Chapter XII

The following letters[79] relate chiefly to the enterprize against Detroit, and, although not in the chronological order we have hitherto observed, will form the subject of this chapter.

_Major-General Brock to Sir George Prevost_.

Head Quarters, Detroit, Aug. 16, 1812.

I hasten to apprize your excellency of the capture of this
very important post: 2,500 troops have this day surrendered
prisoners of war, and about 25 pieces of ordnance have been
taken without the sacrifice of a drop of British blood. I had
not more than 700 troops, including militia, and about 600
Indians, to accomplish this service. When I detail my good
fortune, your excellency will be astonished. I have been
admirably supported by Colonel Proctor, the whole of my staff,
and I may justly say, every individual under my command.

_Major-General Brock to Sir George Prevost_.

Head Quarters, Detroit, Aug. 17, 1812.[80]

I have had the honor of informing your excellency, that the
enemy effected his passage across the Detroit river, on the
12th ultimo, without opposition; and that, after establishing
himself at Sandwich, he had ravaged the country as far as the
Moravian town. Some skirmishes occurred between the troops
under Lieut.-Colonel St. George and the enemy, upon the river
Canard, which uniformly terminated in his being repulsed with
loss. I judged it proper to detach a force down the river
Thames, capable of acting in conjunction with the garrison of
Amherstburg offensively, but Captain Chambers, whom I had
appointed to direct this detachment, experienced difficulties
that frustrated my intentions. The intelligence received from
that quarter admitting of no delay, Colonel Proctor was
directed to assume the command, and his force was soon after
increased with 60 rank and file of the 41st regiment.

In the mean time, the most strenuous measures were adopted to
counteract the machinations of the evil-disposed, and I soon
experienced the gratification of receiving voluntary offers of
service from that portion of the embodied militia the most
easily collected. In the attainment of this important point,
gentlemen of the first character and influence shewed an
example highly creditable to them; and I cannot, on this
occasion, avoid mentioning the essential assistance I derived
from John M'Donell, Esq., his majesty's attorney-general, who,
from the beginning of the war, has honored me with his
services as my provincial aide-de-camp. A sufficiency of boats
being collected at Long Point for the conveyance of 300 men,
the embarkation took place on the 8th instant, and in five
days we arrived in safety at Amherstburg.

I found that the judicious arrangements which had been adopted
immediately upon the arrival of Colonel Proctor, had compelled
the enemy to retreat, and take shelter under the guns of his
fort: that officer commenced operations by sending strong
detachments across the river, with a view of cutting off the
enemy's communication with his reserve. This produced two
smart skirmishes on the 5th and 9th instant, in which the
enemy's loss was considerable, whilst ours amounted to 3
killed and 13 wounded; amongst the latter, I have particularly
to regret Captain Muir and Lieutenant Sutherland, of the 41st
regiment; the former an officer of great experience, and both
ardent in his majesty's service. Batteries had likewise been
commenced opposite Fort Detroit, for one 18-pounder, two 12,
and two 5-1/2-inch mortars, all of which opened on the evening
of the 15th; (having previously summoned Brigadier-General
Hull to surrender;) and although opposed by a well-directed
fire from seven 24-pounders, such was their construction,
under the able direction of Captain Dixon, of the Royal
Engineers, that no injury was sustained from its effect.

The force at my disposal being collected in the course of the
15th, in the neighbourhood of Sandwich, the embarkation took
place a little after daylight on the following morning; and by
the able arrangements of Lieutenant Dewar, of the
quartermaster-general's department, the whole was in a short
time landed without the smallest confusion at Spring Well, a
good position, three miles west of Detroit. The Indians, who
had in the mean time effected their landing two miles below,
moved forward and occupied the woods, about a mile and a half
on our left.

The force, which I instantly directed to march against the
enemy, consisted of 30 artillery, 250 41st regiment, 50 royal
Newfoundland regiment, 400 militia, and about 600 Indians, to
which were attached three 6-pounders and two 3-pounders. The
services of Lieutenant Troughton, commanding the royal
artillery, an active and intelligent officer, being required
in the field, the direction of the batteries was entrusted to
Captain Hall and the marine department, and I cannot withhold
my entire approbation of their conduct on this occasion.

