THE LIFE XT 7^7^ 
 
 OP 
 
 E. M., H. R. H. 
 
 EDWARD, DUKE OF KENT, 
 
 ILLUSTRATED BY 
 
 ins CORRAL I'ONDENCE WITH THE DE SALABERRY FAMILY 
 NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED, EXTENDING FROM 1791 TC 1814. 
 
 BY 
 
 DR. WILLIAM JAMES ANDERSON, L.R.C.S., Edin., 
 
 President of the Quebec Literary and Historical Society. 
 
 " To hold, as 'twere, the mirror up to nature." 
 
 " I sbould very imperfectly execute the task I have undertaken, if I were 
 only to treat of battles and sieges, of the rise and fall of administrationi, of in- 
 trigues in the Palaoo, and of debates in Parliament." — Macaiday. 
 
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 €)Uat»a onlr oloronta: ^ 
 
 HUNTER, ROSE & COMPANY. A^" 
 
 1870. 
 
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 OTTAWA : 
 
 PBIKTBD BY HDNTER, HOSE 4 CO. 
 
 
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COISTTENTS. 
 
 LOBOSUCTOnT...... I 1 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Birth — Childhood — Early Education — Military training — Luneberg 
 
 —Hanover— -Geneva— Gibraltar— 1776 to 1791 , ,„„. 3 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Quebec — Habits— Society — Desertion and Mutiny — Free Schools — De 
 Salaberry family — Addresses — Departure for the West Indies — 
 1791 to 1794 8 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Arrival in West Indies — Active Service — Gallantry in Action — Thanks 
 
 of Parliament — Halifax — Commanding — 1791 and 1795 21 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Halifax — Lieut.-Qeneral — Garrison Intemperance — Parade — French 
 
 Fleet— Chain Boom— Prince's Lodge— 1795 and 1796 34 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Halifax — " Les 'Volontairos Canadiens" — Fall with horse — Betnrn to 
 
 England— Address and Vote— 1797 and.1798 46 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 England — Dnke of Kent — General — Commander-in-Chief B. N. America 
 —Return to Halifax— Failing health — Beturn to England — 1799 
 and 1800 57 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 England — Governor of Gibraltar — Correspondence with the Duke of 
 
 Portland— 1800 to 1802 70 
 
IV CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Gibraltar — State of Garrison — Instructions- -Reforms — Mutiny — Sup- 
 
 preasion—Kecall— 1802 aud 1803 84 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Kensington Palace — Castlehill Lodge — Negotiations — Field Marshal- 
 Death of Mr. Pitt— 1803 to 1805 91 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Grenville Administration — ArriTfu' of three do Salaberrys— Recruiting 
 
 for Royals— Sir George Prevosi- -1806—1806 98 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Recruiting for Royals — Obstructions — Sir George Prevofit — Princess of 
 Wales and Sir John Douglas — Half income transferred — Maurice 
 and Louis de Salaborry embark for India — 1806—1807 109 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Letters to the de Salaberrys— The Duke's atrong attachment and un- 
 tiring efforts for them — 1807., 124 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 De Salaberrys— Letter to th-^ King— Duko of York's letter— Letter to 
 
 Lord Castlereagh— 1807— 1808 138 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 De Salaberrys— Advice to C. de Salaberry on marriage — Proposal 
 to raise Highland Battalion— Declined by Horse Guards— Detarmi- 
 nationofthe Duke— 1808 , .. 143 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Lieut. Connor— Sir James Craig, Governor General of Canada- 
 Baron de Rottenburg— 1808— 1809 leo 
 
CONTENTS. V 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Walcheren. — The' Duke of Cumberland and Sellis — Death of Princoss 
 
 Amelia— Illness of the King— Tho Regency— 1809— 1810, ..., 174 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 Enters on Public life — Mrs. Clarke and " The Rival Princes"— Mr. 
 Galium — Consults Sir Samuel Romilly — Death of Maurice and Louis 
 de Salaborry in India— 1810—1811— 1812 188 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 Ciudad Rodrigo — Fall of Edward do Salaberry— Assassination of Mr. 
 Percival — America declares War — Battle of Chateauguay — General 
 Orders— Tho Duke's opinion— 1812— 1813— 1814 201 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 Touching letters from tho Duke and Madame de St, Laurent to Col. L. 
 de Salaberry — Letter to Chief Justice Sewell on Union of Provinces 
 — Fresh pecuniary difficulties from absconding of Solicitor — Letter 
 to Prince Regent, and Lord Liverpool's reply — Renewed sacrifices 
 to meet his liabilities — Addresses from various benevolent societies, 
 and Freedom from tho City of London — Retires to Brussels — 1814 
 -1315-1816 217 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 His Marriage — Re-marriage in England — Return to Continent — Resi- 
 dence t.t Amorbach — Return to England — Birth of Princess Vic- 
 toria — T.i creasing embarrassmonts — Woolbrook Glen — Illness and 
 death— UA>mage tc his memory— 1817— 1818— 1819— 1820 229 
 
 POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 De Salaberrys — Madame de St. Laurent — Amelia de Salaberry, the fa- 
 vorite of the Duke , MM 237 
 
INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 One of the objects of the Literary and Historical Society 
 of Quebec, is the prosecution of researches into the early 
 history of Canada, and the recovering, procuring and pub- 
 lishing interesting documents and useful information in con- 
 nexion with the natural, civil and literary history of British 
 North America. Having, during the past year, been in 
 professional attendance on the late Lieut.-Colonel de Sala- 
 berry. Deputy Adjuiant General of the Province, and the 
 son of that distinguished Canadian soldier, Lieut.-Colonel 
 Charles Michel de Salaberry, whose name is inseparably 
 connected with Canada as the Victor of Chateauguay, I had 
 many opportunities of conversing with him on that great 
 exploit, as also on the general career of his father. Seeing 
 that I felt so much interest in the subject. Col. de Salaberry 
 placed in my hands certain letters addressed to his father 
 by the late Duke of Kent, and I was thus enabled to pre- 
 pare a paper which I read before the Society. 
 
 After its publication in the "Transactions" of the Society, 
 it became known that there had been placed in my hands 
 by Col. de Salaberry, and his younger brother Charles, a cor- 
 respondence between the Duke of Kent and members of the 
 de Salaberry family, extending from 1791 to 1814, and a very 
 general opinion was expressed by friends whose opinion I 
 valued, that I should not rest with the publication of the 
 paper which I had read, but should undertake to write a life 
 of the Duke of Kent, based on the materials in my pos- 
 session. 
 
 It has been said that when personal character and habits 
 form the principal subject of interest, a stranger stands at 
 too great a distance to give thf> portrait a faithful outline or 
 correct coloring, and that a true one can be only pourtrayed 
 by him whose friendly intercourse gave opportunity of 
 marking the peculiar characteristics of the subject. This is 
 undoubtedly to a certain extent true, but it will also be ad- 
 mitibd that he who writes his own biography often discloses 
 
traits of which no other person is cognizant, and gives an 
 insight into his own character which might not otherwise 
 be obtained, and that by letters, we may truly bo brought, 
 as it were into personal correspondence with the distant and 
 the dead. 
 
 The Duke of Kent was an able and voluminous correspon- 
 dent, and from the care with which his letters have been 
 preserved, has thus unconsciously become his own biogra- 
 pher ; but this biography has hitherto been confined to the 
 limited circles of the families or friends of his correspon- 
 dents, and the few of his letters which have been published, 
 in his life by the Rev. Erskine Ncale, have only excited a 
 desire to see more. 
 
 I feel that the valuable correspondence which has been 
 placed in my hands has furnished abundant matter for 
 writing a life ; but, after mature deliberation, I have deter- 
 mined simply to hold the mirror up, to nature, making my- 
 self a mere amanuensis ; Tiothing extenuating and withhold- 
 ing nothing, but giving the true photograph. In the present 
 publication I propose to give the ivhole of the letters in my 
 possession, not merely all in number, but the contents, 
 merely filling up the narrative where it is obvious some con- 
 necting statements are required, and I feel that I can do 
 this without the sMghtest hesitation, assured there will not 
 be found in the correspondence of the Duke of Kent a 
 single expression calculated to offend the most refined taste, 
 but that every letter will furnish an additional proof of his 
 princely nature and the high and generous qualities which 
 he invariably brought to bear in his intercourse with his 
 fellow men. 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 CHAPTER 1. 
 
 Birth — Childhood — Early Education — Military Training— Luceberg — Hanover 
 » fl enova— Q ibral tar. 
 
 " Still on the spot Lord Marmion staid, 
 
 For lairer scene he ne'er surveyed, 
 The wandering eye could o'er it go, 
 And mark the distant city glow, 
 In gloomy thunder red, 
 F( r on the smoke-wreaths huge and slow, 
 That round her sable turrets glow 
 
 The morning beams were shed, 
 And tinged them with a lustre proud. 
 
 Like that which streaks a thunder cloud ; 
 8uch dusky grandeur clothed thn height. 
 Where the huge castle holds its state, 
 And all the steep slope down, 
 Whoeo ridgy back heaves to the sky, 
 Piled deep and massy, close and high, 
 
 Mine own romantic town." — Mannion, 
 
 On the evening of Thursday, 11th August, 1791, His 
 Majesty's ships Ulysses and Resolution, seven weeks from 
 Gibraltar, and having on board the 7th Royal Fusileers, 
 commanded by His Royal Highness Prince Edward, rounded 
 Pointe L^vis, when there burst upon the view one of the 
 most charming scenes the eye could dwell upon. On the 
 right was the end of the beautiful Island of Orleans — the 
 Isle of Bacchus of Cartier — studded with the white cottages 
 of the habitants, embowered in trees ; on the opposite side 
 of the north channel, on the main land, was seen the snow- 
 white Fall of Montmorenci, from whence the shore trended 
 with a gentle curve to the mouth of the River St. Charles, 
 or Little River. From the Falls a long straggling line of 
 white cottages skirted the road to the pretty village of 
 Beauport, beyond which rose a lofty range of wooded heights 
 stretching on to Ancient Lorette. On the left, forming the 
 south shore of the basin, rose the picturesque Pointe L^vis, 
 and at the head of the basin, between the Little River and 
 
4 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 the mighty St. Lawrence, stood prominently forward Cape 
 Diamond, rising abruptly from the water to the height of 
 three hundred and forty-five feet, surmounted by the Citadel, 
 and the " steep slope down " piled with public and private 
 buildings, the tin roofs of which glittering in the setting sun, 
 gave an appearance of fairy land. The scene was most 
 calculated to impress with pleasurable sensations the Prince, 
 who, during his whole life, shewed a high relish for the 
 picturesque, and who was doubly interested when every- 
 where he turned his eye rested on ground rendered classic 
 by the military operations of Wolfe and Montcalm. 
 
 Prince Edward Augustus, the fourth son of George the 
 Third, was then in the twenty-fifth year of his age, having 
 been born at Buckingham House, on the 2nd November, 
 1767. The month, says the Rev. Erskine Neale, was gloomy 
 November ; but there was gloom also in the Palace, Edward, 
 Duke of York, the favorite brother of the King, was then 
 lying in state in his cofiin, and was buried the following 
 day, and the Prince was christened on the 30th of the same 
 iTiOnth, and was named after his deceased uncle. 
 
 At an early period of his life, he was placed under the charge 
 of Mr. Fisher, subsequently Canon of Windsor and Bishop of 
 Exeter and Salisbury ; and to this happy circumstance he was 
 indebted for a training which told on his future life, enabling 
 him to meet heroically, if not to surmount, many difficulties, 
 and to bear with Christian fortitude and equanimity the 
 injustice and mortifications to which he was so long sub- 
 jected. He was noted in childhood (and the child was 
 father to the man) for a frank and generous disposition, and 
 according to his tutor, the love of truth was in him paramount 
 to every consideration. 
 
 In the eighteenth year of his age he chose the profession of 
 arms, and was sent to Luneberg in Hanover, to prosecute 
 his studies under the Baron Wangenheim, whom be has 
 described as " an arbitrary and inflexible governor," and 
 " a mercenary tyrant," who enforced with unrelenting 
 severity the wearving and mechanical details of parade and 
 drill. 
 
 Luneberg is described by Mr. Neale as a wretched 
 poverty-stricken place, surrounded by ague breeding marshes, 
 and without society. No wonder then that the Prince was 
 disgusted with his profession and the world j and that he was 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 6 
 
 delighted •when at the close of the year lie was removed to 
 Hanover, though, as he afterwards said, " it was a change 
 of scene, but with it came no remedy of existing evils." 
 
 We are also told that the Baron, whose whole soul was 
 divided betAvecn drill and the accumulation of money, did 
 not hesitate to appropriate to himself under one pretext or 
 other, the greater portion of his allowance, restricting his poc- 
 ket money to one guinea and a-lialf per week, and to prevent 
 his remonstrances reaching his father, a rigid espionage 
 was established, his letters were intercepted, and his conduct 
 misrepresented, so that, again to use his own language, " my 
 letters never having reached the King, he was displeased at 
 my apparently undutiful conduct. I was described to him as 
 recklessly extravagant, and much of the estrangement between 
 my royal parent and myself — much of the sorrow of my after 
 life — may be ascribed to that most uncalled for sojourn in 
 the Electorate." 
 
 The Reverend Erskine Neale has very justly observed that 
 in Germany the soklier is not a man but a machine, not a 
 living being with hopes, aspirations ard opinions of his own, 
 but ail automaton. llis life, one never ending parade, he 
 marks the successive changes of existence by drills. Such 
 the British soldier never can become, and the attempt to 
 make him such would inevitably ensure mutiny. There can 
 be no doubt, that had it not been for the good seed sown in 
 a kindly soil in early youth, all that was good and amiable 
 in his nature would have been eradicated by the vicious 
 system of training to which he was subjected in Germany. 
 As it Avas, it left its impress on his character and accounts for 
 the unpopularity which for a time rested on his name among 
 the British soldiery, and all must agree with Mr. Neale, 
 that the lesson thereby taught is indisputable : " The British 
 Prince must be trained and nurtvrcd on British ground.'' 
 
 On the 30th May, 1786, he was gazetted Colonel in the 
 Army by brevet, shortly after elected a Knight of the Garter, 
 and in October, 1787, by His Majesty's command, was 
 transfered to Geneva, in many respects, a welcome change 
 for the better ; but still he had a morose governor, instead 
 of a parental tutor, a man who made it his solo study 
 to receive and retain all he could of his allowance for main- 
 tenance. He, however, had now the pleasure of forming the 
 acquaintance and enjoying the society of English gentlemen, 
 of his own age, but not having the means of commanding 
 
6 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 even the indulgences wliicli tliey were allowed, lie incurred 
 debts by borrowing money to procure tlicm ; but at length, 
 " wearied out by petty and perpetual espionage, thAvarted on 
 most occasions by the Baron ; chafed by ever recurring an- 
 noyances arising from the position he had to maintain, with 
 tlie stinted allowance assigned him, he resolved to visit 
 England. He was now of age ; written remonstrances he 
 had found unavailing, and he hoped a personal nppeal to his 
 father might secure an impartial hearing and redress." 
 
 In January, 1790, he arrived in Loudon, without previous 
 intimation, and took uj) his quarters at an hotel, where he 
 was at once visited by the Prince of Wales, wlio took him 
 to Carlton House, where they were immediately joined by 
 the Duke of York, v.'ho undertook to communicate his 
 arrival to the King. Dire was the wrath of the King, his 
 displeasure was inexorable. Prince Edward had returned 
 without his sanction, therefore he refused to see him, and in 
 a few days sent him peremptory Avritten orders under seal 
 to proceed, within twenty-four hours, to Gibraltar, and only 
 admitted him to his presence for a few minutes on the night 
 before his departure. Thus, after an absence of six years 
 from his family, he was debarred all opportunity of giving 
 explanations, or laying open his embarrassments, or even of 
 soliciting the King to grant him the usual and necessary 
 outfit. 
 
 On the first of February, with wounded feelings and in- 
 sulted affections, he quitted England, and on his arrival at 
 Gibraltar, was compelled to provide for his domestic esiab- 
 lisiiment at enormous expense. He Avas, however, vid of the 
 " Old Man of the Sea," Wangenheim, and was placed by the 
 Governor, General O'Hara, under the kind tutelage of Colo- 
 nel Symes, a man of generous qualities, Avho considerately 
 made eftorts to relieve him fvom his embarrassments, though, 
 unfortunately, without success. But, tc hi3 great delight, 
 he Avas noAv appointed to the Colonelcy of the 7th Royal 
 Fusileers, then forming part of the garrison, and had thus 
 an opportunity of carrying out the ideas of military duty 
 Avhich had been instilled into him in Germany, and as a 
 consequciice, the strict discipline Avhich he enforced, though 
 he faithfully subjected himself to it, mado him unpopular with 
 the men. Yet it is on official record, that " the Prince's 
 general conduct has been perfectly to the satisfaction of 
 General O'Hara, and has met the approbation of the whole 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 7 
 
 garrison." And it is further testified, that of all the officers, 
 he had shewn hunsolf tlie most attentive and diligent in the 
 discharge of his public duties, "as well nfi the most rer/idar 
 and temjjerate in his private hours." Unfavorable represen- 
 tations had however been made at homo, as to the disaffec- 
 tion prevalent among the Fusileers, and in consequence he 
 was ordered to embark Avith them for Canada. 
 
 Before his departure from Gibraltar, a splendid /^^e was 
 given by his brother officers, to shev/ their regard for " their 
 comrade and felloAV soldier," which was gratefully acknow- 
 ledged by Sir Robert Boyd, in general orders, Avho Avai 
 directed to say " how thittering to Ilis Royal Highness this 
 mark of their attachment had been." 
 
 Though owing to the very limited, or rather totally inade- 
 quate allowance, which had been made to him by his father, 
 his debts had been increaserl during his sojourn at Gibraltar. 
 He left that fortress, bearing in his bosom good will to those 
 he left behind, and animated with brighter hopes for the 
 future, the voices of hh comrades still sounding in his ear, 
 singing the concluding verses of a song composed for the 
 
 C3 "O 
 
 occasion : 
 
 " For Royal Edward leaves us now ! 
 'Twa3 he who taught us how to bear 
 The soldier's toil, the leader's care, 
 Yet cheered fati.^ue with festive hours, 
 Auii strewed liio's rujjged path with irjwors. 
 
 Ye broczos softly waft him o'er 
 To bravo the cold Canadian shore, 
 To spread afar his risins^ fame, 
 And make hia own a glorious name." 
 
 Under these favorable auspices Prince Edward commenced 
 his voyage to America, which terminated as has been des- 
 cribed at the commencement of this chapter. 
 
8 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Quebec — Habits — Society — Desertion and Mutiny — Free School — De Salabcrry 
 Family — Addresses — Departure for the West Indies. 
 
 1791 TO 1784. 
 
 The Quebec Gazette informs us that, on the Saturday 
 following his arrival, His Royal Highness Prince Edward 
 received at the Castle of St. Louis the officers, civil and 
 military, of the garrison, the clergy, merchants, etc. ; and 
 in the afternoon, the ladies of Quebec were introduced ; 
 and that on Thursday, 18th August, an address was pre- 
 sented to him from the inhabitants, to which he made the 
 following reply : — 
 
 Gentlemen, — I request you will bo fully convinced how grate- 
 ful I must feel myself for the very flattering seutiments you have 
 expressed towards niy pcrsou. 
 
 I am anxious that during my stay in this country, my conduct 
 may prove I am deserving of them. 
 
 Nothing will give me greater pleasure than if I should be for- 
 tunate enough to find an opportunity of bcinff personally serviceable 
 to you — till then, gentlemen, I hope you will remain fully persuaded 
 of my gratitude and esteem. 
 
 This may appear mere language of course, but time proved 
 they were the genuine sentiments of his heart, and many a 
 Canadian can testify to their practical fulfilment. 
 
 The Prince at once entered on his military duties in con- 
 nexion with his regiment and the garrison, with that ardour 
 •which always distinguished him, and also joined in the society 
 of the place "with gracious and engaging condescension," 
 shewing marked courtesy on all occasions to the Frei^ch 
 Canadians, with several of whom he associated on terms of 
 the most kindly intimacy. He delighted in musical reunions 
 and organized a society of amateurs, of which the late Chief 
 Justice Sewell, an accomplished violinist, was leader. Though 
 duty required hi? daily presence in the city, after some time, 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 9 
 
 in accordance with his taste for rural life, he took up his 
 residence at Ilaldimand House, at the Falls of Montniorenci, 
 from whence he drove into town every morning. He soon 
 became very popular, and the Quebec irazette informs us that 
 on the 2nd November, being the first anniversary of his birth 
 after his arrival, a ball was given at the Castle of St. Louis, 
 and the city was generally and splendidly illuminated in 
 honor of the dav. 
 
 Brown autumn was passed, and winter reigned supreme, 
 and its "joys'' were fully entered into, and the terms on 
 which he had already placed liimself with one of the Cana- 
 dian families will be understood from the following letter, 
 translated from the Frt-nch : 
 
 Quebec, 1st March, 1792. 
 
 I am in despair, my dear Bo S laberry, that we will not have 
 the pleasure of seeinii; you here to-day. I am more pained to know 
 tlie cause, but I hope it will not result in anything serious. Keep 
 yourself cheerful, liave a little patience, and do not venture out till 
 you are completely recovered. The moment you inform me the 
 roads arc passable. I will not lose an instant in repairing to Beauport 
 with Madame do 8t. Laurent. Avho joins with mc in assuring you of 
 those sentiments of distinguished consideration and esteem, with 
 which I am always your most devoted and faithful 
 
 Edward, Col. R, Fusileers. 
 
 P. S. — Many compliments from myself and Madame do St. 
 Laurent, to Madame dc 8alaberry and your charming family. 
 A Mon'r. M. Louis de Salaberry, Beauport. 
 
 This letter affords the opportunity of introducing the 
 gentleman to whom it was addressed, and who, with his 
 family, will occupy a prominent part in this narrative. 
 
 M. Louis Ignace de Salaberry, Seignior of Beauport, was 
 descended from a noble family in tlie Bays de Basque, his 
 great ancestor having been ennobled on the field of Coutras 
 in 1557, by Henry Quatre, for a deed of daring and clemency 
 performed under his eye. " Force a suj>erbe, 31ere^ a foible," 
 said the monarch, "shall bo thy device," and it has continued 
 to be so to the j)rcscnt day. Michel de Salaberry, the father 
 of Louis, arrived at Quebec in 1735, in command of the 
 French frigate L'Anglesea, and the archives of Notre 
 Dame de l^cauport show that he was married on tlie 13th 
 July, 1750, to Demoiselle Madeleine Louise Juchereau 
 Duchesnay, daughter of the deceased Seignior j on the 5th 
 
10 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 July, 1752, is recorded the baptism of Louis Ignace. Cap- 
 tain de Salabcrry took an active part in all the operations 
 preceding the conquest, and at the age of seven his son Louis 
 "witnessed, from the General Hospital, the battle on the Plains 
 of Abraham, ■svhicli decided the fate of Quebec and Canada. 
 On the cession of Canada to Great Britain, Captain de Sala- 
 berry transferred his allegiance, and became a British sub- 
 ject. He sent Louis to France in 17H0, to prosecute his 
 education, from -whence he returned to Quebec in 1708, and 
 finished it at the Seminary. He was of great height and 
 enormous strength, and the " Canadians of old" delighted 
 to tell of his wonderous feats ; and, though a man of great 
 courage, he was gentle to his friends and courteous to all, 
 and by every action of his life illustrated the motto of his 
 family. His loyalty was proved many times, and he received 
 on four different occasions wounds in engagements with the 
 Americans; during the war of 1775 he was severely wounded 
 by the explosion of a shell in Fort St. John, and in the fol- 
 lowing year Avas severely wounded by a musket ball in the 
 knee. In 177S he married Demoiselle Catherine Hertel, 
 but continued to serve till the close of the war in 1783, when 
 he retired to his home ; and, in considoration of his services 
 and his wounds, a pension as Lieutenant was granted him 
 for life. He Avas living happy and respected in the bosom 
 of his family atBeauport when the Prince arrived in Canada, 
 and a warm attachment sprung up between them. The 
 Prince was a constant, almost a daily visitor, showing a 
 strong attachment and delighting in the society of the 
 children, of Avhom M. de Salaberry had then several, boys 
 and girls. 
 
 It may not be out of place to remind the reader here, that 
 at the time Ave are speaking of, Canada had been under 
 British rule a little over a quarter of a century, and British 
 society, though very much improved from Avhat it was in 
 17U6, Avhen General Murray sent in to the Imperial Govern- 
 ment his report, Avas still very far from Avhat it ought to be. 
 What it Avas in 17GG, let General Murray say : — " The whole 
 population of Canada, exclusive of the king's troops, amounts 
 to 72,275 souls, of Avhich in the parishes are nineteen families, 
 Protestants. The rest of that persuasion (a few half-pay 
 officers excepted) are traders, mechanics, and publicans, who 
 reside in the LoAver ToAvn of Quebec and in Montreal. Most 
 of them are foUoAvers of the army, of mean education, cr 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 11 
 
 soldiers disbanded at the reduction of troops. All have 
 their fortunes to make, and I fear feiv are solicitous about 
 the means, when the end can he attained. I report them to 
 be in general tlie most immoral collection of men I ever 
 knew; of course little calculated to make the new subjects 
 enamoured of our laws, religion and customs, and far less 
 adapted to enforce those laws Avhich are to govern. * * * 
 
 ***** The Canadian noblesse were hated 
 because their birth and behaviour entitled them to respect, 
 and the peasants were abhorred because they were saved 
 from the oppression they were threatened with. * * 
 
 ***** The improper choice and number 
 of the civil officers sent out from England increased the 
 inquietude of the colony. Instead of men of genius and un- 
 tainted morals, the very reverse were appointed to most im- 
 portant offices, and it was impossible to communicate through 
 them those impressions of the dignity of the government, by 
 which alone mankind can be held together in society. The 
 Judge fixed upon to conciliate the minds of 75,(J00 foreigners 
 to the laws and government of Great Britain, was taken 
 from a gaol, entirely ignorant of Civil Law, and of the lan- 
 guage of the people. The Attorney-General, Avith regard to 
 the language of the people, was no better qualified, the 
 offices of Secretary of the Province, Registrar, Clerk of the 
 Council, Commissary of Stores and Provisions, Provost 
 Marslul, &c., &c., were given by patent to men ot interest in 
 England, who let them out to the highest bidders, and so 
 little did they consider the capacity of their representatives, 
 that not one of them understood the language of the natives." 
 
 It is painful and mortifying to find such a record, but it 
 has been Avritten for our instruction, and perhaps even in the 
 present day, we may profit by it. But it ought to be known 
 that though the evils pointed out were peculiarly felt in 
 Canada, where there was such a vast disproportion in number 
 and so great a dissimilarity in religion and language between 
 the two races, that the sys^'em was not exceptional, but was 
 that generally adopted in that day by England towards all 
 her colonies. Men notorious for tl'eir profligacy, entirely 
 ignorant of the art or science of government, men who could 
 not govern their own evil passions, were thought good enough 
 to govern any colony. 
 
 Society was somewhat improved in 1791, men of integrity 
 and ability filled the CroAvn offices, but they were not exempt 
 
12 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 from the prejudices of the school in wliich they had hcen 
 educated. Hear what a recent writer, i\Ir. Fennings Taylor, 
 describes it to have been : — " Such sentiments and Jio pre- 
 ferences to which they led, were not as well approved of by 
 the French subjects of tb.e Crown, as th^y were by the Crown 
 itself. Q^o them, refugee immigrants were " Anglo- Ameri- 
 cans," and as such they were only known as encroaching 
 neighbours and aggressive enemies. Thus the new subjects 
 and the new settlors discovered that they were more obnoxi- 
 ous to each other than were the original races from which 
 they had sprung. Their past history accounted for their 
 present aversion. French and English power, whether in 
 Europe or America, had always been exhibited in a state of 
 strife, and time out of mind the youth of both countries had 
 been carefully educated according to the canons of enmity. 
 There was, moreover, a theological element in the quarter 
 which tended to intensify this mutual aversion. The Anglo- 
 American abhorred the rc^gion of Rome. Tlie Franco- 
 American detested that of the Reformation. Public reverses 
 had in an unlooked for way brought these ancient antagonists 
 together, and thus men who had fought in opposing armies, 
 and fostered every description of quarrel, were now elbowing 
 one another as neighbors, sitting side by side, residents of the 
 same country, subjects of the same crDwn, and competitors, 
 but not on equal terms, for the same honors." 
 
 The Prince, with intuitive sagacity, saw this state of 
 things, and his goodness of heart, high sense of justice and 
 sound policy, induced him to strive to conciliate and to avoid 
 in every way offending the feelings or prejudices of " His 
 Britannic Majesty's beloved Canadian subjects." 
 
 Nothing can better show the kindly intercourse existing 
 between him and one Canadian family, than the following 
 letters : 
 
 Hurrah ! hurrah ! hurrah ! a tliousand rounds in honor of the 
 charming Sour is and the new-born. In truth my head is full of joy, 
 and my hand trembles ^o much that 1 can t^carccly hold my pen. 
 And it is another boy ! How I wisli that I was one of those power- 
 ful fairies who Avere able to bestow their <iifts in such profusion ; 
 how the dear child should be endowed. Jnfortunately all this is 
 but an illusion, but never mind, something has said to me that the 
 pretty little fellow has been born under a happy star ; kiss liim for 
 mc, my dear friend, and tell him this prediction of his god-mother, 
 ! no ! I was never po happy in my life. I have this moment seat 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT, 13 
 
 the news to our dear Prince. It is needless to await his reply to 
 assure you how deli<j;hted ho will be. I know his sontimeuts too 
 well to have any fear in exprcssint;- them. iMrs. Staunton will excuse 
 me, and I will go to Beauport to-day about seven o'clock ; to-morrow 
 I will iro again and every day. Ah! I wish it r^uld be this very 
 instant of my life. I reserve it to myself to congratul;'^! M. do 
 Salaberry in person on the happy event; in the meantime I embrace 
 the whole household without distinction of age or sex. 
 
 J. DE St. Lauiient. 
 Madame do Salaberry. 
 
 Though obliged, as yesterday, to attend to my official duties at 
 the Barracks, I could not resist the jilcasure of hastening home to 
 write a few lines, to assure you how much and how sincerely J. par- 
 ticipate in the happy event; a thousand wishes for the good health 
 and speedy recovery of jMadamo dc Salaberry. 
 And I am always, 
 
 Your very devoted servant, 
 
 Edward, Col. 11. Fusilecrs. 
 M. L. de Salaberry, Beauport. 
 
 The child here referred to was the youngest son of M. 
 Louis de Salaberry, who was christened at Beauport by 
 Bishop do Capse on the 2nd July, 1792, and the Register 
 shows that II. R. Highness Prince Edward was godfather 
 and Madame Alphonsine Thdrese Bernardino Julie de Mont- 
 genet de St. Laurent, Baronne de Fortisson, his godmother. 
 The entry is thus described : — 
 
 Edouard, Prince de la Grande Bretagne, Blontgenet de St. 
 Laurent, Baronne de Fortisson, Hcrtel de Salaberry, John Ycsey, 
 Edmund Byng, Lt. Royal Fusilecrs, Fred. Augt. Wcthcrall, Cap- 
 tain 11th Kegt., Kcnauld, protrc, Adelaide de Salaberry, John Hale, 
 Wm. Henry Digby, Lieut. Royal Fusilecrs ; de Salaberry, Ch. ; do 
 Salaberry, Chs. Thomas, C C. P. 
 
 t Charles Franco rs, 
 
 20th June, 1792. Eveque de Capse. 
 
 In the summer of 1792 a general election under the new 
 constitution took place, and at the close of the poll for the 
 County of Quebec at Charlebourg on Wednesday, 27th 
 June, a riot occurred, Avhich threatened the most serious 
 consequences. Prince Edward hearing of it, hastened to 
 Charlebourg, and thus addressed the rioters, in French:— 
 "Can there bo a man among you who does not take the 
 
14 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 * 
 
 King to be the father of his people ? Is there a man among 
 you who does not h)ok upon the new constitution as the best 
 possible one both for the subject and the Government. Part 
 then in peace ; I urge you to unanimity and concord. Let 
 me hear no more of the odious distinctions of French and 
 English. You are all his Britannic Majesty's beloved Cana- 
 dian subjects." The tumult ceased, and gave place to 
 admiration and applause. 
 
 On September 13th, in passing through Montreal, he 
 received a highly complimentary address from the citizens, 
 •vvho declared their approbation of the new constitution ; and 
 on the 2nd November, a ball was again given at the Chateau 
 St. Louis in honor of his birthday. 
 
 The following pleasing anecdote is related by De Gaspd : 
 "The Prince having heard of an old woman, a centenarian, 
 who lived on the Isle of Orleans, one day paid her a visit, 
 and having talked to her for some time, (as she had all her 
 senses) he asked if he could confer any pleasure on her. 
 " Yes ! yes! certainly, my Lord," replied the old lady, "danco 
 a minuet with me, that I may be able to say before I die, 
 that I have danced with the son of my Sovereign." The 
 Prince complied with the best possible grace, and after the 
 dance conducted her to her seat and gave her a respectful 
 salute, which she returned with a most profound courtesy. 
 
 Here is another, but by no means so pleasing, though it 
 displayed the constitutional bravery of the Prince. The 
 Prince esteemed very highly a soldier of his regiment, a 
 Frenchman, a man of approved courage, but who determined 
 to submit no longer to the severe discipline to which the 
 regiment was subjected, and accordingly deserted. The 
 Prince knowing the desperate courage of the man, and the 
 danger that must be incurrred in attempting his f.rrest, him- 
 self headed the party that ,v>int in pursuit, and surprised 
 him while sitting at table at Pointe aux Trembles. " You 
 are fortunate, my Lord," said La Rose, " in my not being 
 armed, for by Heaven, if I had had my pistol I -would have 
 blown out your brains." La Rose was tried by Court Martial, 
 and condemned to receive nine hundred and ninety-nine 
 lashes^ the maximum allowed by the Mutiny Act. He sub- 
 mitted to this atrocious punishment without a mnrmur, and 
 refused with disdain assistance to put on his clothes after, but 
 turning to the Prince, and striking his forehead with his 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 16 
 
 hand, said, " It is the bullet, my Lord, and not the lash, 
 which ought to punish a French soldier." 
 
 The disaffection -which had originated among the men of 
 the Royal Fusileers at Gibraltar, and -which led to their 
 removal to Canada, docs not appear to have diminished, and 
 punishments were of fre(|uent occurrence -with certain hard- 
 ened offenders, among whom at length a conspiracy was 
 formed, as was proved at the trial. The mutineers proposed 
 to break out of the barracks, and Averc confident of being 
 joined by a largo number more, when they intended to 
 seize the Prince, the General, and all the officers in the Cha- 
 teau, who on non-compliance with their demands, were to be 
 put to death, after which the mutineers proposed to escape 
 by crossing the river and forcing the captains of militia to 
 give them guides. 
 
 "It is difficult to say," says tlie Quebec Gazette of the 
 28th March, 1793, " whether the folly or the atrociousness 
 of the plot was the greatest ; for the smallest reflection 
 might have satisfied them of the impossibility of cftecting 
 their escape. Yet, it can hardly be doubted that had they 
 once taken the first step, their desperate situation would 
 have led them to the commission of as much mischief as in 
 the moment might have been in their poAver." Fortunately 
 , the plot Avas discovered in time, the conspirators Avere 
 arrested, tried, and convicted, and the sentences of the Gen- 
 eral Court-martial Avere as follows : — John Draper, found 
 guilty of the charges exhibited against him — sentence, death, 
 by being shot. William Rose, guilty — sentence,/iVe hundred 
 lashes, James Lanergan, for Avant of sufficient evidence, 
 acquitted. Timothy Kennedy, guilty — sentence, seven hun- 
 dred lashes. Sergeant Thomas Urgton, Avho had been re- 
 leased (from a belief that the evidence Avould not be suffi- 
 cient to convict him) demanded and insisted on a trial, 
 and Avas found guilty of a knoAvledgc of an intended mutiny, 
 and sentenced to be reduced to the ranks, and to receive /omt* 
 hundred lashes. Draper was ordered for execution on 
 Tuesday, the 2nd April, but having made application for a 
 Aveek's respite, it was granted. 
 
 We copy the folloAving from the Quebec Gazette of Hth 
 April, 1794 : > 
 
 " On Tuesday last, about ten o'clock, Joseph Draper, of 
 the Royal Fusileers, Avhose execution had been respited to 
 
16 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 this day, was brought out from tlio barracks dressed in 
 grave clothes, -walking beliind liis cotlin, >vhich was covered 
 by a pall, and carried b^ iuur men. The troops inider 
 arms marched slowly beibre — the music followed, ])hiying 
 dirges suited to the occasion, and a vast concourse of spec- 
 tators attended. When this allecting procession had reached 
 tne pliice of execution, and the convict had prepared himself 
 to suil'er, declaring to the last that he was innocent of the 
 crime laid to his charge, and when the critical moment was 
 arrived that was to have launched him into eternity, ho was 
 thus addressed by Prince Edward : 
 
 " ' Draper — you have now reached the aAvful moment 
 vrhen a few minutes would carry you into the immediate 
 presence of the Supreme IJeing. You must be conscious of 
 the enormity of your guilt, and that you have not the least 
 right to expect mercy. I, as your commanding officer, am 
 entirely prevented I'rom making any application whatever 
 in your favour, there being, from various circumstances of 
 the case, no one opening that cculd justify me in that station 
 in taking such a step. However, as the son of your Sovereign, 
 whose greatest prerogative is the dispensation of mercy, I 
 feel myself fortunately able to do that, which, as your Colonel, 
 the indispensable laws of military discipline rendored it im- 
 possible for me even to think of. In this situation, I have 
 presumed to apply to the King's representative here, for your 
 pardon ; and I am happy to be authorized to inform you that 
 my application has been successful. Major-General Clark, 
 in consequence of my warm prayers and entreaties, has had 
 the goodness, by his acquiescence with my wishes, to enable 
 me to prove both to you and the public, that though your 
 atrocious machinations were chiefly directed against my per- 
 son, 1 am the first to forgive you myself, and to obtain for 
 you His Majesty's mercy. May you take Avarning by this 
 awful scene, and so conduct yourself, that by the remainder 
 of your life you may atone for your past crimes ; and that I 
 may not hereafter have occasion to repent having now been 
 your advocate. 
 
 " The effect produced on the mind of the unhappy man, 
 who could then have nothing but death in view, as well as 
 on the feelings of the spectators, may be easier conceived 
 than expressed." 
 
 We turn with pleasure from this distressing scene, to relate 
 acts more congenial. 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 17 
 
 On Scptcmbcu 5tli, 1703, tlio Quehco Gazette announced 
 tlio opening and regulations of the Quebec Sunday Free 
 School, uiult'i" the patronage of Ilis Royal Highness, as fol- 
 lows : — 
 
 " From an ardent desire of promoting the happiness and 
 prosperity of his Majesty's faithful suljjects of this Province, 
 and from the experience of the many and great a.lvantagcs 
 that have been received from the Sunday Schools in England, 
 under the patronage of the nobility and the Royal Family, 
 His Royal Highness Prince Edward has been pleased strongly 
 to recommend to the subscriber to open a Sunday Free School 
 for the benefit of all those of every description who are 
 desirous of acquiring the necessary and useful brandies of 
 education, and will conform to the rules and regulations that 
 Avill bo male for that purpose. 
 
 " The said Free School will therefore be opened on Sunday 
 next, under the patronage and direction of His Royal High- 
 ness, from the hours of ten to three during the winter season, 
 and the public may depend on every exertion on the part of 
 the subscriber, in order to meet in every respect His Royal 
 Highness' benevolent intentions. 
 
 '• The subscriber requests those who wish to attend to give 
 in their names as soon as possible. He may be seen every 
 day from nine to twelve and from two to five, at the Aca- 
 demy in the Bishop's Palace, where young people of both 
 sexes Avill bo taught in separate apartments, all the various 
 branches of literature, on terms most suitable to their cir- 
 cumstances. Jas. Tanswell." 
 
 *' Rule 2nd. — Every one of His Majesty's subjects of 
 whatever description, will be admitted into this school and 
 educated gratis, on condition of good behaviour and confor- 
 mity to such rules and regulations as may from time to time 
 be made for the better conductingthe same. 
 
 " Rule oth. — Reading, writing, and the various branches 
 of arithmetic, shall be constantly taught ift both languages ; 
 and particular care taken to render the acquisition of the 
 English language as easy as possible, to His Majesty's new 
 Canadian subjects." 
 
 The following advertisement shows that slavery still 
 existed in Canada, though a Bill was then before the Legis- 
 lature for its abolition : 
 
18 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 "to be sold. 
 
 " A likely, healthy, stout Mulatto man, aged 23 years ; 
 has been used to house work, speaks both French and Eng- 
 lish, and is fit for any hard labor. 
 " Inquire of the Printer. 
 " Quebec, 9th October, 1793." 
 
 On Sunday, lOtli November, a dreadful fire broke out in 
 Sault au Matelot street. Prince Edward and Lord Dorches- 
 ter were present during the whole night, giving assistance and 
 encouraging by their personal example, and in consequence 
 the House of Assembly, then in session, passed an address, in 
 which they acknowledged " the ardent zeal and indefatigable 
 ability which His Royal Highness displayed on all occasions, 
 for the protection of their property and the security of their 
 lives." 
 
 Tne masonic fraternity also presented him with an address, 
 bearing testimony to his " gracious and engaging condescen- 
 sion, and exemplary conduct" in every part of his duty. 
 
 He honored with his friendship Chief Justice Sewell, Mr. 
 Hale, Bishop Mountain, Bishop de Capse, M. Renauld, curd 
 of Beauport, Pere de Berrey, the last Superior of the Recollets, 
 Mr. Allsop, and, above all, M. Louis de Salaberry, for whom 
 and whose family he formed a strong and lasting attachment. 
 But finding the maintenance of his position incompatible with 
 his limited means, and being anxious for active employment, 
 in December, 1793, he solicited an appointment under Sir 
 Charles Grey, then engaged in the reduction of the French 
 West India Islands, and was ordered to proceed there in 
 January, 1794, and left Quebec immediately before his de- 
 parture could bo made public — when it was known that he 
 was gone, addresses poured in from all quarters. An extract 
 from one of these, with his reply, will furnish a fair sample 
 of the whole. The addresses were received at the Chateau, 
 by Lord Dorchester, who caused it to be known, that " The 
 state of His Royal Highness' health -^vould not permit 
 his going by Halifax during the Avinter, and that in order to 
 lose as little time as possible, he had taken the shortest and 
 most expeditious route to join his command." 
 
 Extract from Address, 14th February, 1794 :—" The 
 amiable qualities of benevolence and attention mapifested by 
 your Royal Highness towards therelief and protection of our 
 fellow citizens in the hour of distress, as well as your con- 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 19 
 
 descension antl urbanity to all who have occasionally had 
 the honor to approach your Royal Highness, have invariably 
 claimed our admiration and gratitude." 
 
 Extract from His Royal Highness' reply : — "Nothing can 
 flatter me more, than to learn from you, that my conduct 
 during my residence in this Province has gainei your friend- 
 ship, by meriting your approbation. Be assured that though 
 I go with cheerfulness to the post assigned me by the King, 
 my father, I shall not leave Quebec without real regret, nor 
 without carrying with me a remembrance of the marks of 
 friendship and consideration I have experienced here." 
 
 He proceeded through the United States, intending to 
 embark at Boston, and on crossing Lake Champlain, two of 
 the sleds carrying his whole equipage, broke through the ice 
 and were lost. On arriving at Burlington on the 13th 
 February, the following characteristic note was sent in to 
 him : 
 
 To His Royal Highness Princo Edward. 
 
 Sir, — Dictated by tlie principles of common civility and 
 politeness, and possibly urged by an unwarrantable anxiety to have 
 an interview with your Royal Highness, in behalf of the most res- 
 pectable gentlemen of this place, we have to request you to appoint 
 an hour (commencing after six o'clock, p. ni., on account of the 
 business of the court) which will be most agreeable to you to receive 
 that respectful attention due to your rank, and you may be assured, 
 although in a strange couutry, that protection is equally at your 
 command, with the greatest subject oi' the United States. 
 We are with the greatest respect, 
 
 Your most obedient servants, 
 
 Elnathan Keyes, 
 John Bishop, 
 William Prentice. 
 
 And the following answer returned : 
 
 Gentlemen, — I am commanded by His Royal Highness Prince 
 Edward, to return you his best thanks for your polite attention, and 
 at the same time to say, that if half-past six o'clock this evening will 
 be a convenient hour to you, he shall esteem himself much flattered 
 by his having the pleasure of seeing you. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, 
 
 With great respect, 
 Your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 FllED. AUQT. WeTHERALL, 
 
 2 
 
20 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 This chapter cannot be concluded more appropriately than 
 by an extract from "Lambert's Travels in Canada," pub- 
 lished in 1816 : " His Royal Highness during his residence 
 in Canada, paid great attention to the inhabitants, partic- 
 ularly to the French, to whom he gave commissions for their 
 sons. His politeness and affability gained him the esteem of 
 the people, many of whom I believe, really look upon him as 
 their saint and patron ; at least, such is the way in which I 
 have heard him spoken of." 
 
 It is anticipating, but in concluding this chapter in the 
 morning of the life of the Duke of Kent, I may remark that 
 many, especially such as from misapprehension have been 
 led to form an erroneous estimate of his conduct and charac- 
 ter,' may have supposed, that as he was comparatively inex- 
 perienced in the ways of the Avorld at the time of his residence 
 in Canada, his utterances were the mere impulses of generous 
 but thoughtless youth. But as age in no degree diminished 
 the warmth of his affections or the steadfastness of his friend- 
 ships, neither did his mature intellect, enlightened by 
 experience, lead him in the noon and evening of his days to 
 alter his views of a kind, a conciliatory and a just policy 
 which he had on all occasions advocated and practised in the 
 morning of life. And well would it have been for Canada, 
 well would it have been for Great Britain, had he obtained 
 what was at one time a cherished object of Lis ambition 
 — the Government of Canada. 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 21 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Arrival in West Indies— Active Service — Gallantry in Action — Tbanks of 
 Parliament — Halifax — Commanding. 
 
 1794 AND 1795. 
 
 Soon after his arrival at Boston, a packet carrying eight 
 guns came into harbour, en route for tlie West Indies, and 
 he proceeded in her. In the course of the passage, they 
 were several times chased by the enemy, but had the good 
 fortune to escape, and he reached his destination in safety. 
 He was at once assigned a command, and entered upon hia 
 duties with great spirit and activity. He headed several 
 storming parties, on attacks of important forts in Martinique 
 and Guadaloupe, and his daring bravery secured him general 
 admiration. At Martinique he exposed himself to so much 
 personal danger, as to draw upon him a llattering rebuke 
 from Sir Charles Grey, whilst it raised him in the estimation 
 of his brother officers, and, as might have been expected, 
 made him extremely ])opular with the sohliers. He also 
 distinguished himself in the attack on Fort Morne Fortund ; 
 and at the capture of Guadaloupe, in April following, he led 
 on the first division to the attack of the post on Morne 
 Marcot, which was so ably executed as to command the 
 highest eulogium in the despatch of the Commander in Chief. 
 For these services both Houses of the British Parliament and 
 the Irish House of Commons passed a vote of thanks ; he 
 being the only member of the Royal Family wlio ever re- 
 ceived a vote of thanks for actual service in the field. The 
 Rev. Erskine Neale has pointed out : 
 
 " Thfit when he arrived at Martinique, he was destii-ute 
 of all but tlie clothes on his person. 
 
 "His br ivery formed the subject of special commendation 
 to the King by the General Commanding in Chief. 
 
 " Where danger was the greatest the Prince was always 
 to be found. 
 
 " Where the battle raged with the fiercest fury, he was 
 sure to be present. 
 
22 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 "He never loitered five or ten miles m rear of theconilict, 
 or arrived a day too late to perform his duty. 
 
 " He led every man to his post, and nevei' deserted his 
 own. 
 
 " Yet," he continues, " the daring commander, the popu- 
 lar soldier, the ohedient and actively employed son, -was left 
 to bear as he best might, the degradation and annoyance 
 inseparable from inadequate income, and increasing embar- 
 rassments ; not an effort was made for his release ; oven 
 definite promises were forgotten. The Gibraltar debt still 
 pressed heavily on his burdened resources, though the King 
 himself had pledged his Royal word he would defray it." 
 And worst of all, Mr. Neale gives an extract from a letter 
 •which he was permitted to allude to, not to transcribe, in 
 which in the bitterness of his heart, wrung with the deepest 
 sense of injury and injustice, he wrote : — "The West Indies! 
 The wish entertained about me in certain quarters, when 
 serving there, loas that I might fall." 
 
 The campaign of 179i being terminated, he received 
 orders to return to North America, and establish his head- 
 quarters at Halifax as Commander in Chief of the forces in 
 Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Chief Justice the late 
 Sir Brenton Haliburton has Avritten that he arrived in 
 Halifax in the month of October, and that he was one of the 
 subalterns of the guard of honor that received him. But 
 Sir Brenton's memory must have failed him, as to the date, 
 for we have now before us a letter written by him from 
 Halifax on the 14th July. 
 
 It has been stated in a preceding chapter, that while he 
 resided in Canada, he had endeavoured to conciliate the 
 French Canadians, the 7iohle8se or seigneurs of whom were 
 numerous, and proud of the antiquity of their families, and 
 the military glory of their ancestors, and though not rich 
 were highly respected by the'r feudal retainers or eensitaires, 
 and who, in a country where living was cheap, and tastes 
 simple and inexpensive, were able to support the dignity of 
 their position. He saw the wisdom of directing their aspir- 
 ations into a proper channel, and had accordin\;ly encouraged 
 the young men to seek employment in the military service of 
 His Majesty. 
 
 Mr. Louis de Salaberry had distinguished himself during 
 the late American war, as a loyal subject and true soldier, 
 and his eldest son, Charles Michel, though only a boy, had 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 28 
 
 served two years as a volunteer in H. M. 44th Regt., from 
 which ho was re^i^ularly discharged on its being ordered 
 home. ir. R. H. induced M. de Salaberry to consent to his 
 joining the army, and promised him a commission, which he 
 received in 1794, he being then in his sixteenth year. He 
 proceeded at once to join his regiment in the West Indies, 
 where the Prince had liopcd he woukl arrive before his depar- 
 ture, but in this ho was disappointed, as will appear from the 
 following letter, written in French : — 
 
 Halifax, 14th July, 1794. 
 
 My Dear 3Ir. de Sat.aberry, — I avail m/self, with very great 
 pleasure, of an opportunity which offers to-day, to thank you for 
 your obli;jring letters of the ISth and 2()th May, which I received 
 on the 29th of the past month, after my return from a tour 
 which I hud made to the distant parts of this Province and of New 
 Brunswick. 
 
 Receive my assurance of the full sense of the flattering manner in 
 which you express your joy on ray happy return, and at the success 
 which you have seen has attended mc in my military career. It is 
 true that Providence has extended to me remarkable favor during 
 the whole of the expedition, and when I reflect on the <>ood fortune 
 with which I, in the first place, escaped the pursuit of all the French 
 frigates which were cruisini^; o i the American coast, whilst I was 
 traversing the ocean in a wretched little packet boat of six guns, and 
 tliat after this, on arriving at my post, I found that no aff'air of any 
 moment had occurred, and that I was in time to take part in the 
 whole of the brilliant campaisu ; and, in the second place, of my 
 having escaped in perfect safety both the sword of war and pestil- 
 ence, under which so many of my brave comrades have succumbed, 
 I cannot but wonder at the protection which accompanied me. 
 Rest assured that I do not attribute these events to chance, but that 
 I recognize and revere the Supreme IJeing who has been the dis- 
 poser. My good fortune would have been complete if on my 
 arrival here I had found my friend Madame de St. Laurent. 
 
 I will now entertain you on the subject of your son, and I will say 
 to you that lam more than sorry that he did not join the army before 
 I left, but ho will not be the less well treated the moment mv letters 
 shall arrive. 
 
 No opportunity for the West Indies has offered since I have 
 been informed of his departure ; one may present itself in a few 
 days, and you may be assured that my recommendations in his 
 favor will not be lukewarm. 
 
 I rejoice to learn so delightful a trait in that excellent man Fraser, 
 in his generous conduct towards your young .soldier. Certamly 
 nothing beyond it could be expected from this worthy man, whose 
 
24 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 whole pleasure is to do all the good he can ; it is not easy at pre- 
 sent to find a man of his type. Do me favor to thank him for me, 
 for the obliging offer of his vessel, and assure him most fully how 
 much I am indebted to him for his oficr, and for his noble and 
 generous conduct to my young protene. 
 
 I have learnt with sincere regret the loss you have sustained in 
 the Coadjutor, the more so as I am confident your present 
 Bishop is in no way qualified at the present time to till the 
 place he occupies. I very much fear that the office will bo 
 filled long before my letter will reach the hands of Lord Dorchester, 
 as it recommended your good friend M. Renauld, for whom I enter- 
 tain the most sincere esteem, and also reminded my Lord that you 
 had been most strongly recommended to him by me, at the moment 
 of my departure, and that I hoped he would not lose sight of the 
 promise he then made me, to be useful to you. 
 
 As I propose to address a few lines to Madame de Salabcrry, I 
 ■will add nothing more to this letter. Pray remember me to the 
 ■whole of your family, as also to Pcre de Berrey and the Cure Kcnauld , 
 and I subscribe myself, with sentimeuts of the most distinguished 
 esteem and consideration, 
 
 Your very zealous and devotc.l iriend, 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Halifax, Uth July, 1794. 
 
 My Dear Madam, — Permit me to ofter many thanks for your 
 delightful letter on the subject of your son. I am very .sorry that I 
 cannot find out when he will reach the West Lidies, but you maybe 
 certain that he will not have the least anxiety about the place, any 
 more than myself, till his arrival. I shall write by a ship which 
 will sail in a few days to the officer in command of his Battalion, 
 as well as to the Commander in Chief, so that all your possible 
 anxieties may be removed, and that he, on no occasion, may feel any 
 want. 
 
 I think for the present the garrison will be Tobago, at least his 
 Battalion was there when I left the army. I will be informed if all 
 remain quiet in that part of the world, as from present appearances 
 it will, and when an opportunity of!ers he can exchange into the other 
 Battalion now in Canada. It is better for him, however, to pass 
 at least one year, so that he may be wholly weaned from the paternal 
 roof and ac(|uire the rudiments of the service. 
 
 As to his health, I have reason to believe that you need have no 
 cause of anxiety, for it is a lemark which I make from experience, 
 and which is nearly without exception, that persons under twenty 
 and above forty, bear the climate without feeling any pernicious 
 effect. 
 
 M. de Salabcrry informs me in his letters that my friend believes 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 25 
 
 she is indebted for my safe arrival here, to your prayers ; I assure 
 you, Madam, I join her most cordially in that thought, and am very 
 much indebted for this proof of your remembrance and friendship. 
 I hope I shall have the pleasure to inform you of her safe arrival 
 here in three weeks or a month at most, when I am very certain she 
 will join me in a few lines. 
 
 Pray embrace well for me my little godson and Amelia, and remem- 
 ber me at the same time to Adelaide and her two brothers. 
 
 I see I must now finish, assuring you that I will be always happy 
 when you will permit me to subscribe myself, with sentiments of the 
 most sincere attachment for yourself and your whole family,^ 
 Your very devoted and obedient servant, 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Halifax, 18th November, 1794. 
 
 My Dear Mr. de Salabeury, — I have now before me your 
 three letters of 8th Aug., and IGth and 28th Sept, I am really 
 ashamed of being so long without acknowledging them, but I have 
 been constantly engaged in one way or another, so that I have 
 scarcely had a moment of leisure to myself. I embrace t!ie first 
 moment I have found, to thank you with all my heart, for the assur- 
 ance which you give me of the continuance of your friendship and 
 remembrance. 
 
 I have seen with sorrow the unfriendly steps the Government 
 have taker 'n regard to you, and I am persuaded it is not neces- 
 sary for me o assure you that no one can be more indignant than I 
 am ; but sit ated as we are, I believe it will bo found infinitely the 
 best, hov r . er hard the task may be, for you to retain the situation 
 which you hold, and render all the service in your power, as you 
 have hitherto done, and not resign, as you inform me you propose. In 
 future it is to be hoped, indeed I feel assured, things will be more 
 fortunate, and when the happy moment shall arrive you will always 
 have the satisfaction of thinkino; that notwithstandina; all that has 
 been done to irritate j'ou, //ou lutoe ahnoi/s done your duty with the 
 same good will ; and that nothwithstanding all you have endured 
 you have not drawn it upon yourself, by any fault of your own, and 
 that any recompense you may enjoy, will only be your due. 
 
 I hope that after what I have now said, you will not resign your 
 commission, which, in the first place, you propose to do, and I 
 further flatter myself you will follow my advice on this head, as it 
 has been given to you at your own request. 
 
 I have to inform you that since my last there has been no change 
 in my position, except that orders from His Majesty were sent 
 on the arrival of Madame, appointing me Commandant of the troops 
 here. I do not know for how long a time I shall be permitted to hold 
 the appointment, but I do not apprehend there is any intention to 
 
26 THE DUKE or KENT. 
 
 recall mft to England. ^Ml the letters which the August packet was 
 bringing have been lost, so that if tlicrc was any news for uie, I will 
 not know, till intelligence of the capture shall reach London, and 
 there will bo time to send uie duplicates. 
 
 I am extremely pained that my recommendations in favor of the 
 worthy Cure Kenuuld were not attended to, but I believe that the 
 honest man may amply console himself with the esteem and friend- 
 ship which he so fully possesses, ol' all who know hini. Accept my 
 thanks for the obliging manner in which you and Madame de Sala- 
 berry congratulate me on the happy arrival of Madame. She enjoys 
 here much better health than she did at Quebec, and we are assured 
 that the winter is much less severe and disagreeable, and I flatter 
 myself that in consequence, she will continue to be equally well dur- 
 ing the whole winter. 
 
 I have not received any letter from the Commander in Chief in the 
 West Indies unco I left, but I know that letters which I addressed 
 him on the subject of your sou, have reached him. I am happy to 
 learn that he luis arrived safe and well, and I beg to assure you that 
 I have no hesitation in giving you the hope, that in a short time ho 
 will attain his Lieutenancy. 
 
 You will give me very great pleasure at all times, in communica- 
 ing the news which you may receive from him, for you may rest as- 
 sured that the interest which I take in him will not cease to be 
 e(iually lively, as it was when I did anything in my power to "-et 
 him the appointment. 
 
 I beg that you will have the goodness to send the enclosed to the 
 Cur6 Renauld and the llev. Fbre de Berrey, and I will now conclude, 
 requesting you to assure Madame de Salaberry of my regard, and 
 of the sincere pleasure with which I have heard of the welftire of her- 
 self and children. I embrace Amelia and my little godson with my 
 whole heart, also the rest of the children and yourself, and I sub- 
 scribe myself with most sincere attachment. 
 
 Your most zealous and devoted friend, 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Halifax, 10th March, 1795. 
 
 My Dear Mr. de Salaberry,— On Friday last, the 6th 
 March, I had the pleasure of receiving by the Quebec mail, your 
 obliging letter of the 29th January, for which pray accept my most 
 sincere thanks. 
 
 Permit me to a.ssure you that I am extremely flattered that in 
 consequence of my last letter, you have decided, notwithstanding 
 the disagreeable things to which you have been subjected, to retain 
 your military appointment. The time is approaching, and will not 
 be long, when your affairs may take another turn. 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 27 
 
 It appears at length distinctly understood, that Lord Dorchester 
 has requested his recall, and whoever is appointed his successor, it 
 will be very hard indeed to make an impression on him if I do not 
 succeed in persuadinj^ him to better your position. Opinions are 
 very divided as to whether his successor will combine in Ills person 
 the civil and military command, or whether it will be thought better 
 to appoint two persons to fill these posts. As for me I am unable 
 to form any opinion on the subject, but if a separation of these 
 offices take place, and if it be the intention of His Majesty to keep 
 me any length of time absent from England, I think it will be barely 
 possible that any other officer than myself should be nominated to 
 the military command, the more so, as I am at present the senior officer 
 in rank after Lord Dorchester in British North America. Though 
 this would not give me any right to meddle in civil matters, it is 
 natural to suppose that any recommendation which I might address 
 to the Governor General would be attended to, as having more 
 weight than any other that could be placed before him. As I be- 
 lieve you must be convinced of my great desire to do everything to 
 serve you whenever it !<hall be in my power, you must be persuaded 
 that more lii'.pny days are in store for you. 
 
 Madame de 8i. l^aurent has charged me to assure you, Madame 
 de Salaberry, :ind your numerous family, of her afFectionate remem- 
 brance ; she would have replied to your kind letter by this day's 
 post, did not a cut on the hand prevent her from aolding the pen 
 with facility, but she promises to avail herself of ihe first oppor- 
 tunity that offers. Pray do not fail to assure Madame and all your 
 ftunily of my remembrance and friendship ; you know that 1 always 
 reserve a special compliment for little Amelia. I rejoice much to 
 learn the strong resemblance which she bears to our young soldier, 
 now a Lieutenant. 
 
 Lastly, we have not had any vessel leaving for the West Indies 
 (Tobago, where his regiment is in garrison), but you may depend 
 when we hear of any, it will be communicated to you. I must now 
 conclude, charging you to inform the worthy Gur6 Renauld, that I 
 had great pleasure in receiving his letter, for which I give him a 
 thousand tiianks. Expecting that I shall receive news in your letter, 
 which I shall wait for with impatience, 
 
 I subscribe, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 "We now give the "news" from our "youDg soldier," and 
 our readers will bear in mind that the letter was written by a 
 boy sixteen yci«rs of age, some seventy years ago, and at 
 that time by no means familiar with the English language. 
 
28 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 Prince Rupert's Head, Dominica, 
 
 March 7th, 1795. 
 
 Dear Father,— I can assure you that I should have wrc.o 
 you a long time ago, had I had an opportunity to do it. T am 
 indeed very happy in having received yours, which learns (s/t) me that 
 you are very well ; and at the same time gives me a convenience of 
 giving you a faithful account of what has happened to me since I 
 left Quebec. 
 
 In the first place, my dear father, I joined a part of the Regiment 
 stationed at St. Vincent, the 28th July, and '.vns exceedingly well 
 received by the officers that were there. They told me that I was 
 the oldest Ensign, and that I should certainly be made Lieutenant 
 immediately. You may conceive how glad I was to learn that. 
 
 Cuptain Forstcr, to whom I was recommended, being at Martin- 
 ique at the time I went there, gave mo a letter of introduction to 
 the commanding officer at St. Vincent, which made me get a good 
 reception, and I was immediately appointed to the light company. 
 
 I hope you will have the goodness to thank all the gentlemen who 
 gave me letters of recommendation, because they have served me a 
 great deal. As to the Major, I have not yet seen him, because he 
 remains with six companies at Tobago, and I am with the flank 
 companies, always running from one place to another, which thing 
 makes my delight, hating to stay in the same place a long time. 
 
 I have made a campaign already. I was sent to Guadaloupe un- 
 der the command of General Prescott, to defend Fort Matilda, 
 which was to be besieged by the rascals who had taken Pointe lo 
 Peter. We have been blockaded there for two months. As you 
 ask me if I know my duty, I hope I shall give you a satisfactory 
 answer. The first guard I have mounted was before the enemies, 
 and I can tell you that in the course of these two months we had so 
 very few officers, that I have often been for two days and two nights 
 on guard together, looking at the shots and shells, and men falling 
 down by my sides, xcMch at night is a very 'pretty sight indeed. 
 The sixth of December particularly, that I was on guard upon the 
 most dangerous part of the ramparts, they kept such fire upon us, 
 thftt I saw above five hundred shots and fifty shells fired upon us in 
 fi\e hours, insomuch that almost all the men that were upon the 
 battery were either killed or wounded, except myself and two or 
 three others ; in short, my dear father, I think I shall be as lucky as 
 my grandfather was. Do not be angry if I talk so much of myself, 
 but I should think it very natural for a young man, who has been 
 before the enemies, so young as I am, to talk a little, 
 
 I had two guineas left when I arrived at the regiment, and re- 
 ceived about forty pounds sterling afterwards ; this I employed in 
 getting clothes. Our uniform is very rich and consequently very 
 4ear. I am obliged to be a great economist, aod indeed drink no 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 29 
 
 wine, because my pay is only sufficient to ,c;ivo mo my necessaries. 
 You say iu Canada tluit everything is dear tiicre, but I can tell you 
 that all thinj^s are three times as dear hero, and you may jud^c a little 
 ot'itby what I am ^oini^ to tell you. I am nbli<;ed to ^ive for my 
 messing, three dollars a week in money, and all my rations besides; 
 and lor washing, lour dollars a month. Nothwithstunding all that 
 you may be sure that I will not run into debt. 
 
 I v/as going to forget telling you that I was made Lieutenant by Sir 
 Charles Grey, the 25th August last, and was also appointed from 
 home about the same time; I am now third Jiieutenant of the 
 llegiment, and hope to be Captain lofore eighteen months. 
 Since (ieneral Vaughan is here the promotion goes no longer in 
 each regiment, it only goes in the army, that is to say in this army. 
 There is a great deal of it liere, because the officers are doing all 
 kinds of debauch, which makes them die very fast. But m, for me 
 I shall take care of myself I have been sick but once yet. I sup- 
 ported the fatigues of Fort Matilda as well as the best of them 
 there. 
 
 As for a fencing master I am sorry to tell you, that I have not 
 been able to find one yet, because my company never remains in the 
 same place long enough to undertake anything of that kind, but I 
 can give you my word of honor that the first opportunity that olfers 
 about it I shall not miss it. 1 am at this moment quartered in a very 
 bad place, but as soon as the reinforcements will be arrived, we shall 
 go back to St. Vincent ; there you may direct the letters you will 
 write to me. AVc expect every day to receive about fifteen thous- 
 and men to retake Guadaloupe, and a gentleman is at this moment 
 telling me that they were arrived at Barbadoes. The Kegiment is 
 also expecting to be dratted every day; almost all our men are dead; 
 we are only two hundred strong now. In that case we shall go to 
 England immediately, and perhaps I may get leave to go to 
 Canada. Though this country is very unhealthy, I cannot help 
 being very fond of it. 
 
 The concluding part of tbis letter is unfortunately lost. 
 
 Halifax, 3rd May, 1795. 
 My Dear IMr. de Salaberry, — The mail which arrived here 
 the 30th of last month, brought me your obliging letter of the 
 Tuh March, with the kind postscript of your worthy wife. The 
 mail from England which came in yesterday, did not give 
 me any certain intelligence of my ultimate destination ; what it 
 may be I cannot presume, but my mind will be set at rest on that 
 head on the safe arrival of Captain Vcsey, with my letters and 
 despatches. I am also given to understand that the coming 
 mail will bear the orders of His Majesty for some advantageous 
 
80 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 chnnfijo in my position. Lord Dorchester in announcing to me 
 his intention of soliciting;' hi.s recall, had certainly the intention of 
 facilitatinpf my chances as his successor if I should find it to my 
 advantage to apply for the post, for he has certainly given me the first 
 intelligence, the proof of which is indubitable, rs neither the Duke of 
 York, who is now Commander in Chief of the English Army, in the 
 place of Lord Amherst, nor the Adjutant General Faucet, knew any- 
 thing of it, before my letter. I believe I may say in conserjucncc, 
 that I will be either recalled or named Commander in Chief instead 
 of My Lord, but I say to you frankly, that the last appears to me 
 most probable. 
 
