Brock, Isaac, Sir, 1769-1812; Canada -- History -- 1763-1867; United States -- History -- War of 1812
A resolution was unanimously passed, that another monument, higher
and nobler still, should be built in place of the one destroyed. No
public money was asked, but the regular troops, officers and men, and
the militia gave a freewill offering. In due time the sum of fifty
thousand dollars was raised. While the monument was building,
General Brock's body was placed in a private burying-ground in Mr.
Hamilton's garden at the foot of the hill. In 1854, more than forty
years after the battle, the column was finished, and once again a
long procession followed the hero's bier. Nor was this all. In 1860
there was a notable gathering on that historic hill, when King Edward
VII, then Prince of Wales, came to do honour to the dead hero, and
laid the topmost stone on the cairn that marks the spot where he
fell. One hundred and sixty survivors of the volunteers of 1812 were
present. Sir John Beverley Robinson was their spokesman. In his
address to the prince he said: "In the long period that has elapsed
very many have gone to their rest, who, having served in higher rank
than ourselves, took a more conspicuous part in that glorious
contest. We rejoice in the thought that what your Royal Highness has
seen and will see of this prosperous and happy province will enable
you to judge how valuable a possession was saved to the British Crown
by the successful resistance made in the trying contest in which it
was our fortune to bear a part, and your Royal Highness will then be
{315} able to judge how large a debt the empire owed to the lamented
hero Brock, whose gallant and generous heart shrank not in the
darkest hour of the conflict, and whose example inspired the few with
the ability and spirit to do the work of many." In reply the prince
said: "I have willingly consented to lay the first stone of this
monument. Every nation may, without offence to its neighbours,
commemorate its heroes, their deeds of arms, and their noble deaths.
This is no taunting boast of victory, no revival of long passed
animosities, but a noble tribute to a soldier's fame, the more
honourable because he readily acknowledges the bravery and chivalry
of the people by whose hands he fell. I trust that Canada will never
want such volunteers as those who fought in the last war nor her
volunteers be without such a leader. But no less I fervently pray
that your sons and grandsons may never be called upon to add other
laurels to those which you so gallantly won."
The noble shaft on Queenston Heights dominates a wide expanse of land
and lake. Deep and strong is the current of the river that flows at
its base, but not deeper and stronger than the memory of the man who
sleeps below.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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