James Brock, I beg that you will afford me the pleasure of
executing your commissions. I have not time to add more, but
to assure you both of Lady S.'s and my best wishes and
regards.

_Major-General Brock to Sir George Prevost_.

FORT GEORGE, July 25, 1812.

Since my dispatch to your excellency of the 20th instant, I
have received information of the enemy having made frequent
and extensive inroads from Sandwich up the river Thames. I
have in consequence been induced to detach Capt. Chambers with
about 50 of the 41st regiment to the Moravian town, where I
have directed 200 militia to join him. From the loud and
apparently warm professions of the Indians residing on the
Grand River, I made no doubt of finding at all times a large
majority ready to take the field and act in conjunction with
our troops; but accounts received this morning state that they
have determined to remain neutral, and they had consequently
refused, with the exception of about fifty, to join Captain
Chambers' detachment.

I meditated a diversion to the westward, the moment I could
collect a sufficient number of militia, in the hope of
compelling General Hull to retreat across the river; but this
unexpected intelligence has ruined the whole of my plans. The
militia, which I destined for this service, will now be
alarmed, and unwilling to leave their families to the mercy
of 400 Indians, whose conduct affords such wide room for
suspicion; and really to expect that this fickle race will
remain in a state of neutrality in the midst of war, would be
truly absurd. The Indians have probably been led to this
change of sentiment by emissaries from General Hull, whose
proclamation to the Six Nations is herewith enclosed.

I have not deemed it of sufficient consequence to commence
active operations on this line, by an attack on Fort Niagara.
It can be demolished, when found necessary, in half an hour,
and there my means of annoyance would terminate. To enable the
militia to acquire some degree of discipline without
interruption, is of far greater consequence than such a
conquest. Every thing in my power shall be done to overcome
the difficulties by which I am surrounded; but without strong
reinforcements, I fear the country cannot be roused to make
exertions equal to meet this crisis.

I p