37 chapters
4 hour read
Selected Chapters
37 chapters
IN AN ARTICLE IN THE QUARTERLY REVIEW FOR OCTOBER, 1822.
IN AN ARTICLE IN THE QUARTERLY REVIEW FOR OCTOBER, 1822.
"Either this is envy in you, folly, or mistaking; the very stream of his life, and the business he hath helmed, must upon a warranted need give him a better proclamation. Let him be but testimonied in his own bringings forth, and he shall appear a statesman and a soldier. Therefore you speak unskilfully; or if your knowledge be more, it is much darkened in your malice." MEASURE FOR MEASURE. LONDON: PRINTED FOR T. CADELL, STRAND; AND T. EGERTON, WHITEHALL. 1823. J. M'Creery, Printer, Tooks Court,
2 hour read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
POSTSCRIPT.
POSTSCRIPT.
Since the foregoing sheets were sent to press, some observations have appeared in the British Critic, for May, 1823, upon the Civil Administration of Sir George Prevost, in Canada, which may perhaps be thought to require a brief notice. The writer of the remarks in question, after premising that the military conduct of the late Commander of the forces in the Canadas has been sufficiently exposed in another Journal, (the Quarterly Review) proceeds to assert, "that his domestic management of the C
4 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. I.
No. I.
Extract from Beatson's Naval and Military Memoirs of Great Britain, vol. iv. p. 518-529. Upon the first alarm of the enemy being on the coast, General Prevost exerted himself to the utmost, to increase and strengthen the fortifications of the town of Savannah; and was most ably seconded in his operations, by Captain James Moncrieffe of the engineers, and Captain Henry of the navy. Orders were sent to the Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel Maitland, who was posted with a considerable detachment of troops at
19 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. II.
No. II.
Address from the Council and House of Representatives of St. Vincents to Lieut.-Col. Prevost, p. 7. " Sir , The Committee of His Majesty's Council, and of the Representatives of the Inhabitants of St. Vincents, deeply impressed with the many and eminent services you have rendered this colony, beg leave to offer their most grateful thanks to you, not only on their own account, but on that of the community at large. It might be irksome to you to minutely particularize these services: the Committee
49 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. III.
No. III.
Letter from the Duke of Portland to Brigadier-General Prevost, p. 7. " Whitehall, 29th April, 1801. " The satisfactory manner in which you have conducted the Administration of Public Affairs in St. Lucie, and the representations made to the King in your behalf by the Members of the Court of Appeal, have induced His Majesty to appoint you Lieutenant-Governor of that Island. I transmit to you inclosed His Majesty's Commission; and I have only to add, that I am persuaded that your conduct in the ad
39 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. IV.
No. IV.
Address to Brigadier-General Prevost from the Inhabitants of St. Lucie, p. 7. Les Habitans de l'Isle de St. Lucie, à Son Excellence Monsieur le Brigadier-Général George Prevost, Lieut.-Gouverneur de cette Isle, &c. Monsieur le Gouverneur, Lorsque le paix, objet de tous ties vœux, fait rentrer l'Isle de Sainte Lucie sous la domination Française, c'est un hommage bien légitime que de vous rendre au nom de tous les Colons un témoignage public de l'amour, du respect, et de la reconnoissance
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. V.
No. V.
Letters from Sir Thomas Trigge, Commander of the Forces in the West Indies, p. 7. "Sir, "I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th inst., and feel very great regret, that your state of health is such as to render your returning to England necessary, by that means depriving His Majesty and myself of your services in this country. You may rely I shall not fail to express my sentiments on this subject when I write home, as in rendering this tribute of justice to your ch
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. VI.
No. VI.
Account of the Capture of St. Lucie and Tobago, from the Annual Register for 1803, p. 8. "On the 22nd June, the island of St. Lucie was taken by General Grinfield and Commodore Head. The French Commander, General Naguês, refused to capitulate, and the expectation of approaching rains rendered it necessary to get possession of the Morne Fortunée with as little delay as possible. It was therefore determined to attack it by storm; the defence was gallant; yet, by the determined bravery of the Briti
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. VII.
No. VII.
Extract of a Letter from Major-Gen. Grinfield relative to the expedition against St. Lucie and Tobago, p. 8. "It is with real satisfaction I send you the enclosed extract from Colonel Clinton's letter to me." Extract of a Letter from Colonel Clinton to Lieutenant-General Grinfield, dated " Horse Guards, 3rd Sept. 1803. "This despatch, addressed to the Commander-in-Chief, bears testimony, in the handsomest terms, to the meritorious services of Brigadier-General Prevost; and to the zealous prompti
58 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. VIII.
