Ralph Clench Story

by Wesley Turner

	My name is Ralph (Ralfe) Clench. I was born in 1762 in Schenectady, New York. I fought for His Majesty, King George, in the rebellion, now called the American War of Independence. After it concluded, I moved to Niagara, also known as Newark, with my wife Elizabeth and we planted one of the finest orchards in the district. I became colonel of the1st regiment of Lincoln Militia and fought in the Battle of Queenston Heights. In 1813, I was taken prisoner by the Americans and spent the remainder of the war in captivity. I speak from experience. Let us imagine it is 200 years ago, January 1st, 1812, and Ralfe Clench is speaking. We are graced by the presence of His Honour, Major General Isaac Brock,who is the Senior Member of the Council, that is the administrator of Upper Canada, not the lieutenant governor. He has all the power and prestige of the lieutenant governor without the title. He is at the head of civil government and also Commander of the Forces in Upper Canada—that is the British troops, the militia and the naval force, known as the Provincial Marine.
The combination of civil and military authority in the hands of General Brock gives us comfort because of the increasing amount of war talk occurring in the United States. We know about events there from reading of them in our newspapers, from letters and from travellers crossing the border. And so we know about President Madison’s speech to Congress on November 5th, 1811, and at the end of that month in the House of Representatives, the report of its Committee on Foreign Relations as well as the speeches and comments of such prominent members of that House as Peter Porter, John C. Calhoun and Henry Clay of Kentucky, the Speaker of the House. What these voices are saying more and more frequently is that the United States in its disagreements with Great Britain should turn away from diplomacy and trade sanctions and, instead, go to war.
We know in such a war, the first step or action by the Americans would be to invade Upper Canada and this town on the frontier would be attacked early because of the strategic importance of Fort George. Our homes and farms would be destroyed, our families would suffer injury, death and distress. And what’s it all for? We have no quarrel with our neighbours across the river and they have no quarrel with us. Old animosities have been long forgotten so we, and they, travel frequently across the river to shop, for business and to visit. We travel easily without the bother of passports or border guards—except for a few pesky customs officers.
Your Honour we have great confidence in your leadership and appreciate the steps you have already taken to strengthen the defences of this province. We look forward to proposals you will make to the House of Assembly when it meets in February. There has been some talk questioning the loyalty of Upper Canadians. Sir, I assure you that the Lincoln militia and their families are loyal as are all the good citizens of Niagara. It is January 1st, 1812 and we do not know if the year will bring the scourge of war or the blessings of peace. We hope and pray that the governments of His Royal Highness, the Prince Regent, and of President Madison will negotiate an end to their disagreements and restore good relations; we hope that the group in the House of Representatives who coming to be called the War Hawks will see that the way to a prosperous future lies through peace, not war. Thanks to Professor Wesley Turner, who has taken on the personna of Ralph Clench as he lived 200 years ago.