van Rensselaer, of the New York militia, exclusive of 300 field and light artillery, 800 of the Gth, 13th, and 23d regiments, at Fort Niagara ; making a total of G,300 men. Of this powerful force, l,GoO regulars, under the com- mand of Brigadier Smyth, were at Black Rock ; 386 militia at the last named place and Buffalo ; and 900 regulars and 2,270 militia at Lewistown, distant from Black Rock 28 miles. Thus the enemy had, along their frontier of 36 miles, 3,650 regulars and 2,6«)0 militia.* To oppose this force Major-General Brock, whose head quarters were at Fort George, had under his immediate orders |)art of the 41st and 49th regiments, a few com- panies of militia, amounting to nearly half these regulars, and from 200 to 300 Indians — in all about 1,500 men — but so dispersed in different * James' Military Occurrences. I' I i ," ii •i k 312 LIFE AND CORRESPOXDENCE OF posts at and between Fort Erie and Fort Gcorfrc, (34 miles a[)art,) that only a small number was quiclcly available at any one point. "With unwea- ried dili«jjence the British commander watched the motions of the enemy ; but under these circum- stances it was impossible to prevent the landing: of the hostile troops, especially when their prepara- tions were favored bv the obscuritv of the niirht. On the 9th of October, the brin Detroit, of 200 tons and guns, (lately the U. S. brig Adams,) and the North -West Company's brig Caledonia, of about 100 tons, having arrived the preceding day from Detroit, were boarded and carried oppo- site Fort Erie, before the dawn of day, by Lieu- tenant Elliott, of the American navy, with 100 seamen and soldiers in two larjj-e l)oats. This offi- cer was at this time at Black Rock, superintei; li^ - the equipment of some schooners, lately purcha' < for the service of Lake Erie. But for the defen' }ike measures to which Ma.jor-General Brock was restricted, he would probably have destroyed these very schooners, for whose equipment, as vessels of war, Lieutenant Elliott and 50 seamen had been sent from New York. The two British bri^s con- tained 40 prisoners, some cannon and small arms, captured at Detroit, exclusive of a valuable quan- tity of furs belonging to the North -West Com- pany, in the Caledonia. Joined by the prisoners, the Americans who boarded numbered 140, and the crews of the two brigs, consisting of militia and Canadian seamen, amounted to 08. After the SIR ISAAC BROCK. 313 onptiiro, Lieutenant Elliott succeeded in getting the Caledonia close under the hatlcries at Black Rock, but he was compelled, by a few well- directed shots from the Canada shore, to run the ]3etroit upon Squaw Island. Here she was board- ed by a subaltern's detachment from Fort Erie, and the Americans soon after completed her des- truction bv settinjx lier on fire. Some lives were lost upon this occasion, and among the Americans a Major Cuvler was killed bv a shot from Fort J'>ie, as lie was riding along the beach on the opposite side of the river. Sir Isaac Brock to Sir Grnrgc Prcvost. Fort George, October 11, 1812. I had scarcely closed my disi)atch to your ex- cellencv, of the 0th, when I was suddenly called away to Fort Erie, in consequence of a bold, and, I reirret to say, successful attack by the enemy on his majesty's brig Detroit, and the private brig Caledonia, which had both arrived the preceding day from Amherslburg. It aj)pcars by every ac- count I have been able to collect, that a little before day a number of boats full of men, dropped down with the current unobserved, boarded both vessels at the same moment, and, cutling their cables, were proceeding with them to the American shore, when Major Urmsby, who witnessed the transaction, directed the batteries to open on them, and soon compelled the enemy to abnndon the Detroit, which grounded about the centre of o ^ m * f 314 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ,r Squaw Island, a little more than a mile below Black Rock. She was then boarded by a party of the 49th regiment ; but as no anchor remained, and being otherwise unprovided with every moans by which she could be hauled off, the officer, throwing her guns over board, after sustaining a smart fire of musketry, decided to quit her» A private, wh'> is accused of getting drunk, and a prisoner of war, who was unable from liis wounds to escape, with about twenty jirisoners brotiglit by the Detroit from Amherstburg, remained however behind ; these it became necessary to remove before the vessel could be destroyed, and Cornet Pell Major, of the provincial cavalry, offered his services. Being unfortunately wounded as he was getting on board, and falling back into the boat, a confusion arose, during which the boat drifted from the vessel, leaving two of the 41st, who had previously ascended, on board. In the mean time the Caledonia was secured by the enemy, and a cargo of furs, belonging to the North -West Com- pany, landed. The batteries on both sides were warmly en- gaged the whole of the day, but I am happy to say no mischief was sustained by the enemy's fire. I reached the spot soon after sun-set, and intended to have renewed the attempt to recover the Detroit, which I had every prospect of accomplishing, as- sisted by the crew of the Lady Prevost, which vessel had anchored a short time before ; but before the necessary arrangements could be made, I • SIR ISAAC BROriC. :3i.") the cncniv boarded licr, and in a few minutes she was seen in flanic>. This event is ))articularly unfortunate, and may reduce us to incalculable distress. Tlic enemy is making every exertion to <:^ain a naval superiority on both lakes, which if they accomplish I do not see how we can retain the countrv. More vessels arc fitting out for war on the other side of Squaw Island, 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 hazardous. The manner our guns were served yesterday, points out the 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. Lieutenant Rolette, who commanded the Detroit, had, and I believe deservedly, the character of a brave, attentive officer. His vessel must, how- ever, have been surprised — an easy operation where she lay at anchor j and I have reason to suspect that this consideration was not sufficiently attended to by the officers commanding on board and on shore. We have not only sustained a heavy loss in tlie 'r . I f ■^'- i! 'i K I , 'if :31() LIFE AND CORUESPO.VDENCE OF il vessel, but likewise in tlic cargo, wliich eonsisfed of four l'2-j)ounclors, Ji luro'o (]iianfity of shot, and about 'iOO uiuskcts, all of which were intended for Kingston and Prcseott. The onlv consohition renuiinitiix is, that she escaped the enemy, whose conduct, after his first essay, did not entitle him to so rich a ])rizo. The enemy has bronuht sonu.' boats over land from Schloshcr to the Niagara I'iver, and made an at- tempt last night to carry off the guard over tho store at Queenston. I shiill refrain as long as possible, under yonr excellency's j)ositive injunc- tions, from every ho.-iilo act, altlioiinh sensible that each day's delay gives him an advantage. Sir Isaac Brocli to Colonel, Proctor, at Detroit. The unfortnnatc disaster which has befallen the Detroit and Caledonia will reduce us to great dis- tress. They Avere boarded whilst at anchor at Fort Erie and carried off: you will learn the par- ticulars from others. A quantity of flour and a little ))ork were ready to be shipped for Audierst- burg ; but as I send you the Hank companies of the Newfoundland, no j)art of the ])rovisions can go this trip in the Lady Provost. It will be neces- sary to direct her to return with ail possible speed, brincjinfj: the Mary under her convoy. You will husbaiul your jiork, for I am sorry to say there is but little in the country. An active interesting scene is going to com- mence with you. I am perfectly at ease as to the iM SIR ISAAC UHOCK. :317 ;om- thc result, provided we can in!innh force in Queenstown consisted of the two flank com|)anies of the 4'.)th regiment and the York volunteer mili- tia, amou!iting in all to about JJCO rank and file. (-)f these about (50, taken from the 41)tli grenadiers, and Captain Hatt's company of militia, under ( 'aptain Dennis, * of the 4'.)th, advanced at four o'clock, a.m., with a J3-po"nder against the first division of the cncniv, under Colonel Van Uens^e- laer, who liad formed Ids men near the river, and was awaitinti the arrival of the next boats. The Americans were driven with some loss behind a sleep bank, close to the water's edge, where they were reinforced by a fresli supply of troops, and whence they returned the fire of the British. In the mean time the remainder of the 49th grena- diers and of the militia company joined Captain Dennis ; while the 49th light company, under Caj)tain Williams, with Caj)tain Chisholm's com- pany of militia, stationed on the brow of the hill, fired down upon the invaders. Sir Isaac Brock for some days had suspected this invasion, and the evening preceding it he * The prt'RCMt Colonol James Dennis, lieut. -colonel 3(1 foot : an officer of above forty-eih'lit years service, and several times wounileiK SlU l^iAAC nuocK. :V2l He , onlled Ills start' t()«j:«flu'r, iind ^ave to each the necr^sary instructions!. A«^ret;al)ly to liis usual (;u!»lOiM, lie rose betore (layli<;lit, and liearini; tlio caiinoiiiMlc, awoke Major (ilr^ij and called tor liis liorse, Allied, which Sir ilaincs Craij;^ liad ])rcscnted to him. lie then f^allopped ea|^erly iVom Fort George to the scene of aclioii, and, with his two aides-de-(!ani|), passed up the hill at lull gallop in front of the light eonipany, under a heavv fire of artillery and niusketrv from the American shore. On reaching the 18-jtomider battery at the toj) of the hill, they dismounted and took a view of passing events, which at that nio- iiieiit apjieared hiuhly favorable. J3ut in a few minutes a firing was heard, whi(di proceeded from a strouii' detachment of American regulars under Captain Wool, who had succeeded in gaining the brow of the iieiuhts In rear of the batterv, by a fisherman's path uj) the rocks, whiitli, being re- ported as im|)assable, was not guarded. Sir Isaac Brock and his aide-de-camps had not even time to remount, but were obliged to retire jirecipitalcly with the twelve men stationed in the battery, which was quickly occupied ))y the enemy. Ctiptain Wool having sent forward about !•")() regulars, Captain Williams* detachment, of about ](M> men, advanci^d to meet them, personally directed by the general, who, observing the enemy to waver, order- ed a charge, which was promj)tly executed ; but as the Americans gave way, the result .vas not equal to his expectations. Captain Wool admits 'iJ • :(' !l:| i\ lii f i 'J ! ■■ij ;j-ii> mm; and COnJlESPONDENf E 01 lliat In; nMiitbrocd his rofjuIarM, " notwitlistarnlin^ wliic'li the whole were driven to the edi^e of the hank."* Here some of the Aincriean officers were on the })oint of hoisting a white thiy^, witii nn in- tention to surrender, when C'nf)tain Wool tore it off, and reanimated liis dispirited troops. Tiiey now opened a heavy tire of musketry ; and con- spicuous from his dress, his height, and the entliu- sinsni with which he animated his little hand, tlic Jiritisli comnumder was soon singled out, and he fell ahout an hour after his arrival, the fatal hullet entering his right hrcast and passing through his left side. lie had that instant said : ** Push on the York volunteers;" and he lived only long enough to request that his fall might not he no- ticed or prevent the advance of his hrave troops, adding a wish, which could not he distinctly un- derstood, that some token of remcmhranco should be transmitted to his sister. He died unmarried, and on the same day a week previously, he had completed his forty-third year. The lifeless corpse was immediately conveyed into a house at Queens- town, where it remained until the afternoon unper- ceived by the enemy. His provincial aide-de- camp, Lieut. -Colonel M'UoncU, of the militia, and the attorney-general of Upper Canada — a fine promising young man — was mortally wound- ed 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 * Sec Captain Wool's letter, Appciulix A, Section 2, No. 3. sill ISAAT UllOt K. Mounded ill four piiicos, yet lie survived twenty Ikuith; and durlii;^ ii prriod ot'e\cru(^iatin{j; aj^ony, liis tliounlits and \vurds were constantly occupied with lainciitations for his deceased coinniander and friend. lie fell while L,^allantly chai'ijjinjjj up tne hill with 1*.M) men, chieflv of the York volunteers, hv which charge the eneniv was compelled to spike the iS-pounder in the haftery there. The flank companies of the 4i)tli havin«5 sutfered severely, and hoth their captains heing wounded, the disputed i^round was lost soon after the death of tlic general, and the troops retreated in front of Vroniont's batt' 'v, where thes awaited the expect- od reinforcements. The Americjins remained in quiet possession of the lieights of Qnoenstowii for some hours, duriii«^ which the; were hut partially reinforced, as their militia, \ ho a day or two betbrc were so anxious "* invade Car v hi — havinij hcaid from the wound ^d .aen sent hack what they must expect if they came in contact with the 4;)th, ** tlie green tigers,'' as they called them from their green facings — could not now be induced, either by threat or entreaty, lo cross the river. Indeed, the flank companies of tlic 40th, in the excitement arising from the loss of their late beloved coloru'l, are said to have fought with such animosity throughout "he day, as to have fully supported this new title. In the meanwhile, Major-General S'.ieaffc arrived from Fort George* with nearlv 400 * Major-tcneral Hrock, soon after his arrival at (Jiicoiistov.n, si-nt order • fry 1:10 hattcrinj; from KorlCocrfro of the Aiiuricuii tnrt Nia^rara, which was (luiiC with so much eriect that the yani.ioii was foreeil to ubaiiilon it. \ I i! :i-24 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 'l\ 1:1 of tlie 41st rcj^irnent, under Cnj)tain ])crcn/,y and about J500 militia; and — after beinr^ joined by tbe remnant of tbe 49tb flank companies and tlic In- dians, and leaving: two field pieces wiib i30 men in front of Queenstown, to prevent its occuj)ation by tbe Americans — be proceeded by a circuitous route to gain tbe rear of tbe beif^bts uj)on vvbicb tbe enemy was posted. Here be was reinforced by tlie arrival of tbe 41st grenadiers and some militia from Cbip))ewa, tbe wbole of tbe Britisb and Indian force tbus assembled ratber exceeding 1,000 men, of wbom about 000 were regulars. In numbers tbe Americans were about equal — courage tbey bad, but tbey wanted tbe confidence and discipline of Britisb soldiers. Tbe attack commenced in tbe afternoon, and after a little firing, tbe Britisb, setting up a sbout wliicb was accompanied by tbe war-wboop of tbe Indians, advanced at tbe double quick or running pace, wben tbe Americans, perceiving tbe liope- lessness of resistance, fled down tbe bill after a feeble contest. Tbe slaugbter was unbapj)ily pro- tracted, because tbe Indians coidd not at first be restrained. Tbe Americans, wbo attempted to escape into tbe woods, were quickly driven back bv tbe Indians ; and many, cut off in tbeir return to tbe main body, and terrified at tbe sigbt of ibese exasperated warriors, flung tbcmselves wildly over tbe clifl's, {uid endeavoured to cling to tlie busbes wbieb grew njjon tbem ; but some, losing tbeir bold, were dat^bed frigbti'ullv on tbe rocks ,1 SIR ISAAC ]1U0CK. 3-2^ he r,g vS 1 ]jC!ioalli ; wliile oflicrs, wlio roaclicd tlie river, ))C'rislic'(l in their attempts to swim across it. Siidi, alas ! are the dreadful horrors too ofK'ii arisiii- ^' '. -i Ifi [■ • 1 i h ''} it t ; 3-28 LIFE AND COKRESPONDENCE OF I And the sentiments of the British govcrnmoni, on the melanciioly occasion, were thus expressed in a disj)atch from Earl Batliurst, the secretary of state for tlie colonies, to SirGeored. As every arran!j;<'nient connect- ed with that afflictiniij ceremony fell to my lot, a second attack bein;^ hourly expected, and the niijjds of all beini)orter, Captain Cameron. {The lioilii of Mnjor-Gencral Brock.) Sui)i)orter, Snpjiortcr, Mr. James Cottin, D. A. C. G. ^Hl Captain Williams, lyth Refft- Capt. Vipircanx, R. E. Capt. Dcren/y, 4 1st Refjt. Capt. Dennis, l!»th Rejjt. Capt. Ilolcroft, R. A. Major Merritt, L. H. Lin. Mil. Lieut. -Col. Clark, Lin. Mil. i.ieut.-Col. nutler. Colonel Claus, Su])porter, ^^^^^ Supporter, Brigade-Major Evans. Captain (ile^'i?, A. D. C. Chief Mourners. Major-Gcncral Sheaffe. Liiut. -Colonel Myers, D. Q. M. (i. Ensign Coffin, A. D. C. Lieut. I'owler, A. D. Q. M. G. TlicC'vil Staff. Frientis ut the Deceased. Diha1)itants.* Such was tlie cstcom in vliicli Sir Isaac Brock was lifild by the enemies of his country, for lie had * Extracted from the York Gazette, October 24, 1812. ( '^ , t SIR ISAA( nilOCK. :J.*i or could liavo no porsoiiul oncmics, tlint ^[.ijor- Gencriil Van Ut'iissclaor, in a letter of condolence, infbiined Major-General SlK-aflc tliat iinniedialely after the funeral solenmilies were over on the Hri- tish side, a compliment of niinntc fjnns would he paid to the hero's memory on theirs ! I ! Accord- in<:fly, the cannon at Fort N'iaiiara were fired, "as a mark of respect due to a hrave enemy." How iiiuoh is it then to be rerjretted that we should ever come into collision with those mIio possess the same origin and the same lauLiuai^c? as ourselves, and who, hv this <_'enerous feelinir and coiuluct, )roved that tl lev are a lib eral, as thev undoublediv are a p;allant, j)eople ; and may the future rivalry of both |)owers be, not for the unnatural destruc- tion of each other, but for the benefit of mankind. !No words (^an better express the iiivorable opinion entertained bv the Americans of the deceased than the language of their president, Madison, who, alludin<^ to the battle of (^neenstown in his annual mcssaire to conirress, observed : " Our loss has been considerable, and is deeply to be lamented. That of the enemy, less ascertained, will be the more felt, as it includes amonjjjst the killed the lera 1, wh ilso th -ernor commanain;j^ ; . . of the province.'' Ere we proceed to delineate the person and cha- racter of this able soldier and excellent man, we shall transcribe the sketches of two strancjers,* * Fi)r brief extr.icts relative to Sir Isaac Crock from other authors, .ice Appendix A, Section 1, No. 5. I n:u LIFE AND ( OIlIli:si'ONI)KN( K OF lest tlic portrait of a rolalivo should be (U'CiiumI too lii«rlilv coloured. That portrait lias been drawn by them with a master hand, especially the first ; and although feclin;;ly alive to our incompetency for the task, we also must endeavour, witli a trem- bliiif; pen, to do justice to the memory of the hero. "Thus ended in their total disconiHture," bays Cliristie in his Historical Memoirs, already cited, ** the second attcm|)t of the Americans to invade Upper Canada. The loss of the British is said to have been about '20 killed, including Indians, and between <5() and (M) wounded. The fall of General Brock, the idol of the army 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 Guernsey, of an ancient an 1 reputable family, distinguished in the profession of arms. lie had served for many vears in Canada, and in some of the principal campaigns in Europe. He oomwianded a detachment of his favorite 4!)th regiment, on the expedition to Copenhagen with Lord Nelson, where he distinguished himself. He was one of those extraordinary men who seem born to influence mankind, and mark the age in which they live. Conscious of the ascendancy of his genius over those who surrounded him, he blended the mildest of manners with the severity and discipline of a camp ; and though his deport- ment was somewhat grave and imposing, the noble frardvuess of his character imparted at once confi- dence and respect to those who had occasion to nii- to sill ISAAC niiocK. {]:].'» npproacli liis porson. As a soldier, lie was hravc to a fault, and not less judicious than derisive In his measures. Tiie cneruv of liis character \vas flroni^ly expressed in his countenance, and in the rohust and manlv syminctrv of his frame. As a civil governor, he was firm, prudent, and cfpiit- ahlt. In fine, whether wo view him as a man, a Hialesman, or a soldier, he equally deserves the esteem and resj>ect of his contemj>oraries and of posterity. The Indians who Hock(!d to his stand- ard were otta» icd to him with almost enthus astic alRction, and the enemy even expressed an invo- luntary refjret at his untimely fail. His prodi- ixalitv of life hercft the couiitrv of his services at t)je early aj;e of forty-two years. The remains of this callant officer were, durinij the funeral service, honored with a dischar«je of minute jruns from the Aniciican, as well as the British, hatteries, and with those of his faithful aide-de-camp, Lieut. - Colonel M'Donell, were interred in the same grave at Fort GeorLTf, on the Kith Octohcr, amidst the tcar<5 of an affectionate soldiery and a grateful |»eople, who will cherish his memory with vene- ration, and hand to their posterity the imperishable name of BROCK." '* General Brock was killed at the battle of Queenstown heights," observes Howison in his Sketches of Upper Canada, " and the place where he fell was pointed out to me. The Canadians hold the memory of this brave and excellent man in great veneration, but have not yet attempted to I .'. > ■■^\ 330 i.iri: Avn « (>ivhieh aih). lustre to hraverv, and those talents that shine alike in the cahinet and in the field. His nninners and dispositions were so conciliatinij as to ^ain the allcction of all whom he commanded, while his innate nobleness and di<^nity of njind secured him a respect almost amountinii to veneration. JIc is now styled tiie Hero of l'p|)er Canada, and, had he lived, there is no doubt but the war would have terminated verv dillerentlv from what it did. The Canadian farmers are not over-burfhened with sensibilitv, vet J have seen several of them !?iied tears when an euloLrium was pronounced upotj the immortal and generous-minded tlelivercr of their countrv. " Ceneral Brock Avas killeil close to the road that leads through (^ueenstown village, and an aged thorn bush now marks the j)lace where he fell, when the fatal ball entered his vitals. This sj)ot may be called classic ground, for a view of it must awaken in the minds of all those who duly apj)reciatc the greatness of his character, and arc acquainted Avith the nature of his resourees and exertions, feelinfjfs as warm and enthusiastic as the contemplation of monuments consecrated by anti- quity can ever do." sill ISAAC nuo( K. 037 rmy wny, on wliicli was more il)it:mfs of ever liiid possessed, iliicli u(l(). iliiric alike iniiers and ^ain tlic while liiij :;nre(l liiiii II. lie is and, liad oiild liavc did. The Mied with lieiii ^\\vA upon the r of their tlic road and an w lie re lie This ievv of it ho duly and are roes and ic as the by anti- Nature had hcen vrry hountifid to Sir Isaac Broek in those personal ^ifts which appear to such peculiar advantai^e in the army, and at the first glance the sohlier and the i^entleinan were seen. In stature he was tall,* creet, alhleiic, and well pro|)orti(Mied, although in his latter years his Hfjiiru Mas perhaps too portly ; and when a yoiiii'^ man, at tlic head of his eoinpauy of frrenadiers, ho at- tracted *;e!ieral ohservaliou hyhis martial |)resence. His fine and heiievolent conntenanee was a |)erfeet index of his mind, and his manners were (Cour- teous, frank, and en<^at hoxiT and swimmer in tlie school, and that lie nsed to swin\ from the main land of Ciuernsey to Cu^tle C ornet and back, a distance each way of nearly half a mile. This feat is the more difficult, from the strong tides which run between the passajfe. + "On p.riving liefore Kort Detroit, a characteristic trait of his courage totk place, when, within rant,'e of the guns of that fort, and i 338 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF of Upper Canada, he reclaimed many of the dis- affected bv mildness, and fixed the waverino* bv the argument of success ; and havino- no national partialities to gratify, that rock on which so many provincial governors have split, he meted equal favor and justice to all. British horn subjects soon felt convinced that with him their relitrion or their birth-place was no obstacle to their advance- ment. Even over the minds of the Indians Sir Isaac Brock gained, at and after the capture of Detroit, an ascendancy altogether unexampled, and which he judiciously exercised for ))urposes conducive equally to the cause of humanity and to the interests of his country. He engaged them to throw aside the scalping knife, implanted in their breasts the virtues of clemency and forbear- ance, and taught them to feel pleasure and pride in the compassion extended to a vanquished enemy. In return they revered him as their common father, and while under his command were guilty of no excesses.