“A HOUSE divided against itself cannot stand.” The United States was not a union—for war. While Henry Clay and ex-President Jefferson were breathing out their threatenings and slaughter, New England refused to concur in the country’s wisdom in declaring war, and Boston flew its flags at half-mast. And if the United States was not whole in spirit, she was certainly not in material things. Her soldiers though many, were raw. Her treasury was empty. Canada, however, was even worse off. Prevost was of the opinion that Quebec was about the only place that could be held against the enemy. Certainly 950 regulars and marines and 550 militia had a gigantic task in the defending of seven forts, from Kingston to Fort St. Joseph, in covering a straggling and wretchedly protected frontier, and in patrolling the huge sheets of water which are our lake district. Even Brock, outwardly optimistic, fully expected that he would be able to do little at first. He had to deal with a governor-general who apparently had no perception and no sense of proportion. Brock at York had received word of war from the House of Astor in New York, earlier even than some of the United States commanders were apprised of it. He was a man of action, and he was for action, and that at once. He believed that often the best defence is attack, and he chafed under the restraint, anything but wise under these circumstances, of Sir George Prevost, who daily adjured him not to strike the first blow. This continued for three weeks after war was declared. Meanwhile General Hull was marching through Ohio and Michigan to Detroit, from thence to attack Canada! Brock saw what Prevost did not see, the significance to the Indians of an initial victory. If Canada won the first battle, the border Indians would rally to the Union Jack. They were a considerable factor and had been canvassed by American agents for many months in the endeavor to persuade them, in the event of war, to join with the United States. But Prevost fiddled while Brock burned with indignation! Almost his first act, when war was declared, was to issue instructions to Captain Charles Roberts, who commanded at Fort St. Joseph, to take Mackinaw Island. In Robert’s command were 150 French-Canadians. Though this was contrary to the orders of Sir George Prevost, Roberts did as Brock told him. The fall of Mackinaw meant the capture of much ammunition, many guns, and a rich stock of furs. It also meant a favorable impression on the Indians, which Brock knew to be of first importance, and an impression which at once made itself felt.