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

F >> Ferdinand Brock Tupper >> The Life and Correspondence of Sir Isaac Brock

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30

The enemy's cavalry, amounting to about fifty, are led by one
Watson, a surveyor from Montreal of a desperate character.
This fellow has been allowed to parade with about twenty men
of the same description as far as Westminster, vowing as they
went along the most bitter vengeance against the first
characters in the province. Nothing can shew more strongly the
state of apathy which exists in most parts of the country; but
I am perhaps too liberal in attributing the conduct of the
inhabitants to that cause.

Mr. Couche has represented to the head of his department the
total impracticability of carrying on the public service
without a remittance of specie, or a government paper
substitute. He was in expectation of making arrangements with
some individuals that would have enabled him to proceed, but I
much fear that the whole project has fallen to the ground. The
militia on this communication were so clamorous for their pay,
that I directed Mr. Couche to make the necessary advances, and
this has drained him of the little specie in his possession.

My present civil office not only authorizes me to convene
general courts martial for the trial of offenders belonging to
the militia, but likewise the infliction of the sentence of
death; whilst, in regard to the military, my power is limited
to the mere assembling of the court. I beg leave to submit to
the consideration of your excellency, whether in times like
the present I ought not to be invested with equal authority
over each service.

I herewith have the honor to transmit two letters, one from
Captain Roberts, commanding at St. Joseph's, and the second
from Mr. Dickson, a gentleman every way capable of forming a
correct judgment of the actual state of the Indians. Nothing
can be more deplorable than his description; yet the United
States government accuse Great Britain of instigating that
people to war. Is not the true cause to be found in the state
of desperation to which they are reduced by the unfriendly
and unjust measures of that government towards them?

* * * * *

On the 27th of July, Major-General Brock returned to York from Fort
George, on which day, accompanied by a numerous suite, he opened the
extra session of the legislature, and delivered the following speeches.

Honorable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen
of the House of Assembly,

The urgency of the present crisis is the only consideration
which could have induced me to call you together at a time
when public, as well as private duties elsewhere, demand your
care and attention.

But, gentlemen, when invaded by an enemy whose avowed object
is the entire conquest of the province, the voice of loyalty,
as well as of interest, calls aloud to every person in the
sphere in which he is placed to defend his country.

Our militia have heard that voice, and have obeyed it; they
have evinced, by the promptitude and loyalty of their conduct,
that they are worthy of the king whom they serve, and of the
constitution which they enjoy; and it affords me particular
satisfaction, that while I address you as legislators, I speak
to men who, in the day of danger, will be ready to assist, not
only with their counsel, but with their arms.

We look, gentlemen, to our militia, as well as to the regular
forces, for our protection; but I should be wanting to that
important trust committed to my care, if I attempted to
conceal (what experience, the great instructor of mankind, and
especially of legislators, has discovered,) that amendment is
necessary in our militia laws to render them efficient.

It is for you to consider what further improvements they
still may require.

Honorable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen
of the House of Assembly,

From the history and experience of our mother country, we
learn that in times of actual invasion or internal commotion,
the ordinary course of criminal law has been found inadequate
to secure his majesty's government from private treachery as
well as from open disaffection; and that at such times its
legislature has found it expedient to enact laws restraining
for a limited period the liberty of individuals, in many cases
where it would be dangerous to expose the particulars of the
charge; and although the actual invasion of the province might
justify me in the exercise of the full powers reposed in me on
such an emergency, yet it will be more agreeable to me to
receive the sanction of the two houses.

A few traitors have already joined the enemy, have been
suffered to come into the country with impunity, and have been
harboured and concealed in the interior; yet the general
spirit of loyalty which appears to pervade the inhabitants of
this province, is such as to authorize a just expectation that
their efforts to mislead and deceive will be unavailing. The
disaffected, I am convinced, are few--to protect and defend
the loyal inhabitants from their machinations, is an object
worthy of your most serious deliberation.

