**, IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 1.1 l^|28 |25 1.25 1.4 I 1.6 PhotDgraphic Sciences Corporation 4r ?1 WS'ST MAiN STRKT WiBS«bl>..N.Y. MSSO (716)t72-4S03 ■>* 3 /■ :5| ^1 CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de mieroreproductions historiques Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes tachniquas at bibliographiquas Tha Instituta has attamptad to obtain tha bast original copy availabia for filming. Faaturas of this copy which may ba bibliographically uniqua, wh^^h may altar any of tha imagas in tha raproduction, or which may significantly changa the usual method of filming, are checked below. □ Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur □ Covers damaged/ Couverture endommagie □ Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurde et/ou pellicul^e DS Cover title missing/ titre de couverture manque I I Coloured maps/ Cartes g6ographiques en couleur □ CoSoured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (I.e. autre que bleue ou noire) □ Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur □ Bound with other material/ Reli6 avec d'autres documents D D D Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La re liure serrde peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge intirieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajout6es lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans la texte, Hiais. lorsque cela «tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6t6 film6es. Additional comments:/ Commontaires supplimentairas; L'Institut a microfilm* la meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6tA possible de se procurer. Les ddtails de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-Atre uniques du point de vue bibliographiqua, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la mAthoda normale de filmage sont indiquAs ci-dessous. □ Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur □ Pages damaged/ Pages endommagdes n Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaur6es et/ou pelliculies Q Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages d6color6e8, tachetdes ou piqudes □ Pages detached/ Pages d6tach6es 0Showthrough/ Transparence n Quality of print varies/ Qualit^ inigala de I'impression □ Includes supplementary material/ Comprend du materiel supplimentaire □ Only edition available/ Seula ddition disponible □ Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont dt6 filmdas A nouveau de fapon d obtenir la meilleure image possible. The tot The pos oft film Ori( beg the sioi oth firs sioi ori Thi shfl TIN wh Ma difl ent be{ rigi req me This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est film6 au taux da reduction indiquA ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X 7 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X Th« copy film«d her* has b««n reproduced thank* to the geneioeity of: Library of the Public Archives of Canada L'exemplaire filmA fut reproduit grice i ia g*n4rosit* de: La biblioth*que des Archives publiques du Canada The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition end legibility of the original copy and >n keeping with the filming contract specifications. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the beck cover when appropriate. Ail other original copies ere filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or iliustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page wit.« a printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shell contain the symbol ^^> (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbo* y (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner: left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: .1 ,, 2 3 Les images suivsntes ont 6t* reproduites evec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition at de la nettetA de l'exemplaire f iimA, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmege. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en pepier est imprim6e sent filmAs en commenpant par le premier plat et en terminent soit par la dernlAre pege qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, salon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sent filmAs en commen^ant par la premiAre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminent par la derniire page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaltra sur la derniire image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbols —► signifi^ "A SUIVRE", le symbols ▼ signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmto A des taux de rMuction diff^rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul ciichA, 11 est filmt A partir de I'angle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en has, en prenant le nombre d'images n6cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 4 5 6 %:,■ Y ^ > (^ y j'.--r-»'i' '^^^T' ■r-r.-i * / ;/' A N AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE O F FACTS .■^s RELATING TO THE EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS ' "■ T A K E N A T T H B C E D A [Price is.] R *■ ,.