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 wretchedly officered.  Six companies of the 49th are with me here, and the remaining four at Kingston, under Vincent.  Although the regiment has been ten years in this country, drinking rum without bounds, it is still respectable, and apparently ardent for an opportunity to acquire distinction:  it has five captains in England, and two on the staff in this country, which leaves it bare of experienced officers.  The U.S. regiments of the line desert over to us frequently, as the men are tired of the service:  opportunities seldom offer, otherwise I have reason to think the greater part would follow the example.  The militia, being chiefly composed of enraged democrats, are more ardent and anxious to engage, but they have neither subordination nor discipline.  They die very fast.  You will hear of some decisive action in the course of a fortnight, or in all probability we shall return to a state of tranquillity.  I say decisive, because if I should be beaten, the province is inevitably gone; and should I be victorious, I do not imagine the gentry from the other side will be anxious to return to the charge.

It is certainly something singular that we should be upwards of two months in a state of warfare, and that along this widely extended frontier not a single death, either natural or by the sword, should have occurred among the troops under my command, and we have not been altogether idle, nor has a single desertion taken place.

    I am quite anxious for this state of warfare to end, as I wish
    much to join Lord Wellington, and to see you all.

    Has poor Betsey recovered the loss of my young and dear
    friend, John Tupper?

Sir George Prevost to Major-General Brock.

    MONTREAL, September 25, 1812.

It no longer appears, by your letter of the 13th, that you consider the enemy’s operations on the Niagara frontier indicative of active operations.  If the government of America inclines to defensive measures, I can only ascribe the determination to two causes:  the first is, the expectation of such overtures from us as will lead to a suspension of hostilities, preparatory to negociations for peace; the other arises from having ascertained, by experience, our ability in the Canadas to resist the attack of a tumultuary force.

In consequence of your having weakened the line of communication between Cornwall and Kingston, a predatory warfare is carrying on there very prejudicial to the intercourse from hence with Upper Canada.  I have ordered a company of the Glengary to Prescott to strengthen Colonel Lethbridge, and, under present circumstances, you are not to expect further aid.