s
scarcely established.]

[Footnote 34: The father of her present Majesty, Queen Victoria.]

CHAPTER V.

On the 4th June, 1811, Brigadier Brock was promoted, and appointed by
the prince regent to serve from that day as a major-general on the staff
of North America. On the 19th of the same month, Sir James Craig
embarked on board his majesty's ship Amelia for England, leaving Mr.
Dunn in charge of the government of the Lower Province, and
Lieut.-General Drummond in command of the forces in the Canadas,
consisting of 445 artillery, 3,783 regular troops, and 1,226 Fencibles;
in all, 5,454 men. He seemed disgusted with the cares of a government,
in which he had experienced only crosses and mortification, as his
administration was decidedly unpopular among the great mass of the
French Canadians. His health had long been wasting away with a dropsy
and other infirmities, and he doubted whether he should live to reach
England, where he however survived several months, and met with a most
gracious reception from his immediate superiors. Sir James Craig had
been from his youth in the service of his country,[35] and he owed to
merit alone his rank and consideration in the army. He was corpulent in
person, and rather below the middle stature; his features were strong
and regular, his aspect was severe and imposing, his deportment, manly
and dignified; in society he was polite, frank, and affable. He is said
to have been positive in his opinions, and therefore prompt and decisive
in his measures. To a clear and comprehensive judgment, he united the
best qualities of the heart, and though hasty in temper, he was easily
reconciled to those who might involuntarily have incurred his
resentment. In fine, he seems to have possessed all the sterling and
undisguised virtues that distinguish the soldier, and some of the
qualities that constitute the able statesman. Although many differed
widely in opinion with respect to his government, yet few could deny him
the merit of disinterestedness and integrity in the discharge of his
public duties. He may have erred in the performance of the important and
complicated functions of his post, but he was guided by sincerity; and
it is due to his memory to add, that the objects of his administration,
however erroneous the means he pursued for their attainment, were the
concord, the happiness, and the prosperity of the people whom he
governed for nearly four years.[36]

_Major-General Vese