 As to who will be Civil Governor, it is impossible for me to form 
 an opmion, but I shall only say, that it is a post which I do not 
 think at present of seeking, but which I shall strive to (ill with honor, 
 if His Majesty shall be pleased to give it me, of his own free will. 
 I have not hitherto been accustomed to transact any but military 
 affairs, but nevertheless should it be found necessary to conjoin the 
 civil and military functions, I believe that with patience and zeal I 
 shall be found competent to discharge the duties. Having made use 
 of the word "seeking," it is necessary, lest you should form a false 
 idea of the steps which I have taken, to let you know what they arc. 
 I have reason to see that I may be only recalled by His Majesty, as 
 I am the senior general serving in America, and in consequence, if 
 it should be thought well to prolong my .*itay in this part of the 
 globe, I hope that another will not be sent to take the command 
 which (jomes to me of right. You can now sec fully what I judge 
 to be my duty, or wish it to be, but as to anything else wliich may 
 happen, it will be altogether from the good will of His Majesty, for 
 ■which I will be under obligation. 
 
 A s for yourself, be fully persuaded, that as soon as My Lord shall 
 be gone, whatever my position may be, I .shall not rest content till I 
 have found you something better than you have got. I will have 
 very great pleasure in having in my own hands, the means of ren- 
 dering you independent of all future hardships on the part of fortune, 
 and I confess I do not regard this as impossible. \\\ the meantime, 
 let us take things as we find them, for of uiy own will I have not the 
 power, and it is to quiet your anxiety on that head, that I have 
 reiterated my decided intention, not to rest till I have obtained for 
 you such an appointment as you desire. 
 
 Many thanks for the warmth with which you and Madame express 
 the hope that we may return to Quebec. Be persuaded this hope 
 ■will be realized, and that we will have the real pleasure of expressing 
 face to face, those f;entiments of sincere attachment which I now 
 describe. 
 
 The Lieutenancy of our young protdge is fully confirmed, but I 
 much fear General Christie will not move very quickly, still I assure 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 81 
 
 you he has pot a step in advance, and I am so perfectly convinced of 
 this, that I shall now endeavor to },'et him appointed Lieutenant of 
 ray own, tin; (iOth Ref:;t., as the chanp;e T hclieve will he for his j^ood. 
 The ships which have lately come from the West Indies, do not 
 brin<^ any news from Tobajjo, so I have none to give you at present, 
 but you may depend that the instant we receive any I will communi- 
 cate it to you. I will conclude at present by offering to Madame 
 de Salaberry mai y assurances of my attachment. I embrace with 
 my whole heart little Amelia and my god.son, not forgetting to sub- 
 scribe myself, witl: every sentiment of sincere esteem, my dear de 
 Salaberry, 
 
 Your sincere and devoted friend, 
 
 Edward, 
 Commanding in Nova Scotia and its Dep'y. 
 
 Halifax, 26th May, 1795. 
 
 Mv Dear Mr. de Salaberry, — Although occupied beyond ex- 
 pression, as the packet is to leave for London to-morrow, I am 
 unwilling to let the mail depart to-day, without writing a few 
 lines to acknowledge the receipt of your obliging letter of 25th 
 April. 
 
 I rejoice at your promotion, by which you have, f;." the time, got 
 the addition of one hundred and eighty pounds to your small revenue, 
 for I consider it certain that before five days passed after the date 
 of your letter, you will have completed your number of forty, and 
 that in consequence you will have obtained your post, pay, and com- 
 mission. 
 
 I augur, after this commencement, that the change for the 
 better in your fortune, which Madame and I predicted, has at length 
 taken place. I will not say more, but that you may find a little of 
 that comfort, ec que cela ate lieu hitn avanl que vofre attinte soit 
 devenue trop longue. 
 
 The April packet has not yet arrived, but is expected every hour, 
 and it iri to be presumed it will decide my fate, if not, the next one 
 most certainly will. You will be sure that I will have great pleasure 
 in informing you one of the first, of the result. In the meantime, 
 not having anything to communicate that would interest you, I will 
 finish my letter, commending myself especially to the remembrance 
 of Madame de Salaberry and presenting a thousand remembrances to 
 you and the children. 
 
 I subscribe myself, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Halifax, 16th July, 1795. 
 My Dear Mr. de Salaberry, — Eight days ago I received by 
 mail your obliging letter of the 12th June. The English mails 
 
32 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 for the months of May and Juno arrived here more than fifteen 
 days ago, but I am not yet in possession of anything decisive as 
 to my fate, except that I may not expect to return to Europe this 
 year. 
 
 It is said that Lord Mulgrave who is one of the new Lieut. - 
 Generals and Colonel of an Infantry regiment, has been named 
 Lieut.-Governor of Lower Canada, in place of General Clarke, who 
 has gone to the East Indies. If this is true, I think he will arrive 
 immediately at Quebec, and that My Lord will leave as soon as he 
 arrives, and in consequence the military command in chief will de- 
 volve on me, without adding a single farthing to my pay, but with 
 all the great labor attached to it. I believe this will be the case, 
 because the ministry will thereby avoid the extraordinary expense for 
 a pension for 3Iy Lord, who being in England on leave, will enjoy 
 the whole of the revenue (likely till the peace) the same as if he were 
 present. In which case I shall undoubtedly remain here, for unless 
 a positive order from His Majesty shall oblige the Commander of 
 the Forces to reside at Quebec, Halifax is without dispute the place 
 where for every reason Headquarters should be. 
 
 By the September mail I expect ta see the order arrive for placing 
 your son in my regiment. I have at length definitely arranged that 
 his name will immediately appear in the Gazette, and an order shall 
 be made for him to repair hither, and if he shall have the good for- 
 tune to find an opportunity when the order reaches him, I believe 
 that he may be here before Christmas. I believe it is not necessary 
 for me to say, that I shall regard the moment when I can announce 
 to you his arrival here in good health, as most agreeable to me, un 
 account of the satifaction which I conceive you and your worthy 
 wife will feel. , 
 
 Pray convey to Madame de Salaberry, to little Amelia, to my 
 godson, and the other children, my special remembrancer Madame 
 St. Laurent is well, and sends a thousand compliments, but being 
 absolutely without any news, she does not write on this occasion, 
 but reserves that pleasure for some days hence, when she flatters 
 herself, she will have received news on a subject interesting to our- 
 selves, and all our friends. 
 
 As for me, not having anything more to say, I shall finish my 
 letter by subscribing, &c.,, 
 
 Edward, 
 
 Commanding in Nova Scotia, &o. 
 
 Halifax, 31st August, 1796. 
 
 My Dear Mr. de Salarerry, — Though I am terribly busy, 
 having scarcely one moment's leisure, I cannot permit the mail to 
 leave without addressing a few lines to you, to acknowledge the 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 83 
 
 receipt of your obiiging letter of 7th August. I received at the 
 same time one from the Marquis du Barrail, in whoso favor I 
 immediately wrote to the Duke of Portland, by the packet which 
 left the next day for Falmouth. I have written the Marquis by 
 this mail, and have taken the liberty to forward the letter to your 
 care, and will thank you to have the kindness to give it to him on 
 receipt. 
 
 Madame St. Laurent will have explained to you that the extraor- 
 dinary promotion cyour son, will be the greatest possible hindrance 
 to his joining my regiment as Lieutenant, since he would come in of 
 necessity, as one of a great number, His 3Iajesty having given orders 
 that the rank of officers will be by Regiment and not by Battalion, 
 as I thouglit, when I supposed that he would enter my regiment at 
 the head of all the Lieutenants of tlie second Battalion ; but you 
 may depend that the moment I find I =hall have it in my power to 
 enter him as Captain, I will strive to accomplish it. I am well 
 pleased with the extract from his letter, and I earnestly beg you to 
 let him know when you write him, how much pleasure the reading of 
 it has given me, for you know how much pride I have in seeing him 
 rise. 
 
 As for M. de Hertel, I regret that it is not in my power at present 
 to comply with your wish in regard to liim, for ever since the month 
 of June, the recommendations for all the Jjieutenancies, in accordance 
 with promises made, have been transuiitted to London, and I expect 
 by next packet to receive the commissions signed by the King. 
 
 We expect by every packet, the orders which will decide whether 
 My Lord will remain on leave, but at present we know nothing more 
 than I have communicated to you month by month. 
 
 Pray give a thousand compliments from me to Madame de 
 Salaberry, and to all your children, but specially to Amelia and my 
 little godson, and now permit me to repeat to yourself, all those sen- 
 timents of esteem and consideration with which 
 
 I always subscribe myself, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 His Royal Highness ha.ving lost, as we have seen, his bag- 
 gage on Lake Champlain, it became necessary on his return 
 from the West Indies, and assumption of the command at 
 Halifax, to order an outfit for his establishment, at a cost of 
 X2,000 stg., which was shipped in 1794 on board the An- 
 telope, unfortunately captured by the French fleet. In 
 1795, another outfit, the fifth since his start in life at 
 Gibraltar, was ordered, but it also fell a prey to the enemy, 
 with the TankerviUey in which it had been shipped. 
 
34 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Halifax — Lieutenant General — Garrison Intemperance — Parade — French Fleet — 
 Chain boom — Prince's Lodge. 
 
 1795 AND 1796. 
 
 Halifax, 2ud November, 1795. 
 
 My Dear Mr. de Salaberry,— I have put off till to-day to 
 thank you for your last kind letter, but I have been too much 
 engaged in preparing my despatches for England, to find a moment's 
 leisure to give you the news. 
 
 My fate is at last decided, tm^ I am to remain at my present 
 post till the close of the war. My Lord is succeeded by General 
 Prescott, who is perhaps with you already, at least my letters lead me to 
 think so. He is a brave soldier, and a man, firm, unchangeable and 
 without ceremony. The moment that I shall have ascertained for 
 certain that he has arrived, I will without ceremony write him in 
 your behalf, and I hope he will take the first opportunity to better 
 your position. I know him slightly, having served with him in the 
 West Indies, and I flatter myself he will not refuse the first favor 
 which T have asked of him, and I repeat that I will put it to him 
 with all mj force. 
 
 As to your son, he has been appointed Lieutenant in my regiment, 
 according to my first recommendation in his favor, but I have taken 
 it upon myself to refuse the Lieutenancy for him, for being aware 
 that he is at the head of the list in his own Battalion, I would bo 
 doing him manifest injury, by permitting him to change his present 
 position. Colonel Wetherall w'ho goes to the West Indies by the 
 first opportunity, to join his regiment, will convey a letter from mc 
 to Sir llalph Abercromby, the Commander-in-Chief, from which you 
 •will be convinced that your son will not be forgotten, and I hope 
 that at the end of the campaign, I shall have it in my power to con- 
 gratulate you on his promotion to the rank of Captain. I assure 
 you that according to my information I look upon this as certain. 
 If you wish during the current winter to send a letter to your son, 
 I will take care that it shall reach him. I know that opportunitiea 
 are very rare at Quebec at this season of the year, and it is on that 
 account that I make you this offer. I have little news to add except 
 to announce the arrival of my second Battalion, xihich is in fact so 
 miscrahly composed, that one half the men are so execrable that I 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 86 
 
 must endeavor to get rid of them ; and the other half "will give me 
 a great deal of toil and trouble before I can make anything of 
 them. 
 
 But it is now time for me to conclude, as my letter must be mailed 
 immediately. Tray give a thousand compliments to Madame 
 de 8alaborry and the cliildrcn ; also, from Madame de St. Laurent. 
 And as for yourself believe me to be, at all times and places. 
 
 Tour most sincere and devoted, 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Halifax, 13th March, 1796. 
 
 My Dear Mr. de Salaberry, — I have to thank you for two 
 kind letters', the one of the 26th December and the other of 21st 
 January, which both reached me on the 5th March. I am very 
 happy tc find that the arrangements which I have made in regard 
 to your son, are equally agreeable to yourself and Madame de 
 Salaberry. I have reason to know that every step has been taken 
 for hla further promotion, and I am confident that he will be 
 advanced to the Captaincy before the close of the campaign. Believe 
 me that I take no less lively interest in him than you do yourself. 
 
 I take this opportunity of repeating that as soon as I shall have 
 learned the arrival of General Prescott, I will not fail to send you a 
 letter to him, which will have the effect, unless I greatly mistake, 
 to inflaence him at once in your favor. 
 
 I have duly received the pucket from the Marquis de Barrail. I 
 will have the pleasure to reply by next mail, for positively I have no 
 time to do it as I could wish to-day. 
 
 As to my return to Canada, it is very evident at present that I 
 will not leave the place as long as it is His 3Iajesty's pleasure to re- 
 tain General Prescott as Lieut.-Governor. My own opinion is, that 
 as long as the war continues, no retiring pension will be given to my 
 Lord, but he will have permission to remain on leave in England, in 
 enjoyment of the revenues of the post ; consequently it will be 
 necessary to wait till the absolute retirement of my Lord, before I 
 can judge i/it is to be viy destiiv/ to be one day Governor General 
 of British Nortli America, or not. 
 
 I see clearly that you appear to be very much occupied, from the 
 description which you give me of your civil and military duties. It 
 is indeed amusing to learn the steps which your Commandant hag 
 thought proper to take in consequence of the little frolic of the 
 officers of the 26th Regt. ; one thing is evident, that to those who 
 are ignorant of the causes which led to such arrangements, they seem 
 simply ridiculous. 
 
 Madame St. Laurent, who writes you by this mail, will have ex- 
 3 
 
36 THE DUKE OP KENT. 
 
 plained to you the impcdsibility of giving Mr. Hertel immediately a 
 Lieutenancy in the GOth, for his position as Ensign in the Koyal 
 Canadians does not give him any rank in the army, and as a conse- 
 quence he can never obtain in succession the rank of Lieutenant 
 in any regiment, except in a corps in which there is no Eni^ign, 
 and I may remark that mine is tlie only one in the whole army in 
 which the lowest grade is that of Lieutenant; you yourself know the 
 obstacles which beset this object ; be persuaded I much regret 
 them. 
 
 No packet having arrived since that of the month of November, I 
 am absolutely without news, so I will finish by subscribing, &c., &c. 
 
 Edwaud, 
 
 Halifax, 30th May, 179G. 
 
 My Dear Mr. de Salaberry, — I take the opportunity of 
 the mail which leaves to day, to thank you for your two kind 
 letters, the one of the 18th March, which came to liand on the 
 22nd of last month, and the other of 28th April, which I received 
 on 29th inst. I am very sensible of the manner in which you 
 express yourself on the subject of the current report of my having 
 been a long time very ill. This report like many others is ridi- 
 culously exaggerated, for though it is true that in the middle of 
 winter, I had an attack — a very severe one — of sore throat accom- 
 panied by fever and pain in the head, it did not last four days 
 altogether. It is equally without foundation what is said of my 
 return to England, for I believe it is very certain that it is not the 
 intention of His Majesty to recall me before the termination of the 
 war. 
 
 I am very happy to announce at last the appoirtment of Mr. 
 Hertel to a Lieutenancy. I know that this will give you great plea- 
 sure, and it is very certain he could not have been appointed at a 
 better time. 
 
 I give you many thanks for your kind congratulavions on my late 
 military promotion. It has <jivcn mi/scif v>ji»l.te satisfaction, as it 
 is no eijuicocal j)ruof of the ajyprobation with which Ills Maje:-tj/ has 
 deigned to honor me. 
 
 Madame de St. Laurent having informed me that you have not 
 received any letters from us since the commencement of this year, I 
 referred at once to my letter book, and I find that I wrote to you on 
 the 12th March, and ihe 11th of the past month, so that this is the 
 third. I believe also that the first enclosed one from Madame de 
 St. Laurent, the same as this does. You may depend I will take 
 the greatest possible care of the letter to your son la the West 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 37 
 
 Indies. I have at lonfijth liad occasion to write to the Commander 
 in Chief there, and you may be assured that I did not forget my 
 young i)roU<j6 in my letter. 
 
 There remains nothing more, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Halifax, 2nd July, 1796. 
 ]My Dear Mr. deSalaberry, — As I intend to leave to-morrow, 
 to visit the posts of Windsor and Annapolis, I did not intend to 
 reply to your letter of 28th May till my return, but the unex- 
 pected arrival of your son here, yesterday morning, in seventeen 
 days from Dominica, oflFers me a most interesting opportunity, which 
 I cannot permit to pass without communicating the news. 
 
 It appears that General Abercromby, not having received any 
 other order in regard to your son, but that announcing his removal 
 from the GOth to my regiment, judged it right to order him to re- 
 port himaelf here without delay. In consc(iuence he had no choice 
 but to obey this order. My intention now is to let him remain with 
 my regiment while awaiting the reply from London, to the several 
 letters which 1 have written to my brother explaining to him that it 
 would not be for the interest of our young prutiijd now to exchange 
 into my regiment. I imagine that the June packet, which wo 
 expect at the end of the month, will enable us to speak decidedly of his 
 position, and consequently to determine what will be best for him to 
 do. In any case be assured that whatever decision may be arrived 
 at, his interests will not t^uft'er. I shall wait a little, and by and 
 bye write to my brother, who desires nothing more ardently than to 
 do strict justice to every officer, and who will most cordially remedy 
 any little thing which has gone wrong for the moment with your 
 son. If he has replaced him in the Lieutenancy of the GOth, when he 
 was appointed to my regiment with this assurance from me (and you 
 know that 1 never speak jjositiveh/ without hcing thorou(jhli/ con- 
 vinced ofuihat I say), you may rest content under the firm assurance 
 that nothing could have happened more fortunately for your son than 
 his having received from the Commander in Chief in the West Indie.s 
 the order to come here. He is now in perfect health, though he says 
 he suffered much from fever at Dominica. He is tall, being I think 
 nearly five foot eight inches, he is well formed and his manners are 
 very good ; he speaks English thoroughly, and writes I believe as 
 wel' Everybody gives him the best possible character in every 
 rc-jpect, and your old friend Governor Hamilton, of Dominica, in 
 particular, has written me a letter very much to his credit, which I 
 believe you will be very much pleased to read, consequently I inclose 
 it, but I beg of you to return it by next mail. 
 
 When I shall have returned from ray journey, I intend to writo 
 
88 THE DUKE OP KENT. 
 
 to General Prescott as soon as I shall know of his actual arrival at 
 Quebec, and it will not be necessary for me, I believe, to repeat that 
 it is my intention to write him most strongly as respects yourself. 
 
 Your son himself having written, I have nothing to add on the 
 subject, but to say, that should an opportunity present, I shall avail 
 myselfofittosend him to you for some days during the coming sum- 
 mer. He is now staying with us for want of better quarters ; this 
 has given me great pleasure, it having afforded an opportunity to 
 shew attention to the son of those who were so kind and hospitable 
 at Beauport. 
 
 I now beg of you to present my compliments to Madame de 
 Salaberry and the rest of the family, but to Amelia in particular. 
 I amvery sensible of the compliment of Abb6 Gazelle, pray assure him 
 of my esteem, as for yourself, 
 
 I always, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Madame St. Laurent has no time to write by this mail, being 
 engaged in preparations for our journey. She proposes to make 
 amends on our return. We propose to be absent nine or ten 
 days. 
 
 Halifax, 18th July, 1796. 
 
 My Dear Mr. de Salaberry. —I have to thank you for 
 your letter of 26th June, received the 14th current ; and I 
 hasten to send you the enclosed to General Prescott, which 
 you will take care to deliver in person. I flatter myself ^it will 
 produce the effect which you wish. I am not a little pleased 
 with the compliment the General paid your son. This is a great 
 honor to our young protigi. I augur from it the best con- 
 sequences to you and him. T have mentioned in my letter that 
 your son served under him at Guadaloupe, and I flatter myself that 
 in consequence you will find him disposed to serve you on every 
 occasion that presents itself. 
 
 Your son is well, and is in fact a perfect model of exactness and 
 attention to duty. He is always with Hardyman, who, from choice, 
 insists on retaining him with himself till further orders. I have for 
 my own satisfaction had him clothed as an officer of Fusileers. I 
 think that after the 12th August .Twill send a company of Chasseurs 
 of the 4th Regt. by a Government vessel to Quebec, and I shall 
 avail myself of the opportunity to send your son to v'sit you. 
 
 I have only time to offer my compliments to Madame de Salaberry, 
 and my remembrances to the little folk, and I subscribe myself, &c. 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Lieutenant de Salaberry had been selected by General 
 
THE DUKE OP KENT. 39 
 
 Prescott to cover with the Grenadier company of his Regi- 
 ment the evacuation of Fort Matilda, and though then only 
 sixteen years of age, he performed the service with such cool 
 bravery as to draw from the General the public acknow- 
 ledgment referred to by the Prince in the above letter. 
 
 Halifax, 1st August, 1796. 
 
 My Dear Mr. de Salaberry, — Nothing in the world could 
 give me more pleasure than I ^ave in now congratulating you on 
 your military promotion. I look upon it as the first step in a 
 general favorable change which is about to take place in your aflPairs. 
 Your letter of 9th July did not arrive till the 29th, and I assure 
 you that nothing could have been more agreeable to me than its 
 contents. 
 
 Having written to General Prescott, as you know, concerning you 
 on the 18th of last May, I believe it will be expedient to wait his 
 reply before I write him again on the same head. I may say to 
 you, that my plan is to endeavour to get you nominated an Executive 
 and Legislative Councillor, the fir»t, for the hundred pounds which 
 belongs to it, and the second for the honor of the thing ; — with that 
 and your majority, I hope that for the present you will be tolerably 
 comfortable. I shall then make it my duty, having accomplished 
 this, to find, if it be possible, something better and more permanent 
 than the majority, for it is wise to use good fortune to secure our- 
 selves from every chance of hard times. 
 
 You must have been much surprised at the arrival of your son in 
 the Pearl frigate. I did n^^t know of the opportunity till after I 
 had reached the parade, when the cannon fired as the signal of de- 
 parture. I at once saw that not a moment was to be lost if so 
 excellent an opportunity was to be taken advantage of. This will 
 be my excuse for not having written you a single line by our young 
 proiegi. He likely arrived to-day, and I do not think that his visit 
 need be terminated till the end of September, as the company of 
 Chasseurs of the 4th Regiment will not leave till towards the 15th 
 current, or later, but he must not remain in Quebec later than the 
 1st September. 
 
 Your surprise at seeing him arrive would not have been so greai, 
 if you had got my letter in which I announced to you his unexpected 
 arrival here, but I fear there is a possibility of your not having 
 received that letter, which as usual, was put under cover to Mr. 
 Goffi,n. I now address your letters to Captain Green of 26th 
 Regiment, and I hope they will reach you with the same regularity 
 as the others. 
 
 Neither of the mails of May or June have arrived, there is posi- 
 
40 " THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 lively nothing new to communicate from tliis part of the world. I 
 will now conclude, &c., &c. 
 
 El>WARD, 
 
 Lieut.-General. 
 
 Halifax, 5th September, 1796. 
 
 My Dear Mr. de Salaberuy, — Though I have no news to 
 communicate, having written you on the 1st August, I am unwilling 
 to let the mail leave to-day witliout writing a few lines to 
 acknowledge the receipt of your letters of 23rd July and 26th 
 August. As to the first, I will say in reply, that it is absolutely 
 impossible for me to promise to Mr. Lind to place him in my 
 Regiment, as the number to whom I am already engaged, and the 
 determination I have come to, not to Uiake any new promises till 
 the old are fulfilled, prevent me. But if Mr. Lind desire an 
 ensigncy for his son, without stipulating any particular quarter of 
 the globe, I believe I may assure him that it will not bo difficult to 
 meet his wishes in that respect, for there arc vacancies occurring 
 daily in the regiments of the line, for which it is difficult to find 
 candidates of age tit to serve. Accordingly I shall wait the result 
 of this communication, before taking action. 
 
 Your second letter, wherein you speak of the pains which I have 
 taken to secure your son's rights, does not require any other answer 
 from me than to assure you of the pleasure I have had in feeling that 
 after so much trouble, the matter has been at length settled accord- 
 ing to my wish. Madanae de St. ]jaurcnt will have told you that 
 he is now replaced in the Ith Battalion of the GOth, where he formerly 
 was, and that conse(iuently I recommend him to inform himself cor- 
 rectly of any opportunity direct from (Quebec this autumn, so that 
 he may join his regiment, and that till such occur, it will be well for 
 him to remain with you. But if there be nothing certain, he had 
 better avail himself of the corvette which conveys the rest of the 
 Chasseurs of the 4th Regiment now in Canada, for after that there 
 will not be mnny opportunities for the West Indies from here. As 
 the corvette will leave in five or six days, there is a likelihood that 
 it will arrive about the same time as this letter. 
 
 I have written by this day's mail to your friend McKay ; without 
 doubt he will communicate to you my letter, and I hope you will 
 •approve the advice I have given him on the subject of his memorial. 
 As Madame de St. Laurent writes Madame de Salaberry by the 
 hands of Captain Smith, I will conclude, &c., &c. 
 
 Edward. 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 41 
 
 Halifax, 3rd October, 1790. 
 
 My Dear Major, — I would have been most uneasy on the 
 subject of your son, if you had not announced his arrival ut the 
 end of your letter. I grieve that Madame de Salaberry had occasion 
 to be so much alarmed, but I hope that the sight of our young 
 friend soon jmt ail to rights. I will have great pleasure in having 
 him again with my regiment. I would have liked to have granted 
 him leave to spring, according to the wish of his excellent mother, 
 but you can judge for yourself, that from the position in which he 
 now is, that it is necessary for him to return to his regiment. I 
 only hope that he may lind an opportunity from Quebec, direct to 
 the West Indies, for then you will be able to keep him longer with 
 you than if it will be neccsr^ary for him to return here in the Govern- 
 ment corvette, but should he be compelled to do this, you may bo 
 assured I will take every care of him. 
 
 Your friend M. Masf;on has arrived safely, he is now staying with 
 Mr. Holland in consequence of letters from his father. His figure ia 
 interesting, and I have a confused recollection of having seen him on 
 our descent on Guadaloupe. I wish with all my heart that it was 
 in my power to render him scrvico, but unfortunately at present I am 
 unable to do more than to procure him a passage to the Islands, 
 when he decides to go. 
 
 Undoubtedly you must already have heard of the arrival of a 
 French fleet on our coast ; it escaped from Brest and made a descent 
 on Newfoundland, and according to our latest information was pre- 
 paring to attack the port of St. John's, which is defended by land by 
 a force of 4,500 men, including Provincials, and by sea, by a ship of 
 50 guns, two frigates and four corvettes. I think that from this 
 force, I may flatter myself 8t. John's cannot be taken, but the 
 fisheries will certainly suffer this year, from the devastations which 
 these Carnuu/no/cs commit wherever they go. As for us we keep 
 ourselves constantly on the alert, lest they should honor us wit^> a 
 visit, which is not impossible, though it may be improbable, but I 
 flatter myself that in the event of a visit we would so conduct our- 
 selves, that they would be glad to retire as quickly as possible. 
 
 Madame de St Laurent will have the pleasure of writing by next 
 mail, &c., &c. 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Here, is the proper place to mention that on the Prince's 
 arrival in Halifax, the habits of the garrison ^rere very dissi- 
 pated, and that the civilians shared largely in the dissipation, 
 and we have the testimony of the late Chief Justice, Sir 
 Brenton Ilaliburton, then a Lieutenant in the garrison, that 
 it was no unusual thing for gentlemen to join the ladi^a in a 
 
42 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 state of intoxication, which woukl now bo considered very 
 disgraceful, but which was then merely laughed at by the 
 ladies themselves. The Prince at once stamped this state of 
 things with his most marked disapprobation, and quickly put 
 an end to it among the military, by parading the troops every 
 morning at 5 o'clock, always attending himself. Gambling 
 also prevailed to a great extent, but the Prince never touched 
 a card, and as the early parade compelled its votaries to 
 retire early to bed, gambling as well as drinking fell into 
 disuse. The improvement thus forced on the military gra- 
 dually extended to the g-^' oral society, and to Ilis Royal 
 Highness is justly due the credit of putting an end to a very 
 disreputable state of things, and elevating the public and 
 private morals of the community. 
 
 He was most attentive to his duties himself, and kept the 
 garrison on the alert, when as we have seen it was not im- 
 probable that the French fleet might attempt a sudden descent 
 on Halifax. When I visited Halifax in 1834, 1 had the plea- 
 sure to count among my friends the late Mr. James Forman, 
 an old and respected merchant of that place, though long 
 retired from business. Mr. Forman's anecdotes of the Prince 
 from personal recollections, were very interesting, and their 
 correctness has since been fully borne out by his junior, but 
 some time contemporary, Sir Brenton Haliburton, in a letter 
 addressed to Sir John Harvey, and published by Mr. Neale. 
 Mr. Forman took me to scenes rendered historical by remin- 
 iscences of the Prince, among these, to the "North-west 
 arm," Avhere he pointed out a huge iron ring, riveted to the 
 rock, to which had been attached a chain cable, which was 
 stretched across the " arm," and fixed in like manner on the 
 opposite side, and served as a boom to prevent the French 
 fleet from stealing in the back way and bombarding the city. 
 
 His Royal Highness, with that love for rural life to which 
 we have already adverted, had selected a spot at th 3 head of 
 that beautiful sheet of water, "Bedford Basin," which forms 
 the inner harbour of Halifax, and had built for himself a 
 pretty lodge, and had improved with great taste the natural 
 beauties of the place. Here in the society of his friends he 
 used to spend his moments of leisure. When I visited the 
 spot with Mr. Forman in 1834, the "Lodge," or "Prince's 
 Folly, " as it was commonly called, had fallen into ruin, and 
 the winding paths, and 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 43 
 
 • • * spot where onco a garden smiled, 
 And still whore many a garden flower grew wild, 
 
 were overgrown with underwood and brambles. As we intend 
 to give an extract on this head from the " Clockmaker," we 
 shall say no more at present. 
 
 Halifax, 28th November, 170G. 
 
 My Dear Major, — I would have replied a great deal sooner 
 to your letter of 6th October, received by the hands of Capt. Smith, 
 the 23rd of 'he same month, had not the arrival of the packets 
 rapidly on each other on the 7th and 8th occupied me incessantly 
 for the next throe weeks. Now I have a moment's leisure, and 
 I eagerly embrace it, to give you news of your son. lie arrived here 
 safe and sound, the 25th of last month, in good health, notwith- 
 standing the misfortune of having been shipwrecked with his 
 companions on the Island of St. John (Prince Edward Island). 
 He is now here doing duty with my regiment, and in the gar- 
 rison as one of my own officers. The reason of this u, that I 
 had cause to believe that his Battalion of the GOth is incorporated 
 with another one in the West Indies, and that the officers have 
 been sent to England to recruit, and I did not feel it my duty 
 in this uncertainty, to expose him to danger, so I have dispensed 
 with his going to the Island till I can ascertain how the thing 
 really is. 
 
 I have taken all the necessary steps on the subject, having written 
 to my brother by the last packet, that I had detained your son here 
 waiting for further orders from him to rejoin his regiment. I expect 
 his reply by the January mail, which we need not expect here before 
 April, in the ordinary course, seeing that the packets have to make 
 the detour by New York. In the meantime I have taken care to 
 arrange that his absence will not occasion any injury to Kis promo- 
 tion, when his turn in the company of his own Battalion shall arrive, 
 which cannot be long, as he is very near the head of all the 
 Lieutenants of the Fourth Battalion. As to the idea which you 
 have formed that his promotion may be arrested by any interest in 
 his own regiment, I can assure you that you are mistaken. 
 
 I always, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Halifax, 19th December, 1796. 
 My Dear Major, — I received on the 13th current yours of 
 the 10th and 11th November. You will have learnt by the 
 return of M. Foy, that we were not long alarmed on the subject of 
 
44 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 a visit from tho Carmagnoles, tliou<;li after the niidtllo of the 
 7th, up to tho bejj;inuing of the past luoiitb, we v.cro kept on 
 the qui vive. It is not yet known in what direction their 
 fleet sailed, but it is ({uite certain that it (quitted the shores 
 of North America after the end of the Hth month. I myself think 
 that it returned to Europe, but the general opinion is, that 
 their force has been divided between St. Dominica and the 
 Antilles. 
 
 By the last news from Europe, we learn the continuation of tho 
 brilliant success of the Archduke Charles, and of another complete 
 victory by the Austrians, over the French under General Bonaparte, 
 who lost an immense train of artillery. I think that these events 
 will materially influence the affairs of Europe, and terminate in an 
 honorable and permanent peace, such as every honest man desires. 
 
 On the subject of General Prcscott, I will say to you candidly, 
 that I believe he inwardly laments that his wife has adopted the 
 proscribed list of Lady Dorchester, but I fear very much that he, 
 like My Lord, will not meddle in these affairs. All the world blames 
 Major liunbury very much as the chief cause of the disagreements 
 which have split up so.;iety. I do not know, but [ am under tho 
 impression that the General will not make any difference between 
 one person and another. 
 
 I shall be much mistaken if his Excellency draws back from his 
 promise to me in your favor, to appoint you on the first vacancy for 
 a Canadian, but I will say to you that I do not believe that he is 
 generally favorable to that nation, but I beg of you to be firmly per- 
 suaded that in any case, on my return to England, I will not cease 
 to press on Ministers to give you something Avhich will place you and 
 your numerous family in a state of independence, which I desire as 
 ardently as yourself 
 
 Before that time, unless the Governor shall have done something 
 in your favour, in compliance with my strong recommendation, it 
 would be altogether useless for me to address Ministers in writing. 
 I have every reason in the world to praise the proceedings of these 
 gentlemen in regard to everything in my own district, but when I 
 have asked anything dependent on the Government of Canada, all, 
 with the exception of my brother, have replied to me, that they can- 
 not recommend to any situation, unless the proposition is supported 
 by the Governor. 
 
 I have received a letter from M. d'Estimauville ; I intend to 
 write him to-day, that it will not be possible for me to appoint his 
 son. 
 
 I have learnt with pain, but not with surprise, of the revolt at 
 Montreal. I think that the decisive manner in which the Getieral 
 has poured troops into that city, has for the present suppressed that 
 sedition, but he will require a respectable reinforcement of troops in 
 spring, unless he wishes to expose himself to the same scenes and the 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 45 
 
 same consequences, •which were produced during the rebellion of the 
 Colonics, on the first attempt at resisting the execution of the 
 laws. It is well for you that the General is a man who will not per- 
 mit himself to be played with, but will use every means to crush it 
 with firmness. 
 
 Your son is still here, waiting till it is decided where his Battalion 
 is. Ho is in good health, and performs his duty with the greatest 
 punctuality. 
 
 I subscribe myself, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
46 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 / 
 
 Ilttlifax— " Les Volmtairca Canadiem— Fall with Horse — Return to England 
 — A'.ldress und Vote. 
 
 1797 AND 1798. 
 
 Halifax, 20th March, 1797. 
 
 My Dear Major, — I take advantage of this day's mail, to 
 reply to your two obliging letters, the one of the 21st Januar}, 
 received the 24th February, the other of the 18th February, 
 received on the 17th of this month. 
 
 You appear to have learnt by a letter from your sou, that I have 
 placed him on board His Majesty's ship Asia, of 64 guns, with a 
 detachment of thirty men to do duty as marines, during a cruise 
 which will last to the end of next month. He found his expenses 
 here rather heavy, on account of the dearness of everything, and it 
 was to give him an opportunity of economising, that I gave him the 
 preference for this service. He will likely have an opportunity of 
 getting some prize money, as I believe his ship has gone to cruise in 
 the course which Spanish vessels take from Havana and South 
 America to Europe. I augur that he will certainly have good for- 
 tune, and when it comes I will have much pleasure in communicating 
 it to you. I say frankly that I have great hopes to learn by the next 
 packet that he is already a Captain, for according to my calculation, 
 at the time of the last vacancies, he was the senior Lieutenant of his 
 Battalion, and consequently the first Lieutenant for promotion. 
 
 I have at length received a letter from General Prescott, in which 
 he expressed himself with much warmth and energy in reference to 
 you. He says that in addition to my recommendation, which will 
 always have great weight with him, he has a high personal regard for 
 yourself, and that when an opportunity shall present itself to serve 
 you he will not fail to avail himself of it. But ."s to an appointment to 
 cither of the Councils, he mak^ precisely the same objections as I felt 
 it my duty to state to you in my last. I firmly believe he is very much 
 disposed to act up to his word to me, and will not be influenced by 
 the absurdities of his wife. But I beg to assure you that I do not 
 place my sole reliance on him, but I confidently hope that on'my 
 return to England, if it be not accomplished before then, that I shall 
 be in a position to do you real service. 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 47 
 
 Colonel Wetherall arrived here five days before your letter of 21st 
 January came to hand. I am not the less under obligation to you, for 
 your obliging attention in communicating the information furnished 
 by Captain Founerest on the subject. He has sufifercd inconceiva- 
 bly, having been for five months within the bars of a dungeon, and 
 the rest of the time in a common prison. He is perfectly well, there ' 
 being no change in his appearance, except that he looks rather 
 thinner. 
 
 I hope for your happiness, that the 4th Battalion will be completed 
 and sent to Canada in the spring. There is every likelihood that 
 this will be the case, as His Majesty has promised that the Battalion 
 shall not return to the West Indies during this war, and that unless 
 for the purpose of recruiting none of the regiment will remain in 
 Europe. 
 
 Having nothing more to add, 
 
 I remain, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 The following letter, addressed by the Prince to Sir Ralph 
 Abercromby, will show how well he fulfilled his promises, 
 and will save the necessity of publishing several letters 
 addressed to Major de Salaberry of the same tenor : 
 
 Halifax, 4th July, 1797. 
 
 Sir, — I have taken the liberty of troubling you with these lines, 
 in order to introduce to your notice the bearer of them. Lieutenant 
 de Salaberry, of the 4th Battalion of the 60th, He is a young man 
 in whose welfare I feel peculiarly interested, having been brought by 
 me into the service, the son of one of the most respectable of His 
 Majesty's Canadian subjects, who was severely wounded during the 
 late war in the Provincial line. Least his absence from his regi- 
 ment might be construed into any neglect on his part, I beg leave to 
 state the following circumstances, of which the Duke of York is 
 fully acquainted. At the time of the raising the 2nd Battalion of 
 Boyal Fusilecrs he was supposed by me to be still an Ensign in the 
 60th, and as such he was recommended by me for a Lieutenancy in 
 my regiment ; this he obtained, the notification was sent to the West 
 Indies where he was serving in the 4th Battalion 60th, and in con- 
 sequence, as I understood from him, he was ordered to join the Fusi- 
 lecrs at Halifax. In the intermediate lime it was found, that at 
 the time of his promotion in the Fusileers, he had already obtained 
 a Lieutenancy in succession in the 60th. 
 
 It appearinsr from the rapid succession in the West Indies that 
 from his being so situated, ho would be a considerable loser in rank 
 
48 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 by accepting the Lieutenancy in the Fusileers, I made application 
 to the Duke of York to cancel the latter appointment, which he im- 
 mediately consented to. Lieutenant de Salaberry who had joined 
 here in consequcice of the former order, in July,179G, received the 
 notification of his being removed back to the 60th late in the autumn, 
 at a time when it was known that his Battalion the 4th had been 
 drafted and sent home; — I therefore judj^ed it expedient to detain 
 him till tbe further destination of the 4th Battalion was known, and 
 I applied to my brother for instructions on that head. These were 
 received late in April by the February packet, at the time that 
 Lieutenant de Salaberry was absent on board Her Majesty's 
 ship Asia, when he was serving as Lieutenant of Marines, with a 
 detachment lent from this garrison in February, under the specific 
 promise that they should be returned by the 16th April; this how- 
 ever was not kept owing to the arrival of Admiral Vandeput in the 
 Chesapeake, who ordered the Asia on a further cruise ; the event of 
 which was that Lieutenant de Salaberry with his detachment did 
 not return here till the 26th ultimo. 
 
 The opportunity by which he now goes, is the only one that has 
 offered since his arrival, and though void of either safety or comfort, 
 being a very diminutive unarmed schooner, he has insisted on em- 
 bracing it rather than it should be said that he had delayed a 
 moment in repairing to his duty. I sincerely hope he may get safaly 
 to his destination, and be enabled to present you wilh this letter, 
 which I trust will be a full and entire justification of his absence. 
 
 I shall now beg leave to add, that if not at the present the oldest, 
 I believe he is within one of beinf;: the oldest Lieutenant of his 
 Battalion ; having served in the West Indies from his first appoint- 
 ment in the West Indies to the time of his being removed to the 
 Fusileers; in the course of which time he commanded both the 
 flank companies of his regiment, at the investment of Fort Matilda 
 under General Prescott, and having been honored by the assurance 
 of that officer's high approbation of his conduct; I have now to solicit 
 your patronage in his favor — that when a proper opportunity ofl'ers, 
 you may be good enough to promote him to a company. I shall 
 esteem such a mark of your polite attention as the highest possible 
 compliment you can pay me, and I shall always be ready to acknow- 
 ledge it, as a weighty obligation conferred on myself. 
 I have the honor to remain, 
 
 With sentiments of perfect regard, Sir, 
 
 Your most obdt. and very humble servant, 
 
 Edward, 
 Lieut.-General Sir Ralph Aberoromby, Lieut.-General. 
 
 &c., &c. 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 49 
 
 The commencement of the next letter is not inserted, as 
 it is merely a repetition of what is contained in the prece- 
 ding letter to Sir R. Abercromby. 
 
 Halifax, 19th June, 1797. 
 
 My Dear Major, — I have again written to the Commander 
 in Chief, and I have reason to believe that before he shall have 
 reached his regiment, my brother will have signified to General 
 Abercromby his desire that he should pay particular attention to 
 my recommendation in his favor. I augur then that before the end 
 of the year, your wishes for his promotion to a company will be 
 gratilied, but you cannot desire this more ardently than I do. 
 
 You ask me to inform you of the reasons which prevent the 
 Governor from appointing you to the Councils. I believe that I 
 informed you in one of my letters long ago, but as it is possible you 
 did not receive it, I wiU again say, that the General gave mc to 
 understand that for you personally he had the highest esteem, but 
 that by instructions conveyed to him in a new order the vacancies 
 were to he filled hy Englishmen and not hy any Canadian what- 
 ever. The General is certainly not the man to give any such reason, 
 unless it was strictly in accordance with the truth. 
 
 Should any other occasion to serve you present itself, I would 
 advise you if there be not time to give me previous notice, to address 
 yourself directly to the Governor, reminding him of my recommenda- 
 tion and your own services, and I am convinced that the General, 
 unless he is bound by a previous promise, will not fail to pay im- 
 mediate attention to your request. But if time permit to advise 
 me of the vacancy, you may be persuaded that I will not neglect to 
 do what is necessary to secure your succession. I am already con- 
 vinced that the conduct of General Prcscott towards you on the 
 subject of your leave, proves that he will not lose any occasion of 
 showing that my recommendation has weight with him. 
 
 I hope that your health is now recovered; as it is certain you will 
 have a little rest. 
 
 Walker has spoken to me of the great pains you have taken to 
 discipline your new Battalion ; he says also that it advanced very 
 much before his departure. I am fully sensible of the honest pride 
 which Major Holland takes in you. The stuff of which an old soldier 
 is composed is certainly good, it has not fallen the least short in 
 him. 
 
 I subscribe, &c., &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 In 1796, Lord Dorchester decided to raise a Canadian 
 Regiment and called on M. Joseph de Longueil, M. de Sala- 
 
50 THE DUK2 OF KENT. 
 
 berry and M. Dambourges to aid him. The Baron de 
 Longueil was appointed Colonel. De Salaberry, who had 
 shown great energy and raised his Company in a short 
 time, was made Major, and Dambourges, Captain of the 
 Grenadier Company. The regiment ies Volontaires Cana- 
 diens was six hundred strong, and had on its colors the 
 device, *' Try Us ;" and it was to these that the Prince refers 
 above. It served successively two years in Montreal, two at 
 Sorel, and two at Quebec, when it was disbanded. The 
 biographer of Dambourges asserts that it was frequently short 
 of pay and supplies, and that Colonel de Longueil actually 
 sustained it for a considerable time out of his own private 
 revenues, and writes indignantly that notwithstanding the 
 sacrifices made by both officers and men, the Duke of Port- 
 land had forwarded a despatch to Sir R. S. 'Milnes, contain- 
 ing this unjust expression : " But before I proceed further, 
 I cannot help expressing to you my surprise, that the estab- 
 lishment of the Canadian Battalion in Lower Canada, the 
 principal object of which was to draw the Canadian gentle- 
 men from their indolent and inactive habits, and attach them 
 to the King's service, should have met with no greater suc- 
 cess." 
 
 Halifax, 3rd July, 1797. 
 
 My Dear Major, — I send you inclosed a letter to General 
 Prescott, in favor of the worthy Cure Ken.auld. It is under flying 
 seal : do me the favor to hand it to the Cure, that he may pre- 
 sent it himself. Please to translate it to him, so that he may be 
 aware of its contents. I hope there need not be the least doubt of 
 the result. 
 
 You ask me if I am thoroughly satisfied with the state of defence 
 of the post which I commaLd. I will say to you, that though not 
 what I would desire, the works are very far advanced, and with the 
 addition of the other regiment which has been promised me, and 
 which is daily expected, I believe we could shew a good face to the 
 Carniar/noles, if they should venture to visit us. In the mean time 
 we work incessantly, and I think that by St. Michael's, all the forts 
 will be in a very respeotablo state of dei'encc. 
 
 As to Canada, I believe it is certain that they will not fail to send 
 reinforcements, and as the troops of Darmstadt were taken into the 
 English service, with the single reservation that they were not to 
 serve on board the fleet as marines, and were not be sent to the 
 East Indies, it is very probable that these troops will form the rein- 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 51 
 
 forccments ; but I say this not from any certainty, but merely from 
 the likelihood, &c., &C. 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Halifax, 13th August, 1797. 
 
 My Dear Major, — You say a great deal more than is necessary 
 for what I have done for your sou. I desired that he should leave 
 this with every possible pleasure, and that when he arrived at his 
 post he should find himself at his ease. 
 
 Our letters by the June packet, lead us to believe that the peace 
 will not be long delayed, and if not already signed will soon be 
 by the Ambassador, Lord Malmesbury. I tell you frankly that by 
 Christmas, I flatter myself the whole will be ended, and that next 
 spring I sliall be permitted to return to my country after an absence 
 of thirteen years. I presume that the September packet will give 
 us such information as will enable me to judge with certainty ; but 
 I beg to assure you that no change of situation will cause me to lose 
 for one moment the sincere desire I have to render you and your 
 family service. Do me the favor to assure Madame de Salaberry 
 and all the children of my remembrance, and believe at all times 
 and places, I will always be, &c. 
 
 Edward 
 
 Halifax, 16th October, 1797. 
 My Dear IMajor, — I have now before me your two letters, 
 the first of 6th September, received on the 28th, and the second 
 on the 19th September, which came to hand on the 14th cur- 
 rent. I beg you to accept my thanks for both; as to the last, 
 which informed me of the nomination of your second son to 
 the Ensigncy in the Volontaires, it was infinitely more agreeable 
 than the first, which apprised me of the injustice which has 
 been done to our excellent Cur<5. On this subject I have 
 taken the liberty to write to-day to General Prescott, indicating 
 to him the motives which induced me to recommend the Cur6 
 iicnauld to him, assuring him, which was strictly true, that the 
 wortliy man was entirely ignorant of it. I considered that it was 
 my duty also, to communicate to him what I knew of the character 
 
 of . I know not if it will be taken in good part, but I hope it 
 
 will, as I have no other object in giving him the information than 
 the conviction that the llepresentativo of His Majesty ought to be 
 made acquainted with the character of every person employed in his 
 government. Further as regards M. lleuauld, it would be vain, 
 notwithstanding my good will, to make any attempt to change the 
 4 
 
52 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 choice made by Governor Prescott, for without doubt all will bo 
 done in England according to his report, as it is the rule to confirm 
 his choice, consequently, in spite of the annoyance of seeing one's 
 recommendations set aside, let the affair rest as it is at present, for 
 any attempt to correct it would fail to effect any good whatever. I 
 regret the more, as the Cure is far from content with the turn the 
 ati'air has taken ; so until there is a new order of things, he iuust 
 rest quiet, reserving hims-clf to a later day when he may speak his 
 sentiments. 
 
 As to the good fortune of your son, Maurice, I assure you I take 
 great interest in it. The pay will always aid somewhat till such 
 time as he can obtain a more permanent and better provision. I 
 am happy to think that on this occasion, my recommendation in his 
 favor has had some weight with the General. 
 
 I have received one letter from your son from Martinique, where 
 he arrived precisely the day after the departure of his Battalion for 
 Jamaica ; but as the packet was daily expected, he would find an 
 opportunity in a few days to reach his post. 
 
 To-morrow, I have reason to believe that, a frigate will leave 
 direct for that island. I will write him by that opportunity, and 
 will inclose your last to him. I will give him anew a letter of 
 introduction to Lord Balcarras, flie Governor of Jamaica, such as I 
 gave him for Generals Abercromby and Hunter, but which were 
 useless on account of their having left for Europe before his arrival. 
 
 The mail of August did not bring any decisive news on the 
 subject of tie peace, and wc wait with great uneasuiess for that of 
 September, to know the result ; but my own opinion is, we will have 
 to wait a month longer. If peace is established, it is to be presumed 
 that I will bo recalled next spring ; but if the war continues I fear 
 no change for me is to be hoped for. 
 
 I have now nothing to add, but remain, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 In explanation of tho preceding letter, it may be men- 
 tioned that the Rev. Pierre Louis Ilcnauld, 6th Curd of 
 Beauport, was born 13tli February, 1731, ordained priest 
 in 1754, and became Cur«5 of Beauport in 1759; consequently, 
 when the Duke of Kent arrived in Canada, he had been 
 thirty-two years Curd, and was in the sixtieth year of his 
 age. Monseigneur Langevin in his notes on the archives of 
 Beauport, says ; — " The old parishioners speak of him as a 
 man of imposing appearance, but of blunt manners, who 
 delighted in the society of the highest personages in the 
 Colony." The Duke of Kent had a high opinion of his 
 ability, integrity and loyalty, and on that account had wished 
 him to succeed the deceased bishop in preference to M. Plessis 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 58 
 
 Curd of Quebec. The Abbd Ferland, in his life of Plessis, 
 gives us the text of the letter which the Duke wrote to 
 Governor Prescott, and which is referred to in the preceding 
 letter : " As to the coadjutor, M. Plessis, I believe it my 
 duty to inform you that he is a man in whom you will find 
 perhaps that it is not prudent to repose too much confidence. 
 I knew him while he was Secretary to Bishop Hubert, and 
 it was well known during my residence in Canada that he 
 entirely governed the Bishop and the Seminary, and induced 
 them to adopt opinions quite incompatible with our ideas of 
 the supremacy of the King in ecclesiastical affairs !" And 
 again; "I know that while I resided in Canada, the late 
 Bishop Hubert objected strongly to remit to the Govern- 
 ment a list of the nominations made to parishes ; and as we 
 believed that prelate entirely guided by the present coadju- 
 tors, that refusal was regarded by the most zealous subject 
 of His Majesty in the country, as one of the numerous 
 reasons which placed M. Plessis in a doubtful position, with 
 respect to his loyalty towards Great Britain." 
 
 Halifax, 17th October, 1797. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — Your letter dated St. Pierre, Mar- 
 tinique, 13th August, reached me on the 15th of the following 
 month, since which, uo opportunity has offered for Jamaica till 
 this day. 
 
 As I conclude, you have been long since arrived at that island, I 
 forward these lines under cover to Lord Balcarras, the Governor, 
 from whom 70U will receive them, and to whom I have particularly 
 recommended you, as you were unable to make use of the former 
 letters with which I furnished you, owing to the departure of the 
 officers to whom they were addressed, for England, Still it would 
 be proper for you to deliver to his Lordship, that intended for Sir 
 llalph Abcrcromby, which I would wish him to open, as it contains 
 a particular explanation of your situation. 
 
 The private letter for General Hunter you had beat keep, as it is 
 probable you may some day or other meet him ; and as lie is, if I am 
 not mistaken, your Colonel, it may hereafter prove a benefit to you. 
 
 The inclosed letter from your father has been by me for some 
 time, and I am happy in this opportunity of forwarding it. I have 
 only to recommend to you the greatest attention to your duty upon 
 all occasion^:, and the utmost correctness in your conduct, by adher- 
 ing to which you will be sure to secure the continuation of my 
 friendship and good will. Write whenever you find opportunities, 
 either by way of the States or direct, as I shall always be happy to 
 
54 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 hear of your welfare. Believe me ever to be your very sincere 
 friend and well wisher. 
 
 Lieut, de Salabcrry, Edward. 
 
 &c., &c., &c. 
 
 Halifax, 30th April, 1798. 
 
 My Dear Major, — Your letter of 15th January did not 
 reach me till the 12th inst., and the arrival immediately after 
 of the European Mails of December and January, with the 
 duplicates of the letters lost in the November packet, filled my 
 bauds for a month with work without end, which I had scarcely 
 got reduced, when the February packet increased my labour, 
 and it is only to-day, after the departure of the mail with all 
 my answers, that I can occupy myself with you. I beg of you, 
 therefore, to accept, though rather late, my acknowledgments for 
 the obliging manner in which you and Madame do Saiaberry have 
 presented your congratulations on the renewal of the year. I beg 
 of you to believe that I shall always entertain the same sentiments 
 of affection and good will for your amiable family, whioh I have 
 always endeavored to prove to you. 
 
 I have the pleasure to communicate to you that I have at length 
 received a letter from your son from Jamaica, where he was stationed 
 with his Battalion until further orders ; a very fortunate thing for 
 him, for it is the only colony of His Majesty where subalterns have 
 a gratuity in addition to their pay, which has enabled him to live in 
 comfort, and procure many agreeable necessaries without going into 
 debt. His health is good. 
 
 A very favorable opportunity having presented for me to call him 
 again to the remembrance of my brother, you may be sure that I did 
 not neglect it. I know it is the firm intention of the Duke of York, 
 that no one shall be placed to his injury in a company which should fall 
 to him of right, in his Battalion, though one may succeed by purchase. 
 You know that this unfortunately cannot be avoided in our service 
 by one who has not himself the means of purchase. In any case 
 however, I trust you will be firmly persuaded that I will strive fur 
 his advancement with all possible zeal. 
 
 The letters by the February mail did not bring me any informa- 
 tion wliich would lead me to believe, that I shall return to my 
 native country this year, but I always buoy myself with the hope that 
 this event, though little probable, is possible. In the mean time I 
 have received a letter from His Majesty the King, which is very 
 flattering to me, since it expresses in terms hy no means equivo- 
 cal, his entire approbation of the ichole of viy conduct, a circum- 
 stance which at the same time gave mc honor and pleasure^ and 
 which I believe will give you great satisfaction to learn. 
 
 Madame de St. Laurent joins with me in assuring Madame de 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 55 
 
 Salabcrry, '.nd yourself, of our sincere attachment, and in offering a 
 thousand remembrances to your children, and I subscribe, &c., &c, 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Having lost in the Antelope and Tankerville his fourth 
 and fifth outfits, it became necessary to order a sixth, which 
 was shipped on board the transport Recovery, and which by 
 an extraordinary fatality was also captured. Thus by the 
 lost of equipments alone, the Prince, up to this date, was a 
 loser to the extent of X10,000 stg. 
 
 We hare seen that in his later letters he had begun to 
 express the hope that he would be recalled to his native 
 country, from which, though only in his thirty-second year, 
 he had been no less than thirteen years absent ; his return 
 Avas hastened in a way totally unexpected. On returning 
 home from a field day, his horse fell with him on the streets 
 of Halifax, producing such serious injury that his profes- 
 sional adviser recommended his return to England. 
 
 But before this, in June preceding, a circumstance had 
 occurred which is recorded in the Journals of the Provincial 
 Legislature, and which was exceedingly gratifying to him, 
 and which shows the estimation in which he was held. It 
 was resolved by the House of Assembly : — " That an humble 
 address be presented to H. R. H. Prince Edward, to beg 
 that he will be pleased to accept from the Province of Nova 
 Scotia, a star as a testimony of the high respect which the 
 Province has for H. K. Highness' person, as well as the 
 grateful sense it entertains of the very essential services 
 whi ch H. 11. H. has rendered to this Province." In this 
 the Council and Lieut. -Governor cordially concurred : a grant 
 of five hundred guineas was made, and the address unani- 
 mously passed, to which H. R. H. gave a suitable reply 
 from which the following is an abstract : — " Nothing could 
 afford me greater gratification than to receive so unequivocal 
 a proof of your approbation of my conduct during the time 
 His Majesty has been pleased to honor me with the command 
 of the troops in this Province. My utmost endeavors have 
 always been exerted to obtain your good will, by pursuing 
 that line of conduct which I thought would be most accept- 
 able to the King, and most beneficial to his service, as well 
 as that calculated for the protection of the Province. To 
 have succeeded therefore in this object, of which circumstance 
 ^our address of to-day afibrds me so honorable a testimony, 
 IS tb-j more gratifying to my feelings, as I flatter my S9lf lohen 
 
56 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 His Majesty u informed of it, he tvill not hear it with indiff- 
 erence." 
 
 While this public and oflEicial recognition of his services 
 was taking place, he did not forget his friends in Canada, to 
 whom he wrote as under : — 
 
 Halifax, 15th October, 1798. 
 
 My Dear Major. — Before my departure for England, in con- 
 Bcquence of the advioe of Dr. North, who is of opinion that the 
 waters of Bath are necessary to recover me from the eiFects of 
 my fall, I could not permit the mail to leave to-day, though my 
 time is much occupied as you may well conceive, without writing to 
 assure you of the continuation of my esteem, and to acknowledge 
 the receipt of your letters of date 29th July and 10th August, 
 which both reached me in due course. 
 
 I regret to learn that you have been suffering from so severe an 
 attack of the affection of the head, to which I know you were sub- 
 ject during my sojourn at Quebec. I hope, however, that you have 
 by this time recovered. 
 
 In reference to your son, I may repeat, that I will not fail on 
 every occasion to make my brother aware how deeply I am interested 
 in the promotion of your son, and as I have always said to you, I 
 will not rest till he is appointed, if he is not already so. It is to be 
 supposed that my voyage to England will enable me to do more in 
 liis favor than my repeated letters appear to have done. It is very 
 certain that I desire to accomplish tliis fully as much as yourself. 
 
 As to yourself, I shall be equally vigilant to find if I can do any- 
 thing for you with the Ministers, for it is very certain at present that 
 there is very little to hope from General Prescott. As to your 
 desire that I should remove your son from the 60th Regt ; as the 
 subalterns of that Kegt., are discouraged by the appointment of so 
 many strangers to the different vacancies in the corps, I will say to 
 you, that there would be great injury to his chance of promotion, as 
 he would be obliged to commence at the foot of the Lieutenants of 
 any regiment to which he might be transferred, consequently it is 
 not to be dreamed of, and convinced as you both must be of my good 
 intentions, I again ask you to have patience. 
 
 I approve very much of your letter to His Excellency on the sub- 
 ject of an appointment to the Council, and I shall very much like 
 that you will give me intelligence of the result. I am not acquainted 
 with the difference which you say has taken place between the 
 Governor and Council. 
 
 Madame de St. Laurent desires me to say that she wished to write, 
 but feeling so entirely occupied by preparations for our departure, 
 you will have to excuse her till she can give the news from London. 
 Both of us charge you with a thousand compliments to Madame do 
 Salaberry and the children. As for yourself, &c., &c., 
 
 Edwabd« 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 57 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 England — Duko of Kent — General — Commander in Chief B. N. America— 
 lieturu tu iialifax — Fuiliog health — Uutura to Eiigland. - 
 
 l799 and 1800. 
 
 Kensington Palace 
 
 9th April, 1799. 
 
 My Dear Major, — Although I have no letter from you but 
 that of the 25th October, which reached me here on the ]4ih 
 January following, I do not wish to let the frigate Topazc, which 
 goes straight to Quebec, leave without charging the Captain with a 
 i'aw lines for you. 
 
 I am at present, thank God, almost entirely recovered from the 
 effects of the fall, which caused my return. Two months under the 
 care of the surgeons here have rid me of the trouble, the weakness, 
 and most of the pain, and my leg is as well as it was before the 
 accident. 
 
 I may tell you that our voyage from Halifax here, though not 
 quite twenty-one days, was very stormy and disagreeable. 
 
 On my return I was received in the most flattering manner by 
 their Majesties and all my family. My establishment has passed 
 both Houses of Parliament, and has received the Royal assent, and I 
 have reason to believe that in a few days I shall be created Duke of 
 Kent. It appears that His Majesty has not the least intention to 
 send me on service out of England at present, but has thought pro- 
 per to appoint me to the command of the army of the interior, and I 
 will immediately establish my Headquarters in the centre of the 
 County of Hampshire, in command of the troops there in canton- 
 ment, for the defence of Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight, in case 
 of attack. 
 
 Madame de St. Laurent, who has charged me to say a thousand 
 agreeable things to yourself, your wife and all your family, is now 
 in perfect health, but the rigorous winter which we have had, has 
 made both of us suffer a good deal. 
 
 I learn that General Prescott has received permission to return to 
 England on leave, and that a Major-General to command the troops 
 ad interim will immediately leave, with a Civil Lieut.-Govcrnor, 
 to fill his double office. This will last, it is thought, till the return 
 
68 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 of General Clarke from the East Indies, wlilch is expcctad towards 
 the end of ♦lie coming year, when it i.*^ suj)[)Osed General Preseott 
 will be obliged to retire on a pension, and that General Clarke v ill 
 replace him. You have here in a few words all that can interest 
 you, for as to the political news the papers will ,!i;ive you more fully 
 all the information you desire, than I could in the space of a 
 letter. 
 
 Madame de St. Laurent and myself earnestly request you to as- 
 sure the good Cure llenauld of our remembrance, and you will 
 doubtless communicate to him what this letter contains in relation 
 to us. Say to him further that his letter of the 2Gth October reached 
 me, but that truly I have been so fully occupied as to be unable to 
 reply, consequently I have charged you to express to him that I am 
 sensible of the regret he feels from tlio failure of my efforts with 
 Bishop Denaud, in favor of the Abb6 Giliner. You will not fail 
 also, I hope, to remember me to the llev. Pere dc Berrey, and to all 
 who think of me with phasure. 
 
 It is now time to close, so subscribing, &c. 
 
 Edward. 
 
 It is to be borne in mind that the Prince was now thirty- 
 two years of age, and that for the long period o^ thirteen years^ 
 from February 1785 to October 171J8, he had been banished 
 from his home and family ; and that it was known to his 
 father that from the causes we have mentioned, he was op- 
 pressed with debt, which he was most honorably struggling to 
 discharge from his limited income, and though his father 
 promised to pay the Gibraltar debt, it was never done ; and 
 moreover, though the Duke of Y^ork had got his parliamentary 
 allowance at the age of twenty-one, and the Duke of Clar- 
 ence at twenty-four, the King permitted him to remain in 
 known embarrassment to this date, and as if to make the 
 injustice more apparent, had caused to be voted, on the same 
 day as his allowance was passed, a similar grant to the 
 Duke of Cumberland, four years his junior. Parliament 
 granted him .£12,000 per annum, but strange to say, no al- 
 lowance for an establishment, as had been done in the case 
 of the Duke of Clarence. When the Prince pointed out to 
 Mr. Pitt the invidious delay which had taken place in his 
 case, that Minister replied : — " The Prince having been 
 abroad so many years on foreign service, his provision had 
 been totally overlooked. An omission which was entirely 
 his (Mr. Pitt's) fault, and for which he took shame to him- 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 69 
 
 self, but that so far as pecuniary loss -was concerned His 
 Royal Highness should receive amends." Tliis 'pkdge was 
 never fuljilled. "Ptis pecuniary difficulties," says Neale, 
 " goaded him to the very quick. They embittered the pre- 
 sent, and tinged with apprcliension the future." 
 
 On the 7th May, 17UU, he took his seat in the House of 
 Lords ; on the lOth was gazetted General in the army, and 
 on the 17th nominated Commander in Chief of the Forces in 
 British North America; and ou this occasion, he for the first 
 time experienced some liberality at the hands of Government, 
 who gave him £2,000 for an outfit. What his own feelings 
 were, can be well judged from the following letter : — 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 10th June, 1799. 
 
 My Dear Major,— -I received on the 28th of lust mouth a 
 letter from you, without date, to which I hasten to reply by the 
 packet which will leave in a few days, though I am very busy in 
 making arrangements for my return to America, with which I 
 rm literally occupied from morning to night. 
 
 As Madame de St. Laurent writes you by this occasion, it will be 
 unnecessary for me to repeat what ray reception was here on my 
 arrival, and the proof which 1 have received of the favorable opinion 
 which the King had formed of me, by promoting me to the rank of 
 General, and appointing me Commander in Chief in North America. 
 So I have now to tell you in consequence that I am about to return 
 again to Halifax in the course of the month of August, as I propose 
 to embark in the course of three weeks. 
 
 I hope my present appointment will give me more influence than 
 I formerly had, nearly as much as if I filled the civil Government 
 at Quebec, and that I shall be able to give you something under 
 Government that will be both agreeable and useful. As a prelude, 
 I have written to the Duke of Portland, and urged him very strongly 
 to recommend you particularly to the good offices of his relative, 
 Mr. Mills, and I confidently hope it will have efiect. 
 
 I am very sensible of the kind manner in which you express the 
 joy which yourself, Madame de Salaberry and all your family felt 
 on hearing our safe arrival in England. 
 
 It appears that His Majesty, thinking that the dispute between 
 your Governor General and the Council was such as to make ii 
 necessary to recall General Prescott, came to the decision to appoint 
 me his successor in the military command. For the present, I 
 believe there will be only Lieut. -Governors in all the Provinces. 
 But it is thought they are looking out for a person to appoint Gov- 
 ernor General. 
 
60 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 As to your eldest son, I certainly did not think it proper to do 
 him so great an injury as to recommend him for a Captaincy in one 
 of the Corps of Fencibles which are being raised for service in 
 America, for the officers of these corps are subject to reduction at 
 the peace, without half-pay, and your son, on entering any of the 
 said regiments would certainly lose all the time he served in the 
 lin». He is now the first but one of the Lieutenants of the 5th 
 Battalion, and it is almost impossible, but that he will be advanced 
 to the Captaincy in the course of the present year. Think then of 
 the extreme folly it would have been to have disposed of him as you 
 proposed ; and I would not have had his interests at heart if I had 
 not opposed a proposal which was made simply to gratify the vanity 
 of the moment, with certain ruin to his future prospects and hi« 
 past services. 
 
 As to your two other sons, I believe it will be possible for me to 
 place them in one of the regiments, as you desire it so earnestly, 
 though it may only be a momentary advantage, for certainly they will 
 be disbanded at the peace. It is therefore the more necessary that 
 I should correct the error into which you have fallen, in thinking 
 that any of the regiments will be raised solely for Canada, 
 for they are for all the Colonies of North America, including 
 Bermuda. 
 
 I may further say to you, that all the strength of the two Bat- 
 talions of Votontaires Caiiadier.s will be placed on a new footing, 
 that is to say, it will be proposed to the officers to place them on the 
 same footing as the Fencibles, on their engaging their men to offer 
 their services for all North America, in which case the regiments 
 will be given to old Colonels of the Line, who during the war will be 
 placed by Government on the same footing as regular troops ; but if 
 they decline this offer, I have reason to believe that the oflScers of 
 the corps will be disbanded and the men drafted into the Fencible 
 Regiments as they arrive from Europe. I am sure you will like 
 one item of this arrangement as it will enable you to prepare your 
 men, by informing them of the wish of His Majesty, but under the 
 seal of secrecy, and the most perfect confidence which I have in 
 you. 
 