* It is well known that this untutored people, the children of the forests, value personal much more highl}^ than mental qualities, but the union of both in their leader was happily calcu- lated to impress their haughty and masculine minds w.ith respect and admiration ; and the in front of his heroic and rtcvoted band of militiamen and regulars, ins attention was drawn by Colonel Nicliol to the dangerous nature of the expedition, and to tlie wish of his pallant comrades in arms tliat he would not go to the front, and endanger a life tliey could not spare — to these suggestions he replied : ' I will never dpsirc the hum- blest individual to go where 1 cannot lead.'" — Toronto Herald, June 15, lS-13. * For council of condolence, see Api-ondix A, Section 1, No. 6. SIR ISAAC nUOCK. 339 H . le dis- njj bv itional inanv L-q ual il)jects ;ion or van ec- us Sir :ure of ;nj)lciU irposes tv and I tlicm I ted in brbcar- ►ride in cncmv. father, of no utored ersonal jut the calcu- .sculine nd the regulars, us uature in arms could not the hum- Herald, No. 6. speech delivered by Tecuniseli, after the capture of Detroit, is iUustrative of the sentiments with wliich he liad inspired these warlike tribes. " I Iwive heard," observed that chief to him, " much of your fame, and am happy again to shake by the hand a brave brother warrior. The Americans endeavour to give us a mean opinion of British generals, but we have been the witnesses of your valour. In crossing the river to attack the enemy, we observed vou from a distance standinn; the whole time in an erect posture, and, when the boats reached the shore, you were among the first who jumped on land. Your bold and sudden movements frightened the enemy, and you com- pelled them to surrender to half their own force." Of all the good qualities which adorned this accomplished soldier none was more prominent than his decision, and it was ever under the guid- ance of a sound judgment. His strong attach- ment to the service, and particularly to his regi- ment, formed another distinguishing feature in his character. A very gallant officer, who still sur- vives, is not ashamed to confess his pecuniary obligations to Colonel Brock while he was a subaltern in the 49th, and rendered, as he svatcs, doubly valuable by the manner in which uaisistance was afforded to him in his difficulties. When, as Colonel Brock, he had secured the ringleaders of the intended mutiny at Fort George, as related in the second chapter, he ordered the detachment to the parade, where he proceeded to address them on 1 ll^al m 340 LIFE AND CORnESPONDEXCE OF the enormity of tlicir offence ; but wlicn lie began to express liis <;rief and sliamc at their conduct, he vas so affected as to be utterly unable to continue. The men uere equally moved, and are said to have exclaimed : " Had yo i commanded us, Sir, this never would have occurred." Indeed, there was a correspondence of regard between him and Ids officers, and even the non-commissioned officers and privates, that, with this solitary exception, ])roduced the picture of a hap[)y family. Those extremities of punishment, which the exactions of discipline will sometimes occasion, rarely reached liis men. And vet shortlv before he succeeded to the command of the regiment, it was in a sad state of disorganization, from the causes already ex- plained. (Page 7.) During the mutiny on board the fleet at the Norc, in May, 1707, the 49th was fjuartered on the borders of the river Thames; and as tlie privates evidently sympathized with the seamen. Major Brock not only seldom went to bed till nearly daylight, but slept with loaded pistols, while during the day he frequently visited the mess-rooms, to tear down or erase such in- scriptions as "The Navy for Ever." But soon after lie became the lieutenant-colonel, by happih' blendins: conciliation with firmness, and brinsinc to a court martial two or three officers, whose mis- conduct could not be overlooked, he quickly re- stored the discipline of the corps. Having effected this, he afterwards governed it by that sentiment of esteem which he himself had created, and the SIR ISAAC KROCK. 341 began Lict, lie iitinue. iaid to IS, Sir, I, there lim ami offieers ccptioii, Those clioiis of readied ;ccded to sad state •eady ex- on board 49tU was mes; and with the went to th loaded tlv visited such in- But ?oon •y happily Id bringing whose niis- ^uickly re- kncr effected |t sentiment ,d, and the I consolation was given him to torininatc a brief but brillifint course in tlie midst of his professional ftimily.* It deserves to be recorded as an instance of good fortune, unprecedented perhaps in military annals, and especially in a country where the ad- vantage and facility of escape were so great, that from the ()th of August, the day on which ^Eajor- Gcneral Brock left York for Detroit, to the i)eriod immediately preceding the battle of Queenstown, the force under his personal command sufU'red no diminution in its numbers either b\ desertion, natural death, or the sword. This comprehended a period of nearly ten weeks, during which au army was captured, and a journey of several hun- dred miles, by land and water, accomplished with extreme rapidity. Tn compiling this memoir, wo have been much struck with the rapidity of Major-Genoral Brock's movements : he appears to have been everywhere, and, as Veritas observed of liim, to have " flown, as it were." To-day at York, engaged in his civil and military duties — to-morrow at Fort George, superintending t]ie defences of ihe Niagara fron- tier, or at Kinnfst .(i, reviewino- and animatinir the militia. To-da\ at Fort Georjxe, watchinn; the enemy — the next at York, dissolving the legisla- ture — and ;. ibrtnight after, on his return from the * The officers of the \^x\\, aftor his deaM., Instructed the rc^rinu'ntal at?ent in London to prneure them a likeness of Sir Isaac Hrock, that it niiffht he placf.'d in tlieir nios-rooni, and allotted a handsome inn for tliis purpose. The agent applied to the family for a copy, l)ut unfortunately thc-y posscbsed no i,'ooU likeness of the general. ■1 \i f 1 M :i ii ;342 LIFK AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ii ;i '/ capture of Detroit ! To-day at Fort George afjain — a few hours after at Fort l^rie, endeavour- iiili: to retake the hriijs Detroit and Caledonia. And yet this most active and ener«;olic officer was compelled, by his (Icfcnsice instriuitions, tamely to look on the ojfcnsire preparations of the Ameri- cans for the invasion of the province committed to his charge ! In conclusion, it is due to the memory of this excellent man to declare that, eminent and undis- puted as were his public virtues, he was no less estinuible in private life. In his own family he was the object of the warmest affection, and his ser- vants carefully preserved relics of their dear mas- ter, as thev stvled him to their dving day. His cares and anxieties had no reference to the wealth ]ie should amass, but to the sum of human misery he might relieve ; and towards tlu; close of his brief career, as the prospect of increasing honors and emoluments opened to his view, he contemplated his good fortune onlv as the means of diffusing felicity, of drj-^ing the tear of affliction. Indeed, so totally devoid was he of every mercenary con- sideration, that although he enjoyed an ample in- come from his appointments,* by which at least the purchase of his commissions might have b"^n repaid, yet he left literally nothing but his fair name behind him. Some of his nearest relatives have since been cut off more prematurely, and far nh " The salary attached to the civil g;()voriimeiit of Ujjper Canada was increased, wo believe, shortly bilorc his death to .tu.ooo a year. i SIR ISAAC BROCK. 343 jGorgc jHVour- L'donia. [;cr was inclv to Anieri- littcd to of this 1 undis- i no loss iiTiily he I his ser- [ear mas- ly. His le wealth tn misery * his hriet' mors and ,cm plated diffusing Indeed, nary con- ample in- h at least iiave b* '^n It his fail" relatives , and far [r Canada was a yvM. more cruelly, than liimself; but those wlio still survive him possess the never-failing consolation which arises from the remembrance of his virtues, and from the reflection that, though his blessed spirit fled early from this world, they may meet again in the mansions of futurity. Though the dead heed not human praise, yet the livinjr act wiselv in commemorating the fall of a distinguished chief — the example is never thrown away — and on this occasion it is gratifying to reflect, that every posthumous honor w.is paid to the memory of one who had merited the distinc- tion so well. A public monument,* having been decreed by the imperial parliament, was raised a few years since in St. Paul's, and a view of it is said to have awakened in an astonished Indian more surprise and admiration than any thing he witnessed in England, f In consequence of an address + from the commons of Upper Canada to the prince regent, a munificent grant of 12,000 acres of land in that province was bestowed on the four surviving brothers of Sir Isaac Brock, who, in addition, were allowed a pension of .£'200 a year tor life, by a vote of the imperial ))arlir'nont. To " the hero of Upper Canada," as he is still termed in that country, the })rovincial legislature erected a lofty column § on Qucenstown heights, * By an official return, it appears that this monument cost ,< 1,5/5 btorling. For inscription, i<:c., see Appendix A, Section 1, No. 7. + See Appendix A, Section I, No. 8. i For the address, see Appendix A, Section I, No. 9. i This coianin cost nearly <£'3,000. » ■ I i' m II. 344 MIE AND ( OHRESPONDEXCE OF Mi to wliic'h his remains, and those of his gallant aide-de-cainj), were removed from Toit George in solemn procession, on the 13th of Octoher, 18'24.* Although twelve years had elapsed since the inter- ment, the body of the general had undergone little change, his features being nearly perfect and easily recognized, while that of Lieut. -Colonel M'Donell was in a complete mass of decomposition. One of his regimentJil companions, Colonel Fitzgibbon, in transmitting a detail of the ceremonies of the day, thus pathetically expressed himself: "Nothing, certainlv, coidd exceed the interest manifested bv the people of the proviiice upon the occasion ; and numbers from the neighbouring state of New York, by their presence and conduct, proved how highly the Americans revere the memory of our lamented chief. Of the thousands present not one had causo to feel so deeply as I, and I felt as if alone, al- though surrounded bv the multitude. He had been more than a father to me in that regiment which he ruled like a father, and I alone of his old friends in that regiment was present to embalm with a tear his last honored retreat. What I wit- nessed on this day would have fully confirmed rnc in the opinion, had confirmation l>een wanting, that the public feeling in this province has been pernmuently imj)roved and elevated by Sir Isaac Brock's conduct and actions while governing its inhabitants. These, together with his dying in iheW defence, hiive done more towards cementing * For the details of the re- interment, see Appendix A, Section l, No. 10. \4 MIR ISAAC UllOrK. 340 j;allant 3rge in 18-24.* D iiilcr- w little I easily 'Donell One of jbon, in the day, ^otliinp:, ested by on ; and i\v York, w lii'f^ldy lamented lad causo done, al- lle had reirinicnt lie of his embalm lat I wit- rmed me wanting, has been J Sir Isaac lerning its dying in cementing Itionl.No- ^^^ our union with the niotlier country than any event or circumstance since the existence of tlie pro- vince. Of this our leadinu; men arc aware, and are careful to seize every ojjportunity of preserv- ing recollections so productive of good eHects.'' The height of the column,* which commanded a view of the surrounding country for about fifty miles, was from the base to the summit 13«") feet, and from the level of the Niagara river, which runs nearly under it, 4So feet. The following inscription was engraven on this splendid tribute to the unfading remembrance of a grateful people : t irpPKR CANADA HA.s DKOICATEI) THIS MOMMKNT l<) Till-. iMKMOKY OF VHE LA TK M \JUll-(iE.\'EUAL SIR ISAAC Bll()( K, K. 0. PUOVISIONAL LIKlJT.-dOVKUNOH AND COMM.VXDEU OF Tllli KOKCKS IN THIS I'ROVINCK, WHOSK REMAINS AUK DlCrOSlTKD IN THE VAULT BENEATH. OPPOSINCf THE INVADIN(i ENEMY, HE KELL IN ACTION NEAR THESE HEIOHTS, ON THE 13th OCTOUEH, IHl'i, IN THE 43r(i YEAR OK HIS AGE, HEVEHED AND LAMENTED liV THE PEOPLE WHOM HE (.OVERNED, AND DEPLORED BY THE SOVEREIGN TO WHOSE SERVICE HIS LIKE HAD UEEN DEVOTED. ' It was a Tuscan foliiinii on a rustic pedestal, with a pedestal for a statue ; the diameter ot the Imso i)f the coluinn was seventeen feet six inches, and the abacus of the capital was surrounded witii an iron railins?. Tlie centre shaft, containing' the spiral wooden staircase, was ten feet in diameter. + We speak in the past tense, because the column, as will he seen in the seciuel, was so much injured iu 18 10 as to require its re- construction. A m m i ■1' H :J4(; LIFE AND COnnKSPONDENCE OF '! ' I im I ■ I The cataract of Niagara is supposed to liave com- menced on tlie heights of Queonstown, and to have gradually receded, or worn its way backwards to its present site, seven miles above, near Cliippewa, tlie banks of the river on both sides between the two spots being perpendicular, 2 to 300 feet in lieight, chiefly of solid rock, and of the same level as the fall. " The village of Qucenstown is beautifully situ- ated at the foot of a hill, and upon the side of the Niagara river, the bank of which is high and pre- cipitous. The imagination is agreeably struck with the first view of the place. On one side of the village is a . lountain covered with shrubbery and verdure ; — bi 'lind, a rich and cultivated plain extends backwards, which is bounded in every direction by luxuriant woods ; while in front, the Niagara river glides in majestic stillness, and may be traced, with all its windings, till its waters are swallowed up in the vast expanse of Lake Ontario. The soil around Qucenstown consists chiefly of a red clay, the bright colour of Avhich, upon the roads and declivities where it is exposed, forms a singular contrast, during sJuranier, with the pure green of the trees and fields in the vicinity. " Qucenstown must infallibly acquire magnitude and importance when the province becomes popu- lous and flourishing, for it is situated at the com- mencement of a portage, which never can be evaded by any improvement in the navigation, it being rendered necessary by the falls of Niagara ; if re com- to liave •firds to ippowa, ecu the feet in ne level lly situ- ie of tlie md pre- ' struck e side of irnbbcry ted plain in every i-ont, the and may aters are Ontario, cfly of a upon the forms a the pure lacrnitude ios popu- tlie corn- can be gation, it Niagara ; SIR ISAAC nnoi K. 347 tliorcforc, all ve^sscls containing goods ami stores destined for the western pnrts of I'^pper Canada must unload and leave their cargoes at (Queens- town, thai thcv mav 1)0 conveved overland to Chippewa, where the Niagara river again becomes navigable. Even now, a good deal of this carry- iiiiT business ffoes on durinij the summer months. The North -West Company forward a considerable nuantitv of stores to the Indian territories bv this route, and the country merchants receive annual supplies of goods from Montreal, and send down pork, flour, staves, and potash, in return. " The environs of Queenstown arc beautifully picturesque and romantic, and nothing can be finer tiian the prospect up the Niagara river. Imme- diately above the village its channel narrows very much, and the banks rise to the height of 30() feet perpendicular, while at the same time they become wild and rocky, and are thickly covered with trees of various kinds. In some places tliey 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. " At the ferry, the Niagara river is 1,2-jO feet in breadth, and from 2 to 300 in depth. The current is very rapid, and the wreathing and per- turbed appearance of the water shews that its course is much impeded by the narrowness of the channel, vvluch must be entirely composed of rocks ; for, otherwise, the continual and rapid attrition of such a large river as that which flows ' W lUH MIL ANO eoURKSl'ONDKNCE Of- fhrouiili it, would uiulerniiiic and wear awav llio liuiiks, and thus iiruduallv cnlariir- and widen its course. *' The prospect l.om tlie top of (^uccnstowri niountaiti is tlio finest and most extensive that rapper Canachi atlords, and, in an eminent dep:ree, comhines tiie beautiful and the ma<;nifi(;ent. Tho wild and majestic precipices which en|.»ulf one part <>f the Niagara river, the windin«;s and mir- rored expanse of that noble body of water, the dim and undiscoverable extent of I^ike Ontario, to<^o- ther with the verdant orchards, thick forests, and im))roved fields, ^lowinji^ beneath a pure sky, col- lectively form a scene of admirai)it' effect and composition. Even York, which is JJO miles dis- tant, and lies very low, can be seen from the summit of this hill durin..r. ON THE DEATH OF MAJOR-GENERAL lJKO( K Low beiuliu'^ o'er the rugged l)ier Tlic soldier drops the inoiiriit'ul tear, For life departed, vsilour driven, I-'resli from the field of death to heaven. But time shall ft)ndly trace the imme Of BnoeK upon the scrolls of fame. And those bright laurels, which shuuld wave I poll the brow of one so tiravc, Shall tlouribh vernal o'er his grave. J. II. K. * Howiiou's okctchcs of Upper Canada. L-omlo!!, isai. SIK HA/\( IIKOCK. 'M\) CIIAPTKU \\ II. u. Sir Isaac Brook was succrcdcd in his civil and military coiiiniiuids in Ippcr Canada iiy ^fajor- (icneral Slicartc, ulio was creatrd a haroii:') bw the dt-'iii hoii«rht viotory of (^lacnstown. .uter the I) Mf'', fie paroled General NVadswoiih and some of principal American oifi -ers, tiio re- main lei procc (linj; to Quebec. Amon IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) :/. !.0 ^*^ l££ I.I u HI Hi 1.25 i 1.4 zo 1.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation •SS5 \ ^^\> :\ ^q \ '9) «> 6^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14S80 (716) 872-4503 \ vV % II r 350 LIFE AND CORUESPONDENCE OF proved of material detriment to the British on Lake Erie, as the Americans availed themselves of so favorable an occasion to forward tlieir naval stores unmolested from Black Rock to Presqu'ile by water, which they could not otherwise have effected, but with immense trouble and expense by land, and equipped at leisure the fleet which after- wards wrested from us the command of that lake. When the enemy was prepared for a third invasion of Upper Canada, General Smyth did not fail to give the thirty hours liotice required for the cessa- tion of the armistice, which terminated on the 20th of November. " After the surrender of Detroit," said the in- habitants of Niagara in their spirited letter to Sir George Prevost, already quoted, (page 279,) *' the enemy were suffered unmolested to concentrate a large force on the Niagara, at Sackett's Harbour on Lake Ontario, and at Ogdensburg on the St. Lawrence ; they were not interrupted in bringing forward to these places a large quantity of field and heavy artillery, with the requisite supplies of ammunition, and in equipping a flotilla, to dispute with us the superiority of the lakes. When their preparations were complete — when our regular and militia forces were nearly exhausted with incessant watching and fatigue, occasioned by the movements of the enemy, which kept them con- stantly on the alert by uncertainty as to the point of attack — they at length, on the 13th of October, attacked our line at Queenstown. The behaviour Ish on Ives of naval isqu'ile e have mse by li after- at lake, nvasion t fail to e cessa- on the the in- sr to Sir >,) "the iiitrate a Harbour the St. bringing of field pplies of dispute len their regular ed with d by the \em con- he point October, ehaviour SIR ISAAC BROCK. 3^)1 of both reffulars and militia on that memorable occasion is well known to your excollencv, and added another wreath to the laurels they had gain- ed at Detroit : the gloria . of that day were, how- ever, obscured by the death of our beloved and now lamented chief, whose exertions had prepared the means of achieving this great victory. This was another triumph for the militia; they had fairly measured their strength with the enemy, and derived additional confidence from the slo- rious result. Here was another opportunity that slipped away without being improved : Fort Nia- gara 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, the strongest reason to believe that, had General Brock survived, it would have been at- tempted. In addition to this (as we consider it) capital error, Major MuUaney, and other natural born subjects of his majesty, actually taken in arms as commissioned officers in the service of the United States, were released and allowed to return on parole to that country ; and a partial armistice was agreed to, liable to be broken off at thirty hours notice, which could be productive of no real advantage to us, nor give any repose to our harass- ed and suflbring militia, though it enabled the enemy to recruit his strenpfth and organize at will "D" the means of attacking us anew. He was observed !! i; 3.52 LIFE ASD CORRESPONDENCE OF busily and activoly employed, tliroiin;hout a preat part of tlie month of November, collecting boats on the Fort Erie end of the line ; and when his preparations were complete, he gave notice of the termination of the armistice on the 20th." '* When General Wilkinson complains," ob- serves the British historian James, '* that the executive has not rendered * common justice to the principal actors in this gallant scene,' — not exhibited it to the country * in its true light, and shewn what deeds Americans are still capable of performing,'* — who among us can retain his gra- vity ? * It is true,' says the general, ' complete success did not ultimately crown this enterprise ; but two great ends were obtained for the country : it re-established the character of the American arras;' — it did indeed ! — 'and deprived the ene- my, by the death of General Brock, of the best officer that has headed their troops in Canada throughout the war ;' — truth undeniable ! — * and, with his loss, put an end to their then brilliant career;' — yet the capture of General Wadsworth took place in less than five hours afterwards. " The instant we know what the Americans ex- pected to gain, a tolerable idea may be formed of what they actually lost by the attack upon Queens- town. General Van Rensselaer, in a letter to Major-General Dearborn, written five days pre- viously, says thus : lould we succeed, we shall * From an American work, — Major-General James Wilkinson's ' Memoirs of my own Time," published in 181(5.~Eu. I great f boats icn his of the ," ob- lat the itice to /—not ht, and )able of liis gra- oraplete erprise ; ountry : merican tlie ene- the best Canada — ' and, brilliant dsworth s. cans ex- rmed of Queens- ettcr to ays pre- we shall Wilkinson's i* .1 SIR ISAAC nUOCK. 