I crossed the river, with an intention of waiting in a strong
position the effect of our force upon the enemy's camp, and in
the hope of compelling him to meet us in the field; but
receiving information upon landing, that Colonel M'Arthur, an
officer of high reputation, had left the garrison three days
before with a detachment of 500 men, and hearing, soon
afterwards, that his cavalry had been seen that morning three
miles in our rear, I decided on an immediate attack.
Accordingly, the troops advanced to within one mile of the
fort, and having ascertained that the enemy had taken little
or no precaution towards the land side, I resolved on an
assault, whilst the Indians penetrated his camp.
Brigadier-General Hull, however, prevented this movement, by
proposing a cessation of hostilities, for the purpose of
preparing terms of capitulation. Lieut.-Colonel J. M'cDonell
and Captain Glegg were accordingly deputed by me on this
mission, and returned within an hour with the conditions,
which I have the honor herewith to transmit. Certain
considerations afterwards induced me to agree to the two
supplementary articles.

The force thus surrendered to his majesty's arms cannot be
estimated at less than 2,500 men. In this estimate, Colonel
M'cArthur's detachment is included, as he surrendered,
agreeably to the terms of capitulation, in the course of the
evening, with the exception of 200 men, whom he left escorting
a valuable convoy at some little distance in his rear; but
there can be no doubt the officer commanding will consider
himself equally bound by the capitulation.

The enemy's aggregate force was divided into two troops of
cavalry; one company of artillery, regulars; the 4th United
States' regiment; detachments of the 1st and 3d United States'
regiments, volunteers; three regiments of the Ohio militia;
one regiment of the Michigan territory.

Thirty-three pieces of brass and iron ordnance have already
been secured.

When this contest commenced, many of the Indian nations were
engaged in active warfare with the United States,
notwithstanding the constant endeavours of this government to
dissuade them from it. Some of the principal chiefs happened
to be at Amherstburg, trying to procure a supply of arms and
ammunition, which for years had been withheld, agreeably to
the instructions received from Sir James Craig, and since
repeated by your excellency.

From that moment they took a most active part, and appeared
foremost on every occasion; they were led yesterday by Colonel
Elliott and Captain M'Kee, and nothing could exceed their
order and steadiness. A few prisoners were taken by them
during the advance, whom they treated with every humanity; and
it affords me much pleasure in assuring your excellency, that
such was their forbearance and attention to what was required
of them, that the enemy sustained no other loss in men than
what was occasioned by the fire of our batteries.

The high sense I entertain of the abilities and judgment of
Lieut-Colonel Myers, induced me to appoint him to the
important command at Niagara; it was with reluctance I
deprived myself of his assistance, but I had no other
expedient; his duties, as head of the quartermaster-general's
department, were performed to my satisfaction by
Lieut.-Colonel Nichol, quartermaster-general of the militia.

Captain Glegg, my aide-de-camp, will have the honor of
delivering this dispatch to your excellency; he is charged
with the colours taken at the capture of Fort Detroit, and
those of the 4th United States' regiment.

Captain Glegg is capable of giving your excellency every
information respecting the state of this province, and I shall
esteem myself highly indebted to your excellency, to afford
him that protection to which his merit and length of service
give him a powerful claim.[81] I have the honor to be, &c.

P.S.--I have the honor to enclose a copy of a proclamation
which I issued immediately on taking possession of this
country.

I should have mentioned in the body of my dispatch, the
capture of the Adams; she is a fine vessel, and recently
repaired, but without arms.

_Sir George Prevost to Major-General Brock._

Head Quarters, Montreal, Aug. 30, 1812.

I received on the 25th, whilst at St. John's, your dispatch,
by express from Detroit, of the 16th instant. I do most
sincerely congratulate you upon the complete success which has
attended your measures for the preservation of Amherstburg.
The surrender of Detroit, the capture of General Hull's army
with so large a proportion of ordnance, are circumstances of
high importance to our country, and which have evinced your
talents as an officer in command, and reflect honor upon you,
and upon Lieut.-Colonel St. George and Colonel Proctor.

I propose sending an aide-de-camp to England with your short
dispatch, together with such details as I am in possession of,
respecting Brigadier-General Hull's previous invasion of Upper
Canada and of his foiled attempts to invest Amherstburg; but I
shall delay his departure from hence until the 1st of
September, in hopes of obtaining from you before that time
further particulars of the operations which led to General
Hull's disgrace.

Well aware of the difficulties you have surmounted Tor the
preservation of your government entire, I shall endeavour to
do justice to your merit in my report to his majesty's
minister upon the success which has crowned your energy and
zeal.

A warrant, giving to you more extensive power over the
sentence of such general courts martial as you may be called
on to assemble, was signed by me ten days since, and has I
hope reached you.

I am in hourly expectation of receiving from General Dearborn
intelligence respecting the reception of the proposed
suspension of hostilities, in consequence of the revocation of
the orders in council, which are the plea for war in the
American cabinet; and also whether Mr. Baker has been allowed
to assume, _pro tempore_, the character of a chargé d'affaires
at Washington, where Mr. Foster had left him in a
demi-official capacity. I consider the arrangement entered
into by General Dearborn with Colonel Baynes, requiring the
confirmation of the president, to establish its sacredness.

The king's government having most unequivocally expressed to
me their desire to preserve peace with the United States, that
they might, uninterrupted, pursue, with the whole disposable
force of the country, the great interest committed in Europe,
I have endeavoured to be instrumental in the accomplishment of
their views; but I consider it most fortunate to have been
enabled to do so without interfering with your operations on
the Detroit.

I have sent you men, money, and stores of every kind.

_Sir George Prevost to Major-General Brock._

Head Quarters, Montreal, Aug. 31, 1812.

I had scarcely closed the letters I addressed to you
yesterday, when an aide-de-camp from Major-General Dearborn
made his appearance, and delivered to me the dispatch herewith
transmitted. It will expose to your view the disposition of
the president of the United States on the provisional measure
temporarily agreed upon between the American
commander-in-chief and myself, in consequence of an earnest
desire not to widen the breach existing between the two
countries, the revocation of the orders in council having
removed the plea used in congress for a declaration of war
against Great Britain.

I am much disappointed that the particulars of the surrender
of Detroit have not as yet reached me, particularly as my
aide-de-camp, Captain Coore, is to leave Montreal this evening
for Quebec, where a ship of war is on the point of sailing for
Halifax, from whence I expect the admiral will give him a
conveyance for England.

Being unacquainted with the conditions attached to the
surrender of Brigadier-General Hull's army, and giving scope
to your expression of prisoners of war, I have made
arrangements for increasing their security against any attempt
to rescue them, by ordering Captain Gray to proceed with two
flank companies to Prescot.

[The dispatch from General Dearborn, dated Greenbush, August 26, was to announce the discontinuance of the temporary armistice agreed to between him and Colonel Baynes, in four days after the receipt of the communication at the frontier posts in Canada. The American general added: "If a suspension of offensive operations shall have been mutually consented to between General Hull and the commanding officer of the British forces at and near Detroit, as proposed, they will respectively be authorized, at the expiration of four days subsequent to their receiving copies of this communication, to consider themselves released from any agreement thus entered into."]

* * * * *

As we have already commented on Sir George Prevost's management of the war, and shall have occasionally to do so again, we gladly give him credit for the very handsome manner in which he spoke of Major-General Brock, in his dispatch to Earl Bathurst, one of his majesty's principal secretaries of state, announcing the surrender of Detroit, and dated Montreal, 26th August, 1812.

"It was under these circumstances at this critical period, and
when the enemy were beginning to consult their security by
entrenching themselves, that General Brock entered
Amherstburg with a reinforcement, which he was fortunately
enabled to do on the 13th instant, without the smallest
molestation, in consequence of our decided naval superiority
on the lakes. To his active and intelligent mind, the
advantages which his enemy's situation afforded him over them,
even with his very inferior force, became immediately
apparent; and that he has not failed most effectually to avail
himself of those favorable circumstances, your lordship will,
I trust, be satisfied, from the letter which I have the honor
of transmitting.