 I now remain, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 This return of the Duke to Halifax, as Comtnander in 
 Chief of the Troops of British North America, afforded the 
 Legislature of Nova Scotia an opportunity of presenting 
 another address equally complimentary as the first, which 
 was replied to by H. R. Highness with the same warmth and 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 61 
 
 sincerity which characterised all his intercourse. The 
 address and reply are dated 19th September ; on the 22nd 
 October he addressed Major de Salaberry as under : — 
 
 Halifax, October 22Dd, 1799. 
 
 My Dear Major, — I do not wish to let Mr. Foy leave with 
 my letters for Canada, without giving him a few lines to you, to 
 the end that you may be assured of the continuance of my esteem 
 and good intentions towards you. 
 
 I received on the 19th current, your letters of 30th August and 
 4th September; the letter which I wrole to you on the 11th o£ 
 last month, has explained to you the impossibiUty of my appointing 
 you my Aidc-de-Camp ; the orders of General Hunter you have seen 
 and cannot have forgotten. 
 
 The order passed on the present occasion to prepare the patent 
 for you as Indian Superintendent, will bear date of the day on which 
 de Chambault accepted the appointment as Aide-de-Camp to Governor 
 Milnes. This will prove to you that I have seized the first 
 opportunity of being useful to you, and you may believe that I shall 
 strive to find something better for you, so that you may be free 
 to live at Beauport, and be excused from service with your regi- 
 ment. Apropos to this, I can readily conceive the current report 
 that your corps will be put on the establishment. His Majesty has 
 thought proper to make it known that he would be pleased if all the 
 Provincial regiments would offer to serve in all the American 
 Colonies, in place of being confined to the one whose name they 
 bear. In consequence of accepting this offer, they would be placed 
 on the establishment, as the Fenclhles are in England, and as is the 
 Newfoundland Keglment, that is to say, the officers would rank 
 through all North America, the same as they do at present in their 
 respective Provinces, and the Adjutant and Quarter Masters would 
 be sure of half-pay in case of reduction, and the regiments Vould 
 be commanded by ofilcers taken from the line, who would be pro- 
 prietors. I believe it is the intention to form a Brigade of Cana- 
 dians after the manner of the 60th, of which the Commander in 
 Chief of the Troops in America would be Colonel, as the Duke of 
 York is of the 30th. 
 
 The proposition has beeu already made to the Nova Scotian and 
 New Brunswick Regiments, and both have expressed in the most 
 loyal manner their willingness to serve wherever His JMajesty may 
 think proper. I myself have made a very favorable report to His 
 Majesty. I send by Mr. Foy instructions to General Hunter to 
 make the same proposition to the two Canadian Corps, and to in- 
 form them of the example set by these regiments to whom, from 
 their locality, the offer was first made. I hope they will not shew 
 
62 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 themselves less loyal and less willing to meet the wishes of their 
 Sovereign. Here then, my dear Major, is the first foundation of 
 the report of which you wrote to me. 
 
 It is now time to finish as I have a great deal to do before the 
 departure of iMr. Foy. With a thousand compliments from 
 Madame de St. Laurent (whom I have advised not to write to you 
 at this time, as I was writing this letter to you) to yourself, 
 Madame de Salaberry and the children, 
 
 I subscribe, &c., &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Halifax, 18th November, 1799. 
 
 My Dear Major, — T had the pleasure to receive on the 5th 
 current, your letter of the 14th October. I have felt very great 
 pleasure in finding that you have received the news of your appoint- 
 ment as Indian Superintendent with so much joy, for certainly I 
 wish thai you should consider it no unequivocal proof of the desire 
 which I have always had to serve you. 
 
 I am also very happy to see that you so well understand how it 
 was impossible for me to appoint you my Aide-de-Camp. 
 
 As for your younger son, as soon as he shall have entered on his 
 sixteenth year, and is fit for regimental service, I shall have great 
 pleasure in giving him an Ensigncy in the second Battalion of your 
 Volunteers, whenever General Hunter shall report a vacancy to me. 
 
 I have not as yet received any petition from the Widow Dam- 
 bourges, but when it shall reach me, I will pay it every attention in 
 my power, but I very much fear I do not possess the means of serv- 
 ing her. 
 
 With respect to Dr. Lloyd, I have a month ago unfortunately 
 given away the place, at the request of Mr. Kush, Inspector General 
 of Hospitals at London, but I promise that I shall not forget him 
 when another occasions presents. 
 
 I subscribe^ &c , &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Halifax, 28th November. 1799. 
 
 My DfJAR Major, — I hasten to inform you, that by the Hoyal 
 Gazette, received ten days ago from England, by the September 
 packet, I have seen with great satisfaction, that your eldest son 
 has at length attained the Captaincy, he being now the tenth 
 Captain-Lieutenant of the GOth Regiment, vice Pritchard, de- 
 ceased. 
 
 As it is very likely a long time might elapse before he may get a 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 63 
 
 Company in his regiment, owing to the supernumeraries attached in 
 the hope of vacancies occurring. I intend to make an attempt 
 again, to get the Commander in Chief in the West Indies to ap- 
 point him to another corps, and I hope next spring to be able to 
 inform you of my success. 
 
 I await with impatience the official report of General Hunter on 
 the resignation of Ensign Chiniqui, that I may appoint your son, 
 whendVer you can inform me that he is of ago to enter the 
 service. 
 
 I have nothing more to add than the assurance of my remem- 
 brance of Madame your wife, and the rest of the children, not for- 
 getting Amelia, my special favorite, 
 
 And I, &c., &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Halifax, 26th February. 1800. 
 
 My Dear Major, — My business has really accumulated to 
 such a degree, that neither myself nor my Secretary, nor five 
 under Secretaries can overtake it. I cannot find a single moment 
 of leisure time to count upon from break of day to close of night, 
 still I cannot permit the mail to leave to-day without informing 
 you that your letter of the 8t^ December, duly reached me on th<? 
 14th current. I caanot understand how it has been so long 
 delayed, but I have received at the same time a letter i'rom General 
 Hunter of the 8th January, in which he informs me of results 
 beyond my hopes as regards the nine companies of your Batta- 
 lion, on announcing to them the new arrangement which His Majesty 
 desired to establish in connexion with the Provincial Corps, and 
 I beg to assure you, that I am convinced that we owe this in a 
 great measure, if not entirely, to your zeal and your efforts. I have 
 written to-day to General Hunter to express my thanks to the 
 officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the corps. 
 
 M. Turgeon having presented his petition by the last mail, and I 
 having immediately replied, as is it always my rule to expedite every- 
 thing as quickly as possible, I presume there will be no occasion for 
 me addressing him again, especially as I have complied with his 
 request, to which your introduction did not contribute a little. 
 
 I have only time to add the assurances of my sincere attachment 
 and to subscribe myself, 
 
 My dear Major, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Halifax, 15th April, 1800. 
 My Dear Major,— Your letters of the 28th February reached 
 me on the 11th current. Major Gordon was commissioned by me 
 to reply to the three last, so I have nothing to add but that I am 
 
64 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 truly so surcharj^ed with business and official correspondence every 
 day, that; I was obliged to avail myself of his aid to reply to your 
 letters. To-day, by good luck, as the packet which brings the De- 
 cember and January mails is signalled from the Citadel, but has 
 not yet come to the Roads, I avail myself of a few moments leisure, 
 to assure you of the continuance of my esteem and sincere attach- 
 ment, not only for yourself, but for your wife and family. 
 
 Your observations as to the length of time that the mails are 
 delayed between Quebec and here, are very just, but I may say to 
 you if I remain two or three years in the country, and if tl Assem- 
 blies uf Lower Canada and Mew Brunswick are as liberal ...^ that of 
 Nova Scotia has been, with the means which I propose to add, I 
 think this inconvenience will be removed. 
 
 As to the idea, my dear Major, that the time has arrived when it 
 would be advantageous to place me at the head of the Civil, as well 
 as the Military Government, believe me your wish cannot be realized, 
 for under the rule which the present Ministers have established as 
 to the Princes of the Blood, the thing is impossible. 
 
 Your oldest son having obtained the grade of Captain, I am per- 
 suaded he will not have to wait long before he is on full pay, for aa 
 there are but six Captain-Lieutenants out of the forty-eight Captains, 
 his turn cannot be long delayed. 
 
 I am very much pleased to learn that your sou JMaurice is so 
 ardently attached to the service ; it is by conducting himself so, for 
 a little, that though young he will in good time become an excellent 
 officer. Your third son, as I learn from General Hunter, will, after 
 the 1st March, replace Alexander. I shall cause his commission to 
 be forwarded by this day's mail, but as I wish to make him as old an 
 Ensign as possible, I shall wait before the date is filled in, to ascer- 
 tain the exact day on which his predecessor was nominated Quarter- 
 master of the sixth Battalion of the Sixtieth. 
 
 As Madame De St. Laurent writes you fully to-day, I shall only 
 add that you may assure M. de Estimauville that I am very sensible 
 of his misfortune, and that in consequence I do uot regard his request 
 as an importunity, and that I only regret that 1 have uot it in my 
 power to grant him the relief which he deserves. 
 
 Permit me, kc, 
 
 Edwakd. 
 
 Halifax, 11th May, 1800. 
 My Dear Major, — I am unwilling to let the post leave, with- 
 out informing you that your letter dated St. John, the 25th March, 
 reached me on the 9th current. I am very happy to see that you 
 are so well satisfied with the reasons which prevented me from 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 65 
 
 giving you any hope of succeeding to the place of Major Burnbury, 
 if he should vacate it ; but it was not at all necessary for you to 
 feel regret at having mentioned it. 
 
 General Hunter could not have done otherwise than he did on the 
 subject of your youngest son, ignorant as he was of the date when 
 Alexander entered the GOth, at the moment he received my order to 
 appoint him. JVly last has informed you that I would nuike a point of 
 ascertaining the exact date for insertion in the commission of your 
 young officer. Certainly, my dear Major, you may look upon all 
 your sons as appointed, for, as for the youngest, whenever he shall 
 be of age to carry the colors he shall be made Ensign. 
 
 I am very sensible of the gratitude of 31adamc de Salaberry ; say 
 to her, I pray, that she has no occasion to thank me for what I have 
 done for her sons ; but, on the contrary, that the obligation is on my 
 side, from the pleasure I feel in having rendered a service to so 
 respectable a family. 
 
 You already know from my last letter, that Madame de St. Lav- 
 rent had wholly recovered from her fall ; she has passed the winter 
 without any sickness, a thing which we feared, as the climate of 
 North America is by no means favorable ; but for the last few days 
 she has been a little indisposed. As to the future, I flatter myself 
 that after a little she will be quite well again. 
 
 As to myself, the excessive application which I have to give to the 
 affairs of my command, and which liave kept me a prisoner for more 
 than three-fourths of my time since my return from England, con- 
 fining me to my office for thirteen or fourteen consecutive hours, has 
 seriously affected me, as it has deprived me of the exercise to wl'.ch 
 I have all my life been accustomed, and which is indispensable to my 
 health. In consequence I fear I will not be able to hold out long. 
 You know that the Union of Ireland is said to be so far completed, 
 that I have reason to believe that the command of the troops there is 
 destined for me. 
 
 Though I will certainly leave you all with regret, this m-trk of 
 the confidence of the King is too flattering for me not to accept it with 
 gratitude, the more so as it will bring me almost within the family 
 circle. The likelihood of this arrangement, or at any rate an order 
 of leave for the winter, in order to discuss the plans and points neces- 
 sary to be determined before adoption will oblige me to remain here 
 till the arrival of the June or July packet, one or other of which will 
 certainly determine these points. Consequently I am under the 
 necessity of altering my intentions of going to Canada this year, for 
 if I should winter in America after all, it would be too late to un- 
 dertake a voyage without being exposed to encounter hard weather 
 on my return. 
 
 I have only to add, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
66 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 Head Quarters, 
 
 Halifax, 23r(l June, 1800. 
 
 Sir, — I have received the commands of His lloyal Highness the 
 Duke of Kent to acknovpledge the duj^licate ot your letter of the 14th 
 July last, but which having been sent to England and dttained there 
 from v;)viou3 accidental circumstances, did not arrive at Halifax until 
 the 27th ultimo. 
 
 His lioyal Highness had obtained a promise in your favor from 
 the Duke of York, that no one should be promoted to your prejudice 
 unless the vacancy should be occasioned by purchase, when, however 
 mortifying it may appear, yet the custom and general rule of the ser- 
 vice has established the practice beyond the possibility of its being 
 obviated. 
 
 Lieut. Col, Ainslie, having written ly a late opportunity io His 
 Royal Highness, lias been kind enough to mention your conduct in 
 the handsomest and most flattering manner, and which was received 
 by the Duke with the greatest satisfaction, as it afforded an ample 
 proof of your desire to mant his approbation and patronage, by a 
 close attention to the various duties of your profession. 
 
 Your father, Major de Salaberry, is at present residing with 
 his family at Beauport, in perfect health and ease, having obtained 
 from the patronage of His Koyal Highness, the place in the Indian 
 Department, formerly held by Major de Charabault. Your two 
 brothers have also both commissions in the Canadian Volunteers, the 
 elder having been appointed by General Prescott, and the younger 
 by the Duke, and are at present doing duty at St. John's, Lower 
 Canada, in the Battalion of which your father is Major. Your 
 mother and the rest of the family, His lloyal Highness desires me to 
 add, by the last accounts which he received and which are of a recent 
 date, were all in good health also. 
 
 I cannot conclude without communicating to you, that your letter 
 to Lieut.-Col. Wetherall, having in his absence been opened by me, 
 I am commanded by H. R. Highness to express thanks for the pre- 
 sent of the two turtles, which arrived in good condition on the 30th 
 ult., and were very acceptable. 
 
 I have the honor to be. Sir, &c., 
 
 James Willougiiby Gordon, 
 
 Military and Private Secretary. 
 Capt. de Salaberry, 
 
 4th Batt., GUth Regt., 
 
 Kingston, Jamaica. 
 
 My Dear Major, — Though I find myself to-day in the midst 
 of preparations for my departure for England, His Majesty having 
 approved of my return for the present, on account of my lost 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 67 
 
 health, he having judged it expedient to employ me more imme- 
 diately about his person, I do not wish to leave without giving you 
 the news, and offering you my thanks for your letter of the 9th 
 July, which arrived at the'same time as the pretty present from 
 yourself and children. 
 
 I regret that the circumstances under which Mr. left Eng- 
 land and the service, were such as to render it impossible for me to 
 pay the least attention to any recommendation in his favor. It will 
 be sufficient, I think, for me to say, that literally ho merited the 
 punishment, and if he has not been hanged, it is jnly because I fur- 
 nished the means to save him and evade justice ; you may hold him 
 to be one of the most thorough scoundrels that ever lived. 
 
 My health, long since very much deranged by excessive labor in 
 my office, from the moment of my arrival here, added to other 
 weighty reasons, obliged me to ask His Majesty's permission to re- 
 turn to Europe this autumn. It was on the 17th current that orders 
 as above were communicated to me, and I feel sure that you will 
 rejoice when I add that it has been done in the most flattering and 
 affectionate manner. 
 
 One of His Majesty's ships, the Ar 'stance, of 50 guns, wasimme- 
 mediately prepared for me, and as I wish to avoid the possibility of 
 encountering the equinoctial gales, and as every thing will be ready 
 in two days, I propose to embark on Saturday, 3rd August. Con- 
 sequently I will be almost immediately in England ; but you may be 
 persuaded of this, that distance will not ever change my sentiments 
 towards yourself and family, for at all times you may be firmly per- 
 suaded of the continuation of my esteem and friendship, and 1 pray 
 you to believe, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 P.S. — 1st August, 1800. — I have this moment received your let- 
 ter of the 12th July, by the hands of M. Juchereau, and an immedi- 
 ate opportunity presenting, I have appointed him Lieutenant of the 
 1st Batt. of theVoIontaires Canadiens, vice M. Charles de Lanau- 
 diere. 
 
 Major Gordon is authorised to explain to General Hunter that the 
 date of the Ensigncy of your third son, will be the same as that on 
 which Alexander was appointed Quartermaster in the 60th. I am 
 very grateful for the kind remembrances of Madame de Salaberry, 
 and I charge you to present the assurance of my respect and 
 esteem. 
 
 E. 
 
 When it was actually known that H. R. H. was about to 
 leave, the Lieutenant-Governor and Council hastened to pre- 
 sent him with an address, regretting his departure, and com- 
 plimenting him on the security which had been enjoyed while 
 5 
 
68 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 he had oeen in command. We cannot refrain from furnishing 
 one extract : 
 
 " To your benevolence the indigent have owed their support ; the 
 tradesmen and mechanics, employment; and the industrious of every 
 description, the means of reaping the recompense of their skill and 
 diligence." 
 
 We also give a paragraph from his reply : 
 
 " It is with no small degree of pride, that I perceive the many 
 beneficial effects which you are so good as to ascribe to my residence 
 among you ; but at tht same time, that I have not vanity enough to 
 flatter myself that my absence will be so severely felt as you have the 
 kindness to intimate ; it is a circumstance that I shall always consider 
 as one of the most flattering of my life, that I may be certain of carry- 
 ing with me your hearty wishes and good opinion, as well as that I 
 have not failed in my endeavors to maintain the tranquillity and 
 promote the prosperity of your Province." 
 
 We have already given one extract from Sir Brenton Hal- 
 iburton's letters, and we cannot refrain from here giving 
 another, as no language which we could use could so forcibly 
 or truthfully describe what we wish to bring before our 
 readers : — 
 
 " His R. H.'s discipline was strict, almost to severity. lam sure Tie 
 acted onprinciple; but I think he was somewhat mistaken in supposing 
 such undeviating exactitude essential to good order. Off the parade 
 he was the affable prince and poUshed gentleman. At his table 
 everyone felt at his ease ; but while it was evidently his object to make 
 them so, his dignified manner precluded the possibility of any liberty 
 being taken by the most forward. 
 
 " I cannot close without mentioning his benevolence to the distress- 
 ed. A tale of woe always interested him deeply ; and nothing hut 
 gross misconduct could ever induce him to abandon any whom he 
 had once been induced to befriend. I have much pleasure in re- 
 calling these recollections of H. R. Highness, under whom I served 
 for several years, and from whom I received very great kindness." 
 
 Thus H. R. Highness left B. N. America for the last 
 time, bearing the most unequivocal testimonies of the respect 
 of all classes in the community and all parties in the state, 
 and regretted by the warm-hearted and loyal people. Ills 
 command in B. N. America may be looked on as the bright- 
 est and sunniest period of his life, still it had not been with- 
 out its annoyance, arising from the continued embarrassed 
 state of his finances, which had been still further damaged 
 by another serious loss. On his appointment to the com- 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. G9 
 
 ♦ mand in chief in B. N. America, he had ordered his sev^nth 
 equipment to the value of .£11,000 stg., which "was most 
 thoughtlessly sent out in the month of October, in the Amelia^ 
 which was wrecked on Sable Island. Every soul on board 
 perished, and ship and cargo were swallowed up by the insa- 
 tiable sands. This finale to an extraordinary combination of 
 untoward circumstances, Neale justly pronounces to be with- 
 out precedent or parallel in the military life of any one in- 
 dividual and its inevitable tendency was to involve the Prince 
 still deeper in debt, and he quitted America more seriously 
 embarrassed than when he reached it. It is anticipating, 
 but as I think there can be no more fitting conclusion for 
 this chapter, I shall give the extract from Judge Thomas 
 Haliburton, to which I have already referred : — 
 
 " At a distance of seven miles from the town, is a ruined lodge 
 built by H. R. H, the late Duke of Kent, when Commander in 
 Chief of the forces in this Colony, once his favorite summer residence 
 and the scene of his munificent hospitalities. It is impossible to 
 visit this spot without the most melancholy feelings. The tottering 
 fence, the prostrate gates, the ruined grottoes, the long and winding 
 avenues cut out of the forest overgrown by rank grass, and occa- 
 sional shrubs, and the silence and desolation thit reign around ; all 
 bespeaking a rapid and premature decay, recall to mind the untimely 
 fate of its noble and lamented owner, and tell of aftccting pleasures and 
 the transitory nature of all earthly things. It is but a short time 
 since this mansion was tenanted by its lloyal Master ; and in that 
 brief space, how great has been the devastation of the elements! A 
 few years more, and all trace of it will have disappeared for ever. Its 
 very site will soon become a matter of doubt. The forest is fast 
 reclaiming its own, and the lawns and ornamented gardens, annually 
 sown with seeds scattered by the winds from the surrounding woods, 
 are relapsing into a state of nature, and exhibiting in detached patches 
 a young growth of such trees as are common in the country." 
 
 The Lodge has disappeared, having not long survived the 
 "earthly tabernacle" of its builder, but his spirit still lives 
 and his memory is green in the hearts of all in the ^iew and 
 Old Worlds who knew him, and therefore knew his worth, 
 and no more fitting epitaph can be written than is contained 
 in the words already quoted from Sir Brenton Ilaliburton, 
 and which'we delight to repeat : — 
 
 * " A TALE OP WOE ALWAYS INTERESTED HIM DEEPLY, AND 
 NOTHING BUT GROSS MISCONDUCT COULD EVER INDUCE HIM TO 
 ABANDON ANY WHOM HE HAD ONCE BEEN INDUCED TO BEFRIEND." 
 
70 THE DUKE OP KENT. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 England— Governor of Gibraltar. 
 
 1800 TO 1802. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 28th October, 1800. 
 
 My Dear Major,— I have now before mc three letters from you, 
 the first dated Bcauport, 26th July, the second, Quebec, three days 
 later, and the third, Beauport, 12th August. They reached me 
 between the 14th and 18th of the past month. 
 
 You will have heard already, or you will know in a little, that I 
 arrived at Plymouth after a pleasant voyage of twenty-seven days, 
 and I proceeded at once to Weymouth to pay my court to the King, 
 and remained three weeks with him, during which I took advantage 
 of hot sea baths, which certainly did good to my rheumatism. Yet 
 after my arrival in London, I found my chest again affected, and 
 fear that some time will elapse before I shall entirely recover from 
 the effects of so many changes of climate as I have undergone during 
 the past ten years of my life. 
 
 Madame was better than I ventured to hope during the voyage, 
 but since her arrival she has caught a severe cold, which has not yet 
 left her. I do not know if she will have time to write you by this 
 opportunity, but she has charged me in that case with a thousand 
 regards for Madame de Salaberry, yourself, and family. 
 
 Poor Colonel Barnes made, as you will have learnt, the journey to 
 Halifax without meeting me. I am truly sorry for him ; he is an 
 excellent being, and a truly good style of a man. 
 
 I earnestly beg you, my dear Major, to believe that I fully parti- 
 cipate in your regret at your not having seen me during my lato 
 sojourn in America I know not if 1 shall ever return to tli;it 
 country, but you may depend on this, that there can be no place, in 
 which I will not preserve the most kindly remembrance of you and 
 your family. 
 
 I am not ignorant of the services and merits of M. Kuline and 
 Quarter-Master Sergeant Cunningham. I have for a long time de- 
 sired to be useful to the first, and gave him reason to believe that I 
 would do something for him, if an opportunity offered, but unfortu- 
 nately none occurred during my sojourn at Halifax, and I fear that 
 hereafter it will be very difiicult for me to be aware of places which 
 would suit either of them when vacaneies occur, 
 
• THE DUKE OF KENT. 71 
 
 There is certainly no need of apology for introducing to my notice 
 the case of Mr. Black, for he is a man of merit, for whom the Go- 
 vernment should do something, and who has reason to believe that 
 he has been treated with injustice or neglect. I have written to 
 General Hunter in his favor, by this opportunity, and I hope it will 
 produce the effect which he desires. 
 
 There now remains nothing for me, but to thank you a thousnnd 
 and a thousand times, for your kind attention in expressing the hap- 
 piness you felt, and that we all must feel, at Providence having lately 
 preserved the life of the King. As things have turned, an event 
 which might have produced the greatest and most serious evils, has 
 given the opportunity to every portion of the kingdom, to show the 
 attachment which they feel for their Sovereign. 
 
 I hope it is not necessary for me to add any assurance of the con- 
 tinuance of my tsteem and friendship, and believe me, my dear 
 Major, 
 
 • Yours, «&c., 
 
 Edy/ard. 
 
 P. S. — I have very great pleasure in informing you that Mr. 
 Alexander was appointed Quarter Master of the sixth Battalion of 
 the 60th, on the 5th September, 1799 ; the commission of your son 
 will bear the same date, and he will have a right to claim pay from 
 that date. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 29th November, 1800. 
 
 My Dear Major,; — I received on 31st of last month your letter 
 of 6t . August. Though I am very busy, every hour being almost 
 fully occupied, I cannot permit the mail to leave to-day without 
 writing a few lines to inform you that I will certainly do everything 
 in my power to prevent the arrangement which Mr. Milnes desires 
 to carry out in the Indian Department, in representing to the Duke 
 of Portland, as is my duty, the injury which it would do to His 
 Majesty's service. But I do not think there would be any advantage 
 in lending myself to make any representation to Mr. Milnes in your 
 case, if the Colonial Minister judges it proper to recommend to His 
 Majesty, to give the control of your Department to the Civil Gover- 
 nor. But you may depend, that if I return to my post, that I will 
 do everything I can to indemnify you fully, in case of your sustaining 
 injury, which you appear to fear ; if on the other hand another Gene- 
 ral Officer is named in my place, I will not fail to recommend you 
 most strongly to his good offices. 
 
 No change has as yet taken place in my position. As to Ireland, 
 I do not know if it be intended to send me there or not, but I have 
 always had an ambition for^the post, and I flatter myself that it may 
 yet be arranged. 
 
72 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 Pray thank our mutual friend tlio Cur6 Ronauld for his letter of 
 the 11th August, which reached nic the same day as yours, ^ladanic 
 de St. Laurent joins mo in assuring him of our remembrance and 
 wishes for his welfare. She ciiargcs me also with a thousand regards 
 to Madame dc Salabcrry, &c., and believe me, &c.,&c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 14th January, 1801. 
 
 My Dear Major, — You will, I doubt not, do me the justice to 
 believe, that I felt the most lively chagrin, on receiving on the 17th 
 ultimo, your letter of the 10th October, with its enclosure, being the 
 order from Governor Milnes removing you from your post in the In- 
 dian Department, in order to appoint Major de Chambault. The 
 four accompanying papers, which are copies of a correspondence which 
 I have had here with the Duke of Portland, will prove to you that I 
 have taken the strongest measures to point out the gross injustice 
 which has been done you, without reference to the consequent 
 aifront to myself You must know, that for the present nothing more 
 can be done, a« the reply of Governor Milnes must be awaited before 
 I can take further action, but it is possible that it may be necessary 
 for you to take some step on your own part, and that I may not act 
 he;.o unadvisedly, I wish you to consult my friend Hale on this 
 letter, and its inclosures, and to follow the advice which he will give 
 you in consequence, for he is a man of excellent judgment who is very 
 much attached to me, and in whom on the other hand I place im- 
 plicit confidence, and who through the whole of this affair has written 
 with indignation on the injustice which has bsen done you. 
 
 I request that you will inform the Cur6 Renauld, that I have 
 received his letter of 22nd October, and that myself and Madame de 
 St. Laurent will always preserve a remembrance ot him. 
 
 No change having yet taken place in my position. I have nothing 
 more to communicate to you. I shall finish consequently, by as- 
 8uri"g you, &o., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 21st December, 1800. 
 My Lord Duke, — It is with infinite regret that I now feel my- 
 self under the painful necessity of troubling your Grace with a 
 representation of a circumstance that has lately occurred on the part 
 of Mr. Milnes, Lieut.-Governor of Lower Canada, by which my 
 feelings have been very much hurt, as the act of His Excellency has 
 been oppressive to an old and deserving officer, who has been severely 
 wounded in the King's service, inasmuch as it has deprived him of 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 78 
 
 the only certain provision he held, as the recompense of hia faithful 
 Bcrviccs for his dcclininj^ years. 
 
 The circumstance I allude to is the displacing; of Major do Sala- 
 berry from the post of Deputy Superintendent of Indians, which ho 
 held by commission from me, <^i\'e,\ him at the time when the Com- 
 mimder in Chief '*f the Forces had the command of the Indian 
 Department in Lower Canada, without this gentleman having cither 
 done anything to merit a dismissal, or having given in his resignation. 
 
 The plea under which this gentleman was removed, will be best 
 explained to your Grace by a perusal of the inclosure A, which is a 
 copy of the letter of Mr. llyland, Secretary to Mr. Milnes, addressed 
 to Major dc Salaberry, and seems to be no other than that the Indian 
 Department had herctolbrc been subject to the Civil Government of 
 the Province and not to the Military, and the consequent inference 
 that I, as Commander in Chief, was not empowered to grant any 
 commission in it. On this subject, thorcfore, I beg leave to state 
 that, whatever may be His Majesty's pleasure on that head noiv, till 
 his coramandp. were lately delivered to that effect, all the general 
 officers who had commanded in Canada, from the time of the conquest 
 of the country until His Majesty's mandamus, giving the control of 
 the Indian Department in Upper Canada to the Lieut. Governor, 
 was issued, commanded the whole of that establishment under their 
 commission, as Commanders in Chief of the Forces, and not as Gov- 
 ernors of the several Provinces, and when these were received, the 
 Generals coniinued to direct and receive reports from every person 
 serving in that Department, every where but in Upper Canada, until 
 the moment of the arrival of your Grace's instruUions, dated 28th 
 of February last. 
 
 Having obtained the fullest information from Lord Dorchester, 
 previous to my going out as Commander in Chief to Halifax, I felt 
 myself fully authorised to appoint to all vacancies in the Indian 
 Department, but more especially to such as had nothing to do with 
 the Upper Province, As such I conceive the displacing a person 
 appointed by me, without such person having either through mis- 
 conduct or resignation, vacated his situation, as arbitrary and oppres- 
 sive, and therefore, I address Your Grace upon the subject, 
 requesting redress in behalf of Major de Salaberry. 
 
 I think it possible the Lieut. Governor may urge that I had dis- 
 placed Major de Chambault in a similar manner, on my first taking 
 upon myself the command of the Forces in America, I shall there- 
 fore beg leave just to relate this circumstance in ordrc to prove that 
 such a statement would be wholly incorrect. In the year 1793, 
 Major de Chambault, then Captain in the 60th Regiment, was under 
 orders to go on the recruiting service to Newfoundland. Knowing his 
 circumstances to be none of the best at that time, and how essential 
 it was for his comfort and private interest that he should not bo 
 obliged to quit Canada, I obtained for him, through my interest 
 
74 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 with Lord Dorchester, the situation of Major of Brigade to the 
 "orces in Lower Canada, which happened to come vacant at the 
 time, and by which he obtained ten shillings a day. In this situation 
 he remained till the arrival of General Prescott, when that officer 
 being desirous of appointing the nephew of the Marquis de Borille 
 to be Major of Brigade, removed him to the post of Deputy Superin- 
 tendent of Indians, as it became vacant by the death of the former 
 incumbent. In the meantime, Major de Ohambault was promoted 
 to a majority of a Battalion of the 60th, that was on service in the 
 West Indies, when that officer, being again anxious not to leave 
 Canada, I obtained permission for him by application to the Duke of 
 York to exchange into a reduced corps, then receiving full pay, by 
 which he escaped the risk of going to the West Indies. Shortly 
 after the exchange was effected, the officers of these corps were put 
 upon half pay, and Major de Chambault holding a post under Gov- 
 ernment, was precluded from tak'ug the necessary oath to enable 
 him to receive it. On the arrival of Mr. Milncs, he appointed that 
 gentleman as Provincial Aid-de-Camp, with the pay of ten shillings 
 per day, which made his income at that time twenty shillings. I 
 own on being informed of this, I did not consider that it was com- 
 patible for him to retain his situation in the Indian Department 
 also, and directed General Hunter to communicate my opinion to 
 that effect to him, intimating at the same time, that his loss of 
 emolument would be very trivial, as with his situation of Aid-de- 
 Camp, he could qualify for the half pay, and draw his seven and 
 sixpence in that line, together with his ten schillings as Aid-de-Camp, 
 this was followed by a very proper letter from Major de Chambault 
 to me, expressing that he perfectly coincided with everything I 
 wished, and resigning his situation in the Indian Dept.riment. It 
 was not till after this that Major de Salaberry was appointed to suc- 
 ceed him, and in that appointment I was guided not only by a 
 knowledge of the Major's services of his loyalty and attachment to 
 the British Government, but also by a knowledge obtained during 
 my residence in that country, that he would be very popular with 
 the description of Indians with whom his line of duty lay. How 
 far I was right or not in these ideas, the inclosure B, being an 
 address from the Lorette or Huron Indians to me, will fully prove, 
 if your Grace will take the trouble of perusing it. I shall now add 
 nothing more, than that I rely altogether on your justice and candour 
 to take such steps as will redress the injury done to Major de Sala- 
 berry, in doing which Your Grace will confer the highest obligation 
 on me. 
 
 I remain with the highest regard and esteem, 
 My Lord Duke. 
 His Grace, Yours most faithfully and sincerely, 
 
 The Duke of Portland, K. G., Edward. 
 
 &c., &o., &c. 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 75 
 
 Burlington House, 
 
 Thursday, January 1st, 1801. 
 
 Sir, — I learn with infinite concern by the letter with which your 
 Royal Highness has condescended to honor me, that an event has taken 
 place in Canada, which has occasioned dissatisfaction to your Royal 
 Highness, and by which your Royal Highness' feelings have been 
 very much hurt. 
 
 Your Royal Highness, I tru&c, can have no doubt, that I shall 
 take the very earliest opportunity of calling upon Lieut.-Governor 
 Milnes for a full and circumstantial detail of the motives which in- 
 duced him to displace Major de Salaberry from the station to which 
 your Royal Highness had thought fit to appoint him ; and from the 
 knowledge which I have of Mr. Milnes' dutiful respect and attach- 
 ment to your Royal Highness, I shall be very much disappointed, if 
 his report shall fail to satisfy your R. H., that the step he took in 
 removing Major de Salaberry from the post of Deputy Superinten- 
 dent of Indians, was suggested to him by a sense of his duty to His 
 Majesty, and of its being requisite for the security of His Majesty's 
 interests as well as for those of his subjects, who reside in, or have 
 commercial concerns in that country. 
 
 Your Royal Highness will permit me to represent to you, that it 
 is evident from the tenor of all Mr. Milnes despatches, that the office 
 of Superintendent of Indians was considered by him to be an em- 
 ployment entirely of a Civil nature, and it is very probable that he 
 was led to entertain and was confirmed in that opinion, by His 
 Majcsty'b orders during the Administration of Lord Dorchester, on 
 separating t>e interests of the Indians of Upper Canada from those 
 of the Lower Province, that they should be placed under the direc- 
 tion of the Lieutenant Governor of the Upper Province. But I 
 only submit these considerations to your Royal Highness' superior 
 penetration and judgment with a view to dispose your Royal High- 
 ness to think less unfavorably of the transaction in question, and to 
 condescend to admit that it will not be expedient to take any step 
 in the business, until Mr. Milnes has had an opportunity of trans- 
 mitting a statement of the reasons which occasioned him to remove 
 Major de Salaberry from the Deputy Superintendence of Indians, 
 and to restore Majov de Chambault to that employment. 
 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 Your Royal Highness' 
 
 Most dutiful servant, 
 
 Portland. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 January 3rd, 1801* 
 My Lord Duke, — I have bcon favored with your Grace's polite 
 answer to my letter, and beg leave to trouble you with a few words 
 more on the subject of it» 
 
76 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 The situation licld by Major de Salabcrry as Superintendent of 
 Indians, was of such a nature as not in the most distant manner to 
 affcet either His Majesty's interests, or those of any of his subjects 
 having commercial concerns in Canada, let who would be the person 
 entrusted with it, for its duties are totally confined to the Indians 
 immediately in the neighborhood of Quebec, who are the most in- 
 offensive quiet sort of people in the world, and with whom there is 
 scarcely any traffic carried on. Indeed almost all the Superinten- 
 dent has to do, is to report to the Commandant of the Garrison of 
 Quebec, whenever any Indians come into the town to represent their 
 wants, and to issue from the stores such presents and relief as that 
 officer authorises. I am enabled to speak pointedly on this subject, 
 as I myself commanded that Garrison from Augt., '91 to Jany., '94, 
 and during that period, had daily occasion to transact business with 
 Mr. Lanmure who was then Superintendent, and considered by Lord 
 Dorchester as immediately under my orders, as much as any other 
 Staff Officer of the Garrison of Quebec ; unless therefore Major de 
 Salaberry neglected his duty, or abused the trust reposed in him, 
 which I will pawn my existence was not the case, it is impossible 
 that any sense of duty to the King can have suggested to Mr, 
 Milnes the displacing a man, who from his earliest youth had lived 
 in habits of intercourse with most of those Indians, over Avhom his 
 superintondcncy extended, to make room for another, who certainly 
 whatever may be his other good qualities, does not possess the same 
 advantages. 
 
 With respect to the opinion entertained by Mr. Milnes, as to the 
 office of Superintendent of Indians being entirely of a, Civil nature, 
 I cannot help observing, that there is not a single officer who has 
 ever served in Canada, that does not know the contrary to have 
 been the case heretofore ; every person in the Indian Department, 
 holding a commission from the Commander in Chief, being as much 
 amenable to martial law as those who hold commissions in the Com- 
 missariat or Barrack Department^ or are employed in His Majesty's 
 vessels for the transport of troops and provisions on the lakes. For 
 the truth of this assertion, I should esteem it a favor if your Grace 
 would take the trouble of referring to Lord Dorchester, General 
 Prescott, and Mr. Coffin, the Commissary and Controller General for 
 Army accounts in British North America, all within a few hours 
 reach of London. 
 
 From what I have said in this letter, I wish your Grace to under- 
 stand, that I cannot but consider my appointment of Major de Sala- 
 berry to be Superintendent of Indians, on the resignation of Major 
 de Chambault, as one which it was both my duty and right to 
 make at the time I did so, and therefore as such, Lieut, Governor 
 Milne's displacing him, unless he has given cause of dissatisfaction, 
 as oppressive and unjust to him and as an affront to myself, and a 
 reflection on my choice. I therefore flatter myself your Grace will 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 77 
 
 do me the justice to give directions that the matter may be candidly 
 investigated, in order that the blame may finally attach where it 
 ought justly to fall. 
 
 It was not my intention to have said anything in this letter on tbc 
 subject of His Majesty's commands for taking the responsibility of 
 the Indian Department altogether out of the hands of the Command- 
 er in Chief, with whom it has rested from the period of the conquest 
 of Canada, as such had never been officially notified to me, and His 
 Majesty's Ministers had never condescended to consult me on the 
 subject. But as your Grace has touched upon that point in your 
 letter, I cannot avoid saying, that I lament this should have taken 
 place during my command, particularly as 0"u my departure for Ame- 
 rica, eighteen months ago, I certainly quitted England with the 
 fullest impression that the Duke of York had understood from Your 
 Grace, that I was to continue in the supreme command of the In- 
 dian Department in the same manner as Lord Dorchester held it, 
 previous to tiie instruction being issued separating that portion of it, 
 that was immediately within the limits of the Province of Upper 
 Canada, a point on which, in consequence of advice given by my 
 worthy old friend Lord Dorchester to me, in the strongest terms, I 
 was induced to express myself fully to the Duke of York, though I 
 now regret, from the many mortifications I have since experienced on 
 that head, I did not then do it in writing instead of verbally. How- 
 ever, while I remain at home without any immediate prospect of 
 going out again to America, 1 do not wish to trouble your Grace 
 upon the subject any further, reserving to myself, if I am called 
 upon again to repair to my station there, to represent j ly sentiments 
 on this diminution of the authority of the Commander in Chief, and 
 the evils which I foresee will result to the King's service in conse- 
 quence of it. 
 
 As my correspondence with your Grace on the subject of Major 
 de Salaberry has arisen iVom that gentleman's appeal to me as his 
 Commanding Officer, in consequence of his dismissal, I shall bo 
 anxious to acquaint him with the steps I have felt it my duty to take 
 and with your reply to my representation, a3 1 have therefore neglect> 
 ed keeping a copy of my former letters to your Grace, I shall be 
 obliged if you will favor me with one. 
 
 I lament the necessity I am under of taking up so much of your 
 time with this apparently trivial subject ; but I trust your Grace will 
 feel that to me it is an interesting one. 
 
 I have the pleasure to conclude, by subscribing myself with the 
 highest esteem and regard, 
 
 My Lord Duke, 
 Ever most respectfully and sincerely yours, 
 
 His Grace, Edward. 
 
 The Duke of Portland, 
 
78 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 BULSTRODE, 
 
 Wednesday, 7th Jany., 1801. 
 Sir, — The sense of duty I owe to your Royal Highness having 
 occasioned me to anticipate one of the objects of your Royal Highness' 
 commands, by my having already called on Lieut. Governor Milnes 
 for an explanation of the motives which induced him to remove Major 
 de Salaberry from the office of Superintendent of Indians, it only re- 
 mains for me to fulfil the other orders contained in your Royal High- 
 ness' letter of the 3rd instant, by laying before your Royal High- 
 ness a copy of the letter which your Royal Highness condescended 
 to write to me, on the 21st of last month. 
 
 I am, Sir, 
 Your Royal Highness' 
 Most dutiful servant, 
 
 Portland. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 30th April, 1801. 
 
 My Dear Major, — I have been in possession of your letters 
 of 26th November and 21st December, since the 29th of last month. 
 I am very happy to find by their contents, that you have recovered 
 your health, notwithstanding the unpleasantness of your position 
 occasioned by the unfriendly conduct of Mr. Milnes, which you 
 may well believe I appreciate as it ought to be. 
 
 For the present the affair is in suspense, awaiting the reply of the 
 Governor to the representations which I made to the Duke of Port- 
 land on your case, and which were transmitted to him by the Feb "uary 
 packet. I venture to flatter myself that the affair cannot be finished 
 otherwise, than by your re-establishment in office, but I fear that 
 some time may elapse before we know the end. 
 
 I was very sure that my old friend Mr. Hale most sincerely par- 
 ticipated in your troubles ; he has written me strongly and fully on 
 the subject, and in a manner which does honor to his heart. 
 
 Your remarks on the bad policy of placing the Indian Department 
 under the Civil Government instead of under the Military as it for- 
 merly was, appear to me very just. I shall use the same arguments 
 in support of what I shall feel it my duty to say to the Secretary of 
 State on the subject. I only fear that he may not see their force 
 and may be slow to remedy the evil. I am strongly of your opinion, 
 my dear Major, that it is absolutely out of the question for me to 
 return to America, unless the Civil ani Military powers are reunited, 
 and this does not appear likely, at least for the present. I however 
 continue to hold my appointment, and in case of war with the United 
 States I shall go out immediately. 
 
 Our winter has been generally very dull, especially since the be- 
 ginning of February, for the King has been indisposed for three 
 
• THE DUKE OF KENT. 79 
 
 months, but now, thank God, we flatter ourselves that he is entirely 
 convalescent and that he will be spared us for many years. You 
 will know from this that we abstain from any amusement whatever, 
 which cannot fail to make the time hang heavily. 
 
 The situation of poor Colonel Connolly has given me much pain, 
 for I do not see at present any immediate hope of giving him relief. 
 Still let me assure you, that I will not lose sight of him, and the 
 moment that I have an opportunity of serving him, I will not fail. 
 You gratify me by your account of the struggle between Messrs De 
 Bonne and Panet for the Speakership ; it must have produced a 
 great sensation in your little world. 
 
 I am. well pleased that M. de Lanaudi6re has found means to retain 
 his place, in spite of the attempt to deprive him of it, for I believe 
 if he lost it, ho would not bo well off. 
 
 The sending home of all the men of your Companies, after the 
 order of General Hunter not to retain any man in the Battalion who 
 was not capable of performing all the service required, without any 
 change having been made in my position, was as you have judged 
 not communicated to me. I will now finish, &c , &c . 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 1st June, 1801. 
 My Dear Major, — I have had the pleasure to receive yours of 
 the 23rd February, on the 20 th current. I am well pleased to learn 
 the change which you iuform me has been made in your favor in 
 relation to your place in the Indian Department ; if I did not fear 
 there was sf^me plot under it, I would not put you to the trouble of 
 thinking of it, but since I have sfiid so much, I will explain myself 
 fully — I will give you then part of my thoughts. It appears to me 
 that the dismissal of Colonel Bunbury, unless that officer has given 
 cause for his dismissal, of which I am not informed, is an act of 
 injustice even under the rule to which the Indian Department is now 
 subject under the Civil Governor, for Bunbury held his place from 
 General Frescott, who, when he gave it to him was Governor Gene- 
 ral, and consequently on that officer complaining to the Minister, 
 Mr. Milnes will be obliged " hon gre mal (jre" to replace him, and 
 as a consequence you must be so also, and the favored de Chambault 
 will find himself between two chairs, and " le derribre" on the 
 ground. I hope sincerely that I may be a false prophet, but I con- 
 fess I have great doubts, but in any case I advise you to accept, 
 without saying a word, the place under the conditions now offered, 
 and above all to remain on good terms with His Excellency, for if 
 the misfortune should happen which I believe I foresee, you will 
 have a right to claim from him, indemnity. 
 
80 THE DUKE OF KENT. * 
 
 Colonel Gordon having sent oflScially to General Hunter the date 
 of the commission of Cherrier, I have no doubt that all your 
 uneasiness on that head has been set at rest long ago. The com- 
 mission which has been recalled by me, was signed by my hand 
 before I left Halifax, and was transmitted to General Hunter in 
 order to have the date filled in, the same as in the commission 
 appointing his predecessor, Ensign Alexander, to the post of Quarter 
 Master in the 60th. 
 
 You will be, I am sure, pleased to know, that I continue for the 
 present to hold my appointment as Commander in Chief in America, 
 my leave having been lately renewed for another year. I know not 
 if I will ever again be obliged to cross the ocean, but in spite of the 
 attachment which I bear you all, I shall be inclined to do what I 
 can to prevent it. 
 
 Madame de St. Laurent is well, and charges me with many 
 remembrances to yourself and Madame de Salabcrry, and believe, 
 &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 1st October, 1801. 
 There has been no change in my position here, except my nom- 
 ination to the first regiment of Foot (Koyal Scotch) of two Battalions, 
 in place of the Fusileers, which General Clarke has got, but this will 
 not influence the post which I hold in America, and which I will re- 
 tain, with permission to be absent on leave, till further orders. 
 
 The Duke availed himself of his being in England to press 
 his claims on the Ministry, and clearly pointed out the re- 
 peated losses which he had sustained from his removals on 
 service, and which by captures, shipwrecks, and similar causes 
 beyond control, amounted to at least £50,000. He showed 
 plainly that if the same justice were meted out to him as to 
 the Duke of Clarence, tliat he would be entitled to receive 
 .£96,000, but if he were only placed on the same footing as 
 the Duke of Cumberland, he should receive £48,000. Mr. 
 Pitt had promised relief, but Mr. Pitt retired from office with 
 his promise unfulfilled. His successor Mr. Addington prom- 
 ised, and forgot or repudiated his pledge. But it was under 
 his administration that the Duke was transferred from the 
 " Royal Fusileers" to the " Royal Scotch," and was shortly 
 after tendered the Government of Gibraltar, an appointment 
 which Mr. Neale has justly remarked, changed the whole 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 81 
 
 current of his life, and entailed on him years of unmerited 
 obloquy and mental suffering. Mr Neale states that he had 
 seen a memorandum in the Duke's own hand-writing, and evi- 
 dently corrected by him as late as 1818, by which it appears 
 that the post was tendered, and not sought by him, and ivas 
 only accepted after he had received the strongest assurances 
 from Grovernmenf of their /idlest support touching any regu- 
 lations luhich he might find it necessary to issue. In the fol- 
 lowing letter to Major de Salaberry, he incidentally alludes 
 to his appointment : — 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 2nd April, 1802. 
 
 My Dear Major, — I have been a long time in possession of 
 your letter of 20th October, as it reached me toward the end of No- 
 vember, but I calculated that if I wrote you direct by the fleet, 
 you would have my letter as soon as if I had sent it in winter by the 
 packet, which makes a circuitous route to New York. But while 
 awaiting the moment of departure of Colonel Doyle, who charged 
 himself with my letters, an event has taken place which has totally 
 changed my position, and which I am sure will affect you very 
 much ; it is no less than my appointment to the Government of Gib- 
 raltar, vacant by the death of General O'Hara. In consequence, I 
 ceased on the 25th of last month to be your Commandant, and I 
 will embark for my new post at the end of the month. The inten- 
 tion I believe is, not to appoint a Commander-in-Chief in America, 
 while there is peace, but that General Hunter will have the com- 
 mand in Canada as Lieut.-General, and General Boyera in Nova 
 Scotia and New Brunswick and their Dependencies. 
 
 I am tlie more delighted, that before resigning my post in America, 
 I have seen you reestablished in tho post to which I had appointed 
 you, and from which you had been so unjustly displaced. I believe 
 that you have no reason for fear, on the point which you appear to 
 apprehend, that is to say, your residence at Quebec, for I have writ- 
 ten to General Hunter to say to him, that in case your Battalion 
 should leave Quebec, it is my desire that you should have leave, till 
 such time as a new order is made to discharge the duties of your 
 post in the Indian Department. 
 
 Everythina is arranged in connexion with your youngest son, and 
 General Huater will receive by the hands of Colonel Doyle the 
 Commission • for all the vacancies in the battalions of your regi- 
 ment, signed by me, the Duke of York having had no desire to 
 meddle in the matter ; consequently the Scheffalizkys, father and 
 son, have obtained, the first a Lieutenancy in tlo first Battalion, 
 vice Juchereau, and the second an Ensigncy in the second Battalion, 
 vice De Borderin, promoted to the Lice, but I regret that for the 
 
82 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 present I cannot fulfil my intentions in regard to the Marquis du 
 Barrail, and I beg of you that in expressing my regret, you will also 
 excuse me for not replying to his letter. Before I promised him a 
 company, I was engaged for the first vacancy, to an old officer 
 named Sutherland, whom I wished to have immediately appointed 
 to the Newfoundland Regiment, on the retirement of Captain Bourk, 
 and I considered that the transference of Captain Sutherland to this 
 regiment would also furnish me the opportunity to fulfil my 
 other engagements, by placing the Marquis in your Battalion, 
 but unfortunately the protection of the Prince of Wales was extend- 
 ed to an officer named Frood, of the Newfoundland Regiment, and 
 then I flattered myself that I could indemnify the Marquis in 
 consequence of the retirement, but I discovered that Captain Frood, 
 finding that he was a supernumerary Captain, refused to be named to 
 the place. You will see well then, that this unfortunate circum- 
 stance arose from no fault of mine, and I hope that from my good 
 intentions towards the Marquis he will do me the justice to believe 
 that I am truly sorry ; lastly, I will not fail to say to General Hunter, 
 through Colonel .Doyle, that my word has been pledged for the first 
 vacancy, and that I count it a point of honor to fulfil it. 
 
 Permit me to charge you to present, viva voce, replies to the let- 
 ters, which at different times, I have received fromM.de Lanaudidre, 
 Cur6 Renauld, Baron ScheiTalizky and Lieut. Dupres, and to which, 
 from being surcharged at present with preparations for my depar- 
 ture, I am unable to find time to reply. You will say to M. de 
 Lanaudi^re, that I enter fully into all his feelings on the subject on 
 which he wrote me, and that if I have one cause of regret more than 
 another, in quitting the command in North America, it is that 
 I feel that the separation of the civil from the military functions 
 has done the King's service essential injury, which I had it not in 
 my power to remedy ; add the assurance of my remembrance, and 
 the interest which I will always feel in him, and which will not be 
 diminished from the knowledge which I have of the unpleasantness 
 to which he has been exposed in certain quarters. 
 
 Say to the Cur6 Renauld a thousand obliging things for me, as 
 also from Madame de St. Laurent, and that we join in the most 
 sincere good wishes for his health and welfare. 
 
 To the Baron SchefFalizky, you will please say that I think the 
 best reply to him, is that sent to General Hunter — the commissions 
 for himself and son. 
 
 Finally tell Lieut. Dupres, that being no longer in command, I 
 very much regret that I can do nothing for him, but if I had retained 
 it, he should have had the first company after the Marquis de 
 Barrail. 
 
 Now, my dear Major, there only remains for me to add the as- 
 surance of the great regret of Madame de St. Laurent and myself, 
 which we cannot express in person, as there is little appearance at 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 83 
 
 present of our ever meeting again, unless there be a chance of our re- 
 turning to America, or of your coming here, either of which events 
 you must be convinced is within the chapter of accidents, but at the 
 same time we hope that you will never doubt our friendship, and 
 that you will be at all times firmly persuaded that wo will always pre- 
 serve you in our memories ; it is with these sentiments and wishes 
 of friendship and esteem that I subscribe myself, my dear Major 
 from the bottom of my heart, ' 
 
 Most sincerely and faithfully, 
 
 Edward, Duke op Kent. 
 
 
 
84 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Gibraltar — State of Garrison — Instructions— Reforms — Military — Suppression — • 
 Kecall. 
 
 1802 and 1803. 
 
 We can find no other paper among the de Salaberry cor- 
 respondence, under date 11^^02, but the letter which concludes 
 the last chapter, and which is the only letter Avhich makes 
 TTitntion of the Government of Gibraltar, we are thus com- 
 j ciled to fall back on foreign sources for an account of this 
 most eventful period in the Duke's career. 
 
 Fortunately, from statements of the most reliable nature 
 left by himself, and which have been adduced by^ Mr. Neale, 
 and from official documents, Ave are enabled to place the 
 train of events, under his brief, but important Government, 
 clearly before our readers. 
 
 The Duke Avas appointed to the Government on the 27th 
 March, 1802, he embarked at Falmouth on 27th April, and 
 reached Gibraltar on 10th May. 
 
 In the first place, it is evident, that to the drunkenness 
 and insubordination prevailing in the garrison, Avas due the 
 tender of the appointment, and according to his statement, 
 the Premier at one of the many interviews which he had Avith 
 him on the subject, used this language : — " This state of things 
 cannot be permitted to endure ; it has lasted too long. It 
 must be put down, and your Royfrt Highness is the man to 
 do it. You may fully reckon on the fullest measure of sup- 
 port from the Cabinet at home." And on the 21st April, 
 a few days before his departure, the Commander in Chief, 
 the Duke of York, Avrote : — " I consider it my duty on your 
 assuming the command of the Government of Gibraltar, to 
 make your Royal Highness aware, that much caution Avill be 
 necessary to establish a due degree of discipline among the 
 troops, and Avhich I trust you Avill be able gradually to ac- 
 complish, by a moderate exercise of the poAver vested in 
 you." And another of his instructions Avas thus : — "It is 
 essential that jrour Royal Highness should be made aware 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT 85 
 
 previous to your assuming command at Gibraltar, that too 
 great a portion of the garrison has been usually employed 
 in duties of fatigue ; that in consequence discipline has been 
 relaxed, and drunkenness promoted ; that it will be the duty 
 of your Royal Highness to exact the most minute attention 
 to all His Majesty's regulations for disciplining, arming, 
 clothing and appointing the army, from all of which not the 
 most trifling deviation can be allowed." 
 
 On arrival, he found that the statements made to him fell 
 short of the reality ; immorality, laxity of all military 
 rule and insubordination among the men prevailed to an 
 alarming extent. The troops on parade presented a sloven- 
 ly appearance and want of uniformity in their dress and ap- 
 pointments, and the inaccuracy of their movements, and the 
 unsteadiness of both officers and men, were apparent to every 
 observer. Discipline Avas at the lowest ebb, consequently 
 when off duty, the men Avere in a state of disgraceful intoxi. 
 cation, and clothed so as to resemble laAvless plunderers, 
 rather than organised troops. No unprotected female could 
 walk the streets even during day, without being subjected to 
 the grossest insults, and in several cases to brutal violence. 
 
 His Royal Highness saw with regret, that much of this 
 state of things was due to the carelessness of the officers and 
 their inattention to duty. Having fully informed himself of 
 these facts, by personal enquiry and observations, he at once 
 set about their reform, and devoted to it seventeen hours 
 each day. But he encountered unexpected difficulties Avhere 
 he was entitled to support ; the officers themselves had be- 
 come so demoralized, that they aided in exciting prejudices 
 figainst His Royal Highness among the men, by circulating 
 falsehoods as to his eagerness to inflict corporal punishment; 
 and Henry Salisbury, one of the convicted mutineers of the 
 25th Regiment, at a time when he could have no motive for 
 inventing a falsehood, but when according to his own words, 
 he conceived it to be his duty as a soldier, and for the ease of 
 his conscience, thus wrote and attested : — " The mutiny was 
 formed and conducted by the officers of the garrison, and 
 those officers were of the first rank." 
 
 Feeling that drunkenness was at the root of all the evil, 
 he determined to strike at it at once ; he found that there 
 were ninety Avine and spirit houses within the garrison 
 )though he materially curtailed his own income by doing so) 
 he reduced the number to sixty, by cancelling the licences of 
 
86 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 those who sold in the immediate neighborhood of the bar- 
 racks and guard-rooms and obscure lanes, letting those re- 
 main that were in th'* public streets. 
 
 His next step was to give occupation to oflScers and men, 
 believing that it would materially conduce to sobriety, re- 
 storation oi discipline and consequent diminution of crime 
 and punishment. A roll call was established at sunrise, and 
 a dress parade morning and evening ; care was taken that 
 the men should attend regularly at meals, and that they 
 should be in barracks after the firing of the second evening 
 gun. He instituted regular periods for drill and exercise ; 
 provided for the regiments being off duty in succession, so 
 that the commanding officers might see their men together 
 once a week ; and enforced the system of march manoeuvre, 
 laid down in His Majesty's regulations, to effect a general 
 uniformity throughout the whole garrison. He also by a 
 General Order, No. 146, established a wise set of regulations 
 for the Canteen. 
 
 These reforms, as might have been expected, were unsatis- 
 factory to the parties affected. The officers were offended, 
 because they were taken from their cards and billiards, which* 
 they were accustomed to consider a part of their duty, the 
 men submitted with relu stance to the drill and discipline to 
 which they were now regul?iily subjected, and the clamors of 
 those whose licenses the D. ke had withdrawn were inces- 
 sant ; these combined causes produced at first a spirit of 
 secret but deep dissatisfaction, which at length broke out in 
 open mutiny. 
 
 On the evening of the 24th December, the 2nd Battalion 
 ot the Royals, excited with liquor, (having had their balances 
 paid them) forced open the barrack gates and seized their 
 arms, vowing vengeance against the Adjutant, who had 
 ordered that they should not be suffered to go into town. 
 Not finding him, they ran to +he barracks of the 25th Regi- 
 ment, and endeavored to persuade that corps to join them, 
 but without success. They then sent a large party to the 
 64th Regiment ; the grenadier company of which received 
 them with a galling fire, wounding five of them. In less 
 than an hour all was over and as next day they appeared 
 contrite, H. R. H., after commenting forcibly on the enormity 
 of the offence, forgave it. 
 
 But on the 26th December, the 25th having received their 
 balances, also got drunk, and went to induce the Royals to 
 
THE DTTKE OF KENT. 87 
 
 join them, which they refused to do ; and by the prompt 
 action of Lt. Col. Ross, who commanded the 54tli, this 
 second attempt at mutiny was crushed in less than three 
 hours. Two of the 25th were killed by the fire of the Artil- 
 lery, and unfortunately, one man was killed and five wounded 
 out of a detachment of the Royals, who were, on this occa- 
 sion, approaching to assist the Artillery to suppress the 
 revolt. 
 
 An attempt was now made to induce the, Duke to show the 
 same leniency to the mutineers of the 25th, as had been in 
 the case of the Royals, this he firmly resisted, and caused 
 the ringleaders to be seized and brought to trial. Ten were 
 found guilty and condemned to be executed, but only three 
 met this doom. The Duke's firmness and modera-'ion thus 
 extinguished the mutiii/, and in the course of a few days 
 order was fully re-established, and all the troops brought 
 back to a state of perfect discipline and obedience. 
 
 The mutiny, it appears, was mainly brought about by 
 foreigners in the ranks. Of the men executed, two were 
 Dutchmen and one an Irishman. Mr. Neale relates a com- 
 munication which he had with an old Chelsea pensioner, who 
 was in garrison at the time of the mutiny, which fully 
 establishes the fact that the appetite for drink was the chief 
 cause of it! "The Duke of Kent," said the veteran, "I 
 remember him well. He was a very had man. He would 
 not let us drink. He said a soldier might do without drink ! 
 an impossibility ! a rank, sheer, downright impossibility ! 
 And then his hours, he was up before the sun ! and the 
 parades — he never missed one. There was one word fore- 
 most in his Prayer Book — the word Duty, and by that he 
 swore. He was noble looking, Sir, Avas the Duke — noble, 
 noble, but had rather too much of iron in him ; and, Sir, 
 very few of the oflicers stood by him — very, very few — about 
 the wine houses in particular. In that matter, he stood 
 alone. Sir — almost, if not altogether alone. To be sure it 
 was surprising how the deaths in the garrison diminished 
 after many of the wine shops were shut up — the sick list was 
 wonderfully shortened. Perhaps the Duke meant well. But 
 about parades and wine shops his notions were most cussedly 
 onaccountable !!" Mr. Neale further says: — "He found the 
 garrison abandoned to intemperance — licentious, insubordi- 
 nate, unsoldierlike. To remedy these evils, was his plain 
 aud paramount duty as Commander in Chief. His missioQi 
 
88 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 from England had that special end in view. He eflfected it 
 not with the aid, but in spite of the apathy and opposition of 
 his oificers. The garrison was in perfect tranquillity, and 
 the troops in real subordination for three months before he 
 was recalled." 
 
 The books in the office of the Commander in Chief, show 
 that there were fewer deaths in Gibraltar among the troops, 
 by at least one half, during the Duke's command, than there 
 had been in the same space of time for many years before 
 or since, and further, that after he left there were more trials 
 by court-martial in any three months that may be fixed on, 
 than there wei'y during his whole stay at Gibraltar. 
 
 Order Avas reestablished, but in the month of March, 1803, 
 Captain Dodd, the Duke's military secretary, who had been 
 sent to the Horse Guard? with his despatches, returned with 
 orders that H. R. Highness should transfer the command to 
 the second in command, General Barnett (whose recall he 
 had requested), and should return without delay to England, 
 for the purpose of communicating with His Majesty's confi- 
 dential servants on what had passed in the garrison. The 
 Duke declined to hand over the government to General Bar- 
 nett, but resolved to await the arrival of Sir Thomas Trigge, 
 who was to supersede him, and who arrived on the 21st April. 
 The Duke remained ten days thereafter, in order to lay 
 before Sir Thomas the condition in which the command was 
 transferred to him. The excellent order in which everything 
 was found was then fully admitted, and faithfully recorded 
 by Sir Thomas. 
 
 On the let May, 1803, he sailed on his return to England, 
 his Government of Gibraltar having lasted a few days less 
 than a year, but under what different feelings with which he 
 had left it on a former occasion for America, or with which, 
 a short year before, he had assumed the Government. He 
 returned wounded and insulted, and by the hand of a brother. 
 He had not only been summarily ordered home, when he 
 expected approval, but had been directed to hand over the 
 government to the very man who he had every reason ^o 
 believe, and did believe, was the cause of most of the disor- 
 ders and insubordination which he had been sent out to sup- 
 press. 
 
 On arriving in England, he at once demanded from his 
 lirothcr, the Commander in Chief, an investigation into his 
 conduct, earnestly urging that all privileges of rank should 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 89 
 
 be waived, and a Court Mar.ial sit in judgment. The answer 
 was: — " The assembling of a Court Martial to adjudicate on 
 the propriety or impropriety of the actions of an officer of 
 his rank, was manifestly inexpedient. No such Court of 
 Enquiry could be granted." 
 
 It IS pleasing to record that while he experienced this 
 treatmtmt at the hands of his brother, the Commander in 
 Chief, ,i\e had the cordial sympathy and active support of his 
 brother the Prince of Wales, who thus remonstrated with Mr. 
 Addington : — ''You send a man out to control a garrison all 
 but in a state of open mutiny. You tell him to terminate 
 such a disgraceful state of things. You assure him of the 
 unqualified support of Government in his undertaking. He 
 goes out. He finds matters infinitely worse than they were 
 represented. The impending outbreak occurs. He quells it 
 thoroughly. By way of reward you disgrace him ! If you 
 want to deter an officer from doing his duty, or desire to 
 encourage a mutinous soldier, your tactics are admirable. 
 They cannoc fail to attain such a result. Edward may well 
 complain. He were neither officer, nor man, if he were 
 silent." 
 
 Some time after his recall, and when it was known that he 
 was in disfavor at the Horse Guards, the inhabitants of 
 Gibraltar remitted the sum of one thousand gi 'li-as to Capt. 
 Dodd, to purchase a piece of plate as a memento of their 
 attachment to II. R. Highness, and their perfect approbation 
 of his Government. 
 
 Perhaps the most unequivocal testimony has been furnished 
 by General Sir VVm. Faucett, for many years Adjutant-Gen- 
 eral under the Duke of York, who thus expressed himself on 
 the "Military Instructions for the Garrison of Gibraltar," 
 issued by the Duke of Kent : — "I have received both pleasure 
 and edification in perusing it ; no officer in that or any other 
 garrison, who makes the exact and regular performance of 
 his duty the primary object of his attention, which he cer- 
 tainly ought to do, can set up any just or well grounded 
 objections to it ; and I think the Duke of Kent entitled to 
 the highest praise for so enlightened and excellent a system, 
 the more so because it was a branch of the public service 
 which had been most neglected." 
 
 Mr. Neale, in his preface, gives a letter which he had 
 received from a man of hif/h rank, but whose name he sup- 
 pressed, in which this paragraph occurs in reference to the 
 
90 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 Duke : — "He was a military reformer — attempted to remedy 
 certain gross evils ■which required immediate correction, 
 and met with no support either from ■within or ■without, from 
 his family or from his officers. Jealousy in a certain Ivgh 
 quarter, to ■which I cannot for obvious reasons particularly 
 allude, swamped him." 
 
 The preface also contains this passage, from a letter of 
 another gentleman, to ■whom he had applied for information : 
 — " The history of the Duke's military life is so interwoven 
 with difficulties, that some time yet must elapse before it can 
 be done justice to. It would be unjust to deal with it par- 
 tially ; and the more so, as documents exist on which it can 
 be impartially treated, and to his honor and credit." And, 
 " It must be some years, even then, before many details 
 could be laid before the public, that it is due to the Duke's 
 memory should be known." 
 
 *' judgment thou art fled to brutish beasts, 
 And men have lost their reason ; 
 
 master , if I were disposed to stir 
 Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, 
 
 1 should do Bruliis wrong and Cassius wrong, 
 Who you all know are honorable men. 
 
 I will not do them wrong ; I rather choose 
 To wrong the dead, to wrong myself, and you, 
 Than I will wrong such honorable men," 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 91 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Kensington Palaeo— Cfistle Hill Lodge — Negotiations— Field Marshal — 
 Death of Mr. Pitt. 
 
