52 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
confiscated property, who now grasped the helm, and the good man’s 
surprise and horror at the state of anarchy prevailing are depicted in his 
letter to the commander-in-chief on his return to his regiment at St. 
Johns. 
Between the close of the French and Indian wars and until after 
the outbreak of the American Revolution, the other brother, Robert 
Rogers, spent most of his life in England. Here his various books were 
published* and here he enjoyed a very considerable notoriety. In old 
magazines of the period, amidst chronicles of the time, his exploits and 
his books find frequent mention.? The story of ais prowess in the 
single-handed capture of a highwayman went the round of the taverns. 
His portrait in full ranger uniform, with Indians in the background, 
adorned the windows of the print-shops, and was even reproduced in 
Germany. His tall figure, in half-pay officer's uniform, became a not 
unfamiliar object in the Court quarter of the town. He undoubtedly 
enjoyed the patronage and favour of the King. One of his enemies 
writing in 1770 to Sir William Johnson, complains that “ Robert 
Rogers has the ear of the court; that many of the great are pushing for 
him; and that Mr. Fitzherbert, an officer high in the household of 
George III., is his particular friend.”* Indeed, to the end, he seems to 
have enjoyed the not entirely unequivocal distinction of King George’s 
approbation. Lord George Germain, writing to Gen. Howe, as late as 
1776, says, “The King approves the arrangement you propose, in 
respect to an adjutant-general and a quartermaster-general, and also 
your attention to Major Rogers, of whose firmness and fidelity we have 
received further testimony from Governor Tryon.”* 
George III’s choice of instruments at this period, notably in the 
case of Lord George” himself, as Secretary for the Colonies, is not gen- 
erally regarded as betraying exceptional political sagacity. 
Notwithstanding the royal favour, which does not seem to have 
been alienated even by his alleged eccentricity in appearing for a wager, 
on one occasion, at the King’s levee, in the buckskin gaiters worn by 
rangers during their woodland campaigns, Robert Rogers was probably 
1 Journals of Major Robert Rogers, London. 1765, 8 vo; A Concise: Account of 
North America, by Major Robert Rogers, London, 1765, 8vo, Dublin, 1770, 12mo; 
Ponteach, a Tragedy, London, 1776. 
2Gentleman’s Magazine: 1758—Mar., Aug., Oct.; 1760—Nov., Dec. ; 1765—Dec. 
London Monthly Review, xxxiv—9—22—242. 
3 Johnson Mss. xviii—185-186. 
4 American Archives. Fourth Ser., iv—575. 
5 Lord George Germain, better known by his former name, Lord George Sack- 
ville, was the officer who, in command of the English cavalry at Minden. in a fit of 
spleen, refused to charge, and so marred the completeness of Prince Ferdinand’s 
victory. 