Gentlemen of the House of Assembly,

I have directed the public accounts of the province to be laid
before you, in as complete a state as this unusual period will
admit; they will afford you the means of ascertaining to what
extent you can aid in providing for the extraordinary demands
occasioned by the employment of the militia, and I doubt not
but to that extent you will cheerfully contribute.

Honorable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen
of the House of Assembly,

We are engaged in an awful and eventful contest. By unanimity
and dispatch in our councils, and by vigour in our operations,
we may teach the enemy this lesson, that a country defended by
_free men_ enthusiastically devoted to the cause of their king
and constitution, can never be conquered!

The invasion of the western district by Brigadier-General
Hull, and the artful and threatening language of his
proclamation, were productive at the outset of very
unfavourable effects among a large portion of the inhabitants
of Upper Canada; and so general was the despondency, that the
Norfolk militia, consisting, we believe, chiefly of settlers
of American origin, peremptorily refused to march. The
majority of the members of the house of assembly were
impressed with the same gloomy forebodings, and that body
appeared by its proceedings rather to court the favor of the
enemy than fearlessly to perform its duty. It was therefore
prorogued upon passing the money bills, as no advantage could
result from its remaining longer in session. The state of the
province required the most prompt and decisive measures for
its preservation, and Major-General Brock considered its
situation at this moment as extremely critical. With the
concurrence of his council, to whom he represented his many
difficulties, he is said to have resolved on exercising
martial law whenever he should find it necessary, although the
house of assembly had rejected its enactment, even in a
modified form. Not only among the militia was a disposition
evinced to submit tamely, but five hundred in the western
district sought the protection of the enemy. It is true that
the people then were far removed from the seat of government,
and the more subject to hostile influence, as they were
principally composed of French Canadians and of the natives of
the United States, or their immediate descendants; but even
the Indians, who were located on the Grand River, in the heart
of the province, positively refused, with a few exceptions, to
take up arms; and they announced their intention, after the
return of some of their chiefs from General Hull, to remain
neutral, as if they wished the authorities to believe that
they would remain in peace in the midst of war. Major-General
Brock had not long administered the government of the
province, but where he was individually known, and where his
personal influence extended, a better feeling prevailed; and
his counter-proclamation served not only to animate the well
disposed, but to counteract the machinations of the
disaffected. The confident tone of his address to the
provincial parliament was also productive of the best effects,
whatever inward misgivings he might feel; and those who were
dastardly enough to join the invaders of their native or
adopted country, were quickly taught to repent of their
baseness and treason.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 56: Christie's Memoirs, already cited at page 90.]

[Footnote 57: General Sir Thomas Saumarez, now in his 85th year, and
brother of the late Admiral Lord de Saumarez.]

CHAPTER X.

