Sir George has great pleasure in acceding to your request to
be permitted to nominate one or two ensigns to the Glengary
Fencibles, and, if you wish, young Shaw may be immediately
provided for in that corps, and afterwards transferred to the
line.

The cold here has been severer for the last eight days than
has ever been recollected by the oldest inhabitant; the
thermometer falling as low as 33 degrees under cipher,
accompanied with high wind, and never rising during all that
time above 15 degrees below--it is at this moment 20 degrees
under cipher: fortunate you, that are in a milder climate, for
we are suffering dreadfully from excessive cold. By your
description of your pastime in shooting wild pigeons, you
certainly possess a very great advantage over us in these
respects. We have been much plagued with opthalmia, which has
been very general in the king's regiment, and the severe cold
does not prevent the contagion.

* * * * *

On the 4th February, 1812, Major-General Brock, accompanied by a
numerous suite, opened the session of the legislature at York with the
following speech to the legislative council and the house of assembly:

"Honorable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen
of the House of Assembly.

"I should derive the utmost satisfaction, the first time of my
addressing you, were it permitted me to direct your attention
solely to such objects as tended to promote the peace and
prosperity of this province.

"The glorious contest in which the British empire is engaged,
and the vast sacrifice which Great Britain nobly offers to
secure the independence of other nations, might be expected to
stifle every feeling of envy and jealousy, and at the same
time to excite the interest and command the admiration of a
free people; but, regardless of such generous impressions, the
American government evinces a disposition calculated to impede
and divide her efforts.

"England is not only interdicted the harbours of the United
States, while they afford a shelter to the cruisers of her
inveterate enemy, but she is likewise required to resign
those maritime rights which she has so long exercised and
enjoyed. Insulting threats are offered, and hostile
preparations actually commenced; and though not without hope
that cool refle