something considerable. If it enable me to contribute to your
comfort and happiness, I shall esteem it my highest reward.
When I returned Heaven thanks for my amazing success, I
thought of you all; you appeared to me happy--your late
sorrows forgotten; and I felt as if you acknowledged that the
many benefits, which for a series of years I received from
you, were not unworthily bestowed. Let me know, my dearest
brothers, that you are all again united. The want of union was
nearly losing this province without even a struggle, and be
assured it operates in the same degree in regard to families.

A cessation of hostilities has taken place along this
frontier. Should peace follow, the measure will be well; if
hostilities recommence, nothing could be more unfortunate than
this pause. I cannot give you freely an account of my
situation--it is, however, of late much improved. The militia
have been inspired, by the recent success, with
confidence--the disaffected are silenced. The 49th have come
to my aid, besides other troops. I shall see Vincent, I hope,
this evening at Kingston. He is appointed to the command of
that post--a most important one. I have withdrawn Plenderleath
from Niagara to assist him. P---- is sitting opposite to me,
and desires to be remembered. James Brock is likewise at
Kingston. I believe he considers it more his interest to
remain with the 49th than to act as my private secretary;
indeed, the salary is a mere pittance. Poor Leggatt is dead,
and has left his family in the most distressing
circumstances. His wife died last year.

Major Smelt and Captain Brown have sent me your letters, for
which I thank you. Let Richard Potenger be assured that his
letter afforded me the highest gratification. I trust in
Heaven that the whole of his thoughts will be directed to
study, and to qualify himself for the holy profession he has
chosen. Ignorance is despised in most men, but more
particularly in the clergyman educated at one of the
universities, who must have neglected so many opportunities of
acquiring knowledge.

I received the other day a long letter from Sir Thomas
Saumarez, from Halifax. I regret the death of the two Harry
Brocks.[84] I have likewise been particularly unfortunate in
the loss of two valuable military friends. I begin to be too