the young men ot the Six Nations can no longer be restrained, and that in case of refusal on the part of the United States to accept their services they would join the Indians under the British standard. Mr. Granger has therefore been authorized, after every attempt to secure their neutrality has failed, to employ them.” In singular contradiction to the statements contained in this letter stands a speech delivered at the ancient council ground of the Six Nations by sixteen chiefs, representing five tribes of the confederacy distributed as far west as Tunawanda, on the 29th of September. “Having been told repeatedly by your agents to remain neutral, we were very much surprised at the council held at Buffalo Creek, at being invited to take up the tomahawk. We are not unfriendly to the United States but are few in number, and can do but little, but are willing to do what we can, and if you say so we will go with your people to battle. We are anxious to know your wishes as soon as possible, because we are afraid some of our young men may disperse among distant tribes and be hostile to you.” By the beginning of October it is certain that about 300 warriors joined Van Rensselaer’s army, but they seemed to have sent some apologetic message to the allied tribes in the British service, for these assured Brock that they would not act against him with any spirit. “So I imagine,” he observed with his accustomed shrewdness, ‘‘if we continue to show a bold front, but in the event of a disaster the love of plunder will prevail in a manner to be the most dreaded by the inhabitants of this country.”
The American militia were constantly in the habit of stealing down to the river and firing at the British sentries, the batteries and private houses on the opposite bank, and excited an intense and almost ferocious feeling of hatred among the troops under Brock’s command, but he had the satisfaction of being able to report at the end of two months of incessant annoyance and alarm, that his regulars had not been diminished by a single death at the hands of the enemy, nor by a solitary desertion, and that his entire force was in good health and spirits in spite of their privations. A letter from a spy, apparently residing near Fort Erie, to General Van Rensselaer, gives a very striking picture of the situation and feelings of the people at this time. ‘‘General Brock,” he remarks, ‘‘has paid attention to every particular that can relate to the future resources of the province under his charge as well as to its immediate defence. The harvest bas been got in tolerably well and greater preparation is made for sowing fall grain than ever before. The militia law is modified as much as possible to suit the circumstances of the people, and measures taken to prevent them feeling the burden of the war. The women work in the fields, encouragement being given for that purpose. When Hull’s proclamation appeared it had its effect, there being security promised for private property, and the people would willingly have submitted, but when it was found that private property was seized without compensation the public sentiment entirely changed. The success of General Brock established the general sentiment; he has since made the most of it, has become personally highly popular; in short, has taken every measure that a judicious officer will take in his circumstances for the security of the province. A determination now prevails among the people to defend the country.”
No dread of impending disaster ever damped his spirits or abated his activity. Impressibly sanguine himself he possessed the rare faculty of imbuing all who came in contact with him with unbounded confidence in his abilities and respect for his character. To maintain his position in the force of the overwhelming numbers gathering in his front might at times have seemed well nigh hopeless, yet no sign of despondency ever appeared in his manner or conversation. His wonted sagacity was displayed in the selection of members of his military family. John McDonnell, the attorney-general of the province and M. P. P. for Glengarry, and James Givins, of the Indian departiment, a man thoroughly familiar with the language and customs of the Indians of the province, were appointed provincial aides-de-camp. Robert Nichol, a millionaire of Port Dover, who knew intimately every part of the country between the Niagara and Detroit and almost every man in it, was made assistant quertermaster-general.
When the assembly was prorogued an address to the people of the province had been prepared and signed by nearly the whole of the members, urging them to defend their country and pledging their aid and advice in the cause, and most of them had now taken the field in some capacity. Many of the surviving loyalists, too old and feeble to bear the fatigue of a campaign, tendered their services to perform garrison duty.
The weather had been extremely discouraging. July had been excessively hot and dry, but August brought floods of rain. Wheat sprouted in the fields after being reaped and much of the harvest was ruined.
