By the treaties which have expired, the navigation
of the waters that divide the two countries is regulated and
stipulated to be still in force, although every other part
should cease to be obligatory.

I get on here pretty well, but this place loses at this season
the undoubted advantage it possesses over Quebec in winter.
Great additions are making to the fortifications at Quebec,
and, when completed, the Americans will, if I mistake not,
think it prudent not to trouble the place, for they can have
no chance of making any impression upon it during the short
period which the severity of the climate only permits an enemy
to lay before it. I erected, as I believe I told you before, a
famous battery, which the public voice named after me; but Sir
James, thinking very properly that any thing so very
pre-eminent should be distinguished by the most exalted
appellation, has called it the King's Battery, the greatest
compliment, I conceive, that he could pay to my judgment.[22]
Not a desertion has been attempted by any of the 49th for the
last ten months, with the exception indeed of Hogan, Savery's
former servant. He served Glegg in the same capacity, who took
him with him to the Falls of Niagara, where a fair damsel
persuaded him to this act of madness, for the fellow cannot
possibly gain his bread by labour, as he has half killed
himself with excessive drinking; and we know he cannot live
upon love alone. The weather has been exceedingly hot the last
week, the thermometer fluctuating from 94 degrees to 100
degrees in the shade. The embargo has proved a famous harvest
to some merchants here. It is certainly the most ridiculous
measure imaginable, and was evidently adopted with the view of
pleasing France; but no half measure can satisfy Napoleon, and
this colony has been raised by it to a degree of importance
that ensures its future prosperity.

_Brigadier Brock to his Brothers_.

QUEBEC, September 5, 1808.

I have been here but a few days, having been superseded at
Montreal by Major-General Drummond. I do not approve much of
the change, as being separated from the 49th is a great
annoyance to me. But soldiers must accustom themselves to
frequent movements; and as they have no choice, it often
happens that they are placed in situations little agreeing
with their