No. VIII.
Letter to Brigadier-General Prevost from General Naguês, p. 9. "Depuis la prise du Morne Fortuné, je ne cease d'éprouver de la part du Général en Chef des égards que j'aie dû attribuer à un caractère de loyauté qui se remarque des que l'on se trouve en rapport avec le Général Grinfield. "Mais je n'ignore pas, Général, qu'animé des mêmes principes, je dois à vos dispositions particulières une partie des precédés généreux dont je me suis vu comblé. Avant de vous témoigner toute ma reconnoissance,
54 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. IX.
No. IX.
Account of the Attack upon Dominica by a French Squadron, p. 9. "It may easily be supposed that much alarm prevailed at home, when it was known that two such formidable fleets [103] of the enemy were actually at sea, and which were aggravated by reports of strong detachments of the Brest fleet having also escaped, with a view to some grand combined exertion of the enemy. Where the blow was to fall, occupied the public mind. Malta, Brazil, the British West Indies—a general junction of the whole o
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. X.
No. X.
Public Despatches and Letters relative to the Attack of the French upon Dominica, in 1805, p. 9. From Lieut.-Gen. Sir William Myers to Earl Camden. " Barbadoes, March 9th. " My Lord , "I have the honour to enclose to your Lordship, a copy of a despatch from Brigadier-General Prevost, dated Dominica, 1st March. The details contained therein, are so highly reputable to the Brigadier-General, and the small portion of troops employed against so numerous an enemy, that I have great satisfaction in re
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. XI.
No. XI.
Letter from His Royal Highness the Duke of York to the Earl of Camden, p . 9. " Horse Guards, Nov. 26th, 1805 . " My dear Lord , "I have to acknowledge your lordship's letter of yesterday, recommending Major-General Prevost to my peculiar protection, from the military spirit and knowledge which he displayed in the late affair with the enemy at Dominica, and I request your lordship will be persuaded of the high sense I entertain of the services and exertions of Major-General Prevost, and that I s
38 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. XII.
No. XII.
Letter from the Speaker of the House of Assembly of Dominica to General Prevost, p. 10. " Dominica, 17th May, 1805 . " Sir , "I have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency, by desire of the House of Assembly, a copy of their Resolutions of the 2d instant, expressive of their thanks of your late gallant defence of the colony against a French force so very superior, and appropriating the sum of 1,000 guineas for the purchase of a Sword, and a service of Plate to be presented to you in testim
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. XIII.
No. XIII.
His Honor the President and Council, and the Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly, to His Excellency the Governor in Chief, p. 10. The Board and House having come to the following Resolution of voting the sum of 1,000 l. sterling, for the purpose of purchasing a Sword and Service of Plate to be presented to his Excellency Governor Prevost, in the name of the Colony, as a token of its gratitude for the gallant defence thereof by his Excellency on the memorable 22d February last, Also a sum not e
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. XIV.
No. XIV.
Resolutions of the Patriotic Club, and Letter of the Chairman to General Prevost, p. 10. Patriotic Fund, Lloyd's, May 14, 1805. At a Special General Meeting of the Committee held this day, Joseph Marryat , Esq. in the Chair, [Pg xxxiii] Read, from the London Gazette of the 7th of May, a letter from Lieut.-General Sir William Myers, Bart. commanding His Majesty's troops in the Windward and Leeward Islands, to Earl Camden, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, inclosing a letter fro
4 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. XV.
No. XV.
At a General Meeting of West India Planters and Merchants, held at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate Street, May 22, 1805, p. 10. Resolved unanimously, That the thanks of this Meeting be given to his Excellency Brigadier-General Prevost, Governor of the Island of Dominica, for the distinguished gallantry and high military talents he displayed on the 22d of February, 1805, in the defence and effectual protection of that Colony against a numerous, powerful, and unexpected force from France. And that
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. XVI.
No. XVI.
Extract from the Dominica Journal, of Saturday, July 6th, 1805, p. 10. Roseau, July 6th, 1805. Yesterday afternoon, embarked from Roseau, in the Garrison-boat, (under a salute from Fort Young and Scot's Head) for Prince Ruperts, to join his amiable family, who left town the day preceding, his Excellency Major-General George Prevost, our worthy and highly respected Governor, a gentleman who retires from his government with the pleasing gratification of the consciousness of having faithfully disch
53 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. XVII.
