I need not say how rejoiced I should be if you were of the party.
The return of the duke of York to the head of the army gives general satisfaction to all military people, and indeed to most others I fancy: his old worn-out predecessor has long been superannuated.

I still retain my appointment of deputy barrack master-general in Nova Scotia, to the astonishment of every body, because I suppose they do not like to take it from me _par force_, without giving me something in lieu of it.

I have told the treasury that I would not give it up upon any other terms than for my lieutenant-colonelcy, but that they had the power of taking it from me if they chose to do me that injustice: I suppose they will as soon as my back is turned.
Lord William Bentinck is expected down to-day; he goes to Sicily in the Caledonia, with Sir Edward Pellew.

As it is possible you may have left Canada, I shall enclose this letter to our friend Bruyeres; bid him read it and forward it if you are yet in that country.
_Colonel Baynes to Major-General Brock, at Montreal_.
QUEBEC, August 3, 1811.
We were very much surprised on Thursday last by the arrival of the Racoon, sloop of war, from Jamaica, with the duke of Manchester on board, who is come with the view of visiting the lions of Canada previous to his return to England; he is gone, attended by General Drummond, to see the falls of Montmorenci, and the general desires me to let you know that his grace intends leaving this in the stage on Tuesday morning for Montreal.

The duke has no attendant except a Colonel Gold, _ci-devant militaire_; he appears to be very affable, and perfectly _sans facon_; he particularly requested that no compliments or ceremony of any kind might be shown him, and that he might be permitted to indulge his fancy by going about as he pleased.