0.j:) effect a great discomfiture of tlio enemy, ])y break- ing their line of communication, driving their shipping from the mouth of this river, leaving them no rallying point in this part of the country, appalling the minds of the Canadians, and opening a wide and safe communication for our supplies ; we shall save our own land, — wipe away part of the score of our past disgrace, — get excellent bar- racks and winter quarters, and at least be prepared for an early campaign another year.' " It is often said, that we throw awav bv the pen what we gain by the sword. Had General Brock been less prodigal of his valuable life, and survived the Queenstown battle, he would have made the 13th of October a still more ' memorable' day, by crossing the river and carrying Fort Nia- gara, which, at that precise time, was nearly stripped of its garrison. Instead of doing this, and thus putting an end to the campaign upon the Niagara frontier, Major-General Sheaffe, General Brock's successor, allowed himself to be persuaded >) to sign an armistice. In November, the Americans were already in command of Lake Ontario,* and their fleet, after chasing the Royal George into Kingston, captured on the 12th the transport sloop Elizabeth, on board * "But the most fatal and palpable error of the- commander-in- chief was his neglect to preserve that ascendancy on Lakes Erie and Ontario which was actually enjoyed by the British at tlie opening of the (Contest. The command of these lakes is so evidently an object of primary consideration in the defence of the Canadas, that it is per- fectly inconceivable how any man in Sir George Prevost's situation could have been so infatuated as to disregard the importance of maintaining his superiority." — Quarterly lifvieiv. . * ;i V . f^ 354 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF of which was Mr. Brock, paymaster of the 40th. He was paroled by Commodore Chauncey, who, to his credit be it said, immediately restored *' the plate and effects belonging to his late illustrious relative," which he was conveying from Fort George to Kingston. The box of letters and other papers from which this little work has been prin- cipally compiled, was, we believe, among these effects ; and we gladly seize this opportunity to express the obligation of Sir Isaac Brock's family to the commodore for his generosity on this occasion. On the 27th April, 1813, York was captured by Major-General Dearborn, with 1,800 American troops, embarked in fourteen sail of armed vessels, that post being occupied by 700 regulars and militia, with from 40 to 50 Indians, the whole under the immediate command of Sir Roger Sheaffe. In resisting the enemy, the grenadier company of the 8th (the king's) regiment greatly distinguished themselves, losing their captain, M'Neal, and being nearly annihilated. By an explosion of the powder magazine, to which a train had been laid, 200 of the Americans were killed or wounded, including Brigadier Pike among the former ; and they were thrown into such confusion, that an immediate and resolute attack would probably have sent them back to their ships.* The British general " drew off his * " General Sheaflfe has been much blamed, first for the injudicious position of the troops, by which the grenadier company of the 8th regiment, who behaved with great gallantry, were exposed to be cut to pieces in a wood, and again for not returning to the attack, after the explosion of a powder magazine had destroyed 250 of the enemy, and thrown them into confusion." — Quarterly Revitiv. *'i SIR ISAAC BROCK. 3'J'J ;lie 40th. ey, who, ■ed "the lustrious om Fort md other 3en prin- mg these tunity to family to occasion. 3tured hy ALinerican d vessels, liars and he whole ir Roger grenadier it greatly captain, By an which a cans were ler Pike 'own into I resolute back to w off his le injudicious ly of the 8th jsed to be cut attack, after )f the enemy. regulars and left the rest to capitulate within the town, wherein considerable public stores were lost;"* and the Americans, having secured th(Mr booty, re-embarked and sailed on the 2d of May for Niagara. The inhabitants of York do not appear to have been satisfied with the conduct of Major-General Sheaffe in this affair; and, al- though it was not ascertained whether his removal was the result of the disj)leasure of the com- mander-in-chief, he was ropliiced early in July by Major-General de Uottenburg, and on his arrival in the Lower Province he assumed the command of the troops in the district of Montreal. A few months after, the Baron de Rottenburg was in his turn succeeded by Lieut. -General Gordon Drum- mond, who commanded in Upper Canada to the end of the war. We have alluded (page 278) to the discomfiture of Sir George Prevost before Sackett's Harbour, that naval arsenal whose destruction Major-General Brock was so unfortunately prevented from under- taking. The governor-general having proceeded in Mav from Montreal to Kingston with Sir James Yeo, who had just arrived from England to com- mand the British naval 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 * Pictorial History of England. im fjt • .. i I •:' I ; ' t i^iP^ 1 3.50 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF Niagara, was resolved upon, so as to destroy " tlic forts, the arsenals, and the dock-yard, wlicre the Americans had a frigate almost ready for launch- ing, 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 Kin<7;ston. Then ho changed his mind and went back to Sackett's Harbour ; and (but not without more wavering and loss of time) our troops, about 750 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 de- stroyed a gun-brig and all the stores which had so recently been captured at York. While the arse- nal was in flames, while the Americans were flying through the village, and when the complete suc- cess of the assailants was certain. Sir George Pre- vost sent a precipitate order for retreat, merely because a momentary resistance was oft'ered 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 incom- petent a commander had been placed over them. If Sir George Pievost had studied the history of the war of the American revolution, it could only have been with an eye to copy all the indecisions <• SIR ISAAC BROCK. :v )i oy "the here the ■ launch- hen this itred the returned Then ho Sackett's waverin«5 strong, presently oop-holed ken were their new [, and de- ich had so ; the arse- ere flying plete suc- orge Pre- ,t, merely ered by a isce in the eluctantly d to their ensible to so incom- iver them, history of ould only ndecisions and blunders of tlie formal isinij, badlv instructed English generals 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 Lngrlish were reallv abandoninir their enterprize at the moment that it was all but completed, they rushed back to stop the conflagra- tion : thev were too late to save the stores which liad been brouu:ht from York, the navy barracks, or the brig, but the frigate on the stocks, being buill of green wood, would not e.isily burn, and was found but little injured. If the destruction at Sackett's Harbour had been completed, we should have deprived the Americans of every prospect of obtaining the ascendancy on the lake."* And, as if to crown this miserable 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 ffovernor-«ccneral had been present as a mere spectator ! f From these humiliating occurrences on Lake Ontario, we turn to the captured post of Detroit, which, it will be remembered, was left by Major- General Brock in charge of Colonel Proctor. No sooner had intelligence of the sur • rder of * Extract from the Pictorial History of England. t " Sir George Prevost was beyond all doubt the ininiediate com- mander of this expedition. lUit he found it convenient not to appear in that character; and the only detail of operations was in the shape of a dispatch from his adjutant general to himself, obligingly com- municating what was already sufficiently known to him. Hy this ingenious device, he in some measure averted the exi)osure of mis- carriage from himself, and generously yielded his laurels, such as they were, to his grateful and submissive follower." — Quartrrli/ Review. n :]r)S LIFE AND C ORRKSPONDKNCE OF IIul! readied Wasliinpton, than tlic renewal of the North -Western army for the recovery of the Mielii- n;an territory became tlie anxious object of the American {government. Tliat army, whicli even- tually outnumbered the former one, was placed under the command of Major-General Harrison, (who died a few years since while i)resident of the United States,) and in September was in full march for the Miami rapids, the spot assigned as the general rendezvous. In January, 1813, Colo- nel Proctor received information that a brigade of that army, under Brigadier Winchester, was en- camped at Frcnchtown, on the river Raisin, 40 miles south of Detroit. The British commander, although he had orders not to act on the offensive, promptly determined to attack this brigade before it was reinforced by the main body, a few days march in the rear ; and with his disposable force, consisting of 500 regulars, militia, and seamen, he made a resolute assault, at dawn on the 2*2d, on the enemy's camp, which was completely success- ful. In this affair the Americans lost between 3 and 400 men killed ; and Brigadier Winchester, 3 field officers, 9 captains, 20 subalterns, and upwards of 500 men, in prisoners. This gal- lant exploit secured Detroit from an}'^ immediate danger, but the day after it was sadly tarnished by the straggling Indians, who massacred such ■wounded prisoners as were unable to walk, the guard left for their protection deserting their charge on a false alarm of General Harrison's ii\ of the e Miclii- t of tlic zh cvcn- 3 placed larrison, nt of tlie i in full signed as li3, Colo- )ri(l O-pounder, and to have heon garrisoned hy about IHO nien, under Major Croghan, hut as the fire produced no impression, the place was ordered to he storm- ed. The assailants reached the ditch which was raked l)v the nuisked gun, and sustained in conse- quence so severe a loss, that they retreated preci- pitately, liaving their leader, Brevet Licut.-Colonel Short, of the 41st, with officers and 52 men, killed or missing, besides 3 officers and J)8 men wounded ; while the Americans had only 1 killed and 7 slightly wounded. The Indians did not assist in the assault, withdrawing to a ravine out of gun shot. Thus foiled. Proctor retired on the 3d, and after abandoning "considerable baggage and a gun-bout laden with cannon ball," he re- turned to Amherstburg. The attack is said to have been " ill digested," and the expedition to have ended with " some disgrace." Towards the end of August, (1813,) the Ame- rican squadron, under Commodore Perry, became too powerful for the British, under Captain Bar- clay, who now remained at 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 fleet, Captain Barclay had no other alternative than to risk a general engage- ment. With this purpose he sailed on the 9th of September, with his small squadron wretchedly Q , I I > I 362 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENf E OF manned, and the next day encountered the enemy. For some time the fate of the battle poised in favor of the British, as tlie principal American ship, the Lawrence, struck her colours; but a sudden breeze turned the scale against them, and the whole of their squadron was compelled to surren- der, after a desperate engagement of upwards of three hours. Captain Barclay was dangerously wounded ; Captain Finnis, of the Queen Char- lotte, killed ; and every commander 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 ob- laining its necessary supplies through Lake Erie, and a speedy retreat towards the head of Lake Ontario became inevitable. Stung with grief and indignation, Tecumseh at first refused to agree to the measure, and in a council of war held at Am- herstburg on the 18th of September, he thus deli- vered his sentiments against it : Father, listen to your children ! You have them now all before you. The war before this, our British father gave the hatchet to his red children, when our old chiefs were alive. They are now dead. In that war our father was thrown on his back by the Americans, and our father took them by the hand without our knowledge ; and we are afraid that our father will do so again at this time. The summer before last, when I came forward with raj- red brethren, and was ready to take up the hatchet in favor of our British father, we were told not to be in a hurry, — that he had not yet determined to fight the Americans. OF ?d the enemy, oised in favor ican ship, the )ut a sudden icm, and the lied to surren- )f u)) wards of s dangerously Queen Char- er and officer d or wounded, was deprived, )rospect of ob- (rh Lake Erie, head of Lake with grief and sed to agree to ^r held at Am- he thus deli- lave them now cave the hatchet vere alive. They as thrown on his ook them by the e afraid that our forward with my the hatchet in Id not to be in a led to fight tiie SIR ISAAC BROCK. 3(;3 Listen I When war was declared, our father stood up and gave xis the tomahawk, and told us that he was then ready to strike the Americans ; that he wanted our assist- ance ; and that he would certainly get us back our lands, which the Americans had taken from us. Listen ! You told us, at that time, to bring forward our families to this place, and we did so ; and you pro- mised to take care of them, and that they should want for nothing, while the men would go and fight the enemy ; that we need not trouble ourselves about the enemy's garrisons; that we knew nothing about them, and that our father would attend to that part of the contest. You also told your red children tliat you would take good care of your garrison here, which made our hearts glad. Listen ! When we were last at the Itnpids, it is true we gave you little assistance. It is hard to fight people who live like ground hogs. Father, listen ! Our fleet has gone out ; we know they have fought ; we have heard the great guns ; but we know nothing of what has happened to our father with that arm. Our ships have gone one way, and we are much astonished to see our father tying up every thing and preparing to run away the other, without letting his red children know what his intentions are. You always told us to remain here and take care of our lands ; it made our hearts glad to hear that was your wish. Our great father, the king, is the head, and you represent him. You always told us that you would never draw your foot off British ground ; but now, father, we see you are draw- ing back, and we are sorry to observe our father doing so without seeing the enemy. We must compare our father's conduct to a fat dog, that carries its tail upon its back, but when affrighted, it drops it between its legs and runs off. Father, listen ! The Americans have not yet defeated us by land j neither are we sure that they have done so by water : we therefore wish to remain here and fight our 1:1 ft. 'l|i K m . I, : I , 1 ■ I I i I .JUWLUJJ i ; 364 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF enemy, should they make their appearance. If they defeat us, we will then retreat with our father. At the battle of the Rapids, last war, the Americans certainly defeated us ; and, when we retreated to our father's fort in the neighbourljood, the gates were shut against us. We were afraid that it would again be the case ; but, instead of closing the gates, we now see our Brilish father preparing to march out of his garrison. Father! You have got the arms and ammunition which our great father sent for his red children. If you Intend to retreat, give them to us, and you may go, and wel- come for us. Our lives are in the hands of the Great Spirit. We are determined to defend our lands, and if it be His will, we wish to leave our bones upon them. General Harrison's troops were soon transported by the American squadron to Pnt-iu-JJat/, and tliey occuj)ied Amlierstburg on the 23d of Sep- tember, Proctor having previously fallen back upon Sandwich, after setting fire to the navy yard, barracks, and public stores at the former place. The British general, seeing the enemy determined to follow up his first success by an immediate attack upon Detroit, and being unable with his very inferior numbers to dispute the occupancy of that post, evacuated it and Sandwich on the 20th, also destroying the public })roperty at both posts ; and commenced his retreat along the river Thames, with between 900 and 1,000 regulars, chiefly of the 41st regiment. In this reverse of fortune, Tecumseh still adhered to the British standard with unswerving fidelity, and with the Indians covered the retreat. On the 2d of Octo- ber, General Harrison marched in pursuit with OF If they defeat iie Americana •eated to our tea were shut again be the ; now see our garrison, unition which If you Intend go, and wel- of the Great lands, and if )on them. 1 transported hi-Batj, and 23d of Sep- fallen back le navy yard, brmer place, determined ti immediate ble with his occupancy ich on the erty at both ns: the river (0 regulars, reverse of the British |nd with the 2d of Octo- ursuit with SIR ISAAC BROCK. 30.' rather above 3,000 men, escorted by three gun- boats and a number of bateaux. On the 4th, )ie came *' ith the rear guard, and not only made some pi i»oners, but succeeded in capturing a great part of the ammunition and stores. By tliis second reverse, the British were left destitute of the means of subsistence and protracted defence ; and their commander being thus compelled to stake the fate of his small army on a general engagement, he took up an excellent position on the right bank of the Thames at tlie Moravian town, an Indian vil- lage 80 miles from Sandwich, his entire force now mustering barely 000 regulars and about GOO In- dians. The former were posted in single files in two lines, their left resting on the river, their right on a narrow swamp, beyond which were the In- dians, reaching obliquely backwards to a second and much broader swamp, so that neither flank of the allies could be easily turned. The enemy commenced the attack with a rejjiment of mounted riflemen, the elite of their army, formed into two divisions of 500 men each, one of which charged the regulars with great impetuosity, while the other advanced with a company of foot against the Indians. The regulars, dissatisfied by fancied or real neglect, and dispirited by long continued exposure and privation, made but a very feeble resistance ; their ranks were pierced and broken, and being placed between two fires, they imme- diately surrendered, with the trifling loss of 12 killed and 22 wounded, the British general and a I !*: 1i S" fl ilw 'i'i t „■ r U 1 > r ,' J' ' ■ ; I i i:i! 300 LIFE AND rOnUESrOXDENCE OF li! Mi part of the troops seeking safety in flight. But the Indians carried on the contest with the left of the American line with great determination, and did not retreat until the day was irretrievably lost and 33 of their numbers had been slain, includinix the noble Tecumseh — a warrior not less celebrated for his courage than for liis humanity, his elo- quence, and his influence over the different tribes. The Americans returned to Sandwich immediately after the action. Proctor is accused of leaving entire the bridges and roads in the rear of liis retreating army, and of encumbering it with an unnecessary quantity of his own personal baggage ; and certain it is that his defeat led to the harshest recrimination between Sir Georire Prevost and himself The general order of the former on the subject was of unparalleled severity, as he said : " On this disgraceful day upwards of GOO officers and soldiers were taken prisoners almost without a struggle, of whom but very few appeared to have been rescued by an honorable death from the igno- miny of passing under the American yoke, nor are there many whose wounds plead in mitigation of this reproach." The fugitives made the best of their way to Ancaster, at the head of Lake On- tario ; and on the 17th of October thev numbered there 240, including the general and 17 officers. The consequence of these disasters was the relin- quishment, by the British, of the Michigan terri- tory, with the exception of Michilimakinack ; the abandonment of the posts in Upper Canada to the lit. But the left of the on, and did ibly lost and icluding the s celebrated SIR ISAAC nnocK. 307 ity his elo- Terent tribes, immediately ;d of leaving } rear of his ifv it with an »nal baggai^e ; the harshest Prevost and former on the , as he said : )f GOO officers ost without a |)eared to have rom the igno- an yoke, nor in mitigation de the best of of Lake On- Ihev numbered d 17 officers, was the relin- ichigan terri- lakinack; the 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 "2 or -KK), who subsequently joined tl: ) centre division of the army.* Fort Georcre was taken in Mav, 1813, by a large American force, under General Dearborn, which comj)elled Major-General Vincent to with- draw his troops from Fort Erie and Chippewa, and to retreat to Burlington Heights, at the head of Lake Ontario, the British losing ~2 killed, besides upwards of 300 wounded and missing. Immediately after the capture of Fort George, Goneral Dearborn pushed forward a body of 3,000 infantry, with nine field pieces and 2oO cavalry, for the purpose of dislodging Major-General V^in- cent from his position. Lieut. -Colonel Harvey,! deputy :,djiitant general, proposed a night attack on this body, which was approved, and with the 49th, under Major Plenderleath, and five com- panies of the 8th, under Major Ogilvie, (the whole only 704 firelocks,) he led the attack in gallant style, and completely succeeded in sur- prising the enemy, who evinced a highly credit- able state of order and discipline in repeatedly forming, though compelled as often to disperse * " The reader now sees the fatal consequences ; first, of not havingr, in the autumn of 181-2, destroyed tlie t\v(j or three schooners which were equipping at Buffahie by Lieutenant Elliott : secondly, of not having:, in the spririff of I8i:{, secured the possession of Sackett's Harbour ; thirdly, of not having, in the summer of the same year, captured or destroyed the whole American fleet, as it lay, unmanned, in Presqu'ile Harbour." — Jaweii' Military Occurrences. t The present Major-General Sir John Harvey, K. C. B. i !"' It III A y^. 308 LIFE AND CORRESPOrfDENCE OP before the resistless enerfry of tlie British bayonet. Two brigadiers, (Chandler and Winder,) 7 other officers and IIG men, with tliree guns and one brass howitzer, were taken in tliis intrepid attack, which, as it reduced the Americans from offensive to defensive operations, was of the greatest im- portance to the salvation of the Upper Province. The enemy, however, occupied Fort George till the month of December, when they were com- pelled to evacuate it and retreat across the Nia- gara.* In that month, Colonel Murray surprised, and very gallantly captured by u night assault, Fort Niairara, which was retained by the British till the end of the war. The recovery of Michi^imakinack had long been seriously contemplated by the American govern- ment, and would have been attempted in the fall of 1813, 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 re- taining a post so favorably situated, if in the hands of an enemy, for annoying the British north- western trade, pressed itself on Sir George Pre- vost ; and in April, 1814, a reinforcement of about 90 men, under an active and zealous officer, Lieut.- Colonel M'Douall, was forwarded with military stores and provisions, by a back route to Michili- makinack. They embarked in twenty-four bateaux * While the Americans retained Fort George, the graves of Sir Isaac Brock and Lieut. -Colonel M'Donell, in the cavalier bastion there, remaiued sacred, and were also respected. SIR ISAAC BROrK. 