Extract from Bouchette's Topographical Account of Lower Canada, p. 121.
"At a time when the military resources of the Province were so greatly curtailed by the most arduous continental warfare that ever Great Britain was engaged in, it is a matter of surprise that so much could have been effected with such slender means. An enemy, emboldened by possessing an ample force, and inspired by the prospect of obtaining a fertile country, long the object of inordinate desire, could only be successfully opposed by a union of the greatest energy with the most active measures; that such was presented to him is incontrovertible, and the credit of having brought them into action by unceasing perseverance, will attach to the judicious dispositions of the Governor-General, Sir George Prevost, and for his strenuous efforts in turning the enthusiasm of the people into a bulwark stronger, and more impenetrable than entrenchments or fortresses against an invader."
The following Extract from James's Naval Memoirs, p. 411, shewing the opinion of the American Naval Commander, as to the result of the action on Lake Champlain, was intended to form a note to page 175.
"Commodore Macdonough, taking Lieutenant Robertson, when presenting his sword, for the British Commanding Officer, spoke to him as follows:—'You owe it, Sir, to the shameful conduct of your gun-boats and cutters, that you are performing this office to me; for, had they done their duty, you must have perceived, from the situation of the Saratoga, that I could hold out no longer: and indeed, nothing induced me to keep up her colours, but seeing, from the united fire of all the rest of my squadron on the Confiance, and her unsupported situation, that she must ultimately surrender.'—Here is an acknowledgment, candid and honourable in the extreme."
No. XXXIV.
Inscription on the Monument erected to the Memory of Sir George Prevost in Winchester Cathedral, p. 177.
Sacred to the Memory
Of Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost, Baronet,
of Belmont, in this County,
Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of the British
Forces in North America;
In which command, by his wise and energetic measures,
And with a very inferior force,
He preserved the Canadas to the British Crown,
From the repeated invasions of a powerful Enemy.
His Constitution at length sunk
Under incessant bodily and mental exertions,
In discharging the duties of that arduous station,
And having returned to England,
He died shortly afterwards in London, on the 5th Jan. 1816,
Aged forty-eight years;
Thirty-four of which had been devoted
To the service of his Country.
He was interred near the remains of his Father,
Major-General Augustin Prevost,
At East Barnet, in Middlesex.
His Royal Highness the Prince Regent,
To evince in an especial manner the sense he entertained
Of his distinguished conduct and services,
During a long period of constant active employment,
In situations of great trust, both military and civil,
Was pleased to ordain,
As a lasting memorial of His Majesty's Royal favour,
That the names of the Countries,
Where his courage and abilities had been most signally displayed,
The West Indies and Canada,
Should be inscribed on the banners of the supporters,
Granted to be borne by his Family and his descendants.
In Testimony of his private worth,
His piety, integrity, and benevolence,
And all those tender, domestic virtues
Which endeared him
To his Family, his Children, his Friends and Dependants,
As well as to prove her unfeigned love, gratitude and respect,
Catharine Ann Prevost,
His afflicted Widow,
caused this Monument to be erected,
Anno Domini, 1818.