326

BROCK'S INFERIOR FORCES.

[CHAP. XI.

movement westward was caused by anxiety, and not by any relief on the New York side. He brought no such additional force as would have interfered with Hull's safety, and he is known to have brought all the men he could spare. His memoirs show that the condition of the Niagara frontier made him very uneasy, and that he dared not lesson its defences.

The militia force of Upper Canada was discovered at once to furnish no basis for any such fears as are made to appear so natural in the retrospect. The possible thousands were not men under arms, but men liable to be called out. The numbers actually armed and enrolled were not great, and, while probably about as good material as the militia forces of the United States, could not be any better. Brock's first orders at Malden, on the 14th of August, complained bitterly of the number of desertions. Hull's force of regulars was larger than Brock's, and his volunteers at least two or three times greater than the force of Canadian militia near Detroit, and some of these were not novices. McArthur's raid into the Thames country had completely demolished any theory that the country away from the garrisons was dangerous. The abortive expedition of

Chambers was quite as significant.

with seventeen guns, came on board and gave him the first intelligence of the armistice which Sir George Prevost had unfortunately concluded with the American General, Dearborn. Major General Brock could not conceal his deep regret and mortification at the intelligence which he found would prevent his contemplated attack on Sacketts Harbor."-Brock's Life, P. 274.

CHAP. XI.]

HULL'S UNFITNESS TO COMMAND.

327

The fact that the news of war arrived at Malden several days before Hull's army reached the Detroit River, gave the commander of that place an opportunity of taking Detroit by surprise. As in spite of his larger garrison and Indian allies, and his auxiliary naval force, he did not venture on such a measure, the inference is plain that he had not much confidence in his own position; and so it appeared to all but Hull himself.

The effect produced on the mind, in reading the vindication which the memoirs set forth, is such as to relieve Hull from any suspicion of disloyalty, and to excite a certain degree of sympathy for him, as one of those failures which result from being placed in a false position, for which he was utterly unsuited, and where his associates knew his unfitness and could not tolerate it. In a quiet community, where no perilous surroundings disturb the general security, such a reputable old citizen, of genial disposition and on good terms with himself, would naturally receive very flattering treatment, and have his faith in himself considerably magnified. Such exaggerations and suspicions as are found in his whole conduct. are so general among the class of characters to which he evidently belonged, as usually to receive a great deal of toleration. Few persons are so

popular at home as the kind-hearted social magnates, who sincerely desire to make all around them happy, and who, from the universal liking and deference which they receive, become in time im

328

ACCOUNTABILITY OF COMMANDERS.

[CHAP. XI,

pressed with the idea, more or less clearly defined to their consciousness, that their judgment is infallible. No persons are slower to discover their own deficiencies, or to attribute their failures to the true cause, and few are less able to bear opposition or slights.

The stern realities of" border war will not justify deference to any foibles which endanger the country; and the necessities of justice demand that every one shall be held to a strict responsibility, when he assumes a place where the safety of the community depends on his firmness and wisdom. The weakness which imperils such large interests, although it may belong to a well meaning and very amiable man, is, nevertheless, a moral wrong as well as a legal crime. It may not injure the transgressor in the eyes of those who have known his merits, and have not suffered from his faults. But it would be very dangerous to society if the true character of such derelictions of duty should be so far glossed over, as to enroll convicted offenders among the noble army of martyrs, or to give them approval when it is magnanimous to pardon them.

The British Army assumed control of the fort and Territory, and the people came under the dominion of martial law. Under such a com

mander as General Brock, it would have been as tolerable as such a rule can usually be made. Under Proctor it was not so tolerable.

CHAPTER XII.

BRITISH POSSESSION AND AMERICAN RE-CONQUEST OF

MICHIGAN.

IMMEDIATELY after the surrender, the paroled troops returned home, and the prisoners were taken down the lake. At the request of his associates, Colonels McArthur and Findlay, and Lieutenant Colonel Miller, Colonel Cass made a report to the government of the whole history of Hull's career as commander. This was assailed by a portion of the press with great malignity, and it was even charged to have emanated from Mr. Rush, as an administration defence. As history has thoroughly disposed of these calumnies, and the document has been abundantly verified and approved, it may be passed without remark. The sentiments of Ohio and Pennsylvania, concerning their sons engaged in the transactions about Detroit, were evinced by their votes of thanks to the volunteer and regular forces and their officers. Miller, and others of his regiment, were brevetted for their good conduct at Monguagon, and on other occasions named, where they had distinguished themselves. Cass and McArthur continued after their exchange in active ser

330

MILITARY GOVERNMENT.

[CHAP. XII.

vice, and were advanced in rank by the popular and State action, as well as by the United States. Both earned a solid reputation as soldiers and as civil officers, and few men have done more for the advancement of the northwest.

General Brock, before he departed, issued a proclamation, dated on the day of the surrender, in which he declared that the Territory of Michigan had been ceded to the arms of His Britannic Majesty, "without any other condition than the protection of private property." He therefore declares that, "wishing to give an early proof of the moderation and justice of the government," he announces that the laws in force shall continue until the King's pleasure shall be known, so long as the peace and safety of the Territory will admit; and that all the inhabitants shall be fully protected in their religion. He required all public property, and all arms, public or private, to be delivered up.'

The reference to the alleged sole condition is remarkable. The copy of the capitulation, appended to Hull's trial, contains the following article: "Article 3d. Private property, and private persons of every description, will be respected." From the charges and specifications against him, this must have been assumed as correct. There are several verbal differences between this copy and the one published in Niles' Register, which appears to be more correct in names and various

13 Niles, 25.