We have mentioned that Major-General Brock had in the spring provided
for the protection of Fort St. Joseph, a small British post, distant by
water nearly 700 hundred miles from York, and situate about 40 miles,
also by water, to the north-east of the American island and fort of
Michilimakinack, or Makinack, which island is in latitude 45 deg. 35' north,
and longitude 84 deg. 30' west; and one of his first cares, on hearing of
the declaration of the war, was to send, on the 26th of June, a
notification of it to Captain Roberts, who was stationed at St. Joseph
with a detachment of the 10th Royal Veteran Battalion, accompanied by
orders to make an immediate attack upon Michilimakinack, if practicable;
or, in the event of an attack by the Americans upon St. Joseph, to
defend it to the utmost. Captain Roberts received at the same time
another letter from Major-General Brock, dated the 27th June, suspending
the orders for the attack from the uncertainty he was under of the
declaration of war. In a third letter, dated Fort George, the 28th June,
Major-General Brock, being sufficiently informed of such a declaration,
directed Captain Roberts to adopt the most prompt and effectual
measures to possess himself of Michilimakinack, and for this purpose to
summon to his assistance the Indians within his influence, as well as
the gentlemen and dependants of the British fur companies near his post.
On the day that Captain Roberts received this letter, another reached
him from Sir George Prevost, dated Quebec, 25th of June, by which he was
directed to take every precaution to secure his post against any attempt
by the enemy, and, in case of necessity, to effect his retreat.[58] This
contrariety of instructions from the two general officers did not fail
to perplex Captain Roberts, who, however, with great promptitude and
decision made preparations for the attack. By another dispatch of the
4th of July, from Major-General Brock, Captain Roberts was left at his
own discretion to adopt either offensive or defensive measures, as
circumstances might dictate. On the 16th July, he accordingly set out
with a flotilla of boats and canoes, in which were embarked 45 officers
and men of the 10th Royal Veteran Battalion, about 180 Canadians, and
nearly 400 Indians, the whole convoyed by the Caledonia brig, belonging
to the North-West company; and on the ensuing morning, the British force
effected a landing before Michilimakinack,[59] the garrison of which,
consisting only of 61 officers and men, immediately surrendered by
capitulation. A quantity of military stores and seven hundred packs of
furs were found in the fort, and its surrender had a very favorable
effect upon the Indians, a large number of whom now joined in open
hostility against the Americans. It will be found by a letter of the
12th August, from Sir George Prevost, who appears to have seen no safety
but in defensive measures, that he would _not_ have approved of the
attack on Michilimakinack if it had occurred prior to Hull's invasion!
And yet that officer, in his official dispatch relative to the capture
of his army and the surrender of Detroit, attributed his disasters
partly to the fall of Michilimakinack, which he said opened the northern
hive of Indians against him!

_Major-General Brock to Sir George Prevost_.

YORK, July 29, 1812.

I have the honor to transmit herewith a dispatch this instant
received from Captain Roberts, announcing the surrender by
capitulation, on the 17th instant, of Fort Michilimakinack.

The conduct of this officer since his appointment to the
command of that distant post, has been distinguished by much
zeal and judgment, and his recent eminent display of those
qualities your excellency will find has been attended with the
most happy effect.

The militia stationed here volunteered this morning their
services to any part of the province without the least
hesitation. I have selected 100, whom I have directed to
proceed without delay to Long Point, where I purpose
collecting a force for the relief of Amherstburg. This
example, I hope, will be followed by as many as may be
required. By the militia law, a mail refusing to march may be
fined L5, or confined three months; and although I have
assembled the legislature for the express purpose of amending
the act, I much fear nothing material will be done. Your
excellency will scarcely believe, that this infatuated house
of assembly have refused, by a majority of two, to suspend for
a limited time the habeas corpus.

The capture of Michilimakinack may produce great changes to
the westward. The actual invasion of the province justifies
every act of hostility on the American territory.

It was not till this morning that I was honored with your
excellency's dispatches, dated the 7th and 10th instant. Their
contents, I beg to assure your excellency, have relieved my
mind considerably. I doubt whether General Hull had
instructions to cross to this side of the river; I rather
suspect he was compelled by a want of provisions. I embark
immediately in the Prince Regent for Fort George. I return
here the day after to-morrow, and shall probably dissolve the
legislature.

_Sir George Prevost to Major-General Brock._

QUEBEC, July 31, 1812.

I have received your letter of the 20th instant, accompanied
by the copy of two letters from Lieut.-Colonel St. George, who
is in command at Amherstburg, and some interesting documents
found on board a schooner, which had been taken by the boats
of the Hunter.

In consequence of your having desired Colonel Proctor to
proceed to Amherstburg, and of your presence being necessary
at the seat of government to meet the legislature of Upper
Canada, I have taken upon myself to place Major-General
Sheaffe on the staff, to enable me to send him to assist you
in the arduous task you have to perform, in the able execution
of which I have great confidence. He has been accordingly
directed to proceed without delay to Upper Canada, there to
place himself under your command.

