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

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FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 54: At this time, the British regular force in the Canadas
consisted of the 8th, 41st, 49th, and 100th regiments, a small
detachment of artillery, the 10th Royal Veteran Battalion, and the
Canadian, Newfoundland, and Glengary Fencibles; amounting, in the whole,
to 4,450 men. These were distributed along the different posts from the
telegraph station, about 250 miles below Quebec, to St. Joseph's, but so
unequally divided, that, in the Upper Province, whose front extends to
nearly 1,300, out of the 1,700 miles, there were but 1,450 men.--_James'
Military Occurrences_.]

[Footnote 55: In answer to Major-General Brock's suggestions on the
subject, see page 127.]

CHAPTER IX.

The American government, in anticipation of its declaration of war, had
detached from the state of Ohio to the Michigan territory an army of
about 2,500 men, under the command of Brigadier-General Hull, who, said
President Madison in his message to congress, "possessing discretionary
authority to act offensively, passed into Canada with a prospect of easy
and victorious progress." The enemy evidently confided in the very
limited defensive means of the Upper Province, and in the impossibility
of its receiving early assistance from the mother country. They relied
also on the supposed disaffection of many of its inhabitants, and they
expected confidently that, weak and divided, it would fall an easy prey
to the invaders; but they were soon undeceived. Having crossed over to
the Canadian village of Sandwich on the 12th July, Brigadier-General
Hull issued on that day the following insidious but able proclamation,
which was doubtless written at Washington. It will be seen that the
American general was made to say, that he did not ask the assistance of
the Canadians, as he had no doubt of eventual success, because he came
prepared for every contingency with a force which would look down all
opposition, and that that force was but the vanguard of a much greater!

Inhabitants of Canada!--After thirty years of peace and
prosperity, the United States have been driven to arms. The
injuries and aggressions, the insults and indignities of Great
Britain, have once more left them no alternative but manly
resistance or unconditional submission.

The army under my command has invaded your country, and the
standard of union now waves over the territory of Canada. To
the peaceable, unoffending inhabitant, it brings neither
danger nor difficulty. I come to _find_ enemies, not to _make_
them. I come to protect, not to injure you.

Separated by an immense ocean, and an extensive wilderness
from Great Britain, you have no participation in her councils,
no interest in her conduct. You have felt her tyranny, you
have seen her injustice--but I do not ask you to avenge the
one or redress the other. The United States are sufficiently
powerful to afford you every security, consistent with their
rights and your expectations. I tender you the invaluable
blessings of civil, political, and religious liberty, and
their necessary result, individual and general
prosperity--that liberty which gave decision to our councils
and energy to our conduct in our struggle for independence,
and which conducted us safely and triumphantly through the
stormy period of the revolution--that liberty which has raised
us to an elevated rank among the nations of the world, and
which has afforded us a greater measure of peace and security,
of wealth and improvement, than ever yet fell to the lot of
any people.

In the name of my country, and by the authority of my
government, I promise protection to your persons, property
and rights. Remain at your homes--pursue your peaceful and
customary avocations--raise not your hands against your
brethren. Many of your fathers fought for the freedom and
independence we now enjoy. Being children, therefore, of the
same family with us, and heirs to the same heritage, the
arrival of an army of friends must be hailed by you with a
cordial welcome. You will be emancipated from tyranny and
oppression, and restored to the dignified station of freemen.

Had I any doubt of eventual success, I might ask your
assistance; but I do not. I come prepared for every
contingency. I have a force which will look down all
opposition, and that force is but the vanguard of a much
greater. If, contrary to your own interests and the just
expectation of my country, you should take part in the
approaching contest, you will be considered and treated as
enemies, and the horrors and calamities of war will stalk
before you. If the barbarous and savage policy of Great
Britain be pursued, and the savages be let loose to murder our
citizens, and butcher our women and children, this war will be
a war of extermination. The first stroke of the tomahawk, the
first attempt with the scalping knife, will be the signal of
one indiscriminate scene of desolation. No white man, found
fighting by the side of an Indian, will be taken
prisoner--instant destruction will be his lot. If the dictates
of reason, duty, justice, and humanity, cannot prevent the
employment of a force which respects no rights and knows no
wrong, it will be prevented by a severe and relentless system
of retaliation.

I doubt not your courage and firmness--I will not doubt your
attachment to liberty. If you tender your services
voluntarily, they will be accepted readily. The United States
offer you peace, liberty, and security. Your choice lies
between these and war, slavery and destruction. Choose, then,
but choose wisely; and may He who knows the justice of our
cause, and who holds in his hand the fate of nations, guide
you to a result the most compatible with your rights and
interests, your peace and prosperity.

W. HULL.
By the General, A.F. HULL.
Capt. 13th Regt. U.S. Infantry, and
Aide-de-Camp.
Head Quarters,
Sandwich, July 12, 1812.