309 i\\ bayonet, r,) 7 other IS anfl one ipid attack, m offensive reatest im- r Provinoe. George till were com- ?s tlie Nia- y surprised, Q-ht assault, the British id long been can ffovern- pted in the the season, m the banks re into Lake essity of re- n the hands itish north- jreorge Pre- ent of about fioer, Lieut. - ith military 3 to Michili- four bateaux le graves of Sir cavalier bastioa from Nottawassega Bay on Lake Huron, distant 2(50 miles from ]Micliilimakinack, and, after a very tempestuous passage of twenty- five days, reached the fort on the 18th of May. On the SOth July, an American expedition from Lake Erie, consisting of three brigs and two schooners of war, under Captain Sinclair, with nearly 800 troops on board, appeared off Michilimakinack, and a landing was effected by them on the 4th of August. The British force on the island amounted to only 190 men, including regulars, militia, and Indians, with which Lieut. -Colonel M'Douall re- pulsed every effort of the Americans to approach the fort : so that thev were jjlad to re-embark the same evening in the utmost haste and confusion, leaving 17 dead on the ground, while the garrison had only one Indian killed. Captain Sinclair stated what does not appear to have been known to Lieutenant Hanks, when he surrendered the island in 1812 to Captain Roberts,* '' that Michilima- kinack is by nature a perfect Gibraltar, being a high inaccessible rock on every side,t except the west, from which to the heights you have nearly two miles to pass through a wood so thick, that * It strikes us as sirifjular that Captain Roberts was not promoted to at least a brevet majority for the capture of this imi)ortant post, although he had an overwhelming force, and took it without resist- ance. Was this promotion withheld because the capture was effected contrary to Sir George Prevost's orders ? + " The land, in the centre of this island, is high, and its form some- what resembles that of a turtle's back. Mackinac, or Mickinac, sig- nifies a turtle, and michi (mishi), or missi, signifies frn-nt, as it does also, seiteral, or jnanp. The common interpretation of the word Michilimakinuc, is the Great Turtle." — Ilenri/'ti Tiuwi-ls and Adventures in Canada and the Indian Territories, between the years 1760 and 1776. .1 ■V ^ i •'11 «' l\ * ( J LIFE AND COHni-SPOVDEXCE OF our iJion were shot in every direction, and within a few yards of tlicm, withont bein«; al)Ie to see the Indians who did it." ]Mieljilimakinack remained unmolested to the end of the war, wlien it was restored, by the treaty of peace, to its former possessors. It has already been mentioned, that anionu; the prisoners taken at the battle of Qucenstown, 23 were sent to England for trial as I^ritish born subjects and deserters, and that the American government had placed an equal num])er of British soldiers into close confinement as hostajjcs. In consequence, Sir George Prevost, h-^ a general order of the 27th October, '1813, made known that he had received the commands of the prince re- gent to put 40 American ofliccrs and non-commis- sioned officers into close confinement as hostajres for the 23 soldiers confined by the American go- vernment. He at the same time apprized that government, that if any of the British soldiers should suffer death by reason of the guilt and exe- cution of the traitors taken in arms against their country, he was instructed to select out of the American hostages double the number of the Bri- tish soldiers who might be so unwarrantably put to death, and to cause them to suffer death imme- diately. The govertior-general also notified to the American governir.^nt, that in the event of their carryinn; their murderous threat into execution, the commanders of the British forces, by sea and land, were instructed to prosecute the war with :i) II iwmni DF and witliin Ic to see the }k remained vlien it was I its former t among tlie enstown, 23 [^ritish born ic American ler of British ostaijes. In )y a general e known that le prince re- non-commis- t as hostages American go- ipprized that litish soldiers uilt and exe- aerainst their It out of the r of the Bri- ■rantably put death imme- otified to the vent of their o execution, , by sea and ih Sill l;i.\A( nnocK. ;)7i le war wi unmiti";atod severifv f.irfiinst all the territorv and inhabitants of the Uniied States. On the 10th of December, Sir freorixo Prevost received a communication from ^Fajor-Genenil Wilkinson bv a flajr of truce, statinjij that the American government, adhering unalterably to their previously declared pur))ose, liad placed 4(i Britisli officers into close confinement, there to remain until the same number of American officers and non-commissioned officers were released. Tn consequence, the governor-general ordered all the American officers, prisoners of war, without ex- ception of rank, to bo placed into close confine- ment as hostages, until the number of 40 was completed over and above those already in con- finement. In pursuance of this order. Generals Winder, Chandler, and Winchester, wore confined in a private house at Quebec, with as little incon- venience as their security would admit. On the 15th April, 1814, after some negotiation, opened at the solicitation of the American govern- ment, a convention was entered into at Montreal, by which it was agreed to release the hostages and to make an exchange of prisoners, tlie American government relinquishing its pretensions to reta- liate for the prisoners sent to England for legal trial as traitors to their country. This convention was ratified in July, at Champlain, near the lines ; but, whether by previous agreement or tacit under- standing, the traitors, we believe, escaped the just punishment of their crime. II u. . \ h f 37-2 LIFE A.VD CORRESPONDENrK OF The reinfiinin)/• I Canada 4, do not Some vvc wo could whole, we inrtuenee, e enorjjies Gst officer ar,"* was -a contest ould have ry f^cnius, L held the we reflect /ar, we are loss of Sir the gallant ition of his rmer chief, ee, mourn- |he British a reconci- I's disasters •e threaten- Lry of England, [oundcd at the Ith him expired lough the war liiiig of import- lire troops into \as ended with 1 infj to dissolve the union, ^fadison expressed a wish to treat with l^i 'oM)i;N( i: oi (Jay appointed for lils trial. Previously to iiis departure; tVorii Lower Canada, the corninonsi, or French party, Noted liiin the sunj of 1^">,(KK) for the purchase of a service of plate, as a trihutc of respect, which vote was approved of hy the prince re^eui , t ; hut the h I'^n'jflish )Ut tlie ic'^nsiuMvc council, or party, refused their as^^iiit to a hill for that j)urpose. Sir Gcorj^c Prevost was of slight, diminutive person, and unsoldierlike appearance ; his njanners arc represented as unas«uniin<; and social, and his temper as placid and forgivin^;. His puhlic speeches or addresses arc said to have partaken of even classical elegance, and his dispatches and general orders also afford proofs of his literary acquirements. Discredit can only he thrown on his character as a general ; and indeed his best friends must admit that his defensive policy at the commencement of the war, and his subsequent irresolution and infirmity of purpose, did not tend to raise the glory of England, or to advance his own fame, and that of every enterprizing officer "who served under him. And vet soon after his death, notwithstanding that the lamentable 'failures at Sackett's Harbour and Plattsburg: were fresh in the public recollection, new and honorary armorial bearings, with supporters, were solicited and ob- tained by his family in seeming approbation of his services in Canada, the supporters being tAvo gre- nadiers of the IGlh foot, of which regiment Sir George was colonel, each bearing a flag, gules ; the dexter flae: inscribed, *' West Indies" — the Iv to his iiuoii!*, or 7>,()0() for triltutc of tlic prince r Kn<,'lisli X pur[)ose. liniiiiutivo s manners Dcial, and lis public lartaken of itches and lis literary thrown on id his best ^licy at the subsequent id not tend ilvance his iin"' officer n after his lie 'failures I? re fresh in V armorial d and ob- ,tion of his b two gre- iment Sir [ag, gules; ies" — the SIR iTi.WC RnO( K. •/•) sinister, ''Canada"! If tiiesc disriiu-tions wore conterrcd in honor of ins (mvi f ii il ad ministration, which we have i/lrcadv enht'ri/ed, althontih I'cri' f(fs, in his well-known letters, stoutly denied him any merit even on this point, llicy were, we believe, iusilv bestowed : but if thev were intended as an approval of his military conduct durinij the contest, certain it is that his contemporaries indig- nantlv refused to concede his (daim to them, and that no historian has as vet admitted that claim.* It was unfortunate for Sir George that he was called upon to wage war against the United States, as his natural and excusable sympathies in favor of a people among whom he had been born, and * Wliilo tlu'sc remarks wrro in tyin', wo lu-ard accidi'iitally of a iaru'o inoniinu'nt. in thr catlu'dral at VViiiclu'sti'r. to tlu- mi'iiuiry of Sir (it'ortrr I'n^vost, with a laiidaturv iiix'riiition, for a copy of which wc imiiu'iliatcly wroti' to a triciid, and wiiich wc now transcrilio witiiont conwnciit, as wc respect tlic fccliiii;s of conjugal affccti .1 liy wiiich the epitapli was cvi LIIE AND COUUESl'ONDENCE 01' and pantuloony. lie was present in almost even action atjainst the Americans, from the period ot" Ilarmer's defeat to tlie battle of the Tiiamcs — was several times wounded — and always soui^ht tlie liottest of the fire. On the l!)th July, 1H12, he pur- sued, near Sandwich, a detachment of the American army under Colonel M'Arlhur, and fired on the rear jjuard. The colonel suddenly faced about his men and p;ave orders for a volley, when all tlie Indians fell flat on the ground with the exception of Tecumseh, who stood firm on liis feet, with apparent unconcern ! After his fall, his lifeless corpse was viewed with great interest by the American officers, who declared that the contour of his features was majestic even in death. And notwithstanding, it is said by an American writer, that " some of the Kentuckians disgraced them- selves by committing indignities on his dead body. He was scalped, and othcnciae dis/if/urcd." He left a son, who fought by his side when he fell, and was then about E'^ cnteen years old. The prince regent, in 1814, as a mark of respect to the memory of the father, sent a handsome sword as a present to the son. A nephew of Tecumseh and of the prophet, (their sister's son,) who was highly valued by the Americans, was slain in their ser- vice, in November, 1812, on the northern bank of the river Miami. Having been brought up by the American general, Logan, he had adopted that officer's name. He asserted that Tecumseh had in vain sought to engage him in the war on the side of the British. OF SIR 1SAA« niUM K. :K ilmost every lie period ot" liiinu'S — was I sout;lit tlie 1 8 1-2, he pur- ,]ie American fired on tlic ced about his \vhcn all the the exception lis feet, with [1, his lifeless terest by the It the contour ; death. And lerican writer, soraced them- his dead body. i'fjHml" He when he fell, irs old. The respect to the )me sword as a Tecumseh and rho was highly in in their ser- northern bank brought up by ad adopted that ecuraseh had in war on the side CIIArTKI? \VI. Tliomas Porter, a faithful servant of Sir Isaac Brock, was sent to Etit^land with his effects, and at the request of the family, was discharged from the 41)th regiment, in which he was borne as a soldier, and in which ha had an only brother, their father having been killed, while also in the regiment, on board the Monarch, at Copenhagen. The com- mander-in-chief readily sanetioned the disriiarge of Porter, " as a small tril>ute to the memory of a most gallant and valuable officer." His Royal Jlitj/iness the Duhc of York to IV. Jirock, I-Jsq. House Gtards, December, ISlo. The prince regent having been graciously pleas- ed to command, in the name and on the behalf of his majesty, that the officers present at the capture of Detroit should be permitted to bear a medal commemorative of that brilliant victorv, I have to transmit to you the medal* which would have been conferred upon the late Major-Gcncral Sir Isaac Brock, and which the prince regent has been * The medal is a very larpc and Ijcantifiilly executid {jdUI (inc. niadf to suspeml from the neck. On the oljverse is, "Ditrnlt;" on till' reverse, tlie tit!:ure of Britannia; and round tlie rim, "Major- General Sir Isaac Brock." The medal was jjiveii only lu the iirincipal officers. ^n^ I' 3SH F.iiK AND fdiinKspoNnKNc r. or pleased to direct slioukl he deposited with his tliMiily, as a token of the resijeet whieli his royal jii'diness entertains for the nieinorv of that officer. I am, Sir, yours, Fukdkhick, CoitniiuiKliT-in-Cliicf'. In llic year 1S17, Mr. Suvery IJrock visited the Tnited States and Canada, and, while in the latter country, received the , 1817. 1 travelled with three gentlemen from New York as far is Fort (jrcoi'f^e, where they left me on their return bv Montreal. Wo crossed at Bufl'alo on the 9tli instant, at wliich place we arrived half an hour before Hie President ; and although one of our party (Mr. Gouverneur) was his nephew, we did not delay our journey to have a view of liis countenance, and came over to Fort Erie, or, pro- perly speaking, its remains. Seven miles from the Fort, we stopped the next morning to breakfast at a house where Isaac had lived six months, and the landlord told me with tears : " He was a friend and a father to me. I was close to him when he was shot;" — with these words, unable from his feeling;^ to add more, he walked away quickly up liis orchard .... On paying my respects to Mrs. with his lis roval t oilicci . KICK, -in-Chit'l. isilt'd tlio tho latter > acres of per Pro- ; Brock, vcls were iwin^ arc •2.i, 1817. >^cw York c on theii lullalo on d half an rh one ot phew, we w of his , or, pro- iles from breakfast nths, and s a friend when he from his ickly up ts to Mrs. sill is.\\( nuncK. :JS'.) Powell, the lady of the prcsr'iit chief justice, and to Mrs. Clans, they were HTcatly alKcteil, and slicd tears ; and Mr. Scott, on whom I called ves- torday, was C(]nally so. Every one here is inu^t kind — Isaac truly lived in their hearts: from oiw. end of Canada to the other, he is heloved to a dcirrei' vou can scarcely inuiu;ino — his niemorv will lonjj live amonu: them. *'To vour hrothcr. Sir, wc are indchted for the preservation of this jirovinoe," is a sentiment that comes from the heart, and is in the months of too many to he flat- tery. This is pleasin*:^, no doubt, to mc, hut it is a mournfid j)leasnre, and recalls to n)C the past. I dine at five with the livntlenu^n of this town, ami I see a sj)londid trihlo laid out up stairs — the <^ar- rison is invited. 1 found no wav to avoid these marks of resj)ect to Isaac's memory. I assure you (liat it is truly unpleasant to me to see so manv persons putting; themselves in some degree out < f their way to gratify mc, as I think it, though I am aware they do it to satisfy their own feelings. I should also mention, that last Saturday I dined at Fort George, by invitation of the gentlemen there and its environs; wo v,erc fort i/-nine in number, and it was the anniversary of the capture of De- troit. I was invited, without their remembering the day of the month — it was a curious coinci- dence. The clergyman, who was of the party, made allusion durinc; divine service next morninji to Isaac, and to my beinjj in the church. I men- tion these particulars, that you may fully judge of M i^ -«• OF ;e, three fine shed to shake Queenstown. f attachment. L with Isaac : they were, part of most hat was occa- 3ers, tliat it is mtry. Every to permit an or any enter- ling was done, to defeat the erubly defend- ticulars, as no affairs. October 24. I in East and Lake Ontario, in ; this is the vithin ei^ht or rock township, Monaghan, on n Murray, on lis place have ns, and waited m. Tuesday is SIR ISAAC imOCK. .301 named. So verv civil is everv one, that I am quite overcome witli their politeness. Colonel M'Bean, of the 99th, and all his officers, have also called. Isaac's memorv is so cherished — all loved him sincerely. At Quebec, I dined with Sir John Sherbrookc, &c., visited the falls of Montmorenci, &c., and was much pleased with my trip there. Extract from the Montreal Herald of November 1, 1817. On Tuesday, the "28th ultimo, the principal inhabitants of Montreal gave a public dinner at the Mansion House, to John Savery Brock, Esq., of the island of Guernsey, as a tribute of respect justly due to the memory of his late brotlier, the deceased Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, Sir John Johnson, Bart., took tlie chair at six o'clock, supported by Messrs. Forsyth and St. Dizier, vice-presi- dents, who conducted the arrangements of the table in a manner worthy of the occasion which the coujpany had assembled to commemorate. After the cloth was removed, a series of approjiriate toasts were given from the chair. When " the memory of the late Major-Generai Sir Isaac Brock" was pledgcjd and drunk, Mr. B. availed himself of the universal silence it created to address the company. In a short speech, he expressed his acknowledgments for the very flattering and distinguished manner they were pleased, through him, to testify their veneration for the memory of his deceased, brother, whose public and private qualities, he was proud to observe, were so highly appreciated by the inhabitants of Montreal, in whose society he had for a period been domesticated, and of whose kindness and hospitality he always retained a grateful remembrance. At the commencement of the American war, Mr. B. observed, an arduous command devolved upon liis brf>- ther; he had to protect an extensive frontier with very limited means, and those means, feebh; as they were, llil ,( i' } «» V 1, i 1 t, v. i ill I. ■! 302 LIFK AND COHRESFONDENCE 01' sliaoklcd l>y tlie trammels of superior aiitliorilv ; tlie advance of an hostile army, liowever, upon our provincial territory, developed tlie resources of his military genius, and atlbrded liim a glorious opportunity of proving to liis country what he might have achieved under different eir- cinnstances. Mr. Brock apologized to the company for detaining them a few minutes longer, in rcJiding some extracts of letters he had received from the late general,, at different times, previous to the hattle of (^ueenstown. These extracts corroborated what Mr. B. had previously stated ; and it is remarkable that in one of them, with a spirit almost prophetic, the hero foretold the issue of that eventful day, when the hand of victory was destined to mingle the cypress and the laurel over his grave. Mr. Brock's feelings were a good deal affected in addressing so )iumerous an assemblage of his late brcMier's personal friends ; and we may venture to add, that never were heelings of the same description more sacredly participated than those of Mr. B. on this occasion. Mr. B. concluded his speech by drinking the health of the company, anil ''success and prosperity to the city of Montreal." At eleven o'clock the president retired, and was suc- ceeded in the chair by the Hon. W. M'Gillivray, who immediately proposed the health of the worthy baronet, with three times three. The band of the 0!)th regiment attended and played a variety of l)eantiful airs, which, in addition 1o a number of excellent songs given in the course of the evening, seduced the party to remain until the "little hours'' stole upoji them. We regret that want of room prevents us from noticing as we could wish the neat and soldierlike address oi thanks from Lieut. -Colonel M'Bean, on behalf of the garrison of Montreal, or of recording a translation of the figurative speeches, delivered in the Indian language by Lieut. -Colonel M'Kay* and A. Shaw, Estj., excited from * This is doubtless the officer whose iiuiue is spelt M'Kee, at pagi- 252 ; sec also page 294. , I 01 itliorily ; tlie 3ur provincial litnrj' genius, provinp: to liis r diffuront cir- conipany for reading some ; late general,, (^ueenstown. ad previously them, with a } issue of that IS destined to ; grave. Mr. addressing >o ler's person a J it never were y participated \i. concluded ;ompany, and real." and was sue- Jillivray, who rtliy baronet, and played a o a number of ning, seduced 5'* stole upon from noticing ce address of behalf of the slation of the language by , excited from M'Kee, at pagi- SIR ISAAC imOCK. 393 those gentlemen by a recurrence to the co-operation oi the gallant warrior, ''(.'cumseh, with the lamented chief whose immortal memury forms the subject of this article. Irving Brock, Esq., to his niece, Miss Caroline Tapper.* London, April 12, 18'2o. I went to Windsor on Wednesday last with the four Indians, accompanied by my friend Mr. W , to show them the castle, Frogmore, &c. ; but the chief object, which I had secretly in mind, was to have them introduced to his majesty. Sir John C , the late mayor of Windsor, assisted me very effectually, and the upshot of the matter is, that the king expressed his desire to see the Indian chiefs, although every body treated this as a most chimerical idea. They wore, for the first time, the brilliant clothes which Mr. Butterworth had had made for them, and you cannot conceive how grand and imposing they appeared. Tlie king appointed half-past one on Thursday to receive our party at the royal lodge, his place of residence. We were ushered into the library ; and now I am going to say somewhat pleasing to your uncle Savery. As Sir John C was in the act of introducing me, but before he had men- tioned my name, Sir Andrew Barnard f interrupted him, and said : '* There is no occasion to intro- duce me to that gentleman, — I know him to be General Brock's brother, — he and Colonel Brock, * The present Mrs. De Beauvoir De Lisle. + The present Lieut.-General Sir Andrew Barnard, G. C. B. R* n ( \ t J; 394 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF of the 81st, were my most intimate friends, — 1 was in the 81st witli the colonel. There was ano- ther hrother whom I knew, — ho who was pay- master of the 49th, — he was a gallant fellow. By the hye, sir, I beg your pardon ; perhaps I am speaking to that very gentleman." In the library there was also present Marquess Conynghain, Lord Mount Charles, Sir Edmund Nagle, &c. &c. We remained chatting in the house above half an hour, expecting every moment to see the king enter ; and I was greatly amused to observe Mr. W and Sir John C start and appear convulsed every time there was a noise outside the door. We were admiring the fine lawn when the Marquess Conyngham asked the Indians if they would like to take a turn, at the same time opening the beautiful door that leads to it. The party was no sooner out than we saw the king standing quite still, and as erect as a grenadier on a field day, some forty yards from us. We were all immediately uncovered, and advanced slowly towards the handsomest, the most elegant, the most enchanting man in the kingdom ; the Indians conducted by Marquess Conyngham, Sir Edmund Nagle, Sir Andrew Barnard, Lord Mount Charles, &c. &c. The range of balconies was filled with ladies. Sir John C , Mr. W and I, allowed the party to approach his majesty, while we modestly halted at a distance of twenty yards. It was worth while being there only to see the benign counte- SIR ISAAC imOCK. :}l)-"j Ticnds, — I re was ano- > was pay- bIIow. By •haps I am t Marquess ir Edmund ting in the ?ry moment itly amused '2 start was a noise ig the fine I asked the turn, at the that leads It than we nd as erect forty yards uncovered, somest, the man in the Marquess lir Andrew &c. The adies. Sir id the party estly halted was worth lisjn counte- nance of the greatest monarch in the world, and to witness his mduner of uncoverinfx his head. The four chiefs fell on their knees. The king desired them to rise, and entered into a great deal of pre- liminary conversation. I saw him turn towards the marquess, and after a few seconds he said, with his loud and sonorous voice : " Pray, Mr. Brock, come near me, — I pray you come near me." I felt a little for my companions who con- tinued unnoticed, and especially for Sir John C , to whom I was principally indebted for the royal interview. The king addressed the Indians in French, very distinctly, fluently, and loud : " I observe you have the portrait of my father; will you permit me to present you with mine ? " The marquess then produced four krge and weighty gold coro- nation peer medallions of his majesty, suspended by a rich mazareen blue silk riband. The chiefs, seeing this, dropped again upon their knees, and the king took the four medallions successively into his hand, and said : " Will some gentleman have the goodness to tie this behind?" — upon which Sir Edmund Nagle, with whom we had been con- doling on account of the gout, while waiting in the library, and who wore a list shoe, skipped nimbly behind the chiefs, and received the strinc; from the king, tying the cordon on the necks of the four chiefs. We were much amused to ob- serve how the royal word can dispel the gout. The instant the grand chief was within reach of r ■■ '!