obtained his promotion as a major-general, and he at the same time anxiously repeated his application to the commander-in-chief for more active employment in Europe. At the close of that year His Royal Highness at length expressed every inclination to gratify his wishes, and Sir George Prevost was autho- rised to replace him by another officer ; but when the permission reached Canada, a war with the United States of America was evidently near at hand, and Major- General Brock, with such a prospect, was retained both by honor and inclination in the country. At the commencement of the second American war, in June, 1812, Great Britain having long been engaged in an arduous struggle in Europe, was totally unprepared to protect the Canadas with that force which an extended frontier of eight hundred miles* demanded ; and Major-General Brock, who was admi- nistering the civil as well as the military government of the Upper Province, could scarcely collect fifteen hundred regular troops for its immediate defence. With this very inadequate force, it was the opinion of the highest authorities that the Province could not be maintained ; but fortunately the major-general had so gained on the affections of all within his control, that, in the trying period of invasion, the Upper Cana- dians, with few exceptions, displayed a zealous and even enthusiastic loyalty, which surprised those most who believed they knew them best. These excep- tions occurred in the western districts, far removed from the seat of government, and which were the
- From Quebec to Amherstburgh, at the head of Lake Erie.
At the opening of the war in July, 1812, the regular force in the Canadas consisted of seven regiments of infantry, three of which were fencible bat- talions, one of veterans or invalids, and a detachment of artillery, amounting in all to less than four thousand five hundred men. The incorporated militia of the two provinces probably amounted to an equal number, — Quarterly Review.
�� �
