Carleton: Man or Mouse

[smortensen]

I think that Governor Carleton was a bit of a shifty character and almost a coward judging by the information given in readings 3.1 and 3.2.
First off, he disguised himself as a peasant in order to avoid capture. Which, in my humble opinion, was midly genius but fainthearted none the less. I realize he probably couldnt have done much if he would have stayed in the region when the Americans were bombarding them... but he was governor, i feel he should have been more of a leader than a frightened man dressed in scrubby clothing.
Also, when Thayendanegea offered his help to Carleton, he declined because he didnt like the native American's terror tactics. I think that the natives could have really helped Quebec in the long run.
Was the only reason for Carleton declining the offer because he didnt like their tactics? did that one thing prevent him from accepting the sort of help he could have really used?

[Mr. Delainey]

Heh. I like the "Carleton was a bit of a shifty character".

Uhm, so Carleton would have won your respect if he would've dressed in his most brilliant, reddest, Britishist uniforn ever before walking past the American sentries guarding the gate in Montreal? Disguises are usually useful if you're trying to avoid getting caught.

Carleton didn't approve of the native approach to warfare because he was a European. In Europe, warfare was governed by certain rules and codes of conduct. Scalping, killing women and children, etc. I guess were considered distasteful to Carleton. Though to be fair, the Europeans were as brutal as the First Nations.