articles but from the Canadas?  Bonaparte, it is known, has expressed a strong desire to be in possession of the colonies formerly belonging to France, and now that they are become so valuable to England, his anxiety to wrest them from us will naturally increase.  A small French force, 4 or 5,000 men, with plenty of muskets, would most assuredly conquer this province.  The Canadians would join them almost to a man—­at least, the exceptions would be so few as to be of little avail.  It may appear surprising that men, petted as they have been and indulged in every thing they could desire, should wish for a change.  But so it is—­and I am apt to think that were Englishmen placed in the same situation, they would shew even more impatience to escape from French rule.  How essentially different are the feelings of the people from when I first knew them.  The idea prevails generally among them, that Napoleon must succeed, and ultimately get possession of these provinces.  The bold and violent are becoming every day more audacious; and the timid, with that impression, think it better and more prudent to withdraw altogether from the society of the English, rather than run the chance of being accused hereafter of partiality to them.  The consequence is, that little or no intercourse exists between the two races.  More troops will be required in this country, were it only to keep down this growing turbulent spirit.  The governor will, it is foreseen, have a difficult card to play next month with the assembly, which is really getting too daring and arrogant.  Every victory which Napoleon has gained for the last nine years, has made the disposition here to resist more manifest.

Brigadier Brock to his sister-in-law, Mrs. W. Brock.

    QUEBEC, June 8, 1810.

It was my decided intention to ask for leave to go to England this fall, but I have now relinquished the thought.  Several untoward circumstances combine to oppose my wishes.  The spirit of insubordination lately manifested by the French Canadian population of this colony, naturally called for precautionary measures, and our worthy chief is induced, in consequence, to retain in this country those on whom he can best confide.  I am highly flattered in being reckoned among the number, whatever inward disappointment I may feel.  Some unpleasant events have likewise happened in the upper country, which have occasioned my receiving intimation to proceed thither, whether as a permanent station, or merely as a temporary visit, Sir James Craig has not determined.  Should, however, a senior brigadier to myself come out in the course of the summer, I shall certainly be fixed in the upper province, and there is every probability of such an addition very soon.  Since all my efforts to get more actively employed have failed; since fate decrees that the best portion of my life is to be wasted in inaction in the Canadas, I am rather pleased with the prospect of removing upwards.