"Having thus brought to your lordship's view the different
circumstances which have led to the successful termination of
the campaign on the western frontier of Upper Canada, I cannot
withhold from Major-General Brock the tribute of applause so
justly due to him for his distinguished conduct on this
occasion; or omit to recommend him, through your lordship, to
the favorable consideration of his royal highness the prince
regent, for the great ability and judgment with which he
planned, and the promptitude, energy, and fortitude with which
he has effected, the preservation of Upper Canada, with the
sacrifice of so little British blood in accomplishing so
important a service.

"My aide-de-camp, Captain Coore, will have the honor of
delivering to your lordship this dispatch; and as he is well
qualified to give your lordship information respecting the
military resources of this command, I shall beg leave to
refer your lordship to him for farther particulars."

At the same time, truth compels us to add, that Sir George Prevost took credit to himself, to which he was not entitled, when he wrote to Lord Bathurst: "General Brock, relying upon the strong assurances I had given him of a reinforcement as prompt and as effectual as the circumstances by which I was placed by this new war would permit me to send, adopted the most vigorous measures for the safety of that part of the frontier which had been attacked." And again: "The certainty of the expected reinforcements, and the weakness of the enemy on the Niagara frontier, had in the mean time induced General Brock," &c. The last dispatch which, we believe, Major-General Brock had received from Sir George Prevost, when on the 6th of August he left York for Detroit, was dated the 10th and received on the 29th July; and in that dispatch (see page 178) no reinforcements were promised, and indeed offensive operations were deprecated. The first reinforcement which left Lower for Upper Canada, appears to have consisted of about 100 men of the Newfoundland regiment and 50 of the Veterans, which left Quebec on the 30th of July for Kingston, to strengthen that post; and the adjutant-general, on the 1st of August, (page 211), wrote that Sir George Prevost regretted extremely his inability to render Major-General Brock more efficient aid. It was only on the 2d of August that Sir George Prevost promised an additional reinforcement of four companies of the 49th regiment, (page 215,) and on the 12th of the same month the remainder of the regiment (page 218). Mr. Powell confirms this view of the subject in his admirable letter, page 261. It will be seen in the sequel that, on the 13th of August, the adjutant-general wrote that he had strongly urged Sir George Prevost to send further reinforcements, as he was sure they could be spared. As to the remark relative to the weakness of the enemy on the Niagara frontier, we shall only mention that Major-General Brock states, in a MS. before us, that it was the strong American force on that frontier which compelled him to take with him to Detroit only half of the militia, who volunteered.

_Sir George Prevost to Earl Bathurst._

Head Quarters, Montreal, Sept. 1, 1812.

Since I had the honor of transmitting to your lordship my
letter of the 26th ultimo, in charge of my aide-de-camp,
Captain Coore, I have received from Major-General Brock a
dispatch, of which the enclosed is a copy, containing the
particulars of Brigadier-General Hull's invasion of Upper
Canada, which has terminated most gloriously to his majesty's
arms, in that officer's defeat and surrender, as a prisoner of
war, with the whole of the north-western army, together with
the fort Detroit, and thirty-three pieces of ordnance.

I forward this dispatch express, in the expectation of its
reaching Captain Coore previously to his leaving Canada,
which, with the colours of the 4th United States' regiment
accompanying it, I trust that officer will have the honor of
delivering to your lordship.

_Earl Bathurst to Sir George Prevost._

DOWNING STREET, October 10, 1812.

I have had the honor of receiving your dispatch, dated the
26th August, together with its enclosures, from Major-General
Brock, and I lost no time in laying intelligence so important
and satisfactory before his royal highness the prince regent.

I am commanded by his royal highness to desire you to take the
earliest opportunity of conveying his royal highness'
approbation of the able, judicious, and decisive conduct of
Major-General Brock, of the zeal and spirit manifested by
Colonel Proctor and the other officers, as well as of the
intrepidity of the troops under the command of Major-General
Brock.

By the united exertions of this little army, the enterprize of
the American army has been defeated; the territories of his
majesty in Upper Canada have been secured; and on the enemy's
fort of Detroit, important to that security, the British
standard has been happily placed.