| .1 tJ II i 3!K) LIFE AM) rORRESI'OXDENCE OF tlic iiicdallion, and before tlie investiuire was com- ])leted, lie seized the welcome present with tiie utmost earnestness, and kissed it with an ardour which must have been witnessed to be conceived. The kintj^ appeared sensibly affected by this strong and unequivocal mark of j^rateful emotion. The otiier chiefs acted in a similar way, and nothing could have been managed more naturallv, or in better taste. After this ceremony, the king desired them to rise and to be covered. They put on their liats, and which appeared extraordinary to me, his' majesty remained uncovered all the time. Here it was that the grand chief, as if incapable of re- pressing his feelings, poured out in a most eloquent manner, by voice and action, the following unprr;- meditated speech in his native Indian tongue. I say unpremeditated, because that fine allusion to the sun could not have been contemplated while we were waiting in the library, the room wliere we expected the interview to take place. I was pleased to find thai the presence of this mighty sovereign, who governs the most powerful nation upon earth, did not drive from the thoughts of the pious chief, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. The instant he had finished, the chief of the •warriors interpreted in the French language, and I wrote down the speech as soon as I left the royal ladjre. It should be observed, that the chiefs had been previously informed by me that, according to etiquette, they should answer any questions which IF e was com- it with tlic 1 an ardour conceived. this strong otion. The ,nd nothing rallv, or in dng desired put on their V to me, his iine. Here jiable of re- ost eloquent rting unprfi- tongue. I allusion to )lated while m where we 3e. I was this mighty erful nation ughts of tho the Lord of hief of the uage, and I ft the royal chiefs had iccording to tions which "♦-"r SIR ISAAC BnoCK. 397 liis majesty might be pleased to ask, hut not intro- duce any conversation of their own. The sun was shining vividly. THE SPfi:EC!l. I was inslructecl not to speak in the royal presence, unless in answer to your majesty's questions. But my feelings overpower me. My heart is full. I am amazed at such unexpected grace and condescension, and cannot doubt that I shall be pardoned for expressing my grati- tude. The sun is shedding his genial rays upon our heads. He reminds us of the great Creator of tlie uni- verse — of Him who can make alive and who can kill. Oh ! may that gracious and beneficent Being, who pro- mises to answer the fervent prayers of his people, bless abundantly your majesty. May He grant you much bodily health, and, for tlie sake of your happy subjects, may He prolong your valuable life! It is not alone the four individuals, who now stand before your majesty, who will retain to the end of their lives a sense of this kind and touching reception — the whole 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 by the chief of the war- riors. The king answered, that he derived high satisfaction from the sentiments they had express- ed, and assured them that he should always be much interested in the happiness of his North American subjects, and would avail himself of every opportunity to promote their welfare, and to prove that he was indeed their fiUher. After ac- knowledgins; in gracious terms the pleasure which the speech of the grand chief had afforded him, Hi l! "■•i t ' 1 ' '; I ! I' v' 308 LIFE AND COnilESPONDENCE OF lie mentioned, in an easy and affable manner, that lie had once before in his life seen some indivi- duals of the Indian nations, but that was fifty-fivn or fifty-six years ago. He inquired of their pas- sage to this country, the name of the ship and of the master, and was persevering in his questions as to the treatment they had experienced at his liands, whether they had been made comfortable in all respects, and if he 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 whisper, that this was the mode in which they expressed their sense of any honor conferred, and that the chief of the warriors would interpret the speech in the French language. The king asked me to repeat what I had been saying, and George and Irving conversed for some time. His majesty, on another occasion, asked me under what circumstances the Indians had been intro- duced to me. I answered that they were recom- mended to my notice, because they had been invested widi 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 the lodge and plea- sure grounds, that Sir Andrew Barnard would accompany us everywhere, to his stables, menage- ■** n .(I 8in ISAAC nnocK. noo inner, that me indivi- is fifty-fivf! I their pas- ship and of s questions iced at his comfortable polite and y his speech if it would look a little ;^onyngham, )de in which ir conferred, uld interpret The king saying, and time. His I me under been intro- were recom- had been e majesty by seen every us we were Te and plea- rnard would es, menage- rie, aviaries, &c., and afterwards he trusted we would partake of some refreshment. He also offered us the use of his carriages. The refresh- ment was a truly royal repast, — we eat on silver, — the table groaned, as Mr. Heathfield would say, under the king's h*^ ^jltalitv. We made a famous dinner, — pine apple, chiimpagne, claret, &c. — servants in royal liveries behind our chairs. A^'-'.r dinner the Indians gave us the war song, when, (in your uncle Savery's poetry about Maria Easy,) " Tho' the dogs ran out in a great fright, The ladies rushed in with much delight." [NoTK. — These four Indians came to England for the purpose of endeavouring to recover lands which had been given to their tribe by Louis the Sixteenth, but it appears that they did not succeed. They were very pious Roman Catholics, and those who saw them were mucli amused with their simple and primitive manners.— £».] Extract of a Letter from Walter Bromley, Esq., dated London, )bth April, 1825. — From a Halifax N. S. newspaper. The Indian chief, who accompanied mc to England, sailed in the Ward, for New Brunswick, a few days ago, loaded with presents to his family and people. I think his appearance here has been more beneficial than if volumes had been printed on Indian civilization, and I am in hope that on both sides of the Atlantic a genertd sym- pathy has been excited. The four Canadian chiefs have attracted much attention, and have been presented to his majesty by the bro- ther of the late General Brock ; they are the most interesting charac- ters I ever saw— are extremely polite — and speak French fluently.] Mrs. {Lieut. -Colonel) Eliot* to her sister, in Guernsey. Quebec, January 12, 1831. With my kindest love to the Tuppers, tell them that I often see Colonel Glegg, who was Sir Isaac * Her husband, who distinguished himstlf in Upper Canada during tlie war, was then serving on the staff in Lower Canada. : i' I HJI f LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE 01' Crock's aide-de-camp : he is now Lord Aylmer's civil secretary, and we meet very often. Ho speaks affectionately of liis old patron, and has made many inquiries relative to the family : the tears come into his eyes when he talks to me of old times. He and George (liieut. -Colonel Eliot) were a great deal together during the war in the Upper Province. The other day, at dinner at the chateau, he told me that he had had a visit from Sir Isaac's old housekeeper, who is still living liere in a similar situation to the House of Assem- bly, and gets ^0 a year salary. He knew her directly, and seemed quite atiected whan telling me that she had brought her credentials with her in case he had not recognized her, as many years had elapsed since they met ; and she opened a pocket book carefully, which she had in her hand, and took a piece of a shirt with the initials of General Brock's name, which she said she had cut off when the body was brought in to be buried at Fort George, and preserved it as a relic of her dear master. This little, trifling, affectionate re- membrance of the old creature, shews her real attachment. Colonel Glegg gave her a new snuff box, filled with snufF from Paris, and told her to come again to see him. Perhaps the Tuppers will be pleased to hear this little anecdote. [Mrs. Eliot, whose maiden name was Jane M'Crea, is the daughter of an American loyalist and a gallant field officer, now deceased, and the niece and namesake of the unfortunate Jane M'Crea, whose tra- gical fate in the American revolutionary war excited so much com- misseration, and gave rise to a correspondence between the American general. Gates, and General Burgoyne. The former wrote : " Miss M'Crea, a young lady, lovely to the sight, of virtuous character and Vi\t (1 Aylmer's often. He in, and has amily : tluj ks to me of »lonel Eliot) I war in the linner at the a visit from still living le of Assem- [e knew hor whon telling als with her many years tie opened a in her hand, 16 initials of she had cut be buried at relic of her 'ectionate re- iws her real r a new snuff d told her to Tuppers will _, is the daughter low deceased, and 'Crea, whose tra- ed so much com- ccn the American er wrote : " Miss ous character auil SIR ISAAC nilOCK. 401 aiuiahlc (li^iiinHJtion, eiiura^ci-d to an ofticer of your nrniy, was, with oflior woMitMi fuiil cliildrcii, tiikcii out of a hou^i' lu'ar i'ort lldwaid, carrird into the wooiU, and tlari' sciilpfd imd inaiik'U'd in n most shockiiiir inanniT .... 'I'lic nii-iTalih- fate of .Mi-< .M'{ rea was par- tirularly airi;ravati'd l)y IjiMtiif dri>M'd to rrciivi' ht'r proiniscd liiishiiiid, lint nut lii-r niiiriU'rcr cinployi'd liy \ou." 'i'lu- liitti-r, in liis reply, stati'd, tliat "two eliicfs, will) liiid brouirht her off for till piirpo«.f of si'cnrit)-, not of viuK nci' to Ikt person, dispiiti'd wliicli simnid lie licr cnard, iind in a tit of savaj^e passimi in (mh', from wliost- hands slu; was snati'livd, tlie unhappy woman bicanu' tlu' victim."] Wo liavo in a preceding clinptcr dcscril)cd tlic nionumeiit, on (^uconstowti Ilciglits, to the inoinory of Sir Isaac 15rock, a monument wiiich " the po- pularity of the trenci'al had caused to be ref^ardcd with more aifectioiiute vencrntion than any other structure in the proviiice." On Good Friday, the 17th of April, 1840,* a miscreant of tlic name of Lett introduced a quantity of gunpowder into this monument with the fiendish purpose of destroying it ; and the exjilosion, effected by a train, caused so much damage as to render the column altoge- ther irre|)aral)le. Lett, who was by birth an Irish- man and bv settlement a Canadian, had been i.omj)elIed to fly into the United Slates for his share in the recent rebellion ; and " well knowing the feelino; if attachment to the name and memory of General Brock, as pervading all classes of Canadians, he sou[»ht to gratify his own malicious and vindictiv(i spirit, and at the same time to wound and insult the people of L^pper Canada" by this demon's deed. The universal indignation of that people was aroused, and a [>ublic meeting was appointed to be held on Quecnstown Heights, on the 30th of July following, for the purpose of * On the same day, ten years previously, Sir Isaac Brock's nephew, Colonel Tapper, was slain m Chile. i; ! !i 4i;2 LIFE AND COimF.SI'OMDENCE OP ii(lo|)tiii^ resolutions for the erection of nnotlior iiKnimiient, the i^ulijint Sir Allan Mac Nab espe- cially niakin . . I r Jl J| iMlBiHM 404 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF led tlie small regular force, the loyal and frallant militia, and the brave and faithful Indian warriors, to oppose the invaders — when his fortitude ins])ired coura^;e, and his sagacious policy gave confidence, in despite of a hostile force, apparently overwhelm ing. Wc cannot refrain from trunsferrinjx to tlie?c paf^cs parts of tlic long; and eloquent speech of the chief justice, Robinson, who, on advancinjj^ to the front of the hustinfijs to move the sixth resolution, was received with the most enthusiastic cheers. If it were intended by those who counnitted this sliame- ful outrage, that the injury should be irreparable, the scene which is now before us, on these interesting heights, shews that they little understood the feelings of venera- tion for the memory of Brock which still dwell in tlie Ijcarts of the people of I'pper Caniida. No man ever established a better claim to the affections of a country ; and, in recalling the recollections of eight and twenty years, there is no difficulty in accounting for the feeling which has brought us together on this occasion. Among the many who are assembled here from all parts of this province, I know there are some who saw, as I did, with grief, the body of the lamented general borne from the field on which lie fell — and many who witnessed, with me, the melancholy scene of his interment in one of the bastions of Fort George.* They can never, I am sure, forget the countenances of the soldiers of that gallant regiment which he had long commanded, when they saw deposited in the earth the lamented officer who had for so nutny years been their pride ; they can never forget the feelings displayed by the loyal militia of this province, when they were consigniny; to the grave the noble hero who had so lately achieved a glorious triumph in the * Wc suppose thfit the chief justice was the lieutenant of militia, who acted as one of Lieut. -Colonel M'DoneU's pall hearers. Sec pag-c a J 2 )F llixnt militia, o oppose the v^Q, and his ; of a liostilo niT to these leooh of the ricintr to the resolution, ! cheers. i] this sliame- eparablf, the sting heights, gs of veuera- dwell in the No man ever of a country ; t and twenty jT the feeling ion. Among parts of this IS I did, with )rne from the tnessed, with in one of the , I am sure, that gallant len they saw who had for ver forget the lis province, le noble liero umph in the cnant of militia, bearers, See SIR ISAAf, nHOfK, 4()/> defence of their country : they looked forward to a dark and perilous future, and they felt that the earth was closing upon him in whom, more than in all other human means of defence, their contidence had been reposed. Nor can tliey forget the countenanc(.'s, oppressed with grief, of tbjse brave and faithful Indian warriors, who admired and loved the gallant IJroek, who had bravely shared with him the dangers of that period, and who had most honorably distinguished themselves in the field, where he closed his short but brilliant career. * * * * * '^ It has, f know, Sir, in the many years that liave elapsed, been sometimes objected, that General Brock's courage was greater than his prudence — that his attack of Fort J)etroit, thojigh it succeeded, was most likely to have failed, and was therefore injudicious — and that a similar raslmess and want of cool calculation were displayed in the ijianner of his death. Those who lived in Upper Canada while these events were passing, can form a truer judgment; they know (hat vviiat may to some seem rashness, was, in fact, pru- dence ; unless, indeed, the defence of Canada was to be ;ibandf those fields — in moving the ssed himself: the field under command for a rison of Quebec, congratulating \rmy, accompa- ich I shall never still when called upon to address such an auditory, and upon such a topic as the memory of Brock. Looking at the animated mass covering these heights in 1840, to do further honour to the unfortunate victim of a war now old in history, one is prompted to ask, how it happens that the gallant general, who has so long slept the sleep of death, left the lasting impression on the hearts of his countrymen which tliis scene exhibits ; how comes it that the fame of Brock tiius floats down the stream of time, broad, deep, and fresh us the waters of the famed river with whose waters, it might be almost said, his life's blood mingled? In reply, we might dwell upon his civil and military virtues, his patrio- tic self-devotion, his chivalrous gallantry, and his tri- umphant achievements. (Here one of the auditors added, "and that he was an honest man" — an attribute most warmly responded to on every side, for an honest man is the noblest work of (Jod.) Still it might be asked. What peculiar personal qualities predominated and gave him the talismanic influence and ascendancy over his fellow men, which he acquired and wielded for his country's - ood ? I answer, Are there any seamen among you ? ; - yes, answered from the crowd) — then I say it was the V ' nian spirit that animated his breast; it was the mind intuitively to conceive, and the soul promptly to dare, incredible things to feeble hearts — with a skill and bearing which infused this chivalrous and enterprising spirit into all his followers, and impelled them energetic- ally to realize whatever he boldly led the way to accom- plish. It displayed itself too, not only in the ranks of the disciplined soldiers, but 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 his memory and his fame. Gentlemen, the resolution which I hold in my hand is expressive of the indignation felt throughout the province at the lawless act, the effects of which are visible before us. I(^! 1 1 408 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OP After the resolutions had been carried by accla- mation, and the public proceeding;? had termi- nated, (50() persons sat down to diimer in a tem- porary pavilion erected on the spot where the liero fell, "Chief Justice Robinson presiding; and at this, as at the morninf^ meeting, great eloquence was displayed in the speeches, great loyalty evinced in the feelings, and great enthusiasm prevailed." After the queen's health had been drunk, the chief justice rose and said : I have now to propose the memorj' of the late gallant Sir Isaac Brock, of Colonel M'Donell, and those who fell with them on Queenstown Heights. That portion of you, gentlemen, who were inhabitants of Upper Canada while General Brock served in its defence, are at no loss to a doing duty over her royal highness the princess Charlotte of Wales, at Weymouth, she was gra- ciously pleased to nominate it her regiment." In December, 18*21, the 49th embarked for the Cape of Good Hope, and in 1828 proceeded on to Ben- * In isil, the Six Nations of Indians had contributed the Joi 'her. diminislied unuit)ers and limited means', large sum of .t lOr + See Apiicndix A, Section l, No U. •p»> far as pos- [ ready boon i\y structure 4.j.t Irock's favo- supcrfluoiit;, re destroyed Mav, 1H13, f its services it assisted at held bv the Lhc limerican still existing:, itted to wear, \ company a ■'s Hill; but nnot shew tlic allowed this ly cngan;ed iu distinguished d Chrystler^ rued to En^- lirtecn years; :juence of it^ 3 the princes; slic was gra- [>ginient." In 1 for the Cape ed on to Bon- h\itccltl\c vfoi >hcr. iot'th !May, 1841, "as the two brigades advanced toiiether, there was some little rivalrv between the 4i)th and 18th regiments, as to which sliould have the honor of commencing the attack upon the two forts. The 49th, liaviny; the advantacje of a shorter and perhaps ra^^ "r better road, got the lead, which they mai' "'neu so that tlio left . 'j,ade carried uoTH the eastern forts before the 18th came np, and with little loss." * In February, 1843, after the Chinese had been coerced into a peace, the 4nth returned to Calcutta, and the following month embarked for England, where the head quarters arrived on the 24th August, after an absence of nearly twenty-two years — an example of the ar- duous services in which the British infantrv of ft the line is constantly engaged. The 41)th, (the Princess Charlotte of Wales',) or Hertfordshire regiment, bears on its colours and appointments the distinctions of Egmont op Zee, Copenhagen, Qucenstown, the Dragon, and China. On the 27th August, 1844, new colours were presented to the 4i)th, at ^V''inchester, by Lady Pakenhara, the wife of Major-General the lion. Sir Hercules Pakenham, commanding the district, the colours beinfj first consecrated bv Doctor C. * Bernard's Narrative of tlic combined Naval and Military Opera- tions in C'tiina London, 1411. ■riJI 'ii ^'i:ii (m 41-2 LIFE AND COnHESPONDENCE OF R. Sumner, tlio Lord 15isl)op of Winolicster, ^vlio thus addressed llie troops : Soldiers of tlic iDfli, I have solicitod and ol)tained per- mission of your f?!illiint conunandiiig officer to address you a tew nioinetits before I invoke the blessinu; of Almij^lity (fod upon tiie colt^urs wliieij are never to be sullied by any act of yours, and arc not to be abandoned but with life itself. And let not any man marvel that I, a man of p(!a-ony, that his liorrors of war. might go back iry. We must 2 to your com- y a well-fought |ie naval power nsults and the >ok back to the Dry in Holland, dia and China. I by the great f of the British asked for the la — those were rtorth living to ley are for you irn to hear from ners, you look lys, and in ceu- of your eoun- ,y, and of your hold that th'. SIR IS'.\( UUOCK. 413 (■hristian soldier is an in^lrunient of 'j:oo(1 to the nation at large, and I bid you (iod >pt'ed in tiie name of the Lord, and, as a Christian bishop, I would bid you "enieinber Iliin who is tlie (Jod of I)attle9, Him by whom nations are led to victory and j)rcserved in peace. Be men of resolu- tion and men of energy, pacific in your profession ami disinterested in your patvinljsni, observant of your (()Uui:si'omh;m i: oi SaviTv, who ilit'd on tlic 7tli Aui^ust, 1H44, Iiris b(!en already noticed, and the tenth, Irvinf;, ^\ho died in 18JJH, at Bath, was *' the aceoniplished translator of Hernier's Travels in Indiii," and a very powerful writer in sii|)port of the government in IHIO, at a very eventful and critical |)eriod.* Sinmilarlv enoujih, of the eiirht brothers of this family of the Brocks who reached maturity, no descendant of their name is now in existence. Df their [\vo sisters, who grew to womardiood, the elder, Elizabeth, now the only survivor of the family, married John E. Tapper, Esq., of Guern- sey ; and the younger, iMary, was tlic wife of Thomas Potengcr, Esq., of Compton, in Berkshire, first cousin to the Countess of Bridgewater. Of the five neplM-ws and one great nephew of Sir Isaac Brock, who have hitherto embraced the profession of arms, not one survives, four of the forn)er and the latter having sadly and prema- turely perislied, viz : first. Midshipman Charles Tuppcr, of his majesty's ship Primrose, drowned at Spithcad, in 181.5, by the upsetting of tlie boat in which he was accompanying his commander from Portsmouth to tlic ship ; second, lieutenant E. W. Tupper,t his majesty's ship Sybille, mortally wounded in action with Greek pirates, near Can- dia, on the 18th June, 18*2(5 ; third, Lieutenant William Potenger, adjutant 22d regiment, died on the 19th November, 1827, of the fever, at Jamaica ; * One of his pamphlets went through four editions. t For a short memoir, sec Appendix C. f^ "I , 1H44, has [rvirifj, nl»o Mioiuplisliod lia," Jind u irovcrninciit ifil |)criod.* licrs of this Kiturity, no stoncc. Of [iiihood, tho ivor of the , of Giicrn- thc wife of n ^^crkshire, viitcr. t ncplicw of in])raced the four of the and prcma- nan Charles se, drowned of the boat command cr , Lieutenant lie, mortally s, near Can- Lieutenant lent, died on at Jamaica; (litions. Sin ISA At iiUO' K. 41o fourth, Colonel W. \)v \ ie 'fuppcr,' ut' llu; Chilian service, slain ih army from Cahool, in January, L*^4'2. The remainini; nephew, (^aptain Euijcnc Hroek, of the 'JOth regiment, died at Ik'rmnda, in January, 1S44. Our memoir is eoneludrd, and even if in its ])roletin<^ our task, we are not without hope that the simple lanfruat^e of soberness and truth will be preferred to a memorial composed with more art, but dictated by less sincerity. And should we in the course of these pages have inadvertently fallen into undue j)anegyrism, that commoti error of biographers, our excuse must be, tha<^ we could scarcely avoid eulogizing one of whom it was writ- ten, soon after his untimely fall, by a bosom friend : * For a memoir, sec Appendix D. + The (inly son of the Rev. Richard Fntcnj^er. ;St'e page 2fi'J.) With this tine yoiing man expired the last hope of his family, and the continuation of liis line. ! 