The Life and Correspondence of Sir Isaac Brock by Ferdinand Brock Tupper

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On the breaking out of hostilities, the regular force in Upper Canada
amounted to barely 1,500 men, including seamen, as under:

41st Regiment 900
10th Veterans 250
Newfoundland Regiment 250
Royal Artillery 50
Provincial Seamen 50
====
Total 1500 men.

This force had to occupy the forts St. Joseph, Amherstburg, and
Chippewa--Fort Erie and Fort George--and York and Kingston--to maintain
the superiority on the lakes; to preserve the communication and escort
convoys between Coteau de Lac and Kingston; and to defend an assailable
frontier of nearly 800 miles, reckoning from the confines of Lower
Canada to Amherstburg, and excluding the British coast from the Detroit
to Fort St. Joseph. With this very inadequate force, it was the opinion
of the highest authorities that the country could not be maintained.
Major-General Brock was well aware that, in carrying on the war along so
extensive a frontier, uncovered by a single fortress of strength, and
with such a handful of regular troops, he could only expect success in
the aid and zealous co-operation of the people. But the province had
long been torn by intestine disputes, and the prevailing factionwhich
had been originally established by one of the judges, and which after
his departure was fostered by one of his zealous supporters--had been
for years hostile to the measures of the government. We have already
given Major-General Brock's speech to the provincial parliament, on his
meeting it for the first time; the session, although obstructed by party
dissensions and unlooked-for opposition, terminated better than was
anticipated, as the rancorous spirit of many was subdued by his frank
and conciliatory demeanour; and laws were passed which enabled him to
organize the flank companies of the militia, unaccompanied, however, by
the desired oath of abjuration, so as to exclude settlers from the
United States and persons of doubtful loyalty. A troop of volunteer
cavalry was also incorporated, and on his return to York from
Amherstburg, about the 20th of June, Major-General Brock was gratified
by the offer of a company of farmers' sons with their draft horses for
the equipment of a car brigade, under Captain Holcroft, of the royal
artillery, which offer he gladly accepted.

Major-General Brock was at York when he received intelligence of the
war--an event which he had long anticipated, and which therefore did not
take him by surprise. After assembling his council and summoning an
extra session of the legislature, he hastened with his brigade major,
Evans, and his aide-de-camp, Captain Glegg, to Fort George, on the
Niagara frontier, where he immediately established his head quarters.
It was at first his intention to capture the opposite American fort
Niagara; but the high responsibility he was about to assume, of acting
without instructions or an official communication, being represented to
him, he confined himself to collecting and preparing his small force for
offensive or defensive operations. Early in July he procured a "National
Intelligencer," which contained the act of congress declaratory of war,
and the message of the president accompanying it, and this information
was of course decisive.

_Colonel Baynes to Major-General Brock_.

QUEBEC, June 25, 1812.

Sir George Prevost desires me to inform you that he has this
instant received intelligence from Mr. Richardson, by an
express to the north-west company, announcing that the
American government had declared war against Great Britain.
This dispatch left New York on the 20th instant, and does not
furnish any other circumstance of intelligence whatever. His
excellency is induced to give perfect and entire credit to
this report, although it has not yet reached through any
official channel. Indeed, the extraordinary dispatch which has
attended this courier, fully explains his not having received
the minister's letters, of which he will not fail to give you
the earliest intimation.

Mr. Richardson informs his excellency that it is the intention
of the company to send six large canoes to receive their furs
by the Grand River, (or Ottawa,) and should it be thought
expedient to reinforce the post of St. Joseph, that they will
be able to carry six soldiers in each boat.[55] Anxious as Sir
George feels to render you every aid in his power, and to
afford every possible assistance and protection to the
north-west company, who have on their part assured his
excellency of their ready and active co-operation to the
utmost of their ability, his excellency, nevertheless, does
not think it advisable, under existing circumstances, to
weaken the 49th regiment, which occupies so important and
critical a station; nor can he hold out any certain prospect
of any further reinforcement until the arrival of the troops
he has been led to expect from England, but directs me to
assure you of his cordial wish to render you every efficient
support in his power.

_Major-General Brock to Sir George Prevost_.

FORT GEORGE, July 3, 1812.

I have been anxiously expecting for some days to receive the
honor of your excellency's commands in regard to the measures
the most proper to be pursued on the present emergency.