You will inform Major-General Brock that his royal highness,
taking into consideration all the difficulties by which
Major-General Brock was surrounded from the time of the
invasion of the province by the American army, under the
command of General Hull, and the singular judgment, firmness,
skill, and courage, with which he was enabled to surmount them
so effectually--has been pleased to appoint him an extra
knight of the most honorable order of the bath.

* * * * *

The following letter strikes us as singularly appropriate and pleasing, and as creditable to him who wrote it as it must have been gratifying to him who received it. Mr. Powell, who, we believe, was then one of the puisné judges, was chief justice of Upper Canada in the year 1817.

_William Dummer Powell, Esq., to Major-General Brock_.

KINGSTON, August 27, 1812.

I cannot persuade myself to offer my hearty congratulations
through the medium of a third person, and hope you will
believe that no one sympathizes more cordially than myself in
your feelings on the late happy event. I shall never again
regret little disappointments, when I consider to what they
may lead: had your early representations been attended to and
produced their proper effect, you would probably not have to
boast of the most brilliant success, with the most inadequate
means, which history records. There is something so fabulous
in the report of a handful of troops, supported by a few raw
militia, leaving their strong post to invade an enemy of
double numbers in his own fortress, and making them all
prisoners without the loss of a man, that, although your
report may be sanctioned by Sir George Prevost, it seems to me
that the people of England will be incredulous until they see
the exterminating boaster a prisoner in London. We find in a
cover by General Sheaffe, that the first report of the cannon
taken was one-third short of the real number. I shall hardly
sleep until I have the satisfaction of hearing particulars of
the wonderful excursion, for it must not be called a campaign.
The _veni, vidi, vici_, is again the faithful report. Your
good fortune in one instance is singular, for if your zeal had
been thwarted by such adverse winds as frequently occur on the
lake, the armistice might have intercepted your career. That
it did not I heartily thank God, and pray that nothing may
occur to damp the entire satisfaction of yourself and family
in the glory so well earned. I am impatient to hear from
Colonel M'Donell, but have no doubt that he justified your
warmest expectations in every trial. May I beg to be presented
to Glegg, and that you, Sir, will believe me, &c.

_Chief Justice of Lower Canada, Sewell, to Major-General Brock._

QUEBEC, Sept. 3, 1812.

In your present situation, I am perfectly sensible of your
occupations, and know that your time is precious. Yet I take
the liberty to intrude upon you with my congratulations upon
the brilliant success which has attended the measures which
you have pursued with so much judgment in Upper Canada, and
the thanks of an individual who feels the benefits which he,
in common with every other subject of his majesty in British
America, derives from your exertions.

* * * * *

The next letter is from General Maitland,[82] who was colonel of the 49th foot from the 25th May, 1768, to the period of his death, in February, 1820, or nearly fifty-two years! Major-General Brock held this gallant veteran in high estimation, having received from him much attention and kindness, which were continued to some of his relatives after his fall, and it will be seen that the feeling was mutual. Although General Maitland was so many years colonel of the 49th, yet we find that the Marquis of Drogheda held a similar appointment for a longer period, being colonel of the 18th Hussars from the 3d August, 1762, to October, 1821, when that regiment was disbanded, or above fifty-nine years!

_General the Honorable Alexander Maitland to Major-General Brock_.

TOTTERIDGE, October 8, 1812.

Yesterday being mail day for America, I dispatched my usual
monthly letter to the regiment, and in which, as I always do,
I desired to be remembered to you with my best and warmest
wishes for your health, happiness, and success. I had not then
heard, but did a few hours after, of your _glorious victory_
over our most unnatural enemies, (such an one as can hardly be
equalled in the annals of history,) that of not only beating,
but taking prisoners, more than double your numbers; and now
that you have conquered them in the field, I trust that their
wrong-headed government will be brought to reason and peace,
for it will prove to them, if they persevere, that they will
be forced to it, and terms dictated to them. Therefore allow
me, Sir, with the warmest feelings of an old friend to
congratulate you, as I do the public, on the essential service
you have done the country on the present occasion; as I do my
friend, your aide-de-camp, Captain Glegg, as far as the sphere
of his duty could assist in the great work; and _I glory to
say you are both 49-thers_. I could write sheets on the
subject, but, not to take up your valuable time longer than I
have done to express my pleasure and feelings, I will stop by
adding the sincere congratulations of all related to me here
as well as elsewhere. But I cannot help now observing how
prophetic I was in what I wrote to Colonel Vincent yesterday
concerning you, which was, _that if you mere properly
supported, I thought the enemy would never cross the line of
your command_, a proof of which I had a few hours afterwards.