I believe you are authorized by the commission under which you
administer the government of Upper Canada, to declare martial
law in the event of invasion or insurrection; it is therefore
for you to consider whether you can obtain any thing
equivalent to that power from your legislature. I have not
succeeded in obtaining a modification of it in Lower Canada,
and must therefore, upon the occurrence of either of those
calamities, declare the law martial unqualified, and of course
shut the doors of the courts of civil law.

The report transmitted by Captain Dixon, of the Royal
Engineers, to Lieut.-Colonel Bruyeres, of the state of defence
in which he had placed Fort Amherstburg, together with the
description of the troops allotted for its defence, give me a
foreboding that the result of General Hull's attempt upon that
fort will terminate honorably to our arms.

If Lieut.-Colonel St. George be possessed of the talents and
resources required to form a soldier, he is fortunate in the
opportunity of displaying them. Should General Hull be
compelled to relinquish his operations against Amherstburg, it
will be proper his future movements should be most carefully
observed, as his late march exhibits a more than ordinary
character of enterprize.

Your supposition of my slender means is but too correct;
notwithstanding, you may rely upon every exertion being made
to preserve uninterrupted the communication between Kingston
and Montreal, and that I will also give all possible support
to your endeavours to overcome every difficulty.

The possession of Malden, which I consider means Amherstburg,
appears a favorite object with the government of the United
States. I sincerely hope you will disappoint them.

Should the intelligence, which arrived yesterday by the way of
Newfoundland, prove correct, a remarkable coincidence will
exist in the revocation of our orders in council as regards
America, and the declaration of war by congress against
England, both having taken place on the same day in London and
at Washington, the 17th June.

_Colonel Baynes to Major-General Brock_.

QUEBEC, August 1, 1812.

Sir George yesterday received your letter of the 20th with its
several enclosures, which are, I assure you, highly
interesting to all, and doubly so to those who feel warmly and
sincerely attached to you; and few, I believe, possess more
friends and well wishers than yourself. 100 effective of the
Newfoundland, and 50 picked men of the Veterans, left this in
boats on Thursday, and, as it has blown a gale of east wind
ever since, have I trust made great progress: they were
intended to reinforce the garrison of Kingston, and to relieve
the company of the 49th that escorted stores to that place.
Sir George regrets extremely his inability to render you a
more efficient aid, but, under existing circumstances, he does
not feel himself warranted to do more. I regret to find your
militia at Sandwich so lukewarm, to call it by no harsher
name; but I fear that little can be expected from those
recently settled, or of American extraction, and with our
Canadians we have found a very reluctant compliance. I trust
we may still look to considerable reinforcements from home
this year. We are led to expect the 1st battalion of the
Royals from the West Indies immediately, destined indeed to
relieve the 41st. I hope we shall not be disappointed, as our
militia will feel bold if well backed; and I am sure Sir
George will rejoice in receiving the means of rendering you
further assistance. It appears to be credited that the orders
in council were rescinded, in as far as regarded America, on
the 17th June, the day the war vote was carried: this will
strengthen the oppositionists in the States, and the timid
will feel alarmed, not without reason, when they read the
glorious and judicious exploit of Captain Hotham, in the
Northumberland, 74, in destroying, under circumstances of
great difficulty and peril, two French 44-gun frigates and a
sloop, which received a superior degree of protection from
batteries on the shore than can be afforded to Commodore
Rodgers in any harbour of the States.

The Americans are forming depots in the neighbourhood of the
Montreal frontier and building batteries on the lake, but they
have not brought forward any considerable shew of
strength;--on this appearance of weakness we cannot rely, as
it would answer no good end making a parade before they
intended to attack. If they be serious in their views on this
province, the attempt will be probably backed by predatory
incursions on various points. A corps of militia is kept on
the Point Levi side.