No. XVII.
Dispatches from Sir George Beckwith, and Letter from Lord Castlereagh, p. 11. Downing-street, March 27. The following despatches have this day been received from Lieut.-General Beckwith, Commander of His Majesty's Forces in the Leeward Islands, addressed to Lord Viscount Castlereagh. " Martinique, Feb. 1. "My Lord, "In my last, No. 42, I had the honour to report to your Lordship the sailing of the army from Carlisle Bay upon the 28th ult. I have now the satisfaction to acquaint your Lordship tha
7 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. XVIII.
No. XVIII.
Addresses presented to Sir George Prevost, on his Arrival at the Islands of Dominica and St. Christopher, p. 11. To His Excellency Lieut.-Gen. Sir George Prevost, Bart. &c. &c. &c. "May it please your Excellency, "We, His Majesty's loyal subjects, the Members of the House of Assembly of the Island of Dominica, avail ourselves of the occasion of your Excellency's visit to your late government, to repeat to you the assurances of the high esteem which we have ever entertaine
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. XIX.
No. XIX.
Address from the Inhabitants of Halifax, p. 12. To His Excellency Sir George Prevost, Bart. &c. &c. &c. "Sir, "Your Excellency intending shortly to leave this Province, the inhabitants of Halifax cannot omit expressing to you their unfeigned regret on the occasion, and, at the same time, testifying their gratitude for the many real benefits which the province has derived from your short administration of the government. "We have often been induced to come forward to manif
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. XX.
No. XX.
Addresses from the Clergy of Nova Scotia, &c. &c. to Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost, Bart. &c. &c. &c. p. 12. "Sir, "Although the clergy of the established church of Nova Scotia most cordially join in the general tribute of respect, which is now offered to your Excellency; and very largely share in the sincere regret, so universally excited by your intended departure from this province; the important benefits which you have rendered to the sacred ob
9 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. XXI.[105]
No. XXI.[105]
Address from the House of Assembly of Upper Canada to Sir George Prevost, March 1813, p. 75. "May it please your Excellency, "We, his Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of Upper Canada in Provincial Parliament assembled, beg leave to congratulate your Excellency on your arrival in this Province, and to express the unfeigned satisfaction it affords us in as much as it is an additional proof of the high interest your Excellency takes in the general welfare of this colony. "We s
6 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. XXII.
No. XXII.
Official Report of Col. Baynes, p. 81. Extract of a Letter from Lieut.-General Sir George Prevost to Earl Bathurst, dated Head-Quarters, Kingston, June 1, 1813. "Although as your Lordship will perceive by the report of Colonel Baynes, which I have the honour herewith to transmit, the expedition has not been attended with the complete success which was expected from it, I have great satisfaction in informing your Lordship that the courage and patience of the small band of troops employed on this
6 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. XXIII.
No. XXIII.
Extracts of Letters from Sir George Prevost to Brigadier-General Procter, p. 92. (Private.) " Castle of St. Lewis, Quebec, 9th February, 1813 . "Sir, "I have received your despatch of the 26th ult. addressed to Major-General Sheaffe, reporting the glorious result of an attack, you had very judiciously deemed it expedient to make on the 22d, on a division of General Harrison's army advancing from the river Raisin, upon Sandwich, commanded by Brigadier-General Winchester. "In congratulating you up
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. XXIV.
No. XXIV.
Sentence of the Court-martial on Captain Barclay, p. 112. That the capture of His Majesty's late squadron was caused by the very defective means Captain Barclay possessed to equip them on Lake Erie; the want of a sufficient number of able seamen, whom he had repeatedly and earnestly requested of Sir James Yeo to be sent to him; the very great superiority of the enemy to the British squadron; and the unfortunate early fall of the superior officers in the action. That it appeared that the greatest
54 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. XXV.[106]
No. XXV.[106]
Court-martial on General Procter, p. 113. Horse Guards, 9th September, 1815. At a General Court-martial, held at Montreal , in Upper Canada, on the 21st December, 1814, and continued by adjournments to the 28th January, 1815, Major-General Henry Procter , Lieutenant-Colonel of the 41st Regiment, was arraigned upon the undermentioned charges, viz. 1st, "That the said Major-General Procter, being entrusted with the Command of the Right Division of the Army serving in the Canadas, and the retreat o
9 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. XXVI.