When you see any of our friends of the 49th, pray remember me
in the kindest manner to them, and I am sure they will thank
you that they are safe and warm in their quarters in place of
having a winter campaign in so severe a climate. And now I
will only add my warmest wishes for your health and happiness,
and that the same good fortune that has hitherto attended you
may continue; and I beg that you will be so good as to convey
the same to my friend, your aide-de-camp. Believe me to be, my
dear general, &c.

P.S.--I send this after the mail, which left London last
night, in hope it may overtake it at Falmouth, as I know the
packet seldom sails for some days after her time.

_Major-General John Burnet to Sir Isaac Brock, K.B._[83]

STRABERRY, Ireland, Oct. 11, 1812.

There has existed too long and too sincere a friendship
between us for me not to feel the most lively interest in the
event which has added such _éclat_ to your achievement at my
old quarter, Detroit.

To evince to you how much I regard you, and how much I have
talked of you, a friend of mine at the Horse Guards enclosed
me the Extraordinary Gazette, saying he knew how much I should
be gratified: judge then, my friend, of my feelings that you
had acquitted yourself with such address; and I feel some
degree of pride that my opinion was so justly formed of your
conduct, whenever you should have an opportunity to display
your talents. Accept, then, the very sincere congratulations
of an old friend on this occasion, and be assured of the
happiness it gives me, as well as Mrs. Burnet, who is with me,
and sends her love to you.

With respect to my situation, I offered my services to go to
the Peninsula as soon as our promotion took place, and at one
time flattered myself I should have gone there; but superior
interest prevailed, and I was placed on the staff of Ireland.
I first went to Londonderry, but have been here six months, as
more central to the brigade under my command.

I have my hands full of business, and little time for private
correspondence; but I could not resist the impulse on an
occasion so highly to the honor of an old friend. Believe me,
my dear Brock, &c.

P.S.--If Commodore Grant be still alive, pray remember me
warmly to him and Mrs. Grant.

_Major-General Brock to his Brothers_.

Head Quarters, Detroit, Aug. 16, 1812.

Rejoice at my good fortune, and join me in prayers to Heaven.
I send you a copy of my hasty note to Sir George.

[Here follows his short dispatch of that day. See page 247.]

Let me hear that you are all united and happy.

_Major-General Brock to his Brothers._

LAKE ONTARIO, September 3, 1812.

You will have heard of the complete success which attended the
efforts I directed against Detroit. I have received so many
letters from people whose opinion I value, expressive of their
admiration of the exploit, that I begin to attach to it more
importance than I was at first inclined. Should the affair be
viewed in England in the light it is here, I cannot fail of
meeting reward, and escaping the horror of being placed high
on a shelf, never to be taken down.

Some say that nothing could be more desperate than the
measure; but I answer, that the state of the province admitted
of nothing but desperate remedies. I got possession of the
letters my antagonist addressed to the secretary at war, and
also of the sentiments which hundreds of his army uttered to
their friends. Confidence in the general was gone, and evident
despondency prevailed throughout. I have succeeded beyond
expectation. I crossed the river, contrary to the opinion of
Colonel Proctor,----, &c.; it is, therefore, no wonder that
envy should attribute to good fortune what, in justice to my
own discernment, I must say, proceeded from a cool calculation
of the _pours_ and _contres_.

They say that the value of the articles captured will amount
to 30 or £40,000; in that case, my proportion will be
something considerable. If it enable me to contribute to your
comfort and happiness, I shall esteem it my highest reward.
When I returned Heaven thanks for my amazing success, I
thought of you all; you appeared to me happy--your late
sorrows forgotten; and I felt as if you acknowledged that the
many benefits, which for a series of years I received from
you, were not unworthily bestowed. Let me know, my dearest
brothers, that you are all again united. The want of union was
nearly losing this province without even a struggle, and be
assured it operates in the same degree in regard to families.