The accounts received, first through a mercantile channel, and
soon after repeated from various quarters, of war having been
declared by the United States against Great Britain, would
have justified, in my opinion, offensive operations. But the
reflection that at Detroit and Michilimakinack the weak state
of the garrisons would prevent the commanders from
accomplishing any essential service, connected in any degree
with their future security, and that my means of annoyance on
this communication were limited to the reduction of Fort
Niagara, which could easily be battered at any future period,
I relinquished my original intention, and attended only to
defensive measures. My first object has been the calling out
of the flank companies of militia, which has produced a force
on this line of about 800 men. They turned out very
cheerfully, but already shew a spirit of impatience. The
king's stores are now at so low an ebb, that they scarcely
furnish any article of use or comfort. Blankets, hammocks and
kettles, are all to be purchased; and the troops, when
watching the banks of the river, stand in the utmost need of
tents. Mr. Couche has adopted the most efficacious means to
pay the militia in paper currency. I cannot positively state
the number of militia that will be embodied, but they cannot
exceed throughout the province 4,000 men.

The Americans are very active on the opposite side, in the
erection of redoubts; we are not idle on our part, but
unfortunately, having supplied Amherstburg with the guns which
that post required from Fort George, depending upon getting
others from Kingston to supply their place, we find ourselves
at this moment rather short of that essential arm. I have,
however, every reason to think that they are embarked on board
the Earl Moira, which vessel, according to Major M'Pherson's
report, was to have sailed on the 28th ultimo. The Americans
have, I believe, about 1,200 regulars and militia between Fort
Niagara and Black Rock, and I consider myself at this moment
perfectly safe against any attempt they can make. About 100
Indians from the Grand River have attended to my summons; the
remainder promise to come also, but I have too much reason to
conclude that the Americans have been too successful in their
endeavours to sow dissension and disaffection among them. It
is a great object to get this fickle race interspersed among
the troops. I should be unwilling, in the event of a retreat,
to have three or four hundred of them hanging on my flank. I
shall probably have to sacrifice some money to gain them over,
and the appointment of a few officers with salaries will be
absolutely necessary.

The Americans make a daily parade of their force, and easily
impose on the people on this side in regard to their numbers.
I do not think they exceed 1,200, but they are represented as
infinitely more numerous.

For the last fortnight every precaution has been taken to
guard against the least communication, and to this day we are
ignorant whether the president has sanctioned the war
resolutions of the two houses of congress; that is, whether
war be actually declared.

The car brigade has been completed for service with horses
belonging to gentlemen, who spared them free of expense.

I have not been honored with a line from Mr. Foster, nor with
all my endeavours have I been able to obtain information of
any consequence. The Prince Regent made her first voyage this
morning, and I purpose sending her to Kingston this evening,
to bring such articles as are absolutely necessary, which we
know have arrived from Quebec. I trust she will out-sail the
Oneida brig.

_Colonel Baynes to Major-General Brock._

MONTREAL, July 4, 1812.

We have a report here of your having commenced operations by
levelling the American fort at Niagara. The general is most
anxious to hear good and recent intelligence from your
quarter. There is no considerable assembly of troops in our
neighbourhood as yet; the flank companies, embodied under
Colonel Young, are on their march, and the 2,000 militia will
form a chain of posts from St. John's to La Prairie. The town
militia of this and Quebec, to the amount of 3,000 in each
city, have volunteered being embodied and drilled, and will
take their proportion of garrison duty to relieve the troops.
The proclamation for declaring martial law is prepared, and
will be speedily issued. All aliens will be required to take
the oath of allegiance, or immediately quit the province. Our
cash is at its last issue, and a substitute of paper must per
force be resorted to. This has been Sir George's principal
object in calling the legislature together. You have a very
arduous and difficult card to play, and have our sincere and
confident wishes for your success. Sir George strongly
recommends extreme moderation in the use of the Indians, and
to keep them in control as much as possible.

[This letter contains the details of a large and armed assembly at La
Chine, near Montreal, of French Canadians, who refused to serve in the
embodied militia. They were dispersed by the light company of the 49th,
and a detachment of artillery with two field pieces, under the command
of Major Plenderleath, of the 49th, but not before one Canadian was
killed and another dangerously wounded.]

_Sir George Prevost to Major-General Brock_.

MONTREAL, July 7, 1812.

It was only on my arrival at Montreal that I received Mr.
Foster's notification of the congress of the United States
having declared war against Great Britain; the fact had been
previously ascertained through mercantile channels.

I am convinced you have acted wisely in abstaining from
offensive operations, which in their effect might have united
a people governed by public opinion, and among whom too much
division exists, at this moment, to admit of its influence in
promoting vigorous measures against us.

The manner of the flank companies of militia turning out must
have been very satisfactory to you. I hope your supplies of
ordnance and ordnance stores, on their way from Kingston, have
arrived safe.

I have caused arms, accoutrements and ammunition, to be
forwarded for the use of the Cornwall, Stormont, and Dundas
battalions of militia. Camp equipage for 500 men shall be sent
to you as soon as possible, together with muskets.

We are on the eve of substituting paper for bullion. I am
aware of the Canadian prejudice against such a circulating
medium, but it must give way to the imperious necessity of the
times.