Our legislature meet this day to terminate the session. One
great object has been accomplished in the house, adding the
provincial security to the army money note bill; the province
pays the interest accruing upon the notes and the expense of
the establishment, and they are constituted a legal tender.
Without this step we were completely at a stand, for we could
not obtain money to pay the last month's subsistence to the
troops: great benefit is expected to accrue from the operation
of the bill. The clergy have engaged to promote the
circulation of the notes, all of which above twenty-five
dollars bear interest, and all under are payable on demand.

Adieu, my dear generals--may every success and good fortune
attend you in the arduous task before you: we cannot command
success, but I am sure you will not fail to merit it.

_Lieut.-Colonel Bruyeres, Royal Engineers, to Major-General Brock._

QUEBEC, August 1, 1812.

I take the favorable advantage of this being delivered to you
by General Sheaffe, to assure you of the sincere interest I
feel in the very arduous and important position you are now
placed in to protect and defend a chain of posts, and a
country that has been so long neglected. This difficult task
placed in any other hands, I should consider very
discouraging; but I acknowledge that I look with a certain
degree of confidence to your abilities and perseverance in
surmounting every difficulty that must unavoidably occur in a
service of this nature. I most fervently and earnestly hope
that every possible success may attend all your proceedings. I
trust that you will always meet with zeal and activity in the
officers of my department, to perform every part of the duty
allotted to their charge. It is very difficult at this
distance to suggest any ideas that might be useful, as every
operation in which you are engaged must depend so entirely
upon local circumstances, and the conduct which the enemy may
pursue towards attaining the object he has in view. I am glad
to find that the new arrival of the Royals, expected at Quebec
to-morrow, will give you the reinforcement of the 49th
regiment, which, with the detachments of the Newfoundland and
Veterans, and gun-boat No. 7, will add something to your
present strength.

_Sir George Prevost to Major-General Brock._

QUEBEC, August 2, 1812.

Last evening an officer of the 98th regiment arrived here
express from Halifax, the bearer of dispatches to me, dated on
the 22d ultimo, from Mr. Foster, who was then in Nova Scotia.

I lose no time in making you acquainted with the substance of
this gentleman's communication. He informs me that he had just
received dispatches from England, referring to a declaration
of ministers in parliament, relative to a proposed repeal of
the orders in council, provided the United States government
would return to relations of amity with us, the contents of
which may possibly induce the American government to agree to
a suspension of hostilities as a preliminary to negotiations
for peace;--that he proposed sending his majesty's hired armed
ketch Gleaner to New York, with letters to Mr. Baker, whom he
had left at Washington in a demi-official capacity, with
directions to communicate with the American minister and to
write to me the result of his interview. Should the president
of the United States think proper to signify that hostile
operations should cease on the American side, Mr. Foster
suggests the expediency of my being prepared to make a similar
signification on our part.

As I propose sending Colonel Baynes immediately into the
United States, with a proposal for a cessation of hostile
operations, I enclose for your information the copy of my
letter to General Dearborn, or the commander-in-chief of the
American forces.

Mr. Foster also submits the propriety of our abstaining from
an invasion of the United States territory, as only in such an
event could the American government be empowered to order the
militia out of the States. I am led to believe from this, that
General Hull, in possessing himself of Sandwich, has exceeded
his instructions; particularly as Mr. Foster informs me that
Mr. Monroe had told him Fort Maiden (Amherstburg) would not be
attacked, but that General Hull had stated to a friend of his,
some time ago, that he would attempt it.

A report has been made to me that a frigate and six
transports, with the Royal Scots (1st battalion) on board,
from the West Indies, are just below Bic;--in consequence of
this reinforcement, I have ordered the company of the 49th
regiment, sent to Kingston, to remain there; and in addition
to the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, and a detachment of an
officer and 50 Veterans most fit for service, now on their
route to that station, I shall order Major Ormsby, with three
companies of the 49th regiment, to proceed from Montreal to
the same post, to be disposed of as you may find it necessary.

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30