 1803 TO 1805. 
 
 The Duke had restored order and discipline in the gar- 
 rison at Gibraltar, but it was effected not merely at the cost 
 of his own comfort and quiet, but by the sacrifice of a k ,rge 
 portion of his income. How great that sacrifice must hf-ve 
 been we can readily understand when we know that he was 
 at the time suffering under great embarrassments, having to 
 pay from bis income the interest on £20,000 of bonded 
 debt. 
 
 No allowance had been granted to him for an outfit, as he 
 was told that the fees from auctions, wine;^ houses, etc., from 
 which his income was to be derived, were so great that no 
 a,llowance was ever given. Every license, then, whioh his 
 sense of duty compelled him to withhold, was withheld at his 
 own loss ; consequently when he left Gibraltar he was deeper 
 in debt than ever. 
 
 The correspondence with de Salaberry which appears to 
 have intermitted during his absence at Gibraltar, for causes 
 which can be easily appreciated, was recommenced shortly 
 after his return to England, and from this date he also be- 
 came a correspondent of his young proUgS, Charles Michel. 
 The first letter to de Salaberry the elder, is as follows : — 
 
 Kensington Palaci:, 
 
 13th December. 1803. 
 
 My Dear de Salaberry, — Yesterday evening I had the 
 pleasure to receive your letter of 26th October. I beg you to 
 believe me that it give me very great pleasure to find that yourself 
 and excellent wife were in the enjoyment of good health. 
 
 You already know that I have obtained for Maurice an ensigncy 
 in the " York Rangers," a regiment of the line composed of negroes 
 raised by Colonel Stevenson, formerly of the 50th Foot, The corps 
 is destined, in the first place, for Canada, where the staff of 
 the regiment will be in spring. It is for this reason that I particu- 
 larly desired to appoint your eon ; I had hoped also to have been 
 
92 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 able to appoint your third son, Chevalier, but I have not yet suc- 
 ceeded, but I liope after a little time to succeed in putting him in 
 the same corps as his brother. If the plan of Colonel Stephenson 
 succeeds, there is no doubt but that the regiment will be disbanded 
 at the peace, but in that case the half-pay and rank attached to each 
 grade will be an object of some consequence to my young friends. 
 
 I shall only add now the assurance of my affectionate remem- 
 brance of Madame de Salaberry, and the children, and I always, &c., 
 
 Edward, 
 
 P. S. — I am striving to obtain leave for your eldest son, and I 
 flatter myself you will see him in May. 
 
 Castle Hill Lodge, 
 
 28th December, 1803. 
 Dear de Salaberry, — Your letter of the 5th October, I receiv- 
 ed a few days ago, and I shall immediately make the application 
 you wish, for your leave. I hope I may succeed, as I am sensible 
 that both on account of your health, and the number of years that 
 have elapsed since you saw your relatives, it must be a very great 
 object for your to get home for a short time. 
 
 You are perfectly right in making your application to me, as from 
 the attachment which I bear your father, and the interest which I 
 must take in yoar welfare, having brought you originally into the 
 service, you will ever nnd me ready to step forward when I can be 
 of use to you. 
 
 Should there be any officers of my old acquaintance in your Bat- 
 talion, pray remember mo kindly to them, and believe me ever to be 
 with sincere regard, 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, 
 
 Yours &c, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 Captain de Salaberry, 
 &c, &c. 
 
 KiiNsiNGTON Palace, 
 
 Nov. 1st, 1804. 
 Dear Sir, — J am commanded by the Duke of Kent to acknowledge 
 the receipt of your letter of 8th June last, which His Royal Highness 
 would have replied to sooner, if he had had anything satisfactory to 
 communicate to you respecting the leave of absence which you soli- 
 cited, but the Commander in Chief having declined any interference 
 with General Nugent on that head, the Duke was unwilling to make 
 known to you the failure of success which attended his application. 
 His Royal Highness has since heard with much satisfaction, from 
 Capt. Fernet, that General Nugent has granted you leave, and also that 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 93 
 
 of late your conduct has been very correct. Mr. Hale has likewise 
 communicated to H. 11 Highness, your highly meritorious attention 
 to the comforts of your family, ichkh must principally depend upon 
 you and your brothers for support. The Duke desires me to add 
 that by a steady adherence to a line of conduct so creditable to you, 
 you will always insure his protection. 
 
 I have the honor to be. Dear Sir, 
 
 Your most obdt. humble servant, 
 Capt. de Salaberry, J. A. Vesey. 
 
 1st Batt. 60th. 
 
 Mr. Pitt returned to power in 1804;, and the Duke took 
 the opportunity of pressing his claims anew on the Govern- 
 ment. Mr. Pitt at once admitted their justice, and gave the 
 Duke a distinct assurance that he should be fully remuner- 
 ated, but that owing to the state of public business, nothing 
 might possibly be done till after the close of the session. 
 But the session of 1804 closed, and a great part of that of 
 1805 passed, and the original creditors whose bonds had be- 
 come due were very pressing, when he sought another inter- 
 view with the minister in July, who then told him that His 
 Majesty intended to grant <£20,000 from the droits of Ad- 
 miralty to each of his younger sons, which he hoped would 
 prove a temporary accommodation to him, but that it was not 
 to aflfect the consideration of his peculiar and distinct claims for 
 losses. The X20,000 was received and at once applied to the 
 payment of the original bond of 1791. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 11th March, 1805. 
 My Dear de Salaberry, — I take advantage of the March 
 mail to reply to your letters of 22nd and 25th November. Before 
 they reached me, I had already commissior'id Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Gordon, formerly my Secretary, but now Secretary to the Duke of 
 York, to submit the names of your sons Maurice and Chevalier to my 
 brother, for promotion as Lieutenants, and I have every Reason to 
 believe that after a little we will have the desired success , but in the 
 meantime the corps to which Maurice belonged, having a lew days 
 ago been unexpectedly placed on half-pay, I have tak^en steps to 
 have him appointe.l in the first place, Ensign in the Fourth Battalion 
 of my own regimont, the^ Royals, and I wait to see his name appear 
 as such in the Gazette of the 1st instant. In consequence it will be 
 necessary for him to take passage here by the first opportunity, and 
 I beg of you to consult our mutual friend, M. Hale, on the subject 
 
94 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 as I have mentioned it to him, in a letter which I wrote him yes- 
 terday. 
 
 If Chevalier has not yet started for the West Indies, I strongly 
 advise you to send him by England, as it is very likely I may be 
 able to get him appointed a Lieutenant immediately. As to the two 
 brothers Taylor, who have been lately appointed to companies in the 
 Fusileers, it is necessary that I should explain to you, that their 
 promotion was in the course of regular succession, and not by any 
 extraordinary favor, the addition of a second Battalion to that Regi- 
 ment, having given on the same day the rank of Captain to five of 
 the senior Lieutenants. 
 
 I rejoice to learn that your eldest son, has recovered so well from 
 the effects of his long sojourn in the West Indies, and I doubt not but 
 that his native air will in a short time restore him to his former 
 health. 
 
 Mrs. McDonnell having suffered extremely from sea sickness, has 
 not yet left Liverpool, where she disembarked, and there her hus- 
 band has gone to meet her, so we have not hitherto had any oppor- 
 tunity of speaking to her. It is likely they will leave together for 
 Gibraltar, where Mr. McDonnell goes with the commissariat, with 
 an allowance of five shillings in addition to his pay as Captain. 
 
 Madame de St. Laurent sends a thousand compliments to you and 
 Madame de Salaberry and promises to write by Captain Vesey, who 
 returns to Canada at the end of next month. 
 
 In the meantime, my dear de Salaberry, 
 
 - • I shall, &c., &c. 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 5th April, 1805. 
 
 The departure of Captain Vesey, my dear de Salaberry, has been 
 so suddenly announced, that being to-day very busy I see with regret 
 that I must deprive myself of the pleasure of writing you a long 
 letter, but I promise that I will make amends for it the first oppor- 
 tunity — do not then say " le hon billet qui a la chartars," for you 
 would do me injustice and I will prove it to you. 
 
 Nothing could be more delightful than your letter, but its author. 
 I have read it with extreme pleasure, what you say of Maurice 
 enchants without surprising me. During his infancy I was always 
 struck with something chivalrous about him, and you will recollect 
 my passing my fi:.gers through his fair sunny hair, and comparing him 
 to the famous Maurice, Count Saxe. I do not think less of my liltlc 
 chevalier, now that he is at least as tall as you are. 
 
 I hope you are satisfied with the way our Duke has disposed of 
 both. His Royal Highness has certainly shown very great zeal. I 
 would likewise inform you that Colonel Vesey, who is a very great 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 95 
 
 friend of yours, has contributed everything in his power with the 
 Secretary of the Duke of York, and has eulogised in the most flatter- 
 ing manner the brilliant talents of both young gentlemen. He assures 
 me that they are really charming, and noted over the whole country 
 for their politeness and elegant manrers. 
 
 I hope that this letter will find Captain do Salaberry in better 
 health ; the care of his tender mother and yours cannot fail to re- 
 establish it speedily. On thinking how fatal those Islands are to tho 
 health and lives of so many brave men, one cannot but regret their 
 possession. Pray assure the dear invalid of my most tender regard. 
 
 I am very happy to learn that Madame de Salaberry, (^alias "Ma 
 Souris'') enjoys such good health. It will not fail to give me great 
 satisfaction when I shall hear of the marriage of my three young 
 friends, to whom I send a thousand loves. 
 
 Adieu, dear and ever dear de Salaberry, I have only a minute 
 left to dress and go out. It is go and come from morning till night. 
 Ah! London, I will not call you a hole — the greatest and most 
 beautiful city in the world — but every place has its drawbacks. 
 
 Your sincere friend, 
 
 J. DE St. Laueent. 
 
 I have but time to add, that Maurice and Chevalier are now both 
 Lieutenants in my regiment (the Royals) and that they must repair 
 to England as quickly as possible to join their Battalion. For the 
 present both are attached to the second, but I flatter myself before 
 they shall arrive, they will be attached, at least, for the present to 
 the third, the services of which are limited to the British Isles. I 
 wish to give you this information myself, believing that you will be 
 more gratified in receiving the news from me, than from any one 
 else. 
 
 Adieu, dear de Salaberry, Receive for yourself and wife, the assu- 
 rance of the esteem of your devoted and afiectionate. 
 
 Edward. 
 A. M. M. de Salaberry, 
 Beauport. 
 
 In connexion with these letters, the following extract is 
 given from a Quebec Journal : — 
 
 '' On Saturday, 15th June, a dinner was given at the 
 Union Tavern, by the Officers of the 1st and 2nd Battalion 
 Canadian Militia, to Maurice Rock de Salaberry, Esq., late 
 Adjutant of the Ist Battalion at present Lieut., in the 2nd 
 Battalion Royals, for the purpose of congratulating him on 
 his new promotion, as wall as wishing him and his two 
 brothers a good voyage, they being on the eve of their de- 
 
96 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 parture for Great Britain. The other guests were Col. de 
 Salaberry, Col. D'Estimauvillc, Capt. de Salauerry of the 
 60th Regt., and Lieut. Lewis de Salaberry of the first Royals. 
 Lieut. M. R. de Salaberry appeared with the gold medal, 
 ■which was last summer presented to him by the Officers of 
 the 1st Batt., in acknowledgment of his zeal and attention 
 in instructing them in the military art. 
 
 " Before the dinner an officer of the 1st Batt. rose and 
 addressing Lieut. M. R. de Salsiberry, prayed him in the 
 names of the officers present to accept anew the thanks of 
 the Battalion, who could not see his departure without regret, 
 Avere they not persuaded that a more brillant career was 
 open to him in which he would have an opportunity of proy- 
 ing to the mother country, the zeal and loyalty by which 
 Canadian subjects are actuated. 
 
 "The answer of Lieut, de Salaberry was modest. He 
 said : — ' He did not deserve the honor which he that day 
 received, but he assured his friends that he would use his 
 best endeavors to render himself worthy of the sentiments 
 they entertained in his favor, and that ho should ever be 
 mindful of the happiness he at that moment felt.' 
 
 " After dinner the usual loyal toasts were given, concluding 
 with this sentiment : — ' Our three Cadets, may they do 
 honor to their country, and prove to Great Britain, that His 
 Majesty has no better defenders of his crown than his 
 Canadian subjects.' " 
 
 The three brothers sailed for England on the 26th Juno 
 following. 
 
 Whilst he was thus actively engaged in advancing the for- 
 tunes of this family, his own aifairs gave him unceasing 
 anxiety, and while he was urging his own peculiar claims, 
 he with that freedom from selfishness for which he was ever 
 distinguished, undertook to bring under the notice of the 
 Minister the position of his younger brothers, (the Duke of 
 York excepted,) and to point out how inadequate the Parlia- 
 mentary allowance of .£12,000 per annum wjis to keep up the 
 appearance which was expected from Princes of the Blood, 
 in consequence of the enormous rise in every article since 
 the passing of the grant. After repeated interviews the 
 Duke was authorized to inform his brothers, that their Par- 
 liamentary income would at the opening of next session be 
 raised to X18,000 per annum clear of all deduction. Certain 
 other perquisites were also promised, or a commutation in 
 
THE DUKE OP KENT. 97 
 
 lieu thereof. At the same time Mr. Pitt repeated his 
 pledge, that the special claim of the Duke of Kent should 
 be considered as exclusive of the general arrangements, 
 observing : — '' That he was fully aware of the hardship of 
 H. R. Highness' situation and of the difficulties that pressed 
 upon him, and fully admitting the justice of assisting him to 
 get over them." 
 
 Death suddenly put an end to the possibility of perform- 
 ance on the part of Mr. Pitt, who was a just and honorable 
 man, and meant to carry out faithfully what he promised ; 
 and the Duke was again left to begin negotiations anew with 
 the Grenville administration. 
 
 Before closing this chapter it must be stated that on the 
 5th September, 1804, His Majesty promoted him to the rank 
 of Field Marshal. 
 
98 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Grenville Administration — Arri\al of three de Salaberrya — Recruiting for 
 Royals — Sir George Prevost. 
 
 1805 AND 1806. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 3rd September, 1805. 
 
 My Dear de Salaberry, — Our young men have arrived fresh, 
 vigorous and in good health. I will not attempt to express to you the 
 pleasure I had in receiving them. Captain de Salaberry is as usual, 
 very well, but the two Cadets, both of whom I last saw when so small, 
 are to me 'perfect wonders. The Duke being at Weymouth with the 
 Royal Family, I myself had the pleasure of doing the honors of Ken- 
 sington Palace, and 1 hope they are quite satisfied with the friendly 
 and cordial manner in which I acquitted myself. 
 
 Captain de Salaberry, in whom I am happy to recognise the true 
 son of his father, has had the gallantry to say to me, that he found 
 no change in me, I have not failed to let him know I was much 
 pleased with the good intention, which led him to pay a compliment 
 so agreeable to a lady, after an absence of ten years. The tall Maurice 
 and the amiable Chevalier, (jour living picture) also said they would 
 have recognized me. My dear de Salaberry, you see they are made 
 for the world, and they will be successful without doubt. 
 
 Our dear Duke did not fail to see them immediately on his return, 
 and partook of my enthusiasm in regard to them ; he has arranged 
 with them their journey to Scotland, where they will repair imme- 
 diately by sea. Captain de Salaberry will remain with us during 
 the three months he proposes to remain in England, but till such 
 time as we have a vacant room at Kensington, the Duke has asked 
 him in the meantime (which will not be long) to mess every day with 
 us. 
 
 It is a very fortunate thing for Maurice and Chevalier, that your 
 old friend Colonel Hardyman is at the head of their regiment, (the 
 Royal Scotch), for he is ever grateful for the politeness he received 
 from Madame de Salaberry, and will not fail to be very friendly, and 
 as he is just married he will have greater opportunities of shewing 
 them many attentions. I have also recommended them myself to 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 99 
 
 Mrs. Hardyman, an amiable person who will be very useful to theui, 
 so everytliinu is (,(ife and ferfectbj ireil. 
 
 You may believe that I put question on question to these three 
 amiable sons of ijours, vavX 1 have learnt with pleasure that my dear 
 " tiouris" my little friends, and my godson, are enjoying brilliant 
 health. Master Edward will, I flatter myself, be lucky enough, for 
 he has made a fortunate entrance into the world, His Koyal Highness 
 having already nominated him as a cadet at Woolwich, and you must 
 send him to us next year, when he shall have completed his fourteenth 
 anniversary. 
 
 The letters of your sons for you, my dear do Salaberry, being' 
 already here, I am again prevented for want of time, to write you at 
 leisure, but this I again promise to do on the first opportunity. Be- 
 lieve me in the meantime, dear de Salaberry, 
 
 Your sincere friend, 
 
 J. BE. St. Laurent. 
 A. M. M. De Salaberry, 
 
 &c., &c., &c. 
 
 P. S. — Kiss a thousand times my dear " Souris" and my charming 
 girls. 1 find on reading over my letter that I forgot to say, that 
 your sons dined with us yesterday. Pray assure Mr. Thomas, to 
 whom present my compliments, that I did not forget to deliver your 
 message to the Duke, who appears well disposed to comply with his 
 wish, and I believe his son will be immediately appointed," 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 October 1st, 1805. 
 
 My Dear Father, — I wrote by the last packet of the extreme 
 good fortune that awaited me as soon as my brothers went to Scot- 
 land. I am now established in His Royal Highness' family, and 
 to attempt describing to you the astonishing attention paid me by 
 Madame de St. Laurent would be impossible. I have now been 
 with them about a fortnight, and surely nothing more satisfying to 
 my feelings could have happened, and I think you will feel on this 
 occasion as I do myself — sensations the most pleasing. I hope that 
 when you write to them you will touch on this subject, and mention 
 liow great are my sentiments of gratitude for all the favors they have 
 had the goodness to confer on me. Madame is really a sweet woman, 
 and is as handsome as ever. The Duke and herself seem amazingly 
 attached to you, and would I am convinced had they a proper oppor- 
 tunity, do everything to serve you. But the Duke has not that 
 influence which, as a Prince of the Blood, he might be supposed to 
 have, and yet lie is undoubtedly far more correct in his conduct 
 than any of his Boyal brothers. 
 
 Independent of the honor of accompanying the Duke and Madame 
 de St. Laurent to the play, they have given me the privilege of going 
 to their box by myself whenever I please. This is grea' ttentiou 
 7 , 
 
100 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 from them, as I know it is done with a view of saving my pocket. 
 I have not as yet got into the apartment destined for me in the 
 paUice, as they are not quite ready, but will be in a few days. This 
 will also save me at the rate of forty or fifty guineas a year, in fact, 
 presently I shall be at no further expense than for my breakfast and 
 dress. This article is however beyond anything you can conceive, 
 clothes are really dearer than in Canada, and of course I am obliged 
 to appear always well dressed, in silk stockings, &c. In short it has 
 cost me already upwards of forty gumeas on that account, and it 
 looks as if I yet wanted everything. 
 
 I shall now, my dear father, proceed to give you a piece of intel- 
 ligence which I am sure will give you pleasure, it is that 1 am no 
 longer to r/o to the West Indies. I mentioned to the Duke of Kent, 
 that though I had every wish to return to my Company, I was 
 utterly unfit for the climate, and that it was your particular wish 
 that I might avoid going there. He had immediately the kindness 
 to wait on the Commander in Chief, explained to him my situation, 
 and obtained a promise that I should be appointed to one of the 
 Battalions coming to England, until one went to Canada, and that I 
 should then altogether be removed into it. Now it appears plain 
 that a Battalion will go to Canada, but which is not known yet. I 
 do not think the Third VfiW — perhaps the Fou7-th,\)nt more likely 
 the Six'h. However, this (!fin't be done till next year, and perhaps 
 not till the next after, and I shall still be in the way of anything 
 that may turn up. 
 
 I know not whether the Duke means to keep me about his person 
 any length of time, however this arrangement will give him the op- 
 portunity if he chooses, and I'll endeavour to conduct myself to his 
 satisfaction, I am now the fifteenth Captain and in the way of being 
 soon the eleventh. I may look forward to a Majority in two or three 
 years. 
 
 The Duke of Kent made me wait on the Duke of York ; he ap- 
 peared to be a far diiFerent man. The 4th Battalion who have been 
 drafted into the 1st and 6th, that is the staff ofiicers, &c., who had 
 been supposed lost at sea, have at last arrived, and are obliged to per- 
 form quarantine. Major Clark had not joined them when they left 
 Jamaica. I have seen Major and Mr. Christie, I have met also 
 Governor Milnes. 
 
 As for political or warlike news I ought to refer you to the papers ; 
 this much I'll say that Bonaparte appears to be in great danger. 
 The Austrians have an army of 400,000, perhaps the best they 
 ever have had, and the Russians are coming forward very fast with 
 another supposed upvrards of 200,000, The Swedes forty or fifty — 
 England fifty, and most of the Electors have, or must soon take piirt 
 in the general confederacy. It does not appear improbable that the 
 King of Prussia will join, if so we may calculate on the quick fall 
 of I3onaparte. It is not supposed that we (the English) will 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 101 
 
 attempt anything till the spring, although a vast number of trans- 
 ports have been in readiness, for a long time past. Bonaparte has 
 not 500,000, if even so many." 
 
 P. S.— October 4th, 1805— aS'. oW. — The above was written to 
 be sent by the packet which was to leave three days ago. I just found 
 an opportunity by the kStates, and I have only time to add a few 
 lines. The Duke has hoard of the death of General Hunter. He 
 called me aside yesterday and asked me if I should not like to go to 
 Canada, as Aide-de-Camp to some general officer. You may suppose 
 my surprise and my answer. He supposes General Burton will be 
 appointed. He h .s written to him to desire he would take me with 
 him. The Duke thinks that General Burtca will not, if appointed, 
 refuse him that favor. This proves the Duke's good will to do 
 everything for me. Independent of emoluments, how pleasant it 
 would be for me to be in such a situation any where, but particularly 
 in Canada. This must be a secret between us, uutil I write again, 
 which will be in ten days, by the packet. If it appears I should not < 
 succeed, it is better that nobody but you and I should know any- . 
 thing about it. 
 
 My brothers have joined their regiment. They have not wrote me 
 yet. The 4th Battalion is at last arrived. It is said to-day in 
 town, that a French squadron had got out, and taken two of our 
 East India ships. This is not much credited. With my best respects 
 to my dear mother, and all the family I am, in great haste, my dear 
 father, yours, 
 
 E. M DE Salaberry, 
 P. S. — October 10th. — This could not go by the opportunity 
 that I mentioned before, but H II H is good enough to inclose it 
 with his despatches. General Burton is in Ireland, therefore the 
 Duke does not expect an answer in less time than eight days from 
 this date. I have nothing new to mention, except that I received a 
 letter from Maurice yesterday. The 3rd Battalion of the Royals is 
 coming to England immediately. They belong to it. They are to 
 land within twenty -four miles of this ; I shall have the pleasure of 
 seeing them soon again. Adieu my dear father. 
 
 C. M. DE S. 
 
 The year 1805 terminated in disappointment to the Duke ; 
 the relief extended by Lord Grenville fell far short of that 
 promised by Mr. Pitt. >£ 18000 was granted as the annual 
 Parliamentary allowance, but subject to income tax of £2000. 
 There was a certain accumulation of debt from interest accru- 
 ing upon interest, and though the payment of hi>-j debts was 
 the constant object of his life, he was not able to attain it. 
 He felt this the more, as his embarrassments had not 
 been occasioned by thoughtless extravagance, but oy actual 
 
102 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 unexpected losses for Avhich he conceived the nation wa3 
 responsible. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 May 21st, 1806. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I have Deen much pleased with your two 
 letters, which I should have acknowledged a great deal sooner, had 
 it not been for the accumulated occupation which Lord Melville's 
 trial gave me, and which you will easily guess from your own know- 
 ledge of the life I lead in general, left me while it lasted, not a 
 single second in the twenty-four hours I could call my own, and 
 never five hours any one night for rest. 
 
 I am delighted to find you met with so kind a reception from that 
 excellent ofticer and worthy man Lieut. Col. Baron de llottenburg, 
 but it was not more than I expected, as I know there was every dis- 
 position on his part to show attention to any one that comes recom- 
 mended from me. Pray do not fail to call upon him as soon as you 
 get this letter, and convey to him my warm thanks for his most 
 obliging answer to my last respecting you. 
 
 I hope you will exert yourself to y'ludy the German language, 
 while you continue under his command, as you never can have a 
 finer opportunity of doing it, and that you will perfect yourself in all 
 the scientific details of the manoeuvres of a rifle corps, for which 
 he is master unquestionably in our service. 
 
 I have not yet heard anything relative to the destination of your 
 Battalion, but I should think it very likely that you would be 
 ordered to Sicily, if that become the scene of active operations, for 
 there is no country so celebrated for the advantageous use of rifle- 
 men as that. I am equally ignorant of the arrangements intended 
 for the commands of Halifax and Quebec, but am all alive and on 
 the watch for every thing that regards your interests. Mr. Wind- 
 ham is still too busily employed with Ins military plan to be able to 
 attend to Major Robertson's aff"air, or to decide on the point of the 
 reversion of the Indians store-keepers ship, on which that officer sell- 
 ing to you is to depend, but the moment he has a little leisure, I 
 intend refreshing his memory on the point. 
 
 Madame de St. Laurent and myself are much pleased to find that 
 our little gifts to your parents and your sisters have at length got 
 oflf, and we hope that by the end of this month they will reach them 
 in safety. 
 
 Pray inform Mr. Holland that exclusive of the orderg he has got 
 to be received on board the VUle de Milav, I have got Lord 
 Berkley to name him to his brother the Admiral, who goes on board 
 that ship to take the command of the Halifax station, so that 1 irust 
 he will find himself comfortably situated on board. 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 103 
 
 Major Wauchope having written me that my third Battalion is 
 now all clothed, I hope you will ^ct leave to ride over for a day, to 
 see them out, in order that you will bo able to report to me how they 
 look and march. 
 
 Ilavinji; now nothing further to add, I shall conclude by assuring 
 you of the unalterable friendship and regard with which I am dear 
 de Salaberry. 
 
 Yours most faithfully, 
 
 Edward. 
 Capt. de Salaberry. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 28th May, 1806. 
 Dear de Salaberry,— -I am much obliged to you for your let- 
 ter which has just come to hand, and your attention to my wishes 
 in going over to Chichester. Your report of the improved appearance 
 of the men of ;uy 3rd Battalion, since they got their new clothing, 
 is, as you i^^ay suppose, very satisfactory to me ; I wish you had 
 been able to say as much of the manoeuvre!; but I am very thankful 
 to you for telling me thus candidly the truth. As to the mode of 
 inarching, I was already prepared to hear what j'ou have stated, but 
 a letter which I wrote yesterday to Major Wauchope ivou/dl should 
 hope at least it oiti/ht to bring them back to the old system again, 
 and if he does his dufy it must. 
 
 Yours sincerely, 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 June .3rd, 1806. 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I have just got your letter and hasten 
 to inform you, that as yet I find Lieut. -General Eraser has not ac- 
 cepted for certain, either of the North American Districts, so that 
 no application has been made to him, but the moment I can ascer- 
 tain that he has, I shall instantly write to him about taking lyou as 
 his Aide-de-Camp, in case either of those he now has with him on 
 the Staff in North Britain should not intend going out with him. 
 
 Tell Mr. Holland, that I will speak to the Duke of Clarence to 
 give me a letter to Sir Erasmus Gower, according to his wish, qr I 
 will get him to name him to that officer before he leaves town, which 
 I should think may answer the same purpose. In the meanwhile I 
 have only to add, that by this day's post, and under Mr. Ereeling's 
 frank, I send you two letters I have just received from Quebec for 
 you, and remain with friendly regard. 
 
 Dear Salaberry. 
 
 jiver yours sincerely, 
 Edward, 
 Capt. de Salaberry. 
 
\ 
 
 104 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 KENSIN'aJON PaLACE, 
 
 July 4th, 1806. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — Having got the Duke of York's permis- 
 sion to take for the Royals, any men of the Garrison Battalions 
 who are fit for general service, and may be inclined to volunteer for 
 it, from that limited description to which they now belong, I wish 
 you, with the permission of my worthy friend Col, Baron de Rot- 
 tenburg, to take the charge of recruiting for me, from that Battalion 
 (the third if I mistake not,) which is in your neighbourhood. 
 
 If therefore he is so good as to permit you to render me that ser- 
 vice, you will apply for his leave to run over to Lieut.-Colonel Barlow 
 at the Isle of Wight, in order to acquaint him that I have so deputed 
 you for the purpose, there being no officer of my own whom I could 
 well spare at present for that duty. Conceiving that no diflBculty 
 can arise about this, I herewith inclose copies of two letters I have 
 received from Lieut.-Col. Gordon, military secretary of the Comman- 
 der in Chief,upon this subject, which I presume will sufficiently explain 
 every point on which it is necessary for you to be informed, but if 
 you wish to have any further instructions, only write to me, and you 
 shall have your questions answered without delay. 
 
 I have now only to add that I rely on your exertions, and ever 
 remain, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 P. S. — As the old bounty is still allowed, this is the golden mo- 
 ment for the men, as it probably will not long continue, you must 
 therefore make the best of this persuasive argument with them. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 July Uth, 1806. 
 Dear de Salaberry, — Not having got home from Windsor last 
 evening till seven o'clock, I was not favored with yours of Friday till 
 too late to act upon it by last night's mail, I now however have 
 to acquaint you that the Deputy Adjutant General, to whom I sent 
 Lieut.-Colonel Smyth this morning, has engaged that by to-morrow 
 evening's post. Major- General Sir Geonje Prevost shall have in- 
 structions to afford everij assistance to our recruitiufj from the first 
 Garrison Battalion, which I hope will obviate the greatest part if not 
 every one of the obstacles which you have hitherto had so unfor- 
 tunately, and indeed I may add so unexpectedly and unnecessarily 
 thrown in your way. With respect to the drummers, I am fearful 
 from what the Deputy Adjutant General said to Lieut.-Colonel Smyth, 
 that I may not be equally successful, (though I have it more at 
 heart to carry that point than anything) for Brigadier General Wyn- 
 yard seemed to think that those only above the complement allowed 
 Garrison Battalions, would be permitted to volunteer, however, you 
 must do the best you can, and 1 must rely more ol yo'ir immediate 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 105 
 
 exertions to carry the point through on the spot, than on support 
 on this from Head Quarters, though in everything else I may from 
 the professions of the Deputy Adjutant General, expect it. To aid 
 you in this I send you a copy of the circular letter to the command- 
 ing officers of the Garrison Battalions, of whicii I think, if you are 
 quick, you may avail yourself, so as to get the drummers attested 
 and oif before any order arrives ; for the spirit of it seems fully to 
 sanction the enlisting of them, as well as the non-commissioned 
 officers. 
 
 Your brothers of course who must, I reckon, be with you since 
 yesterday, are to be considered as the party to receive the volunteers, 
 which will remove any objection on that score, and I think it proba- 
 ble, that by Tuesday Lieut -Colonel Bullcr may send two non- 
 commissioned officers of the regiment to join them, but if they do not 
 arrive in time, it should not detain your brothers going off to Hor- 
 sham with such men as can be got, who cannot bo sent off too soon 
 after their enlistment. 
 
 I refer you to your brothers for the reason that renders it impos- 
 sible, for the surgeon of the Royals to be spared from Horsham ; so 
 much on this subject, to which I will add more to-morrow, if I find 
 anything further to communicate. 
 
 Pray give my kindest regards to Colonel de Ilottenburg, and tell 
 him I have not heard a single syllable of his Battalion being des- 
 tined for Sicily, but I will endeavor to find out if that be the case, 
 and then give him the earliest information of the result of my en- 
 quiries, which I am sure is the least I can do, in return for all the 
 kindness and attention he has shown me. 
 
 I shall now take my leave of you to-day, assuring you, dear de Sal- 
 aberry, of those sentiments of unvarying friendship and regard with 
 which I ever am 
 
 Yours most faithfully, • 
 
 Edward. 
 Capt. de Salaberry. 
 
 P. S. — I inclose for your information Lieut.-Colonel Smyth's 
 note to me. 
 
 Kensington Palack, 
 
 18th July, 180G. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I have to acknowledge your letter of 
 yesterday, which has just come to hand, by which I perceive that 
 you have turned over sixty volunteers from the 1st Garrison Battal- 
 ion to your brother on Wednesday, who I trust in consequence of 
 what I wrote, yesterday to Sir Georye Prevost, will be at latest 
 to-morrow, on their march to Horsham. 
 
 Having directed Capt Broad to send you one hundred attestations, 
 before your application reached me, I hope by this day's mail yon 
 
106 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 will have received them, at least if the printer has thought proper to 
 keep his word. 
 
 With respect to the druram.rs, the only prospect I sec of securing 
 them, w'll be to find out '"f there are not in the ranks of the Garrison 
 Battalion, old ricn, who have been drummers formerly, who might 
 replace them for all the purposes of duty, in which case there seems 
 no reason why, as the number would in that case be made good, the 
 volunteers might not be permitted to join me, and this 1 have s'kj- 
 gested to Sir Geonje Prevost, loho, 1 hopa ivill act itpon it. 
 
 In the 2nd Garrison Battalion no difficulty has been made in giving 
 up whatever drummers volunteered, but I am not able to say whether 
 that corps had not supernumeraries above the establishment or not. 
 The circumstance of the 31st Regiment having got none of these men, 
 notwithstanding the permission to recruit which they had in common 
 with us, does infinite credit to your zeal and exertions, and I feel 
 confident that whatever is in the power of any man to eiFect, will be 
 done by you. Here it will be proper for me to mention, that after 
 the 10th of next month that all lii.nted service men at present in the 
 2'^d Battalions of the line, who shall not by that time have volun- 
 teered from limited to general service, are to be turned over to 
 Garrison Battalions, which as we are to have permission to continue 
 recruiting from them, will aiFord us, I should think a far larger field. 
 I apprehend as the Commander in Chief has authorized limited ser- 
 vice men volunteering for any regiment, that it must be incorrect on 
 the part of any commanding officer of a corps to prevent means being 
 taken by any recruiting officer properly empowered, to ascertain the 
 sentiments of such men, as are not inclined to re-enlist for their own 
 corps ; hoicever if your brother has reported what happened to him 
 to Mv George Prevost, the steps he loill take in consequence of it, 
 must prove %ohat his sentiments aie upon the subject. 
 
 I shall certainly communicate to the Duke of York, my friend Col. 
 de Rottenburg's hint concerning the Portuguese and Germans on board 
 the prison ships, but I am very apprehensive if they are allowed to 
 enlist at all, that it will be only for the 60th Regiment, 
 
 Nothing can be more judicious than your remarks upon the losses 
 sustained by families of the men who had enlisted upon the Reserve 
 and Defense Acts, whenever they volunteered 'for general service, 
 which nmst certainly impede men of that description having families 
 from coming forward, but I am apprehensive clear as the case is, 
 that ministers conceive that they would not be warranted in remedy- 
 ing it. 
 
 Having '".othing else to add I shall conclude by desiring to be re- 
 membered to your brother, and subscribing myself with the most 
 friendly regard, 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, , 
 
 Edward, 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 107 
 
 P. 8. — I annex the Adjutant General's answer to my query rela- 
 tive to the 5th Battalion of the GOth Regiment, which has just come 
 to hand. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 July, 23rd 180G. 
 
 Dear de Salabehry, — On my return from Windsor, this fore- 
 noon, I found your letter of the day before yesterday, inclosing your 
 very handsome returns of volunteers, and instantly rode into town to 
 communicate its contents to my worthy friend, Brigadier General 
 Wynyard who was quite outrageous to hear ihat ^ou were again balked 
 in your recruiting, who were authorized to do so from Head Quarters, 
 while the 31st were allowed to go on, who had, as he observed, no regular 
 sanction whatever, to take any men from the Garrison Battalions. 
 He has in consequence promised to write to night to Sir George 
 Prcvost, so explicitly as to prevent the possibility of your being inter- 
 fered with again. You will in consequence, the moment you receive 
 this, call on the General, and in my name enquire if you might pro- 
 ceed with the recruiting as before, when there can be no donht of his 
 answering in the affirmative. As soon as the point is settled let me 
 know if you would wish one or both your brothers to stay with you, 
 and whether you would wish to have besides the assistance of a 
 sergeant of the Eoyals, for what I am now looking forward to, is to 
 avail ourselves, of th 3 moment when the limited ser-vice men, wlio 
 would not volunteer for general service, join the Garrison Battalion, 
 and which will be principally those who did not like the usage they met 
 with in their own corps, and who might if they had had the oppor- 
 tunity, have disposed to turn out for another; at which time, I should 
 conceive that our success might reasonably be expected to surpass 
 that we have hitherto had, notwithstanding that has been o consi- 
 derable in itself. 
 
 I have now only to express my sincere and entire approbation of 
 the conduct and zeal you have shown throughout the whole of this 
 business, although I feel from your account of it, it has cost you so 
 many unpleasant moments, however if my gratitude, and your own 
 success, in overcoming every obstacle, can make you forget these, you 
 may flatter yourself you have every right to do so. 
 
 I remain with the most friendly regard, dear de Salaberry, 
 
 Ever yours, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 Captain de Salaberry, &o. Kensington. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 29th July, 180G. 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I have just received yours of yesterday 
 and am, as you may suppose, highly gratified to find that every obi 
 
108 THE DUKE OP KENT. 
 
 stacle to your recruiting for the Royals has been removed, and that 
 notwithstanding every attempt to oppose i/ou, the xoay is at length 
 clear before you. 
 
 With respect to your future conduct in the service which you have 
 been so good as to undertake, I will only say to you, persevere as you 
 begun, for you cannot do better. Lieut. Col.-Buller will receive my 
 instructions to-morrow, to leave Sergeants Hunt and Hickes with you, 
 and to send over your brother with Corporal Nicholas (with a view 
 to his future promotion,) and a third sergeant from the regiment to 
 form the recruiting party, who are to be entirely at your disposal. 
 
 Whenever the staif of the 2nd and 4th Battalions join at Horsham, 
 which will be in a few weeks, I shall hope to be able to send your 
 other brother over to you, but just now there are such a number 
 of men with the 3rd Battalion, and so small a proportion of officers 
 to them, that 1 fear both could not be well missed, especially as they 
 are without any doubt, the two most valuable officers we have in the 
 corps. 
 
 I am perfectly sensible that I owe the attainment of the five 
 drummers altogether to your exertions, and was no stranger to the 
 turn that matter had taken, which indeed I communicated to Briga- 
 dier General Wyuyard, privately, from whom I have met with all the 
 kindness and support possible, I was much vexed to hear of the 
 pitiful malicious att£:ck made upon you by the officers of the 1st 
 Garrison Battalion, but their being compelled to relinquish the prose- 
 cution of it in the manner you have explained, must have been at the 
 same time a very great mortification to them and triumph to you. 
 
 Let me hear from you from time to time of your progress, and 
 believe me always to be with the most friendly regard, dear de Sala- 
 berry, 
 
 Yours most faithfully, 
 
 Eeward. 
 Captain de Salaberry, 
 
 5th Battalion, 60th Regiment. 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT 109 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 Recruiting for Royals. — Obstruction?. — Sir George Prevost. — Princess of Wales 
 and Sir John Duuglus. — Half incumo trausrerred. — Maurice aud Louis doSala- 
 
 berry euibark for India. 
 
 1806 AND 1807. 
 
 During the greater portion of ISOG, the Duke continued 
 to take great interest in enlisting for his regiment, and 
 letters on the subject, at least once a week, passed between 
 him and Captain de Salaberry, of very similar tenor to those 
 already given ; from which the reader will be able to judge 
 of his habits of business in the closest details : — 
 
 Kensington Pala.ce, 
 
 15th August, 1806. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — Having been absent at Brighton from the 
 morning of the 11th until yesterday, I have been unable earlier 
 to acknowledge your letter of the 10th with its enclosure, which I 
 found on my return here. I hasten now to repeat my warm acknow- 
 ledgment to you for your zealous exertions, and the infinite service 
 of which you have been to my corps. 
 
 On inspecting the 3rd Battalion on the 11th at Horsham, I had 
 the opportunity of seeing all your recruits, and I found them 
 generally very serviceable good men, so that if this last batch is but 
 as good, I can answer before hand for their fully meeting my appro- 
 bation. As soon as the 2nd battalions of regiments of the line have 
 turned out their limited service men to the Garrison ones, and the 
 first of these shall have received their proportion, I shall rely on 
 further success from the continuance of your efforts. Should you 
 want any further assistance in the way of recruiting parties than 
 you have, on receiving an intimation from you to that effect, I shall 
 immediately attend to your wishes. I have great satisfaction in 
 adding, that I saw your brother Louis at Horsham acquit himself 
 most creditably in the field, of his duty as commander of a division , 
 and that of his general conduct, as well as that of Maurice, I have 
 received the most flattering report from Lieutenant-Colonel BuUer. 
 
 We talk of moving to Castle Hill Lodge about the 25th, so that, I 
 hope, towards the latter end of September or beginning of October, 
 we shall enjoy the satisfaction of having you with us for a fortnight. 
 
110 THE DUKE OP KENT. 
 
 nc^reeablo to the promise you made us, on setting off to join )'Our 
 Battalion. 
 
 Let nie liear from you again, as soon as you break ground with 
 the limited service men from the 2nd Battalion of the 31st Regi- 
 ment, which I understand you are prevented from doing till after 
 the 20th inst , but then I .should hope our success will make up for 
 the disappointment we have hitherto experienced in that quarter, 
 owing to the unaccountable conduct that has been observed throu'di- 
 out towards us, on the part of the general officer who is second in 
 command in the district. 
 
 I remain with friendship and regard, 
 
 Dear dc Salaberry, 
 
 Edward, 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 August 30th, 1806. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I received with great satisfaction yester- 
 day your letter, in which you give me the welcome intelligence of the 
 safe arrival of my godson, and enclosed a packet brought by him from 
 your worthy father. Nothing can be more natural, than that you 
 and your brother Maurice should wish to detain the young man a 
 few days with you, and there cannot be the smallest objection to your 
 doing so, but as the party would be incomplete without Louis joined 
 you, I intend instructing Lieut.-Colonel Buller by to-night's mail to 
 send him over to you on Monday or Tuesday, for as long as you 
 would like to keep Edward with you. When you have had enough 
 of him you will be so good as ship him on board of one of the Gosport 
 coaches, that passes through Kensington, and consign him there to 
 the Reverend Mr. Wetherall, who will have my further instructions 
 conjointly with his brother the Brigadier, who is now with me, to 
 settle everything about the equipment that may be necessary for 
 him, and going to Bonnecastle's Academy, for as long as may be 
 expedient to qualify him to pass his examination, previous to his 
 admission as a cadet to the Academy at Woolwich. 
 
 As I shall expect to receive from you on 3Ionday a report of your 
 progress in recruiting, I shall not name that subject at present, but 
 conclude by desiring my affectionate regards to Maurice and Edward, 
 and subscribing myself with friendship and esteem, dear de Sala- 
 berry, ever yours most respectfully, 
 
 "- • Edward." 
 
 Edward Alphonse de Salaberry, the godson of the Duke of 
 Kent, at the request of H. R. Highness left his home and 
 proceeded to England in H. M. ship Champion, com- 
 manded by Captain Bromley, on 16th July, 1806. Hia 
 arrival was announced in the following letter : — 
 
THE DUKE OP KEWT. Ill 
 
 Castle Hill Lodoe, 
 
 Kith September, 1806. 
 
 As tlic Duke has told mc, my dear da 8ahiberry that from the 
 delay of tlis departure of tlie packet there is time for mo to write, and 
 with n'reat pleasure I take up my pen to announce the arrival of your 
 Edward. Tlie boy who came to spend some days with us here and who 
 conducted himself with all possible grace, has really charmed us and 
 nearly turned our beads. Nobody could be better bred, more polish- 
 ed or gentle, and his countenance is so intelligent and open and he 
 smiles so sweetly. You had good reason to say in one of your former 
 letters, that his pleasing mien would charm mc. I am absolutely 
 carried away, for never did a boy of his age inspire mc with so much 
 interest. He will tell you I am sure how much I have caressed 
 him — more than he desired — but he endured it all with the best 
 grace and the most perfect good temper. He permitted himself to 
 be kissed and questioned without ceasing with great good nature 
 and without any fear, for it is not possible to spoil him. 
 
 To-day at length we decided to let him go to school, accompanied 
 by General Wetherall, wheve we hope he will do well. It is the first 
 and best school in the country, and there he will remain till such 
 time as it is judged that he is sufficiently advanced to go to Marlow 
 and from thence to Woolwich. 
 
 Before placing him under the rod of h;s master, we could not 
 refuse to show him, in the meantime, the sights of London. Ho went 
 with us to Drury Lane, and he hadonrhos. for himse/f and company 
 at Covent Garden. His company was. Dr. Wetherall, the General, Mrs. 
 Wetherall, &c. We intend to go and see him in the course of next week 
 to recommend him favorably to his Academy. I repeat there is 
 not such another amiable boy. During his stay here he played drafts 
 dominoes, backgammon, &c, and I am happy to say he won our money 
 at all these games. It is impossible, with the intelligence he showed 
 on every occasion, he will fail to carve for himself a brilliant career. 
 He certainly will not foil for want of application, and I hope still 
 further from the great desire he shows to please his illustrious god- 
 father and his tender godmother. He will come to spend the Christ- 
 mas holidays with us, and you may be sure that from now to 'then 
 we will not lose sight of him, and the curricle will be employed to see 
 how he gets on. 
 
 I would write a great deal longer on this interesting subject, but 
 have not time at present, having a large dinner party to-day. I hope 
 that this rapidly traced letter will suffice to st t you at rest in 
 regard to the success of our charming little man in miniature, who 
 has entirely, absolutely and decidedly made a conquest of us. 
 
 I am delighted that my dear Sonris has decided to try the wi"- 
 (for my little finger tells me that she has done so). I hope she wifl 
 wear it for my sake. It is a head dress which she will find ^ery 
 comfortable, when she has become accustomed to it. Every body 
 
112 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 wears it. I hope that it arrived safely with the letter which ac- 
 companied it. I am delighted that my dear Souris is quite well, kiss 
 her tenderly for me. I embrace with my whole heart, the amiable 
 and tender mother of my little godson, and not less tenderly my dear 
 Adelaide, and thank her a thousand times for her interesting letter, 
 which I read with great pleasure. 
 
 Adieu, my dear de Salaberry, believe me ever to be your most 
 sincere friend. 
 
 J. DE St. Laurent. 
 
 Your eldest behaves well, he has enlisted not less than 150 recruits 
 for the Royals within two months, and you may be sure thus has 
 delighted the Duke. I hope the majority is not far off. As for the 
 two Cadets, their conduct is also perfectly good. The room paper 
 is for Beau port ; that home dear to my heart, and which I delight to 
 call to mind, as the home of that amiable family that I so much 
 love. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 7th September, 1806. 
 Dear de Salaberry, — Conceiving it is probable that by this 
 time you will have had as much of your youngest brother's company 
 as you may wish for the present, I now propose that you should take 
 his place in the Gcsport evening coach of Tuesday, so that he may 
 reach Kensington on Wednesday morning, where as I mentioned in 
 my last you will direct him to stop and proceed to the Rev. Mr. Weth- 
 erall's lodgings in Hounden street, who is already prepared to receive 
 him, and bring him out to us at Castle Hill Lodge, to pass a day or 
 two, before he goes on to Woolwich, where I intend putting him to an 
 Academy, till such time as he is sufficiently advanced to be able to 
 pass his examination for the cadetship with credit to himself. With 
 best regards to all your brothers, and sentiments of (Sincere friend- 
 ship, 
 
 I remain dear de Salaberry, 
 &c, &c, &c. 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Castle Hill Lodoe, 
 
 10th October, 1806. 
 Dear de Salaberry,— As 1 am obliged to be at Windsor, the 
 I4th and 15th, and shall not be at home till dinner time on the 16(/h, 
 I shall wish you to arrive here on the latter day. Your best plan 
 will, therefore, be to set off in the earliest Gosport coach, on the 
 morning of Thursday, and to stop at the principal inn at Brentford, 
 from whence it is but half an hour's walk to this, and where j ou can 
 get a man to wheel up your portmanteau and trunk. My plan then is 
 that you shall stay here till the 23rd, on which day I go to Horsham, 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 113 
 
 and where, If you like it, I will' take you with me to see your brother ; 
 after that, you will, of course, come back with me here, and remain to 
 the utmost extent of your leave, which, if I mistake not, as being only 
 from your own commanding oflGicer, will oblige you to be back before 
 post on the 1st November. 
 
 I am happy to be able to inform you that Brigadier General 
 Wetherall, who has within iiiC last few days been at Woolwich, gives 
 me a most comfortable account of your brother Edward, who seems 
 to like his situation, and to be well liked by those with whom he is. 
 
 With the most friendly, &c., 
 
 I remain, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Castle Hill Lodge, 
 
 November 1st, 1806. 
 Dear DE Salaberry, — Immediately on receiving your message 
 by the return of my servant, I wrote to the agents to send you a 
 credit of £200, which, I conclude, therefore, you will receive by 
 mail that leaves London on Monday next. 
 
 I have also written a pri /ate letter to the Duke of York, direct, 
 soliciting as a personal favor Ensign Duchesnay's promotion to a 
 Lieutenancy in the 5th J^attalion of his Regiment, on the ground of 
 his noble conduct to his brother about the purchase. If that should 
 fail, as I should really hope it should not, from the strong manner in 
 which I have put the request, it will then be time enough to ask for his 
 being transferred to the Royals. Of this therefore you will have the 
 goodness to apprise both brothers, assuring them of the sincere 
 satisfaction it will afford me, if I succeed in obtaining the accomplish- 
 ment of their wishes. 
 
 I remain, &c., 
 
 Edward, 
 
 Castle Hill Lodge, 
 
 November 15th, 1806. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — Since answering your letter of the day 
 before yesterday, of which I conveyed to you my perfect approba- 
 tion, as well as of the return which accompanied it, I have got yours 
 of yesterday containing the return of the general service men, whose 
 transfer to the Royals I owe to your exertions, though I fear it Will 
 not be possible to obtain any benefit on account of them. 
 
 As to the just claim of the guineas on each of the others, I hope 
 I am not too sanguine in feeling confident that it will be established 
 and recovered. Yonr report of the conduct of our limited service 
 men when at Portsmouth in resisting every allurement used to induce 
 them to volunteer for the regiment in that vicinity, perfectly tallies 
 with that given by Major Muller, and though I was very much vexed 
 
114 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 at their stubborness in not extending their services in the Royals, I 
 cannot help honoring them for their steadiness in refusing to go to 
 any other corps. 
 
 Your offer of smuggling a few Germans and Northern foreigners, 
 as well as some Piedmontese, is too acceptable for me not to-accept of 
 it, but you must take care not to run any risks that may get you 
 into a scrape, for I had rather lose a hundred men, than that tluit 
 should happen. 
 
 About tlie Duchesnays, the Duke of York told me he had given 
 orders to see what could be done to meet my wishes, but at first insist- 
 ed upon knowing that the elder was actiuiiiy in i\\Q jSecond Battalion, 
 as well as the younger, I satisfied him by quoting you as my author- 
 ity that whatever he might have been before he was now in the 5th, 
 to which I added, that he would feel it I knew a great degra- 
 dation to be transferred to any other. This I thought it necessary 
 to say, as I found from having urged the removal of the younger 
 brother to the 5th, solely on the plea of his wishing to remain with 
 the elder one, it might have been the plan to send the elder back to 
 the 2nd Battalion, which a.-rangement at least I have effectually put 
 a stop to by so doing. At ;he same time I think if you would send 
 me a paper stating the nuu'.ber of months that Lieut. Duchesnay has 
 been in your Battalion, and what number of vacant ensigncies 
 there are now in it, as well as how these vacancies have arisen, 
 it might do good, for with that in my hand on Tuesday next, 
 when I shall see the Duke of York at a Board of the Horse Guards, 
 I think I may venture to make another push for the accomplishment 
 of this arrangement. I shall write this evening to Lieut.-Colonel 
 BuUer to send over Sergeants Hunt and Hickes to you, to be ready 
 for an attack upon the United Service men, about to be transferred 
 to the Garrison battalions, and therefore trust they will be with yoa 
 early in next week. 
 
 With the most friendly regard, 
 
 I remain, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 Capt. de Salaberry. 
 
 ! Kensington Palace, 
 
 December 8th, 1806. 
 Brigadier General Wetherall is commanded to acknowledge Caj:- 
 tain de Salaberry's letter of Friday last, and acquaint him of H. B, 
 Highness' intention of endeavouring to gain some information on tho 
 subject of it this day or to-morrow, as he is most anxious to second 
 his zeal, the repeated proofs of which cannot fail to increase if possi- 
 ble the Duke's attachment to him, but there is a surmise, that there 
 will be for some time a stop put to the volunteering from the 
 Garrison battalions, in order that they may bo once got into some 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 115 
 
 staff of regularity, after wliich at stated periods of the year, it is saiil 
 they will be permitted to volunteer the extension of their services. 
 As yet there is not any order cancelling that before obtained in favor 
 of the Eoyals, and if so H. R. Highness is of opinion, (Iwt Sir 
 George Frevost is rather hard upon his vr/iment ; in the mean- 
 time an application will be made to the Adjutant General, and a 
 favorable result is hoped for, at all events the object is so well worth 
 the trouble of a trial, that the Duke would think himself shamefully 
 supine were he not to make it. 
 
 Kensinoton Palace, 
 
 12th December, 1306. 
 
 DE(VR de Salaberry, — Having at lengtii procured the annexed 
 copy of a circular letter from the Adjutant-General, to the Com- 
 manding Officers of the different Garrison Battalions, I herewith 
 send it to you, as being at the same time the best answer I can return 
 to your queries contained in yours of the Sthinst., and the best code 
 of instructions I can give you liow to proceed, for from the expe- 
 rience I have had of your judgment and discretion, I am satisfied 
 that you will with your usual zeal adopt, in consequence, those 
 measures that will be most likely to answer our purpose, without 
 exposing you to be found fault with for acting contrary to the order 
 from Head Quarters. Pray copy off as fast as you can for yourself, 
 and by the post that arrives in town on Monday, do not fail to 
 return mc the original, as I wish to forward it on that day to Ireland. 
 
 I remaia, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 P. S. — You will of course see at once from the tenor of the Adju- 
 tant-General's letter, that any partial order in favor of the Royals 
 cannot be looked for. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 December 16th, 1806. 
 Dear de Salaberry. — I have to thank you for your letter of 
 the 14th, received yesterday, and to inform you that I intend 
 writing to-day upon the subject of it to my friend Major-General 
 Wynyard, through whom 1 hope to he able to rtmove the unac- 
 countable obstacles ivhich you report beiivj again thrown in your 
 way by the Lieut. -Governor of Fo 'fsmouth, as also to Lieut.-Col. 
 Buller, to direct him to send over Captain Lee to assist you, who 
 is an uncommon zealous officer, and will I think exactly answer the 
 description you require, and as it may be advisable to have a Scotch 
 officer also to talk over the men from that part of the United King- 
 dom, that may be in the Jtrst and second Garrison Battalions, I 
 will recommend to the Lieut.-Colonel *o order Lieut. John Grant to 
 8 
 
116 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 accompany him, who, I am sure, will bo a powerful aid to you with 
 that class of men. 
 
 I have only time to add the assurance, &c , &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 Capt. de Salaberry, 
 
 Kensington Palace, December 19th, 1806. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — As next Thursday is Christmas day, 
 and Madame de St. Laurent and myself wish much to have you to 
 take dinner with us here, in company with your brother Edward, 
 you will on receipt of this apply to my worthy friend Baron de Ilot- 
 tenburg in my name, for leave to be absent from the 24th to the last 
 of the month, and make your arrangements so as to arrive early enough 
 on the morning of the 25th in London, to admit of your going over 
 in the stage to Woolwich, and bringing Edward away from there, so 
 that both of you may be with Madame de St. Laurent, at her house 
 at Knightsbridge, by six o'clock in the evening. She will take care to 
 provide you with a comfortable lodging in the neighbourhood, which 
 your old acquaintance Beck will arrange. 
 
 In the meantime, I will only add that you may expect the cap- 
 tain, subaltern, and two sergeants of the Royals to arrive on Sunday 
 or Monday at the latest at Portsmouth, where they will stay till after 
 the first January. You will tlierefore be so good as to set them 
 agoing, during the Tuesday and Wednesday, by shewing them the 
 Cartes du Pays, and then with the aid of Duchesnay they will be 
 able to get on during your absence. 
 
 Believe me ever to be, dear de Salaberry, 
 
 &c., &c.. 
 
 Capt. de Salaberry, 5th Batt., 60th Regt., 
 Haslar Barracks, Gosport. 
 
 Edward. 
 
 During this year decency was outraged, and the moral 
 sensibilities of the right thinking English people were offend- 
 ed by the publication of one of those scandals which on 
 several occasions brought certain sons of George the Third 
 into disrepute, and unfortunately for his peace, though not 
 for his houor, the name of the Duke of Kent became mixed 
 up with it. 
 
 The unhappy Princess of Wales, having had a perious mis- 
 understanding with Sir John and Lady Douglas, members of 
 her household, was charged by Sir John with writing and 
 sending certain anonymous letters and obscene drawings. 
 Sir John was highly indignant and threatened a prosecution, 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 117 
 
 In the emergency the Princess had applied to the Duke of 
 Kent tor advice and assistance. The Duke with his kindness 
 of heart consented to enquire into the matter; the result 
 will be best giver in the words of the Princess in her letter 
 to the King : — " His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, as 
 appears by his narrative, was convinced by Sir Sidney Smith 
 that these letters came from me (I had requested His Royal 
 Highness to prevent my having any further trouble on the 
 subject), and did that which naturally became him, under 
 such belief ; he endeavored for the peace of the family and 
 of your Majesty, to keep from the knowledge of the world, 
 what, if it had been true, would have justly reflected such in- 
 finite disgrace upon me ; and it seems from the narrative, 
 that he procured through Sir Sidney Smith Sir John 
 Douglas' assurance that he would under existing circum- 
 stances remain quiet if unmolested. This result. His Royal 
 Highness says he communicated to me, and I seemed satisfied 
 with it. And as undoubtedly he only communicrvted the re- 
 sult to me, I could not be otherwise than satisfied." 
 
 It seems however that the Duke of Sussex, impressed with 
 statements made to him by Lady Douglas, that the conduct 
 of the Princess of Wales had seriously compromised the honor 
 ot her husband and the security of the Royal succession, felt 
 it his duty to inform the Prince of Wales, adding that the 
 Duke of Kent had been partly made acquainted with the 
 matter a year before. In consequence, the Prince of Wales 
 requested the Duke of Kent to inform him of the nature of 
 the circumstances, and why he had so long kept them from 
 his knowledge. The Duke in a written declaration, (referred 
 to in the Princess' letter) stated the facts. The result to the 
 Duke was such as ought to be expected by those who inter- 
 fere in matrimonial disputes. The Prince blamed him for 
 undue reserve, in not at once communicating to him what so 
 seriou;.4y affected his honor, and the Princess was ofi'ended, 
 because he had come most unwillingly to tlie conclusion that 
 she had been guilty of culpable indiscretion in writing and 
 sending what Sir John Douglas complained of. Yet he whs 
 the party to whom she appealed in her great, if not un- 
 merited distress, and her unhappy position wrought on his 
 compassionate and generous forgiving nature so much, that 
 though not blind to her defects, his counsel and assistance. 
 were at all times readily extended. 
 
 The general opinion at the time was, that so far as ho 
 
118 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 was concerned in the matter, the Duke of Kent had showed 
 discretion and good feeling, and posterity will not, we think, 
 be disposed to alter the verdict. 
 
 Time circled on, but brought no relief to his embarrass- 
 ments. His losses according to an indisputable statement 
 prepared by the comptroller of his household, General 
 Wetherall, amounted to £108,200. He was now satisfied 
 that no redress was to be expected from those then in power. 
 He resolved to make an effort to relieve himself, and in 1807 
 transferred to Trustees one half of his income for the 
 liquidation of his debts, and reduced his esiablishment in a 
 corresponding degree with the hope of effecting this. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 .3rd January, 1807. 
 
 Dear Salaberry, — I hereby send you Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Buller's answer to my query relative to Wymos, Gurraty and Carly, 
 from which you will perceive that it does not now lie in my power 
 to take them, after the sort of report which the surgeon has judged 
 it necessary to of make them. 1 liope, however, that of the 125 
 volunteers expected on Monday for the second Garrison Battalions, 
 wc shall get men enough to make up for the loss of them, as well as 
 the lanje number whom the Zlst Re(jlment, owimj to the obstacles 
 thrown in our way hi/ Sir Georr/e Frevost, took away from us. 
 
 I cannot help flattering myself with the prospect of some success 
 at Plymouth, with the 3rd Garrison Battalion, to whom no doubt a 
 fresh batch of men will arrive, after Lieutenant Grant reaches that 
 quarter, to which place you will I suppose have learnt from Captain 
 Lee, that I have judged it expedient to send that officer. 
 
 Hoping that ycu reached Haslar without accident on Thursday 
 morning, and that you are not the worse for the jaunt, I shall now 
 conclude, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 Captain de Salaberry, 
 Haslar. 
 
 Kensinqton Palace, 
 
 January 10th, 1807. 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I do myself the pleasure of acknowledg- 
 ing your letter of the 7th instant, from which I was very sincerely 
 concerned to learn that you were confined by indisposition, but I 
 hope it will not be of any duration, and that in a few days I shall 
 have the pleasure of hearing from you that your health is perfectly 
 re-established. 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 119 
 
 The letter which you allude to which was dated from Castle Hill 
 Lodge ou the 15th November was despatched per coach, it being too 
 late for the mail of that night, and the next day being Sunday ; and 
 my motive for being in such a hurry about it was, that I wished to 
 relieve Ensign Duchesnay, as soon as possible, from his apprehension 
 of going out to the West Indies, and that I considered I had by my 
 conversation with the Commander in Chief secured that point. 
 
 As yet no decision as to the Canadian corps has taken place, but 
 all my papers are before Mr. Windham, and I hope very soon to be 
 able to have an interview with that gentleman again, when. I shall 
 urge the necessity of a speedy determination upon it. 
 
 I propose to-day writing to Lieutenant-Colonel Buller to ascertain 
 if we can make a vacancy of a master tailor, in any one of the 
 three battalions, and if wo can, you shall immediately receive my 
 instructions to secure the one of the 2nd Garrison Battalion. 
 
 The loss of the boys whom the 88th llegimcnt got during your 
 absence, I regret very much, but liope you will be able to make up 
 for it when once you are able to get out again. Having written 
 very fully to Captain Lees this day, relative to the enlistment of 
 foreigners, which wo cannot now do Oj.jenlij from the Prison ships, 
 as he will explain to you, I shall refer you to him for my senti- 
 ments on that head, and request your exertions in aid of the plan 
 I have suggested to him. 
 
 With regard to your letter from your friends in Canada, I beg to 
 assure you it is never an inconvenience to me to frank them to yoM 
 or your brothers, so pray never name that subject again. 
 
 I remain, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 P. S. — I conclude that General Wetherall will have informed 
 you of our having obtained the promise of the Secretary of War to 
 order the payment of the guinea per man to you and Ensign Mor- 
 rison, for the limited service men sent by each of you respectively, 
 from the 1st and 2nd Garrison Battalions. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 February 2nd, 1807. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I have only time in great haste to ac- 
 knowledge your letters of the 29th and 30th ultimo, and to inform 
 you that 1 approve highly of your determination to delay a few 
 days the carrying into execution our plan for the enlistment of the 
 men from the Prison ship and oj the measure of xoaitivg till the 
 Lieutenant (jovcrnor of Portsmouth is gone aicay, as that will he a 
 2'riiicipal object out of the icai/. 
 
 As Lieutenant-Colonel Buller will be in town this week and I 
 shall see him on Sunday, if you will write again on Friday, to re- 
 mind me about the second party, and the sending you the great coats, 
 
120 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 I will then settle both points with him ; but I think common leather 
 caps would answer better than our foraging ones, for they are very 
 Si owy and Would at once lead to detection of our manoeuvre, which 
 T/ould have the worst possible effect. 
 
 You may inform Captain Campbell that I will certainly comply 
 with his request, but he had better come up to town and for that 
 purpose go over to Hastings to get leave from Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Stewart, now commanding the 2nd Battalion, to which he is at 
 present attached. I shall then be able to see him myself and talk 
 matters over with him relative to his recruiting. As he passes 
 through Hastings he would do well to communicate to Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Stewart his intention and to fix upon a Highland corporal 
 and private from his own part of the country to accompany him. 
 
 As 1 must go to the House of Lords directly, and after sitting up 
 the whole night there, in all probability set off at seven to-morrow, 
 to Marlow, to take your brother Edward there I have only time 
 to add, &c., &c. 
 
 Edward. 
 
 P. S. — Pray make your Adjutant enquire the next time he goes 
 on board of the Sultan, whether there is on board her a man of the 
 name of Chantin, who was a French horn in the Band of the 86th 
 Demi Brigade, and if there is, what his general character and ap- 
 pearance are. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 February 5th, 1807. 
 
 Dear DE Salaberrt, — Having this moment received your 
 letter of yesterday, I hasten to thank you for it, and to assure you 
 that I am highly gratified by the communication it contains, as 
 also that I look forward with infinite pleasure to the prospect of 
 your further success on Monday next. Lieut.-Colonel Buller being 
 in town, I shall write by to-night's post to Major Muller, who com- 
 mands the 4th Battalion, during his absence, relative to your batch 
 of recruits, and trust that by taking that step, in addition to the 
 explanations you proposed sending, last night, there can be no pos- 
 sibility of any error being committed in the attestation of the men 
 in question. 
 
 1 have great pleasure in informing you, that your brother Edward 
 passed his examination at Marlow in my presence, with great credit 
 to himself, on Tuesday, and that I left him there in charge of a very 
 worthy man, Captain McDermott, who has promised me that ho 
 would take the same care of him as if he were his own son, so that 
 you may write your good father and your excellent mother word, 
 that all the roughest of his labor is over, and that I trust there is 
 now none but the most pleasant prospect before us. 
 With sentiments, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 121 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 March 10th, 1807. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I am duly favored with yours of the 
 7th inst., and its several inclosures. 
 
 Your fresh return of foreign recruits is an uncommon fine one, 
 as indeed has been every one of that descriptimi which you have 
 sent, and I beg your acceptance of my best thanks for all ycmr zeal 
 and exertions for the completion of my corps. The very moment I 
 got your letter I sent for Carder, who promised me that he would 
 forward to you immediately two dozen of great coats and caps, the 
 same as the first he furnished, and when these are served out you 
 have only to write to him for others, which I liave directed him to 
 supply. It will only be necessary for you to charge the men with 
 the cost of the caps out of their bounty, and remit the amount to 
 Carder, and also to keep a correct list of to whom you give the 
 great coats, as it is meant that the men who get them should keep 
 them, the same as if they were issued to them when they come to 
 take their duty with the regiment, 
 
 I am not surprised that the musicians have acted as you described 
 to me, for Leverier, who I now have, did exactly the same, till he found 
 that my band although attached to my regiment, never joined but 
 when I was with it, 'or when upon duty on His Majesty's person, 
 after which he immediately consented to enlist. I should think there- 
 fore that if I were to send over to you two of the band who are 
 clever at talking over men of that class, the one an Alsacian, the 
 other a Frenchman, both very well attached and disposed people, to 
 help you for a few days, perhaps it might be of advantage to the 
 cause ; let me know your ideas on this, and if you like the proposal 
 they shall immediately be despatched ; only inform me whether you 
 will have them sent in colored or in plain clothes. 
 
