CHAPTER III.
_Brigadier Brock to his Brothers_.
MONTREAL, July 20, 1808.
I have written to all of you since the navigation opened, and the only letters I have received from any of the family for several months came from Irving, who, to do him justice, is infinitely the most attentive and regular correspondent among you.
My appointment to be brigadier I first announced by the March mail.

Those who feel an interest in my prosperity will rejoice in my good fortune, as this distinguished mark of favor affords undeniable proof that my conduct, during the period of my command, was approved;--a great gratification, considering the many difficulties I had to encounter.

I once thought I should be ordered to the upper province, but General Ferguson being among the newly appointed major-generals, will not now probably visit this country.

In that case, I stand a very good chance of succeeding him, both in rank and in the command of Quebec, where it was intended he should be stationed.
What will be the result of our present unsettled relations with the neighbouring republic, it is very difficult to say.
The government is composed of such unprincipled men, that to calculate on it by the ordinary rules of action would be perfectly absurd.

We have completely outwitted Jefferson in all his schemes to provoke us to war.