A cessation of hostilities has taken place along this
frontier. Should peace follow, the measure will be well; if
hostilities recommence, nothing could be more unfortunate than
this pause. I cannot give you freely an account of my
situation--it is, however, of late much improved. The militia
have been inspired, by the recent success, with
confidence--the disaffected are silenced. The 49th have come
to my aid, besides other troops. I shall see Vincent, I hope,
this evening at Kingston. He is appointed to the command of
that post--a most important one. I have withdrawn Plenderleath
from Niagara to assist him. P---- is sitting opposite to me,
and desires to be remembered. James Brock is likewise at
Kingston. I believe he considers it more his interest to
remain with the 49th than to act as my private secretary;
indeed, the salary is a mere pittance. Poor Leggatt is dead,
and has left his family in the most distressing
circumstances. His wife died last year.

Major Smelt and Captain Brown have sent me your letters, for
which I thank you. Let Richard Potenger be assured that his
letter afforded me the highest gratification. I trust in
Heaven that the whole of his thoughts will be directed to
study, and to qualify himself for the holy profession he has
chosen. Ignorance is despised in most men, but more
particularly in the clergyman educated at one of the
universities, who must have neglected so many opportunities of
acquiring knowledge.

I received the other day a long letter from Sir Thomas
Saumarez, from Halifax. I regret the death of the two Harry
Brocks.[84] I have likewise been particularly unfortunate in
the loss of two valuable military friends. I begin to be too
old to form new friendships, and those of my youth are
dropping off fast.

General Sheaffe has lately been sent to me. There never was an
individual so miserably off for the necessary assistance. Sir
George Prevost has kindly hearkened to my remonstrances, and
in some measure supplied the deficiency. The 41st is an
uncommonly fine regiment, but, with few exceptions, badly
officered. You mention John Tupper[85] in a manner as to leave
hope that he may still be living. God grant it! He is a great
favorite of mine, and I should lament any disaster happening
to him. Perhaps Glegg may be sent home by Sir George, and in
that case I hope he will allow you to see the colours taken
from the 4th U.S. regiment. The generality of the English will
esteem them very little: nothing is prized that is not
acquired with blood.

KINGSTON, September 4.

I this instant receive your letters by Mr. Todd, So honest
John Tupper is gone! I could not have loved a son of my own
more ardently. Hostilities I this instant understand are to be
renewed in four days; and though landed only two hours, I must
return immediately to Niagara, whence I shall write fully.

_Lieut.-Colonel Nichol, Quartermaster-General of Militia, to Major-General Brock._

DETROIT, August 25, 1812.

I have just been informed by Colonel Proctor that he intends
sending an express to-morrow to Fort George, which gives me an
opportunity to forward a few printed copies of your
proclamation, and to inform you that in order to carry it into
effect, it has been found absolutely necessary to organize the
civil government. Under existing circumstances, I have advised
Colonel Proctor to assume the administration until your
pleasure is known, to which he has agreed, and the necessary
arrangements consequent thereto have been adopted and
promulgated. In Judge Woodward, who has been appointed
secretary _pro tem_, he will find an able coadjutor; and as
your object undoubtedly was to tranquillize the public mind
and to give the inhabitants a proof of the moderation and
benevolence of his majesty's government, as well as to ensure
the due administration of the laws, I do not think a more
judicious choice could have been made. In all the discussions
which took place on this subject, Colonel Proctor did me the
honor to consult me; and I have no hesitation in saying, that
I urged him to the step he has taken, of which I hope you
will, as it is only temporary, approve. We have had much
difficulty in collecting the public cattle and horses, and
have suffered greatly from the predatory spirit of the
Indians; indeed, their conduct has been infamous. There is
hardly a house on either side of the river that has not been
robbed by them; they have taken away the greater part of the
captured horses and cattle, and without our being able to
prevent it. It has not been in my power as yet to send a
statement of all that we have captured, as the property is so
scattered, but I hope to finish this week. We got upwards of
£1,200 in money, and have sent down a hundred packs worth, I
suppose £1,500 more. I have reason to think the captured
property will not be much under £40,000.