 I cannot tell how my heart bleeds at the idea of the vexation you 
 must have suffered, from those two letters you have sent for my 
 perusal, and which I herewith return. I am really ashamed that 
 they should have come from the pen of a British officer, and still more 
 so from that of man who has got so many good parts. I cannot at- 
 tempt to palliate them, and therefore will only entreat you to en- 
 deavor to forget them, especially as you have my authority in future 
 to make all your communications through Major Muller to Lieut.-Col. 
 BuUer, upon the principle that as the former is a good linguist, and 
 doing duty with the battalion to which the foreigners are posted, he 
 will find greater facility than any one else in arranging any details 
 respecting them, having the advantage of being able to address them, 
 if not in their own tongue, at least in French, which is next akin to 
 it. With sentiments, &c., &c., 
 
 Edward, 
 
122 THE DTJKE OF KENT. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 March 14th, 1807. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — Just a? I was going to take up my 
 pen to inform you that a very sudc .n order had been issued for 
 the embarkation of my 2nd Battalion for India, and for their 
 being filled up for that purpose by transfers from the 3rd to a 
 thousand rank and file, and for the full complement of officers, con- 
 sisting of two Lieutenant-Colonels, two Majors, 10 Captains, 22 
 Lieutenants, and 8 Ensigns, being made up from those who could 
 be immediately collected, in consequence of which both your 
 brothers are ordered for that duty, I received yours of yester- 
 day, to the contents of which I shall do myself the pleasure of 
 replying, after I have concluded what I have to say on the former 
 subject. To that I shall therefore now return and commence by 
 saying that if our Canadian project cannot be effected, of which I 
 have groat doubt from the length of time it has flagged, and the 
 opposition made at Head Quarters to the reduction of the present 
 Fencible Corps that bears that name, I consider it the most fortun- 
 ate of all possible events that could happen to your brothers, to be 
 sent upon the service on which they are about to embark, especially 
 as Maurice, who by the bye, goes out as senior of his[rank, was on the 
 eve of being ordered to the West Indies, and the two brothers will 
 not now be separated, both continuing in the Grenadiers, and with 
 Captain McLean, who, being a protege of mine, will, I am sure, feel 
 towards them just as I could wish. I flatter myself therefore that 
 you as well as they will feel rather pleased at the event than other- 
 wise. But as it is extremely probable that at this moment the ad- 
 vance they may get on embarkation may not be equal to meet the 
 little demands upon them, for the payment of the debts they must have 
 contracted for their equipment, should thoy require any little aid 
 to discharge every stiver with punctuality and honor, a failure in 
 which would be unlike the principles instilled into them by their 
 good father, I commission you to find out what additions they may 
 require, and to tell them that I shall be their banker for it ; at the 
 same time assure them of my most friendly regard and best wishes. 
 
 With regard to your recruiting from out the prison ships, I am 
 not sorry that it is suspended for the moment, as Lieut.-Col. Buller 
 is about to go from the 3rd Battalion to the 2nd, with which he is to 
 embark as 2nd Lieut.-Colonel, when the command of the 3rd will 
 devolve on IMajor McDonnell, and that of the 4th remain exclusively 
 with Major Muller, from whom you will be sure of receiving every 
 aid you can wish or desire. 
 
 As to the musicians, I do not think it worth while having any 
 more plague with them, since they choose to be so stubborn, and 
 therefore it will be perhaps as well to decide ou not having Dacosta 
 up. , 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 128 
 
 From General Mink I am sure you will receive every possible 
 assistance, were his hands not tied up as they are, and I am much 
 obliged to you for the attention you hove shewn the poor fellow 
 whom I really am interested about, but it would not be fair in us 
 to encourage him to go against his orders, as that might be very in- 
 jurious to him, and I am sure we will always be more successful by 
 following our present plan than by any other. I have not time to 
 add more, I am, &c., 
 
 Edwahd. 
 
124 THE DUKE OP KENT. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Letters to the de Salaberry's. — The Dulio'a strong attachment and untiring 
 exertions for thorn. 
 
 1807. 
 
 The last chapter was concluded by a letter from the Duke, 
 announcing that Maurice and Louis de Salaberry had been 
 suddenly and unexpectedly ordered with their Battalion for 
 India. The following letter from one of the brothers, shews 
 what they felt on the subject. 
 
 It may be mentioned that it was a custom among the 
 French families to call the eldest son in common parlance, 
 by the family name, thus in speaking of his elder brother the 
 writer here refers to him as de Salaberry. The second son 
 was in like manner designated " Chevalier," but in the pre- 
 sent case from the circumstance alluded to by Madame de 
 St. Laurent in one of her letters, Louis the third brother 
 was known as " Chevalier." 
 
 Portsmouth, 
 April Ist, 1807. 
 
 My Dear Father, — You will be a little astonished when I tell 
 you that we are to embark in three or four days for India. We are 
 waiting for the ships which are expected every moment. They are 
 Indiamen. It will be much more pleasant to be on board such ves- 
 sels than in transports, for they are like men of war. Tho' my dear 
 father it is a very good country for us, I nevertheless feel very much 
 at the idea of being absent from you and the family for such a long 
 time ; but it is the fortune of war. 
 
 This Battalion, the 2nd, is 1,000 strong, rank and fiio. It was 
 reported here a few days before our going to India, we should go to 
 Buenos Ayres, but no confirmation of it. It is not impossible, we 
 might go by the Cape of Good Hope, for Government is determined 
 to recapture that country. If we arc really lucky enough to go there 
 we shall perhaps make a fortune, hut this ';. not expected. 
 
 His R. Highness came down here to inspect us, and stayed two 
 days. The very first thing he did when he knew of our going on 
 board, was to write to de Salaberry, begging of him to give us the 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 126 
 
 money we wanted, on his account (the Duke) ; what uncommon 
 goodness and great generosity, which always distiuguished him. You 
 cannot conceive my dear father, how much he has done for us, par- 
 ticularly on Ihe present occasion ; how gratoful ought wo to be for 
 the many benefits which he has conferred upon us, and the conde- 
 scension with which he has alway.s honored us. I trust we will always 
 show by our conduct, that wo arc not unworthy of liis august protec- 
 tion. As we are not yet attached to companies, wc arc so far fortunate 
 in having no work to do at present. In fine, things arc now as wo 
 desire, since H. 11. H. is not going to Canada. 
 
 H. 11. Highness left yesterday for London, but before leaving ho 
 shewed us the greatest affability, shaking hands with us on parade. 
 I assure you this was too great an honor to have been expected. In 
 tine, he is the best man in the world ; ho is adored by the regiment. 
 If we have not gone out to Canada, certainly it is not the fault of 
 the Duke, for overy thing was arranged by him, and our names placed 
 before Mr. Windham in the list of officers. The Duke of York is 
 determined not to reduce the present corps, I mean the one who is 
 in Canada now. As to do Salaberry, our great and worthy protector 
 is determined to get him a majority immc '.lately. Madame de St. 
 Laurent assured my brother that he shall certainly get the next step 
 before three months. 
 
 Salaberry came down with H. R. H. from London ; he had been 
 extremely well received by the Duke and Madame ; you cannot form 
 an idea how uncommonly kind they are both. Solaberry's recruit- 
 ing for the Royals, made him get some allowances, and when he re- 
 ceived the Duke's letter on our subject, he answered liim tliat we 
 had but very few debts, in fact our tailor was the only one to whom 
 we owed ; the Duke replied by the next post, that as to the tailor, 
 that was his business, that neither my brother nor mo should have 
 anything to do with it, so that he has paid it, which amounted I be- 
 lieve to forty pounds ; in short he has placed us under eternal obliga- 
 tion. So that Salaberry is giving us some money ; and six months 
 pay in advance ; our expenses will come to about £70 before our 
 embarkation, but Salaberry and us together can do it. 
 
 ^ ^ ^ ^ ife ^ 
 
 The conclusion of the above letter is lost ; what is given 
 is '^owever sufficient to show that these young men were not 
 insensible of the favors conferred on them. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 17th April, 1807. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — Conceiving that it will be satisfactorj to 
 
 you to forward to your excellent parents at Quebec the annexed 
 
 letter from the Commandant of the Junior Department of the Royal 
 
 Military College at Great Marlow, as it contains a spontaneous report 
 
126 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 of your brother Edward's good conduct, I herewith return it for that 
 purpose, and will thank you when you write to your father, to com- 
 municate my full intention of writing him by the mail of this month, 
 but that the constant accumulation of business, which I think daily 
 increases, had unfortunately so occupied every moment of my time, 
 as to preclude the possibility of my doing myself that pleasure. Pray 
 remember me kindly to your brothers Maurice and Chevalier (who 
 I understand are still at Hilsea with the Captain), and believe me to 
 be ever with the most friendly regard, 
 
 Dear dc Salaberry, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 April 21st, 1807. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I had the pleasure of receiving yours of 
 yesterday, which gave me the first information of the actual departure 
 of my 2nd Jiattalion on the 18th, my last letter from Lieut, -Col. 
 Stewart being dated the preceding day. I hope and trust they will 
 have a short and prosperous voyage to their destination, and that 
 we shall in the shortest possible space of time have the satisfaction of 
 hearing of the health and safety of your two brothers, who certainly 
 occupy a very considerable share of the interest I take in the general 
 welfare of that part of the corps to which they belong. 
 
 I am happy to find that my letter covering Lieut.-Col Butler's 
 report to me of your brother Edward's progress, was so satisfactory 
 to you, and I perfectly approve of your having forwarded it to your 
 good father, who I am sure will be delighted with the account, in- 
 deed it could not arrive more opportunely to soothe the whole family 
 in the first moments of regret which they will naturally feel when 
 they are informed of the great distance to which Maurice and 
 Chevalier are gone. 
 
 Madame de St. Laurent to whom I communicated the request of 
 her young friends, to be remembered to her at the moment of their 
 embarkation, expressed herself much gratified by this mark of their 
 regard, and has desired me to say how much she was pleased with 
 your manner of conveying it. 
 
 Pray thank Major Campbell for his attention to my commission, 
 concerning the exchange of Lieut. McArthur, but after all, if he 
 should not be able to succeed iu obtaining one, I will permit him to 
 go out to the 1st Battalion in the West Indies, upon his giving a 
 ■written promise to exchange icithout taking any 'pecuniary con- 
 sideration with any Lieutenant in that part of the world, whom 
 Lieut. -General Bowyer or Colonel Nicholson shall make choice of, 
 to come into the Koyals in his st^ead. 
 
 Having already recommended to all the ,' vacancies there are at 
 present iu the Royals, it will not be in my power for a few weeks 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 127 
 
 to name the son of your worthy father's friend, Mr. Thomas, for a 
 commission in my regiment, and besides which, I am engaged for 
 the next that is at nuj disposal, to a Mr. Cassel, by desire of the 
 Duke of Clarence, but next to him Mr. Thomas shall certainly 
 come in, and that you have my sanction to assure your father of, 
 as also, that, but for the expectation of getting him into the project- 
 ed Canadian Corps, I should long ago have got him an Ensigncy in 
 the line. 
 
 As yet, I do not know who will go out to command the forces in 
 Canada ; whenever I find it is decided, I shall strive to get you nomin- 
 ated to their staff, knowing what a gratification it must bo to your 
 parents to have one of their sons so near them. But even (/' that 
 should fail, I shall be upon the watch to avail myself of anything 
 else that may offer for your advantage, of which rest assured I never 
 will be unmindful. 
 
 I have now only to add, that not having heard of the departure 
 of my third Battalion lor Jersey, I shall wish you by return of post 
 to givo me what information you may have on that head, in the 
 meanvfhile believe me ever to be, &c, &c. 
 
 Edward. 
 Captain de Salaberry, 
 &c, &c, &c. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 9th May, 1807. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — Although I have nothing particular to 
 say to you at present, except that I have every reason to hope that 
 I shall be able shortly to get you appointed Aide-de-Camp to Sir 
 Charles Green, who is going to Malta to relieve Lieut.-General Vil- 
 lette, I would not let the mail go out this evening without acknow- 
 ledging your letter of the 7th, which I found here on my return to 
 Windsor to-day, containing the information of your march ; at the 
 same time however it might be right to apprize you, that, not fore- 
 seeing your movement would be so sudden, I sent you down on 
 Thursday, directed to your old quarters, under a war office frank, 
 the number of the Beau Monde for May, which was sent here for 
 you ; unless therefore you have left directions to have your lettera 
 sent after you, it will be necessary for you to write to Haslar to reco- 
 ver it. 
 
 A letter arrived on Thursday from your brother Edward, addressed 
 to Madame de St. Laurent, and another for me, inclosing one for his 
 father, so that you see my young prot^ife is not idle, indeed every 
 account I receive of him is most satisfactory. As the wind has been 
 tolerably fair for the last three weeks, since your brothers sailed, I 
 trust they are by this time off Madeira, from whence I shall hopo 
 to hear of or from them, and if I am not deceived in this expectation, 
 
128 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 you may depend on my losing no time, when the account reaches me, 
 in communicating to you the particulars of it. 
 
 Madame de St. Laurent desires her best remembrance, and I re- 
 main, &c., &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 Capt, de Salaberry. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 25th June, 1807. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — Having removed to Castle Hill on 
 the 15th inst , since which I have had a vast deal to attend 
 to, in order to get settled, and bring up arrears of corres- 
 pondence that had accumulated during those days I was unable 
 to get to my desk, I have been unable to write to you earlier, 
 as I had fully intended doing, when I had opened your letters of 
 ■16th and 19th to Capt. Dodd, and indeed at this time I am still 
 much hurried from an unusual quantity of business that has unfortu- 
 nately for some days past been more than usually oppressive ; however 
 I have determined just to give you a few lines, to say that I approve 
 very highly of your letter to Sir Charles Green, which I shall forward 
 to-day to that most respectable officer, and that I am to the full as 
 much disappointed at your not having obtained permission to ac- 
 company him as you can be yourself, however, pray keep up your 
 spirits, and be assured that this is only a transient delay, and that 
 the day is not distant when I shall be able to get you either promo- 
 ted, or placed on the staff, and I am daily on the watch to find an 
 opening, of v/hich 1 shall most certainly avail myself the very 
 moment one occurs for me. 
 
 I have great pleasure in informing you that I saw Edward at Mar- 
 low on the 13th of this month, in excellent looks, health and spirits, 
 and I received the very highest character of him from Lieut. -Colonel 
 BuUer and Captain McDermott. He is to come to Castle Hill on 
 the 29th, and I mean to let him pass the next month altogether here, 
 as a reward for his diligence and attention. All this you will of 
 course communicate to your good father, for whom I have also been 
 fighting, though as yet without success at the Colonial office ; however 
 I do not despair yet of getting something done for him. Madame 
 de St. Laurent desires her best remembrances, &c., &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 2nd July, 1807. 
 Bbar t)t Salaberry, — I have had the pleasure of receiving 
 your letter of 28th in due course, and can assure you that the 
 reading of it has given both Madame de St, Laurent and myself 
 great pleasure. 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 129 
 
 Upon the subject of your good father, I named him a week since to 
 Lord Cathcart, ior the Lieut.-Governor of Gaspd, but subsequent 
 to that I fear that his being a Roman Catholic may be an objection, 
 from the singular manner in which late events have caused the ob- 
 solete rule on that point to be revived ; but if it shall turn out so, I 
 shall try to get the late Mr. Lee's situation for him, which I appre- 
 hend Robertson must have given up all thoughts of, for I understand 
 he has accepted the office of Secretary to Sir James Cockburn in the 
 Government of Curogoa, together with two minor appointments at 
 the same place, all of which must I suppose be unknown to you, as 
 it is only withiii these few days that I have heard of it. At present 
 I hear he is in command of the 2nd Battalion, who arrived a short 
 time ago, a skeleton of 200 men, from the West Indies. 
 
 Your brother Edward has been here since Monday, and appears 
 quite comfortable and happy. I can assure you he is in no one's 
 way, and Madame de St. Laurent seems delighted to have him with 
 her. I have now only to add her best remembrance, &c., &c. 
 
 Edward. 
 Capt. de Salaberry. 
 
 &c., &c., &c. 
 
 Castle Hill Lodge. 
 
 28th July, 1807. 
 
 I have received all your letters, my dear de Salaberry, each day I 
 wished to reply, and each day something always prevented me, but 
 you know well that the silence of my pen by no means indicates that 
 you arc absent from my thoughts. Edward who writes you, can 
 also tell you if I have forgotten you, and if I always love you ; I 
 shall leave to that amiable boy the care of writing you on this head, 
 and truly I could not have a better mouth piece or a more true in- 
 terpreter of my sentiments, so sincere and so true, for you and all 
 pertaining to you. 
 
 The beautiful embroidery, and the other charming work accompany- 
 ing, from myj young friends, are now on my table, as also the pretty 
 flag, which I must thank them for very much, as a mark of attention 
 both kind and ingenious. 
 
 Our two young voyagers must by this time have arrived at the 
 Cape of Good ^I ope, and if they have called there, they will undoubt- 
 edly have written us. I hope we will learn the good news of their 
 havliig had a pleasant passage. I hope they Will find the country 
 healthy, and have rapid promotion in their profession, 
 
 The Duke who saw them at Portsmouth assures me that they em- 
 barked in excellent spirits, and I believe him, for nothing could be 
 more natural, for if one is convinced that the country is good for 
 speculators, it must be advantageous to others, and all officers on that 
 account strive to get the preference to accompany troops to India. 
 
130 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 I am delighted, my dear do Salaberry, to find by your letter that 
 yju look upon the thing in its true light. 
 
 J. BE St. Laurent. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 3rd August, 1807. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — Having for the last five or six days had 
 a more than common pressure of business to get through, it has been 
 quite out of my power to thank you earlier for your kind letter of 
 28th, which I received in due course. 
 
 I can very easily understand your feelings, on finding the order, 
 which had been given for your embarkation countermanded. I 
 therefore hope sincerely that the application that has been made by 
 your corps to have their services accepted of may be productive of 
 the desired effect. Should it however meet with a negative, I appre- 
 hend that there can be no doubt that the circumstance will proceed 
 from an apprehension of the description of men your Battalion is 
 composed of, being extremely subject to desertion, in the event of 
 their being ever landed on the continent of Europe, which I presume 
 must have been the original cause of the countermand, fo ' the Com- 
 mander in Chief is well aware, both of the merit of your Co umanding 
 officer and of the very excellent composition, generally s] ^eaking, of 
 your staff of officers. 
 
 I am much obliged to you for the hint which you gave me, relative to 
 the discharge of some of your men, that was to take place on the 
 2nd inst ; and have already taken the necessary precaution to warn 
 the famous crimp Paul Jones, whom you know to your cost, and 
 who is now the recruiting sergeant of the Royals at Whitechapel, to 
 look after/thom, so that I hope ho will be able to give as good ac- 
 count of them. 
 
 In regard to your offer, my dear de Salaberry, of assisting; me in 
 the enlistment of volunteers from the Militia Kcgimcnts in your 
 vicinity for the Royals, I shall most gladly avail myself of it, if the 
 thing is possible, knowing how much I may expect from your zeal 
 and activity, but I havemy doubts if you can do anything more than 
 act quite under the rose, for thirty days are to be allowed to Col onela 
 of Militia Regiments to furnish their own quota, without being sub- 
 ject to the visit of any recruiting party ; after that tftne, those regi- 
 ments only which shall fail in providing it, are to have parties sent 
 to them, and in those cases the regiments that are to send those 
 parties, will be named from Head Quarters, and no others allowed 
 to enter. But after all I find that if the militia men make choice 
 of my regiment thcnwives, they are to be permitted to go to it, and 
 no compulsion is to be made use of to divert them to any other, so 
 that perhaps by cautiously feeling the way, you may lay a founda- 
 tion for some men of the regiments in your neighborhood, volun- 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 131 
 
 teerinsr for the Royals, in which I apprehend they will be sure of 
 being iudulgcd, if when the time comes they do not waver, and will 
 positively declare their determination to come into my regiment and 
 no other. 
 
 1 had the pleasure of conducting your brother Edward to Great 
 Marlow on Saturday last, after having spent a month at Castle Hill 
 Lodge, and 1 have infinite gratification in assuring you, that his con- 
 duct has been so much everything I could wish during the whole 
 time, that it quite went against me to part with him, and I am quite 
 sure his godmother '■'■eta it au nwiiis c/e moitie,'' in the same senti- 
 ments. Madame de St. Laurent, who knows that I am writing to 
 you, bids me assure you of her kind remembrance, and thank you 
 for your recollection of her, and as to myself you mu,st be sensible, 
 &c, &c, Edward. 
 
 PS, — You will be happy to learn that notwithstanding the great 
 draft which the completion of the 2nd Battalion to 1,000 rank and 
 file was upon the 3rd and 4th, and the transfer of all the foreign- 
 ers (80 in number) to my 1st Battalion, I have already brought the 
 3rd again to 598 rank and file, and the 4th to 470, so that if I am 
 not very ill used indeed, and they will give me the establishment of 
 1,000 rank and file for each of them, with an additional lieutenant 
 per company, I think I may safely engage upon the volunteering 
 from the Militia Communes, that the 937 men that are wanting 
 for that purpose shall very soon be provided. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 10th August, 1807. 
 
 Dear DE Salaberry, — I learnt with great satisfaction from 
 your letter yesterday, that although the memorial of your regiment 
 to be employed on the present expedition had not been attended with 
 the desired effect, it had at least produced a flattering answer, and I 
 trust the time will arrive when a favorable opportunity will be given 
 to the respectable corps to which you belong, which is the only thing 
 I am satisfied is wanting for them to distinguish themselves. 
 
 Your destination for Ireland I long since foresaw ; indeed, at 
 this moment of alarm in that country, I do not see where a more 
 efficient battalion, or one more to be depended on in every sense, 
 could be found, _for I fear there will be occasion for a sort of service 
 in that unfortunate country ere long that will call for all the energy 
 and steadiness of those employed on it. 
 
 Pray do not fail to let me know the day on which you embark, 
 for I mean to send you a letter of introduction to my friend Lord 
 Harrington, who, I am sure if he has the opportunity, will notice you, 
 from knowing that you are a protefje of mine, and I would fain hope 
 that this mo\'e may be attended with consequences favorable to my 
 earnest wishes for your advancement. I give you joy of the aug- 
 9 
 
132 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 mentation of your establishment, as it will lead to tho addition of 
 £15 annually to your contingent money. 
 
 IMany thanks to you my good fellow, for your wish again to assist 
 in filling the ranks of my regiment, but encumbered as you now 
 are, I fear that is quite out of the question ; however, if on your 
 march, or after your arrival in Ireland, you can be of any service to 
 us, either with the Militia or Garrison Battalions, I shall rely on 
 your not forgetting my interests. 
 
 With regard to the foreigners, I perfectly agree with the justice 
 of your observations, for I am well satisfied had they been left 
 altogether in the hands of Major Muller, they would have gone on 
 very diflferently than what has been the case under the command of 
 Lieut.-Col. Buller, who with many good qualities, possesses a degree 
 of national prejudice and of roughness that is perfectly odious and 
 illiberal ; however, thank God it has done you no harm, and that is 
 all I care about. You will be happy to learn, that with the excep- 
 tion of one man of the name of iiaptiste Lawrence, who makes a 
 claim upon you, no doubt as unfounded as those of the others, 
 which, by reference to Major Muller was found fallacious, and whom 
 I mean for example to send to the 4th Battalion, all the foreigners 
 that could be got at, after the order for their embarkation was 
 given (which comprises about half the number) as the other half had 
 been shipped and were under weigh, when my letter to Lieut.-Col. 
 Barlow reached tho Depot, have affixed their names to an assign- 
 ment roll, declaratory of their having no claims whatever on you or 
 the regiment, so that my heart is quite at ease on that head. 
 
 I am much obliged to you for addressing Sergeant Brander to 
 Captaiu Broad, he has already been the means of picking up fox* us 
 a smart fellow of the name of Merkel, who gives me reason to hope 
 that we will secure most of his companions for the Royals. 
 
 You will easily conceive that I outer fully into all the feelings of 
 your good father upon the distance to which your brothers are 
 removed from him, but I trust ynur advancement, and their 
 eventual return, with promotion, and the means of adding to the 
 comforts of their worthy parents and sisters, will compensate him in 
 his old age for the severe pangs which many causes have combined 
 to ' make him suffer. | I propose, if possible, writing to him to-day. 
 Madame do St. Laurent requests to be remembered to you most 
 kindly, and I remain, &c., &c. 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 29th August, 1807. 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I have just got your letter from Rams- 
 gate, and though I am hurried to a degree beyond all description, 
 from the number of letters I have to answer by this evening's mail, 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 133 
 
 I am determined that you shall not beclisappointcd, I therefore sliall, 
 the moment I have concluded this, pen a letter for Ijord Harrinj^ton 
 to go under the same cover with it, and •which I trust cannot fail of 
 insuring' you his Lordship's notice whenever lie may have it in his 
 power to do anything for you ; in the meantime, 1 hope that you will 
 not find the change of scene you are about to encounter unpleasant, 
 and that your next move will be to gain a step of promotion. 
 
 I have now only to add that I yesterday saw Sir James Craig, 
 who is going to Quebec immediately, as Governor General and Com- 
 mander in Chief in North America, and that I recommended your 
 good father to him in the strongest terms, when he assured me he 
 would take the earliest opportunity of noticing him, and of doing 
 everything in his power to provide for him. With this information^ 
 which I shall wish you to convey to your father, I must conclude by 
 assuring you, &(j', &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 Captain de Salaberry, 
 
 P. S. — Your brother Edward comes over here on Tuesday, and 
 is to proceed to Woolwich to commence his studies on the 7th. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 30th August, 1807. 
 Dear Major. — The departure of Lieut -General Sir James Craig, 
 for Quebec, as Commander in Chief of the Troops of His Majesty in 
 North America, and Governor General of all the Provinces in that part 
 of the world, furnishes me so excellent an opportunity to reply to your 
 letters, and to offer my most sincere excuses for my long silence, that I 
 eagerly avail myself of it. But before casting my eyes over the 
 different letters which I have received from you between the 20th 
 May 1805, which is the first, and that of the 8th May of the current 
 year, which is the last, I would say to you that having been ab- 
 solutely without any Secretary, after the return of Lieut.-Colonel 
 Vesey to Quebec, till the time of the arrival of Captain Dodd from 
 Gibraltar, nearly two months, the whole of my correspondence, which 
 had already increased in an incomprehensible degree, completely over- 
 whelmed me, being without any assistance but that of a single copy- 
 ist, so that in spite of being under the necessity of being in my office 
 five days out of the seven, from six in the morning till seven in the 
 evening, I had scarcely time to reply to those letters on indispensable 
 matters, and little by little I have been obHgcd to abandon alto- 
 gether those of my correspondents whose let' jrs were merely to re- 
 call them to my remembrance, and to assure me of the continuance 
 of their attachment. Li fine to assure you that I do not speak with- 
 out reason, I may say to you that I have written with my own hand, 
 from the 1st January to 31st December 1806, (that is to say, 
 draughts for my copyist) 3850 letters, and further, from the 1st 
 
134 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 January to the present time 2920, which gives me reason to believe 
 that they will amount to 4500 by the close of the year. I leave you 
 to judge, after this explanation, if I have not a right to hope that 
 you will pardon my involuntary silence, though of so long duration, 
 especially when I assure you that my friendship and esteem for you 
 and your respectable family, and the cordial attachment which I bear 
 to your amiable and excellent children, have not been diminished in 
 any degree, on the contrary, if it be possible, time and absence have 
 only tended to increase these sentiments of my heart. 
 
 As this letter will be presented to you by your new Civil and Mili- 
 tary Chief, I have seized the opportunity to name you to him as one 
 of the Canadian subjects of His Majesty whom I most esteem, and 
 in whom I take a most lively interest, and T have every reason to be- 
 lieve, from the assurances whicli he has given me, that you will be 
 one of the first objects of his attention; as I have re(|uested him to 
 arrange for you in some way. I may add that I have explained to 
 him, that the principal point I have at heart is to obtain for you 
 the appointment as a Legislative and Executive Councillor ; next 
 Lieut.-Governor of Gasp(?, or failing this, Storekeeper of the Indian 
 Department, in place of the deceased Lee ; but in the meantime, I 
 have asked him to appoint you his Provincial Aide, as Captain St. 
 Ours was with Lord Dorchester, and to give greater force to these 
 requests, which were well received by Sir James Craig, I have 
 written a few words to our mutual and excellent friend Hale, who I 
 am sure will not be backward in putting his shoulder to the wheel. 
 
 As for your new Chief, I do not know him intimately, but he is 
 a brave man, comme il faut, of good manners, and generally much 
 esteemed, loved and respected, so that I flatter myself he will dis- 
 charge the duties of the post to which His Majesty has appointed 
 him fully as well as any of his predecessors, whom you have known, 
 and if he take care of you, you may well conceive he will have ad- 
 ditional merit in my eyes. 
 
 Now it is time for me to speak of your children. The eldest is 
 at present with his Battalion of Chasseurs (the 5th of the 60th) in 
 Ireland, and I hope he will not have long to wait for his majority, 
 for I shall labour with all my powgr, above all, to have him appointed 
 to my regiment. I had arranged for him to go to Malta, in the suite 
 of Sir Charles Green, but at the moment, his Battalion was named 
 for service on the Continent, and I did fail to obtain permission for 
 him to avail himself of an arrangement which I regard as very advan- 
 tageous for him. In the meantime, I applied to Sir James Craig, to 
 gee if he could not take him out with him as his Brigade Major, but 
 unfortunately he was already surcharged with applications, so that 
 this plan also failed ; but as I have an eye to everything that may 
 offer to his advantage, you may be assured that we will soon 
 obtain something lor him, ' , 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 135 
 
 As for Maurice and Chevalier, who left this place for Madras, as 
 Lieutenants of Grenadiers of my 2nd Battalion, it is impossible for 
 us to hear from them before sprinjz-, for we must reckon six mt)nths 
 before they will reach their destination, and six months before their 
 letters can reach us, but when they left they were in perfect health, 
 and in hi,<>h spirits, as became younu; heroes, and loved and esteemed 
 by all their superiors and comrades, so that I have no fears for them. 
 
 As to my godson Kdward, ho is the most charming- boy that 
 lives, and I do not know whether ho is most loved by me or ^Madame 
 de St. Laurent, lie has finished his preparatory course of studies 
 at Marlow (which is for the education of candidiites for the Infantry 
 and Cavalry), and to-morrow he will proceed to Woolwich, to follow 
 the course recpiired for his own arm of the service (the Artillery and 
 Engineers). He has spent the intermediate days with us here, 
 where he has hitherto passed all the vacations. Nothing could be 
 more satisfactory than his conduct at college, according to the report 
 of his masters, who have never had any occasion to find fault with 
 him ; and while ho was with us, I can bear testimony that his con- 
 duct has been at least as satisfactory. So you may be assured, I 
 do not flatter you when I say that his conduct and that of his 
 brothers is all that could be wished. I hope this report will content 
 you, and that when you reply to this letter, you will be able to fur- 
 nish details no less agreeable, as to the health and well being of our 
 dear Madame de Salaberry and your three daughters, in whose 
 happiness I am at least as much interested as in that of your sons, 
 who are the more immediate objects of my care. 
 
 I believe that Madame de St. Laurent has spoken to you, in one 
 of her letters, of the appearance of your three sons, (the younger) 
 but lest she has neglected to do so, before quitting this interesting 
 subject, I will add that Maurice is fully as tall as myself, being 
 nearly six feet two inches, that Chevalier is not so tall, being about 
 five feet ten inches, and that Edward promises to be an Hercules, 
 in short, all three are the true stuff' to make .xcellent. soldiers, and I 
 can vouch for their success. 
 
 I shall now run over your different letters, to be able to reply to 
 the various points which I shall meet, that is to say, such of them, 
 as notwithstanding the time which has elapsed since they reached 
 me, appear of such a nature as to demand a reply. 
 
 I will begin by saying, that, I have not seen Lieut.-Col. Muter 
 of the 6th Regiment, by whom you sent your letter of 28th May, 
 1805, which announced to me the approaching arrival of your three 
 sons, and I fear much that was in conseciuence of things which hap- 
 pened in Gibraltar in 1790, when he was a very young man, and 
 which he might be assured I had forgotten, and would not recall 
 after fourteen years, especially on receiving your introduction. 
 
 The manner in which we have nursed your eldest son, since his 
 arrival in England in August 1805, up to the month of May fol- 
 
136 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 lowing, and the pains which I took to have him placed in the 5th 
 Battalion, will have proved to you how much attention I have paid 
 to what you said of his health having; suffered in those deadly West 
 Indies, and I hope he now runs no risk of going as Captain there. 
 
 Your letter of 23rd October in the same year, imparted to me the 
 pleasure which you I'elt on my promotion to the rank of Field Mar- 
 shall, and ithc obligation which you were under to the good Dr. Hol- 
 mes, for his attention to our dear godson during his illness ; I need 
 not assure you how sensible I am of all you have said on the first 
 head, but I beg of you to convey to my deputy Frank Macconnell, 
 hnw '.lighly I appreciated his conduct in the other. 
 
 jl our letter of August 1805, furnishing copies of the interesting 
 papers regarding Maurice, and whicli was followed by that of 28th 
 October, I now keep for him, and as you know my attachment to 
 your family you cannot doubt the deep impression they made on 
 me. The same letter informed nic of the truly noble manner in 
 which Bishop Mountain had acted towards you, and you may be 
 sure, I did not foil to show him my sense of it when I saw him in 
 London. 
 
 The pains which I have taken to place Maurice and Chevalier in the 
 same Battalion, will j^rovc to you that your request on this subject, 
 made in another part of the same letter, has received that attention 
 from me which you will at all times find me willing to accord. 
 
 As to the question which you put me in your letter of 28th Octo- 
 ber, as to the necessity cf sending their commissions to your sons, 
 I think it my duty in reply, to advise you, to preserve them carefully 
 in your own hands, until they can receive these honorable testimon- 
 ials altogether, from your hands, but now there is no need that they 
 should have anything to augment their baggage, which it is very 
 essential to keep as little bulky as possible. 
 
 As to you letter of 15th November following, which was to thank 
 me for the care I have taken of your boys, since their arrival in 
 England, I need only observe as before, that you will see in this act 
 of mine an additional proof of the friendship and attachment which 
 I bear to all your family. 
 
 Now having replied to all your letters of 1805, I will pass to those 
 of 1806, of which I have three before me, of 23rd June, 11th Juiy, 
 and 25th September. The first is to thank me for the little present 
 which I made you, of the uniform of my Household, and the others 
 only referring to the departure of our dear godson. I beg of you 
 not to fail to put on the uniform when you present yourself at the 
 Chateau for the first time to be introduced to Sir James Craig. 
 
 It only remains for me now to speak of your letters of 22nd January 
 and 8th May of the current year. I have seen with pleasure in them 
 and also in a letter which I received from Mr. Dunn himself, that 
 he has recommended your appointment to the Executive Council, 
 and I have no doubt that after a little while, I shall have the satis- 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 137 
 
 faction of knowiii;;», that the new chief has added a place in the 
 Legislative Council, when we will be able to say " the victor jj is ours,' 
 Finally the letters and the pretty work of which M. Lanaudiere 
 waa the bearer, have arrived m good order, and I think that Madame 
 de St. Laurent, who has written you by this opportunity, has not 
 failed to say how much tliis mark of remembrance and attacluncnt 
 on the part of Madame de Salaberry and your dear daughters, has 
 given pleasure to us both, but at any rate I bi3g to assure yourself 
 and the others that I have been not a little touched. 
 
 I think that having arrived at this point, I have said quite enough, 
 • and I shall only add a few words, to repeat to you, that at all times 
 and places you may comman'^ my services, when you think that I can 
 be useful te yourself or any member of your family, and that neither 
 absence nor distance can ever change those sentiments of friendship 
 and consideration with which I always am, my dear Major, 
 
 Your aflfectionate and devoted 
 
 Edward. 
 Major dc Salaberry, 
 Beauport. 
 
138 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Do Salaberrys— Letter to the King— Duko of York's Letters — Lcttar to Lord 
 Castloroagh. 
 
 1807 k 1808. 
 
 Kenhington Palace, 
 
 9th October, 1807. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I luid great pleasure in learning from 
 your letter of the 28th ult., received tliree days since, that although 
 you had a tedious and severe passage to your destined port, you 
 had at length reached it in safety. 
 
 You did perfectly right in sending the letter I gave you for Lord 
 Harrington, to his Lordship at Dublin, as you saw no early prospect 
 of being able to deliver it to him in person. A copy of his answer 
 which reached me at the same time with your letter, I herewith in- 
 close, and though his Lordship does not do more than express in it 
 his general good intentions in your favour, and his regret that he has 
 but few opportunities of being of service to any one, 1 trust that you 
 can contrive to discover when a Brigade Majorship is likely to be 
 vacant, that by my receiving timely information of the vacancy 
 occurring, and repeating the application, I shall be able to accom- 
 plish your appointment to a situation of that class. 
 
 There was no occasion for you to apologise for addressing me at 
 the time you did, as I am ever happy and ready to make any exertion 
 in your favor, when there is the smallest chance of its being of ser- 
 vice to you, and whenever I can succeed in that, I shall consider 
 myself as more than compensated for any little trouble which the 
 attaining that object may have occasioned me. 
 
 As the investigation of Baptiste Laurence's claim, at the Head 
 Quarters of the 4th Batt., is suspended till the return of your friend 
 Major MuUer, to Edinburgh, from South Britain, I intend sending 
 to my friend Lieut.-Colonel Hay, an extract of as much of your 
 letter as relates to that subject, as I consider what you say as ex- 
 tremely material towards the elucidation of the business. I cannot 
 tell you how provoked I am when I reflect on the manner in which 
 you have been plagued by the commanding officer of my 3rd Battalion, 
 from first to last, in the course of your recruiting for the Royals, but 
 thank God, that is now over, and no evil has arisen from it, so it will 
 be best to pass a sponge over the past, especially as I hope you have 
 not lost anything in that service, although it has not turned out as I 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 139 
 
 wished it to have done, advauta^cously for your pocket. 1 must not 
 however dismiss the subject, without assuriii}^' you, that th(*ugh I 
 lament the necessity there was ior your rcuiittinj;' to the Adjutant (»f 
 the 3rd Battalion, the amount (»(' the j^uinea per juan, which under 
 the sanction of the Secretary of War, you retained from each of the 
 (irst batch of volunteers from the first Garrison Battalion, whom 
 you sent to Horsham, T am extremely <!;lad you did so, as it puts an 
 end to any future ill-natured remarks from those who are not your 
 friends. 
 
 By this time I trust that Sir James Craij^ is well on his way to 
 Quebec, and that your <>;ood father will be in possession of a volume 
 I wrote him, by that opportunity, and also introducing him to that 
 officer, upon whose faithful promise of serving; him, at an early day 
 after his arrival, I hope I may sincerely depend. 
 
 Madame dc St. Laurent desires her kind remembrance to you, 
 and 
 
 I remain, &c., &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 Capt. de Salaberry, 
 Cork. 
 
 Cork, October 30th, 1807. 
 
 My Dear Father, — Although it had been my intention of not 
 troubling you by this packet, having so lately written you a long let- 
 ter, yet as I have since received two communications from Maurice 
 and Chevalier, and fearing that their letters to you may not arrive 
 to hand as soon as this, I am induced in consequence to address you. 
 
 The first of their letters was dated off the Cape de Verd Islands 
 on the 24th May. Although they had been a little sick, they were 
 then well and in good spirits. Their second, a very short one, 
 reached me two days ago ; it was dated at llio Janeiro, in the Bra- 
 zils, the 16th of AugUL;t, and had an uncommon (juick passage to 
 England, from whence it was sent me by the Duke of Kent. This 
 letter announced another written by Maurice on the 1 0th of the same 
 month, sent by the Buffalo man of war, which contained all the pai'- 
 ticulars of the voyage, find which he supposed I would receive shortly 
 after that of the 16th sent by the Buffalo ; his surmise has therefore 
 been verified. He merely says that the ^-Surat Castle^' their ship, 
 alone, had been obliged to put into llio, in (Uslress, and that 
 they had been there ever since the 1st July, and expected to 
 leave on the 28th August, that is four days after the date of this 
 letter ; they were both well and amused themselves highly. If they 
 quitted the Brazils as soon as they expected, they no doubt are now 
 in India ; truly a long passage, but still not expensive, as the captain 
 of tlie ship is obliged to feed them all the way for a small proportion 
 of their pay. 
 
140 THE DUKE OP KENT. 
 
 All your letters put under the care of Major and Mrs. Baily, 
 reached me without expense, the day after I last wrote you. That 
 officer had been so kind as to leave them at Kensington, from which 
 the Duke had the condescension to send them to me free of all ex- 
 pense, which saved me nearly two pounds. 
 
 With respect to the things announced, I presume thoy have been 
 left -^^ith Edward, who will some time or other send them to me ; 
 however though they are not in my hands yet, I am extremely gratefiTi 
 for them. 
 
 I lately received a long letter from H. R. H. inclosing also Lord 
 Harrington's answer to his letter of recommendation in my favor, 
 promising to servo me as opportunity should occur. Lord Harring- 
 ton also wrote me on the same subject, promising me a staff situation, 
 with the old phrase as opportuniti/ should occur. His letter was 
 courteous and gracious, but truly this opportuniti/ has now been 
 two years and a half in orxurrlwj, and yet the prospect of success 
 appears the same ; thank God, I make myself easy on that head, but 
 I must confess that I was for some time very much out of humor, 
 and very tired of being so long kept in suspense. 
 
 This is truly a very cheap country, I think in all things much 
 more than in Canada ; in consequence I have now a very good pros- 
 pect of paying the debts which I left in England amounting to about 
 £50 or £60. Our frequent changes in quarters have been uncom- 
 monly expensive, as you may suppose, and on our arrival here, I was 
 under the necessity of purchasing things to the amount of about 
 £30, to make myself comfortable in my quarters. Thank God, I 
 have now a good stock of all things, and will be for years at a very 
 little expense on that head. 
 
 I am to say that my health is rather better, so indeed are my 
 spirits. In your last you make no mention of the boots I sent you 
 two years ago, I hope you received them, and that you approved of 
 them, as well as the other things for your use. 
 
 In the Duke's last letter there is a passage for you that I now 
 transcribe, " By this time I trust that Sir James Craig is well on 
 his way to Canada, and that a few days more will put your good 
 father in possession of a volume I wrote him by that opportunity, as 
 also introducing him to the notice of that officer, upon whose faith- 
 fal promises of serving him, at an early day after his arrival, I hopo 
 may securely depend." 
 
 After this, one cannot but feel confident of your success, and I 
 sincerely hope no further disappointment will again happen. 
 
 I am truly hap^y in saying that every appearance of war with 
 America is now at an end, as that country cannot but be satisfied 
 with the concessions lately made by this. It is said that Ministers 
 do not allow them to bo concessions, but when you are informed of 
 the recall of Admiral Berkely, from his Naval command at Halifax, 
 and that the right of searching vessels of war of other countries ia 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 141 
 
 given up, I think that in spite of what Ministers and their friends 
 may say to the contrary, you will allow these circumstances to be 
 very great concessions. However, let them be what they will, the 
 event of no war with the Americans, is very fortunate for our poor 
 country, which would have suffered in tl e most severe manner, had 
 the reverse been the case. 
 
 I have not yet written to Mr. Fortescue , to tell the truth I hardly 
 know how to set about it, yet 1 am determined to do it; Mr. For- 
 tescue lives very near two hundred miles from this ; was the distance 
 not so great I would willingly wait on him. This step I would pre- 
 fer to writing. 
 
 Will my dear ftither tell Adelaide, that I fully intended writing 
 her, but I am deprived of that pleasure at this time, on the account 
 of the postage which is very high, but I shall not fail to look for 
 some person going to Canada, and in that case yo". will all receive 
 volumes from me. I have paid the postage of my last letter, as well 
 as of this, and in consequence, they must arrive to your hand ftv^j 
 of a farthing's expense. It has given me the greatest pleasure to 
 find that all the other presents have met with a kind reception, and 
 that they have been to the taste of the ladies. I particularly prided 
 myself on the shawl. If I can make it out, I shall send them some- 
 thing in the spring. 
 
 When you write a packet endeavor not to put any envelope to 
 your letter, because it then costs double ; if you should ever put 
 but a small piece of paper inside your letter, people of the Post 
 Offices are so clever, that they immediately find it out, and charge 
 the letter double. 
 
 Give, if you please, my best respects to Duchesnay of Beauport ; 
 thank him most kindly for his letters, and tell him I shall not fail 
 to write him by very first good opportunity. Remember me also 
 to all enquiring friends, and I remain, &c,, 
 
 C. M. DE Salaberry. 
 Major de Salaberry, 
 Beauport. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 30th December, 1807. 
 My Dear Papa, — 1 have received several letters from you at 
 home, which were dated the 24th Sep., 29th October and 8th Novem- 
 ber, and also several from my dear sisters, which all aruved at the 
 same time. I also received one of the 20th August, a very long time 
 before the others. 
 
 I learn from one, that you know of my arrival in England. I 
 
 have not yet got a letter from my dear mamma, but I hope to have 
 
 one quickly, which I will look for impatiently. I am at present 
 
 . staying with H. H. H. the Duko of Kent at Kcnsingtou Palace, 
 
142 THE DUKE OP KENT. 
 
 where I have fine apartments. H. R. H. and Madame de St. 
 Laurent are at present at Knightsbridge, which is some distance 
 from here. It is a superb mansion, beautifully furnished ; I liave 
 dined there many times, I dined there on Christmas day with the 
 Duke of Orleans and his brothers. I have been at the opera ^vith 
 H. 11. Highness and Madame, where I saw the Duke of Cam- 
 bridge, to whom I was presented as the godson of H. K. Highness 
 and Madame. I have also seen the Swedish Ambassador, the 
 same evening. I have been at the play with H. R. H. H. R. 
 Highness has given orders that we shall always have music at din- 
 ner. The dinner is at seven o'clock, which is supper for me. 
 The Duke and Madame have been very kind to me, and their kind- 
 ness if possible is greater every day. 
 
 I now return to the letters which I have received, and the ques- 
 tions which you have asked me, my dear papa. I have not yet seen 
 Madame Nichols, but I will see her very soon. I was 710 great 
 things during the passage, for I was sick all the time. I saw Mr. 
 Bauris the last time I was hero. I very much fear I shall not be 
 able to go and see him now, but I believe that I shall certainly see 
 him next time. 
 
 i hope, my dear papa, you will write mc by every mail, the letters 
 cost me nothing; they all come first to H. R. H., and then to me ; 
 the postage is paid at the Palace where I now am. 
 
 I have seen Madame Clarke ; she charged mc to send you a 
 good many compliments. 8he said that Jerome Bonaparte treated 
 her extremely well. 
 
 I have now pas.sed my examination at Woolwich ; I am now a 
 Cadet, and have two shillings and sixpence a day. I am going to 
 Marlow on the 1st February ; it is another military school. H. R. 
 H. has had the kindness to keep me with himself to go to Windsor 
 with him before. I hope to see the Princess tliere. My study of 
 arithmetic in Canada has been of great use to me, and I believe made 
 me puss my examination more quickly than otherwise, and I .think 
 I will have my conunission before eighteen months. The French 
 was of great service to me at Marlow ; it is very fortunate that I 
 did not acquire the French as it is spoken in Canada. 
 
 I am very stout and tall ; I am now five feet and half an inch. I 
 believe, my dear pupa, I have now replied to all the questions put 
 to me. I will not write my dear mamma at this time, but in the 
 meantime give her my sincere and tender love, and pray, my dear 
 papa, kiss my sisters for me. Adieu my dear papa, I believe I shall 
 see you before long, and I am with the most lively affection, 
 Your devoted and obedient son, 
 
 Edward Alpuonse de Salaberry. 
 
 Major dc Salaberry, . *, 
 
 Bcauport. •' 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 143 
 
 Madame de St. Laurent has given me six guineas since I came to 
 England, a jolly sum for me. 
 
 Mrs. Clarke's remark about her having been well treated by 
 Jerome Bonaparte is thus explained. A French squadron 
 under Jerome, had got to sea, and chased and dispersed the 
 convoy of Indian ships, capturing, with his own ship of 84 
 guns, the vessel in which Mrs. Clarke was. The ship in 
 which Edward de Salaberry was had a very narrow escape 
 from capture. 
 
 Kensington Palacd, 
 
 17th Jany., 1808. 
 Dear de Salaberry, — Having this moment heard from our dear 
 mutual friends, that Sir James Cockburu who is going out Lieut. - 
 Governor to Curagoa (a dependency of Jamaica) might confer on you 
 the situation of his A.D.C, which is paid by the Colony, at the same 
 rate as officers attached in thosn situations to Generals on the staff, 
 1 hasten to let you know the circumstance, and must request your de- 
 cisive answer by return of post, as there is not a moment to be lost, Sir 
 James having made his arrangements to sail with the next convoy, 
 and it being essential to enable you to hold your post, that you should 
 exchange with a captain in your first Battalion, as serving in that 
 station, and which hi the event of your approving of the arrangement, 
 has been regulated beforehand for you. I understand the climate of 
 Curagoa is reckoned the most healthy in that part of the world, and 
 I have no doubt that if you are employed in that station, my friend 
 General Villettes, to whom I then could and would recommend 
 you most particularly, would do everything in his power to serve 
 you, and forward your promotion. Having said this, I shall leave 
 it altogether to your own discretion, feeling, and judgment, to decide 
 upon the point, but if it should be for the acceptance of what is 
 proposed, then be sure you send me an official shewahh letter, besides 
 your private one, soliciting my good offices with the Commander in 
 Chief, as Colonel of the 60th Kegiment, to obtain your exchange back 
 to the first Battalion, a brother officer having applied to you on that 
 head, and next your reason for making the application, on the ad- 
 vantages, which from experience, you know are united with the 
 command of a company at Jamaica, and your situation as a soldier 
 of fortune, and having in some measure to support your father, mo- 
 ther, and sisters, rendering it incumbent on you not to miss the 
 opportunity of availing yourself of an offer that will aftbrd you large 
 means of adding to their comforts ; this I suggest, as when the ex- 
 change is once made, all the rest of the arrangement will follow of 
 course. Believe me ever to bo with the most friendly regard, dear 
 de Salaberry, Edward, 
 
144 THE DUKE OP KENT. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 1st February, 1808. 
 
 Deau de Salaberry, — I do niyself the pleasure of acknowledg- 
 ing your two letters of 21th ultimo, received on the 29th, and this day 
 or to-morrow at latest shall proceed to forward the arrangement I 
 have in view for your benefit, for I am only waiting to liear from our 
 worthy friend Major llobcrtson, who has been my assistant in pro- 
 moting this plan, and who, by the bye, accompanies Sir James as Sec- 
 retary to the Government of Curagoa, to submit the exchange to 
 Head Quarters. Nothing, my dear fellow, can do more honour to 
 your head and heart, than your decision on the proposal I made to 
 you, and bo assured that your conduct on the occasion enhances if 
 possible the friendship and regard which I before entertained for 
 you. 
 
 I confess I was for the moment staggered how to act, when I found 
 that your Battalion was ordered for Halifax to accompany your 
 Colonel, now appointed Lieut.-Governor of Nova Scotia, and Com- 
 mander of the Forces in that Province and its respective Dependen- 
 cies, and had your destination been Quebec, not Halifax, I would 
 have given up proceeding with the plan I have in view for you alto- 
 gether ; hut xohen 1 recollect how iinhanihomeli/ Sir George Prcvoat 
 treated you, when recruiting for me, 1 thought you loould not he 
 over desirous of heing hrovght in closer contact with him, if it could 
 he avoided ; I have therefore decided to follow my original inten- 
 tion, and I sincerely hope that in a very few days,5l shall be able to 
 send your summons to come over, but observe to say nothing of the 
 staff situation intended for you, which I do not mean to talk of here, 
 excepting to Sir James, Major Robertson, and Madame de St. Lau- 
 rent, and when your exchange is known to Baron de llottenburg, 
 only say, that you accept it in deference to my opinion, and with a 
 view to your being able to render more service to your excellent pa- 
 rents and your good sisters. 
 
 I have now only to express my regret at your temporary indispo- 
 sition,* and my best wishes for its speedy termination, being ever with 
 the most friendly regard, dear de Salaberry, 
 
 Edward. 
 
 My Dear de Salaberry, — I had hoped before I acknowledged 
 your letter of 28th ultimo, received this day, to have been able to in- 
 form you of the name of the otficer you are to exchange with, indeed 
 that the business was concluded, but I have not yet heard from our 
 friend Major Robertson about it, which is a proof that he has not yet 
 fully matured the matter ; at the same time I do not apprehend any 
 hitch to prevent its being carried through, and trust about the 12th 
 to be able to inform you " que tout est orrangi," for I expect Sir 
 Jamea Cockburn to dine with me on Wednesday, the 10th, and by 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 145 
 
 that day, I believe the exchange must have been finally settled, for 
 I know lie has three in view, and by none of whom there appeared 
 any probability of an objection being started. This much I tliought, 
 it would be satisfactory for you to learn, and therefore I have written 
 it, advising you, if you wish to see your aunt and relatives in the 
 vicinity of Dublin, to ask for a fortnight's leave at once,on rcc iptof 
 this, from the 14th to the last of the month, sending me a direction 
 where to write to you, as in that case I could get you immediate 
 leave to come over, by applying to Lord Harrington at the same time, 
 I write to apprize you of the business being all completed. In the 
 meantime, &c , &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 17th May, 1808. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I have just received your letter of the 
 11th inst., in consequence of which, I shall immediately apply to 
 Lord Harrington, for one of the vacant Brigade Majorships, as also 
 to de Rottenburg, to ask for you, should he be entitled to have an 
 officer of that class attached to him, so that I hope between the two, 
 we shall be sure of carrying the point, and if I succeed, I shall 
 really feel sincerely obliged to you for having enabled me, by the 
 early notice you have given me of what is going on, to obtain that 
 provision for you. 
 
 I cannot tell you 'ow cruelly disappointed I was in not being 
 able to effect a transfer for you, to cither the 1st or 6th Battalions 
 of your Regiment, so as to enable you to accept of the very advan- 
 tageous offer, which my friend, Sir James Cockburn, had the kind- 
 ness to make me for you, but, strange as it may seem, both Col. de 
 Rottenburg and Major Robertson's exertions, both of whom, I 
 really believe, were very sincere in their wish to accomplish the 
 exchange, I was desirous to effect for you, have in every instance 
 proved abortive. As however, I have the solemn promise of Sir 
 James to provide for you when you can get out, I do not intend to 
 lose sight of the matter whenever I see an opening for again bringing 
 it forward. 
 
 Had the 5th Battalion been going to N. America, it would have 
 been easy to have found an oiiScer willing to exchange, but the 
 uncertainty of their destination, as well as that of the 2nd, has been 
 an insurmountable bar to the accomplishment of my wishes in your 
 behalf 
 
 I have now only to add that Madame de St. Laurent desires her 
 kindest regards in return for your obliging remembrance of her, and 
 that I remain, &c., 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, 
 Captain do Salaberry. Edward. 
 
146 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 While the Duke was thus shewing his deep and active 
 interest in the welfare of the de Salaberry family, the war 
 cloud was extending over Europe, and threatening to break 
 on Gibraltar, of which he yet remained nominal Governor. 
 Under these circumstances, he felt it his duty to address the 
 following letter to the King : — 
 
 Sir, — Letters received by the mail just arrived from the Mediter- 
 ranean, having brought the certain information, that orders had 
 reached Algoziras from Madrid, immediately to make such prepara- 
 tions in the neighborhood of Gibraltar, as put beyond a doubt the 
 intentions of the enemy to besiege it. 
 
 I could not, under such circumstances, reconcile it to my feelings, 
 were I to delay a moment in not only assuring your Majesty of my 
 readiness to instantly go out there, but for earnestly soliciting your 
 sanction, for my resuming the duties attached to the commission I 
 have the honor to hold as Governor of tluit fortress. 
 
 To jour Majesty, who yourself possesses a nice sense of honor, it 
 is quite unnecessary for me to represent, that on the result of your 
 decision on this request, which I beg leave in the most dutiful, yet 
 in the strongest manner to press on your attention, everything most 
 dear to me in life, I mean my character as a man, my professional 
 credit as a soldier, is at stake. 
 
 I will place these in your Majesty's hands, with no less confidence 
 in your justice as my sovereign, than in your indulgence as my 
 parent. 
 
 With every sentiment of the most devoted attachment, and the 
 most dutiful respect, I have the honor to subscribe myself. 
 Your Majesty's most aifectionate Son, 
 
 And most faithful subject and servant, 
 
 Edward. 
 
 To this letter, after some days, a reply, says JNeale, brief, 
 cautiously worded, but couched in rather affectionate terms, 
 came, approving his zeal and motives, but holding out to him 
 TiD hope that he would, either then, or at any future time, be 
 permitted to return to his Government. lie had felt it his 
 duty to enclose to the Duke of York, a copy of the letter 
 which he had addressed to the King, the receipt of which, 
 was thus acknowledged : — 
 
 Horse Guards, 
 
 February 6th, 1808. 
 Dear Edavard, — I take the earliest opportunity to acknowledge 
 the receipt of your hiter of this morning, and am fully sensible of 
 your candor in communicating to me the copy of a letter which you 
 have thought yourself bound to address to His Majesty, requesting 
 leave to return to your situation there. 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 147 
 
 I had hoped from tlie number of ineffectual applications which 
 you have at different times made upon this unlucky subject, that you 
 would have been prevented from renewing them ; and I can only 
 repeat, how much I have lamented that no arrangement could be 
 made to relieve you from the embarrassment which you must 
 undoubtedly always labour under, so long as you retain the govern- 
 ment of Gibraltar. 
 
 I am, &c,, &c., &c., 
 
 Frederick. 
 
 In these ineffectual appeals originated a correspondence 
 with Lord Castlereagh, in which H. R. Highness reviewed 
 the whole case, but urged in vain for justice ; the correspon- 
 dence closed with the following letter : — 
 
 Kensinqton Palace, 
 
 May 17th, 1808. 
 
 My Lord,— I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's 
 letter of yesterday, communicating his Majesty's commands respecting 
 the application that I made to your Lordship on the 23rd ult., to which 
 I am fully sensible it is my duty in all humility to submit ; at the same 
 time I cannot help expressing to your Lordship my conviction, that 
 had the King been made fulhj acquainted with the nature and 
 extent of it, and that it had no reference whatever to his Majesty's 
 decision of the 9th February, upon the request I made to him in 
 my letter of the Gth of the same month, (of which I never presumed 
 to solicit a recommendation on his part,) but that it was confined 
 wholly to a resolution adopted by his confidential advisers, relative 
 to myself, (in which the King could not have the slightest partici- 
 pation.) which I consider founded on injustice, as it must have been 
 entered into upon a representation of facts to my prejudice, while I had 
 not the opportunity aitorded me of explaining my conduct as connected 
 with the event that has occasioned that determination ; he could not, 
 with his well known upright mind, have withheld from me that jus- 
 tice which is extended to the meanest of his subjeecs, the right to 
 defend my chaiacter against misrepresentation. 
 
 Under this impression, which nothing can remove from my mind, 
 I have no alternative left but to avail myself of the first opportunity 
 that offers to do justice to my feelings, and to endeavor to remove 
 from my character that unjust stigma which I conceive attached to 
 it from that resolution of his Majesty's Ministers, which was com- 
 municated to me by the Commander in Chief, in his letter of Gth 
 February last, and which has given rise to the present correspond- 
 ence. 
 
 I remain, &c., &c., &c.^ 
 The Right Hon. Edward, 
 
 Lord Castlereagh, 
 
 10 
 
148 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 De Salabcrrys — Advice to C. do Salaberry on marriage — Proposal to raise 
 Highland Battalion — Declined by Horse Guards — Dotcrmination of the Duke. 
 
 1808. 
 
 ' Kensington Palace, 
 
 28th May, 1808. 
 
 Dear de Salaberrv, — Although greatly hurried to-day, I can- 
 not think of letting the post go off without expressing the satisfac- 
 tion I derived in learning from your letter of the 21st, and another 
 of the same day, from my good friend Brigadier General de Kot- 
 tenburg, both this instant received, that he had had the goodness to 
 think of you for his Major of Brigade, and addin'g that if properly 
 managed, I do not see the shadow of a difficulty, in obtaining the 
 necessary sanction for your accompanying him, as Captain Prevost 
 having been allowed to go out with his uncle, affords a precedent 
 exactly in point. 
 
 I however approve highly of not appearing :n it myself, for fear 
 that I should mar the arrangement, . and leaving the whole to the 
 good Brigadier to carry it through, when he arrives in town. At 
 the same time, you may depend on my doing all I can to assist him, 
 and that the moment I have anything to communicate, I shall lose 
 no time in writing to you In the meantime I remain &c. 
 
 Edward. 
 
 ' ' - ' :■ Kensington Palace, 
 
 8th June, 1808. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I have this instant received your letter 
 of the 2nd inst, and rejoice most sincerely to find that my worthy 
 friend Brigadier General de Kottenburg, has fully met my wishes, by 
 making application for you to attend him as Major of Brigade, 
 while he is employed on duty at the camp now formed at the Curragh, 
 and which I have no doubt will be acceded to by Lord Harrington, 
 after the very strong manner in which I recommended you to him. 
 I therefore flatter myself that this will tend greatly to facilitate the 
 more important point of your going out to Canada With him, when 
 I have every reason to believe that you will be noticed by the Com- 
 mander in Chief, General Sir James Craig, for whom I shall not fail 
 to give you an introductory letter previous to your departure. I 
 only hope the expected embarkation of your Battalion for Gibraltar 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 149 
 
 will not operate as a hindrance to the accomplishment of this des- 
 irable arrangement, and which I am of opinion would best be obviated 
 by Brigadier General de Kottenburg claiming tlie privilege of select- 
 ing an officer from his own Battalion as liis Major of Brigade, and 
 stating the particular use you would be 'to him in Canada, from 
 your local knowledge of tlu; country. This you will do well to 
 communicate to the General, as my opinion, and at the same time to 
 assure him, how grateful I feel for his kindness to you, and for his 
 uniform attention to me on every occasion. 
 
 Madame de St. Laurent desires her friendly remembrance to you, 
 and I remain ever, &c. 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 13th June, 1808. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I have this instant received your letter 
 and hasten to inform you, that by this night's mail the letter you 
 have requested mc to write, and which my good friend Brigadier 
 General de Kottenburg has suggested, shall be despatched to Lord 
 Harrington, which I trust cannot fail of producing the desired effect; 
 that is, your appointment to be his Major of Brigade during his con- 
 tinuance in Ireland, which is on every account most desirable, and 
 which on account of the pecuniary advantage which you will derive 
 from it, as on account of it facilitating your going with him to Canada, 
 for when once you are established as his Major of Brigade, it will be 
 almost a matter of course your accompanying him. 
 
 With respect to the point of your not embarking with your Bat- 
 talion, if the good Brigadier is of opinion that your continuance 
 with him will not be construed in a light to your disadvantage, I 
 decidely approve of it, as I know he is a man who possesses too much 
 sense of honor to advise anything to an officer that he will not be 
 perfectly safe in doing ; let therefore his advice to you be your 
 criterion, for you may be assured mine will accord with it. 
 
 Being greatly hurried to day, I have only time to thank you for 
 your communication of the regiments about to embark at Cove, and 
 to execute Madame de St. Laurent's commission in recalling her to 
 your remembrance, and to assure you, &c, &c, &c, 
 
 Edward. 
 Captain de Salaberry, 
 &c. &c. 
 
 Castle Hill Lodoe, 
 
 August 2nd, 1808. 
 My Dear Father, — Here am I once more in P]ngland, just re- 
 turned from Ireland, where I had been Brigade Major for about 
 seven weeks. I have given up that situation in order to follow Brig- 
 
150 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 adier General de Eottcnburg to North America, in the same capacity. 
 It hud not been settled whether Canada or Nova Scotia would be the 
 destination, and at present it appears very probable hu may be sent 
 to Spain or Portugal, to either of which places I certainly will fol- 
 low him. 
 
 I am indebted to the Duke of Kent for this situation, who really 
 has been indefatigable in endeavoring to procure me something, which 
 I think the Duke of York cannot well prevent my accepting. The 
 moment everything is finally settled you shall hear from me. I 
 hope you won't forget to thank our noble benefactor for this new in- 
 stance of his goodness. 
 
 I found Edward here, so much grown, and his countenance so 
 much altered, indeed changed, that I positively did not know him. 
 He will probably be as tall as Maurice, but stouter; the sound of 
 his voice is also changed, being quite manly. 
 
 Before leaving Ireland I spent twelve days with my aunt Fortes- 
 cue, who was remarkably affected on seeing me, and most truly so at 
 parting. Poor thing, I was the only one of the family she had seen 
 for forty years. It is impossible to describe the attention I received 
 from every part of the family. I am quite in love with Miss For- 
 tescue, and really had an idea of bringing her over to Canada. I hope 
 absence will efface the idea I had formed. What numberless 
 enquiries did not my aunt make about her sister, &c. I wish some 
 of you would write her. 
 
 I shall write very soon, &c., &c., 
 
 Ch. M. de Salaberry. 
 Major de Salaberry, 
 
 Beauport. 
 
 Uellyabiiad, Presidency of Madras, 
 
 September 30, 1808. 
 
 Dear Adelaide, — I hope you will be so indulgent as to believe 
 that I would not have remained such a long time silent. I assure you 
 my dearest sister, that on my landing at Madras, the first thing I did 
 was to write to my father and you, but being afraid that the postage 
 of several letters might come to too high an expense, I only sent one 
 letter directed to my father, which I hope has come to hand ; there 
 is nothing in it but what was relative to our voyage. I recommended 
 it tc the care of Messrs. Greenwood & Co., and they have no doubt 
 forwarded it, as they have always been very punctual about my 
 letters. 
 
 I was very glad to hear by letters which we received when we 
 joined, that you were living at Beauport, on account of a number of 
 things which you know very well — no house rent to pay. That sum 
 saved, even the half of it, will enable you to repair the house peu et 
 peu, besides many other great advantages which you could not have 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 151 
 
 in town. As for society you surely could not wish for a pleasantcr one, 
 having Mrs. Duclicsnay and family. ".s«»,s ouhJ iir I homme nitx 
 j)d(h. The only thing disagreeable will be the cold, but still as there 
 is plenty of wood, it can be remedied without great trouble. 
 
 In my letter to you, which I kept .seven months, expecting every day 
 an opportunity to send it, but being tired of waiting 1 opened it, and 
 saw in it how 1 had been disappointed at Madras. Perhaps you 
 would like to know, as it is concerning the beauties of this country. 
 Well, I must begin to tell you, that there is what they call the 
 *• Mount lload,'' which is, I daresay, the most charming one J ever 
 saw ; upon this road the people of fashion ride every evening. As 
 I had heard a great deal about this famous public place, one night I 
 went out in a gig with an officer of the navy, but unhappily we hap- 
 pened to be too late. Judge of how we must have felt at the dis- 
 appointment. We returned without seeing any of the prttfi/ minois, 
 and quite melancholy. Was there not sufficient ground to be vexed ? 
 I am sure you'll be of my opinion, and now I am very much afraid 
 the opportunity is lost for a long while; however, I'll endeavor to 
 have one other trial by and bye. 
 
 My letters from I*ortsmouth, as far as I can remember, must have 
 made you laugh. I was almost out of my senses, I believe, and 
 provoked at all our unfortunate affairs. 
 
 Concerning the majority and all those " Chateaux en Espar/ne," 
 I am truly sorry at our eldest brother's disappointment ; he has been 
 rather too unhicky in all his transactions. I suppose that by this 
 time he has given you an account of the Fortescues. I should like 
 amazingly to hear something about them, but particularly about our 
 female cousins. How truly happy I should feel were I to meet any 
 of them, I believe it won't happen before my visiting Ireland, and 
 then I shall he a Captain and an old man ! 
 
 Maurice is very well; the country agrees with him very well. As 
 to myself I have been rather unwell, but I hope to be accustomed to 
 this climate in a few months. 
 
 Col. Cornan came out in the las' fleet, and has been most uncom- 
 monly civil to us, but particularly to me, for he brought me to hig 
 house for a change of air, and faith it was of great service to my 
 health. He toM us he had heard H. 11. Highness mention our 
 names very often ; no doubt our Koyal protector has again with 
 his usual goodness recommended us to the former ; in fact H. R. 
 Highness never forgets doing anything in his power for our welfare; 
 would to God he had more power! As there is no probability of his 
 being employed, we must take things en philosophe and not get 
 too sanguine about our promolion. 
 
 My father never mentioned, whether he had received a letter which 
 I wrote him from Hastings, I think in the latter end of Feby., 180T. 
 I sent it by the mail . I presume it has been lost or kept in some 
 post office^ A propo3, Mademoiselle, you never answered my !ast 
 
162 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 letter from Portsmouth ; as you recollect, you quarrelled with mc 
 about not answering yours, I did not forjiot that, yet I hope you 
 will be more punctual hereafter. You cannot imagine, dear Adelaide, 
 how sorry I was at not having any letters I'rom you by last fleet. I 
 think the next will afford me great pleasure in that way. Adieu, 
 dear sister, give my love to my dear mother and sisters, and believe, 
 &c., &c. 
 
 L. DE SaLA BERRY, 
 
 Miss de Salaberry, Quebec. Grcuadicr Royal. 
 
 • • Kensington Palace, 
 
 15th October, 1808, 
 
 Dear ue Salaberry, — I have to acknowledge your letter of the 
 12th inst., received yesterday, and to thank you for your communi- 
 cation of the removal of Brigadier General de llottenburg's quarters 
 from Sandgate to Ashford, which I hope will be to the full as satis- 
 factory to the General, especially as it has been done in order to leave 
 him quite free from all interference to pursue the instruction of the 
 two corps committed to his charge. 
 
 I am at a loss to recollect the man whom you describe by the name 
 Picard, and as having been in my service at Geneva, whom your 
 General has hired ; I will, therefore, beg of you to enquire what 
 situation he filled, and what other name he bears now or bore then. 
 The only person of any thing like a similar name whom I can bring 
 to my memory was Pierre Facanf, the guide who conducted me 
 when I went to visit the glaciers of Chamouny ; however, T dare say, 
 if he will give you a clew, I shall yet be able to make him out. 
 
 As yet, nothing has been done in respect to my Highland Eifle 
 levy, but if it should take place, I shall certainly apply, to Lave the 
 recruits instructed under the direction of General de Kottenburg, 
 and be most happy to avail myself of the offer of your aid upon the 
 occasion. 
 
 Madame de St. Laurent, is, thank God, quite well, and desires 
 her best remembrance to you ; a7i(l as to myself, I am os usual, 
 much vexed at heimj on the shelf in such\ times, but ever with the 
 most friendly regard, dear de Salaberry, &c., &c., 4 
 
 Edward. 
 
 • ' ■ . •* Kensington Palace, '*' 
 
 19th October, 1808. 
 Dear de Salaberry,— I am much obliged to you for your leis- 
 ter of yesterdav, which puts me quite aufait of the particulars of 
 my old acquaintance, Mr. Peckard, whose activity on the occasion of 
 the late Mr. Thellusson's fete I well recollect. I really am rejoiced 
 to find that my placing him about Lord Thanet, has been productive 
 of consequences so beneficial to the poor fellow, for the length of time 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 153 
 
 he remained in the service of that nobleman clearly proves that he 
 served him Avitli fidelity, and that the little savings which have en- 
 abled him to set up lor himself were honorably earned. 
 
 I wish you would endeavor to ascertain I'or me, whether it is 
 intended to make the whole 11th Rep;imcnt a light one, or only the 
 2nd Battalion, for if only that, it will rather induce mo to try if 
 the same indulgence cannot be conferred on my 4th Battalion, who, 
 I am sui'e, far exceed the 11th in material ibr any kind of service. 
 
 I am glad to find that it is now so clearly defined, that you are to 
 accompany your good General to Canada in the S])ring, as that now 
 sets the matter at rest, and by the time you have been a few months 
 there, I hope Col. Dillon's good intentions in your favour will be 
 realized. Pray give my best regards to tlie General, and tell him, 
 that as far as my little interest goes, I will use it in favor of his 
 protei/d, the boy llichard Southei'n 8pencer, to get him into Christ's 
 Hospital, but I fear it will be a long time before I succeed, as to this 
 hour, though I have been trying for lour successive years, I have not 
 yet been able to get a presentation for the son of poor Baldock, who, 
 as you know, has been 17 years my head groom. It will, however, 
 be necessary for me to have a reference where to apply to the person 
 who has charge of the child, should I find it requisite to apply for 
 an answer to any question which the Governors of the Charity may 
 choose to put respecting him. 
 
 Believe me ever to be, &,c., 
 
 , Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 23rd October, 1808. 
 
 Dear DE Salaberry, — I have just received your letter of yester- 
 day, from which 1 perceive the en([uiries your good General took the 
 trouble to make in compliance with my wish, to ascertain whetlier the 
 first Battalion of the 11th Regiment was intended to be placed on the 
 establishment of Light Infantry, the same as the 2nd, has not been 
 able to produce any certain information on that head,! have therefore 
 determined to endeavor to find it out through my friend, Major Gen. 
 Wynyard, who probably will have it in his power to give me the desired 
 information, until the receipt of which I must necessarily defer making 
 the application in regard to my 4th Battalion, as I can only entertain 
 the expectation of succeeding in getting it made light, if the other 
 corps afibrds a precedent for such an arrangement — should it, how- 
 ever, eventually take place, I must beg of you to assure the General 
 that I place the most perfect reliance on his kind exertions to bring 
 the Battalion forward as speedy as possible, in doing which I am 
 sure your aid will not be wanting. 
 
 Pray remember me most particularly to the General, assure also 
 my old friend Major Hill of my kindest regards, and accept for 
 yourself, &c., Edward, 
 
154 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 P. S. — Madame de St. Laurent desires her friendly remembrance, 
 and that I should inform you that Edward will be admitted on the 
 1st November into the 2nd Academy, which gives me every reason to 
 hope, that in the course of about nine months more he will be qual- 
 ified for a commission in the corps of Iloyal Engineers. 
 
 Kensington Palace. 
 
 24th October, 1808. 
 Dear de Salaberrt, — I have to thank you for your iu'-ter of the 
 20th, which I found on my return from Windsor to-day. As I think 
 it best always to act on certain grounds, I shall be inclined to await 
 the result of the information, which your good General and yourself 
 are so good as to promise, that you will endeavor to procure relative 
 to the intention of the whole 11th llegiment, being alight one, but 
 I am sanguine enough to hope, that the result of your enquiries will 
 be favorable to my hopes, in which case, I shall avail myself with 
 pleasure of your suggestion about Ashford Barracks. 
 
 Pray remember me to the General in the kindest manner, and again 
 repeat to him that my best endeavors shall not be wanting to forward 
 his benevolent wishes relative to young Spencer, although I cannot 
 insure them success, and believe me ever to be with the most friendly 
 regard, dear de Salaberry, 
 
 Edward. 
 Capt. de Salaberry, 
 
 Brigade Major, 
 Ashford, Kent. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 1st November, 1808. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I had the pleasure of receiving last night 
 yours of the 27th ultimo, from which I learnt with pleasure that you 
 had at length received the pay and allowances due you by the Irish 
 Government, and that my interference had been the means of accel- 
 erating your obtaining them. 
 
 I will not fail to communicate to my wo^-thy friend General Cal- 
 vert your gratitude to him for the service wh'*ch he has been so good 
 as to render on the occasion, as also for the justification of Captain 
 Keynett. his letter of the 17th ultimo, which clearly proves the error 
 of Mr. Browr's assertions to Sir Edward Littledale of the issue of 
 your camp allowance, having been made on the 3rd September and 
 the 13th ultimo. Your letter for lleyaett will be franked by this 
 night's mail, and I trust reach him on the fourth day from this at 
 Dublin. 
 
 Having now replied to every point contained in your letter to me, 
 I have to advert to that you have written to Madame de St, Laurent, 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT 155 
 
 under date of the 30th ultimo, which she communicated to me im- 
 mediately on the receipt of it last night, and will endeavour to give 
 you my sentiments on its contents with all that candour which my 
 friendship for your excellent parents, as well as yourself, of so many 
 years' standing, gives you every right to expect from me. 
 
 From the long experience I have now had of the service of the 
 regiments of the line, I am satisfied that no situation is so unenviahle 
 as that of a married oflScer, even when he possesses an independent 
 fortune to enable him to support his wife and family in the style in 
 which a gentleman (such as the profession should make every one who 
 holds the King's commission) not only would wish hut ought to do. 
 Of course, therefore, when the married officer has not the aid of pri- 
 vate fortune to add to the small pittance which the regimental pay 
 affords him, in these dear times, his situation must be deplorable, 
 being obliged either to see his wife and family want those comforts, 
 without which their life must be a burden to them, or run in debt to pro- 
 cure them. You, my dear de Salaberry, at this moment, possess about 
 twenty shillings a-day pay, exclusive of those allowances which are not 
 more than adequate to furnish and support your equipage as a staff 
 officer. But the moment you get promotion, which naturally must be 
 your first object, you will be reduced to fifteen shillings ; for you can- 
 not expect that, with my interest only to support you (which literally 
 at this time is worse than none), you will be appointed to any situation 
 on the staff, while your very advancement must make you vacate the 
 Urigade-Majorship you now hold ; that being the case, I leave it to your 
 own good sense to judge whether, upon that small stipend,it would either 
 be right or honorable to take away a young woman, for whom you 
 have a regard, from those comforts she has been used to at home, to 
 share the wretched accommodation of, at most, two barrack-rooms, 
 if you are so situated as to be enabled to have her with you ; or, if 
 the imperious call of duty separates you, to vegetate in some obscure 
 lodging, on the few shillings which, 1 contend, you can ill spare from 
 your scanty pay. Were I to write volumes, I could not express my 
 sentiments more fully than I have done in the three foregoing pages : 
 from which you will easily see that the sum of my opinion is, you 
 oayht not and ca»?jo^ think of marrying your cousin ; indeed, I would 
 go further and say, you ought to shun the very thought of matrimo- 
 ny, situated as you are ; but if, under any circumstances, it can be 
 right for you to think of it, it would be if chance threw in your way 
 a woman of respectable character, who is enabled to give you, the day 
 you marry her, that independence which there is little prospect of 
 your being ever able to give her. After saying this, let me advise 
 you, de prendre sur vans to be explicit without loss of time, for 
 honor, good sense, and every consideration require it ; and believe 
 me, when you have done this, you will, to the last hour of your ex- 
 istence, feel grateful to me for having given you this counsel ; for to 
 be a good soldier (for which bighlj honorable qualification no man 
 
166 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 possesses more the requisite than yourself), it is absolutely necessary 
 for a man to be independent, and with a wife and the prospect of a 
 family it is impossible for you to be so. 
 
 As you cannot doubt my friendship, I am sure you will ascribe 
 every word I have said to the only motive that could ,<>uidc me — 
 that of your welfare and future prospects. I shall not therefore at- 
 tempt to apologize for the freedom with which I have spoken, but 
 conclude here by assuring you of the warm sentiments of regard with 
 which I ever am, 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, yours faithfully, 
 
 Edward. 
 
 P. S. — 3Iadame de St. Laurent desires me to say, that I will re- 
 turn you your letters to your friend, Captain Levcry, being convinced 
 that you will now see the necessity of writing one of another com- 
 plexion ; in doing which you have my full sanction to say that you 
 have consulted me, and to communicate the advice I have felt it my 
 duty to give you. , . 
 
 ' •''-■'' • • Castleiiill Lodge, 
 
 ' ■ • 15th November, 1808. 
 
 I have received, my dear de Salaberry, all your letters from the 4th 
 August inclusive to this date, in which you announce to me, the 
 recovery of our dear Sourh from a severe illness. You have put me 
 under a real obligation by not announcing it to me before her re- 
 covery, otherwise I would have been most uneasy. Long may she 
 enjoy health. Long, for the happiness of her family and friends, 
 who knowing her amiability, her winning disposition and strong 
 mind, are able to appreciate her virtues at their true value. Kiss 
 her tenderly for me, in assurance that I love her with my whole 
 heart. 
 
 I have seen with sincere regret, that nothing has yet been done 
 for you, but the Duke in accordance with your wish, has again 
 written to General Craig, and we shall see what success will attend 
 this new step. I see that there is something wrong, and that too 
 many have been recommended at the same time. The Governor 
 has fulfilled one part of his promise to your illustrious friend, but 
 unfortunately has not yet performed that regarding you, but you 
 may rest sure, the Duke is deteiinined, and this he will tell you 
 himself in a letter which he proposes to accompany this. I hope 
 then «o?t.s v^rrons this aifair will end well, and that in a short time, 
 I shall be able to congratulate you on the attainment of what you 
 have so long waited for. 
 
 I have received all the pretty things which have been sent me by my 
 young friends. Edward and your eldest who were present at the 
 opening of the box, will tell you much better than I can how much 
 pleasure this kind attention has given me, and how much the charm- 
 
THE DUKE OJ' KENT. 15t 
 
 insr work of Adelaide, Herm.ne and Amelia was admired. Be as- 
 sured then of ra;,- gratitude aud friendship, and of the pleasure I 
 will have in sending them in spring, in return for their kind presents, 
 some pretty trifles of the fashion. 
 
 I have not yet received the snow-shoes, and Edward has not yet 
 written on the subject, but as he is coming before long to pass the 
 vacation with us, he will be able to let us know all about them. He 
 continues to make great progress in his mathematical studies, draw- 
 ings, &c. He is now taller than his mother and godmother, of 
 which he is very proud, not wishing to be a single line less tall than 
 Maurice. He has a fine appearance, is ambitious, but not vain. 
 
 I shall now relate a little anecdote which has caused us a good 
 deal of anxiety. It is true I have not the permission of him who 
 is the hero of it, but I cannot deprive myself of the satisfaction, and 
 I hope he will pardon this little indiscretion, as the story only does 
 him honor. 
 
 During the sojourn of Capt. de Salaberry in Ireland, his first care 
 was to inform himself of the residence of his aunt, Mrs. Fortescue, 
 where he presented himself with that eagerness to enjoy the society 
 of relatives which is always felt in a strange land. The lady of the 
 house received him with open arms, as did her husband and daugh- 
 ter, a young and pretty girl of twenty or twenty-two years. A 
 connexion so attractive could not but be dangerous for a young 
 soldier, and a young soldier was naturally a formidable cousin to a 
 young girl, the familiarity then which resulted under the pretext of 
 relationship was changed very speedily into a more tender sentiment, 
 and you see from this our young people thought of nothing less than 
 love and marriage, when (.^iptain de Salaberry was obliged to return 
 suddenly to England. Being thus under the necessity of separating 
 from his fair cousin, sad were the adieus, there is no reason to doubt; 
 but in this kind of trouble, the sorrow of those who are left ,"s the 
 more painful, while those who go away, distracted by the cares of 
 the journey and a thousand difibrent objects, bear it more easily. 
 
 De Salaberry when he arrived here was as calm as usual, and some 
 time afterwards having lost his enthusiasm for Miss Fortescue, I 
 began to doubt if there was anything, as he always replied to my 
 joking with a good grace, and I believed I was mistaken, and thought 
 no more about it ; judge then my astonishment when after he had 
 rejoined his regiment, some fifty miles from this, I received a letter 
 requesting my adv'ce on his intention of marrying his cousin. I was 
 astonished, not believing that there was any way of changing his 
 resolution, but I hastened to secure a powerful auxiliary, and at 
 once communicated to the Duke the untoward news, which I regarded 
 as certain ruin to your son. Miss Fortescue having no fortune. Our 
 illustrious friend taking the same view as myself, saw that no time was 
 to be lost to get him out of the scrape, if possible, promised me to 
 write him and did it immediately in terms the most strong though 
 
158 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 kind, pointing out how he would onibarrass himself if he proceeded 
 in a step so calculated to affect his future well being, and I added a 
 few lines to that long letter, though we had little hope of the success 
 of our effort. Well, my dear de Salaberry, would you believe it, the 
 dear generous young man heroically thanked the Duke in the most 
 grateful terms for his good advice so full of wisdom, solemnly promis- 
 ing to think no more of marriage, and to write at once to Ireland, 
 excusing himself to Miss Fortescue, on the grounds of the advice 
 given by his illustrious protector, and sending at the same time to 
 the young lady's brother-in-law a copy of the letter which had in- 
 duced him to change his resolution. 
 
 Rejoice then, my dear friecil .latyou have given being to one so 
 noble, and let the pleasure of having such a child console you, at 
 least iu a great degree, for other causes of disquiet. Embrace him 
 with redoubled tenderness when he returns to you in spring, as 
 Major of Brigade to General de Rottenburg, for there is without any 
 doubt this prospect of advancement. 
 
 I believe I have done right, but if I am wrong, you must pardon 
 me on account of my good intentions. Adieu, my dear de Salaberry, 
 I have been vei-y lazy in not writing you oftener, but this long lettev 
 will insure my pardon. I shall now lay down my pen, hoping that 
 this rhapsody will find in good health all the amiable family at Beau- 
 port, whom I embrace most sincerely with my whole heart. 
 
 J. DE St. Laurent. 
 
 Whenever we get letters from India, you may depend they will be 
 sent to you without loss of time. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 5th November, 1808. 
 Bear de Salaberry, — Not having received your letter of the 
 3rd, until late yesterday evening, owing to an omission of Beck, 
 it was not in my power to acknowledge it as I otherwise certainly 
 should have done, by return of post ; I therefore make it my first 
 business this morning, to reply to it, by informing you how much 
 I am delighted wi.h it, and assuring you that you have removed 
 a very heavy load from my mind, by so handsomely and implicitly 
 following the advice I gave you, which, though I am well aware, not 
 of the pleasantest nature, pour un anuutt, was the only one 
 which my friendship for you, and regard for your excellent parents, 
 could admit of my conscientiously offering you. As such you 
 will easily believe that I most sincerely rejoice at the wise resolution 
 you have taken by cutting the matter short at once, and writing such 
 a letter to you friend Captain Levery, as will dissipate any romantic 
 ideas which your fair cousin may have been led to form, owing to 
 your flirtation with her, and fully trust that that matter is set at 
 rest for ever. In these sentimentB, Madame do St. Laurent as cor- 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 169 
 
 dially unites, and she is in every sense as highly pleased as myself 
 at the proof you have given of your good sense, and of the ready 
 deference you have shown to our joint opinions- 
 
 In regard to what you mention relative to the 2nd Battalion of 
 the 11th Regiment, 1 have only to say that you need not give your- 
 self a moment's uneasiness, as it has not occasioned me either trouble 
 or inconvenience, for as a preparatory step to applying for the for- 
 mation of my 4th Battalion into a light one, I judged it necessary 
 to propose, that the intended additional battalion, which the guar- 
 dians of Mr. McDonald, the proprietor of the large Clanronald 
 estate in the Highlands of Scotland, had offered me to raise, but 
 the levy of which was suspended, owing to the Commander in Chief 
 peremptorily refusing to permit the Highlanders, of which it was to 
 be composed, to wear the national dress, and to allow the .Chieftain 
 to come in as Lieut.-Colonel to it, should be made a rifle one, and 
 the result of that which has been a decided negative, without assign- 
 ing any reason whatever, although the 5th Battalion of the 60th 
 affords the fairest possible means, coupled, notwithstanding the 
 original acceptance of the offer of the noblemen and gentlemen, 
 above alluded to, by the Duke of York's unasked opinion, that the 
 proposed levy had better be incorporated with a Highland corps, has 
 proved so clearly to my understandiii;/, that nothing lolli he acceded 
 to at the Horse Guards, that is either for my henefit, credit or 
 satisfaction, he it ever so advantageous for the public service, that 
 1 have come to the resolution never to mention the suhj'ect again. 
 
 Pray remember me particularly to your good General, and believe 
 me to be, &c., &c., &c. 
 
 Edward. 
 
 The Duke being now fully convinced that nothing would 
 ever be acceded to at the Horse Guards, which was proposed 
 or advocated by him, made no further effort to obtain active 
 employment under Government, but devoted himself hence- 
 forth more earnestly than ever to the promotion of every- 
 thing that was intended to advance the comforts, the morals, 
 or the education of the people. 
 
 Referring to " Iiove's Young Dream" of de Salaberry and 
 his fair cousin, it may be here mentioned, that some years 
 subsequently, both were happily married, having found 
 when fortune was more propitious, helps meet for each other. 
 
160 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 CHAPTER Xy. - . 
 
 Lieut. Connor — Sir James Craig, Governor General of Canada — Baron de 
 Rotteuburg. 
 
 1808 AND 1809. y ' • :•■ 
 
 Kensington Palace. 
 ' '^ 13th December, 1808. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I liarve, in the joint name of Madame de 
 St. Laurent and my 6wu, to return you many thanks for your kind 
 attention in sending us tlie tine brace of pheasants that arrived yester- 
 day, and at the same time to apologise to you for her not having 
 replied to your last letter, which has been principally owing to the 
 multiplidity of visitors we have had here ever since, which has left 
 her but few leisure hours for some weeks past. 
 
 We expect your brother Edward on Friday for the holidays, and 
 I hope to hear he has obtained the remove into the fifth Academy, a 
 circumstance that will probably insure him a commission within six 
 months, if he should make his option tor the Artillery, or within 
 twelve, for the Engineers. 
 
 I hope the two regiments that are under your good General's 
 tuition are advancing rapidly in the study of the new exorcise and 
 manoeuvres, and that by the time he is summoned to embark for 
 Canada, they will have made sufficient progress to do without their 
 instructor. 
 
 Pray remember me particularly to him, and accept for yourself 
 the assurance of those sentiments of unalterable friendship and regard 
 with which I always, &c., 
 
 Brigade Major do Salaberry. 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 19th December, 1808. 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I am just favored with your letter of yes- 
 terday, and hasten to inform you in reply to it, that there is in the 
 Royals at this time a Lieut. Connor, who was Drill Sergeant and 
 Sergeant-Major to the S-lth Regt., during the time 1 last commanded 
 at Gribr.altar, and who at that time showed very superior skill in learn- 
 ing my system, in consequence of which I got him his commission in 
 my regiment, but since that time he has been constantly employed in 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 161 
 
 recruitios;, in which line hejhasconsiderable talent, and has acquitted 
 himself much to my satisfaction. 1 think him well qualified for the 
 situation of Adjutant, and at this time he stands in my list for a com- 
 mission of that class, so that if Brigadier-General de llottenburg and 
 Lieut.-Col. Cuyler choose to recommend him for that commission in 
 the 85th, I shall willingly accede to it, for the man's advantage, 
 though ho will in every sense be a great loss to mc. 
 
 There is also a Sergeant of the name of Church, a very superior 
 young man, who is in fact an aspirant for a commission, whom I 
 could recommend as a Sergeant-Major, from conduct and steadiness, 
 if once he had acquired a thorough knowledge of discipline ; but the 
 interest he has in his own country, has obliged me to keep him to 
 recruiting, and therefore I could only oifcr him as a piece of the best 
 material to make a Sergeant-Major of; but certainly he should have 
 from four to six months before you can look upon him as an efiicient 
 one. 
 
 I remain, &c., &c , 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 27th December, 1808. 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I have this day received your's of yester- 
 day, and learn from it with satisfaction, that T/ieut.-Col. Cuyler in- 
 tends recommending Lieut. Connor, of the Royals, for the Adjutancy 
 of the 85th llegiment, as I really think that after a few months in- 
 structions he will make a most valuable Adjutant. You will of course 
 apprise him that in transmitting the recommendation to Head Quar- 
 ters, he is fully at liberty to state, that he had previously obtained 
 my consent, and was authorized to say so. Should Captain Crespigny, 
 who was late in the Royals and exchanged into the G8th Regiment, be 
 present with it, I will thank you to call upon that officer, and ac- 
 quaint him from me, that I relied on his honor and liberality not to 
 bring up when liieut. Connor arrives at Ashford, the misunderstand- 
 ing that took place between him and Captain Smith, on account of 
 which I was obliged to send him recruiting, and that his having the 
 goodness to be silent altogether rcg.'. .ding that transaction, will be 
 particularly obliging mc, as Connor obtained his promotion entirely 
 through my protection, in consequence of his exemplary conduct 
 when Grenadier Sergeant of the 54th Regiment, on the night of the 
 mutiny at Gibraltar, and of the talent which he subsequently showed 
 when brought forward as one of the drill-masters to instruct the 
 Garrison in my system. Between you and me the truth of the story 
 was, as I have it from the field officers of the regiment, that though 
 Connor was certainly guilty of an indecorum towards Captain Smith, 
 it was a very venial one, considering the station from which he had 
 
162 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 risen, and it was generally thought by the field officers of the regi- 
 ment that the Captain had been much too hard upon him. 
 
 Your letter to your brother Edward has just been sent to him, and 
 I conclude as soon as he has had an opportunity of consulting with 
 Madame de St. Laurent, he will apprize you what day to expect him. 
 Your gig will be taken up to-morrow to the waggon office in the 
 Boro', and start by the Hythe waggon at 5 o'clock in the evening. 
 
 I remain, &c., 
 
 Edward, 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 29th December, 1808. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I have just received your's of yesterday, 
 and have to thank you for so immediately communicating my mes- 
 sage to Lieut. Cuyler. I am obliged to you for entering so fully as 
 you appear to do into the commission I gave you for Captain Cres- 
 pigny , whom you will find an uncommon gentlemanly man in his man- 
 ners, but he is rather high and mighty, from having rather a long 
 purse, it will therefore be necessary for you to use a little address 
 at the outlet with him, and then I am sure you will find no difficulty 
 in insuring his compliance with my wishes. 
 
 Your gig was taken in by Severn yesterday, to the waggon office 
 in the Boro', from whence I trust it will in a day or two reach you 
 safe.' It is I think the cheapest purchase I have ever heard of in my 
 life, for the patent axle alone is worth the money you gave for the 
 whole, and after spending a few guineas in painting it up, it will be 
 just as good as many a one for which 100 guineas are paid. • 
 
 I think the East Suffiilk is one of the regiments from which the 
 Eoyal got men at the last volunteering, if so, and an Act of the Legis- 
 lature should again pass, as is expected, on the meeting of Parliament, 
 to empower the militia to extend their services into the line, I 
 should think something might be done with them, in favor of my 
 regiment. I will thank you therefore to keep an eye to that, as I 
 shall have no other person but yourself to look to in that case in 
 your vicinity. 
 
 Believe me, ever to be, &c., &c., &c 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 17th January, 1809. 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I have many thanks to return you for your 
 letter of yesterday, containing the report of your interview with Captain 
 Crespigny, from which I will candidly tell you that I perceive, notwith- 
 standing his assurances of acquiescing in my wishes,that the high metal- 
 led Captain still retains that old leaven he first introduced into the 4th 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 163 
 
 Battalion, and which has been, as Lieut. -Colonel Barnes tells me in 
 confidence, of such serious injury to that part of my corps, that ho 
 despairs of being able to eradicate it, without having recourse to very 
 coercive measures ; I would have you however, as I now sec how the 
 laud lays pretty clearly, the moment Lieutenant Connor arrives, lec- 
 ture liini m mij namo, as to the necessity of his appearing not to 
 know Captain Crespigny at all, and above all to start on the new 
 regiment, by observing a very polite yet distant lino of conduct 
 with all the officers, devoting himself entirely to his commanding 
 officer and his duty ; and as to messing with the officers, don't let 
 him think of it, at least till the two regiments separate. It would be 
 well for you also to give a hint to Major Hil), who is a very old and 
 zealously attached friend of mine, to keep an eye to Connor, and to 
 advise him how to govern himself so as to accjuire the confidence of 
 Colonel Cuyler, explaining to himself at the same time, that Lieut. 
 Connor had got into a difficulty with the Captain of my 4th Bat- 
 talion, in which I thought, as well as some other officers of the regi- 
 ment, that he had been very hardly treated ; that he was the same 
 man whom he must remember at Gibraltar, Grenadier Sergeant of the 
 54th Ilegiment, and who was instructed in the drill by Sergeant 
 Major Stewart of the Royals, whom I had brought with me from the 
 Fusileers; you may also mention him to Paymaster Manby, who is 
 no less devoted to me than Major Hill, and then I am sure with 
 the aid of your further good offices, you will soon get the man into 
 that kind of proper train which he only wants proper advice to 
 adopt, for he is an active, clever, useful fellow, and if well managed 
 will do credit to my recommendation of him. 
 
 Your brother Edward arrived here safe on Saturday, passed Sun- 
 day with us here, went into London yesterday with an order for 
 our box, to enable him to treat his friends, and to-day has returned 
 to his duty at Woolwich. 
 
 I remain ever, &c. 
 
 Edward. 
 Brigade Major de Salaberry, 
 Ashford. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 21st January, 1809. 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I have had the pleasure of receiving to-day 
 your letter of yesterday, from which I am happy to perceive that you 
 so perfectly understand my ideas relative to Lieut. Connor, who I be- 
 lieve under the protection of a steady commanding officer, and guided 
 by the judicious advice of Major Hill and Captain Manby, possesses 
 every reciuisite to form a very valuable Adjutant to any regiment in 
 the service, for he knows every minutia of duty well, and the drill in 
 perfection, at least according to my system ; but like every Irislv 
 11 
 
164 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 man he is inclined to be forward, and in consequence of the indiffer- 
 ent education he has had, does not understand liow to discriminate ; 
 I shall however enjoin him strictly to be governed by you at the 
 outset, as you possess my confidence, and 1 feel pretty sanguine 
 that he will not do discredit to my recommendation, though 1 am 
 free to confess, that with («uch a domineoring disposition as that of 
 the captains of my 4th Brigade, tlianks to the bad cxamjjle set 
 them by Captain Crespigny, and not seen through sufficiently early 
 by Colonel Hay to curb it in time, it is impossible that either ho 
 or any other Adjutant who docs his duty as he ought should stand 
 his ground. Notwithstanding what I have said of Captain Crespigny 
 as an officer, I am far from wishing to set you against him as a man, 
 for he certainly is very gentlenumlike in his manners, and 1 believe 
 in his principles. 
 
 You may inform Col. Cuyler from me, that Lieut. Connor's address 
 is Belfast, north of Iceland, and that 1 am confident he is ready to 
 start whenever he receives a summons to join the 85th, but 1 would 
 suggest the propriety of his getting it conveyed through the Adju- 
 tant General's Office, as it will require an authority from thence 
 for him to leave his recruiting party before an officer arrives to re- 
 ceive it from him. 
 
 .: You are very kind in your enquiries about my health, I have 
 unfortunately been confined since the 12th inst., loi'h 07!e of the 
 heaviest colds and coughs, attended withjeuer and pains in all my 
 limbs, that I ever yet remember having experienced, but I hope I 
 am beginning gradually to get over it, and that I shall be quit of the 
 complaint by another ten days or fortnight's confinement, having 
 already gone ihrovgh all the discipline of medicine, the lancet, &c., 
 which has made me as weak as water. Madame de St. Laurent 
 still continues, I am sorry to say, under the influence of the same 
 violent cough that has kept her confined now for above five weeks, 
 and I fear much tliat there is very little chance of her getting about 
 again till the return of milder weather, for this is a tribute she 
 annually pays to the climate of this country. 
 
 Believe me, &c,, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 28th February, 1809. 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I have just had the pleasure of receiving 
 yours of yesterday, from which I perceive that you must of late have 
 had an immense deal of labour in collecting your returns from the 
 motley crew that has poured in upon you since the return of the 
 army from Spain, but it is excellent practice, and I am sure when the 
 trouble is past you will not xCgret it, in consideration of the experi- 
 ence which it will enable you to acquire. 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 165 
 
 I am glad to find that Lieut. Connor has joined, and that he took 
 in such good part the advice and instructions I commissioned you 
 to give him, as also that you have formed an opinion favorable to his 
 success, this through the good offices of the two Majors, notwith- 
 standing the difficult game he will have t) play between the Lieut. 
 Colonel and the officers ; of course you will make him sensible that 
 his first duty is to his commanding officer, but that in discharging 
 that faithfully, he must never descend to be a spy upon his brother 
 officers' actions, which captious officers at the 1. :ad of regiments are 
 but too apt to exact of their departments, for he certainly can at all 
 times state to him what he sees incorrect, provided he always ob- 
 serves to do it in a manly, open way, and on positive conviction of 
 the circumstances being as he states it, so that he must take care 
 never to be led astray by hearsay or report. 
 
 I lament to find that the troops recently arrived from Spain con- 
 tinue so unhealthy. My 3rd Battalion too has suffered very severely, 
 but I am happy to think it has got into far less disorder than almost 
 any other corps that was upon the expedition. 
 
 I remain, &c., &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 6th March, 1809. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I have to thank you for your letter of 
 yesterday, which has just come to hand, and to express my satisfac- 
 tion at finding that Lieut, and Adjutant Connor seems so perfectly 
 to understand the advice I requested you to give him from me, and 
 also that his debut is considered favorable, as well by the Lieut.-Col- 
 onel and Majors as by the ofiicers of the corps. I am glad too to 
 find that he is aware how much his situation is benefited by his 
 removal from the lloyal to the 85th. 
 
 I do not think that the Commander in Chief could have chosen a 
 more proper regiment to make a light one of than the 71st, for I be- 
 lieve there is not a more gallant, active officer in the service than 
 Colonel Beck, which cannot be more fully proved than in the contrast 
 there is between the regiment commanded by him upon its return 
 from Spain, and that both of the 50th and 91st regiments, as also by 
 the small number of men he lost upon the retreat, when compared 
 with that of other corps. 
 
 My 3rd Battalion has certainly suffered a great deal from the 
 rawness and inexperience of the men of which it was composed, but 
 it was fortunate in having excellent field officers and a capital Adju- 
 tant, so all things considered, it is at present, though not I fear in 
 the same good order as the 71st, yet superior I think to most others 
 that were with the expedition. 
 
16G THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 I need scarcely add that the statement you have favored me with 
 was peculiarly acceptable, as enablin;;' me to make those comparisons. 
 
 We have not had the pleasure of seeing your brother Edward 
 since his return to Woolwich, which arises from Madame dc St. Lau- 
 rent having settled with him that ho should defer his visit till we 
 moved to Kensington, where wo had intended taking up our winter 
 quarters from the middle of January, but one cause or another 
 having hitherto prevented oiir establishing ourselves there, we have 
 nearly come to the determination of continuing on at Castle Hill 
 Lodge, where we shall probably summon him now at an early day. 
 
 Madame de St. Laurent, though still plagued to some degree with 
 her cold, is well enough to go out whenever the weather will admit 
 of it, and I have no doubt will be thoroughly well the moment the 
 winter is fairly gone. She desires her best regards to you, and I 
 remain, &c., tS:c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 9th May, 1809. 
 
 Deae de Salaberry, — Tn returning you the inclosures which 
 wero contained in your letter of the 7th, I have to request that you 
 will inform Lieut. Connor of my perfect readiness to concur in the 
 exchange or transfer of his brother-in-law, Lieut. Stephenson of the 
 Royal, into the 85th Light Infantry, but they must find out the 
 means of effecting this, and then upon a reference to me, I will take 
 care to give the young man such a recommendation as will insure him 
 being well received. Should there be any Scotch lieutenant in the 
 85th, desirous of getting into the old national corps, who, you think, 
 would be acceptable to me, I shall be very happy to concur in an 
 exchange between Lieut. Stephenson and him, which I can then 
 stand forward in effecting, but if Lieut. Stephenson is simply to fill 
 up a vacancy in the 85th, his only way will be to get Lieut.-Coionel 
 Cuyler to name it to General Stanwyr. 
 
 I rejoice to find that Mr. Connor is going on so well, but it is not 
 more than I expected, for I really think that under a Commanding 
 officer, who is disposed to be at the same time a monitor and a friend 
 to him, there is no part of his duty in which he will not excel. 
 
 I am much obliged to you for the information you have given me 
 relative to the tJSth, 71st, 85th and 95th regiments, but I appre- 
 hend that the order you allude to has no connexion whatever with 
 any specific service, for which the Regiments are wanting, and that 
 it has been issued solely from the apprehension of Government, of 
 being attacked by the opposition, for the incfiiciency in the field of 
 that force, which appears so large on paper. 
 
 Believe me ever to be, &c,, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 167 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 31st May, 1809. 
 Dear de Salarerry, — T am so hurried at present, through an 
 inimenso over pressure of business unci correspondence, tluit I have 
 only time in haste to acknowledtrc your letter of yesterday, and in 
 returning you the letter of Lieut. Connor with its inelosures, to for- 
 ward the promised recommendation, in belialfof Lieut. Stephenson, 
 whit-h I hope will be satisfactory to Col. Cuyler. 
 
 I remain ever, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 23rd June, 1809. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I have this moment received yo\xr letter 
 of yesterday, and I very highly approve of the sentiments it contains. 
 You may depend on my not losing a moment in writing to Major 
 General Calvert respecting you, which I sincerely hope may produce 
 the desired effect of enabling you to proceed on service with the Light 
 Brigade, unless their being ordered away from tlie Superintendence 
 of General de Kotteuburg should lead to an order being given for 
 his proceeding according to his original destination to Canada, in 
 which case I presume lie would not wish to go without you, nor you 
 to separate from him. 
 
 I avail myself of this opportunity to inform you, that the vacation 
 of your brother Edward will commence in a fortnight, when, if you 
 shall still continue at Ashford, and wish him to spend part of the 
 time with you, you need only intimate that such is your desire, and 
 Madame de St. Laurent and myself will readily consent to his going 
 over to you for a fortnight or thereabouts. 
 
 Ilemember me kindly to the General, 
 
 And believe mc, &c., &c,, 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 24th June, 1809. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — My letter of yesterday will have informed 
 you that I did not lose a moment in making *'ie application you 
 wished me to do to Major General Calvert, and though the circum- 
 stances, of which the subsequent letter I have just got from you in- 
 forms me, renders that step now nugatory, 1 do not regret haring^ 
 taken it, as it will prove to the Adjutant-General that my anxiety 
 for your welfare does not flag. 
 
 I am sure you will give me credit ^br rejoicing at the tttm things, 
 have taken, which I consider the most fortunate for jwi that could 
 have happened, as it enables you to proceed on service iu the plea- 
 
168 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 santest possible way, and does not remove you from your worthy 
 General, to whom I beg my best remembrance as well as acknowx 
 ledgments for the readiness with which he has been so good as to 
 promise that he would adopt the suggestion of the Adjutant General 
 in your favor. 
 
 As in my letter of yesterday I have already delivered my senti- 
 ments as to the steps you had taken in order to get upon service, it 
 will be needless for me to repeat them now, and therefore I shall only 
 add my best thanks for the very acceptable memo, you have sent me 
 of the regiments in your district, that have received order to march. 
 Concluding by subscribing myself, &c., &c. 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 19th July, 1809. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — By the return of Edward this morning I 
 had the pleasure of receiving your letter of yesterday, in reply to 
 which I have great satisfaction in assuring you, that both Madame 
 de St. Laurent and myself feel very strongly the sentiment of at- 
 tachment you profess for us, and most cordially unite in every wish 
 for your success, honor and advancement. 
 
 At present the most perfect secret is kept with respect to your 
 destination, but for my own part I am inclined to think that the 
 Island of Walcheren and the naval force at Flushing, are the pri- 
 mary objects, after which I conclude your motions will depend on 
 the dispositions shown by the inhabitants to receive you, but I own 
 I do not expect the same cordiality from those who are on the banks 
 of the Skeld that would be ensured you if the Elbe and Weser were 
 the point of debarkation , I shall rely on your promise to write by 
 every opportunity that offers, and that you will desire Capt. Smith, 
 who is with Brigadier General Brown, to do the same, as it is always 
 interesting to receive accounts from two different hands of events of 
 the nature of those which you are most likely to encounter. I shall 
 now add, as your time must be fully occupied, &c., &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 Brigade Major de Salaberry. 
 
 Kensington Palaci!, 
 
 5th August, 180(5. 
 My Dear de Salaberry,— A frigate being about to leave in a 
 few days, direct for Quebec, I have determined not to permit it to sail 
 without carrying a letter from me, being really horrified at the length 
 of time which I have permitted to pass without giving you this 
 jproof of my remembrance and friendship. 
 As I like to believe that you do me the justice to be persuaded 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 169 
 
 that you are not forgotten by me, or that there is the least coolness 
 in my feelings towards you and your amiable family, notwithstand- 
 ing my long silence. 
 
 I believe it my duty to assure you, and you may be firmly con- 
 vinced that it is nothing but truth, that after the promise which your 
 Governor General made me, that he would do anything for you that 
 was in his power, I had the greatest repugnance to take up my pen, 
 without knowing that the hopes which he had given me in reference 
 to you had been fulfilled, and as it was not till the 2nd May that I 
 received your letter of 27th December, which gave me the good news, 
 which I had so long waited for with such impatience, and since from 
 that day to the present, I have always been very much occupied, you 
 will understand how it was not possible for me to have written 
 sooner. 
 
 After this little preamble, I will commence my letter by inform- 
 ing you that I received consecutively in due course your letters of 
 the 15th July, 4th August, 8th November, 27th and 29th Decem- 
 ber, 1808, and finally, that of the 8th June last, which I received by 
 the hands of Col. Vesey on the 18th ult. 
 
 In the first of these letters, that of the 15th July, you make allu- 
 sion to the charming bark work made by your children, and which 
 reached us in safety. I cannot choose a better time to say to you, 
 how much Madame de St. Laurent and myself felt this proof of their 
 attachment for us, and thattheeleganceof taste with which the whole 
 was w^orked, has been admired by all who saw it, and to whom we 
 had the pleasure of saying, that they came to us from the sisters of 
 Salaberry and Edward, who are both of course known to those who 
 visit us. 
 
 As to the second of the letters, that of 4th August, containing the 
 inclosures for your sons, I feel it my duty to assure you that they 
 were all at once forwarded to their addresses, those for Salaberry and 
 my godson were carried to them by myself ; those for our two 
 Grenadiers were posted for Madras, (I may say within parenthesis, 
 that T had most satisfactory news of them up to October last.) 
 
 I now come to the third, that of the 8th November, which 
 announced the happy marriage of your dear Hermine. I desire to 
 express in the strongest terms how much pleasure I felt in learning 
 this news, so interesting and agreeable in every respect, both for her 
 and for you ; but I find that it is not only difficult but impossible 
 to do justice to what my heart would wish me to say to you and 
 Madame de Salaberry on this occasion. I now hasten to beg both 
 of you to believe that of all your friends, there were none who re- 
 joiced more sincerely than I at the happy event, and that I have 
 always most sincerely wished that the happiness of the young wife 
 may be uninterrupted, and such as we have a right to expect from 
 the amiability cf the characters of both. I hope that you will prescrrt 
 to your excellent wife my congratulations, also to the newly maw:ie(Jl 
 
170 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 couple. As for Duchesnay, I had the pleasure of seeing him when 
 he was in London two or three years ago, and I can never forget 
 that fine trait in his character, when he employed to purchase a 
 Lieutenancy for his brother the money which his mother had sent 
 him for his own advancement. This trait alone proves that he pos- 
 sesses an excellent heart and fine sentiments of honor, and with such 
 a foundation it is impossible but that he will be a good husband and 
 a good father, if Providence destines him to be a father. 
 
 The principal part of your 4th letter, that of liTth December, was 
 to announce your appointment to the place previously filled by the 
 deceased Mr. Cofiln, on which I ^v^ill only observe, that for many a 
 day nothing has given me more satisfaction than to find that at last 
 Sir James Craig has kept his word with me, and that the time has 
 at length arrived in which you will enjoy more of what wc English 
 call the comforts of life, than has hitherto been the case since the 
 disbanding of the Regiment of Royal Canadians. 
 
 As in a letter recently received from Sir James Craig, he repeats 
 that he had recommended you as an Executive Councillor, I believe 
 I may assure you that you will not have to wait long, and if you 
 desire to be called to the Legislative Council also, you may depend 
 that it will give me much pleasure to write the Governor General on 
 the subject. 
 
 As to the Militia of which you speak in the latter part of your 
 letter of 27th December, 1 believe there is no question but that they 
 will re-assemble under an Act of the Provincial Parliament, which 
 places the Militia when called out under the same footing of disci- 
 pline as regiment? of the line. But T think if this important object 
 is accomplished, the Governor will always keep a certain number on 
 foot, and if you desire to have it, I have no doujjt but the command 
 of one of the Battalions will be given to you, for t]:e advantage of 
 having at the head of the corps a chief who is popular cannot have 
 escaped his observation. 
 
 I arrive now at your fifth letter, that of 29th December, written 
 immediately after that in which de Salaberry informed you of the 
 arrangement for which I had labored, and under which he with his 
 General was to arrive in spring for duty in Canada, and I grieve to 
 say that the positive assurance which I received from the Adjutant- 
 General, and which was at the same time given to Sir James Craig, 
 has not been carried out, and that the result has been a disappoint- 
 ment to you and to Madame de Salaberry, but though the prepar- 
 ations for the great expedition with which be was to go to Quebec 
 have been suspended, I like to believe that they will yet be finished 
 and that it will go to its original destination, either this autumn or 
 next spring, and you may depend that I will do my best. 
 
 In fine having replied to all your letters except the last, that of 
 the lUth last June, which reached mc by the hands of Colonel Vescy, 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 171 
 
 it only remains for me to speak of its contents, and as the first part 
 related to the non-arrival of de Salaberry whom you had expected 
 with the first vessels, I need not add anything on the subject to what 
 I have already said. 
 
 As to Edward, if we wish to place him :n the Artillery, in a very 
 few minutes he could get a lieutenancy, i)ut as the Engineers is the 
 branch for which I destined him, being convinced that it is the most 
 advantageous for his future advancement, he is obliged to pursue his 
 studies a good while longer than is required of aspirants for the 
 Artillery, and as there are now only five in the whole Academy 
 before him, I consider that he may leave it at Christmas, when the 
 regulations will oblige him to go, to prosecute for six months sur- 
 veying under an able master, destined to finish the pupils for the 
 Engineers, and then he will get his lieutenancy, after which there 
 is every appearance of his remaining here for nine or ten months, 
 when I will do everything in my power to have him sent speedily to 
 Canada, if by any means the thing can be effected ; but you must 
 not expect to see him before next year, for I believe it is usual to 
 employ them at Chatham or Woolwich for six months before they 
 are permitted to take what we call "Foreign Service." He lives 
 with us always during the Academy vacations, and I hope that you 
 will not think he is among strangers. The report which 1 have 
 received from his superiors is very satisfactory. He is already well 
 formed, and about five feet eight inches high, and I believe in a 
 couple of years he will not be behind Maurice, who is as tall as I 
 am, according to the report of an ofiicer who saw him in Madras 
 six months ago. Edward has been bow here since the 4th July, 
 and will return to the Academy on its re-opening on the 15th of the 
 month, and will quit us with the same regret as 1 know we feel on 
 parting with him. I am sure he will resume his studies with all 
 possible zeal, being perfectly convinced of the importance of per- 
 fecting himself in the qualifications necessary for his profession. 
 
 I owe you a thousand thanks for the amusement you have afforded 
 me, in sending me the Quebec Gazette, which gives the account 
 of the proceedings of your Colonial Parliament, for certainly the 
 Swiss patois is sufiicient to excite the risible muscles ; but badinage 
 apart, I believe, after all I have heard, that your Governor General 
 did well in acting with firmness, as he has done en every occ "ion 
 which required it since his assumption of the Government, _, or it 
 would not be prudent to permit atiy oppodtion to the representative 
 of the Sovereign. You may believe 1 was very much pleased to 
 observe the proper course you have held during the whole affair, 
 but it was only what I expected from your sentiments of distin- 
 guished loyalty. 
 
 There remains nothing for me to add, but to convey Madame de 
 St. Laurent's kind remembrance, as she will not write you now, 
 
172 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 having done so recently, and to assure Madame de Salaberry of the 
 continuance of my unalterable regard. I remain always, my dear 
 de Salaberry, 
 
 Your aifectionate and devoted 
 
 Edward. 
 A. M. M. de Salaberry, 
 
 Beauport. 
 
 The reader must have been struck with the expression in 
 the preceding letter, " It would not be prudent to permit 
 any opposition to the representative of the Sovereign ;" 
 especially as coming from one whose views were generally in 
 advance of his time, and who was really a very liberal and 
 enlightened man, and when he looks at the constitutional 
 liberty which is now so fully enjoyed in Canada, he will be 
 still more astonished when he turns to the Journals of that 
 day. The military education and experience of Sir James 
 Craig had most thoroughly imbued him with the propriety 
 cf carrying into the Civil Government modes of procedure, 
 which though considered necessary in military affairs, were 
 very arbitrary, and he most sincerely entertaiiu i the senti- 
 ment enunciated by the Duke of Kent. Holding these views, 
 he supported his Council iu the imprisonment of several 
 prominent Canadians, under suspicion of sedition, arising 
 from their having struggled for the establishment of prin- 
 ciples which the Imperial Government subsequently conce- 
 ded to the fullest extent, but which the then Provincial 
 Government regarded as arising f.om disaffection. 
 
 Sir James was at direct issue with the Absembly, and con- 
 cluded the address, with which he opened the House on the 
 10th April 1809, by cautioning them against jealousies among 
 themselves, or of the Government which could have no other 
 object in view than the general welfare. The House in their 
 reply had introduced an indirect reproof for the hints which 
 had fallen from the Governor, and before proceeding to the 
 business for which they had been called together, proceeded 
 to enquire into certain grievances ; they were thus occupied at 
 the end of five weeks, when the patience of Sir James be- 
 came exhausted, and he dissolved them in an angry speech 
 which reminds one strongly of Oliver Cromwell. The fol- 
 lowing extract will convey a correct idea of its general tenor: 
 "You have wasted in fruitless debates, excited by private 
 and personal animosities, or by frivolous contests upon trivial 
 matters of form, that time and those talents to which within 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 173 
 
 your walls the public have an exclusive title. This abuse of 
 your functions, you have preferred to the high and impor- 
 tant duties which you owe to your Sovereign, and to your 
 constituents, and you have thereby been forced to neglect the 
 consideration of matters of moment and necessity which 
 were before you, while you have at the same time prevented 
 the introduction of such others as may have been in contem- 
 plation. So much of intemperate heat has been manifested 
 in all your proceedings, and you hava shown such a prolong- 
 ed and disrespectful attention to matters submitted to your 
 consideration by the other branches of the Legislature 
 that whatever might be the moderation and forbearance on 
 their parts, a general good understanding is scarcely to be 
 looked for without a new Assembly." 
 
 The state of public feeling in Canada, at this time will be 
 understood from an extract from a letter from Louis de Sala- 
 berry, dated from Hyderabad : " By the bye, I was very 
 much hurt the other day in reading a paper by the highly 
 infamous behaviour of some Canadians. The paper mentioned 
 that there was a conspiracy discovered, which was to murder 
 all the English inhabitants ; it must have been written by 
 some Canard, for I cannot imagine that my poor countrymen 
 would disgrace themselves by sach an infamous act. The 
 paper in question mentions that Mr. Bedford (who is Mr. 
 Bedford ?) was in gaol and several other Canadian gentlemen. 
 The Speaker of the Souse of Assemble/ was also mentioned, 
 as being at the head of the party. I sincerely hope the 
 report is exaggerated, for it is so vile that it cannot be true. 
 In a former paper I saw your name mentioned, it was when 
 Sir James Craig delivered that curious speech ; it was most 
 honorably mentioned, and I am sorry to find that the others 
 were not so. I hope your letters will inform me of the whole 
 transaction, hoAvever strange it may be." 
 
 The Mr. Bedford, was M. Bedard, a distinguished member 
 of the House, who was imprisoned by a warrant of three 
 members of the Executive Council, but who Avas never brought 
 to trial, though urgently demanding it, but shortly after the 
 prorogation was released, without any explanation of the 
 cause of his imprisonment, or of the motives of his enlarge- 
 ment. 
 
174 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Walchcren.— The Duke of Cumberland and ScUis— Death of Princess Amelia- 
 Illness of the King — The Regency. 
 
 1809, 1810. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 18th September, 1809. 
 
 Beae de Salaberry, — Although T have hitherto left your three 
 interesting letters of the 7th, 8th and 20th August, which I received 
 successively on the 12th and oOth of the sumo month, unanswered, 
 be assured they gave me infinite pleasure, and that I felt, as I ought, 
 your kind attention in thinking of me, in the midst of all the fatigues 
 you had to encounter from the first moment of your landing until 
 the date of your last. But exclusive of a certain apprehension 
 which I was led to entertain (from reports that were in circulation 
 here, of a degree of jealousy existing at your Head Quarters, in 
 regard to the officers who correspond with me,) and which made 
 me feel backward in writing to you, for fear of its doing you dis- 
 service there, I have been too much harassed for the last month with 
 an over pressure of business and engagements, that I really for a long 
 time was unable to find leisure to do it, and latterly I was inclined 
 to hope that you would have been included in the number of officers 
 to co'r.c home, which would have afforded me the opportunity of 
 thanking you personally for your several communications. However, 
 having yesterday obtained a return of the Brigade, destined for the 
 present to form the Garrison of Walcheren, and finding that your 
 General is one of them, I conclude you remain with him, and there- 
 fore am unwilling to delay longer assuring you of my friendly remem- 
 brance. 
 
 Without entering into any particulars of those details you have 
 favored me with, I cannot help expressing my regret at the misap- 
 plication of the noble army that has been so uselessly employed upon 
 a service, the result of which is so far from being commensurate with 
 the extent of the means employed upon it, that it could hardly be 
 justified if two-thirds less force had done so little. But when I say 
 this, pray understand me right, that I do not mean to detract from 
 the gallantry of the troops that have been employed on the attack 
 on WalchereU; or to deprecate the extent of the hardships and pri- 
 vations they have experienced, which is but too well established by 
 the deplorable return of nick that has been received from the corps 
 
THE DUKE OP KENT. 175 
 
 destined to remain there, and from the shocking state in which those 
 arrived from thence^ are stated to have landed, but to declare my 
 opinion, as well in regard to the want of judgment shown by Min- 
 isters in so applying the force, and then appointing such a com- 
 mandant to direct its operations, as with respect to the manner in 
 which the whole business was conducted, which really must disgrace 
 U3 in the eye of the enemy, far more than any event in our military 
 annals that has yet occurred since we have been at war with revolu- 
 tionised France. 
 
 All now to be hoped is, that such a change will take place in 
 administration as will lead to the immediate adoption of the only 
 feasible plan which in our present situation can be thought of, that 
 of evacuating Walcheren, after razing or blowing up all its defences, 
 or that the present Ministry will have the candor to avow the egregious 
 error they have committed, and take that step without which we 
 have nothing to look forward to but the annihilation of those unfor- 
 tunate corps who are destined to encounter the pestilential sickness 
 of that aguish climate. 
 
 Adverting to the mention you make of the conduct of the 3rd 
 Battalion of the Royals, I cannot help expressing the great pride I 
 feel at the accounts I have received from all quarters of the peculiar 
 steadiness of the whole corps, and the distinguished gallantry of the 
 flank companies, but the loss of poor Lieut. McLean, who was killed 
 at the head of Captain Smythe's, the right Battalion company, is a 
 very serious one to the corps, as well as to myself, he being the only 
 survivor of the drills of the Fusileers who were formed by the late 
 Captain Parsonage. 
 
 Captain Wilson, who was wounded, is I hear so much indisposed, 
 as well as the two Subalterns of the Light Infantry, who shared the 
 same fate, as to be obliged to come over to England. 
 
 I have now only to execute Madame de St. Laurent's commission, 
 by assuring you of her best wishes, to desire my kind remembrance 
 to your General, and to subscribe myself with the most friendly 
 regard, dear de Salaberry, &c., 
 
 Edward, 
 P.S.—- 1 herewith inclose a letter for Paymaster Manby of the 
 85th Regiment, which you will oblige me by delivering safe into his 
 own hands. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 23rd September, 1809. 
 I had the pleasure of receiving yesterday your letter of the 17th 
 instant, from Teniers, from wh'ch I perceive you feel with respect 
 to the result of the expedition, just as we do on this side of the water 
 and that you concur in the opinion, that had proper energy been 
 shown by your Commander, and his movements been conducted with 
 
176 THE DURE OF KENT. 
 
 promptitude, which ia all military operations is the primum mobi'e, 
 Antwerp must have fallen, and the grind object of the expedition 
 been eflPected, commensurate at the same time, with the enormous ex- 
 pense at which it was fitted out, and with the reasonable expectations 
 of the country. Indeed it is evident from all I have heard from 
 every quarter, that Flushing might have been carried by a coup de 
 main, the third day, and the whole island been reduced without 
 subjecting the inhabitants to all the horrors which were experienced 
 at Flushing during the siege, and in every part to which the inunda- 
 tion extended. 
 
 It is thought here, that nothing short of turning out the present 
 administration, who planned the expedition, and the General to con- 
 duct it, will satisfy the country, and so it ought to be, but as a 
 considerable period will elapse between that and the meeting of Par- 
 liament, and there will be time for people's minds to calm a little, I 
 cannot help thinking, but that somehow or another, by sacrificing 
 the two most obnoxious individuals, viz., the two Lord C — s, it will 
 be contrived to jog on, without forming a new Government composed 
 of the present opposition. But be that as it may, I hope and trust 
 that for the sake of the poor fellows who are left to guard that mis- 
 erable unhealthy spot where you now are, the necessity of abandoning 
 it will be now felt, and that you will not be much longer exposed to 
 the double danger of the epidemic fever and of being attacked when 
 you cannot muster a force sufficient to defend yourselves, for I be- 
 lieve such is the general feeling of the country. 
 
 Nothing could be so distressing as the details you give me of the 
 extent of the sickness, or be more bitter than the reflection that so 
 many poor fellows should have been so wantonly sacrificed. 
 
 In the number of those who have thus fallen, there is none I more 
 sincerely regret than my old worthy friend Major Hill, who was one 
 of the few standards of the old stock, of which now, alas ! there are 
 but few remaining. I feel too much for his poor wife, whose situation 
 I apprehend will be rendered most lamentable by his loss. 
 
 What a scandalous shame it is, that when your Commissariat had 
 the power in their hands, as you tell me they had, of procuring you 
 an abundant supply of fresh provisions, they should have neglected 
 that most important point, and that through that neglect you should 
 have been reduced to the sad alternative, in the midst of all your 
 sickness, of being fed six days in the week on salt provisions. It 
 really would seem as if those felioics (for I have no patience to call 
 them anything else) were paid by the enemy to do everything against 
 our troops, instead of being supported at a heavy expense by our own 
 Government to provide for their wants. 
 
 From your not mentioning the state of your own health, or that 
 of General de Rottenburg, I hope and trust that both of you are 
 still well ; and that you may long continue so, is my most anxioiifl 
 wish. Pray do not fail to assure him of my best remembrance, and 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT 177 
 
 of my earnest desire to see him again on the terra finna of old 
 England. 
 
 Madame de St. Laurent desires me to say how sincerely she unites 
 with me in every wish for your welfare and happiness, and that I 
 should inform you, for the honor of Maurice and Chevalier, that wo 
 learnt yesterday, by a letter from Mr. Hale, that those two brothers 
 of yours had transmitted to your excellent father one hundred 
 guineas, the result of their little savings since they had embarked for 
 India. Such traits, she observes, ought to be engraved in indelible 
 characters, and so they will be in our hearts. 
 
 I shall now take my leave of you, by wishing you a speedy return, 
 and in the meanwhile be assured, dear de Salaberry, of those senti- 
 ments of unalterable friendship and regard with which I always am, 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Captain do Salaberry served with the Light Brigade as 
 Aide-de-Camp to General de Rottcnburg, during the cam- 
 paign, and was with the advanced posts before Flushing, 
 during the whole siege, but at the termination of active op- 
 erations, he had to succumb to the fever, and was ordered to 
 England. 
 
 Castle Hill Lodge, 
 
 28th October, J 809. 
 Dear de Salaberry, — Madame do St. Laurent and myself being 
 very desirous of having the pleasure of your society for two or three 
 days here, I write these few lines to propose to you to come over to 
 dinner on "Wednesday next, the 1st November, and to remain here 
 till after breakfast on Saturday. As we do not dine till half-past 
 six, I apprehend you will be in sufficient time, if you make your ar- 
 rangements for coming over here by the early afternoon coach. 
 
 Believe me to be, &c., 
 Edward. 
 
 Castle Hill Lodge, 
 
 30th October, 1809. 
 Dear de Salaberry, — An unexpected circumstance having oc- 
 curred that will prevent us having the pleasure of seeing you here 
 on Wednesday next, as we had intended, I lose no time in apprising 
 you of it ; at the same time, however, I am in the name of Madame 
 de St. Laurent to request that you will have the goodness to hold 
 yourself at her summons for Thursday or Friday, for one of which 
 days she will in all probability have occasion to trouble you to ac- 
 company her to the play at llichmond, where Mrs. Jordan is ex- 
 pected to perform. 
 
178 THE DUKE OP KENT. 
 
 T hope by this time you have got quite over the effects of the 
 Walchcren complaint, and that when next we meet, we shall see you 
 perfectly re-established. 
 
 In the meantime believe me, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 31st October, 1809. 
 Dear de Salaberrt, — I have to acknowledge your note of yes- 
 terday, in reply to mine of the 28th, since which you will have re- 
 ceived mine cancelling the arrangement I had communicated in that, 
 and desiring you to hold yourself in readiness for a summons on 
 Thursday or Friday. The latter is now fixed upon, and Madame 
 de St. Laurent has requested me to beg of you to continue with us 
 until Sunday. I shall myself be absent at Windsor all Thursday, 
 and till the evening of Friday, but I shall hope then to join you at 
 the play house, or at least lo be home by the time you return from it. 
 
 Believe me, ^c, 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 6th November, 1809. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — Having been constantly occupied since 
 Wednesday last, either by being at Windsor or on the road to and 
 from it, or in bringing up the arrears of business that had accumu- 
 lated during my absence, I have been unable until this instant to find 
 leisure suflScient to acknowledge your two letters of the 31st ult., 
 the one of which contained the several enclosures from our worthy 
 friend Mr. Lanmore, that are herewith returned. But before I com- 
 municate to you my sentiments on the subject of his letter to you, let 
 me express my sincere concern at your continued indisposition, which 
 has deprived us of the pleasure of seeing you here, and my sincere 
 hope that by this time you are already in a state of convalescence. 
 At all events I trust you will not think of leaving England without 
 coming to pay us a visit, as I should be very sorry not to see you 
 before you return to your post, only don't let it be on Wednesday, the 
 8th, for on that day I shall be from home. 
 
 Now with respect to Mr. Lanmore's application on behalf of his 
 friend Mr. Armiger, J. must beg of you to explain to him that from 
 his kind and friendly attention to you and Mr. Vealo, in consequence 
 of the estimation in which he knew I held you both, added to the 
 high persona] opinion I entertain of his professional and moral char- 
 acter, I feel every possible disposition to assist him in the attainment 
 of any wish of his to the utmost of my power. However, in the pre- 
 sent instance, I fear that is impracticable, for between ourselves there 
 
THE DUKE OP KENT. 179 
 
 is so much difficulty in intcrforing in the most distant manner 
 with any point in coimcxion with thn establishment of the Princess 
 Charlotte, that none of the family ever attempt it, but as Colonel 
 Bloomtiuld of the lloyal Artillery, who is tije gentleman attendant on 
 the Princess of Wales, and in fact has the entire direction of the 
 whole establishment, has almost unbounded weight with the Prince, 
 and would, I am coiijiifr.nf., if he could bo prevailed upon to speak in 
 Mr. Armiger's favor to His Koyal Highness, carry the point at once, 
 I would strongly advise Mr. Jianmore to point out to that gentleman 
 that he should get J)rs. llolls and Irvine, who appear to be very warm 
 in their good wishes for him (if one may judge by the certificate 
 they have given him) to write to Colonel Bloomfield in his favor, 
 stating the object of his wishes, and representing him as highly de- 
 serving of such a mark of the Prince's protection. If, in addition to 
 this, Major (general Sir Thomas Jiloomfield, from whom it appears 
 Mr. Arniiger has been honored with a very flattering testimonial, 
 could be persuaded to write also to his namesake, 1 will venture 
 to predict the complete success of Mr. Lanmore's wishes in behalf 
 of his friend and partner, only in communicating this to that 
 worthy man, bind him to a promise not to let any one know (if he 
 chooses to adopt my advice) that it comes from mo, as, if it were 
 surmised, it might occasion some unpleasant remarks from Carlton 
 House upon my offieiousness. 
 
 Believe me ever to be, &c., &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 P. S. — 1 herewith inclose a letter for Paymaster Manby of the 
 85th Regiment, which you will oblige me by ^delivering safe into his 
 owa hands. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 18th November, 1809. 
 Dear de Salaherry, — Having received your letter of Thursday 
 only on my return from play at 12 o'clock that night, and having 
 made arrangements to set off for Windsor before day light the next 
 morning, I had no time to do more than request Col. Vesey to appoint 
 you to come over here to-morrow, and was unable to answer any other 
 part of your letter. I therefore now take up my pen to say how sin- 
 cerely I regret the unfavorable report you make of your health, which 
 has so long deprived us of the pleasure of seeing you. Howe^'er, I 
 hope to-morrow I shall have the satisfaction of finding that the last 
 three days have helped you well on towards your convalescence. By 
 the bye, I think you had better be here at 12 o'clock, than later, for 
 I have some idea that the Duke of Clarence may call here with his two 
 sons, about one, as I know the eldest joins his regiment on Monday ; 
 you would therefore probably wish to have, as well as Mr. Lanmore, 
 
 12 
 
180 THE DUKE OP KENT. 
 
 your visit over before he arrives, as whenever he is here his stay is 
 seldom less than two hours. 
 
 Although I 'lave not been able to learn anything authoritative as 
 to the evacuation of Walclieren, such as to authorize my telling you 
 positively that it is actually decided upon, I am inclined to believe 
 that Government have come to that decision, and therefore if a brush 
 be expected when the embarkation commences, you arc quite right 
 in not delaying your departure, if Mr. Lanmorc will give you his fiat 
 for it. 
 
 There are very unpleasant rumors about a mutiny in the garrison 
 of Flushing, amongst our troops, in consequence of two or three se- 
 vere, though I have no doubt, very proper examples having been made 
 of some soldiers, who were caught plundering and marauding. God 
 grant it may not be true, and above all that my regiment is not 
 among the faulty. Perhaps to-morrow you will be able to tell me 
 something about it. 
 