'I' I ■ I It: 4 1 ;, i 1 1 1 fi I 41(1 MIE AM) f ()liriKSlM)Nl)i;N( i: 01 " (i«Mi«'riil JJrock* whh indocd a hero, a lioro in the odIv true and iti tlie most extensive sense, resenihiint;; wliat history or fable has represented, rather as the ot}'s])rin(^ of the iniairinalion than a jHTsona'je that could liavc real existence, so en- tirely was every great and good (|uality coni|)rc- liended in his character." Additinnul Notf.i. Tho irurri^iim of Michilimakiimck. wlicn surprised in irfiH, sec imije '2H, rnii^isti'd of tlio ('oiunmiKluiit, Miijur lltliiriiiKton, two miIkiI- terns, tiiid ninety soldier-. ; and tlioie were tonr Dn^jlisli traders tlieri' ()t these l.ientenant Jeniett*', aljont seventy soldiers, and one tradi'r. were massaered ; Mnt the eoniniandant, l.ientenant Leslie, and tin remainder, were preserved liy the Ottawas, and re^-tori'fl at the peace in I7(il. The Kntrlish trader, who heheld and descrihed the massacre, W8S Alexander Henry, whose travels in ( anada are cited at pai^e M')[i. Wiien peace was concluded at Detroit, by (ieneral llradstreet, with the Indians, in l^fi-l, Font iac tied to the Illinois; see patrcs lOi and 'HA ), but he appears suhseiinently to have Joined the Kn^'iish, and ti' have received a handsome pension from them to >«eenre his attaeli- ment. Carver, in his "Three ^ ears Travels" in North America, relates tliat in I7()7 I'ontiae held a conncil in the Illinois, in which he spoke UKUinst the English, and that in consc(|(iencc an Indian, who was attached to their cause, pliinf;ed a knife into his heart, and laid him dead on the spot. * It is also creditable to the military character of the little Island of (Juernsey, that of the live liritisli f;;emrals killed in action in iMTi, two, whose names follow in the obituary of the AiihikiI .Idh/i List for 1H1:J, were Major-Ueneral Le Marchant, tith Dragoon (iiiards, at the battle of Salamanca, and Major (ieneral Sir Isaiu Brock, K.ll., 4yth Fool, in America,— i>Mrtf«/t'(( Historic of Gutirnsvy. i iH I, a hero in iisive st'iiSL', n'prt'scMitiMl, ilioii tlian ii MicL', so t'U- lltv conipn - 8IR ISAAC UllOCK. 41 APPENDIX A. SECTION I.— HUITISII ArrilORS. in i7f.;i, scr patrt ilftnii, Iwii Milml- lisli tiiuli'is thtii ,, hikI tiiu' triidi'i . : I.fslii', ami tin torotl lit till- pi-acf l)i'(l tlu' niiiJ-'-iu re, citi'd lit pai;*' :«i'!i- illlraiNtri'i't, witli si'o iiairi'" nil ami ii' Kiitrli^li, ami t' I'ciiro l>is iittacli 1 Nortli AmiTicit, iiiois, ill wliirli lit c an Imliaii, wlm is heart, ami laul >f tlio little island in nctiuii in ImI'J. \iinuiil Aniiii List ii,'()<)n linanls, iit lac Block, K. U , ■•V. \o. 1. ra'j;c l.'>. Lieut. -dctwral Lord Ai/lnwr, Govornor-ftcnpral of liritisk North Anwr'u'u, to J. Sui'vry Jirock, JJsq, Sonn., Lower Canada, Autriist "23, 1H:U. I received yenlerday your Irtti.'r of tlio \'.)\\i March ... The si^rht of your liaiid-writiii'^ rcniiuded ine of old times, and l)rou|ilit back the recollection of scenes which f»!most ajjpear to have taken place in another state o** exist- ence .... I made a tour in I'ppcr Canada Ia>it jsunnnier, and visited with a feelin;^' of love and reverence the nioni • ment at (^ueenstown, erected to the memory of "^ne who was as brave as he was good, and a better ra.iii never breathed ; to have enjoyed his friendship and good opi- nion, is to me a source of pride and .satisfaction. Yours, my dear Savery, very sincerely. Avi.MEn. [Extract of a note from Lord Ai/htier to thr Kditor. — l^o\o(i.v, Aiif^iist h, 184J. — I am very glad to learn by your letter that a Wf)rk is shortly to ajipear, intituled ' The Life and Correspondenee of Sir Isnac Brock,' fur sure I am that the more of him that is made known to the public, the more highly will his valuable services be appreciated."] No. 2. Page 20^' From Captain Roberts to the Ailjs ant- General, Fort Michilimakinack, July 17, 1H12. On the loth instant I received inters, by exjiress, from Major-General Brock, wit'i orders to adopt the most prudent measures either for ott'ence or defence, which cir- S* \ I 1: '•I ■! : ; it' ,r 1 1 1 41 S APPKNDIX A. SECTfON J. ciimstaiioes nii^lit point out ; and liaviiifr received infeili- {jfcnec from tlie best information, tliat larjrc reinforcements were expected to be tiirown into tliis f^arrison, with tlie thorougii conviction tiiat my situation at St. Joseph's wa< totally indefensible, 1 determined to lose no time in niak- inu; the meditated attack on this fort. On the Ifitli, at ten o'clock in the morning, I embarked my few men, with about 180 Canadians, and two iron !i-pounders. The boats arrived without the smallest acci- dent at the port of rendezvous, at three o'clock the fol- lowing morning : by the exertions of the Canadians, one of the guns was brought up a height commanding the garrison, and ready to act about ten o'clock. A summons was then sent in ; a copy of the capitulation which fol- lowed 1 have the honor to enclose. At twelve o'clock, the American colours were hauled down, and those of his majesty were hoisted. A committee has been appointed to examine into the state of the public stores. Enclosed also are the returns of the ordnance and mili- tary 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 otRcers 1 am indebted, in particular, for their active assistance in car- rying all my orders into etiect. No. 3. Page 27r>. Extracts from " The Letters of Veritas ;" * containing a succinct Narrritive of tlie Military Administration of Sir Geoi'tjc Prevost duriutj liis command in the Canadas, whcrehij it icill be manifest that the merit of preserving them from conquest belongs not to him. 8vo. Montreal. July, 1815. " Then or before was communicated to him (Major- General Brock) the information of that deadbj armistici * " Tho 'Letters of Veritas' wrrc orif,'inally printi'd in a vvt'okl> paper Hilili^iuHl at Muntrcaj. in Lower Canada, and sn')sciiMi':ifi> ctjiloctcil iulo the litlli.' vulunie before u--. \Vitliin a ^niull eumiias*. TTT ' sin ISAAC BROCK. 41<) 1 }ived intplli- iiiforcementd 311, with the Joseph's war? time in iiiak- , I embarked md two iron smallest acci- L-lock the fol- luadians, one imuuding the , A summons on which fol- vvclve o'clock, id those of his lecn appointed ance and niili- trength of the ^ery individual 1 otHcers 1 am sistance in car- containing a ministration oj n the Canadas, f of prcseri-intj vo. Montreal. o him (Major- adbj arinistict •inti'd ill SI wocUly and sii'isiMiiu-:itlv conohulcd by Sir Cieorge Provost with General iJfarbijrn. which had so fatal an effect tijum all the future opera- tions, aiul which tied up the hands of the gallant lirock from executing liis intended jtlan of sweeping the Ame- rican that (< ?ts to Saekett's Harbour, inclusive- most ccrtaii " rhis armistii an operation rould have been then effected. ;e, proposed by Sir (leori^fc Provost, m(!rits serious consideration, from its operation being so L-^reatly in favor of the enemy at that time, and so disadvantageous, to us. A period most precious to us, if we had profited by it with vigour, was thereby lost in inaction, and the enemy in consefpience allowed to recover from the panic into which they were thrown by Hull's cajiture. "The transport of the American stores, ordnance, and ])rovisions, of each of which they were nuich in want, not boinii' prohibited by that armistice, was accordingly pro- tected and facilitated by it on Lake Ontario and along the .\iagara frontier beyond the enemy's most sanguine hopes, whilst their then only disposable and invading force, under (ieneral Hull, on the Detroit frontier, was luft at full liberty to profit by circumstances, the armistice as to liiiii l(Oing at his option. " Most fortunately, however, Hull's business was settled by capitulation before the armistice was known to(Je-;i'raI Hrock or him ; but had it reached him in time, lie of course would gladly have accepted it, to gain delay for the arrival of reinforcements and a supply of i)rovisions, from which would have resulted the salvation of his army, the prejudicial consequences whereof to us are incalcu- tlicsc unpretcnrtinM: Letters cont.iin a proatiT liody of useful infdnna- tinn ii])Oii tlie Ciiiii|iait;iis in the I'anadas than N any wluri' eNe tii he loniul. They are, we lielieve, tlie iiroihiction ol a urentlenian in Mon- treal, of known res|iertahilit)'. 'I'lioiitrii not a militar\' man, he eiijoyi-d the hest opportunities Ibr aeiiiiaintauei' with the eiiciinistaiiees of the war; and as these letters, whieli exeited irreat attention in the Canadas, appeared in snecessive papers while .Mnntri'al was tiiliMl with almost all the offieers of rank who had served in tin- eonntry, it may reasonably he iiresumed tliat his errois, had he eoniniitted any, wiuild not liaee eseaped without eensure. Yet no reply was evir Httennited to his statements, no doubt ewr exiiresscd in the provinees, 'i| liie eorreetness of his assertions." — Quar/crh/ Itrrivic, 'inly, Is-^-j. ■•it '' I! i If Mil I") I ' 4-20 A1»1'ENDIX A. SECTION I. I.ible ; lor, had a knowledge of it reached the Indian nations at that time, such a disgu!*t and distrust wouhJ have been thereby excited as could never have been re- moved ; and the first effect of which would liave appeared in the inuiiediate dispersion of the Jndians, wiiose power- ful and indispensable aid at that early period of the con- test would have been totally lost to us. ♦' Madison's rejection of this armistice was followed by that t'/iUlhig defensive system which General Brock was instructed by Sir George to follow, and which palsied his operations until his country had to mourn over his fatal loss at the battle of Queenstown, on the 13th of October, 181-2. '' Such, however, was the impulse he had given, and the valour and zeal wherewith the regular troops, militia and Indians, had been inspired, that Ihe valuable effects thereof survived him ; and gave a brilliant victory on that day to his successor, General Sheafl'e, a lover of armistices also, who, in proof thereof, made one of his own, which threw away most of the advantages of that victory ; for he neglected (although strongly urged thereto) to take Fort Kiaiiara, which could have been done on the afternoon of the day of the Queenstown battle, without loss, as the enemy had entirely, or almost entirely, then evacuated it : had he done this, and at the same time crossed over a part of his force to Lewistown, as he was urged to do, and as Brock would have done had he survived, the wholr Niagara line would have been cleared of the enemy, and all our after disasters in that (piarter prevented. " It has been urged in favor of Sir George's timid defen- sive system, that it was proper in order to avoid irritating the enemy, and thereby uniting them ; as also, that his force was inadetiuate to offensive warfare. Now, no posi- tions were ever more untenable, for to think of concili- M'ing an enemy l»y leaving to him the full benefit of maturing in security all his means of annoyance against you, and at the same time mu/.zling yourself, is a most SIR ISAAC BHOCK. 4-21 P the Indian strust would ave been re- ave appeared vhose [)o\ver- ti of the con- s foHowed by ;il Brock was :h palsied his over his fatal h of October, pven, and the 3, militia and effects thereof jn that day to pmistices also, , which threw ctory ; for he |) to take Fort e afternoon of t loss, as the evacuated it : ;rossed over a urged to do, ved, the whol le enemy, and ted. 's timid defen- ivoid irrilatin'^ also, that his Now, no iiosi- iuk of concili- fuU benefit of jyance against seif, is a uiosl extr.iordinary doctrine ; surely, to do so must ensure suc- cess to that enemy, as we know that success will unite discordant parties and interests, whilst American ent of their leinselves of ion of their !«; upon the [juest of the 1, though it in its proper leroeived by to retiect on ij aruiv into lence of tlie ) which they ily necessary ry originally mnianded at ndness to me ra. Among hira and his )rora Indians ed us in all bited for our while the old uuding trees, IS it was new Inch General horn bush at t he received l)ut a brilliant )f the Ujipcr 1 by un e'luiil ■ w - » sin ISAAC imocK. 4'2'.\ degree of courage, prudenct, and humanity, a very ditlVr- ent series of subsequent events would have claiuied the attention of the historian." — Duncan's Travels in the United States and Canada, in 1818 and 181t). " Close to the spot where we landed in Canada, there stands a monument to the gallant General Brock, who was killed during the battle of Qucenstown, in the act of repelling an invasion of the frontier by the Americans, during the late war The view from the top of the monument extended far over Lake Ontario, and showed us the windings of the Niagara, through the low and woody country which hangs like a rich green fringe along the southern skirts of that great sheet of water." — Cap- tain Basil HalVs Travels in North America, in 18'27 and 1828. Travelling in the state of New York, the author ob- serves : "The late Sir Isaac Brock was, by some accident, mentioned. The canal agent spoke of him in terms of great respect, as the best commander the British had ever sent to Canada — equally regretted on both sides of the St. Lawrence " From Niagara Falls we proceeded by the stage fir*t to Queenstown, (seven miles,) near which a monument has been erected to the memory of Sir Isaac Brock, from the top of which, about 120 feet high, there is a noble view of Lake Ontario and the adjoining country, and thence to the village of Newark, (seven miles,) formerly called Fort George, on the Niagara river." — Stuarfs Three Years in America. " immediately above Queenstown stands Brock's monu- ment, on the heights where the battle was fought in which that hero was killed. Ilis body was removed to it from Fort George, in 1824. The view from this fine column is probably the most beautiful in Upper (^anada." — M^Gre- (jors British America, vol. ii. " Seven miles south of Fort (ieorge. and at the foot uf irjii ii-' i i 4-24 APPENDIX A. SKCnON 1. tilt' roiimiitic lit'itfhts of tlie sfiino iiiiiiit', wliich have he- coino taiiiuus in Cariiidinii history as the scene of a huttle wherein General Brock fell, is the villai^e of (^iieenstown, ])lea.santly situated on the Niagara, and opposite to the American villajre of Lewistown. The monument, built to tlie memory of the gallant general and his companions, on the loftiest part of these heights, forms a prominent object to the numerous voi/oijcurs who are constantly arriving at this portage, in elegantly fitted up steam boats, from York and Kingston, to view the neighbouring falls of the Niagara. The village contains a church, court house, large government stores, and a po|)ulation of between 400 and oOU inhabitants." — The Canadus, by Andrew Pickcn. " Leaving a garrison in Detroit sufficiently strong to keep the inhabitants in awe. General Brock lost no time in (juitting the conquered post and hastening to Niagara — a command he had only relinquished for the purpose of undertaking an achievement which the gallantry and determination of his character could alone have crowned with such un(|ualilied success '' The month of October was marked by an event of the most melancholy nature — the death of General Brock, who fell a victim to the intrepidity and daring of his cha- racter The loss of their leader, however, cast a gloom over every English brow, and an advantage thus purchased was deemed at too high a price. General Brock was beloved by the soldiery, particularly the 4!)th. of which he had long been lieutenant-colonel, and the inilignation of their grief for his loss cost the Americans many a life on that day, that had otherwise been spared. Af Amherstbnrg, the account of his death was received with heartfelt concern, and not a man was there of those he had lately led to victory who failed to pay that tribute to his memory, which the gallantry and magnanimity of tills glorious chief were so every way calculated to awakcji in the breast of the soldier." — ' A Canadian Campuhjn,' liicli Imvfi ho- ne of a biittle (iiieeiistowii, >l)()!ri ruiiicd by hi:^ coni|)uniuii9 to their honored cutrnnamlor. "His corpse reclines in the anna of a British soldier, whilst nil Imliati pays the tribute of regret his bravery and humanity elicited. EHKCTEO AT THE PIIBMC EXPKNSE TO TIIK MKMOIIY OK MAJOIl-UKNKKAI- sm ISAAC uno( K, WHO U!,oniOl'SI.Y KKI,L ON' THE 13tli OF OCTOUKH, M.1H.XC.XII. IN UhSISTING AN A'PfACK ON QITEENS.OWN, IN Ul'PKU CANADA." No. 8. Page 343. " This chief of the branch of the once great tribe of the Ilurons visited Englar.ii some time ago. I afterwards saw him in Quebec, arid had a good deal of conversation with him. When asked what had struck him most of all that he had seen in England, he replied, without hesita- tion, that it was the monument erected in St. Paul's to the memory of General Brock. It seemed to have im- pressed him with a high idea of the considerate benefi- cence of his great father, the king of England, that he not only had remembered the exploits and death of his white child, who bad fallen beyond the big salt lake, but that he had even deigned to record, on the marble sepul- chre, the sorrows of the poor Indian weeping over his chief untimely slain." — Hon. F. F. De lioos^ Travels In JVorth America, in l&Zi). SIR HA AC nno(K. 4-JO I liL'ir honored ritish soldier, s bnivery unci J great tribe of ,. I afterwards of conversation him most of all without hesita- in St. Paul's to ed to have im- siderate benefi- igland, that ho lid death of his g salt lake, but e marble sepul- eeping over his loos' Travels In No. 0. Page :u:i. To His Royal Highness the Prince Regent of the l.'nitud kingdom of (.ireat lirilain and Ireland, The humble jMldrt.ss of the Commons of irpper Canada, in i'ui-lianient assembled, May it please your Itoyal lliiiliness, We, his maje!*ty's mo-it dutifid and loyal subjects the ("onnnons of I'ppcr (.'anada, in Provincial I'arliament assembled, beg leave to otter to your Itoyal lliirhness the homage of our unfeigned attachnien» to his Majesty's sacre«l person and govcrnincnl, and ot ..iir filial reverence for the great ;«nd magnanimous nuliun of which we have the honor to form a part. While we pray your Royal Highness to accept of our most cordial congratulations on the splendid achievements of his Majesty's forces, mid of those of his allies in vari(»us parts of the globe, and in particular on the extraordinary successes which, under Divine ProvidfMice, have attended ids Majesty's arms in this jjortion of his dominions ; we -liould do injustice to the memory of our late truly illus- trious ju'esident, Major-General Rrock, under whose aus- pices the latter were during his lifetime principally achiev- ed, aac Brock. ''There is something so grand and imposing in tho spectacle of a nation's homage to departed worth, which calls for the exercise of so many interesting feelings, and mil ISAAC lUiOiK. AM lUy to bestow Hc. Without r tJ'" i^ovcrii- rcwurd nuTit, oin bi'holdiiii; I i)rt'»'uk'nt ainl •yiil lliuluicss ; not Hiirvivc tn by your Itoyiil li all huiiiility, aiiiily of Ji l>or- [? Inuil"* in tlii>» It. would, vvf ; would be thf Iiiit bud taken of IJrock, iu a io n(»bly tV'll I ! ' ! contributed tu >i! preserved to bcHMi called for r and ulory, ot if his Majesty V anada. AN, Spcaktr. ubly, the Sixlli It Hundred and \n'u, and the n- Mnjor- < icncnd Inposinp: in the Id worth, whicli (nii- feelings, and which awakotiH <«o nniny suldinie conttMuphitioiis, that we naluratiy Hcck to perpetuate the nietuory of an event so preuuaul with iiihtnu-tion, and mm honorable to our '^pe- (■ies. It is n suhjeet that in otlitir and in «dder euuntries has fre(pM;ntly exercised the pen)*, and ha»t enlled forth all the descriptive powers of the ablest writ(;rs.* Hut here it is new ; and for the llrst time, since we became a s«'p:irate |)nivinee, ha\e we s«'en a great public funeral proeessittii of all ranks of people, to th*; amount of several thousands, beariie^ the remains of two lamented heroes to tiieir last dwelling on earth, in the vaults of a grand national nmnii- ment, overto]»ping the loftivst heights of the most nuiifiii- ticent section of one of the most inagnilicent countries in the world. "The |:Uh of October, being the anniversary of the batth; of Queenstown, and of tin- death ol' llrock, wa-. judiciously chosen as the mt»st proper ilay for the removal of the remains of the general, tog«!ther with those of his gallant aide-de-camp. l.ientenant-('(donel M'Donell, to the vaults prepared for their n.'ception on (^iieenstown luMuhts.t *' The weather was remarkably fine, and before ton o'clock a very large coneoursi- ol people, from all parts of the coimtry, had assend)led on the plains of Niagara, in front of Fort (leorge, in a bastion of which tlie bodies had been deposited for twelve years. { * It is iin))ossil)U> Jicre to foryrct linwmcr liittVri'iit wore the (Mrciini staiici's aii(i lOiaractiT of tlic two wiirrinr-; ttiut fine pii-^^nire liy tin »|iiiii(li(l historian of Konu-, whiToin lu' iimiiortalizcs tlii' di'ath aim Imiiral ol t)u' tiTncioiis Attila, in lanifuaici' at once iihi-UmI and ^aliliiiH". and wliii'li i** pioluilily witli(>\it an t-iinal in tlii- wtiole raniri' (if Kiiiili^li litiTatiMo " His liody wa> soli-iniily t-sposi'd in tlu' midst (.f till' plain, niKki" a silkiMi pavilion; and flu' dioscn s(|niidroii> ni till' llinis, wlu'idiny: round in measiirod I'volntiniis, rliannti»l a Inm-ral -nnir to till- nicinoiy of a lu-io, ^jlmious in liis liiV, in\ int-ililo in lii> death, till' fatlur of his peoph", the seouriijc of his enemies, anil tin U'lror of the world." t The monument itself is not yet fuushed ; we shall therefore deUi our deseriptid 1 of the edifiee until it is eompleted. ; It is n inarkahie that, on iiispec'.iu: the remains, the hody ol Colonel M'Ponell was fonini to be Hiiost entirely deeomitosi'd,— whilst that of the ireneral was still firm and iiearU endre . some o| the tlesh and iineamen!s ot hi> martial eounti-naiu-e hein>r yet \is|i)|r I i. ( i " I 'J 11/ 432 APPENDIX A. SECTION I. '*One lie.irse, covered with black clotli, and drawn by four black horses, each wilh a leader, contained both the bodies. Soon after ten, a lane was formed by the 1st and 4th regiments of Lincoln militia, with their rif^ht on the gate of Fort Georjre, and their left extending along the road towards (Jueenstown, the ranks being al)out forty paces distant from 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 hearse moved slowly from tiie fort, to the sound of solemn music, a detachment of royal artillery began to fire the salute of nineteen guns, and the gtiard of honor presented arms. "On moving forwards in ordinary time, the guard of honor broke into a column of eight divisions, witli the right in front, and the procession took the following order : A staff Officer. Subdivision of GrL-imdiers. Band of Music. Right Wing of 7()th Regiment. THE liODY. Aide-de-Camp to the late Major (ieneral Sir Isaac Ukuck. C'liief Mourners. Relatives of the late t'jlonel M'Dovki.l. Commissioners for tiic Monuiueiit. Heads of Public Departnieiits of the Civil (iovernnietit. Judges. Meml)ers of the E.xecutive Council. His E.vcelleiiey and Suite. Left Wing of the 7(ith Regiment. IndicU\ Chiefs of the Five Nations. Offtcers of Militia not on duty— junior ranks— -First forward, Four deep. Magistrates and Civilians, With a long Cavalcade of Horsemen, and Carriages of every description. " As the procession passed along the lane of militia, the latter wheeled inwards by subdivisions in succession, as soon as its own front was clear, and followed the pro- cession. At a certain distance from Fort George the II SIR ISAAC BROCK. 