The following counter-proclamation was published by Major-General Brock,
"a proclamation as remarkable for the solid reasoning and dignity of its
language, as that of the American for its presumption."[56]

The unprovoked declaration of war by the United States of
America against the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, and its dependencies, has been followed by the actual
invasion of this province, in a remote frontier of the western
district, by a detachment of the armed force of the United
States.

The officer commanding that detachment has thought proper to
invite his majesty's subjects, not merely to a quiet and
unresisting submission, but insults them with a cell to seek
voluntarily the protection of his government.

Without condescending to repeat the illiberal epithets
bestowed in this appeal of the American commander to the
people of Upper Canada, on the administration of his majesty,
every inhabitant of the province is desired to seek the
confutation of such indecent slander in the review of his own
particular circumstances. Where is the Canadian subject who
can truly affirm to himself that he has been injured by the
government, in his person, his property, or his liberty? Where
is to be found, in any part of the world, a growth so rapid in
prosperity and wealth, as this colony exhibits? Settled, not
thirty years, by a band of veterans, exiled from their former
possessions on account of their loyalty, not a descendant of
these brave people is to be found, who, under the fostering
liberality of their sovereign, has not acquired a property and
means of enjoyment superior to what were possessed by their
ancestors.

This unequalled prosperity would not have been attained by the
utmost liberality of the government, or the persevering
industry of the people, had not the maritime power of the
mother country secured to its colonists a safe access to every
market, where the produce of their labour was in request.

The unavoidable and immediate consequences of a separation
from Great Britain must be the loss of this inestimable
advantage; and what is offered you in exchange? To become a
territory of the United States, and share with them that
exclusion from the ocean which the policy of their government
enforces; you are not even flattered with a participation of
their boasted independence; and it is but too obvious that,
once estranged from the powerful protection of the United
Kingdom, you must be reannexed to the dominion of France, from
which the provinces of Canada were wrested by the arms of
Great Britain, at a vast expense of blood and treasure, from
no other motive than to relieve her ungrateful children from
the oppression of a cruel neighbour. This restitution of
Canada to the empire of France, was the stipulated reward for
the aid afforded to the revolted colonies, now the United
States; the debt is still due, and there can be no doubt but
the pledge has been renewed as a consideration for commercial
advantages, or rather for an expected relaxation in the
tyranny of France over the commercial world. Are you prepared,
inhabitants of Canada, to become willing subjects, or rather
slaves, to the despot who rules the nations of continental
Europe with a rod of iron? If not, arise in a body, exert your
energies, co-operate cordially with the king's regular forces
to repel the invader, and do not give cause to your children,
when groaning under the oppression of a foreign master, to
reproach you with having so easily parted with the richest
inheritance of this earth--a participation in the name,
character, and freedom of Britons!

The same spirit of justice, which will make every reasonable
allowance for the unsuccessful efforts of zeal and loyalty,
will not fail to punish the defalcation of principle. Every
Canadian freeholder is, by deliberate choice, bound by the
most solemn oaths to defend the monarchy, as well as his own
property; to shrink, from that engagement is a treason not to
be forgiven. Let no man suppose that if, in this unexpected
struggle, his majesty's arms should be compelled to yield to
an overwhelming force, the province will be eventually
abandoned; the endeared relations of its first settlers, the
intrinsic value of its commerce, and the pretensions of its
powerful rival to repossess the Canadas, are pledges that no
peace will be established between the United States and Great
Britain and Ireland, of which the restoration of these
provinces does not make the most prominent condition.

Be not dismayed at the unjustifiable threat of the commander
of the enemy's forces to refuse quarter, should an Indian
appear in the ranks. The brave bands of aborigines which
inhabit this colony were, like his majesty's other subjects,
punished for their zeal and fidelity, by the loss of their
possessions in the late colonies, and rewarded by his majesty
with lands of superior value in this province. The faith of
the British government has never yet been violated--the
Indians feel that the soil they inherit is to them and their
posterity protected from the base arts so frequently devised
to over-reach their simplicity. By what new principle are they
to be prohibited from defending their property? If their
warfare, from being different to that of the white people, be
more terrific to the enemy, let him retrace his steps--- they
seek him not--and cannot expect to find women and children in
an invading army. But they are men, and have equal rights
with all other men to defend themselves and their property
when invaded, more especially when they find in the enemy's
camp a ferocious and mortal foe, using the same warfare which
the American commander affects to reprobate.

This inconsistent and unjustifiable threat of refusing
quarter, for such a cause as being found in arms with a
brother sufferer, in defence of invaded rights, must be
exercised with the certain assurance of retaliation, not only
in the limited operations of war in this part of the king's
dominions, but in every quarter of the globe; for the national
character of Britain is not less distinguished for humanity
than strict retributive justice, which will consider the
execution of this inhuman threat as deliberate murder, for
which every subject of the offending power must make
expiation.

