prove well founded, but I fear they are too wild a set to
thrive in Upper Canada.

As I felt at a loss how to introduce the subject of your
personal views and wishes, I gave Sir James your letter to
read; it did not, however, draw from him any remark on those
topics. I know that he is very strongly impressed with the
necessity of having a person like yourself for some time in
the Upper Province, that a scrutinizing eye may correct the
errors and neglect that have crept in, and put all in order
again; and, _in confidence between ourselves_, I do not think
he would be more ready to part with you from that station, in
consequence of the arrival of Colonel Murray, who is not at
all to his taste, and has managed, by a most indiscreet and
indecent conversation at his table, to blot himself out of his
good opinion. The conversation was on the subject of Cobbett,
and the colonel's the only dissenting voice, which he exerted
with the more energy in proportion to the badness of his
cause, and after defending him in a style and language highly
indecorous, and reprehensible to be held at the table of the
governor, he so completely forgot himself as to repeat and
justify the very offensive and illiberal publications of
Cobbett respecting the German troops and foreign officers,
although sitting directly opposite to General de Rottenburg.
Sir James, who was suffering extremely from the commencement
of a very severe attack of illness, could contain himself no
longer, and silenced Murray by a very severe but highly just
rebuke. Rottenburg appeared much hurt, and said to me that he
was very sorry to find that any officer, entrusted with the
honor of commanding a corps, could take a pleasure in exposing
such sentiments as he had heard from Colonel M. Colonel Kempt,
who naturally feels much interested for his young cousin,
(Mrs. Murray,) and who really deserves and merits it for her
own sake, was much mortified and vexed at Murray's
impropriety.[28]

The charms of Mrs. de Rottenburg have not effaced you from the
recollection of your friends, who very sincerely regret your
absence.

_Lieut.-Colonel Thornton[29] (Military Secretary and first Aide-de-Camp)
to Brigadier Brock_.

QUEBEC, October 4, 1810.

I was yesterday favored with your letter of the 23d ultimo,
and have not fai