Brock’s outstanding characteristic was his white humanity. His men loved him because, though far removed from them in position and station, he was one with them and one for them. His headquarters were now at York. He was sure and surer of war with the United States, and even in December of 1811, he told Sir George Prevost that, in case of war, he thought Canada should seize Mackinaw and Detroit immediately. This, he submitted, would impress the Indians, and also hold up an invading army. Acting on his advice, Sir George Prevost ordered two armed schooners, the _Prince Regent_ and the _Lady Prevost_ to be equipped, one for each of the two lakes, Ontario and Erie. Early next year, Brock declined a command in Spain which the home government offered him, requesting to stay in Canada. He had a great deal on hand. He had a frontier of 1,300 miles to defend, and that needed many men and much material. He was greatly concerned about securing these. In his first address to the House of Assembly at York in February, 1812, Brock gave striking evidence that he was thoroughly master of the political situation in Upper Canada. He had in his ears the shrill bombast of the political leaders in the United States and knew just how to estimate it. A president had recently declared that the capture of Canada was a “mere matter of marching.” A Massachusetts officer offered to “capture Canada by contract, raise a company, and take it in six weeks.” Henry Clay “verily believed that the militia of Kentucky alone were competent to place Canada at the feet of Americans.” Said Brock: “We wish and hope for peace, but it is nevertheless our duty to be prepared for war.” He received the support of the Assembly, and, that spring, was more soldier than governor. He got to know the Six Nations Indians on the Grand River. He raised companies of militia. He set about the additional defence of the Niagara frontier and saw that through. He had only 1,450 British regulars,—and just how far it was safe to arm Canada’s dozen thousand men who were said to be ready to bear arms, he did not know. Meanwhile war was almost upon him. May saw large detachments of United States soldiers sent to Detroit and Niagara. At the latter border they were drilling busily, and this and kindred signs of war seems to have got on Brock’s nerves. Since war was to come, he was impatient at delay. He wanted to take the two posts he had mentioned in the first sharp attack, and thus hearten his people. He knew the value to be placed upon _morale_. On June 18th, 1812, war against Great Britain was declared by President Madison, with the consent of the Congress of the United States of America. The president placed an embargo on shipping. He raised a public subscription fund and issued a call for a hundred thousand volunteers. CHAPTER VI A FOOLISH BOAST