It is highly proper you should secure the services of the
Indians; but restrain and control them as much as you can.
Whatever appointments you deem indispensably necessary you are
authorized to make, as well as the sacrifice of some money to
gain them over. It is proper we should maintain our ascendancy
over the Indians, and feed with proper food their predeliction
for us.

Colonel Lethbridge, an inspecting field officer, is under
orders for Kingston, and there to wait your commands.

_Colonel Baynes to Major-General Brock_.

MONTREAL, July 8, 1812.

I was highly gratified yesterday in receiving your letters of
the 3d July, for we have felt extremely anxious about you ever
since we have learnt the unexpected declaration of war, which
had been so long threatened that no one believed it would
ever seriously take place; and even now it is the prevailing
opinion that, from the opposition testified by the eastern
states, offensive measures are not likely to be speedily
adopted against this country. Sir George is inclined to let
these sentiments take their course, and as little advantage
would accrue by more active measures on our part, our present
plans are all defensive. General de Rottenburg is arrived, and
the flank companies embodied are on their way: this corps,
with the embodied militia, will form a chain from La Prairie
to St. John's, with a light corps advanced in their front. We
have reports of the 103d regiment being in the river, and, it
is added, recruits for the 100th regiment.

Sir George has had applications from so many quarters for
militia below Kingston, that to insure a general arrangement
and to adopt the best system that circumstances will admit, he
has directed Colonel Lethbridge, the inspecting field officer
here, to proceed through the line of settlements to see the
several colonels and corps of militia so as to fix their
quotas, and afterwards to proceed to Kingston and assume the
command of that post, if necessary: he will be placed under
your orders, but you will perhaps not wish to bring him in
contact with the 41st regiment, as he is senior to Colonel
Proctor.

Sir George desires me to say, that he does not attempt to
prescribe specific rules for your guidance--they must be
directed by your discretion and the circumstances of the
time: the present order of the day with him is forbearance,
until hostilities are more decidedly marked.

_Sir George Prevost to Major-General Brock_.

MONTREAL, July 10, 1812.

Colonel Lethbridge's departure for Kingston affords me an
opportunity of replying more fully and confidentially to your
letter of the 3d instant, than I could venture to have done
the day before, yesterday by an uncertain conveyance. That
officer has been desired to transmit to you, together with
this dispatch, a copy of the instructions given to him for his
guidance until the exigencies of the service make it necessary
in your estimation to substitute others, or to employ the
colonel in any other situation of command. In them you will
find expressed my sentiments respecting the mode of conducting
the war on our part, suited to the existing circumstances; and
as they change, so must we vary our line of conduct, adapting
it to our means of preserving entire the king's provinces.

Our numbers would not justify offensive operations being
undertaken, unless they were solely calculated to strengthen a
defensive attitude. I consider it prudent and politic to avoid
any measure which can in its effect have a tendency to unite
the people in the American States. Whilst disunion prevails
among them, their attempts on these provinces will be feeble;
it is, therefore, our duty carefully to avoid committing any
act which may, even by construction, tend to unite the eastern
and southern states, unless, by its perpetration, we are to
derive a considerable and important advantage. But the
government of the United States, resting on public opinion for
all its measures, is liable to sudden and violent changes; it
becomes an essential part of our duty to watch the effect of
parties on its measures, and to adapt ours to the impulse
given by those possessed of influence over the public mind in
America.

Notwithstanding these observations, I have to assure you of my
perfect confidence in your measures for the preservation of
Upper Canada. All your wants shall be supplied as fast as
possible, except money, of which I have so little, as to be
obliged to have recourse to a paper currency.

The adjutant-general has reported to you the aid we have
afforded, in arms and ammunition, to your militia at Cornwall,
Glengary, Dundas, and Stormont.

To prevent an interruption to the communication between the
two provinces, it is fit a system of convoy should be
established between Montreal and Kingston; and as
Major-General de Rottenburg is to remain here in command of a
cordon of troops, consisting of regulars and militia,
(established in this neighbourhood to prevent an irruption for
the plunder of Montreal,) whilst I attend to parliamentary
duties at Quebec, on that subject you may communicate direct
with the major-general, as he has my instructions to
co-operate with you on preserving this important object.

_Major-General Brock to Sir George Prevost_.

FORT GEORGE, July 12, 1812.

With the exception of occasional firing from the opposite
shore, (the unauthorized act of an undisciplined militia,)
nothing of a hostile nature has occurred on this communication
since I last had the honor of addressing your excellency.

The enemy is busy constructing batteries at different points
in the river, but he does not appear to have yet received
cannon to place in them. We are doing all we can on this side
to counteract his views, and the arrival this morning of the
Royal George and the vessels under her convoy, bringing
various pieces of ordnance, will give us in this respect a
decided superiority.