ISAAC BROCK,
Major-Gen, and President.
Head Quarters,
Fort George, July 22, 1812.
By order of his honor the president.
J.B. GLEGG,
Captain and Aide-de-Camp.

_Major-General Brock to Sir George Prevost_.

FORT GEORGE, July 20, 1812.

My last to your excellency was dated the 12th instant, since
which nothing extraordinary has occurred on this
communication. The enemy has evidently diminished his force,
and appears to have no intention of making an immediate
attack.

I have herewith the honor of enclosing the copy of two letters
which I have received from Lieut.-Colonel St. George, together
with some interesting documents found on board a schooner,
which the boats of the Hunter captured on her voyage from the
Miami to Detroit.

From the accompanying official correspondence between General
Hull and the secretary at war, it appears that the collected
force which has arrived at Detroit amounts to about 2,000 men.
I have requested Colonel Proctor to proceed to Amherstburg,
and ascertain accurately the state of things in that quarter.
I had every inclination to go there myself, but the meeting of
the legislature on the 27th instant renders it impossible.

I receive this moment a dispatch dated the 15th instant, from
Lieut.-Colonel St. George, giving an account of the enemy
having landed on the 12th and immediately after occupied the
village of Sandwich. It is strange that three days should be
allowed to elapse before sending to acquaint me of this
important fact. I had no idea, until I received Lieut.-Colonel
St. George's letter a few days ago that General Hull was
advancing with so large a force.

The militia, from every account, behaved very ill. The
officers appear the most in fault. Colonel Proctor will
probably reach Amherstburg in the course of to-morrow. I have
great dependence in that officer's decision, but fear he will
arrive too late to be of much service. The enemy was not
likely to delay attacking a force that had allowed him to
cross the river in open day without firing a shot.

The position which Lieut.-Colonel St. George occupied is very
good, and infinitely more formidable than the fort itself.
Should he therefore be compelled to retire, I know of no other
alternative than his embarking in the king's vessels and
proceeding to Fort Erie.

Were it possible to animate the militia to a proper sense of
their duty, something might yet be done--but I almost despair.

Your excellency will readily perceive the critical situation
in which the reduction of Amherstburg will place me.

I do not imagine General Hull will be able to detach more than
I,000 men, but even with that trifling force I much fear he
will succeed in getting to my rear. The militia will not act
without a strong regular force to set them the example; and as
I must now expect to be seriously threatened, I cannot in
prudence make strong detachments, which would not only weaken
my line of defence, but, in the event of a retreat, endanger
their safety.

I am now given to understand that General Hull's insidious
proclamation, herewith enclosed, has already been productive
of considerable effect on the minds of the people. In fact, a
general sentiment prevails, that with the present force
resistance is unavailing. I shall continue to exert myself to
the utmost to overcome every difficulty. Should, however, the
communication between Kingston and Montreal be cut off, the
fate of the troops in this part of the province will be
decided. I now express my apprehensions on a supposition that
the slender means your excellency possesses will not admit of
diminution; consequently, that I need not look for
reinforcements. It is evidently not the intention of the enemy
to make any attempt to penetrate into the province by this
strait, unless the present force be diminished. He seems much
more inclined to work on the flanks, aware that if he succeed
every other part must very soon submit.

My last official communication from the Lower Province is
dated the 25th ultimo, when the adjutant-general announced the
receipt of intelligence, by a mercantile house, of war being
declared by the United States against Great Britain.

_Major-General Sir Thomas Saumarez, Kt.,[57] to Major-General Brock._

HALIFAX, July 22, 1812.

Being this moment informed that an express is to be dispatched
immediately from hence to Quebec, I have great pleasure in
having an opportunity to inquire after your health and
welfare, and to acquaint you that your relation, Lady
Saumarez, and myself, arrived here about a month since. I
assure you we consider ourselves particularly fortunate in not
having fallen into the enemy's bands, as the Americans had
declared war a week before we reached this. We came out in a
very valuable ordnance store ship, which would have been a
great acquisition to the enemy, at the breaking out of a war
especially; and the loss to us would have been seriously felt
here, as all the stores on board were very much required.
Another ship with naval stores accompanied us; they were much
wanted by our squadron, and possibly as much so by the ships
of the enemy. Our squadron on this station has been very
active. Prizes arrive here daily, I could almost say hourly.
The Emulous brig brought in ten yesterday, and 30,000 dollars
were found on board some of them. Mr. Foster, late ambassador
to the American States, has been here nearly a week; he is to
sail for England to-day. According to the best information we
can obtain here, the Northern and Eastern States of America
are extremely inimical to, and dissatisfied with, the war; so
much so, that there is reason to suppose they will dissolve
the Union shortly, and declare themselves totally independent
of the Southern and Western States.