433 tiA.\( UllOtK. ivornmciit. l''ir->t forward, liiKL's of every quick march was taken up, and arms were sloped ; the members of the procession then took their carriai^es, pre- serving as nearly as possible tlie order abovementioned, and the whole proceeded on the road to Queenstown. The 2d and 3d rei^iuicnts of Lincoln militia, in like man- ner, formed a lane, its left resting on the heights, near the entrance to the monument, and extending along the road towards the village of (Queenstown. On reaching the commencement of this lane, the procession resumed its formation, all horses, carriages, ice, keeping in the rear; and when the head of the colunm approached tlie monument, it inclined to the right, to allow the body to proceed direct to the entrance. The guard of honor fhen halted and formed in parade order ; the 'id and 'M Lincoln regiments following the procession in like manner as the 1st and 4th. "The time occupied in moving from the fort to Queens- town, a distance of nearly seven miles, was about three hours, including stoppages. Being arrived opposite the spot where the lamented hero received his mortal wound, the whole procession halted, and remained for a few mi- nutes in solemn pause. It then ascended the heights, and to the spectator who had his station on the summit • near the monument, nothing could be finer than the effect of the lengthened column winding slowly up the steep ascent in regular order, surrounded by scenery no where surpassed for- romantic beauty. On the bodies being removed from the hearse and deposited in the vault, the guard of honor presented arms, whilst the artil- lery, (which had been taken from the enemy during the last war,) posted on the heights, fired a s.nlute of nineteen guns. The troops then marched in ordinary time round the monument, and immediately separated to their respec- tive parades. " All those who were inclined to visit the interior of the vault were then permitted to enter in small parties. The remains of the brave M'Donell lie to the left of those of ' i I 1' 4:J4 APPENDIX A. SECTION I. the general. On the general's coffin, which is otherwise quite plain and covered with black, cloth, are i^o oval plates of silver, each six inches by four, one above the other. On the fii'st is the following inscription : Here lie the earthly remains of a brave and virtuous hero, MAJ()R-(iEN'EiiAi. Sin Isaac Brock, Comnianilcr of the British Forces, and Fresident administering ^hc Ciovernment of Upper Canada, who fell, wlicn gloriously engaging the enemies of his country, at the head of thu Flank Companies of the 49th Regiment, in tlie town of Queenstown, on the morning of the I3th of <^ctober, 1812, Aged 42 years. J. B. GLEGG, A.D.C. And on the second plate the following additional in scription is engraved : The remains of the late Major-Gkn'erai. Sir Isaac Bruck, K. H removed from Fort George to this vault. on the 13th of October, 1824. Upon a similar plate, on the lid of the aide-de-canipV coffin, was engraved : The remains of Lieut. -Col. John M'Doneli., Provincial Aide-de-camp to the late Major-Gevekai, Buock, who died on the I4th ot October, 1812, of wounds received in action the day before, Aged 25 years. " Several printed papers, having the following e.\trat'i from the government tlispatches of the day, were handed about : [See dispatch from Earl Bathurst to Sir George Provost, page 328.— En,] I. SIR ISAAC BROfK. 4:r> lich is otherwise, h, are i^*"^ oval , one above the iptiou : irave )CK, da, e enemies lies er, 1812. 1. GLEGG, ADC ng adUitioual in K, K.B. s vault. le aide-de-camp's ; late 181-2, \y before, following extrac day, were liaudod to Sir George Frevost, " Besides which, on large placards, to the nunibt'r ol' several hundreds, copies of the inserip'ion to be placed on the tablet, over the entrance of the monument, were dis- tributed amongst the assembled niultitudes, and which is as follows : " The Legislature of Upper Canada lias dcdicatod this Mimumeiit to the vry eminent civil and military services of thi; late Sir Isaac Hrock, Knight of the Most Hon. Order of the Bath, Provisional Lieu- tcnant-Cinvernor, and Major-ficneral commanding the Pore is in this Province, whose remains are deposited in the vault beneath. Having expelled the North Western Army f,f the United States, achieved its cai)ture, received the surrender of Fort Detroit, and tlu- territory of Michigan, under circumstancts which have re!ulerer-Gene- ral Sir Peregrine Maitland, K.C. P.; was in full dress, and, we are happy to say, appeared in good health aftor his late fatiguing jcjnrney of inspection to the Lower Pro- vince. The two M'Uonells and Captain J)ickinson, of the 2d filengary regiment, relatives 1. 1" the deceased Lieut.- lit s! ii t ; 1 4m APPENDIX A. SECTION I. Colonel M'DonoU, in the hit^liland costume, .ippearcd in tlie procession to great advantage, and seemed to excite much attention. " Jiut, amongst the assembled warriors and civilians, none excited a niore lively interest than tlie chiefs of the Indian nations from the Grand River, whose warlike appearance, intrepid aspect, pictiirescpie dress and orna- ments, and mfyestic demeanour, accorded well with the solemn pomp and general character of a military proces- sion — amongst these, young Brant, Bears Foot, and Henry, were distinguished. In our mind we never saw a dress more elegant of its kind, and fit for active service in the woods, than that worn by young Brant, who, with his tomahawk in hand, was a perfect resemblance of all chat could be imagined of the accomplished Indian warrior. '• Amongst the numerous gentlemen in the procession, we observed (hat old veteran, Lieutenant M'Dougall, of liis majesty's Hth (the king's) regiment, who, like a brave and loyal man, came from Sandwich to attend the re-in- terment." — Upper Canada Gazette, October, 1824. No. 11. — Page 410. "Queenstown, at which place the steam boats start for Toronto, is situated in a delicious valley, through which the Niagara river, in colour a deep green, pursues its course. It is approached by a road that takes its winding way among the heights by which the town is sheltered, and. seen from this point, is extremely beautiful and pic- turesque. 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 American forces, after having won the victory. Some vagabond, supposed to be a fellow of the name of Lett, who is now, or who lately was, in prison as a felon, blew up this monument two years ago ; and it is now a melancholy ruin, with a long fragment of iron railing hanging dejectedly from its top, and waving to and fro SIR ISAAC nnocK. 437 e, appeared in jroed to excite and civilians, le chiefs of the whose warlike Iress and orna- , well with the nilitory proces- ars Foot, and we never saw a ictive service in t, who, with his ancc of all chat Llian warrior. the procession, t M'Douf?all, of ho, like a brave ittend the re-in- bcr, 18-24. n boats start for L throu!,'h which cen, pursues its akes its winding |)wn is sheltered, autiful and pic- t these heights ncial legislature slain hi a battle won the victory, of the name of irison as a felon, and it is now :i of iron railing ving to and fro like a wild ivy branch or broken vine stern. It is of inucli higher inii)ortance than it Tnay seem that this statue should be repaired at the public cost, as it ought to have been long ago; firstly, because it is beneath the dignity of England to allow a rnenjorial, raised in honor of one >.f 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 outrage which brought it to this pass, are not very likely to soothe down border feelings among Engliidi subjects here, or compose their border (piarrels and dislikes."— Dickens' American Notes, vol. ii. pp. 187, 188. SECTION II. — AMERICAN AUTHORS No. 1. — Page 233. Extract from Jefferson s Correspondence. — Monticrllo. October 1, 1812. " 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, whom fear, and not affec- tion, had kept in quiet, there is danger, that in giving time to an enemy who can send reinforcements of regu- lars faster than we can raise them, ihey may strengthen Canada and Halifax beyond the assailment of our lax and divided powers. Perhaj)s, however, the jtatriotic 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. Eft'ectual possession of the river from Montreal to the 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," fii \ .1 i; 43?^ ai'im:ni)1X a. SECTION 11. No. -i. — Page '240. " lloutlutionnnj Services of General Ilnll, as taken from his Defoieo b'furc the Court Martial, in March, 1814. '* For lucre than half a century I supported a characlcr without reproach. My youth was devoted to the serviee of my country ; I fout^ht her battles in that war wliich achieved her liberty and independence, and which was ended before many of you, jjentlcnicn, who are my judtres, were born. If upon any occasion a man may sjwak of his own merits, it is at sucli a time as this; and I hope I may bo permitted to present to you, in very few words, a narration of my life, while I was enga'/ed in scenes which were calculated to prove a man's firmness and courage. 1 shall do it with less rehictance, because the testimony I liave otlered of the veneraVile incn who "lerved 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, 1 was appointed a captain in one of the Connecticut regi- ments ; during that campaign, and until March, 177(i. when the enemy evacusitcd Boston, I served with tlic army at Cambridge and Roxbury, and in the immediatt command of General Washington. I was with that j;art of the army, in March, 177(5, which took possession of Dorcliester heights — the movement which compelled the enemy to evacuate Boston. The next day, the regiment to which I belonged marched for New York. I was on Long Island when the enemy landed, and remained until the night the whole army retreated. 1 was in several small skirmishes, both on Long Island and York Island, before the army retired to the White Plains. I then belonged to Colonel Charles Webb's regiment, of Con- necticut. 'Tb;^ regiment was in the severest part of the action ou Chatterdon's Hill, a little advanced of the WhUe plains, a few day^ after the main body of the army abun- doned New York. This battle is memorable in the histor\ , SIR 1SAA» lUlOCK. 4'.V.) fis tahon from March, IHU. ed a cliaractcr 1 to the servii'e hat war which ind which was are my jiKhj^e^*, lay si>eak of his and I hope I ■y few words, a in scenes which 5g and courage, the testimony I jrved with me in 1 I have to say. iity-oiie years, I onnccticut resi- ;il March, 1770, served with th( 1 the immediatt ,s with that r-art i possession of h compelled the ly, the regiment lYork. 1 was on (I remained until I was in several tnd York Island, Plains. I then giment, of Con- jart of the action jd of the WhHe if the army ahan- Iblc in the historv of our country ; and the regiment to which 1 helonuid received the particular thanks of (ieneral Washington, in his public orders, for its bravery and good conduct on the occasion. It was particularly distinguished from all the other troops engaged in the action. I received a flight wound by a musket bull in my side, hut it did not pre- vent me from remaining at the head of my company. " I was in the battle of Trenton, when the Hessiatis were taken, in December, 177(5; and, being one of tlie youngest cantahis in the army, was i)romoted by (Ieneral Washington the day after the battle, to a majority, for my conduct on that occasion. The 1st of January, 1777, I was in the battle of Princeton. In the campaign of the same year, the regiment to which I belonged served in the northern army. I was early in the spring ordered to I'iconderoga, and commanded the regiment (being the senior officer present) under General St. ("lair, and I was with that officer in his retreat from that post. " After General St. Clair's army formed a junction with General Schuyler's army on the North River, at Fort Hdward, the regiment to which I belonged was dt-tached, and marched to Fort Schuyler, and relieved that post, which was besieged by General St. Leger. " On the retreat of General Schuyler's army from Fort Edward, I commanded the rear guard of the army ; and, being two miles in the rear, was attacked by a large body of British troops and Indians at daylight in the morning, in which action were killed and wounded between thirty and forty of my guard. And I received the particular thanks of General Schuyler for my conduct on the oc- casion. " I was in the two n^emorable battles, on the lOth of September and the 7th of October, on Bemis' heights, against General Burgoync's army, previous to its surrcMi- der. In the action of the l!)th of September, I com- manded a detachment of three hundred men, who fought the principal part of the afternoon, and more than on«! half of them were killed or wounded. \ ' I ' ' i\ i 440 APPENDIX A. •SmiON IF. |l h' i *' ()i! llio 7tli of ()cfol)er, I likewise conurnTulod a iletuchiiK'iit from tlic brig;n(ic wliicli assisted in nttackiii'^ file enemy on tlie left of oiir position, defeated him, fol- lowed him to the right of his lines, stormed his entrench- ments, and took and Iield i)ossession of the rif;ht of his position, which compelled him to retreat to Saratoga, aiift there to cajiitulate. " After the memorable event of the capitulation ot (ieneral Burgoyne's army, the regiment t(» which I be- longed was ordered to Pennsylvania, to join the army under the command of General Washington. I remained with the army the winter of 1777, at Valley Forge; and in the spring of 177H, when the British army evacuated Philadelphia, I was in the battle of Monmouth. " From December, 1778, to May, 177!), I commanded the American posts in advance of the White Plains, near Kingsbridge, during which time I li;id various skirmishes with the enemy. In May, 1779, the jiriiieipal part of the British army advanced up the North River to ^'erplank's and Stoney Point, and I was ordered to retreat before them to West Point. " I then joined tlie light infantry, under the command of General Wayne, and was in the memorable attack on Stoney Point, with a separate command of four hundred light infantry. " For my conduct on this occasion I received the parti- cular thanks of General W^ayne, General Washington, and congress. " In the summer and autumn of 1780, I commanded the advanced posts of the army ; and in December of that year, I commanded an expedition against tlie enemy, stationed at Morrissina, wiiich was successful, and for which I received tlie thanks* of (ieneral Washington, in his general orders to the army, and likewise the thanks of congress. General Washington, in his orders, I well ren»ember, made use of these words : ' He thanked me for my judicious arrangements in the plan of operations, and for my intrepidity and valour in the execution.' couin^nTulod ;i ed i» allackint"; efitod him, fol- (1 liis entrencli- lie riplit of liis D Suratoi?a, and rapitulation ol to which I bo- join the army )Ti. I remained Icy Forge ; and irmy evacuated louth. I, 1 commanded ite Plains, near rious skirmishes I'ipal i)art of thu ar to Verplank's [» retreat before >r the command )rable attack on }f four hundred leived the parti- al VVasliington, I cnnimauded ecember of that ist the enemy, lessful, and for Washington, in AA< nuo( K. 441 " From the conclu«i(jn of the revolutionary war I Inive lived with the respect of my countrymen, and have (mi- joyed repeated marks of tiieir conliflence in the ofHci » which have been bestowed upon me. Wiien I found that the independence, for which I had so often fought, was assailed, — that ayain my country must appeal to arms to avenge her wrongs, and to prcttect her rights, — 1 felt that 1 might yet du her some service. l"or though many years Jind passed since I had fought under her standard, and though my own arm might not have had its wonted strength, yet tny spirit was unbroken, and my devotion to her unimpaired. 1 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 that in my age, as well as in my youth, I might render services that should deserve the gratitude of my country — that if I fell by tlie sword of her enemic'^, my grave would be moistened with the tears of my countrymen ; that my descendants would be proud of my name and fame. But how vain is antici- pation ! I am now accused of crimes which would blast my former honors, and transmit my memory with infamy to posterity. And in that hideous catalogue, there is none from the imputation of which my nature and my feelings have more recoiled than from that of cowardice, to which I am to answer." " The appearance of General Hull was venerable and prcposscssine:. Beneath snowy locks, of nearly sixty winters' bleachinfc, tie exliihited a countenance as fresh and blooming as a youth of eit^hteun. His eloquence was perspicuous and graceful." -American Ilistoiii. No. 3. — Pago 322. Letter from Captain Wool to Colonel Van Rensselaer. " BuFFALOE, October 23, ]812. " 1 have the honor to communicate to you the circum- stances attending the storming of (^ueenstown buttery, ou |1 • II li \'i Hi I i:' j. :i 44-2 AI»PKNI)I\ A. — SEfTfON 11. '' t I the 13th iiistnnt ; with tliose wltifh iiappcncd previously you are alrcfidy well iic(|Uiiinte(l. " In j)iirsunnrc of your order, we proeeefled round tin; point nnd nserndcd the rockn, which hrought us pur ly iu renr of the hattery. We took it withoi'' much res»ist;'.nee. 1 Immediately formed tlie troop* in rear of the battery, and frontini; the viljajje, wiien I «)b«<'rved General Brock with his troops formed, eonsistinj: fif four companies ol tlie 4IMIi rrfjrimcnt, anti a few militia, marching for our left Hank. I iinmediritdy detached a party of one hun- dred and tifty men, to take possession of the heights above (^ueenstown Mattery, and to hold General Brock in check ; but in co»iset|uence of his superior force they retreated. I sent p. reinforcement; notwilhstandinc which, the enemy drovt' us to the edtre of the tiank : when, with the u;reatest exertions, we hrought the troops to a stand, and ordered t'le officers to liring their men to a charji^e as soon as the ammunition was expended, which was executed with some .'•on fusion, ano Anjcrirnn rejfnlars, supportetl by a few militia and volunteers, the whoh .1 r ■ olonel (.'hrystie. They mutually resorted to tlic havonet, m '>er a liloody ct)nflict, the famous ivineibles yielded to the sup. vi-rpry of their antapf)nists, although the latter were so far inl ior m nunii s. Thi y were rallied '>y Lieut. -(ieneral Uroek, who wa> killed in eonduetinp them a sceond time to the charge. The American prisoners were kindly treated by this brave re;,'inKiit, who, after the battle was over, arknowlcdped they had never opposed more ^^rallant adversaries,"— The l«)tl>. not having been with the Hritish army in Epypt, could not be called the "Egyptian lnvincil)les -, " and instead of tliis regiment, 600 strong, being led by Major not Lieutenant (ieneral Hrock, only the flank comj)anies were present, with a small body of militia, together about 300 men. In fact, four companies of the jyth were at Kingston, itio miles distant, and the remaining four battalion companies were, we believe, at Fort Eric, 27 or 28 miles from Quecnstown -, and therefore, the assertion that the "famous invincihies" yielded to far inferior immbers, is something worse than ridiculous. Such, however, is the correctness of this American historian on the subject, and with Mich materials is history too often compikd.— En.] "report of the d.\ttle op queenstowx." — (E.vtracts.) " Captain Wool discovered the British troops forming at Queenstown, and formed the troops under his com- mand in line. General Brock, was at the head of the British troops, and led them round about to tlie heitrhfs in the rear of the battery. Captain AVool detached lOO men to meet the British ; this detachment was driven (I i A .1 .1 IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // t.^.5^\. m// ■ ,** >"^* & :/. f/. f/. ^ .e ra river, abovt: t a white hand- ilh intention to )hject. It was jt ammunition, s of brave men. officers to rally The order was sted 4l)th could tish troops were llantly exerting is aid, Colonel me time, rom the heights d and flanking tcr, 1812. Baltimore, 181'i. at Detroit to his -« General Hull this evening or imediate attack g). The army ait with anxiety certainly as fine ne of Fort Mal- the governors of of troops, sup- ground he may V' e trust he may /hatever General le white savages dians, for whose adeiesponsible." APPENDIX B. DANIEL DE LISLE BROCK, Esu- BAILIFF OF (iUF.RNSEV. This able magistrate, the third son of John Brock, Esq., was born in Guernsey on the lOth December, 17G2, and closed a long and useful career on Saturday evening, the '24th September, 1842, at the age of 7!) years and nearly 10 months. After receiving such rudiments of education as the island could furnish in those days, he was placed at Alderney, to learn the French language, under M. Vallatt, a Swiss protestant clergyman, nnd a man of talent, who was afterwards rector of St. Peter-in-the- Wood, in Guernsey. From Alderney he was sent to a school at Richmond, in Surrey, where he remained only two years, as at the early age ot fourteen he went to Dinan with his father, who died there. The early death of his parent was an irreparable loss to the son, as it was the cause of his not returning to school, where he had already shown that he possessed a vigour of intellect much beyond his years. His two elder brothers 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 1785, he went by sea to the Mediterranean, and spent upwards of a year in visiting Spain, Malta, Sicily, Italy, Switzerland, and Fiance. In 171)8, he was elect«'d Jurat y^i 440 APPENDIX B. B?^ ^ of the Royal Court ; and the greater part, if not the whole, of the public documents of that body, were from that period written by him. In 182], he obtained the high and responsible appointment of hailiff, or chief magistrate of Guernsey. " It has been truly said that the history of Guernsey, for the last fifty years, was, in fact, the history of Daniel De Lisle Brock. 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 wrapped up in her welfare — so ardently, so zealously, and so unceasingly has he laboured to promote her prosperity and to protect her privileges — and so intimately has he been connected with all the important occurrences of the period alluded to — that in reading the history of the island, we read the history of this the most able and devoted of its friends." Between the years 1804 and 1810, Mr. Brock was de- puted by the States and Royal Court of Guernsey no less than four times, as their representative to government, in matters connected with the trade and privileges of the island ; and he also went once to Jersey, to confer with the Royal Court there on the same subject. In these missions, Mr. Brock distinguished himself by his lumi- nous and argumentative papers,* and the authority of the Royal Court was happily preserved intact by his repre- sentations and unremitting exertions. " In 1821, an act of parliament having been passed pro- hibiting the importation of foreign corn into the Channel Islands, whenever its entry for consumption was prohi- bited in England, to wit, until it reached the price of 80s. per quarter, Mr. Brock was again deputed to London to contend against a measure fraught with such fatal conse- quences to the islands, and at the some time to obtain some modificatior " the navigation laws. Mr. Brock, * There are some of ttie public papers written liy Mr. Brock which may be profitably studied as models of this kind of composition.— (.iucrnsei/ Utary iiiptembtr 2(5, 1842. i:.i DANIEL DE LISLE IHIOCK, ESQ. 447 not the vvholc, ere from that ined the high liel" magistrate f Guernsey, for r of Daniel De er part of Mr. his country — pped up in her so unceasjingly and to protect aeen connected period alluded ul, we read the )f its friends." Brock was de- ruernsey no less government, in rivileges of the to confer with ject. In these If by his lumi- luthority of the t by his repre- een passed pro- »to the Channel ion was prohi- \he price of 80s. d to London to ich fatal conse- time to obtain Mr. Brock, 3. Mr. Brock which of composition.