 In answer to Lieut, and Adjutant Connor's letter, which I here- 
 with return, I have to request that you will acquaint that officer, for 
 the information of his father-in-law, Mr. Stephenson, that I will en- 
 deavor to procure him the satisfaction of seeing his son for a little 
 while, before he proceeds to the West Indies, either by getting him 
 leave of absence, or placing him on the recruiting service, though I 
 am rather inclined to think that tlicre will be obstacles to the latter 
 arrangement, which I may find it difficult to overcome, 
 
 I remain, &c., 
 
 Edward* 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 21st November, 1809. 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I have this day received your two notes, 
 and hasten to inclose to you the appointment solicited in the one 
 for your friend Mr. Lanmore's partner, and also a few lines for the 
 senior officer in command of the Royal Military Academy at Wool- 
 wich, requesting leave for your brother Edward to come up on Sat- 
 urday evening next, to see you, which you will of course send to 
 Edward. At the same time, I have to inform you that I so totally 
 disapprove of your attempting to go to Walcheren, without the fiat 
 of Mr. Lanmore, that I have this day written to Brigadier-General 
 do Rottenburg, inclosing that gentleman's opii Ion of your case, and 
 to inform him that I had laid my injunction upon you not to think 
 of moving for the present. 
 
 I remain, &c., &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 181 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 27th November, 1809. 
 
 Dear, de Salaberrt, — I had the pleasure of receiving this morn- 
 ing your brother Edward's letter of Sunday, inclosing Mr. A.rmiger's 
 to you, as also that of lirigadier General de llottenburg, herewith re- 
 turned. With respect to the former of them, (which 1 have not 
 thought it necessary to send back) T will thank you to signify through 
 Mr. Lanmore, to the writer, unless you should have the opportunity 
 of seeing him yourself, that I rejoice sincerely in having had the op- 
 portunity of serving om?, who, from all accounts, possesses so much 
 professional merit, us well as so respectable a private character, and 
 at the same time I will thank you to say to Mr. Lanmore, that I 
 duly received his polite letter of thanks upon the occasion, but 1 did 
 not acknowledge it, meaning always to send him the message through 
 you. 
 
 In regard to the General's letter, I rejoice to find in what friendly 
 terms he writes to you, as it satisfies me that when he gets my letter 
 respecting you, he will receive it just as I wished. I am truly con- 
 cerned to find that you still continue so unwell, but hope you won't 
 suffer yourself to be out of spirits on account of it. for if that be the 
 case it will only retard yoiir recovery ; let me therefore advise you 
 to rouse yourself and bear up against the complaint, which will tend 
 more to the re-cstablishmcnt of your health than anything, and when 
 once you are in a state of convalescence, if Mr. Lanmore should think 
 that a change of air ^ould do you good, we shall have great pleasure 
 in having you out here, where I trust you are convinced you will not 
 want anything we can afford to add to your comfort, or benefit your 
 health. 
 
 When you are able to write, I shall hope to hear from you, but do 
 not think of taking up your pen before he tells you you are allowed 
 to do so. 
 
 I remain, &c., &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Castle Hill Lodge, 
 
 15th December, 1809. 
 Dear be Salaberry, — I trust that it can scarcely be necessary 
 for me to say how sincerely I rejoiced in learning from your own 
 and Mr. Lanmore's letters, that you were making such progress to- 
 wards your recovery. As we have no thought whatever of moving 
 to Kensington, except en vaHsaitt for a night or two, when we have 
 occasion to go to the play o:- opera, we shall be delighted to have you 
 here for as long as you can give us your company, being convinoed 
 that the clear air of this pl:»ce and our quiet way of life cannot fail 
 of doing you a great deal of good ; come, therefore, as soon as you 
 like ; you are to have the Duko of Sussex's room, and when Edward. 
 
182 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 comes from Woolwich, before he goes on the survey, he shall be in 
 the little room next you which you used before to occupy. 
 
 I perfectly approve of your idea of Brigadier-General do llotten- 
 burg renewing his application to get out to Canada in the spring, to 
 which he has every possible right, in v^hich case as well as in his 
 return to his former station at Ashford, 1 apprehend that there can- 
 not be a doubt of your being restored to your former situation, as 
 his Major of Brigade, and the moment that things are sulfioiently 
 advanced, I will write or speak to my friend, Major General Calvert, 
 upon the subject. I must, however, make one reservation, that if I 
 should have occasion for your services myself, as my Aide-de-Camp, 
 (though I fear there is but little chance of that,) I may always 
 have the right to claim you, as having the first right to them. 
 
 You will, of course, write immediately on receipt of this, to let 
 me know on what day we are to expect you, that we may have your 
 room warm and comfortable against your arrival. 
 
 In the meantime, I remain, &c., &c,, 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 23rd December, 1809. 
 Dear de Salaberry, — At the desire of Madame de St. Laurent, 
 who has not time this morning to write to your brother, from whom 
 she received a letter dated from Sablonieres Hotel, yesterday, I inclose 
 two tickets for the opera to-night, that are destined for your use and his, 
 leaving it perfectly optional with both of you, if you cannot go without 
 boots or gaiters, to use them in any part of the house, where the regu- 
 lations admit of your appearing in that dress, and therefore exempting 
 you altogether from coming to her box, unless you can, without risk 
 und inconvenience, wear shoes and stockings ; at the same time, she 
 desires me to add, that as she returns to-morrow to dinner to Castle 
 Hill Lodge, she wishes you and your brother to come there about 5 
 in the afternoon, instead of deferring your move there till Monday, 
 as mentioned in my last communication. Sincerely hoping that tlus 
 will find you both much recovered, 
 
 I remain, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 ■ ^ " Kensington Palace, 
 
 1st May, 1810. 
 
 Dear de (Salaberry, — I am quite at a loss to express all the morti- 
 fication and surprise that I experienced at the purport of the annexed 
 letter from Major-Gen. Calvert respecting you, so diametrically opposed 
 to the communication that was received from him in writing as well 
 as verbally, this time twelve months, when a positive promise was given 
 that you should accompany your good General to Canada, and I have 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 183 
 
 reason to believe you were notified to Sir James Craig as an officer to 
 be appointed to the first vacancy of a Major of Brigade in the country : 
 — howeocr, knowiivj as [do the obstinate character of the Comman- 
 der in Chi//, I fear there will be no chance of obtaining a reversal 
 of the decision upon your case unless you can effect an exchano-e 
 into your old Battalion (thi first), now expected home from the 
 West Indies, in which case if Brigadier-General de llottenburg 
 will make a personal push to have you, stating the inconvenience he 
 should be put to if now deprived of your services, after having so 
 long been kept in the expectation of taking you with him, I am of 
 opinion that the point may yet be carried, but every thing depends 
 on this (I conceive) and you should lose no time in urging the good 
 General to co-operate witii you in this measure ; should it fail and 
 you eventually be obliged to go to Portugal, all I can say is, 
 that I will give you the warmest letter I can pen to Lord Wellington 
 and Marshall Beresford, recommending you strongly to both their 
 protection, which T trust would insure you their notice and attention to 
 your interests. However I hope the other plan will succeed, if Briga- 
 dier-General de llottenburg will assist us, and on that expectation 
 I shall conclude this letter, desiring my best regards to the General, 
 and subscribing myself, &c;, 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 7th May, 1810. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I have the pleasure, by desire of the 
 Duke of Kent, to acknowledge your letter of yesterday, and to acquaint 
 you that subsequent to His Koyal Highness' conversation with General 
 de llottenburg, yesterday, he had a most satisfactory interview with 
 the Adjutant-Ucneral, who appeared to view the plan of your exchange 
 to the 1st Battalion of your regiment with Captain Kimininger as 
 well calculated to promote the object of your going out to Canada, 
 and promised to propose such arrangement to the Commander in 
 Chief in the course of this day. 
 
 The Adjutant-General in speaking of you to the Duke, assured 
 H. II. Highness, that the difficulty which had arisen to prevent an 
 immediate acquiescence with your wish of proceeding to Oa.iada was 
 not from any blindness to your merit, as both himself and the Com- 
 mander in Chief posses.sed the highest opinion of your professional 
 worth, and were well convinced that your services established a 
 claim to their consideration ; under these circumstances the Duke 
 recommends you to exert your.self on the subject of the exchange, 
 that is, to request that General de llottenburg will confine himself to 
 that point, upon the plea of the strong desire he feels for your ac- 
 companying him out to Canada, and the severe disappointment and 
 iQConvenicnce b.e will experience if the arrangement be not admitted 
 
184 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 of. The General will do well to assert his opinion, that your health 
 is in such a precarious state as not to admit of your going through 
 the fatigue of duty on foot. 
 
 "With the most sincere &c, &c, &c., 
 
 John Parkee. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 I2th May, 1810. 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I send you herewith Major General 
 Calvert's letter of yesterday, together with my answer to it, v/aich I 
 shall wish you to deliver yourself into his hands, and vvith the view 
 that you may become acquainted with its contents. I have kept it 
 under a flying seal, which will enable you to peruse it. I trust that 
 every thing is now in the best possible train for you, and that you 
 will soon, from the prospect of revisiting your native home, recover 
 your former health and spirits, which of late have suffered so severely, 
 from the double cause of your indisposition and the fear of being 
 disappointed in your very natural wish of getting out to Canada. 
 
 I remain, &c, &c, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 18th May, 1810. 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I have just received your note, and 
 hasten to beg of you to assure my good friend General de Rottenburg, 
 that had I a box at any of the theatres, it should be at his and 
 Madame de Rottenburg's orders, and that I should feel most happy 
 in accommodating them with it, but for two years *; ast, I have given 
 them all up, frora motives of cconomi/, rendered, necessary as you 
 Imow, by the injustice of Government in not remunerating me for the 
 heavy losses 1 sustained tchcn hist 1 went out to America, and when- 
 ever I go to any public place, I only have the box for that individual 
 night. This you will have the goodness to explain fully, communicat- 
 ing at the same time my sincere regret at not having the means of 
 complying with their re(|uest. 
 
 1 remain very sincerely, &c., &c., &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 P.S. — I herewith inclose two Canadiaa letters I will thank you to 
 take charge of. E. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 1st June, 1810. 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I have just received your letter, and in 
 consequence of what you have therein stated, will immediately write 
 to Sir John Duckworth, according to the suggestion of my friend Com- 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 185 
 
 missioner Grey, to solicit a passage for you on board the Antelope^ 
 although I am not personally acquainted with him, and sincerely hope 
 that it will be attended with the desired effect. Being much hurried 
 to-day, I have only time to desire my best regards to the Commis- 
 sioner and your good General, and to subscribe myself &c., &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 5th June, 1810. 
 Dear de Salaberry, — It is with real satisfaction that I now 
 inclose to you Sir John Duckworth's polite answer to my request, 
 from which you will perceive that he not only gives you a passage on 
 board of the Antelup', but promises to promote your getting "to 
 Canada with the utmost despatch. 
 
 Being greatly hurried to-day, I have only time to say to you, that 
 I beg you will endeavor to find out and give me the earliest notice 
 of the day upon which you are likely to be called upon to embark, 
 in order that T may be able to write to your good father, and as 
 many more of my Canadian correspondents as my incessant occupa- 
 tion and the obligation I am under to divide a portion of my time, 
 betw^een my poor sick sister at Windsor, and my unfortunate wound- 
 ed brother in London, will admij; of .... 
 
 i remain, &c , 
 
 Edward. 
 
 The circumstances referred to at the close of the preced- 
 ing letter, briiig under notice two events in connexion with 
 the Royal family, which caused much sorrow to them, and, 
 one of them, a most important crisis to the nation. 
 
 On the 31st May, 1810, H. R. Highness the Duke of 
 Cumberland returned from a concert about half-past twelve, 
 and retired to bed immediately. About 2 a. m., he was 
 aroused from sleep by a heavy blow with a sabre on his head, 
 and springing out of bed, he received on his arm Avhich he 
 had raised to protect his head another severe stroke. Six 
 wounds in all were inflicted by his assailant, one uf which 
 nearly severed a finger. The alarm was given and the 
 household aroused. The assassin who had fled, and who 
 turned out to be one of the Duke's valets, a Swiss of the 
 name of Sellis, was found in his own bed, dead, with his 
 head nearly severed from his body. The wounds on the 
 Duke had been inflicted with his own sabre, those on Sellis, 
 by the Duke's razor. Jealousy was ascribed as the motive 
 which instigated the crime. 
 
186 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 Mr. Home, a distinguished Surgeon, after a careful exam- 
 ination of the wounds of the Duke, pronounced none of them 
 mortal. A coroner's jury "was empanelled, and after an in- 
 vestigation of four hours, returned a verdict of "/eZo de se" 
 in the case of Sellis. 
 
 A surgeon of some note saw Sellis after death, and gave 
 it as his opinion, that the cuts on the back of the head could 
 not have been inflicted by the deceased himself, and he sub- 
 sequently made it the subject of lecture to his class, boldly 
 declaring that if Sellis died by his own hands, he certainly 
 had not cut and ha,cked himself on the back of his neck. As 
 might have been expected great public excitement followed 
 the delivery of this lecture, which tended very much to lower 
 the Duke of Cumberland in public estimation, and a very 
 general opinion prevailed that he had suppressed some very 
 important facts, and if the truth had been all told, it would 
 have shown that the Duke finding himself so treacherously 
 and murderously attackedjhad seized, under the impulse of the 
 moment, his razor, and in the ungovernable influence of the 
 moment had inflicted the wounds on Sellis. Some with whom 
 the Duke had never been popular, did not hesitate to lay a 
 more serious crime to his charge. 
 
 The Duke of Kent felt this most keenly. " We can have," 
 said he, " no separate interests, and no individual eminence ; 
 traduce one, and you injure all." And, " my brother has 
 had two assassins to cope with, one, who was bent on the 
 destruction of his body, the other on the destruction of his 
 character ; of the two, the latter is by far the most dastardly;" 
 and he ever afterwards showed his feeling on the subject, by 
 "looking down," the lecturer, whom he had previously 
 always greeted with the most marked courtesy. 
 
 In this year also came the Jubilee. George III. had sat 
 for fifty years on the throne of his fathers, and the natio:.'. 
 who really loved him, rejoiced with an exceeding great joy^ 
 but their rejoicing was soon turned into mourning. The 
 Princess Amelia, the Kings youngest and favorite daughter, 
 whose health had been long declining, now assumed very 
 alarming symptoms, and so much was the King affected, that 
 the Duke of Kent thus spoke to Dr. Collyer : " My father 
 never imparts his sorrows to his family. If there be anything 
 to give him pleasure, he never fails to make us all participate 
 in it ; but he reserves the whole weight of his suff'erings and 
 disappointments to himself. I can see bim working up his 
 
THE DUKE OP KENT. 187 
 
 mind to tlie highest pitch of endurance, yet he utters no 
 complaints. Dearly as I love my sister, and grieved as I 
 shall be to pan with her. I could almost wish the conflict 
 were now closed. I dread a firmness on the part of the 
 King, amidst his evident agony, Avhich I am persuaded will 
 not give way unless his mental powers fail ; these I fear will 
 suddenly yield to a pressure no longer to be borne." 
 
 This fear was unfortunately too soon realized. A little 
 before her death there was presented to the King a ring with 
 a lock of her hair, and the word Remember ; the firmness of 
 the man and father gave way, and reason fled. 
 
 During the discussions which took place in the House of 
 Lords on the Regency Bill, the Dul:e of Kent entered 
 warmly into the feelings of his brother the Prince of Wales, 
 and opposed every parliamentary restriction, conceiving that 
 the Regency ought of right descend on the heir apparent, 
 he being then of age, and on Lord Lansdowne's amendment 
 which gave the administration of the Royal authority Lo the 
 Prince of Wales, "subject tc such limitations and restrictions 
 as shall be made and appointed," which was carried by 1U5 
 against 102, he voted with the majority. • : • 
 
 ■^^^M^J^^^*** W iiW^.*i»'>» ifc»% 
 
188 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 Enters on Public life— Mrs. Clarke and " The Rival Princes" — McCallum— Con- 
 sults Sir Samuel Romilly — Death of Maurice and Lewis de Salaberry in India. 
 
 1810, 1811, AND 1812. 
 
 " They grew in beauty side by side, 
 
 They tilled one home with glee ; 
 
 Their graves are severed fur and wide, 
 
 By mount, and stream, and sea. . . 
 
 The same fond mother bent at night 
 
 O'er each fair sleeping brow, 
 
 She had each folded flower in sight, — 
 
 Where are those dreamers now ?" 
 
 Up to this date the Duke, paying that deference to the 
 expressed wish of his father for which he had always been 
 noted, had abstained ^'•from decidedly intermeddling with 
 public affairs,^' and even in his eiforts for the advancement 
 of benevolent objects, had confined himself to his private 
 support of them. So, with his great sense of delicacy, while 
 there was any hope of his father's recovery, he still refrained 
 from taking any prominent part, lest his father, on his res- 
 toration to health, should think the injunction he had seen 
 fit to lay on his sons had been forgotten. 
 
 , , Kensington Palace, 
 
 7th June, 1810. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I have just received your letter, from 
 which I perceive that you are almost immediately to sail for Tor- 
 bay, and that as Sir John Duckworth is expected to embark and 
 proceed to sea immediately upon the arrival of the Antelope there, 
 I have no time to lose in preparing my Canadian letters, which I will 
 therefore immediately set about, and endeavor to have in readiness, 
 to forward to you by Saturday, or at latest Monday night's mail, 
 addressed to the Post office at Bresham. 
 
 I am delighted to find that you are so well pleased with the arrange- 
 ments which have been made for your passage, and which, as it is 
 insured to you as far as the I^Iagdalen Islands, cannot I think fail 
 of being as short as under any circumstances can be expected at 
 this season of the year. 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 189 
 
 I rejoice to find that my old friend Commissioner Grey has shown 
 you so much attention, but it is no more than I expected from our old 
 friendship, and his natural hospitality and geod nature. 
 
 I am as much surprised as you can be to find that General de 
 Rottenburg has not yet made his appearance at Portsmouth, and 
 fully agree with you that he stands a good chance of missing the next 
 convoy by his delay ; however you have done your duty in urging 
 him not to be dilatory, and if he be disappointed of his passage tho 
 fault will all be his own. 
 
 Should Captain James Murray still be within your reach, pray tell 
 him that so far from being offended with him, there is none of my 
 nawal profef/6s whom I esteem higher, and that although he may not 
 have received my letters, I never to my knowledge ever left one of 
 his unacknowledged, and but a few weeks before Col. Downey went 
 to Spain, I expressed very st^'ongly to that officer, who had known 
 him when engaged in Miranda's expedition to the Caraccas, the 
 opinion I entertained of hi5 merit ; I shall therefore be most happy 
 at all times to hear from him. I must now conclude, to avoid being 
 too late for the post, and therefore have only time to add the best 
 remembrance of Madame de St. Laurent, and to subscribe myself, 
 
 &c., &c,, 
 
 Edward. 
 
 P. S. — I fear from mistake between Beck and Severn your har- 
 ness has not yet been sent off. I have therefore directed it to be 
 shipped on board some ship in the river, destined for Canada, of 
 which you shall be apprised as soon as it is on board. 
 
 .:- : :. . • ' ' Castle Hill Lodge, 
 
 9th June, 1810. 
 
 Dear de S ALABERRY, — Hoping that this may yet reach you be- 
 fore you leave Portsmouth, I write to inform you that Beck has as- 
 sured me that he sent off your harness to Gosport, the very day he 
 received it from Severn, which was the first of June, but as he has 
 not said whether by wagon or coach, and from his being at Kensing- 
 ton, I cannr t get at him in time to have this explained before my 
 letters must be made up for the mail, I trust it to t/ou to find out 
 that by your own inquiries on that head. 
 
 I hope to be able to write my Canada letters between this Mon- 
 day and Tuesday, but hitherto I have been too much hurried to set 
 about it, 
 
 I remain, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 P. S. — I open my letter again to acknowledge yours of yesterday, 
 this moment come to hand, and to say that in consequence of its 
 contents I propose writing a few lines to General de Rottenburg by 
 to-night's mail, addressed to the post office at Portsmouth, in which 
 
190 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 1 shall inclose the promisftd letter for Sir James Craig, relative to 
 
 yourself and him. Adverting to the mention you make of , I 
 
 think it right, from knowing his character well, to guard you against 
 any intimacy with him, for while he was dining every day at my 
 table at Halifax, and receiving every civility I could heap upon him, 
 ho was"'doing everything in his power to injure me at homo, so from 
 that trait you may form some estimate of what confidence can be 
 reposed in him. As to your Admiral, he is the finest fellow living. 
 
 E. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 14th June, 1810. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — Yesterday being Wednesday, on which 
 day of the week you know how my morning is always passed, I could 
 not find time to acknowledge yours of the 12th, by return of the post, 
 as I otherwise should have done. To-day being again called up to 
 town, to attend the committee of the House of Lords, upon the 
 Banbury Peerage, I fear I shall only be able to scribble a few hasty 
 lines to your good father, and to-morrow being my weekly Windbor 
 day, when I never can find a leisure moment, there is little prospect 
 of my being able to write to more of my Canadian correspondents 
 by you. However, if by Saturday or Monday I can prepare and 
 despatch any more, I will run the risk of sending them under your 
 address, to the Post Office at Bresham, observing to take the precau- 
 tion of requesting the postmaster to send them back to me, in case 
 you should have sailed from Torbay. 
 
 I am happy to find your harness has at length arrived safe, for I 
 was afraid, from the confused head of our friend Beck, there was 
 some reason to fear you would be disappointed of it. 
 
 I am delighted to find from General de Eottenburg's answer to 
 my letter, that the introductory one I sent him for Sir James Craig, 
 seemed so fully to meet his wishes, as well on his own as on your 
 account, as I trust there can be no doubt of its procuring him a good 
 station, and you, your old post of Brigade-Major. I have cow only 
 to repeat the joint good wishes of Madame de St. Laurent and my- 
 self for your prosperous voyage, and to assure you of the unalterable 
 friendship with which I shall ever remain, 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 18th June, 1810. 
 Dear de Salaberry, — Having occasion to frank the inclosed to 
 you, I avail myself of the opportunity to acknowledge your note 
 of Saturday to Mr. Parker, and to acquaint you that 1 have leen so 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 191 
 
 h'lrrassed with the steps necrssnri/ to he taken hij me to counteract 
 the vile, anptrsions tlirown out iitjainat wry vharactcr in that vile 
 hook of Mr. Clarices, entitled, the '■'■Rliuil Princes,^' uhich has pest 
 come out, ad to be totally unable to write to my Canadian, or any of my 
 other American correspondents, by the present opportunity, but you 
 may toll Colonel Hale, Mr. Young and Lieut -Colonel Young of the 
 8th llegimeut, who arc the only ones from whom I have letters by 
 me unanswered, that I fully mean to avail myself of the next fleet to 
 thank them for their respective communications. As such, this will 
 be the last you will receive from me before your departure, and I 
 shall conclude it, by repeating my best wishes for your welfare and 
 happiness, and for an early meeting with all your friends in Canada, 
 being ever with the most friendly regard. 
 
 Dear de Sahiberry, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 Captain de Salaberry. 
 
 Some time in 180S, a publication had issued from the pen 
 of a person named McCallum, professing to state the perse- 
 cutions to which it alleged the Duke of Kent had been sub- 
 jected by his brother, the Duke of York. The friends of the 
 latter thought it advisable that the Duke of Kent should 
 publish a disavowal of any participation in such sentiments, 
 and the Prince of Wales advised that Sir Samuel Romilly 
 should be consulted. The Duke of Kent accordingly sub- 
 mitted to Sir Samuel a paper whicli he had prepared, and in 
 which he declared distinctly that he had never given the most 
 remote sanction to the publication of McCallum, which, confer- 
 ring on himself the highest encomiums, had in equally strong 
 terms abused others of his family, a mode of procedure most re- 
 pugnant to his feelings. At the same time he did not hesitate 
 to avow that he certainly had given currency among his mil- 
 itary friends to all the correspondence alluded to, but never 
 intended its publication. " On the contrary," said he, "my 
 opinion has always been tho.t pamphlets of the nature of 
 those alluded to, could do no good, while they certainly have 
 a tendency to produce mischief ; and such being my senti- 
 ments, I should be the last man in the world to give a 
 sanction to the publication of them." 
 
 Sir Samuel having given the matter his best consideration, 
 strongly advised that neither the paper which had been 
 drawn up by the Duke, nor any other, should be published. 
 
 In January 1809, Coloned Wardle brought forward in the 
 
192 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 House of Commons, a specific charge against the Duke of 
 York, for malversation of office, as Commander in Chief, al- 
 leging that a discarded mistress of his, Mrs. Mary Ann 
 Clarke, had for years carried on a traffic in Military Com- 
 missions. The enquiry lasted for two months, and many 
 witnesses were examined, who made the most extraordinary 
 disclosures, but Colonel Wardle failed to establish that the 
 Duke himself had derived any direct pecuniary benefit from 
 the transactions. He was acquitted of personal corruption, 
 but the public feeling against him was so strong, that he de- 
 termined to resign the command in chief, on which being 
 made known. Lord Althorpe moved, " that the House did 
 not think proper to prosecute the enquiry further, after the 
 resignation of His Royal Highness." 
 
 While the enquiry was pending, there were those who 
 charged the Duke of Kent with secretly urging on the attack. 
 He had been closely confined to the house by the severe 
 illness to which he has made allusion in his letter, but as soon 
 as he was able to go down to the " Lords," he in his place 
 onthe 7th February, emphatically and indignantly repelled 
 the imputation : — " So far," he said, " was he from thinking 
 that there Avas anything improper in the conduct of his Royal 
 brother, that he was fully persuaded that all the charges 
 made against him were false, and would be proved without 
 foundation." So in the present instance we see him hurry- 
 ing into town to counteract the vile aspersions contained in 
 the " Rival Princes." 
 
 ' Kensington Palace, 
 
 6th August, 1810. 
 Dear DE SaLABEIiry, — It was my intention on the receipt of 
 the annexed truly afflicting letter from your brother Lewis, which 
 reached me on the 9tl). ultimo, to have transmitted it to you, that 
 you might be apprized of the melancholy event of which it contains 
 the relation, and to have commissioned you to break it to your good 
 parents and your sisters ; but being unfortunately obliged, as no 
 official report had reached the Horse Guards of your poor brother 
 Maurice's demise, to transmit Lewis' letter to Lieut.-Colonel Tor- 
 rens, it was, through some oversight in the Military Secretary's 
 Office, not returned to me until yesterday, so that it was out of my 
 power to send it to you sooner. Fortunately, the departure of your 
 friend, Dr. Keith's pro(6(:ii, Mr. Morris, for Quebec (for whom I 
 have obtained an Ensigncy in the 49th Infantry), affords me an 
 opportunity of sending it, and I hope and trust it will arrive in time 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 193 
 
 to prevent the account of the sad catastrophe from reaching your 
 parents before this comes to hand, and enable you to prepare them 
 for it. 
 
 To you, who know how attached I am to your whole family, and 
 how particularly partial I ever have been to poor Maurice, I need 
 not attempt to express all I feel upon this distressing loss ; but I 
 shall depend upon you to say everything for me that, is most con- 
 soling to both your parents, and your sisters, upon communicating 
 the circumstance to them, and to assure them that were ho mv nwu 
 brother I could not lament his loss more sincerely than I <\o. I fear 
 that it will be a severe blow, particularly to your mother. However, 
 she is a thoroughly religious, good woman, and I trust she will in 
 time overcome it, though I am well aware it will be a sad task. 
 
 No change has taken place in my situation since you left this, ex- 
 cept a severe and most inopportune blow to my finances, which the 
 failure of my bankers, Messrs. DevaynescS: Co., has just given them 
 — not from any actual loss, perhaps, which I have eventually to ap- 
 prehend, but as leading to an unavoidable and immediate deprivation 
 of some of those comforts which we have hitherto always been used 
 to ; however, I have been long accustomed to disappointment, and I 
 hope I know how to meet this fresh and unforeseen one as I ought. 
 Could I get out to Gibraltar, all would soon be right again, but I do 
 not apprehend that so much good fortune is in store for me. 
 
 Remember me to Col. Hale most particularly, and tell him that 
 the first leisure hour I have, I will answer his letters up to the 11th 
 of April (the last of them), which reached me on the 24th June, I 
 shall devote to him. 
 
 I had nearly forgotten observing to you, that now I3arou De Rot- 
 tenburg has attained the rank of Major-General, it will ba in his 
 power, without putting himself under an obligation to any one, to 
 retain you with him as his Aide-de-Camp, which I have no doubt he 
 will himself do on being apprised of it. 
 
 I remain ever, with the most friendly regard. 
 
 Faithfully yours, dear de Salaberry, 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Hyderabad, 4th January, 1810. 
 
 Sir, — May it please your Royal Highness, I think it my duty to 
 inform your Royal Highness of the dreadful loss our family has sus- 
 tained since I left England, therefore I hope your Royal Highness 
 will be so indulgent as to excuse the liberty I am taking in trespassing 
 on your Royal Highness' precious time. 
 
 My unfortunate brother, Maurice, who was doomed never to see 
 his friends again, died on 17th October, 1809, on the leftbankof the 
 Tomboodra, after an illness of a fortnight, which he .re with manly 
 
194 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 fortitude. Every assistance that could possibly be in a camp was 
 given him, but alas ! Providence had decided otherwise. 
 
 In the midst of my sorrow, I feel gratified in having the honor of 
 apprisinc; your Royal Highness that my poor brother was univer- 
 sally esteemed, and deeply regretted by his brother officers ; to ex- 
 press their sentiments they have caused a valuable tomb to be erect- 
 ed over him whom I have to lament. 
 
 I can well assure your Royal Miglmcss, that had I not met with 
 a number of friends, but particularly Captain Duncan, I would have 
 felt the loss of an excellent brother more severely, but his indefatiga- 
 ble and consoling manners were such, that I feel happy in acquaint- 
 ing your Royal Highness of the circumstance ; indeed I had great 
 proofs of his goodness of heart before the melancholy event, but his 
 attention in this instance surpassed every other. 
 
 My ever to be lamented brother died of the same complaint by 
 which we have lost near four hundred men since we arrived in this 
 country (the bowel complaint) ; there is hardly any remedy for it. 
 
 As for myself, I suffered greatly from the unhealthiness of this 
 climate, and I have much pleasure to say, that at last I begin to be 
 a little more seasoned to the country. With the utmost respect, I 
 take this opportunity to express my most sincere thanks for the 
 marks of your Royal Highness' goodness, and acts of benevolence 
 towards myself and the family, upon all occasions, which will be at 
 all times remembered with sentiments that your Royal Highness' 
 condescending and great protection has inspired in my heart of the 
 highest gratitude, with which I have the honor of subscribing my- 
 self, in requesting your Royal Highnesii to offer my most respectful 
 compliments to Madame de St. Laurent, 
 9 Your Royal Highness' 
 
 Most obedient, humble and devoted servant, 
 
 Lewis M. de Salaberey. 
 His Royal Highness 
 
 The Duke of Kent, &c, &c. 
 
 Quebec, October 7th, 1810. 
 Sir, — Impressed with sentiments of the most heartfelt gratitude, 
 I lose no time in having the honor most dutifully to acknowledge 
 the receipt of your Royal Highness' letter under date 6th August, 
 with inclosurc from my brother Lewis addressed to your Royal 
 Highness, on the subject of the melancholy fate my ever to be la- 
 mented brother, Maurice, was doomed to meet. A dreadful calamity, 
 which no time or circumstance can help to alleviate the bitterness of, 
 in the minds of hii family, but particularly in thoseof his father and 
 mother,whose distress on the occasion is at the highest pitch. No imagi- 
 nation however acute can form an adequate estimation of the dread- 
 ful scenes which succeeded the knowledge of that sad news. To 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 19o 
 
 endeavor to give a detail of them would be superfluous, and could 
 only tend to give pain to hearts such as that of your lloyal High- 
 ness, and of Madame de St. Laurent, replete with kindness and 
 humanity ; suffice it to say, that notwithstanding the precaution taken 
 by your lloyal Highness, to break this melancholy affair, it has 
 nearly broken the hearts of poor father and mother ; neither can I flatter 
 myself they will ever be so fortunate as to recover their usual tempers, 
 or get over the shock their too susceptible minds have received. 
 
 Notwithstanding the extreme humanity manifested by your K. H., 
 in seeking to give me the first information of what had passed in 
 India, a newspaper containing the fatal intelligence had reached 
 here nearly a fortnight before the rec jipt of your 11. Hs'. despatch, so 
 true it is, that ill news travel wich rapidity ; yet remaining in 
 ignorance as the causes which occasioned my poor brother's dissolu- 
 tion, your R. H. may bo assured, that the information contained in 
 your 11. H. letter, was received with all imaginable anxiety as well 
 as gratitude. Receive, Sir, the united sincere thanks of our whole 
 family, for the distinguished part your R. H. is pleased to take in 
 the loss we have sustained, and in our subsequent sorrows. Indeed 
 in Maurice your R. H. has lost a prot6(je, who has never been ex- 
 ceeded by any one in love and veneration for your R. H. and Madame 
 de St. Laurent. 
 
 Would to God, that that part of your letter which concerns your 
 Royal Highness was more consoling, but the pecuniary loss your 
 R. H. has sustained is very sensibly felt by us; there remains how- 
 ever the hope that, ultimately, your R H. will be reimbursed, yet it 
 is not the less unpleasant to be in the meantime deprived of many 
 comforts. I am not aware of the extentof your R. Hs'. loss, and in 
 consequence fear the worst. 
 
 Amidst the various calamities which surmount us, I know it will 
 be gratifying to your R. Highness to hear that Baron de Rottenburg 
 has met your R. Hs'. wishes in appointing me his Aide-de-Camp. 
 Sir James Craig on my arrival, did not seem inclined to provide for 
 me, but subsequently learning from the Gazette, the promotion of 
 the Baron, ho has been good enough to appoint me to act as his 
 Aide-de-'Jamp, until his promotion and appointment to the Staff as 
 Major General is notified. 
 
 There appears to be no doubt that the Baron will be kept here ; 
 this is singularly fortunate, as without that I must have returned to 
 England. 
 
 It remains for me to avail myself of this opportunity to offer my 
 most respectful homage to Madame de St. Laurent, and to assure 
 your Royal Highness of the sincerity with which I have the honor 
 to subscribe myself, with profound respect, Sir, 
 
 Your R. H. most obedient, 
 H. R. Highness, CnA.s. M. de Salaberry, 
 
 The .Duke of Kent. 
 13 
 
196 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 Quebec, 28th October, 1810. ^ 
 
 Sir, — I had the honor to address your R, H. on the 7th inst., in 
 answer to your R. H. communication respecting the death of my 
 dear brother Maurice, duplicates of which I beg hereunto dutifully 
 to transmit. 
 
 It gives me extreme pain to say that my father is still in such a 
 dreadful situation, as to preclude the possibility of his being able to 
 address your li. H. by this opportunity, and the task to express his 
 and my mother's sentiments in regard to poor Chevalier devolves on 
 me. My father however directs me to say, that he will endeavor to 
 seize an early opportunity to express how deeply he feels your 11. H. 
 generous attention on the late melancholy occasion. My mother is 
 very ill, in short, they are both inconsolable. In this unfortunate 
 predicament, the only measure which could tend to alleviate their 
 sorrows, would we to secure the immediate return of Chevalier from 
 India. They in consequence supplicate that if there oe any means 
 to give them this only consolation, your 11. H. would exert your 
 usual generosity and kindness in effecting this event so near their 
 hearts. My father in order to contribute to this, as far as lays in 
 his power, intends shortly to remit £150 to the Agent of the lloyal 
 in London, which when known and drawn by Chevalier will aid his 
 return to England, or first to this country by way of the United 
 States, which last method of travelling appears to be much more ex- 
 peditious and less expensive. I cannot elucidate Chevalier's own 
 ideas on the subject better than by transferring parts of his letter 
 to me, which he conceived I would receive while near your R. H's. 
 person, it is as follow : — 
 
 " Now my dear brother I thought it was my duty to acquaint 
 H. R. H. of our misfortune. In confjequence I wrote to him and 
 mentioned the circumstances that occurred at that time, but did 
 not exactly ask him to quit this disgusting country, because a soldier 
 must be prepared to go anywhere, and of course be satisfied where- 
 ever he is, or may be, but should H. R. H. speak to you about 
 me, don't forget to iatimate that I expressed a wish to leave a 
 country, which I have so just a right to detest, perhaps he will 
 endeavor again to get me a company ; I don't know how it can be 
 effected otherwise, as a passaj^e aboard an Indiaman is ruinous. 
 Should I get a company it will not be known here before six months, 
 then all the arrears of the King's and company's pay would 
 almost defray my expenses for the passage to England, then I 
 would be a little more happy than I am at present in this cursed 
 and out of the way country, for although I am now in good health, 
 the climate does not agree with me, having been accustomed to a 
 very cold one." 
 
 In a subsequent letter, CheTalier writes under the same impres- 
 sion and adds : — " Don't forget to mention to H. R. H. that I wish 
 ver^ much to leaye this cursed country, perhaps it will be a step 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 197 
 
 towards obtaining a Captaincy. By the bye, don't think I would 
 like going home as a subaltern, it is not at all my intention, as a pass- 
 age on board an Indiaman is ruinous. Therefore you must inti- 
 mate to H. R. H. that it is impossible to think of it ; but could 
 I get a company I might well afford to defray the expenses of such 
 a voyage. I suffered a good deal from the climate of this detestable 
 country, but I am pretty well now." 
 
 Having put your 11. H. in possession of the situation and wishes 
 of my parents, together with the sentiments of Chevalier and of the 
 difficulties he is likely to encounter before the object of Lis return 
 can be accomplished, it remains for me only to solicit that your II. 
 H. will be pleased to excuse the uncommon length of this letter, and 
 to hope that your R. H. who has on so many occasions been so fer- 
 tile in contriving the means of softening the sufferings of your dis- 
 tressed fiiends, will succeed in procuring the recall of my brother, 
 without hh suffering materially in a military point of view through 
 that c'rcumstance. 
 
 With the most respectful homage to Madame de St. Laurent, 
 I have the honor to remain, 
 &c.; &c., 
 
 Chas. M. de Salaberry. 
 H. R. Highness. 
 
 The Duke of Kent, &c. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 18th November, 1811. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — The accompanying copy of a letter from 
 Lieut Gordon, of my 2nd Battalion, containing the most affecting 
 account of the death of poor Chevalier, having this instant reached 
 me, I send it off in haste by a running ship to the United States, 
 that it may take its chance of reaching you before the packet, by 
 whicli no doubt the Gazelle will go out to Canada, so that you 
 may be able to break it to your worthy but most unfortunate parents. 
 
 I cannot express to you how deeply Madame de St. Laurent and m)'- 
 self are afflicted by this additional unexpected blow, following so soon 
 after the former, or with what anxiety we look forward to tlie effect 
 it may have upon your aged father and mother, whose spirits were 
 already so much depressed which the first shock, which tae loss of 
 our poor Maurice occasioned them. However, I hope, that the 
 knowledge of our sympathising with their distress, will be some 
 alleviation to their sufferings, and tliat time and resignation to the 
 inscrutable will of Providence, will do more than any thing else to 
 compose them. 
 
 When the winter is over I intend applying fot Edward's removal 
 to Canada, knowing how much it will tend to their comfort, and 
 
198 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 looking forward to the probability of his having by that time been 
 able to acquire a considerable degree of experience in the more active 
 field duties of his profession, wliioh the approaching campaign ap- 
 pears to hold out. You may therefore expect to hear from me again 
 when he sails for Canada, which 1 hope should be about midsummer, 
 as the return of the hot season will then cause a suspension of active 
 service, and in the meanwhile pray exert yourself to keep up the 
 spirits of our old friends, assuring them how much we are both at- 
 tached to them, as to yourself my dear de Salaberry. 
 
 I remain, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 Capt. de Salaberry, 
 Quebec. 
 
 Masuupatam, April 7th, 1811. ' 
 
 Sir, — The dcuuti of Lieutenant M. de Salaberry was communi- 
 cated to your Eoyal Highness by his brother, it is with the deep- 
 est sorrow, that I now apprise your Royal Highness of the melan- 
 choly fate of my ever to be lamented friend, Lieutenant Lewis de 
 Salaberry. 
 
 On leaving our last station in January last, Mr. de Salaberry was 
 attacked with the liver complaint, so severely as to prevent his re- 
 moval from thence. In the course of a month he nearly recovered, but 
 alas! was then seized with dysentery, which from the reduced 
 state he was in, increased so rapidly that I regret to say it carried 
 him ofi" on the 5th April. 
 
 I have this day received a letter from the surgeon who attended 
 him, that conveys the distressing wishes which he uttered the day 
 before his death, namely that I would communicate to his brother 
 the account of his death, and to say that in his last moments he did 
 not forget his friends. He begged also that I might transmit to his 
 friends any little trinkets that might be found in his writing desk. 
 
 As your Koyal Highness was kind enough to write to Mr. de 
 Salaberry, exprosshig your sorrow for the loss of his brother Maurice, 
 I think i am not acting imprudently when I beg your Eoyal High- 
 ness (being acquainted with his family), to communicate to his 
 family the sad tidings of his fate. 
 
 I cannot conclude without assuring Your Eoyal Highness that I 
 cannot express the sorrow that has been occasioned by the death of 
 these worthy young men. and that their loss will ever be regretted, 
 for they were always considered as an ornament to the regiment. 
 
 I have only to add, that every respect will be paid to the memory 
 of Mr. de Salaberry ; he lies interred at Secumderabad, close to his 
 unfortunate friend, Mr. Monro. Begging your Royal Highness 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 199 
 
 will assure Mr. de Salabcry's family, that I shall be happy to give 
 them any information they may wish regarding my unfortunate 
 friend. 
 
 I remain with the utmost respect,Your Royal Highness' 
 Most obedient <^' humble servant. 
 
 George Gordon. 
 His Royal flighness, 
 The Duke of Kent, 
 &c, &c, &c. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 25th February, 1812. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I commence this letter by acknowledging 
 yours of the 16th January, received on the 22nd ; and upon the con- 
 tents of which you will perceive from the accompanying letter received 
 this instant from Col. Torrens, that I lost no time in acting, though 
 the result has been my usual unfortunate want of success ; at any 
 time, I am sure you will give me credit for feeling most truly dis- 
 appointed, when I fail in any attempt to be of service to you or yours, 
 but I must confess that upon the present occasion 1 feel this regret 
 doubly, for I had flattered myself with the pleasing prospect of carry- 
 ing the point for you, and that the notification of it would have 
 proved some balance to the deep wound which my letters of the 
 18th November last must have inflicted ; however, I trust that in a 
 little time 1 shall be able to get something done for you, as Colonel 
 Torrens has over and over again assured me that the Duke of York 
 is fully sensible of your merit a ad of your claims, and you may be 
 assured that I shall not be unmmdful of your interests^ when I can 
 avail myself of any opportunity to promote them. 
 
 Your letter of the 11th November, which reached me on the IGtli 
 December, I have always deferred acting on, as I was in hopes of 
 being able to announce to you at the same time the arrival of the 
 two barrels of Montreal apples, which you had announced having 
 shipped by the Harrison, but as they have not yet come to hand, 
 I conclude the vessel has been either taken or lost, and I therefore 
 now beg to assure you, that I feel just the same obligation to you 
 for your kind remembrance of me as if they had been received. 
 
 Pray tell your good father, that if I had been so situated, as to 
 have had it in my power to ask a favor of the Secretary of State for 
 War and the Colonies, I should certainly have tried to have got him 
 the late Mr. Lanaudidre's place, but I am not on such terms with 
 the present Government, as to warrant my so doing. 
 
 In looking over my papers I have put my hand on an ofiicial let- 
 ter from Col. Torrens, of the 4th September, in answer to one in 
 which I made a joint application for poor Chevalier's promotion to 
 a company and you to the Majority of the Canadian Fencibles, and 
 
200 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 I think it right to inclose it, to show that I had not overlooked the 
 request you made to i/ie on that subject, in yours of the 19th of laet 
 June, and to this I add another from him (a private one) of the 23rd 
 October, which was produced by one I addressed to him, upon receiV' 
 ing yours of 23rd August, on the 3rd of that month,which will convince 
 you, 1 am sure, that I have never omitted any opportunity of urging 
 your pretensions when I thought I could do so with any effect. 
 
 Although I feel the delicacy there is in again alluding to that se- 
 cond melancholy event in your family, the account of which must 
 have reached you long before this lime, still I am most anxious that 
 your good parents should be assured that every step had been taken 
 to insure the immediate return of poor Chevalier from India, on my 
 receiving the intimation of their request to that effect, and that had 
 Providence spared him, he would in all probability by this time 
 have reached Europe. 
 
 I shall now conclude by desiring that the most affectionate remem- 
 brance of Madame de St. Laurent and myself may be made acceptable 
 to your good mother and sisters, and that both your good father and 
 yourself will believe how anxious we will be about you all till we 
 hear from you. 
 
 God bless you, my good fellow. Believe me ever to be, 
 
 Most unalterably and faithfully yours, 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Major de Salaberry, Quebec. 
 
 In the preceding chapter, it lias been pointed out why 
 the Duke, who was so particularly well qualified to take a 
 prominent part in debate, and in all matters of public or 
 benevolent interest, had kept himsef aloof from public atten- 
 tion ; but in this year it became evident from the state of 
 the King's health, that there was only a very remote pros- 
 pect, if any, of his ever being able again to assume the direc- 
 tion of affairs, the Duke then felt that there could be no 
 longer any impropriety in his taking his proper and leading 
 place in all public matters. In the debates which took place 
 in the House of Peers, on Lord Wellesley's motion, that 
 the Catholics ought to be emancipated, His Royal Highness 
 declared himself friendly to the measure, and on the 16th 
 May, 1817, he divided with the minority, 90 against 142 on 
 Lord Donoughmore's motion, that the whole House should 
 take into consideration the petition of the Roman Catholics 
 for relief from disabilities. He had on a previous occasion, 
 assured the House, that he believed " that the removal of 
 the Jtioman Catholic disabilities was the first general measure 
 by ivhich the pacification of Ireland could be efeoted." 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 201 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 CiuJad Rodrigo and Badajos— Fall of Edward de Salaberry — Assassination of 
 Mr. Percival — America declares war — Battle of Chateauguay — Qencral 
 Orders — the Duke's opinions. 
 
 1812, 1813, AND 1814. 
 
 " One sleeps where southern vini.s are dressed 
 
 Above the noble slain ; 
 Ho wrapt his colors round his breast, 
 
 Cn a blood-rod field of Spain. 
 And parted thus, they rest who plajod 
 
 Beneath the same green tree, 
 Whose voices mingled as they prayed, 
 
 Around one parent knee." 
 
 Camp before Ciudad Rodrigo, 
 15th January, 1812. 
 Sir, — At my arrival here I found that your Royal Highness had again 
 had the excessive kindness to write to Colonel Fletcher in my fuvor ; 
 may I be permitted to assure your Royal Highness, that those marks 
 of goodness can never be out of my memory, and that even were I 
 ungrateful enough to forget for a single moment what I owe my 
 illustrious protector, everything about me must accuse me of more 
 than savage ingratitude. 
 
 I arrived here last night about 6 o'clock, after having rode that 
 Jay eleven leagues (about 50 miles) with my o"-n horses ; having 
 before had some very long marches, and found ' t we had broken 
 ground on the 8tb. The occasion of my coming so fast from Castello 
 Branco, was, that I heard there that the siege was begun, and wish- 
 ing to participate in the hardships which my brother officers were 
 enduring, I exerted myself as much as lay in my power to reach this 
 in time,- which I have accomplished, having arrived here the day 
 after the batteries were opened. (Captain Ross, R. A., whom I 
 believe your Royal Highness knew, was killed the second night.) 
 Wo have also lost another officer, and one wounded. The artillery 
 has already made a very good breach and the storming is now daily 
 expected. I hope we shall take the place soon, as it is of great con- 
 sequence that it should fall, and we are suffering here everiy kind of 
 hardship, having no lents, and indeed having hardly anything either 
 for ourselves or horses to eat, with a very hard frost. 
 
 Some of our officers have tents. We also understand that Mar- 
 mont is coming down, which is another reason for hurrying the siege. 
 — We have now sapped a good part of the 2nd parallel, and our bat- 
 teries are keeping up a tremendous fire on the breach. The enemy mado 
 
202 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 a sortie but was repulsed, after dislodging part of the parallel, by two 
 of our officers aud a detachment of the 42nd Regiment. 
 
 I shall at some future period give your Iloyal Highness an ac- 
 count of the siege, together with what I have been doing since my 
 arrival in this country. At present I must beg leave to end, being 
 hardly able to hold my pen on account of the cold, which I hope will 
 be an apology for this letter. 
 
 I have the honor to remain, 
 
 Your Royal Highness' most obedient 
 And humble servant, 
 
 Ed. a. de Salaberry. 
 H. R. H. The Duke of Kent. 
 
 Camp before Bapajos, 
 
 5th April, 1812. 
 Sir, — I am ordered to storm one ofthe breaches this evening. As the 
 service is rather dangerous, and I may or may not return, I beg leave 
 to assure your Royal Highness, as well as Madame, that whatever 
 may happen to me, I shall at every moment feel how much.^1 am in- 
 debted to you. 
 
 Believe me. Sir, that my last moments shall be to wish all the hap- 
 piness which you, as well as Madame eminently deserve. 
 I have the honor to be, with eternal gratitude. 
 
 Your R. H. most obedient and grateful servant, 
 
 E. A. DE Salaberry. 
 H. R. H. The Duke of Kent. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 24th April, 1812. 
 
 My Dear de Salaberry, — Little did I think, when a few days 
 ago, I put into the hand of Mr. Ryland, upon his calling here to 
 take leave of me, the original of the letter from Lieut. Gordon of my 
 regiment, announcing the particulars of the death of our poor Chev- 
 alier, (a copy of which I sent you in mine of the 18th November by 
 running ship to the States) that it would so soon again fall to my lot 
 to communicate what I fear will be a still heavier blow to my old 
 friends, the untimely fall of your younger brother at the storming 
 of Badajos, an event that has overwhelmed Madame de St. Laurent 
 and myself in the deepest affliction, indeed so much so that no powers 
 of language can convey to you the ell'ect it had on us both. 
 
 The accompanying letter, to inform his commanding officer, Lieut.- 
 Col. Fletcher of the Royal Engineers, which ar rived last night, contains 
 all the particulars I am at present possessed of, I send this off to 
 Portsmouth to-night, in the hopes of yet catching Mr. Ryland before 
 he sails. I can say no more, than that it is some consolation to think 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 203 
 
 that our poor lamented Edward's going to Portugal, was the effect of 
 his own earnest solicitation, and that we took no steps to get him ap- 
 pointed to Lord Wellington's army, but in conformity with his own 
 wishes. 
 
 You will, of course, say everything, both from Madame de St. 
 Laurent and myself, to your afHicted parents, that will convey to 
 them how deeply we unite in their grief for this fresh catastrophe, 
 and accept for yourself the assurance of our unalterable friendship 
 and regard, with which sentiments I subscribe myself, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 Major de Salaberry. 
 
 P. S. — You may rely on itny writing again at the moment I receive 
 further details. 
 
 Camp near Badajos, 
 
 8th April, 1812. 
 
 Sir, — It is with extreme regret that I undertake the painful task 
 of acquainting your Royal Highness with the fall of Lieutenant de 
 Salaberry of the Engineers, at the storming of Badajos, on the night 
 of the 6th instant. 
 
 This valuable young officer was appointed to act under Captain 
 Wilkinson of the same corps, in conducting the Light Division of the 
 army to one of the breaches ; in the execution of this arduous and 
 important service, he was unfortunately killed by a musket ball. 
 
 From the interest expressed by your Royal Highness for Lieut, 
 de Salaberry, it may prove a source of some consolation to know that 
 he was universally esteemed by his brother officers, and that his fall 
 is deeplyjamented by them. I will have the honor to address here- 
 after your Royal Highness as to the state of his affairs. I am led 
 to believe that there may be a small balance against him with the 
 regiment, and indeed this may occur without anything like extrava- 
 gance, as it is extremely difficult from the pay and allowances of a 
 subaltern to purchase the number of horses for which he is allowed 
 forage with the army, and without them he cannot possibly perform 
 the duties that are entrusted to him. 
 
 « I have the honor to be, &c., 
 ,: : . B. Fletcher, 
 
 Col. Royal Engineers. 
 H.R. H. The Duke of Kent. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 10th May, 1812. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — In conformity to the promise I made 
 
 you, in mine of the 24th ultimo, I now revert to the melancholy 
 
 event, which I therein announced, fo- the purpose of communicating 
 
 to you such of the afflicting details attending it as are contained in the 
 
204 THE DUKE OP KENT. 
 
 accompanying letter 'from his friend and brother officer Lieut. Ilulme 
 of the same corps, which reached me last night, together with the five 
 inclosurcs that were annexed to it. Of these you will perceive two 
 are addressed to me, and I would not on any account part with them, 
 as I wish to retain them as keepsakes of our poor lamented 
 Edward. Still I feel it may be a melancholy satisfaction to your 
 poor father and mother, to read them and take copies of them, and for 
 that purpose I send them to you, under the fullest dependence tl.at 
 after keeping them as long as you may judge necessary for the pur- 
 pose, you will return them to me, under cover to Colonel Torrens. 
 
 You will perceive both from poor Edward's letter to me, a few 
 hours previous to the attack, and from that to you which I took the 
 liberty of opening, that he had a melancholy presentiment of the fate 
 which awaited him. Yet he met it, with all the coolness of a hero, 
 and all the fortitude of a Christian ; in short every thing seems to 
 combine to redouble our regrets of his untimely losS; and to over- 
 whelm us with affliction, but yet we trust that the honorable death 
 he has fallen may be the means of softening the blow in some degree. 
 
 I shall now only add, that I mean on these repeated dreadful losses 
 in your family, to ground a very strong fresh application in your be- 
 half, which I hope will lead to your obtaining the Lieut.-Colonelcy 
 of the Canadian Regiment. In the meantime pray rely on my warm- 
 est friendship and believe me, &c., &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 P.S. — I herewith annex also the extract of a letter from Lieut.- 
 Colonel Muller, by which you will see that poor Captain St. Pal, 
 our dear Edward's Marlow comrade, has shared the same fate with 
 him, which I know you will deplore also, as next to Edward we con- 
 sidered him our most interesting protege. 
 
 Alhambra, near Lisbon, 
 
 12th April, 1812. 
 
 Sir, — No words can do justice to the feelings with which I convey 
 to your Royal Highness the intelligence of an event which I could have 
 wished to have been made known through some other more adequate 
 channel, but being the person (in this country) most intimately in- 
 terested therein, the unpleasant task has devolved on me. 
 
 The corps of engineers, among other losses which it sustained on 
 the 6th inst., has to lament that of Ed. de Salaberry, who was killed 
 in the breach at the head of the column to which he was attached. 
 Thus fell universally regretted an officer, who, had he lived, would 
 have become a most brilliant ornament to his corps, and an honor to 
 his friends. 
 
 The letters in his portmanteau, and which I have the honor to 
 inclose, were forwarded to me, and I lose not a moment m tran*- 
 mitting them to your Royal Highness. The management of his 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 205 
 
 aflFaira has been intrusted to mo. I beg leave to assure your Royal 
 Highness, that every possible attention on my pait shall be paid to 
 them, and when settled, I shall have the honor (agreeably to his de- 
 sire) of transmitting the papers relative thereto. May I Le allowed 
 to indulge a hope, that my presumption in addressing your Royal 
 Highness will be pardoned, to which nothing but the present melan- 
 choly occasion could have induced me. 
 
 I have the honor to be, Sir, 
 Your Royal Highness' 
 
 Most obedient and humble servant, 
 John L. Hulme, 
 Lieut. Royal Engineers. 
 H. R. H., the Duke of Kent. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 13th June, 1812. 
 
 My Dear de Salaberry, — Two days since, I received your most 
 afflicting letter of the month of March, which has caused me more 
 distress than words can describe, inasmuch as I perceive from it 
 that all the pains I took to forward to you by the very first opportu- 
 nity I could find for America, the information of the loss of our poor 
 Chevalier, in order that you might break it with caution to your 
 good father and mother, had proved abortive, and that your poor 
 parents had thus learnt] that melancholy event for the first time 
 from the public prints, and being wholly unprepared for the catca- 
 trophc, had, if possible, felt the blow still more heavily. 
 
 I should hope that long ere this, the arrival of my letter of the 
 18th November, will have convinced them and you, how alive I was 
 to all your sufferings, and how much I had it at heart to soften 
 them, but for fear it should altogether have miscarried, I herewith 
 annex a copy of it, though I am unable to obtain the first inclosure 
 referred to in it, having forwarded the original in April last by the 
 hands of Mr. Ryland, to put into yours, presuming that you would 
 wish to retaia it in your family, as a testimony of the high estima- 
 tion in which your poor brother was held. But as there can bo no 
 doubt of that reaching you in safety, if Mr. Ryland gets to Quebec 
 without accident, you will be able to complete the letter by annexing 
 that paper to it. 
 
 In adverting to the latter part of your favor, in which you state 
 your anxious wish that your youngest brother should be sent out ; 
 as a consolation to my old friends, I can't help observing that I feel 
 quite unequal to say more than, would to God that were yet possible, 
 but Providence has decreed otherwise, as my letters of 24th April 
 and 10th of May will have apprised you before this can possibly 
 come to hand. A former one which I wrote in February, if I mis- 
 
206 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 take not, will have acquainted you with my intention of getting him 
 sent out to you this summer, had his life been spared ; and, there- 
 fore, 1 flatter myself that you will all be satisfied, that at no one 
 time have you or yours been out of my thought. 
 
 The extraordinary situation which this country has been in since 
 the 11th May, the day after I last wrote you, when Mr. Percival 
 fell by assassination, in fact without any Government, has necessarily 
 retarded my plans in your behalf, but as at length one is formed, I 
 hope shortly to be able to act upon them, and that the result ere 
 long be such as to enable me to address you with more satisfaction, 
 than has been the case for the last five months. 
 
 I have now only Lo add everything which is most warm and affec- 
 tionate, or that can be most alleviating in their distress to your poor 
 father and mother, and to your sisters, both from myself and Madame 
 de St. Laurent, and that you may rely on our unalterable friend- 
 ship and regard for yourself, with which sentiment, 
 
 I remain, &c., 
 
 Edward. 
 
 P. S. — Pray don't forget to name me suitably to your worthy 
 General. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 15th September, 1812. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, —It is with extreme satisfaction that I am 
 at length enabled to apprise you of your having attained the perma- 
 nent rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the army, together with your 
 confirmation as Superintendent of the corps of Canadian Voltigeurs, 
 for which Sir George Prevost had recommended you. 
 
 You will perceive from the inclosed (which I have just received), 
 from Colonel Torrens, that I have not been unmindful of your inte- 
 rests, having suggested a project for your getting the Lieut.-Colo- 
 nelcy of the Canadian Regiment, and although that plan had failed, 
 the disappointment has been softened by the notification of your 
 preferment, in another way, in which perhaps, in your talents for 
 and experience of Light Service, you may be still more useful to 
 your country, and I am sure you will be more agreeably employed 
 to your own feelings, than if you had been in the fencible regiment. 
 I have upon the strength of this piece of good news, addressed your 
 good old father, and I now enclose the letter to you, under a flying 
 seal, in order that you may first read it, and judge if his state of 
 mind and spirit, are equal to the reading of it, by which you can be 
 wholly governed in delivering it to him or not, for which I give you 
 therefore carte blanche ; for as you will fully appreciate my inten- 
 tion I know 1 cannot commit the management of the thing to better 
 hau\.d. 
 
 Although I am confident it is not necessary for me to recommend to 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 207 
 
 your attention the officers of my first Battalion, who have recently 
 joined you from the West Indies, I cannot resist naming Captains 
 JMcLean and Wilson, as two who have always distinguished them- 
 selves by their professions of regard for you, and therefore are par- 
 ticularly deserving of being noticed by you. Captains Stewart, 
 Torrens and Rowan, I believe, are none of them known to you, but 
 they are all officers of merit, and men of amiable manners, who will 
 ever prove themselves worthy of any kindness you may shew them ; 
 the subalterns being all much your juniors in years, I shall not bore 
 you with any recommendations of them, but I will say upon the 
 whole that they arc generally speaking, as respectable a set of their 
 class as is to be met with in the army. 
 
 I shall now take my leave of you, adding my kind remembrance 
 to that of Madame de St. Laurent, and repeating the unalterable senti- 
 ments of esteem and regard with which I ever am, dear de Salaberry, 
 
 Edward. 
 Lieut.-Col. de Salaberry, 
 Quebec. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 15th September, 1812. 
 
 My dear Salaberry, — Though more than two years have glided 
 by since I wrote you, (your last letter, that of date 28th July, 1810, 
 received on 26th Sept., remaining still unanswered), I felt that you 
 would know that my silence waa not occasioned by the least coolness 
 on my part, towards yourself personally, or for those who are dear 
 to you, but on the contrary that it has been caused by the impossi- 
 bility I found in consequence of the succession of misfortunes which 
 befell you, "coup sur coup," of writing on any subject which would 
 not recall and add to your sorrows, knowing well that already you 
 had been subjected to the full measure of what divine Providence 
 Bends to us all, his wretched creatures, to prove our resignation. 
 
 I preferred then to address all my communications on those afflict- 
 ing details, to my good friend, your first born son, the kindness 
 and excellence of whose heart I knew, and on whom I could con- 
 fidently rely to impart them to his worthy mother, yourself anjl his 
 good sisters, with that caution which was necessary to prevent a 
 renewal of the shock which I feared might be experienced if the 
 sad news of those cruel afflictions reached them suddenly. 
 
 I have learned from him that unfortunately, in one instance, owing 
 to one of those contretemps which are inseparable from every thing 
 connected with the sea, my intention was defeated, the vessel which 
 conveyed them having been either lost or captured, but notwithstand- 
 ing this disappointment, I confidently reckoned that from your 
 knowledgeof my heart and my feelings towards yourself, you must be 
 persuaded that I would never fail to supply any consolation in my 
 
 u 
 
208 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 power to you and yours. But now that a considerable space of time 
 has elapsed since the last of those calamities which caused us so much 
 distress, (and to none, more than my good and faithful companion,) 
 I believe that there could be no more suitable time to assure you of 
 my remembrance .".nd my friendship, than now, when I can announce 
 the advancement of de Salaberry to the permanent rank of Lieut. - 
 Colonel in the army, as the appointment of Superintendent of the Cana- 
 dian Voltigeurs, which has been confirmed by the Regent, the notifi- 
 cation of which I send him, having myself received it this instant in 
 a letter from Col. Torrens, Secretary to the Commander in Chief. 
 Regard it then my venerable and respected friend, as an event of 
 good augury, and iet us hope that Providence has still in store for 
 you essential consolations for the heavy losses which the cruel fate 
 of war has inflicted on you, and that the evening of your life may 
 be passed at least without inquietude. 
 
 Madame de St. Laurent joins me in saying a thousand agreeable 
 things to her respected friend Madame de Salaberry, and your 
 daughters ; as for yourself, I wish you to believe that since the com- 
 mencement of your troubles, none of you have been for an instant 
 absent from our thoughts. 
 
 There remains nothing for me now but to beg of you both to write 
 us as early as possible, and be persuaded that we will wait with im- 
 patience to hear from you, and believe me now to be, with the senti- 
 ments of esteem and friendship which I have ever entertained for 
 you and yours, 
 
 Your most affectionate and devoted, 
 
 Edward. 
 A. Monsieur, 
 
 Monsieur de Salaberry, 
 Beauport. 
 
 Sir George Prevost, the Governor General and Com- 
 mander in Chief in Canada, though we have seen that on a form- 
 er occasion his conduct had been unfriendly to de Salaberry, 
 now earnestly solicited him to raise the Canadian Voltigeurs, 
 and, on the '2Sth of May, 1812, issued a General Order for 
 orgahizing four Battalions. The first Battalion under de 
 Salaberry rendezvoused at Pointe aux Trembles, and was 
 rapidly brought into admirable discipline. 
 
 The militia, however, had not been called out a moment too 
 soon, for on the 18th June following, the American Govern- 
 ment made its long threatened declaration of war, and on 
 the 12th July, General Hull invaded Upper Canada, by 
 crossing unopposed from Detroit to Sandwich. He failed, 
 however, to get any sympathy or support from the inhabi- 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 209 
 
 tants, as he expected, and three detachments of his army 
 having on three successive days been driven back, on their 
 attempts to reach Amherstburgh, by a detachment of the 
 4th Regiment and a few Indians, he was compelled to re-cross 
 to Detroit, where he was at once followed by General Brock, 
 whose energetic operations speedily compelled him to sur- 
 render that place with his whole army. The militia were 
 paroled, but the General, his officers, and the regulars were 
 sent to Lower Canada. 
 
 In the meanwhile the American forces to the extent of 
 10,000, which had been for some time collecting under 
 General Dearborn, on the Lower Canadian frontier, were put 
 in motion. Sir George Prevost had already despatched do 
 Salaberry with 400 Voltigeurs and some Indians to dispute 
 their entrance into L'Acadie, which he did so promptly and 
 thoroughly, that General Dearborn decamped on the 23rd 
 November. For this service de Salaberry was thanked in 
 General Orders by Sir George Prevost, who did full justice 
 " to the enthusiastic loyalty of all classes of His Majesty's 
 Canadian subjects." 
 
 In this year de Salaberry had married his cousin Mari- 
 anne Hertel de Rouville, with this explanation the following 
 letter will be easily understood :— 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 (Copy.) 8th August, 1813. 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, — I have now before me your four letters 
 of the 4th and 18th October l»st year, and of the 2nd of June of the 
 present one, the former of which I received on the 28th November, 
 and the last on the 7th instant. The first of these letters being writ- 
 ten in all the bitterness of your anguish upon receiviDg that large 
 packet of mine which contained the melancholy details of the loss of 
 all your poor brothers, I shall only observe on it, that if I have so 
 long delayed in acknowledging it, it has arisen from an unwillingness 
 on my part to rip up those sores which 1 am aware for a length of 
 time can be but slightly cicatrised ; and now that I resume my 
 pen, I do it with some degree of pleasure, perceiving that your last 
 letter is written in so much better spirits, although it gives but a 
 melancholy account of your good and valuable parents. 
 
 Madame de St, Laurent and myself, who were delighted to hear, 
 in the first place, of the very judicious marriage you have made, 
 have also been highly gratified in learning that she has given you a 
 son, and not a little pleased with the compliment you have paid her 
 by naming him after her. You will therefore judge how cordially 
 
210 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 we both unite in the fervent prayer, that the name may prove more 
 fortunate to him than it was to your poor brother Edward. 
 
 The accounts which you sent me of your Battalion of Voltigeurs, 
 and the progress you make in bringing them forward in a state of 
 discipline, prepared me for tlie very handsome but well-deserved 
 compliment paid you at a subsequent period, by the Commander of 
 the Forces, as well as to them. It was therefore a matter of real 
 satisfaction to me to be able to succeed in getting you the permanent 
 rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, which, I may in truth say, you so /lan/Zy 
 earnt ; but I hope now all painiul recollections will be done away 
 with, and that you will continue to serve with alacrity, so long as the 
 war lasts, looking forward to retire with honor, credit, and some 
 advantage, at a peace ; unless we can succeed in securing you at that 
 time, one of the principal staff situations in Canada. At the same 
 time that I say this, if you could previously exchange into a per- 
 manont corps, you should not lose sight of it, as thereby establishing 
 your right to sell out. 
 
