“Our gracious prince, who so gloriously upholds the dignity of the empire, already appreciates your merit, and it will be your first care to establish, by the course of your actions, the just claim of the country to the protection of his royal highness.

“I cannot deny myself the satisfaction of announcing to you from this place, the munificent intention of his royal highness the prince regent, who has been graciously pleased to signify that a grant of L100 per annum will be proposed in the annual estimates, for every future missionary of the Gospel, sent from England, who may have faithfully discharged, for the term of ten years, the duties of his station in this province.

    “Gentlemen of the House of Assembly,

“I have no doubt but that, with me, you are convinced of the necessity of a regular system of military instruction to the militia of this province;—­on this salutary precaution, in the event of a war, our future safety will greatly depend, and I doubt not but that you will cheerfully lend your aid, to enable me to defray the expense of carrying into effect a measure so conducive to our security and defence.

    “I have ordered the public accounts to be laid before you, and
    have no doubt but that you will consider them with that
    attention which the nature of the subject may require.

    “Honorable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen
    of the House of Assembly,

“I have, without reserve, communicated to you what has occurred to me on the existing circumstances of this province.  We wish and hope for peace, but it is nevertheless our duty to be prepared for war.

“The task imposed on you, on the present occasion, is arduous; this task, however, I hope and trust, laying aside every consideration but that of the public good, you will perform with that firmness, discretion, and promptitude, which a regard to yourselves, your families, your country, and your king, call for at your hands.

    “As for myself, it shall be my utmost endeavour to co-operate
    with you in promoting such measures as may best contribute to
    the security and to the prosperity of this province.”

The addresses of the provincial parliament in reply were highly satisfactory, and in answer Major-General Brock observed: 

“The congratulations offered upon my appointment to the honorable station I hold in this province, and the confidence you so early repose in me, are, be assured, received with pride and heartfelt satisfaction.

    “Impressed with the assurance of your support, I feel a most
    perfect reliance that the exertions of this province will be
    found equal to meet every emergency of this important crisis.”

* * * * *

The conclusion of the following letter is descriptive of Major-General Brock’s views and intentions in the probable event of a war ensuing between Great Britain and the United States, and which a few months afterwards he carried into effect with a success that must have exceeded his most sanguine expectations.