— who was essentially assisted in this business by Mr. James Carey, jurat, succeeded in both these objects. The ob- noxious corn law was repealed so far as the Channel Islands were concerned, and some important privileges conceded to their (rade and navigation, especially in granting them free intercourse with the British colonies, and the American continent and islands. So highly wert; these last services appreciated, that when Mr. Brock re- turned to Guernsey, on the 24th July, 182*2, he was received with unexampled enthusiasm. On landing in the morn- ing, he was saluted with deafening cries of " Brock fur ever!" "Long may he lire!'' &c. The public joy was manifested on this occasion in many different ways. The shipping in the harbour hoisted their flags ; crowns and garlands of flowers, flags, loaves of bread, with ears of corn, were tastefully arranged, and suspended in almost every street; mottos and devices, expressive of unbounded gratitude, were exhibited in every direction, and in the greatest variety ; and the church bells throughout the island rang merry peals during the day. Bands of music paraded the town, followed by crowds, on whose happy countenances " Mirth, admit me of thy crew," was ex- pressed. The musicians wore various coloured bands round their hats, with the motto of " Lony live Bailiff Brock!" They surrounded a banner crowned with flow- ers, bearing the following inscription : " The grateful inhabitants of Guernsey, to the worthy Bailiff, DANIEL DE LISLE BROCK. Happy is he who labours to promote the happiness of his fellow, citi- zens. He will secure their eternal gratitude. They will unceasingly exclaim : ' May God preserve our friend, our benefactor, and our parent.' " "This inscription having been borne in triumph in every part of the town, was presented to the object of well- merited praise, and accepted. Preparations had been made by the militia bands to receive this distinguished patriot at the lauding place ; but their good intention* !■ 1 1 ((! I il ' I I' 11 I 448 APPKNDIX n. were thwarted, in oonseqtjcnre of the early hour at which the arrival took place. At a piihlic meetins^ of the inha- bitants, it was deforinined to present a piece of plafe to Mr. Brock, as a testimony of the value attached to his public services, and in the hope that this faint evidence of their attachment mifrht serve to stimulate others to follow his steps, and mitrht descend as a memorial to his posterity. Upwards of ,£;300 were quickly raised for this purpose, and other less valuable, but not less gratifying', testimonials were presented to him. Nor was Jersey less grateful, as a public meeting was held in the town of St. Helier, when the thanks of the island and a handsome piece of plate were unanimously voted to him." In 182G, General Sir John Doyle, Bart, and G. C. B., for many years lieutenant-governor of Guernsey, visited the island, and at a public dinner, given to him on the •iOth August, at the Assembly Rooms, he rose and spoke as follows : " Gentlemen, — Having; received permission from the chair, I rise to propose a toast which would be well received in any society where the enlightened individual is known. But here 1 anticipate it will be met by acclamation and enthusiasm. I do not propose his health, merely because he is my friend, although I feel truly honored by his friendship ; and the more so, as I know that it originated and was cemented by his conviction of my honest zeal for the public good, and the deep interest I took in the welfare of his native land. But I give him as a public man, who, to a sound, vigorous, and cultivated understanding, joins a liberal and enlightened mind — an innate love of justice, and hatred of oppression — an inflexible adherence to that which appears to him to be right — a man too wise to be cunning. Armed with the ' tnens conscia recti,' he marches straightforward to his object, nor turns into the devious path of crooked policy, and left- handed wisdom. To these qualities are added indefatigable industry, and a patience not to be exhausted. This is the man, who, as a public magistrate in high station, I offer for your acceptance. Of his private worth, I dare not say all that I feel. He is present. You know him, and can duly appreciate his value. You will have anti- cipated that I mean the bailiff of Guernsey. I now propose to you ' The health of the bailiff, and unalloyed happiness to the island of (Guernsey,'" DANIEL DE LIi^lLE HROCK, ESQ. 440 " In 1832, one of the most ancient and vital privilei^es of Ciuernsey — tlie rijj^ht uf the inhabitants to be tried in their own local court — was phiced in |)orii, it beint; assail- ed by no less a ciiaracter than Li>rd Cliief Justice Teii- derden, wlio souj^ht to extend the power of tlie writ of hdheaa corpus to this ishxnd. The history of this event would occupy much more space tlian we can now devote to it. Suffice it liere to say, that alter much correspond- ence on the subject, Mr. Brock and Mr. Charles De Jersey, the king's procureur, were deputed to London, to act in conjunction witli the bailiff" and procureur of Jersey in opposing the measure. Tiie mission was successful, and the independence of the insular jurisdictions was main- tained. "The last occasion on which Mr. Brock went to England in the service of his native island, was in the year 18;3o, when the channel islands were menaced with being de- prived of the privilege of sending their corn into England, duty free. An idea had obtained ground that this privi- lege was abused ; and, in consequence, a bill was brought into parliament to deprive the islands of this important branch of their trade. Deputies were therefore appointed by the islands to proceed to London, for the purpose of advocating their rights, and Mr. Brock was again fixed on as the representative of Guernsey. Owing to the re- monstrances of this deputation, a select committee of the House of Commons was appointed to inquire into the matter, and the result was that the bill was withdrawn. So highly were Mr. Brock's services on this occasion valued by both islands, that the States of Jersey voted him a piece of plate of the value of £100, whilst the States of Guernsey voted that portrait which now adorns the interior of the court-house, and which will afford to succeeding generations the means of contemplating the intellectual countenance and venerable form of one wliom they will ever remember as the firmest friend, and ablest administrator of his country. i w ';( i i 1 1 11 l! 9 |i 1 450 APPENHIX n. "From the period here alluded to, until within a few days of his death, Mr. Brock was unremittingly engaged in labouring for the public good. The records of the island will show how indofatigably he devoted himself to its service ; and it may be truly said of liim, that to his latest moment the desire to secure its welfare was the reigning impulse of his heart." Mr. Brock left one son, Eugene, a captain in the 20th regiment, since deceased, unmarried ; and one daughter, now also unmarried. In countenance and robustness of frame, although not so tall, as well as in vigour of intellect and decision of character, the bail iflf strongly resembled his brother. Sir Isaac Brock ; and when a friend of the latter, Sir James Kempt, visited Guernsey, in his official capacity as master-general of the ordnance, he was struck with the personal resemblance, notwithstanding that Mr. Brock was then in his 71st year. The Royal Court, having met on the 20th September, to appoint a judge delegate to replace pro tempore the late bailiff, unanimously requested the family of the de- ceased to allow him to be buried at the expense of the States of Guernsey, and the funeral was in consequence a public one. " For though Mr. Brock had enriched his country with numerous and inappreciable benefits — though he bequeathed to it an inestimrble heritage in his deeds and in his example — he died in honorable and ennobling poverty, resulting from his disinterestedness, his integrity, and his patriotism.* The public, we say, were pleased, were gratified, were proud in seeing that their representatives and rulers so promptly and so hand- somely anticipated and fulfilled their wishes, and they * Mr. Brock was no doubt ambitious, but his ambition was gratified in beholding the advancement of his country. Personal advantage — individual distincdon — were things that never occurred to his imagi- nation, or occurred only to be contemned. He might have had an augmentation of salary — he might have received the honor of knight- hood— he might have had the sources of fortune opened to him — but these would have brought no advantages to Guernsey, and he rejected them.--Guer)isey Star, September 26, 1842. DANIEL T)E LISLE UROCK, E8Q. 4.')1 looked forward to the moment of pnyiug to their departed benefactor the last moiirufiil honors with feeliuf^s in which coniplacency was not unmintjled with their grief. " Some hours before the time appointed for the cere- mony, the inhabitants of the country parishes, mostly clothed in respectable mourning, were seen throu'^ing into town ; and by eleven o'clock, a considerable crowd was collected in the front of Mr. Savery Brock's house, from whence the procession 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 large number of persons who attended sponta- neously to pay the last mark of respect to the deceased, were assembled ; and having been marshal'cd by the deputy sheriffs and the special constables, in the manner laid down in the prfigramme, the mournful cortege, com- prising nearly oOO persons, is^sued into the Grange Road in the following order of procession : Four Assistant Constables, (each witli his Staff of office.) Two Deputy SherifTs.— Deputy Greffier.— Deputy Sergeant. Deputy Harbour Master.— Postmaster.— Surveyor of Works. Receiver of Impost.— Assistant Supervisor. — Harbour Master. The Principal Officer and the Comptroller of Her Majesty's Customs, Deputy Judge Advocate.— Barrack Master.- Ordnance Storekeeper. Fort Major.— Government Secretary. Officers of tl a five Regiments of Guernsey MHitia. Officers of the 48th Depot. Officers of the Royal Artillery. — Colonel Mooi'y. Clerk of the Town Parish and Clerk of St. Martin's Parish. Rev. W. Le Mottee. Rev. Henry Benwell. Rev. E. Guille. Rev. George Guille. Rev. F. Jeremie. Rev. Peter Carey. Rev. Daniel Dobrde. Rev. W. L. Davies. Rev. WiUiam Guille. Rev. W. J. Chepmell. Rev. Thomas Brock. The Very Rev. the Dean. i J i 4-j2 APPENDIX n. ::i 'i !'■' \ Frederick ManhcU, Jurat. John Hubert, Jurat. James Carey, Jurat. Hilary O. Carr^, Jurat. John Le Mcssurier, Jurat. John Guillc, Jurat. } Mourners. | F. B. Tnppcr. Rev, R. PotcnKor. Jolm Carey, jun. •' *• Henry Tui)j)er. Lieut. General Sir James Douglas.— His Excellency Major- (icncral W. F. P. Napier, Lieut.-Governor. — Lieut. -General Ross. Peter B. Dobree. i j„rats / '^' ^' f'O'^^^clin. Thomas Lc Retillcy. ^ ' "^ H. DobrL-e, jun. The Queen's Procurcur.— The Queen's Comptroller. — Her Majesty's Receiver-General.— Greffier.—Sheiiflf. The Advocates of the Royal Court. The late Bailiff's Medical Attendants. The Douzeniers of each parish, headed by their respective Constables, four abreast. Relatives, with Hat Bands, four abreast. The Order of Rechabitcs in full procession. A Deputation of the Total Abstinence Society, headed by Mr. Edmund Richards. " The procession proceeded in solemn order down the Grantje Road, until it reached the College, when it turned to the left, and passed on to the eastern entrance of the new burying ground, and from thence proceeded to the grave, near the opposite extremity of the cemetery, which was destined to be the final resting place of the aged patriot. The persons who composed the cortege having been formed in order round the grave, the sublime and solemn ritual of the Church of England was read in a feeling and impressive manner by the Very Reverend the Dean, the coffin being at the proper period of the service committed to the bosom of the earth in profound and solemn silence. When the service was concluded, a great many persons approached the border of the grave to take a farewell look at the narrow tenement which now con- DAMKL I)i: LISLE lillOCK, ESQ. 4.j;3 Carr^, Jurat. Mcssuricr, Jurat. illc, Jurat. I. Tuppcr. iry Tuppcr. cy Major- fiencral eneral Ross. V. Ciossclin. Oobroc, jun. ■r.— Her Majesty's iflf. t. Its. eir respective cast. ssion. Society, order down tlie , when it turned entrance of the •roceeded to the cemetery, which ice of the aged cortege having he sublime and was read in a ■y Reverend the d of the service n profound and ticluded, a great le grave to take vhich now con- tained the remains of a man who, hut a tew short hours back, had occupied so prominent a position in his native land. Many n '^i;^h was breathed, many a tear was shed upon that grave ; and nuiny and various were the expres- sions of afteetion and r^jgret which there found utterance, and which seemed to say ' We ne'er shall look upon his like again.' " On no similar occasion had tliere ever boe>i collected so large a concourse of persons in this island. Some pains were taken to ascertain the number of those who entered the burial ground, and it is believed that they consider- ably exceeded 4,000. An equal, or perhaps a larger number, were dispersed, as spectators, in the (irange Iload and adjacent parts. Every house that commanded a glimpse of the ])rocession, or the interment, was crowd- ed. The windows, even to the attics, were peopled ; whilst walls, gardens, and every spot from which any thing could be seen, were in like manner occupied. Not- withstanding the extraordinary riund)er of persons ecd- lected, a very creditable degree of order and decorum was maintained throughout the whole of the proceedings." ♦ The union jack was hoisted half mast at Fort (ieorge 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 lieutenanf-goveuior of the island, Major-Geiieral Napier, the celebrated historian of the Peninsular war, evinced, in a manner as creditable to his feelings as il was gratifying to those of the family, an anxious desire to pay every respect to the memory of the deceased, his excel- * The extracts in inverted commai- are from the Guernsey Stur ot Thursday, i29th September, lS4i.'. \ ! 4.>4 APPENDIX B. Iciioy, with tlie officera of his staff, and Lieut. -General ilossj, and Lieut. -(lemTfil Sir Jntncs Douijius, t'x-Iicjute- nnnt-p^overnord, nttendini^ t)ie funeral in full uniform, as did uU the officers of the garrison, aiul the officers of the five regiments of militia. All the civil and military au- thorities, ns well as the whole of the clergy of the island, were present. ¥ ^ I The following remarks are extracted from a long and ably written article of nearly two columns, in the Guernsey Star of Monday, September 20, 1842, in which the last moments nnd character of Mr. Brock were feelingly por- trayed by the editor, an English gentleman : " Mr. Brock's career, his talents, his services, and his amiable qua- lities, are so familiar to every native and inhabitant of Guernsey — they have, as 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 ol)servation on them on the present melancholy occasion. We cannot, however, allow the grave to close upon him without strewing it with some ot those offerings of respect and praise which spontaneously spring to our hand as wc 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. Brock, and having braved his hostility when living, our tribute to his memory cannot be looked on as other than the genuine offspring of our feeling and our judgment. "Mr. Brock was not an ordinary man. He was constituted of materials which would have led their owner to distinction in what ever sphere he might have been placed. Indebted but little to early education, he possessed witliin himself a faculty of extracting know- ledge from every thing that came within his observation ; and, gifted with a powerful memory, a reflecting mind, and the art of methodiz- ing and arranging the ideas and information which he acquired, he was enabled at all times to bring a mass of well digested and perti- nent knowledge to bear upon and illustrate any subject which he was required to discuss. He had a singular talent for comprehending principles and for seizing information, and arranging and applying ic ; so that there were few subjects upon which he entered on wliicli he could not lay down sound principles, and illustrate and maintain them by sound arguments. Too confident of his strength, and per DAVir.i, nr msi.e nnorK, v.mi. Ao') Lieut.-Ocnonil Uj;Ui9, fX-luMito- iull uniforin, as m ottiotTs of the iiul military au- ;y ot tl»c islaml, from a long and , in tlie Guernsey ti which the last jre feelingly i)or- an : aiKl his amiable . — Lieutenant E. William Tupper, of his majesty's ship Sybille,aged twenty-eight, mortally wounded in her boiifs. June 18, 182G, in action with a strong band of Greek pirates, near the island of Candia. 6. — Colonel William Ue Vic Tupper, Chilian service, aged twenty-nine, slain in action near Talca, in Chile, April 17, 1830. The four last sons of John E. Tupper, Esq., and Elizabeth Brock, his wife ; and nephews of William De Vic Tupper, Esq., already named, and also of Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, K. B. ; of Lieut. -Colonel John Brock, and of Lieutenant Ferdinand Brock, who all fell by the bullet. 7. — Colonel William Le Mesurier Tupper, of the British Auxiliary Legion in Spain, and a captain in the 23d, or Royal Welsh Fusiliers, mortally wounded near San Sebas- tian, 3Iay 5, 1830, aged thirty-two. Colonel Tupper was also nephew of W. De Vic Tupper, Esq., and first cousin of the four brothers last named. LIEUT. E. WILLIAM TUPPER, R.N. This promising young officer, third son of John E. Tupper, Esq., by Elizabeth Brock, his wife, was educated at Harrow, and commenced his naval career in 1810, in the Victory, of 110 guns, under the care and patronage * The Primrose, while this yoiiiiff officer was serving in her, was actively employed during the war, and in one engagement had fifteen otficers and men killed and wounded. Ir 1815, he accompanied Cap- tain Phillott in the boat expedition up the river St. Mary, in the United States, in which that officer was wounded. I' I 11 'Hmi €. ^m 1 m n 1 li 1 400 APPENDIX C. of tlip late Lord de Saumarez, with whom he continued some time in tlic Baltic. He served on tlie American coast (hiring the latter part of the war, in the Asia, 74, and was present at the disastrous attack of New Orleans, in January, 1815, forming one of a party landed from the fleet, to co-operate with the army. On the night of the storm, this party, in conjunction with the 85th light infantry, under Colonel Thornton,* attacked some fortified works on the right bank of the Mississippi, and were completely successful ; but the failure of the main assault rendered this success unavailing. In the same year he joined the flag ship of Sir Thomas Fremanlle, who, hav- ing been an intimate friend of his late uncle, Sir Isaac Brock, kindly assured him of his influence and support ; but peace taking place before he had attained the requi- site age for promotion, all the bright prospects with which he entered the service were blighted. In Novem- ber, 1817, on his return in the Active frigate. Captain Philip Carteret, from the Jamaica station, he passed at the naval college at Portsmouth, and was one of four midshipmen complimented as having undergone a supe- rior examination. In 18*23, he was appointed to the Revenge, Sir Harry Neale's flag ship, in the Mediterra- nean, and placed on the admiralty list for advancement. Early in 1826, he was at length promoted into the Serin- gapatani frigate ; but Sir John Pechell, under whom he had previously served for a short time, prevailed upon the admiral to transfer him to his own ship, the Sybille, of 48 guns, " a crack frigate," in a high state of discipline, the crew of which was remarkable for its skill in gunnery. The Sybille was at Alexandria, when intelligence arriv- ed there of the plunder of a Maltese vessel, under atro- cious circumstances, by a nest of Greek pirates, on the southern coast of Candia. Sir John Pechell set sail im- mediately in quest of these lawless and desperate men. On Sunday, the 18th of June, 1820, at daylight, two * The same officer whose letters have been given in this volume. LIEUTEVANT E. W. TUPPER, R.N. 401 ssippi, and were misticoes were observed under sail, near Cape Malala, standing towards the frigate; but on discovering their mistalie, they made for the hind, and were followed by the Sybille, into a narrow ceek formed by a rocky islet and the mainland of Candia. On this islet were posteil from 200 to 300 armed Greeks, chiefly the crews of thrre or four piratical misticoes at anchor in Ihe 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, Gordon, dangerously ; Lieutenant Tupper, mortally ; Midshipmen William Ed- monstone ^nd Robert Lees, both very severely ; and twenty-seven men were wounded, of wli lu five died in a few days. Two of the misticoes were atterwards sunk, and many of the pirates were killed and wounded by the frigate's guns.* Lieutenant Tupper commanded the launch, and al- though severely wounded in three places, he stood up the whole time, and retained the command of her until he returned to the ship. The bullet, which proved fatal, entered his right breast, and was extracted from under the skin over the false ribs. He lingered until the 2Gth June, when he 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 intelligent countenance ; and when his brother Charles and he were midshipmen together in the Victory, in the Baltic, they were designated '>u board as the handsome brothers. + The surgeon of the Sybille, in a letter to the family, in Guernsey, wrote of Lieutenant Tupper ; " When I first saw him he was firm and cool. He asked me to give my opinion without reserve, and knowing him to be possessed of * See United Service Jo^irnal, March, 1841, pp. 332-3. + By a singular coincidence, the two brothers commenced their career in the same ship, the Victory, to which their near relative, I.ieutenant f'arre Tupper, belonged when he was killed in the Medi- terranean, in one of her boats, and all three lost their lives in boats ! A' .If .'I \t |l .' I 4(5-2 APPENDIX D. great fortitude, 1 told him that the wound in the chest was of a most tluugeroiis nature, but not nacessurili/ fatal. He had by this time lost a KTeat deal of blood, but the internal hemorrhage, though the most alarming, was slight. He remained so low for three days, that it was expected he would have sunk, though he still continued collected and firm. On the fourth day he rallied, his pulse became more dis- tinct, and he evidently encouraged hopes. Need I say that I felt myself incapable of destroying them — indeed I was not altogether without hope myself. The principal danger was from hemorrhage upon the separation of the sloughs, and my fears were fatally verified, for on the2.'ith, at noon, it commenced and increased internally, until his lungs could no longer perform their functions, and he died at about three o'clock on the morning of the 26th. During the whole time he was resigned, evincing the greatest strength of mind As it was with unfeigned sorrow that I saw a fine and gallant young man fall a victim to such a cause, so it was with admiration that I witnessed his heroic bearing 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 sustain 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." APPENDIX D. COLONEL WILLIAM DE VIC TUPPEU, My beautiful, my brnve I Ah ! who cnn tell how many a soul sublime Has felt the iiifluenue uf mali|;nnnt star, And waged with Fortune an unequal war ! This highly gifted young man was a brother of the subject of the preceding memoir, their father having had ten sons and three daughters. He received an excellent education in England, partly under a private tutor in Warwickshire ; and on the restoration of the Bourbons, in COLON la W. 1)E VKJ TUPl'ETl. 4Cui 1814, he wa3 sent to a college in Pnris, in which he c(»n- tinued until the arrival of Napoleon from Elba, when he was gratifie