Their intrigues among the different tribes are carried on openly and with the utmost activity, and as no expense is spared, it may reasonably be supposed that they do not fail of success.  Divisions are thus uninterruptedly sowed among our Indian friends, and the minds of many altogether estranged from our interests.  Such must inevitably be the consequence of our present inert and neutral proceedings in regard to them.  It ill becomes me to determine how long true policy requires that the restrictions now imposed upon the Indian department ought to continue; but this I will venture to assert, that each day the officers are restrained from interfering in the concerns of the Indians, each time they advise peace and withhold the accustomed supply of ammunition, their influence will diminish, till at length they lose it altogether.

I find that ever since the departure of Priest Burke from Sandwich, the L50 per annum paid from the military chest to that gentleman have been withheld, on what account I have not been able to ascertain.  The individual at present officiating is highly spoken of; and as several gentlemen of the Catholic persuasion have applied to me to intercede with your excellency to renew the allowance, I presume to submit the case to your indulgent consideration.

Colonel Baynes to Major-General Brock.

    QUEBEC, March 5, 1812.

I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th February, which I have communicated to Sir George, who is highly pleased to find you are satisfied to retain the important post you fill, and which you appear to govern under such very auspicious prospects.  I sincerely trust you will be able to keep your subjects, and particularly your house of representatives, in the same good humour and sound principles which they have hitherto testified.  You will perceive in the main sentiments of Sir George’s opening address, a perfect accordance with your own:  the answer of the assembly led to a very violent and personal debate, which lasted with closed doors for nearly eighteen hours.  It would have been more to their credit had they left out the allusion which has drawn from Sir George a very appropriate retort.  Your friend, James Cuthbert, was very warm and eloquent upon the occasion, and the demagogue party seemed sensible of the severity of his satire, when he compared the factious cabal to AEsop’s fable of the ass kicking at the dying lion.  Having vented their spleen, they will, I believe, prove a little more tractable:  the militia bill has a prospect of being materially amended, and they will, I think, allow a proportion of about 2,000 men, or perhaps a few more, to be incorporated for two or three months, for three successive years; after the second year to be replaced by a new quota, and to be selected by ballot, and no substitutes permitted to serve in the place of a militiaman drawn by lot:  this will be a great point gained.

Major-General Brock to Colonel Baynes.