No. XXVI.
Adjutant-General's Office, Head Quarters, Quebec, 26th March, 1814. General Orders, His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief and Commander of the Forces feels the highest gratification in obeying the Commands of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, transmitted in a letter from the Right Hon. the Earl Bathurst, one of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, of which the following is a Copy, and which His Excellency directs to be published in General Orders, and read at the Head of all Corps in
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. XXVII.
No. XXVII.
Extract from Sir George Prevost's Despatch to Earl Bathurst, dated 18th May, 1814, p. 135. "The principal objects in the attack upon Oswego, being to cripple the resources of the enemy, in fitting out their squadron, and particularly their new ship at Sackett's Harbour, their guns and stores of every description being drawn from the former post, and thus to delay, if not altogether to prevent, the sailing of the fleet, I determined to pursue the same policy on Lake Champlain, and therefore direc
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. XXVIII.
No. XXVIII.
Extract of a Letter from Major-General Sir James Kempt to Sir George Prevost, respecting the intended Attack upon Sackett's Harbour, dated " Kingston, 18th Sept. 1814. "Sir, "With all due deference to your Excellency's superior judgment, it appears to me, that an operation of this magnitude, and probable duration , should not be undertaken without the most ample means, and at the very best season of the year; that not less than 8,000 infantry, with a strong efficient corps of artillery and engin
51 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. XXIX.
No. XXIX.
Extract of a Letter from Sir J. L. Yeo to Sir George Prevost, dated 29th Aug. 1814, p. 141. "I have this day received a correct statement of all the officers and men belonging to the establishment on Lake Champlain. "I enclose your Excellency a scale of the complement of each vessel, agreeable to the Admiralty order, by which you will perceive that, after each complement is complete, there will remain 97 seamen over and above. Your Excellency must be aware, that when this squadron proceeds up th
37 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. XXX.
No. XXX.
Correspondence between Sir George Prevost and Capt. Downie, p. 145. " Head-Quarters, Plattsburg, Wednesday, 7 a. m. 7th Sept. 1814. "Sir, "The enemy's force in the Bay consists of a ship, inferior to the Confiance, a brig, a large schooner, a sloop, and seven or eight gun-boats. When the gun-boats are manned, the remaining craft appear to have but few men left on board. If you feel that the vessels under your command are equal to a contest with those I have described, you will find the present m
5 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. XXXI.
No. XXXI.
Extract from Vermont Paper, dated Burlington, Sept. 1814, p. 168. "The articles in your paper of last week, republished from the Montreal papers, are interesting, as they evince the spirit of our Canada neighbours, and the high hopes they had entertained from their late expedition. "That the result is not such as they could have wished we believe, but that its failure should be ascribed entirely to the misconduct of Gov. Prevost is wholly unaccountable. It is not our business or desire to shield
1 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. XXXII.
No. XXXII.
An Extract from the Address of the House of Assembly, at the opening of the Session, 30th Jan. 1815, to His Excellency Sir George Prevost, p. 176. "The operations contemplated on the shores of Lake Champlain, we are led to believe, by our confidence in your Excellency's judgment, were planned in consequence of wise combinations, and our proximity to the scene of action has enabled us to acquire a perfect conviction, that they were frustrated by causes beyond your Excellency's control. We are equ
12 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. XXXIII.
No. XXXIII.
Extract from Christie's Memoirs of the Administration of the Colonial Government of Lower Canada, by Sir James Henry Craig, and Sir George Prevost. "The administration of the Civil Government of Lower Canada under Sir George Prevost, was mild, equitable, and unquestionably popular among the entire mass of the Canadian population, in whose loyalty from the commencement, he placed the most implicit confidence. To their fidelity, and to the prudent and conciliating policy of this Governor, Great Br
3 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. XXXIV.
No. XXXIV.
Inscription on the Monument erected to the Memory of Sir George Prevost in Winchester Cathedral, p. 177....
2 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
No. XXXV.
No. XXXV.
[Pg xcviii] Private Despatch from Sir George Prevost to Earl Bathurst, p. 179. (Private.) " Montreal, 21st Sept. 1814. "My Lord, "In my despatch from Plattsburg, of the 11th inst. I reported to your Lordship the unfortunate event which induced me to withdraw the troops with which I had advanced into the enemy's territory. My reasons for that measure I can more fully explain to your Lordship in a private communication than it might be proper to do in a public letter. "Your Lordship must have been
5 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter