Page:Tupper family records - 1835.djvu/41

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ostentatious display, endeavoured to clothe the dis- tressing ceremony with all his native simplicity. Such was the esteem in which he was held by the enemies of his country, for he had or could have no personal enemies, that Major-General Van Renssalaer, in a letter of condolence, informed Major-General Sheaffe that immediately after the funeral solemnities were over on the British side, a compliment of minute guns would be paid to his memory on theirs ! ! ! Ac- cordingly, the cannon at Fort Niagara were fired, "asa mark of respect due to a brave enemy." How much is it then to be regretted that we should ever come into collision with those who possess the same origin and the same language as ourselves, and who, by this generous feeling and conduct, proved that they are a liberal, as they undoubtedly are a gallant, people ; and may the future rivalry of both powers be, not for the unnatural destruction of each other, but for the benefit of mankind.* No words can bet- ter express the favorable opinion entertained by the Americans of the deceased than the language of their president, Madison, who, alluding to the battle of Queenston in his annual message to congress, ob- served : " Our loss has been considerable, and is deeply to be lamented. That of the enemy, less ascertained, will be the more felt, as it includes amongst the killed the commanding general, who was also the governor of the province."

Nature had been very bountiful to Sir Isaac Brock

  • The Americans have been frequently traduced for declaring war with

Great Britain when the greater part of Europe was arrayed against her, but we must admit, in common candour, that they had received many provo- cations ; their citizens had been impressed, their ships captured, their commerce restrained, and, above all, their coasts had been iusulted ; and national warfare has yet to be waged on more generous principles, if the aggressed await the convenience of the aggressor.

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