The American privateers are extremely numerous and daring in
this neighbourhood; and, I am sorry to add, they have proved
but too successful, having captured several of our vessels
bound to Quebec and New Brunswick, and some to this port. I
received a note about an hour ago from Lieut.-Colonel Pearson,
who sailed from hence last Sunday, with his wife and family,
for Quebec, being appointed inspecting field officer in
Canada, to inform me that he had been made prisoner by an
American privateer. Most of our ships are looking out for the
squadron the Americans have at sea, under Commodore Rodgers,
who is supposed to have sailed from New York with a view to
intercept our West India fleet homeward bound.

We are as busy here as possible in placing all our outposts in
the best state of defence. I suppose you are not less so.

A transport, with 140 men of the Royals, from the West Indies
to Quebec, was boarded by the Essex American frigate about ten
days ago, and permitted to proceed, on condition that the
master of the vessel promised to pay a ransom of 12,000
dollars for her; and that the officer commanding considered
himself on parole, and gave his assurance that the troops
would not fight against the Americans during the war. The
transport arrived here yesterday, and the remainder of the
battalion is supposed to have reached Quebec.

You have probably heard of the many improvements in our little
island. An excellent road was finished from town to Vazon Bay,
and from Fort George to Rocquaine; also one from town to
Lancresse. The Braye du Valle is now under a state of
cultivation. Roads of communication were nearly finished; one
of them from what is called the Long Store passes Amherst
Barracks and my house, and joins the great road to the Forest
and St. Martin's: the opening of all these have discovered
many beautiful views, which we did not know the island
possessed.

If there should be any thing I can do for you or my nephew
James Brock, I beg that you will afford me the pleasure of
executing your commissions. I have not time to add more, but
to assure you both of Lady S.'s and my best wishes and
regards.

_Major-General Brock to Sir George Prevost_.

FORT GEORGE, July 25, 1812.

Since my dispatch to your excellency of the 20th instant, I
have received information of the enemy having made frequent
and extensive inroads from Sandwich up the river Thames. I
have in consequence been induced to detach Capt. Chambers with
about 50 of the 41st regiment to the Moravian town, where I
have directed 200 militia to join him. From the loud and
apparently warm professions of the Indians residing on the
Grand River, I made no doubt of finding at all times a large
majority ready to take the field and act in conjunction with
our troops; but accounts received this morning state that they
have determined to remain neutral, and they had consequently
refused, with the exception of about fifty, to join Captain
Chambers' detachment.

I meditated a diversion to the westward, the moment I could
collect a sufficient number of militia, in the hope of
compelling General Hull to retreat across the river; but this
unexpected intelligence has ruined the whole of my plans. The
militia, which I destined for this service, will now be
alarmed, and unwilling to leave their families to the mercy
of 400 Indians, whose conduct affords such wide room for
suspicion; and really to expect that this fickle race will
remain in a state of neutrality in the midst of war, would be
truly absurd. The Indians have probably been led to this
change of sentiment by emissaries from General Hull, whose
proclamation to the Six Nations is herewith enclosed.

I have not deemed it of sufficient consequence to commence
active operations on this line, by an attack on Fort Niagara.
It can be demolished, when found necessary, in half an hour,
and there my means of annoyance would terminate. To enable the
militia to acquire some degree of discipline without
interruption, is of far greater consequence than such a
conquest. Every thing in my power shall be done to overcome
the difficulties by which I am surrounded; but without strong
reinforcements, I fear the country cannot be roused to make
exertions equal to meet this crisis.

I proceed immediately to York, to attend the meeting of the
legislature, and I hope to return on Wednesday. The charge of
this frontier will in the mean time devolve on Lieut.-Colonel
Myers, who appears worthy of every confidence. The actual
invasion of the province has compelled me to recall that
portion of the militia whom I permitted to return home and
work at harvest. I am prepared to hear of much discontent in
consequence; the disaffected will take advantage of it, and
add fuel to the flame. But it may not be without reason that
I may be accused of having already studied their convenience
and humour, to the injury of the service.

I should have derived much consolation in the midst of my
present difficulties had I been honored, previously to the
meeting of the legislature, with your excellency's
determination in regard to this province. That it cannot be
maintained with its present force is very obvious; and unless
the enemy be driven from Sandwich, it will be impossible to
avert much longer the impending ruin of the country. Numbers
have already joined the invading army; commotions are excited;
and the late occurrences at Sandwich have spread a general
gloom. I have not heard from Lieut.-Colonel St. George, or
from any individual at Amherstburg, since I last had the honor
of addressing your excellency, which makes me apprehensive
that Colonel Proctor has been detained on his journey too long
for the good of the service.

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