The Astonishing General. Wesley B. Turner
have been completely armed and equipped out of the king’s stores at Amherstburg.”[16]
Brock recognized that because of the government’s policy of providing native tribes with weapons and other supplies, it had put itself in a very awkward position in urging restraint. As he wrote to Governor Craig, “Our cold attempt to dissuade that much injured people from engaging in such a rash enterprise could scarcely be expected to prevail,” particularly as the Indian Department had provided them a “liberal quantity of military stores.”[17] While muskets could be used for hunting, “military stores” contains a suggestion of other uses. Nevertheless, Brock’s duty was to support Craig’s policy. Hence, in March 1811, he ordered Major Taylor, officer commanding at Amherstburg, to dissuade the native warriors from launching war but to do so carefully in order not to create resentment that might threaten future alliance. Little did Brock know that in a few months he would be responsible for maintaining the alliance without provoking conflict with the Americans.
The summer of 1811 saw many changes of command in the Canadas. Sir James Craig, because of his worsening health as well as his political difficulties, obtained approval to return to England[18] (see Appendix D). On June 19, 1811, he embarked from Quebec City, leaving Thomas Dunn in charge of the government of Lower Canada and Lieutenant-General Gordon Drummond in command of the forces in the Canadas.[19] Drummond moved to Quebec and Brock — a major-general as of June fourth — was given command of Montreal.
On September 14th, Sir George Prevost, the new governor-in-chief of British North America and commander of all His Majesty’s Forces, arrived at Quebec.[20] The arrival of such an important personage required a good deal of ceremony, including the firing of salutes by guns on two ships and a reply by the “grand battery” on shore. He landed with “his lady, family and suite” at the king’s wharf, where he was greeted by officers of the garrison and by the 8th Regiment, whose band played “God Save the King.” He mounted his horse and, accompanied by officers, rode to the Château Saint Louis to be received there by the colours and band of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. (Each regiment had a regimental flag with the colour of the cuffs and collars of the soldiers’ coats and a union flag in the upper canton. The regimental colour and the king’s colour — the Union Jack — had the regimental name or number enclosed in a wreath of roses, and thistles in the centre of the colour. They were carried into battle by ensigns guarded by two sergeants, the whole group known as the regiment’s colour party. The colours provided a rallying point for the regiment amidst the smoke of battle but, naturally, drew enemy fire. It was an honour to carry and defend the colours and a great disgrace to have them captured.) Prevost had joined the British Army in 1779, and from 1794 saw active service in the West Indies. In 1795, his successful defence of Dominica against the French gained him promotion to the rank of major general and a baronetcy. He had political experience as lieutenant governor of St. Lucia, governor of Dominica, and since 1808 lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia. There he had proven to be a pragmatic and conciliatory governor who avoided any serious quarrel with the elected assembly. The political crisis in Lower Canada raised the possibility of undermining popular support for the government in case of war with the United States. Prevost’s political skill, along with his fluent bilingualism, help explain why he was chosen.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Gore of Upper Canada obtained leave to return to England and he departed in October 1811. Prevost’s instructions from the British government were to combine the civil and military roles in Upper Canada, probably because it was the most threatened area of the colony in the event of war with the United States. Prevost decided to send Brock to Upper Canada as both military commander and civil administrator. The government’s instinct was sound and no more a capable officer than Brock could have been sent. Brock’s residence of about three months in Montreal ended as he departed for Upper Canada.
On September 30th, he met the members of the executive council, presented his appointment as commander of the forces in the province, and the orders of the Prince Regent “appointing the Officer Commanding the forces in Upper Canada to be a Member of the Executive Council.”[21] The necessary oaths were then given in the presence of Gore, Chief Justice Thomas Scott, John McGill, the inspector general of public provincial accounts, Justice William Dummer Powell, and Prideaux Selby, the receiver general. On October 9th, the day after Gore departed for England, Brock began his term as president of the council that was to last just over a year. As administrator of Upper Canada, he headed the civil government and one of his most important tasks was to convene the Legislature, use his influence to have measures passed, and end a session by proroguing the Parliament.
As if the major general did not have enough on his mind, during that summer the Brock family was hit by a financial crisis. In 1810 and 1811, English trade and industry entered a period of depression that was part of a wider pattern of a severe shortage of credit in Europe and the United States.[22] William Brock was the senior partner of a London firm of bankers and merchants that declared bankruptcy in June 1811, partly owing to French seizures of ships in the Baltic Sea. William had advanced to Isaac about £3,000 for the purchase of his commissions and, being childless, had never intended to ask for repayment. Unfortunately, Isaac’s name appeared in the company’s books with the sum charged against him. But the family also suffered because William had been supporting his brother Daniel’s business and, late in 1810, was forced to cut off those funds. There was a greater shock for Isaac. He learned that Savery had suffered financially and that he and William, both brothers connected with the firm, had quarrelled and become estranged because of the bankruptcy. In light of Isaac’s strong affection for his family, it is not hard to imagine the sorrow he felt, and he expressed it in his letters. He wrote to Savery,
I have this instance finished a letter to Irving. I attempted to write composedly, but found it impossible. The newspapers gave me the first intimation of the heavy misfortune we have all sustained … I want to be at once apprized of the full extent of our misery. Why keep me in this horrid suspense?
I write merely to say, for really my poor head cannot allow me to say more, that tomorrow I enter into the official duties of the president of this province. The salary attached to the situation is £1,000, the whole of which, I trust, I shall be able to save, and, after a year or two, even more.
Yesterday was my first truly gloomy birthday I have ever passed. May you be happy.[23]
Weeks would pass before Brock could receive the latest news from his family. He wrote with uncertainty but he was prepared to act decisively. He asked Irving what was the size of the debt and whether or not he (Isaac) would have to sell his commissions. He intended to sign over his salary, urging Irving to “pay over as fast as you receive it, unless indeed want among any of you calls for aid; in that case make use of the money, and let the worst come. I leave everything to your sober discretion.” As a major-general, Brock was supposed to receive an annual salary of £456/5/0. It was not easy for Brock to give up this money, for he explained that he had spent £300 or £400 on “outfits” and so could not send any sums that year. As president of the council — in effect, lieutenant governor of the province — he had to maintain a certain image, which meant: “Much shew and feasting are indispensable to attract the multitude, especially in a colony like this, where equality prevails to such a degree that men judge of your disposition, of your frankness, by your frequency of the invitations they receive. At present, all classes profess great regard and esteem for me; but although I hope they may, I cannot expect such sentiments will continue long.” He was too critical of both Upper Canadians and of himself. It is not clear if Brock did drastically curtail his expenditures; no complaints have come to light in the records. All evidence indicates that he was regarded with respect and even affection by most of the population.
That Isaac had many true friends is clear from a letter written to him by William:
You have received, or will receive shortly, a letter from our assignees, desiring to be informed in what manner the debt, which appears in our books as owing by you, is to be liquidated … it amounts to something over £3000 … Some reports had, but very erroneously, been circulated that they [the assignees] had already commenced legal steps against you; and upon this report a young gentleman lately arrived from Canada, a Mr. Ellice, called upon Charles Bell to enquire if it were so, and told Bell that rather than anything unpleasant should happen to you, he would contrive