illeted himself in Colonel Baby's big
brick house at Sandwich, issued a proclamation to the "inhabitants of
Canada." As a sample of egotism, bluff and bombast it stands unrivalled.
He told the inhabitants of Canada that he was in possession of their
country, that an ocean and wilderness isolated them from England, whose
tyranny he knew they felt. His grand army was ready to release them from
oppression. They must choose between liberty and security, as offered by
the United States, and war and annihilation, the penalty of refusal. He
also threatened instant destruction to any Canadian found fighting by
the side of an Indian, though General Dearborn, in command of the United
States forces at Niagara, had been authorized by the United States
Secretary of War "to organize the warriors of the Seneca Indians" _for
active service against Canada_.

The United States Secretary of War wrote to Hull, saying his action
respecting Canadian Indians "met with the approval of the Government."
Evidently ashamed, upon reflection, of Hull's threat, that same
Government later instructed its commissioners at the Treaty of Ghent,
when peace was restored, "to disown and disavow" their former Indian
policy.

Hull's extraordinary production, which proved a boomerang, was really
the work of Colonel Lewis Cass, his Chief of Staff; but while Hull and
Cass were "unloading their rhetoric at Sandwich," our hero was "loading
his guns at Mackinaw."

CHAPTER XV.

BROCK ACCEPTS HULL'S CHALLENGE.

With the country's call for a saviour had arisen the man so sorely
needed. Vigilant, sagacious and brave, but with most inadequate forces,
Brock, faced by a crisis, hurried to repel the invasion by Hull. If
Canada was to be saved, Detroit, as well as Mackinaw, must be reduced.
The confidence also of the savages must be retained. The smallness of
his army demanded the neutrality of the redmen, if not their active aid.

The plan of his campaign was laid before his Executive Council and the
members of his staff. As they parted at the door of the General's
quarters at midnight, preceding the day on which their gallant leader
issued his counter reply to Hull, his final words were: "To hold
Amherstburg, gentlemen, is of vital importance. It is the western base
from which we must resist attack and advance upon Detroit. It must be
held in force."

Brock's written answer to Hull's flamboyant address--edited by his wise
adviser, Judge Powell--was eloquen