The militia, which assembled here immediately on the account
being received of war being declared by the United States,
have been improving daily in discipline; but the men evince a
degree of impatience under their present restraint, that is
far from inspiring confidence. So great was the clamour to
return and attend to their farms, that I found myself in some
measure compelled to sanction the departure of a large
proportion; and I am not without my apprehensions that the
remainder will, in defiance of the law, which can only impose
a fine of L20, leave the service the moment the harvest
commences. There can be no doubt that a large portion of the
population in this neighbourhood are sincere in their
professions to defend the country; but it appears likewise
evident to me that the greater part are either indifferent to
what is passing, or so completely American as to rejoice in
the prospect of a change of government. Many who now consider
our means inadequate, would readily take an active part were
the regular troops increased. These cool calculators are
numerous in all societies.

The alacrity and good temper with which the militia, in the
first instance, marched to the frontiers, have tended to
infuse in the mind of the enemy a very different sentiment of
the disposition of the inhabitants, who, he was led to believe
would, upon the first summons, declare themselves an American
state. The display for several days of a large force was made,
I have every reason to believe, in that expectation.

Nearly the whole of the arms at my disposal have been issued.
They are barely sufficient to arm the militia immediately
required to guard the frontier. Were I furnished with the
means of distributing arms among the people, in whom
confidence can be placed, they would not only overawe the
disaffected, but prove of essential use in the event of
invasion. The militia assembled in a wretched state in regard
to clothing; many were without shoes, an article which can
scarcely be provided in the country.

After the cannon, which have arrived this morning, are
mounted, I shall consider my front perfectly secure. I do not
imagine the enemy will hazard a water excursion with a view to
turn my flanks. He probably will wait until winter, when the
ice will enable him to cross with the utmost facility to any
part between Fort Erie and as far as Long Point. My situation
will then depend upon the force the enemy may bring to invade
the province. Should the troops have to move, the want of
tents will be severely felt.

A person who left Sandwich yesterday week, pretends that the
enemy was then in the act of cannonading the place. I have not
heard from Lieut.-Colonel St. George since my last letter to
your excellency.

An officer is so absolutely necessary to command in the
eastern district, that I have consented to Major-General Shaw
proceeding thither in that capacity. I have full confidence in
his judgment, and his conduct in the field is undoubted. He of
course will assume the command in virtue of his militia rank,
and will be liable to be superseded by any lieutenant-colonel
your excellency may be pleased to appoint.

The expense of defending this province will unquestionably be
great; upon a rough calculation, and supposing that 4,000
militia be constantly embodied, it cannot be estimated at less
than L140,000 per annum. However great the sum, it will be
applied to very considerable advantage, provided your
excellency be enabled to send reinforcements, as without them
it is scarcely possible that the government of the United
States will be so inactive or supine as to permit the present
limited force to remain in possession of the country. Whatever
can be done to preserve it, or to delay its fall, your
excellency may rest assured will be exerted.

Having been suddenly called away from York, I had not time to
close my dispatch, giving your excellency an account of my
proceedings during my stay at Amherstburg. I now have the
honor to forward two documents, detailing the steps taken by
the Indian department to prevail on that unfortunate people to
accommodate their differences with the American government.

_Extract from an American Newspaper_.

BUFFALO, July 14, 1812.

Major-General Brock is at present at Newark, superintending
the various defences on the river. He is stated to be an able
and experienced officer, with undoubted courage. He came from
Little York soon after hearing the declaration of war, and, it
was believed, with a serious intention of attacking Fort
Niagara, but, contrary to what has been reported, he made no
demand of a surrender.

Expecting a descent from the American army, the Canadians
have, for ten days past, been removing their families and
effects from the river into the interior. At Newark,
Queenston, and other villages on the river, there are no
inhabitants except a few civilians and officers and soldiers.
It is even said, that an immense quantity of specie, plate,
&c, from various parts of the province, have been boxed up,
and destined for Quebec.

The British are understood to have about six or seven hundred
regular troops stationed between the lakes, from Fort George
to Fort Erie. These men are generally those who have "seen
service" in various parts of the world. The militia of the
province are ordered out _en masse_.

It is stated by gentlemen of intelligence at Lewistown, that
the government of Canada have in their employment, under pay,
about 250 Indians, armed complete: a part of them are mounted.

Brigadier-General William Wadsworth, from Genesee, commands
the troops on our frontiers. His aids are Major Adam Hoops and
Major W. H. Spencer. His head quarters are now at Lewistown.
It is impossible to state the precise number of troops under
his command, because the militia ordered on the lines are
returning, and the companies composing the regiments under his
command have not all arrived; but from what we learn, there
are in regular troops, volunteers, and detached militia, above
4,000 stationed at Rock, Lewistown, Youngstown, and Fort
Niagara. The troops are in excellent health, in good spirits,
and well supplied. They appear quite impatient for want of
employment. There has been some firing from the sentries on
both sides of the river.

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