s were likewise looking to us for assistance: they
heard of the armistice with every mark of jealousy, and, had
we refused joining them in the expedition, it is impossible to
calculate the consequences. I have already been asked to
pledge my word that England would enter into no negociation in
which their interests were not included, and, could they be
brought to imagine that we should desert them, the
consequences must be fatal.

I shall be obliged to your excellency to direct L5,000 to be
transmitted to the receiver-general, for the civil expenditure
of this province. Army bills, I make no doubt, will answer
every purpose.

This dispatch is entrusted to Lieut.-Colonel Nichol,
quartermaster-general of this militia, whom I take the liberty
to introduce to your excellency, as perfectly qualified, from
his local knowledge and late return, to afford every
information of the state of affairs in the western district.
He is instructed to make extensive purchases of necessaries
for the use of the militia, and I have to entreat your
excellency to indulge him with the means of a speedy
conveyance back to this place.

_Major-General Brock to his brother Savery_.

FORT GEORGE, September 18, 1812.

You doubtless feel much anxiety on my account. I am really
placed in a most awkward predicament. If I get through my
present difficulties with tolerable success, I cannot but
obtain praise. But I have already surmounted difficulties of
infinitely greater magnitude than any within my view. Were the
Americans of one mind, the opposition I could make would be
unavailing; but I am not without hope that their divisions may
be the saving of this province. A river of about 500 yards
broad divides the troops. My instructions oblige me to adopt
defensive measures, and I have evinced greater forbearance
than was ever practised on any former occasion. It is thought
that, without the aid of the sword, the American people may be
brought to a due sense of their own interests. I firmly
believe I could at this moment sweep every thing before me
between Fort Niagara and Buffalo--but my success would be
transient.

I have now officers in whom I can confide: when the war
commenced, I was really obliged to seek assistance among the
militia. The 41st is an uncommonly fine regiment, but