CHAGRIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
The conduct of the Indians under Tecumseh at Detroit had been marked by
great heroism and strict adherence to their pledges. "The instant the
enemy submitted, his life became sacred." In recognition of Tecumseh's
work, and in the presence of the troops formed in the fort square, Brock
handed him his silver-mounted pistols, and taking off his sash, tied it
round the body of the chief.
A suspicion of a smile--the faint smile of elation of the well-trained
child accepting a prize--flitted across the Indian's finely chiselled
face as, proudly inclining his head, he silently took the crimson band.
Then unwinding his own parti-colored, closely-woven Red River belt,
"Would the great white _shemogonis_ (warrior)," he whispered, "accept
the simple sash of the Shawanese in return?"
To this there was a sequel. The next day, when he bade Brock farewell,
Tecumseh wore no sash. "Roundhead," he explained, "was an older, an
abler warrior than himself. While he was present he could not think of
wearing such a badge of distinction." He had given the sash to the
Wyandotte chieftain. Tecumseh proved himself a greater diplomat than
Hull.
The papers of surrender signed, Brock hastened to liberate Dean, a
soldier of the 41st, wounded and taken prisoner at the Canard river,
with another man, while gallantly defending the bridge against a large
body of the enemy. In a voice broken with emotion Brock told him that he
had "nobly upheld the traditions of the service and was an honour to his
profession." Then he singled out Lieutenant Roulette, of the sloop
_Hunter_, a French Canadian, who captured eighteen prizes during the war
and was the leading spirit in many gallant events. "I watched you during
the action," said the General. "You behaved like a lion. I will remember
you." In the orders of that afternoon Brock praised the conduct of his
troops. He laid stress upon the "discipline and determination that had
decided an enemy, infinitely more numerous in men and artillery, and
protected by a strong fortification, to propose capitulation."
The effect of the news in Upper Canada was electrical. Brock became the
idol of the people and was acclaimed "hero and saviour of Upper Canada."
His performance was a record one. In nineteen days he had met the
Legislature, settled important public business, transported a small army
300 miles, 200 of which was by open boat in stormy waters, compelled the
surrender of an enemy three times his strength, entrenched in a
protected fort, and seized 60,000 square miles of United States mainland
and islands.
To the American people the news came as a thunder-clap. President
Madison's chagrin was indescribable. After all the insulting remarks and
bombastic prophecies of himself and Clay, Calhoun, Eustis and others,
the humiliation was as gall and wormwood. Clay, the apostate, later on
swallowed his words and signed the treaty of peace. Eustis, the
Secretary of War, had boasted that he would "take the whole country and
ask no favours, for God has given us the power and the means." But God
saw fit to confound the despoiler. Hull was, of course, made a
scapegoat. Tried by court-martial, he was found guilty of cowardice and
neglect, and sentenced to death, but pardoned by the President. His son
died fighting at Lundy's Lane. The officers of Hull's command, who were
almost united in opposing surrender, as brave men felt their position
keenly. Never let us forget that no one race holds a monopoly in
courage, that no nation has exclusive control of the spirit of
patriotism. Fortunate it is indeed for most of us that the loftier
qualities of man can not be copyrighted by the individual. A share of
these has been bestowed in wise proportion upon all members of the human
family. To those who seek to emulate the character and deeds of the
world's famous men, certain essential qualities of mind may even be
acquired and developed by all, but to possess the "fullness of
perfection" cannot be the lot of every man.
Having finished "the business" that took him to Detroit, our hero did
not waste an hour. Leaving Procter in command, he started before morning
of the next day for Fort George, anxious to carry out his plans and
assume the offensive on the Niagara frontier.
He embarked in the _Chippewa_, a small trading schooner, with seventy of
the Ohio Rifles as prisoners, and took, as a guard, a rifle company
commanded by his young friend, Captain Robinson, subsequently Chief
Justice Robinson, "again winning golden opinions from the men by his
urbanity."
On Lake Erie he met the _Lady Prevost_, of fourteen guns, the commander
of which, after saluting the hero of Detroit with seventeen guns,
boarded the _Chippewa_, handing him despatches that notified him of an
_armistice_, which Sir George Prevost had actually concluded with the
American general, Dearborn, on August 9th! Brock's mortification was
profound. His cherished plan, to sweep the Niagara frontier and destroy
the United States naval arsenal at Sackett's Harbour, was again
frustrated.
A diversion occurred that morning which for a time drove the
unpardonable armistice from Brock's thoughts. A heavy mist hung over the
water. It hid the shore. Deceived by this, the skipper of the
_Chippewa_, who thought he was in Fort Erie harbour, discovered, as the
fog lifted, that they were on the American side and close to Buffalo.
The situation was perilous and dramatic. With the melting of the haze
the wind dropped. Brock saw on the Buffalo shore, within easy hail, a
concourse of inquisitive people trying to make out the nationality of
his ship. Believing the skipper, was in league with the enemy, Brock
turned upon him savagely.
"You scoundrel," said he, "you have betrayed me. Let but one shot be
fired and I will run you up at the yard-arm." Fortunately, the _Queen
Charlotte_, in Canadian water, was seen and signalled, and, the wind
rising, she convoyed the _Chippewa_ and her precious passenger into
safety.
The news of the armistice dumbfounded the General. Instead of battering
Fort Niagara and attacking Sackett's Harbour, he had to order Procter to
cancel the expedition for the relief of Fort Wayne, in the Wabash
country, and himself hurry on to Fort George. At Chippewa he was
received with wild welcome by the river residents and the populace from
the countryside. A deputation of prominent men met him at Queenston,
placed him in an open carriage, and with martial music he was escorted
in triumph to Fort George. After receiving at Niagara the
congratulations of the lady to whom he was engaged, Brock took schooner
for York and Kingston. At both of these places fervid demonstrations
were showered upon him. But "Master Isaac's" head could not be turned
either by success or adulation. The old spirit of self-effacement
asserted itself. "The gallant band of brave men," he said, "at whose
head I marched against the enemy, are the proper objects of your
gratitude. The services of the militia have been duly appreciated and
will never be forgotten."
Isaac's modesty again served to increase the homage and profound
devotion of the people.
Justice Powell voiced the views of the citizens of Upper Canada when he
declared Brock could "boast of the most brilliant success, with the most
inadequate means, which history records.... It was something fabulous
that a handful of troops, supported by a few raw militia, could invade
the country of an enemy of doubtful numbers, in his own fortress, and
make all prisoners without the loss of a man."
"If this sort of thing lasts," commented our hero to a friend, "I am
afraid I shall do some foolish thing, for if I know myself there is no
want of what is called courage in my nature, and I can only hope I shall
not be led into some scrape."
[Illustration: VIEW OF QUEENSTON HEIGHTS AND BROCK'S MONUMENT]