#■■: w:*"' - -■■ -<* Vv. -""'^ ^"^■■- *'CJ>:S^.-^'P\t^. *V*.' ""^'HinniiPiiMRIHiMP ^i *'»--'»?', !!sr#-^ -f- ._^ ,♦■, < f Ji 4 A N AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE O F FACTS RELATING TO THE EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS TAKEN AT THE f E D R S; i SUPPORTED BV THE TESTIMONIES and DEPOSITIONS of HIS majesty's officers, WITH Several original letters and papers. TOGETHERWITH REMARKS upon the REPORT and resolves of the AMERICAN CONGRESS On that SUBJECT, r. s LONDON: PRINTED FOR T. CAOELL IN THE STRAND, MDCCLXXVII* t ' • .»• .-Si AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE OF FACT S RELATING TO THI EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS A T T H K CEDARS. THE unnatural rebellion of the North American Colonies againft the parent ilate, muft afford great concern to every fen- fible mind, feeling for the profperity of the Britifh empire, or the diftrelfes of mankind. How grateful to be employed in reconciling private differences ! how glorious in prevent* ing, or in terminating national ones ! How dc* teftable then muft thofe appear in the eyes of every good citizen and faithful fubjedt, who catching at the murmurs of difcontcnr, in (lead of Toothing and reconciling, colk£l: the em- ■^'l B bcrs ,?^;rf M i% ( * ) bcrs of faftion and ambition to increafe the flames of public difcord ! The cap of liber- ty (like the fcrpent in tlie Wildernefs) has been held up for the weak and credulous to gaze at, while the artful and defigDing havt endeavoured to fupport the airy phantonn, by piles of falfe and inconfiftent publications, created to amufe and mifgulde the people to their ruin. How far tliey have fuccecded is well known ; how much farther they may go is uncertain -, but furely it becomes the duty of every good member of the ftate, to exert his pideavours to terminate the painful eonteft. ; Upon this principle only, the compiler of the following fheets thinks it incumbent on him to lay them before the Public, thereby to ihew the people, how grofsly they hare been abufed by a few fadlious leaders of the Ame- rican Congrefs, who juftly merit their utmoft indignation : to convince mankind that Bri- tons cannot be cruel, and to juftify the cor>- dudl of the king's fervants from the foul af- perfions ca(i on them by the reports and tt» folves of the Congrefs, ftated to the Public *» * Vide Public Advertirer, Monday, December 23d, ■with -*^^ ( } ) with the folc view of fupporting and incrcafing the flames of civil war. The rebels, during the laft winter, were in full poiTeHion of the whole province of Que- bec (the town of Quebec only excepted), where (particularly at Montreal) they plun- dered and opprelTed the people in a manner painful to relate f* notwithftanding which, the following proclamation was ifTued imme- diately after their defeat. . r . f Th« compiler wiflies the Public to believe, that he fpeaks in general of the rebels condudl in the province of Quebec; Tome individuals conduced themfelves towards the people in a manner which will ever be remembered to their honour. Colonels D'tiaas, Allen, and Ritzipar, of the Penfilvanla troops, gave many convincing proofs of their afling upon honourable, though mifguided principles} they exerted themfelves publicly to prevent tyranny and oppreflion, and by their manly conduct much oppreffioa was prevented. , It is alfo with pleafure remarked, that the common '- B 3^ By ( 4 ) By his Excellency Guy Carletow, Captain General, and Governor in Chief of the Province of Qiicbec, and the territo- ries depending thereon. Vice Admiral of the fame. Major General and Commander in Chief of his Majefty's Forces in the Pro- vince of Qiiebec, and the Territories thereof, &c. &c. &c. ' ^ ....•.: A PROCLAMATION.-' * <* Whereas I am irtformed, that many of !iis Majcfty's deluded fubjefts of the neigh- bouring provinces, labouring under wounds and diverfe diforders, are difperfed in the ad- jacent woods and parifhes, and are in great danger of perifliing for want of proper afllll-^ ance. All captains, and other officers of mi- litia, are hereby commanded to make dili- gent fearch for all fuch diHreiTed pi^rfons, and afford them all neceffary relief, and convey them to the general hofpital, where proper care fliall be taken of them. All reafonible expences which may be incurred in complying with this order, fhall be repaid by the receiver- general. .,^^,,... ^... ** And left a confcioufnefs of paft offences Qtould deter fuch miferable wretches from re- ceivinf^ ( 5 ) ceiving that afTiftance which their diftreflfcd (ituation may require, I hereby malce icnown CO them, that as foon as their health ii re- ftored, they Ihall have free liberty to return to their rcfpeftivc provinces. *• Given under my hand and feal of arms, at theca(lJeof St. Lewis, in the city of Quebec, this tenth day of May, one thoufand feven hundred and feventy-fix, in the (ixteehth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third, by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and fo forth. ' GUY CARLETON. ■i' >) j<-- M ■•,». ,..,-,, By his Excellency's command, ~'"'^- • ' ' "" H. T. Cramahii. \:a ^u n 9 O ^ <^vc the King.