Sir James has conversed with me fully on the subject of your wish for leave, and prefaced it by declaring himself very desirous on his part to forward your views as far as he could do so with propriety, but that he had written in such strong terms, urging the necessity of a third general officer being kept constantly on the staff of the Canadas, and assigned as a principal reason the advantage of an officer of that rank being stationed in the Upper Province, that he does not conceive himself at liberty to overset an arrangement which he has been two years soliciting the means to carry into effect, and the absolute necessity of which he is highly impressed with.  In reply to an observation of mine, that you regretted the inactive prospect before you, and looked with envy on those employed in Spain and Portugal, he said:  “I make no doubt of it, but I can in no shape aid his plans in that respect; I would not, however, be the means of preventing them, and although from his local knowledge I should regret losing him in this country, yet I would not oppose it if he could obtain an appointment to the staff on service; but in that case I would ask for another general officer being seat in his place immediately to Upper Canada.”  I tell you this, my dear general, without reserve, and give you, as far as I can recollect, Sir James’ words.  If he liked you less, he might perhaps be more readily induced to let you go; as matters stand, I do not think he will, although I am convinced that he will feel very sincere regret in refusing you on a subject upon which you appear to be so anxious.

FOOTNOTES: 

[Footnote 22:  In some book of Travels in Canada, Duncan’s we think, it is stated that the highest battery in Quebec is called Brock’s Battery:  we know not whether it is that erected by Sir Isaac Brock.]

[Footnote 23:  “The young and gallant” Captain Henry Lambert, mentioned above, was mortally wounded in December, 1812, in command of H.M.S.  Java, when she was captured by the American frigate Constitution, of greatly superior force.]

[Footnote 24:  The present General Vincent, colonel of the 69th foot.  He was then major of the 49th.]

[Footnote 25:  His niece.]

[Footnote 26:  It has been remarked, that men with very small heads are seldom clever, and certainly the Brocks of this family had large but well shaped heads, with full foreheads.]

[Footnote 27:  The mother of Lady William Paget.]

[Footnote 28:  Whatever may have been Colonel Murray’s indiscretion on this occasion, he proved himself one of the most gallant and enterprising officers in Canada during the war, and particularly distinguished himself in the assault and capture of Fort Niagara, in December, 1813, where he was severely wounded.  If Colonel Murray admired Cobbett’s writings he was not singular, as he was perhaps the most forcible political writer in the English language.]