 To revert for a moment to the melancholy event of poor Edward's 
 death, I most fully subscribe to the propriety of your having kept 
 back my letter announcing it to your poor father, which, of course, 
 will now remain in your hands, to be made use of, or not, in course of 
 time, as circumstances may require. I grieve much to find that your 
 father's debilitated state should have rendered his resignation of 
 the command of his regiment of embodied militia unavoidable, 
 as I fear that circumstances must necessarily have circumscribed 
 his comforts, You have not mentioued, in your last letter, your 
 good mother ; I fear, therefore, you had nothing comfortable to say 
 of her. Pray do not fail, in your next, to name her, as well as all 
 your sisters, for Madame de St. Laurent and myself still preserve the 
 same lively interest in their welfare, and desire to knof everything 
 about them. When I contrast the present melanchulj/ scene of Beau- 
 port, with the recollection of ichat ice formerly rememler it, I own 
 it depresses my spirits much, and therefore 1 am always ready to 
 make every allowance for your feelings on that head. 
 
 Should the war continue much longer, and you once attain the 
 rank of Colonel, I trust you would obtain the clothing of the corps 
 into your own hands ; and in that case I hope you will remember 
 Carder for your clothier, and Mr. Kirkland for your agent. 
 
 I shall long to hear from you some account of my 1st Battalion, 
 in case you should at any time come across thorn ; for after being 
 separated as they were, foi- above eleven years, in the West Indies, 
 I am fearful their appearance and discipline cannot be much to their 
 credit. 
 
 In general, all you tell me of the appearance of things in your 
 vicinity, as to the present campaign, is extremely cheering, and I 
 look forward with some degree of confidence to a succession of 
 comfortable aecounts from Canada during the remainder of the season. 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 211 
 
 I have been doing all I can here to impress the necessity of doubling 
 your number of seamen on the lakes, and sending you out a couple 
 of thousand Highlanders yet this season ; but I am not able to say 
 whether my counsel will be attended to or not. 
 
 I have recently met myself with an awkward accident, from my 
 horse frilling with me, as T was trotting briskly down the hill 
 between the gates of Castle-hill and th-j bottom of Mr. Meuxe's grounds. 
 Though it happened as far back as the 22nd of last month, I have 
 not yet been able to leave my own premises, the cuts and bruises, 
 though not dangerous, having been very severe. I have, however, 
 been able to keep off fever through care and abstinence, and I hope 
 by the time this month is up to feel nothing of the effects of it. 
 
 It now only remains for me to convey to your wife Madame deSt. 
 Laurent's kindest thanks for her obliging message, to assure you of 
 our united best wishes for your health, wealth and happiness, and to 
 subscribe myself, with the most friendly regard, 
 
 Dear de Salaberry, 
 
 Yours faithfully, 
 
 Edward. 
 
 P.S. — The enclosed letter was left with Beck some time since for 
 you, and he requested me to enclose it. 
 Lieut.-Col. de Salaberry. 
 
 General Hampton having resolved to make an attempt on 
 Montreal with 7,000 men, de Salaberry was again despatched 
 to oppose his entrance into L'Acadie, which he did success- 
 fully, and Hampton being foiled in several skirmishes, and 
 being unwilling to risk a general engagement in the woods, 
 retired to "Four Corners," where, on the 1st October, de 
 Salaberry, with 50 Voltigeurs and 150 Indians, surprised 
 him in camp, and after a warm action, put him into confu- 
 sion, and made a satisfactory reconnoissance. Dearborn and 
 Wilkinson having been foiled, there now only remained 
 Hampton to contend with. 
 
 De Salaberry, Avho had made himself thoroughly acquainted 
 with the country, advanced to meet him, felling the trees and 
 obstructing the road from Odelltown to L'Acadie along 
 •which Hampton proposed to advance. Hampton was desi- 
 rous of forming a junction with his Dommander in Chief, 
 and believing the road leading to Chauteauguay open, 
 attempted to advance by that route, but he was met by 
 obstructions everywhere, de Salaberry having with great 
 military sagacity thrown up field works at every strategic 
 point. De Salaberry then ascended the left bank of the 
 Chateauguay, and selecting an excellent position, threw up 
 14 
 
212 THE DTJKE OF KENT. 
 
 four successive lines of defence. Major General de Watteville 
 visited and approved of the works. Sir George Prevost 
 with his force was thirty miles in rear. 
 
 On 25th October, Hampton with his whole force, consisting 
 of 7,000 infantry, 400 horse and 12 guns, advanced to 
 the Canadian camp, in which was de Salaberry with three 
 hundred men, Voltigcurs, Fencibles and Indians. The con- 
 flict lasted for four hours, and Hampton being out gene- 
 railed and foiled in every attempt, retreated, suffering 
 considerable loss, scarcely stopping until he reached Platts- 
 burg. Sir George Vrevost did not come up till the engage- 
 ment was at an end. 
 
 The victory at Chateauguay prevented the junction of 
 Hamilton and Wilkinson, arrested the invasion, saved Mont- 
 real, and enabled the British commanders in Upper Canada 
 to resume offensive operations. 
 
 Strange to say, in the General Order issued by Adjutant- 
 General Edward Baynes, on 27th October, the day after the 
 battle, the action is described as having occurred between 
 the American army, under General Hampton, and the 
 advanced posts of the British, thrown out for the purpose of 
 covering working parties under Col. de Salaberry/ ; and fur- 
 ther, it contained this extraordinary statement : — " His 
 Excellency the Governor in Chief and Commander of the 
 Forces, having himself had the satisfaction of witnessing the 
 conduct of the troops on this brilliant occasion, feels it a 
 gratifying duty to render them that praise which is so justly 
 their due ; to Major General de Watteville for the admirable 
 arrangements established by him for th« defence of the post ; 
 to Lieut. Col. de Salaberry for his judicious and officer like 
 conduct in the choice of position and arrangement of his 
 force." 
 
 De Salaberry, who felt that this was a most unjustifiable 
 attempt to deprive him of his due, instantly addressed, 
 through the Adjutant-General, an indignant remonstrance 
 to the Governor General, in which he pointed out that he 
 had had no assistance from any superior officer in making 
 any of the arrangements, which had been all completed by 
 himself at the time the camp had been visited by Major 
 General de Watteville, who'simply approved them, and that 
 no officer of superior rank had come up till the action wut 
 over. 
 
 No direct notice was ever taken of this r^monstrtmce, but 
 
 ; 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 213 
 
 on the 4th November a General Order was published, from 
 which the folloAving is extracted : — 
 
 The undaunted gallantry displayed by six companies, almost to a 
 man, composed of Canadians, Fencibles and Militia, under the imme- 
 diate command of Lieut. Col. de Salaberry, in repelling with dis- 
 grace an American invading army twenty times their number, 
 refleots unfadine: honor on the Canadian name. 
 
 o 
 
 No other explanation was ever given of the extraordinary 
 mis-statements made in the General Order of 27th October, 
 which were evidently intended to influence the Horse Guards, 
 and it undoubtedly had that efiect, for in January, 1817, 
 when it was proposed to confer the honor of C. B. on certain 
 officers who had distinguished themselves during the war, 
 that distinguished ofiicer, Lieut. Col. G. McDonnell, on calling 
 at the Horse Guards, found to his astonishment that, while 
 his own name had been inserted in the list, that of de Sala- 
 berry had been omitted. The indignation of the honest and 
 chivalrous soldier was aroused, and he at once addressed the 
 Commander in Chief, through' Sir Henry Torrens, as follows : 
 
 Having been second in command in the important action at Cha- 
 teauguay, in Lower Canada, I can pledge my honor that the merit 
 of occupying that position and of fighting that action is exclusively 
 due to Lieut. Col. de Salaberry, wlio acted in both respects entirely 
 from his own judgment, Major General de Watteville having only 
 come up from his station, several miles in rear, after the enemy had 
 been defeated, in consequence of a notification sent to him by myself, 
 that we were then warmly enga<red with the enemy. 
 
 Lieut. Col. de Salaberry, having had the good fortune to defeat a 
 division of 7,000 men, the largest regular army that the American 
 nation has ever yet brought into action, I hope H. R. H., the Com- 
 mander in Chief, will do him the honor to take the subject into hia 
 consideration. 
 
 I have the honor to be, 
 
 &c., &c., &c., 
 
 G. McDonnell, 
 
 De Salaberry was thus indebted to the independence and 
 magnanimitv of his subordinate for an honor which should 
 have been earnestly solicited for him by his Commander in 
 Chief. 
 
 The Franco-Canadians were however justly proud of their 
 countrymen, and among other tributes to the honor of dQ 
 Salaberry, the following lines appeared : 
 
214 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 To Persia's overwhelming host, 
 
 Three hundred souls on Qrecia's coast, 
 Op'poseJ a wall more strong than brass, 
 
 Led by their Chief Leonidaa ; 
 And now the brave Canadian band, 
 
 ilas made the same heroic stand, 
 And realised again we see, 
 
 The wonders of Thermopylo). 
 
 We have now the pleasure of giving two very interesting 
 letters of the Duke of Kent, on this subject : — 
 
 Kensinqton Palace, 
 
 15th March, 1814. 
 
 My Dear de Salaberry, — On 31st December, I received your 
 interesting letter of 10th November, in which you give me an account 
 of the advance of the Canadian army on 27th October, and of the 
 brilliant affair which your son gained by his arrangements. I re- 
 ceived at the same time his letters, in which he gave me the details ; 
 and I hesitate not to declare my opinion, that you have reason to be 
 proud of the victory gained by my prothje over forces so superior in 
 numbers to those which he commanded, but also that he displayed 
 talents and judgment rarely to be found, unless in veterans, both in 
 making his dispositions and during the battle. 
 
 1 have seen, with pain, that the report of the Adjutant-General 
 does not do him justice, as he does not give him exclusive credit for 
 the dispositions made, and the success which resulted from them. 
 But you may comfort yourself with the idea, that there is not any 
 one here who does not regard him as the hero who saved Lower 
 Canada, by the decisive steps which he took and the bravery with 
 which he opposed his little band of heroes to the troops of the enemy, 
 so superior in numbers. I have talked the matter over with the 
 Duke of York, and he appears completely convinced that to your son 
 belongs the whole merit ; and I have no doubt he will find occasion 
 to reward him in a manner appropriate to his desire and merit. You 
 may rest assured that this is the effect produced by the reports of 
 the English officers who were present and witnesses of the affair. 
 
 I must confess that, for a moment, I had very great fears for 
 Canada, after the disgraceful defeat of General Proctor, and the de- 
 feat of our navy on Lake Erie ; but the recent success of my friend, 
 Lieu tenant-General Drummond, has given me hope, and as the Govern- 
 ment have made considerable efforts to re-establish our superiority 
 on the Lakes, I anticipate that during the coming summer the face 
 of things will be changed entirely to your advantage. This is the 
 more likely, as it now appears that things on the continent are about 
 to terminate with honor. 
 
 Madame de St. Laurent, who is confined to her room by severe 
 indisposition, will not be able to write you by this mail, as she de- 
 sired, but has commissioned me to convey to you and Madame de 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 215 
 
 Salaberry and all your family a thousand rcLiards; and T take the 
 opportunity to renew those seatiments of friendship and affectioa with 
 which I always am, 
 
 Dear do Salaberry, 
 
 Yours most affectionately, 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Lieut.-Coloncl de Salaberry, Sen., 
 Beauport, Quebec. - 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 2.5th March, 1814. 
 
 My Dear de Salaberry, — It was on the 22nd December that 
 I received your letter of 28th October ; and a few days afterwards, 
 the details of your brilliant repulse of the enemy, through your 
 worthy^ ftither, and your brother-in-law, Duchesnay. 
 
 As in the inclosed letter for your father, which I send under flying 
 seal in order to enable you to Avithdraw ti'C postscript, or not, as you 
 may see fit, you will see my sentiments on that business, it will be 
 unnecessary for me to say more in this, than that I appreciate as 
 highly your distinguished conduct on the memorable occasion in ques- 
 tion, as if it had been noticed by those whose duty it was to notice 
 it in a manner commensurate to your merits. It is easy to form an 
 opinion why more ample justice was not done you ; but upon this 
 head it may perhaps be more prudent to be silent — more especially 
 as you may take my word for it, that there is but one opinion as to 
 the credit which you have done yourself, and the remuneration which 
 you are entitled to. 
 
 It is a great satisfaction to me to find that the Canadian Militia, 
 both embodied and sedentary, have behaved so well; and when it is 
 considered how insufficient the Militia laws are to the proper govern- 
 ment of the men upon military principles, I think your merit in 
 having brought your Voltigeurs to the state of perfection which, 
 I understand, they have attained, is beyond all praise. 
 
 With respect to yourself, I will tell you candidly my wish is, when 
 a proper opportunity offers, to get you promoted to the rank of 
 Colonel, by being nominated an honorary A.D.C. to the Prince Re- 
 gent; and then, some day or other, appointed Coloncl-Proprietairo 
 of the Canadian regiment — which will then thrive under you, and 
 enable you to remain in your own country, with benefit to that and 
 honor to yourself So do not think of quitting the army upon any 
 consideration, while there is not a chance of your being removed 
 from the defence of your Dieux Fmates. As to your worthy father 
 the granting him his full pay for life, upon retirement, was but an 
 act of justice; and the withdrawing of that grant afterwards most 
 
216 THE DUKE OF KENT- 
 
 unjustifiable, and I do not wonder it should have hurt you ; but 
 times may alter, 
 
 Kepeating, as I conclude, the sentimentsof friendship and esteem, 
 with which I ever am, my dear de Salaberry, 
 
 Yours faithfully, 
 
 EDWi«.RD. 
 
 This was the sensible and suitable way in which H. R. H. 
 proposed to reward the great service of de Salaberry. Let 
 us see what was actually done. Great Britain commemorated 
 the victory by causing a medal to be struck ; the Yoltigeurs 
 were presented with colours ; and de Salaberry, besides the 
 gold medal, had the order of the Bath conferred upon him — 
 transmitted, witli an autograph letter, from the Prince Re- 
 gent. The two Houses of Provincial Legislature passed a 
 vote of thanks to him ; and his father's pension, which had 
 been " most unjustifiably withheld," was restored. This was 
 all ; and we must admit a most inadequate recompense it 
 was. 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 217 
 
 CHAPTER XTX. 
 
 Touching letters from tho Diiko ami Mudimedo St. Lnurcnt to Colonel L. do 
 Salaberry — Letter to Chief Justice Sewell on Union of the Provinces — 
 Fresh pecuniary difficulties from abscondinj; of Solicitor — Letter to the 
 Prince Regent, and Lord Liverpool's reply — Renewed suoriflcos to meet his 
 liabilities — Addresses Irom various benevolent Eocieties, and Freedom from 
 City of London — llelires to Brussels, 
 
 1S14, 1815, Ax\D 1816. 
 
 * Kent. — I do profess to be no less than I seem ; 
 
 To servo him truly that will put ine in trust: 
 To love him that is honest; 
 
 To converse with him that is wise and says little ; 
 To fear judgment; to fight when I cannot choose ; 
 And to eat no fish, 
 
 Lear. — What art thou? 
 
 Kekt. — A very honest fellow and as poor as the King. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 15th June, 1814. 
 
 My Dear de Salaberry, — Your obliging and interesting letters 
 of 1st and 24th March, with their respective inclosures, came duly 
 to hand on the 2nd inst. 
 
 The opinion you appear to entertain of your having been passed 
 over in the promotions which have taken place in the bOth Regiment, 
 must I conceive be erroneous, as I have long observed, your name in 
 the general Army List for the present year, as a Major without corps, 
 and though I do not find it in the Army List of this month, I presume 
 that circumstance only arises from your appointment as an Inspect- 
 ing Field Officer of Militia in Canada, having been confirmed at 
 home. Under these circumstances and considerations, I have there- 
 fore thought it by far most advisable to withhold your memorial, as 
 I am of opinion there is no ground existing for the appeal you have 
 therein made. 
 
 I am most happy to tell you, that however the Commander of the 
 Forces may have sought to obscure your high and distinguished 
 merit, for your gallant and cool conduct in the aff"air at Chateauguay, 
 it is not the less appreciated on this side of the water, for it has ap- 
 peared evident to every reader of the public despatches, that to you 
 the public are indebted, as the gallant leader of the heroic band, for 
 the glorious result of the business. 
 
218 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 I have only to add my hearty "jood wishes for your health, hap- 
 piness and prosperity, and to assun; you of the friendly regard and 
 sincere esteem with yhieh I shall ever remain, 
 
 My dear de Salabcrry, 
 
 Yours faithfully, 
 
 Edward. 
 Lieut.-Colonel de Salabcrry. 
 
 P.S. — Madame de St. Laurent unites with mo in best remem- 
 brance to you and your worthy parents. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 28th September, 1814. 
 
 My Dear DE Salaberry, — I have only been two days in possession 
 of your letter of 8th August, and though I have not yet seen Lieut.- 
 Colonel Couchette, by whose hands it reached me, I am unwilling to 
 delay the acknowledgment of its receipt, and to repeat to you that 
 after yourself and your worthy wife, there are not in (he world two 
 persons who have mourned the cruel death of your dear Edward so 
 much as the two old friends who both write you to-day. 
 
 Believe me, that many a time and oft, as well as to-day, though 
 far from you, we have pictured to ourselves the distressmg effect 
 which the three-fold stroke would have on you both, in spite of all 
 the precautions which we took to prevent the fatal news from reach- 
 ing you too abruptly. 
 
 Although you know it, the first dreadful moment is passed ; your 
 worthy wife is spared to you, and it is to be hoped that heaven having 
 given you strength to survive the three-fold catastrophe, has reserved 
 to you the happiness, to see your surviving son return before a long 
 time, to the bosom of his family, covered with honor and glory, and 
 distinguished by such recompense on the part of his sovereign, as 
 will leave him little reason to regret the years which have been de- 
 voted to his service, and for which he has hitherto received little 
 remuneration. 
 
 You have not named your daughters, either, in the letter which 
 you addressed to me, or in that to my friends : do us then the plea- 
 sure to give us news of them on the first occasion that you write, 
 for the interest which we take in you and yours is always as lively 
 and sincere, as you know it was, when we were beside you. 
 
 I see with pleasure, that at length the Government has determin- 
 ed to conduct the war with the Americans with energy, and I have 
 no doubt that after a little while, it will be brought to a termination 
 honorable to the country, though not till the ener y has been beaten 
 and humbled. Ministers have drawn on themselves a heavy res- 
 ponsibility from their inaction. 
 
 Day by day we are expecting to receive decisive news from Gene- 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 219 
 
 ral Provost as to tlic ro-establishment of our superiority on Lake 
 Ontario, the destruction of that wretched depot atSackett's Harbour, 
 and the dcfezit of the American army at Plattsburj]; and Ch?implain, 
 for he has had for a long time the necessary means [^to accomplish 
 these different objects. 
 
 I will conclude at present by saying that, thank God, we are both 
 quite well, and though as you know I have not had any active public 
 employment since 1803, 1 have always found occupation, so that up 
 to the present moment, I have had the good fortune not to know the 
 meaning of the word "en«Mi" of which so many complain as an 
 enemy of which they cannot get rid. 
 
 My life continues to be be very domestic and I see as little of the 
 great world as possible, and having said this to you, I am sure you 
 will be pleased to learn, that what our life was when we were beside 
 you, that it has continued during the twenty years that have passed 
 since we left Canada, and I love to think that twenty years hence it 
 may be the same. 
 
 Give a thousand compliments frc a me to your worthy wife, and 
 to all of yours, and believe me to remain, my dear do Salaberry, 
 Your faithfully, devoted and sincere friend, 
 
 Edward. 
 Lieut.-Colonel de Salaberry, Sen., 
 Beauport. 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 28th September, 1814, 
 
 Your very touching letter, my dear de Salaberry, could not be 
 read by me without the most tender interest and most profound 
 sympathy ; it affected me most keenly, and would have given you 
 evidence, my old and dear friend, why I was unwilling to re-open 
 the subject of nur loss ; you would have felt that I ought not to be 
 reproached for my silence. Alas ! I had a great desire to write, but 
 I felt that I could not do so without exposing my afflicted friend to a 
 blow that might be fatal. It was necessary to act with prudence, 
 and I have waited till the time would arrive when I might write 
 without increasing her grief. I thank you for telling me now, that 
 this tender mother is better, and that the trip to Montreal has done 
 her good. I hope that her health which is so precious will be com- 
 pletely restored to her, and that religion in giving her the consoling 
 hope that she will again see her children in a better world, will re- 
 lieve the anguish of her heart. 
 
 Your courage, my dear de Salaberry, has been subjected to a great 
 and severe trial, of which you have not yet given me the details, but 
 I have pictured to myself the unfortunate mother, driven almost to 
 despair, and when you had so much need of consolation yourself, you 
 held o'lL God's consolation to her. You will be recompensed for this 
 abnegation of self by having your son preserved from a thousand dan- 
 
220 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 gers, and restored to you again to be the comfort of your life, by his filial 
 respect and tenderness. I have intru^ited him with many details in 
 connexion with your poor boy, which he will communicate at a fitting 
 time, and I shall not again return to ii subject which is calculated to 
 renew your grief. I may add that having had occasion lately to con- 
 verse with an ofiicer on the terrible assault on Badajos, I was pos- 
 itively assured by him, that the ftvtal shot which carried away the 
 object of our eternal regret, inflicted no pain. This is poor consola- 
 tion, without doubt, but still it is some. 
 
 Yes, my dear de Salaberry, I shall, as you wish, continue to write 
 you as formerly. The consolation of friendship, you say, can alone 
 reconcile you to this miserable life. Be persuaded that this senti- 
 ment has in truth always ruled my heart, and that I have passed my 
 life in cherishing and cultivating it by every means in my power, and 
 if I do not deceive myself, I feel that I have many friends, and cer- 
 tainly, the sincerity and earnestness of my friendship merit such a 
 recompense as the dear letter which I have now before me, and which 
 assures me of yours, and it is pleasing to see that you do justice to the 
 good intentions with which I have been ever animated towards you and 
 yours, on any occasion that cruel fate permitted me to seize any advan- 
 tage. Be sUvC, dear de Salaberry, that I will always be interested in 
 anything that affects you. My memory will always recall Quebec and 
 Beauport, and a friendship which has triumphed over twenty years 
 of absence, has furnished proof that you may reckon without reserve 
 on mine, and if this assurance can give you and my unhappy friend 
 a moment's consolation, it will aff"ord me extreme satisfaction. Should 
 there be anything in my power tf make you happy, it will give me 
 pleasure. 
 
 We have just heard that a great victory has been gained by our 
 troops over the Americans. If this shall bring about the return of 
 peace, I shall rejoice the more, as your son may then be permitted to re- 
 turn to his home, and enjoy in tranquillity the fruits of his valor and his 
 excellent conduct. Ail the public papers are full of his great deeds, 
 and you can easily ftmcy how I feel, and that I am as proud as if he 
 were my own brother, and I do not fail to say to all who speak to 
 me — " The young man whom you saw here, is the Mr. de Salaberry 
 who has conducted himself with such heroism." It gives me pleasure 
 to repeat this, which I always do with increased satisfaction. I wish 
 you to give him a thousand remembrances from me, and to thank 
 him for having given my name to his first born. Adieu, my dear de 
 Salaberry, embrace a thousand times forme, my old and dear friend, 
 and always depend on the friendship as tender as faithful of your 
 devoted, J. de St. Laurent. 
 
 Kiss for me my dear Adelaide, Madame de Juchereau, and the 
 amiable Amelia. 
 A Mod : Mons : de Salaberry, 
 Beauport. 
 
THE DUKE OF KEJ^T. 221 
 
 It is specially interesting at the present time to knowt hat 
 the Duke of Kent, "than whom," to use the language of 
 Lord Durham, " no one better understood the interests and 
 character of the Colonies," had given his attention to the 
 subject of Union. His views will be best understood from 
 the Iz-tter given below, addressed by him to the late Chief 
 Justice ScAvell, and whicli was first made public by Lord 
 Durham in his report to the Queen, which wac communicated 
 to the Imperial Parliament on the 11th February, 1839, but 
 which is now extracted from Mr. Fennings Taylor's Biogra- 
 phy of Sewell : — 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 3rd November, 1814. 
 
 My dear Sewell, — I have this day the pleasure of receiving 
 your note of yesterday with its interesting inclosure. Nothing can 
 be better arranged thau the whole thing is, or more perfected ; and 
 when I see an opening it is fully my intention to hint the ma-tter to 
 Lord Bathurst, and put the paper into his hands, without however 
 telling him from whom I have it, though I shall urge him to have some 
 conversation with you relative to it. Permit me; howe/erjusttoask 
 you whether it was not an oversight in you, to state that there are 
 five Houses of Assembly in the British Colonies in North America. 
 If I am not under an error there are six, viz : — Upper and Lower 
 Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, the Islands of Prince 
 Edward and Cape Breton. 
 
 Allow me to beg of you to put down the proportions in which you 
 think the thirty members of the Representative Assembly ought to 
 be furnished by each Province, and finally to suggest whether you 
 would not think two Lieutenant Governors, with two Executive Coun- 
 cils, sufficient for an Executive Government of the whole, viz.: — one 
 for the two Canadas, and one for Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, 
 •comprehending the small dependencies of Cape Breton and Prince 
 Edward Islands; the former to reside at Montreal, and the latter at 
 whichever of the two stations may be considered most central for the 
 two Provinces, whether Annapolis, Royal or Windsor. But at all 
 events should you ever consider four Executive Councils requisite, 
 I presume there cannot be a question ot the expediency of compre- 
 hending the two small Islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence with 
 Nova Scotia. 
 
 Believe me ever to remain with the most friendly regard, my dear 
 Sewell, 
 
 Yours faithfully, 
 
 Edward. 
 
222 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 While he was shewing how deeply he couM sympathise 
 with the private sorrows of his friends, and how attentive he 
 was to any measure calculated to advance the prosperity of 
 the Colonies and the Empire, his own private affairs which 
 had been daily increasing in embarrassment, were at length 
 brought to a climax, by the unexpected absconding of his 
 Solicitor, with a considerable sum of money which had been 
 entrusted to him for various special purposes. With com- 
 mendable resolution, he at once determined to sell his wines 
 and mortgage his plate, to meet the emergency, but before 
 doing so, he addressed the Prince Regent as follows : — 
 
 Kensington Palace, 
 
 January. 13 th, 1815. 
 
 My dear Brother, — The recoUectiou of those habits of unre- 
 served confidence in which it was my good fortune to live with you 
 in former days, and innumerable marks of friendship and affectioa 
 which I almost daily received at your hands, added to that warm 
 attachment which I must ever feel for you, to the latest hour of my 
 existence, as ever having been my steadfast friend in many of the 
 most trying moments of my life, renders it impossible for me to re- 
 concile it to my feelings to leave it to your Ministers to be the first 
 to acquaint you witli my having addressed through them an official 
 appeal to your justice for relief, at a moment when overwhelmed 
 with embarrassments I could no longer refrain from taking that step. 
 Unwilling to intrude long on your time, at a moment when I know 
 it must be irksome to you to be disturbed with business, I will en- 
 deavor to be as brief as possible in this letter ; I shall therefore go 
 on to state that, being anxious to spare you the annoyance cf being 
 worried v/ith my concerns, I made every possible exertion during last 
 summer, through the medium of our mutual friend Mr. Adam, to place 
 my situation and claims under the eye of Lord Liverpool and Mr., 
 Vansittart, in such a light that some mode might be devised to afford 
 me that relief to which I felt I waa in justice entitled. To my great 
 disappointment, on the eve of Mr. Adam's last journey to Scotland, 
 he told me finally that he had failed in all his endeavors in my behalf. 
 No other resource was then left for me, as my creditors are bcgining 
 to be extremely troublesome, but to address you direct, and to 
 obtain that justice at your hands which I could not obtain of your 
 Ministers, although they have been assured by Mr. Adam of hia 
 knowledge of Mr. Pitt having promised me, both prior to his going 
 out of office in 1801, and subsequent to his return in 1804, that 
 very relief, which after a lapse of ten years, I am now compelled to 
 solicit from you. 
 
 Having thus accounted for the cause of my application, I have 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 223 
 
 next to explain, that I have addressed one memorial upon my 
 general claim for relief, though Lord Liverpool, and a second, upon 
 the particular one of the heavy losses I have sustained as Governor 
 of Gibraltar, from the new regulations adopted at that place, with 
 regard to the fees that were heretofore the source of tlie Governor's 
 emoluments, through Lord Sidmouth, as, if his lordship is disposed 
 to fulfil what he had promised me in 1802, at the time of my going 
 out there, he can at once certify to you, that what I apply for on 
 that head strictii/ corresponds with the assurance I have received 
 from him. In the first of these memorials, it has been unavoidable 
 for me to introduce a comparison between the Duke of Clarence and 
 myself ; one principal part of my claim resting on Mr. Pitt's un- 
 qualified admission (as is well known to Mr. Adam), of the justice 
 of my being placed in every respect upon an equal footing with him ; 
 and I rely on your knowledge of my character to acquit me of the 
 most distant thought of wishing to draw any inference therefrom 
 invidious to a brother, to whom from habits of our earliest infancy 
 I am bound by ties of the warmest afl'ection ; I therefore consider it 
 needless to attempt the justification of a step which, I am sure, will 
 be received by you exactly as it is intended by me. It now only 
 remains for me to add, for fear of any error arising or misconception 
 of my meaning, that if the principle be conceded of placing me on a 
 footing with the Duke of Clarence, (which I claim first as being 
 j'xst and equitable, and secondly, as having been repeatedly admitted 
 by Mr. Pitt, my only wish is to be completely clear from my em- 
 barrassments ; and I am perfectly ready to subscribe to any arrange- 
 ment for their being discharged, by any gentlemen who may be 
 chosen by yourself or Ministers, without touching a farthing of the 
 money myself, except such balance as shall remain after that object 
 shall have been fully accomplished ; and 1 hope after saying this, no 
 further proof will be wanted to satisfy you, that my motive for 
 making the present appeal is solely that of being honorably exonerated 
 from my debts, and not a sordid desire of becoming possessed of a 
 sum of money to be appropriated to any other purpose. Pray for- 
 give me for the length of this letter, the matter of which I found it 
 impossible to condense in a smaller compass, and permit me to add 
 one request, which is, that you will judge my claim from your own 
 upright just mind and good heart, as then 1 can never doubt of the 
 result being favorable to my interest. 
 
 With every sentiment of the warmest devotion and attachment, 
 I remain, my dearest brother. 
 
 Your faithful and affectionate, 
 
 Edward. 
 
 Fife House, Feb. 22nd, 1815. 
 Sir, — I had the honor of receiving at Bath some time ago your 
 Jloyal Highness' letter of 12th January, together with the memorial 
 
224 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 inclosed in it. I took the earliest opportunity after my return to 
 town of laying it before the Prirce Kcpent, and have received His 
 Royal Highness' commands to return the following answer: — 
 
 The Prince Regent sincerely regrets that it is not in his power to 
 afford to your Royal Highness the relief which you solicit. The 
 Prince Regent feels it impossible for him to enter into the circum- 
 stances which may have induced His Majesty to settle the period at 
 which the allowance of the diflFercnt members of the Royal Family 
 should commence. His Royal Highness does not recollect that he 
 was ever particularly apprized of them, and he can only therefore ex- 
 press his full persuasion that in the arrangements so made His 
 Majesty was never actuated by any undue partiality. 
 
 The Prince Regent must, however, observe that the situation of 
 the younger branches of the Royal Family was brought under the 
 consideration of Government, and ultimately of Parliament, by Lord 
 Grenville in 180G ; that an increas3 was then made by Parliament 
 to the yearly income of His 3Iajesty"s youngest sons, with the ex- 
 ception of the Duke of York, of £G.OOU a-ycar, and that if a consid- 
 eration was ever to have been had of any difference in their original 
 situation, this was the period at which it might naturally have been 
 brought forward ; and the arrangement which then took place, must 
 be regarded as a conclusive bar against antecedent claims, even if 
 any such claims could ever have existed. 
 
 With respect to the relief which was afforded by the Prince Re- 
 gent's direction to H. R. H. the Duke of Clarence, out of a fund 
 which, under special circumstances, was at the disposal of the Crown 
 at that time, in consequence of the peculiar situation of His Royal 
 Highness, as the Prince Regent's means must be very limited, with 
 respect'to any'relicf of this nature, he could not have conceived that 
 this grant could have furnished any ground for a claim being ad- 
 vanced by any other member of the Royal Family. 
 
 Your Royal Highness having, however, rested your case in a great 
 measure on the advantages which the Duke of Clarence has enjoyed 
 in preference]^to?your^Royal Highness, the Prince has directed me to 
 observe upon this head, that the Duke of Clarence, from his situa- 
 tion, has been incapable of holding either regiment, government, or 
 staff allowance,' or in short any annual income beyond the Parlia- 
 mentary grant, since the period when he was employed in the navy, 
 except his half-pay, whereas yourjRoyaljHighness has been in the 
 enjoyment for many years of a considerable part of the military 
 advantages above staled. 
 
 ^^The Prince Regent has'already expressed his regret that he has 
 not the means at his disposal to afford your Royal IHghness the re 
 lief which you solicit ; tlie income of the Civil List has for some 
 years bcpn acknowledged by Parliament]| to be unequal to defray the 
 necessary charges which belong to it, and 'any application to Parlia- 
 ment for such a purpose as the payment oi the debts of any of the 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT 225 
 
 younger branches of the Royal Family would, as the Prince believes, 
 be wholly unprecedented, and would certainly, under the present cir- 
 cumstances, be highly objectionable. 
 
 I am, with the utmost respect, Sir, 
 
 Your Royal Highness' most dutiful 
 And most humble scrv-mt, 
 
 Liverpool. 
 
 On the receipt of this he addressed a further memorial to 
 the Regent, but all his efforts were unavailing. Ministers 
 •would neither bring forward any measure themselves for his 
 relief, nor permit any independent member to move in the 
 matter ; this he felt very keenly, as he was satisfied that if his 
 claims were fairly brought under the notice of Parliament, 
 justice would be done him, and he earnestly insisted " that 
 his pretensions were not for the payment of his dehts, of which 
 he never had the presumption to entertain the slightest idea. 
 but for the recovery of his just claims^ which would enable 
 him to discharge every embarrassment ho had in the world. 
 
 He now became sensible that there remained nothinrj for 
 him but to depend for extrication on his own exertions and 
 self-denial ; and he at once assigned to a committee of his 
 friends X 17,000 ^ut of his income of £25,003, determining 
 to limit his expenditure to the remaining £8.000. He at 
 once parted Avith many of his .servants, and made correspond- 
 ing reductions in every part of his establishment. He had 
 hoped to be able to remain in England, but after a trial of 
 a year, from July, 1815 to 181G, he found that it would be 
 impossible, without submitting to privations too painful to 
 his feelings. He resolved accordingly to leave England, and 
 in August 1816, proceeded to the continent, and took up his 
 residence at Brussels. 
 
 But in April preceding, the Common Council cf the City 
 of London had unanimously resolved, that — " In considera- 
 tion of the distinguished manner in which their Royal Hiii'h- 
 nesses, the Dukes of Kent and Sussex, have exerted them- 
 selves to promote every object of benevolence throughout the 
 United Kingdom, and especially within the City, tiicroby 
 adding to the lustre of their high birth, as the sons of our 
 beloved Sovereign, and meriting in an eminent degree the 
 sincere respect and gratitude of the City of London, the 
 freedom of the City be presented in a suitable manner to 
 each of their Royal Highnesses." 
 
226 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 In the same year, during his residence in Brussels, the 
 members of various benevolent societies met in London, and 
 passed a Resolution and Address which were transmitted to 
 him, that his birth-day should be annually commemorated. 
 On the 2nd November following the first meeting was held, 
 and was remarkable for the presence of all parties in religion 
 and politics, but all animated by one desire to testify to the 
 high estimation in which he was universally held. We can 
 have no difliculty in understanding how this should be the case, 
 when we come to know that he Avas connected with almost 
 every philanthropic institution in the kingdom, and accord- 
 ing to Mr. Neale, had presided during the past year (1816) 
 at seventy-two chanty meetings. What his qualifications were 
 for occupying the chair at such meetings, he has himself un- 
 consciously communicated in his address at the anniversary 
 of the festival of St. Patrick : " My politics are no secret, nor 
 am I ashamed to avow them. With some experience in the 
 function I am now executing, I am not at a loss for witnesses 
 to refer to ; whether in this or any other charity meeting, I 
 never introduced a single sentence of a political tendency. 
 You perceive on each side of me noblemen who differ in 
 their politics, but here unite in cordial harmony. 
 
 " The comfort I feel is beyond my povrers of expression, at 
 this moment, in congratulating you upon the total banish- 
 ment from these meetings of all political prejudice and party 
 feeling. True charity is of no particular party, but is the 
 cause of all parties. I am to announce to you sis my succes- 
 sor in the chair, for your next festival, the name, and to give 
 the health of a noble person, Lord Castlereagh, with whose 
 politics I have the misfortune to differ on some points ; but 
 to whose signal munificence and variously proved kindness 
 to this charity, I bear most ardent testimony. My advice 
 is, that the example of this day may be a model for future 
 celebrations ; that the successive presidents may be alternately 
 selected from the two sides of politics ; and my earnest hope 
 is, that each party will make it their practise to attend the 
 presidency of their political opponents ; so that liberality 
 may become the standing fashion of these festivals, and that 
 the generosity of politicians to the charity may be exceeded 
 only by their generosity to each other. This is the only 
 rivalry which I recommend, and it is what I shall assuredly 
 support and enforce, both by precept and example, on my 
 return to my country." 
 
THE DUKE OP KENT. 227 
 
 We have seen that while in Canada in 1793, he had be- 
 come the Patron of the "Sunday Free School," then first 
 established in Quebec. 
 
 His early German education had made him a martinet. 
 Accustomed to give implicit obedience himself, he had at the 
 commencement of his career enforced it with a minuteness 
 which made him at the time unpopular with the soldiery ; but 
 when experience and observation had convinced him of his 
 error, he frankly acknowledged and honestly rectified it. 
 He was one of the first to discover and admit, that the lash 
 instead of producing reformation, had generally the opposite 
 eff'ect, and he was the first to substitute for it solitary con- 
 finement. 
 
 . He was an enlightened educationist, and the first com- 
 mander of a regiment who established a regimental school. 
 So high was his conduct in this respect appreciated, that at 
 a meeting held at the Free Mason's Tavern on the 11th May, 
 1811, the following resolution was moved by Lord Lans- 
 downe, seconded by Lord Keith, and unanimously adopted ; 
 " That the respectful thanks of this meeting be presented to 
 H. R. Highness the Duke of Kent, whose friendship to 
 soldiers' children has been shown in that princely liberality 
 with Avhicli H. R. H. has established a school in the Royals, 
 as Colonel of that Regiment, and set an example which it is 
 hoped will be universally followed by military commanders, 
 and thereby promote the welfare and do honor to the 
 character of the British Army." 
 
 He was patron of the British and Foreign School Society ; of 
 the Anti-Slavery Society; and to the Bible Society he gave his 
 warmest support. We, who now see the Queen honored as 
 the Patroness of that noble institution, and Lords spiritual and 
 temporal earnestly and worthily striving to be its President 
 and Vice-Presidents, learn with surprise that no step which 
 the Duke ever took brought down on him so much obloquy 
 in certain quarters as his connexion with the Bible Society. 
 But we must recollect that Dr.Rudge, who lived at that time, 
 has stated that : — " You will bear in mind, that hclivedat a 
 period in which a mark was put upon any man, however high 
 or low his station, who supported liberal institutions, and 
 entertained charitable feelings towards others, out of the 
 Established Church." In connexion with this subject Dr. 
 Rudge also informs us, that the Duke had told him : — " That 
 
 16 
 
228 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 on a visit to Windsor, he met with the then Archbishop of 
 Canterbury. The subject on the tapis — the King was pre- 
 sent — was the. Bible Society. The Archbishop said to the 
 King, but meaning his remark for the Duke, ' He that is 
 not with us is against us.' To Avhich the Duke rejoined. 
 'Your Grace, there is another saying of our Lord,' — 'He 
 that is not against us is on our side.' The prelate frowned, 
 but made no reply." 
 
 He had become very popular, he was deeply attached to 
 his country, and was surrounded by devoted friends, but 
 sterling principle had convinced him of the necessity of self 
 expatriation. He lived in Brussels in strict privacy, and at 
 inconsiderable expense. During his residence at Brussels, 
 he made several excursions to Germany to visit his relatives, 
 and according to Neale, it was during one of these that he 
 fir3t saw the lady who in L818 became his wife, and thus 
 exercised so happy an influence on the destinies of England. 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 229 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Hia Marriage — Re-marriago in England — Return to Continent — Residence at 
 Amorbaoh— Return to England — Birth of Princess "Victoria— Increasing embar- 
 rassmonte; Woolbrook Glen — Illnesa and Death — Homage to his memory. 
 
 1817, 1818, 1819, AND 1820. 
 
 "Manfred — Look on mo; there is an order 
 
 Of mortals on the earth, who do become 
 
 Old in their youth and die ere middle age, * 
 
 Without the violence of warlike death ; 
 
 Some perishing iif pleasure — some of study — 
 
 Some woru of toil — some of mere weariness — 
 
 Some of disease — and some of insanity — 
 
 And some of withered or of broken hearts ; 
 
 For this last is a malady which slays 
 
 More than are numbered in the lists of Fate, 
 
 Taking all shapos and leaving many names. 
 
 Look on me; for even of all these things 
 
 Have I partaken; and of these things 
 
 One tvere enough." 
 
 In 1818 the nation ^yas plunged into the deepest grief, by 
 the sudden and premature death of the Princess Charlotte 
 of Wales, who, by her amiable and spotless life, had endeared 
 herself to all classes, having secured the most profound res- 
 pect and love. The feeling of sorrow was intensified by the 
 circumstances attending her untimely fate. She died at the 
 moment when her husband and the nation were looking for- 
 ward with joyous expectation to the birth of her first-born, 
 the future monarch of England. After the first deep grief 
 was passed, and the public mind in a position to view events 
 with calmness, it became evident that there was danger of 
 the succession failing in the House of Brunswick, and state 
 policy suggested the immediate marriage of the younger 
 branches of the Royal Family ; and when it was rumored 
 that the Duke of Kent was about to form an alliance with 
 the widowed sister of Prince Leopold, on the instigation and 
 advice of the Queen Dowager, the intelligence was received 
 with the highest satisfaction. 
 
 Rumour soon became certainty when Lord Castlereagh 
 presented a message from the Prince Regent to the House of 
 Commons, informing it that the Royal consent had baen given 
 
230 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 to the marriage of the Duke of Kent, with her Serene High- 
 ness Mary Louisa Victoria, widow of the late Prince of 
 Leiningen, and asking it to concur in enabling him to make 
 a suitable and proper provislv/n therefor. 
 
 The House at once expressed its entire satisfaction with 
 the proposed alliance, and assured His Royal Highness that 
 it would without delay proceed to the consideration of the 
 message. 
 
 Lord Liverpool made the same communication to the Lords, 
 and moved an address expressive of their Lordships' satisfac- 
 tion at the intended union. The Marquis of Landsdowne 
 said : — " There were some circumstances, and particularly 
 the rel^ition in which the Princess named in the message 
 stood to an illustrious person, with whom their Lordships 
 had condoled, on account of a late melancholy event, which 
 must render this alliance very sal "sfactory to Parliament and 
 the country. He thought it due to the illustrious Duke who 
 was the object of the message, that from what he knew of 
 the state of his affairs, it was but just that an increase should 
 be made to his present income. He had suffered considerable 
 embarrassments, but they arose from no improvidence on his 
 part, but solely from his having been left for several years 
 without any provision. It could not be expected of him 
 that he should particularize the embarrassments of H. R.H,, 
 but it appeared to him proper that their existence should be 
 known. As the increase proposed was the same as that which 
 had been already voted by Parliament to the Duke of Cam- 
 bridge, it would doubtless receive the approbation of their 
 Lordships." 
 
 The address was then agreed to. 
 
 In the Commons, on a subsequent day. Lord Caf^tlereagh 
 proposed a vote of £6,000 per annum, but without any grant 
 for outfit, intimating that he understood that under aU the 
 circumstances of the case the Duke did not wish for it. He 
 paid a just tribute to the acknowledged worth of the Princess 
 of Leiningen, and concluded thus; — "It was due also to H. 
 R.H. to state, that he was desirous that <£2,000 a year of 
 the proposed income should be settled on his Royal consort 
 by way of pin money. His R. H. had been for some years 
 under the pressure of considerable encumbrances. Those 
 encumbrances H.R.H. had met in the most manly and honor- 
 able way." Lord Castlereagh also agreed with what Lord 
 Landsdowne had said in the Lords, that the Duke's difficul- 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 231 
 
 ties had arisen from no fault of his own, but from his not 
 coming into the enjoyment of a separate income until a later 
 period of his life than that at which it had been bestowed on 
 other branches of the Royal Family, and that " from the nar- 
 row nature of his income arose those encumbrances which 
 II.R.H. was now in the course of discharging with so much 
 honor to himself." 
 
 Some opposition was offered to the grant, but all agreed 
 that if personal worth could entitle any one to Parliamentary 
 provision, that noae had ever presented stronger claims. Mr. 
 Brougham said : — " He was persuaded that if the Committee 
 were to vote on the ground of personal character, or the pri- 
 vate conduct of the illustrious individual in question, the 
 motion would at once be disposed of, for he would venture to 
 say that no man had set a brighter example of public virtue 
 — no man had more beneficially exerted himself in his high 
 station to benefit every institution with which the best inter- 
 ests of the country, the protection and education of the poor, 
 were connected than H.R.IL the Duke of Kent. But lay- 
 ing aside all such considerations, he should vote for the motion 
 on the same principle as th' t on which he had voted for the 
 allowance to the Duke of Clarence. Here was a proposed 
 matrimonial alliance, intended for the purpose of supplying 
 the succession to the Crown, contracted with the full assent 
 of the Executive Government, given in the manner prescribed 
 by the Constitution, and meeting with (as it deserved) the 
 sanction of Parliament. There was also this additional fact, 
 that the finances of the illustrious individual in question were 
 in such a state as to render Parliamentary aid indispensable 
 to the completion of a marriage which was on all hands al- 
 lowed to be desirable. This was the only true constitutional 
 ground on which the noble Lord's proposition ought to be 
 acceded to, and not to the gratitude which every one must 
 feel, Avho had witnessed the incessant exertions of the Duke 
 of Kent, for the last seven years, to forward every object of 
 a charitable and benevolent nature." 
 The Committee divided: 
 
 Ayes, 205. 
 
 Nays, 51. 
 
 Majority, 154. 
 
 The Duke was married at Cobourg on the 29th of May, 
 1818, and on Monday, 13th July following, the ceremony was 
 
232 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 repeated in presence of the members of the Royal Family, in 
 the Queen's drawing-room. The Duke of Clarence was at 
 the same time married to the Princess Adelaide of Saxe 
 Meiningen. The brides wore both given away by the Prince 
 Regent, and the ceremony was performed by the Archbishop 
 of Canterbury, assisted by the Bishop of London, and after 
 the banquet the Duke and Duchess of Kent went to Prince 
 Leopold's mansion of Claremont. 
 
 The marriage was celebrated with scrupulous economy, 
 still of necessity certain additional items in his expenditure 
 were unavoidable, and as Parliament had not been asked by 
 Ministers to vote a sum for outfit, his committee felt called 
 upon to make a sufficient advance from the funds appropriated 
 for the liquidation of his debts, and consequently his liberation 
 from his embarrassments was protracted proportionally, and 
 residence on the continent was still necessary. Accordingly, 
 a few weeks after his marriage he proceeded to Amorbach, 
 the residence of the Prince of Leiningen, where the Duchess 
 had resided during her widowhood. 
 
 From Amorbach, on the 19th March, 1819, he wrote a long 
 letter to Dr. Rudge, the following extract from which is given 
 by Mr. Neale : 
 
 " The interesting situation of the Duchess causes me hourly anx- 
 iety ; and you who so well know my views and feelings, can well 
 appreciate how eagerly desirous I am to hasten our departure for 
 old England. The event is thought likely to occur at the end of the 
 month. My wish is that it may take place on the 4th June, as that 
 is the birth-day of my revered father ; and that the child, too, like 
 him, may be Briton born." -\ 
 
 This wish to return to England ho was unable for some 
 time to accomplish, literally from want of means to meet the 
 expenses of the journey, and though his desire and exigency 
 were well known to the Prince Regent, " no tender of the 
 slightest assistance from those in power greeted him. Firm, 
 devoted, but untitled and comparatively humble friends in 
 England, made the requisite remittances and surmounted 
 the difficulty." 
 
 It seems that the'Prince Regent, whom he had always 
 looked to as his friend, and loved with all the warmth of a 
 generous heart, had taken umbrage at the introduction in his 
 memorial to the Government of the case of the Duke of Clar- 
 ence, with which he had thought it expedient to contrast his 
 own. Indeed the feeling was so »crong on the part of the 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 233 
 
 Prince, that he expressly enjoined that he should not bring 
 the Duchess to England to bo confined, intimating at the 
 same time, that if he did so, that he would not be well received. 
 
 Tlie Duke and Duchess, however, were both equally im- 
 pressed with the importance of their child being born in Eng- 
 land, and accomplished the journey thither in due time, and 
 on the 2-l:th May, 1819, the Princess Victoria was born at 
 Kensington Palace, and as might be expected, " the joy of 
 the Duke at the birth of this daughter and the safety of the 
 Duchess was deep, absorbing and uncontrollable." 
 
 Being once more in England, he resolved to make an effort 
 to remain, and with this view, being more determined than 
 ever to cancel his debts, he decided on selling his beautiful 
 residence at Castle Hill ; but the unwonted depression of the 
 times prevented the chance of sc valuable a property being 
 sold without a great sacrifice. Under these circumstances 
 his committee applied to Parliament for an Act to enable 
 them to dispose of it by lottery, and though there had been 
 several precedents. Lord Castlereagh opposed it. " He was 
 averse to the practice of lotteries for the disposal of private 
 property generally, and in this particular case he was the 
 mere disposed to resist it, because he would not consent to 
 establish a precedent in the person of a member of the Royal 
 Family." 
 
 The motion was withdrawn. 
 
 The health of the Duchess was affected by the maternal 
 duties which she had undertaken. Not,*' wrote the Duke," for 
 the applause of the public, but from a sense of duty dictated 
 by parental feeling, though " she was happy that the per- 
 formance of an ofiice, most interesting in its nature, had met 
 with the wishes and feelings of society." A milder climate 
 was sought, and Sidmouth was selected as their winter resi- 
 dence. They reached Woolbrook Cottage in December, and, 
 says Neale, under date of the 29th, there is a singular pas- 
 sage in a letter addressed by the Duke to a friend with whom 
 he had freely corresponded for years : 
 
 " My little girl thrives under the influence of a Devonshire cli- 
 mate, and is, I am delighted to say, strong and healthy ; too healthy ^ 
 I fear, in the opinion of some members of my family, by whom she 
 is regarded as an intruder ; how largely she contributes to my own 
 happiness at this moment, it is needless for me to say to you, who 
 are in such full possession of my feelings on this subject." 
 
 But hopes and fears, joys and sorrows were soon to be 
 ended j 1820 came in, and he thus wrote to Dr. Rudge ; — 
 
234 THE DUKE OP KENT. 
 
 " I fear it will be some time before we meet again. I shall there- 
 fore avail myself of this opportunity of wishing you health and hap- 
 piness, until spring, when I hope I shall again have the pleasure of 
 seeing you, before our return to the continent, where on account of 
 the Duchess' duties as guardian of her two children, and Regent of 
 her son's principality, we cannot avoid going towards the end of 
 April." 
 
 January was pretty well advanced when the nation was 
 alarmed by the intelligence that the Duke of Kent was serious- 
 ly ill, — that he was beyond hope — and finally, that he had 
 died at Woolbrook Cottage on the morning of the 23rd Janu- 
 ary. Prince Leopold, Capt. Conroy, and Generals Wetherall 
 and Moore, were present at the closing scene. The Duchess 
 had been unremitting in her attention ; she had not undressed 
 for five days and nights, and had performed all the offices of 
 the sick bed with the most tender anxiety. 
 
 His death resulted from a neglected cold, terminating in 
 inflammation of the lungs. On Thursday previous he had 
 walked out with Cap*. Conroy in the vicinity of Sidmouth, 
 and returned home with his feet thoroughly wet. Captain 
 Conroy urged him to change his boots and stockings at once, 
 but, attracted by the smiles of his daughter, he unfortunately 
 delayed till he dressed for dinner. Before night he felt chilly 
 and hoarse, when Dr. Wilson prescribed for him calomel ond 
 James powder ; but here again, unfortunately, his dislike to 
 medicine, and confidence in the recuperative powers of his 
 constitution, made him decline the prescription, saying that 
 he had no doubt but that a night's rest would make all right. 
 In the morning he was worse, and though the most active 
 treatment was thenceforth adopted, it was of no avail, and 
 on Sunday forenoon he expired. ]3uring the course of his 
 illness, he was bled to the extent of one hundred and twenty 
 ounces, and Dr. Maton, who had been summoned from Lon- 
 don in consultation, thought that if he had been called earlier 
 he would have bled him still more freely. 
 
 He was sensible till within a short time of death, and 
 blamed himself for not having attended to Dr. Wilson's pre- 
 scription. Nothing could, we are told, have been more ex- 
 omplary than his religious bearing ; and he forgave all freely 
 as he hoped to be forgiven. On Saturday he became aware 
 , of his approaching end ; towards night he executed his will 
 and took leave of the gentlemen in attendance. The will is 
 characteristic of the man, and as it is brief, it is given below ; 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 235 
 
 " I, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, being of sound mind, do make 
 my will in manner following : And first, I do nominate, constitute, 
 and appoint my beloved wife, Victoire, Ducliess of Kent, to be sole 
 guardian of our dear child, the Princess Alexandrina Victoria, to 
 all intents and for all purposes ^^hatever ; and under a confident hope 
 that my just claim on Government will be yet considered, for the 
 purpose of liquidating my debts, I give, devise, and bequeath unto 
 Frederick Augustus Wetherall, Esq., Lieut.-General in the Army, 
 all and every my real and personal estates of every sort and natui'c 
 and wherever situate, upon trust, and for the entire use and benefit 
 of my said beloved wife, and dear child, in such manner, on such 
 occasions, and at such times, as my said dear wife shall direct. And 
 I do vest the said Frederick Augustus Wetherall and John Conroy, 
 with all and every necessary power and authority, with the consent 
 and approval of my said wife, to dispose of all and every or any 
 part of my said estate and efiects, real and personal, for tiie purpose 
 before mentioned. And I do hereby constitute and appoint the said 
 Frederick Augustus Wetherall and John Conroy, executors in trust, 
 of this my last will and testament. 
 
 " In witness whereof, I have subscribed my name and set my seal, 
 the 22nd day of January, 1820. 
 
 Edward." 
 
 We pass over the pomp and ceremony of the funeral pa- 
 geant, merely stating that in every town through which the 
 cavalcade passed, the utmost respeci was evinced by the in- 
 habitants ; the shops were closed, the church bells tolled, and 
 every respect paid which was due to the rank and virtues of 
 the deceased. Both Houses of Parliament passed addresses 
 of condolence, and the deep and sincere regret of all classes 
 showed that the nation had at length begun to appreciate his 
 character, and were fully alive to their loss. 
 
 Every letter produced, every speech he delivered, every 
 fact we have cited, furnish texts in abundance from which 
 morals might be drawn, as a conclusion to this biography ; 
 but it was stated in the Preface, that it was our intention sim- 
 ply to hold the mirror up to nature, to become a mere aman- 
 uensis. To this resolution we propose to adhere. It was 
 wisely considered that the Bible would be more highly appre- 
 ciated, if it were circulated without note or comment ; we shall 
 adopt the same course, and leave the reader in absolute free- 
 dom to draw h'S own conclusions from what has been placed 
 before him, and we do not think that we depart from this re- 
 solution when we give from Neale the opinion published at 
 
236 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 the time of his death, by one who was in no wise distinguished 
 for partiality towards Royalty : — 
 
 " Hia person was tall and athletic ; his appearance dignified ; his 
 understanding strong ; his deportment affable, and his bravery chiv- 
 alrous. The course which he pursued in politics, appears to have 
 been invariably tolerant, liberal, and conciliatory. Towards the lat- 
 ter part of his life he had become exceedingly popular, and his death 
 was greatly regretted by the nation." 
 
 We shall conclude by a quotation from Shakspeare, slightly 
 altered : — 
 
 " This Duke 
 Sprung from a royal stock, undoubtedly 
 Was fashioned to mvoh honor. From his cradle 
 He was a scholar, and a ripe and good one; 
 Exceeding wise, fair spoken and persuading ; 
 Lofty and sour to them that loved him not , 
 But to those men that sought him, sweet as summer. 
 Easily satisfied in getting, but in bestowing 
 He was most princely ; 
 His overthrow heaped happiness upon him : 
 For then and not till then he felt himself, 
 And found the blessedness of being little ; 
 And to add greater honors to his age than man could give him. 
 He died fearinq Qod. 
 
 THE END, 
 
THE PUKB Oy KENT. 237 
 
 POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 " This will not do, Mr. Patterson, you have, as I may say, basted up 
 your first story very hastily, and clumsily at the conclusion ; and in my 
 trade, I would have cuffed the youngest apprentice, who had put such a 
 horrid and bungled spot of work out of her hand. And if you do not re- 
 deem this gross error, by telling us all about the marriage of Morton and 
 Edith, and what became of the other personages of the story, from Lady 
 Margaret down to Goose Gibbie, I apprize you, you will not be held to have 
 accomplished your taslt handsomely." — Old Mortality. 
 
 BELiEViiTa that there are many who,like Miss Martha Busk- 
 body, take an interest in the minor persons of the story, and 
 having been frequently asked if I could tell the fate of the 
 amiable lady who for upwards of a quarter of a century pre- 
 sided over the domestic arrangements of the Duke of Keait, 
 possessing to the fulbst extent his confidence, esteem, and 
 aflfection, and sharing his joys and sorrows, I searched care- 
 fully all the papers in my possession, but could find no men- 
 tion made of her after the Duke's last letter of 15th June, 
 1814. 
 
 On applying to Col. de Salaberry, he told me that the late 
 Chief Justice O'Sullivan had intended to write a biography 
 of his grandfather, and that his father had placed in his 
 hands a number of family papers, and the later letters of the 
 Duke of Kent, but that Judge 0' Sullivan's intention had 
 been unexpectedly set aside by the occurrence of a duel, in 
 which he was severely wounded, and had been thereby com- 
 pelled to abandon all idea of finishing his contemplated work 
 — that seeking to recover health, he had gone to Europe, and 
 had not returned the papers, which after his death could not 
 be discovered. 
 
 Col. de Salaberry further told me that the last letter which 
 was received by his father from the Duke, and which he re- 
 collected his mother reading to him, was written shortly 
 before the birth of the Queen. It dwelt oa the anticipated 
 happiness in store for him, but also expressed a natural anx- 
 iety as to the issue of the expected event. 
 
 Col. de Salaberry, at my request, again looked over his 
 
238 THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 remaining papers and discovered a letter addressed to his 
 father by the late General Baron de Rottenburg, of date 3rd 
 March, 1819, in which a very interesting fact is incidentally 
 stated in connection with Madame de St. Laurent. This 
 letter I now propose to give, together with other information 
 as to the fate of several who were brought into connection 
 with the Duke, and who have been prominently mentioned 
 in the preceding narrative. 
 
 The reader is already aware of the premature death of the 
 three younger de Salaberrys, Maurice, Louis, and Edward, 
 and how sincerely and deeply their fate Avas lamented by the 
 Duke. The news of the death of Maurice and Louis pro- 
 duced so serious a shock on both their parents, that the in- 
 telligence of the fall of Edward was for a long time withheld, 
 and when at lengtli it was communicated, tlie effect was over- 
 powering on Madame de Salaberry, and little less so on her 
 husband. To use the language of Scripture, their lives had 
 "been bound up in the lad," and they felt that if anything 
 happened him, that their grey hairs would be brought down 
 in sorrow to the grave. In fact he had almost used to his 
 son the language of Jacob : — " Ye know that my wife bare 
 me two sons, and the one went out from, me, and I said surely 
 he is torn in pieces, and I saw him not since ; and if ye take 
 this also from me, and mischief befall liim, ye shall bring 
 down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave." We have 
 seen that the Duke, aware of this, had been making arrange- 
 ments for transferring his godson at once to Canada, but 
 cruel fate again interfered, and when the news was imparted to 
 Colonel de Salaberry and his wife, the latter nearly sunk 
 under it ; the grief of the father, though profound, was for- 
 tunately move under control, but to his friends he replied : 
 "If I be bereaved of my children., I am bereaved." 
 
 Time, the great consoler, aided by a proper religious 
 sense, at last brought healing on his Avings, and Col. Louis 
 de Salaberry, after a long life of private worth and public 
 usefulness, died at Beauport in 1828, in the 76th year of 
 his age. 
 
 Madame de Salaberry bad preceded her husband some four 
 years. Her health had never recovered the shock occasioned 
 by the death of her sons, but in July, 1824, the last blow was 
 given to her shattered system, by the death of Madame 
 juchereau Duchesnay, (her daughter Hermine). Slic im- 
 mediately succumbed, and mother and daughter were buried 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT. 239 
 
 on the same day in the family vault at Bcauport. The Que- 
 leo Q-azette of l4th February gives an interesting obituary, 
 describing the funeral cortege as the most numerous, the 
 most respectable, and most imposing that had ever been 
 witnessed in Quebec. 
 
 Col. Charles de Salaberry only survived his father one short 
 year ; he died of apoplexy at Chambly, in 1829, in the 51st 
 year of his age. No public monument marks the grave of 
 the hero of Chateauguay, the saviour of his country ; and the 
 great services which were fully admitted by the Prince Re- 
 gent, by II. R. H. the Commander in Chief, and by both 
 branches of the Canadian Legislature, as yet remain unre- 
 warded. He left a widow and large family. 
 
 Madame de Salaberry survived her husband many years, 
 and strange to say, was buried on the same day with her 
 daughter-in-law, Madame Charles de Salaberry. 
 
 Amelia, the special favorite of the Duke of Kent, never 
 married, and lived at the family mansion at Beauport to an 
 advanced age, having died there on the 2nd October, 1861, 
 in the 74th year of her age. We copy from M. Langevin's 
 "Notes sur les archives de Notre Dame de Beauport," a 
 notice which appeared in the public press at the time of her 
 decease :- - 
 
 " Descended from one of the most distinguished French Canadian 
 families, Miss dc Salaberry had never ubsent from her thought the 
 device — noblesse ohligc. And she knew how to enhance her illus- 
 trious birth by a personal dignity which was felt by all. Her num- 
 erous friends were fascinated with the grace with which she received 
 them, the interest and polish of her conversation, and with the 
 simplicity of her manners. Full of complaisance for these, she redoub- 
 led her kindness for the distressed. Her hand and heart were open 
 as the day. The kind words, the prudent advice and the assistance 
 always readily accorded, rendered her especially dear to the poor. 
 How often in the time of sickness were the sufferers touched to tears 
 on seeing her approach their sick-bed to bring them kind words, so 
 precious in the midst of suffering. That religion which she always 
 honored and practised in a manner so edifying, was her consolation in 
 her last moments, and the terrors of that awful hour were mitiga- 
 ted by her faith and piety. The parishioners of Beauport who during 
 many long years respected and venerated Miss de Salaberry, were 
 accustomed to talk of her under the simple name of Mademoinelle, 
 and felt that by her death they had suffered a serious loss, which it 
 would be impossible for them to supply. She was one of those per- 
 sons whose death makes an epoch in the parish." 
 
240 THE DUKE OP KENT. 
 
 Madame de St. Laurent, Baronne Fortisson. The last allu- 
 sion to this lady is contained, as we have already mentioned, 
 in the following letter : — 
 
 Bath, 21 Upper Park Street, 
 
 3rd March, 1819. 
 
 I received, my dear de Salaberry, with the most sincere satisfaction 
 and lively pleasure your letter of 20th September of last year. The 
 sentiments of friendship and attachment which it conveyed to me, 
 my heart tells me are sincere, for it is only natural that we should 
 love the man who has given us testimony of his friendship, and as I 
 know you d fond, I am well convinced that you are sincere in your 
 expressions of friendship towards your old general, for 1 think with 
 Jean Jacques, that the man who is not a friend to his friend is a 
 cheat — and neither you nor I belong to that class. 
 
 Your excellent father, whom I esteem and love more than I can 
 express, has had the kindness, in fancy's dream, to ask himself if 
 there might be any possibility of Dame Fortune ever again directing my 
 steps to your frozen regions. But alas ! my role is played, my days 
 of prime are passed never to return. But hold ! something may yet 
 turn up, and if ever there should be another war with the Boston- 
 tans, I shall certainly offer my services, and if accepted, I shall 
 rejoin my dear Canadians, and see if we cannot do even better than 
 before, for experientia docet. But in these piping times of peace, 
 the multitude who are after every office of emolument, prevent a 
 foreigner from having any chance, and I therefore ask for nothing, 
 though there has always been a good feeling towards me, it might 
 be inconvenient to shew any preference towards me, for the opposition 
 at once sound the tocsin if any employment is given to a foreigner 
 in time of peace. 
 
 I congratulate you on your pecuniary acquisition, and if M. le 
 Bon was not very bon while living, after his exit, he has proved his 
 value to have been une bonne petite somme. That is, bien. Accept 
 also my congratulations on your entry among the Canadian Solon a, 
 but take care that while you, my dear Gunpowder, are deliberating 
 on the affairs of the state, you are not carried away by the fierce 
 wrath of Achilles, for I know if that should be the case, you would 
 be able to fling every one of the Council, with the exception of your 
 father, out at the window. 
 
 One of your confreres, Charles Q-rant, passed here with his wife last 
 week. I will let you know on his return how I live at Port Neuf, 
 for here we live to eat, drink, sleep and play whist, so that I have 
 acquired a rotundity equal to your own. 
 
 My children are at school ; George, nine miles from here, and 
 Fanny in the city. George has grown very tall, and is the ima ge of 
 his mother. Ho grieves that he has the complexion of Apollo, for 
 
THE DUKE OF KENT 2-U 
 
 it is his ambition to be very manly; they are good children, an still 
 have a perfect recollection of their friend de Salaberry. 
 
 I am charmed to find that my nephew has made your acquaint- 
 ance. Everybody thinks well of him. He is a prudent and well 
 educated lad, and fully acquainted with his profession. I saved him 
 on more than one occasion from being put on half-pay, but at length 
 he is reduced to it. It is a sad thing for a young man, who is fond 
 of his profession, to be obliged to vegetate in idleness. 1 should Hke 
 well that you could find something for him to do in Canada. 
 
 I am sorry to learn that the good Rouville has paid the de^jt of 
 nature ; give my condolences to his widow, and remember me to all 
 friends at Chambly. 
 
 The Duke of Kent has gone to bury himself in some part of Ger- 
 many, and Commissioner Butler, I am told, is now his factotum. 
 Madame de St. Laurent has retired to a convent. Within a couple 
 of years the Duke will be free to return. 
 
 You should have Johnston and Winett with you by this time ; say 
 everything that is kind for me to them. 
 
 A thousand compliments from my wife to yours, also to your 
 worthy mother,. Embrace for me your father, and be assured, my 
 very dear de Salaberry, that I am and always will be, 
 
 Most faithfully, 
 
 Fr's de Rottenburo, 
 
 Major General, 
 The Honorable Lieut.-Col. de Salaberry, 
 Chambly, near Montreal, 
 
 Canada. 
 
 i'