14 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
Govt. of that country by means of spies and secret agents introduced 
into this province in the guise of travellers or merchants than any open 
aggression of their armies. From New York to St. Johns, which is 
situated on the River Richelieu, there is continual communication by 
means of a steamboat and from St. Johns to Montreal a stage runs at 
all times and seasons so that persons of any kind or nation may enter 
Canada with perfect ease and indeed there are continually persons 
going from Montreal to New York so that there are at this moment in 
Canada men of the most dangerous designs who might do a great deal 
of mischief here if not well watched. But fortunately the Police 
Officers are men of ability both at Quebec and Montreal and are wonder- 
fully vigilant in the performance of their duty.’’! 
Four years before, soon after his arrival at Halifax as Lieutenant 
Governor of Nova Scotia, Prevost had despatched John Howe to 
Boston as a confidential agent with instructions “to ascertain what 
ideas are entertained as to the feasibility and mode of attacking Canada, 
New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, and whether by sea or land, whether 
the inhabitants of those provinces, or any or what part of them are 
considered as having any partiality or attachment to the United States, 
whether it is suposed that there is any disposition to favor or assist 
the United States in case of War with Great Britain or to Separate from 
Great Britain and enter into the confederacy of the United States.” 
Howe had reported after careful enquiry among men of all parties 
both at Boston and Washington:— 
“The Conquest of Canada, they contemplate as a matter perfectly 
easy; and whenever they speak of it they build much on the disposition 
of the Canadians as friendly to them. They reckon also, on a ready 
welcome from a number of Americans who have of late years become 
Settlers in Upper Canada. And this last circumstance at least, may 
well lead His Majesty’s Government to consider whether it is politic 
to admit as settlers near the Frontiers, men of this description.”’! 
Since that time the number of American settlers in Upper Canada 
had steadily increased, and writing in 1810, the traveller, John Melish 
had affirmed his belief “that if 5,000 men were sent into Upper Canada 
with a proclamation of independence the great mass of the population 
would join the American Government.” 
During 1810 and the following year a large tract of land on Talbot 
Street and elsewhere in the London District was thrown open for 
settlement. Six hundred lots were quickly taken up mainly by persons 
1 A. W. Cochran to his father, June 23, 1812, Canadian Archives, M. 147. 
1 Can. Arch. M. 577 F. and 577 H. 