We have still 350 prisoners to ship off, but I hope to get
rid of them in a few days. Public confidence seems to be
partially restored; business is again going on, and I hope
that the country will become perfectly quiet.

It is impossible for me to say when I shall get done here. I
hope, however, it will not be long. I regret that we are not
able to send you complete returns of every thing; but the
captured property is in so many different places, and so
scattered, that it cannot be done.

* * * * *

_Extract from a Canadian Newspaper._

MONTREAL, September 12.

Last Sunday evening the inhabitants of this city were
gratified with an exhibition equally novel and interesting.

That General Hull should have entered into our city so soon,
at the head of his troops, rather exceeded our expectations.
We were, however, very happy to see him, and received him with
all the honors due to his high rank and importance as a public
character. The following particulars, relative to his journey
and reception at Montreal, may not be uninteresting to our
readers:

It appears that General Hull and suite, accompanied by about
25 officers and 350 soldiers, left Kingston, under an escort
of 130 men, commanded by Major Heathcote, of the Newfoundland
regiment. At Cornwall, the escort was met by Captain Gray, of
the quartermaster-general's department, who took charge of the
prisoners of war, and from thence proceeded with them to La
Chine, where they arrived about two o'clock on Sunday
afternoon. At La Chine, Captains Richardson and Ogilvie, with
their companies of Montreal militia, and a company of the
king's from Lower Chine, commanded by Captain Blackmore,
formed the escort till they were met by Colonel Auldjo, with
the remainder of the flank companies of the militia, upon
which Captain Blackmore's company fell out and presented arms
as the general and line passed, and then returned to La Chine,
leaving the prisoners of war to be guarded by the militia
alone. The line of march then proceeded to the town in the
following order, viz:

1. Band of the king's regiment.

2. The first division of the escort.

3. General Hull in a carriage, accompanied by Captain Gray.
Captain Hull and Major Shekleton followed in the second, and
some wounded officers occupied four others.

4. The American officers.

5. The non-commissioned officers and soldiers.

6. The second division of the escort.

It unfortunately proved rather late in the evening for the
vast concourse of spectators assembled to experience that
gratification they so anxiously looked for. This inconvenience
was, however, in a great measure remedied by the illuminations
of the streets through which the line of march passed. When
they arrived at the general's house, the general was conducted
in, and presented to his excellency Sir George Prevost, and
was received with the greatest politeness, and invited to take
up his residence there during his stay at Montreal. The other
officers were accommodated at Holmes' hotel, and the soldiers
lodged in the Quebec barracks. The general appears to be about
sixty years of age, and is a good looking man, and we are
informed by those who have had frequent opportunities of
conversing with him, that he is a man of general information.
He is communicative, and seems to bear his misfortunes with a
degree of philosophical resignation that but few men in
similar circumstances are gifted with. On Thursday last
General Hull, with eight American officers, left this city for
the United States, on their parole.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 79: We can discover none from Colonel Baynes on the subject.]

[Footnote 80: This dispatch was published in a Gazette Extraordinary, in London, on the 6th of October. See page 240.]

[Footnote 81: Captain Glegg was made a brevet-major for the capture of Detroit. Sir George Prevost's aide-de-camp, Captain Coore, was also made a brevet-major for taking the dispatches to England.]

[Footnote 82: Created a baronet on the 30th November, 1818.]

[Footnote 83: This letter is apparently written with the left hand, as if the writer had lost his right.]

[Footnote 84: Henry Frederick Brock, Esq., jurat of the Royal Court of Guernsey; and Lieutenant Henry Brock, R.N. In his letter, (see page 194,) Sir Thomas Saumarez, speaking of the latter, says: "He was a most promising young officer, and, had the poor fellow lived, my brother James would probably have made him a commander this summer."]

[Footnote 85: His nephew, John E. Tupper, Esq., aged twenty, perished at sea in January, 1812, in the Mediterranean, the vessel in which he was a passenger from Catalonia to Gibraltar having never been heard of after sailing. He was educated at Harrow at the same time as Lord Byron, Sir Robert Peel, &c.]