On This Day: February 4, 1812

On this day in 1812 under the impending shadow of war with the United States Sir Isaac Brock addressed the Canadian Legislative Council.  While he would have prefered to speak to them with regards to provincial peace and efforts to maintain it, such was not the case.  Hostilities with the United States were rising, and Brock could see the importance of preparing for the worst.  Despite an open conflict not being the intention of the British officer, he urged the Council to amend an 1808 Militia Act stipulating that fit males in Upper Canada were to attend an ‘annual muster’ where they would undergo serious training.

In his address Brock had stated that ‘insulting threats’ had been issued by the American government, and hostile prepartions’ had already started.  The threat of a U.S. invasion was very real, and Isaac Brock knew that with enough preparation, and training the brave and virtuous inhabitants of the Canadian regions could hold their own.  The Legislative Council granted a temporary revision, and Brock left the House quite disappointed with the results.

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