*' , The preceding proclamation does not mark any intention in General Carleton to have the rebels treated with feverity i on the contrary, it evidently fhews his determination to con* - vince them, by every aft of humanity, that they were regarded as the King's mifguided fubjefts, and as fiich would be treated with tender cbmpalTion. The leading members of the Congrefs, dreading the cfFcfts which B 3 Rch ( 6 ) fuch uRcxpc^cd lenity might produce qb th^ minds of the people, laboured the more to enrage them* To this end, they gave i)^ following fallacious account of what happ.ci>£4 at the Cedars, where their troops baf^ beea defeated, * • J cure a reinforcement, whereupon the com- mand of the Cedars devolved on Major But- tcrfield. • > - . , . ** That on ThUrfday a reinforcement under the command of Major Sherburne marched from Montreal to the Cedars, while a larger detachment fhould be getting ready to pro- ceed thither with Brigadier General Arnold. " That on Friday the 19th, the enemy un- der the command of Captain Forfter, invefl;- ed the pod: at the Cedars, and for two days kept up a loofe fcatcering fire ; that Major Butterfieid propofed from the firft to furren- der the pofl:, and refufed repeated folicitations from his officers and men to permit them to Tally cut on the enemy. ** That on Sunday afternoon a flag being fcnt in by the enemy. Major Butterfieid agreed to furrender the fort and garrifon to Captain Forfter, capitulating with him, whether verbally or in writing does not ap- pear, that the garrifon ihould not be put in- ' to the hands of the favages, and that their baggage ihould not be plundered. ... " That at the time of the furrender, the ene- my confided of about forty regulars, one hundred Canadians, and five hundred In- B4 dians» ,A\ J mmmmm ■ef.-;''i'---c ■■»■':'':• "m ' f I! ( 8 ) r( dians, and had. no cannon ; the garriibii had fudained no Injury from ^bc, Qrc, but the having one man wounded *, they had twenty rounds of cartridges a man, thirty, rounds for one field-piece, five for another, half a barrel of gun-powder, fifteen hundred weight muiket ball, and provifiqns fuiHcient to have lafted them twenty or thirty days. Major Butterfield knew that a reinforcement w^ on its way, and moreover was fo near the main body of the army, that he could not doubt of being fupported. ■' -■ ^' .'•^,^^•^ ** That immediately ypon the furrcndcr;the garrifon was put into the cuftody of the fa- vages, who plundered them of their baggage, and even dripped them of their cloaths, - , " That Major Sherburne having landed, on Monday the 20th at Quinchien, about nine miles from the Cedars, and marched on with his party, confiding then of about one hun- dred men, to within about four miles there<^ of, was there attacked by about five hundred of the enemy ; that he maintained the ground zbout an hour, and then being conftrained to retreat, performed the fame in good order, receiving and returning a conftant fire, for about forty minutes } when the enemy find- ing means to pod advance parties in fu(;h 9 , •; manner ( 9 ) manner as to intercept their further retreat, they were alfo made prifoners of war. That they were immediately put under the cuftody of the favagcs, carried to where Major But- ' tcrfield and his party were, and ftript of their baggage and wearing apparel : That two of them were put to death that evening, four or live others at different times afterwards ; one of them, even of thofewho furrendered on capitulation at the Cedars, was killed on the eighth day after that furrender : That one was HrH: (hot, and while retaining life and feniation, was roailed, as related by his com* panion, now in poflefTion of the favages, who Jiimfelf faw the fadt •, and that fevcral others, being worn down with famine and cruelty, were left expofed in an iQand naked, and pe- jrifhing with cold and hunger. ' *^ That while Major Sherburne was in cuf- tody of the enemy. Captain Forfter required of him and the officers to fign a cartel, ftipu- lating the exchange of themfelves and their men, for as many of equal condition of the 9riti(h troops in our pofTeffion ; and further, that, notwithilanding the exchange, neither themfelves or men (hould ever again bear arms jig^inftthe Britith governments and for the ,.: ..i ■■ ■ ... :' ♦ •' ••■ -i " -per. U^- ^if^ wpnip ffmrnrnm ■Pi ■ 'p,^.-*;-,.V,r^'/. v^:^^^. ■ ;-T Ji*"-*, ::J7rf^^^^^ ^ST5»r»Ta^^P|jn ■ performance of this, four hoftages were tb be delivered, which they being under the abiblu:e power of the enemy did fign. *' That on Sunday the 26th, the prifoncrli* were carried to Quinchicn, where it was dif- covered that General Arnold was approach- ing, and making difpofitions to attack them : That Captain Forfter having defired Major Sherburne to fend by a flag, which he was about to fend to General Arnold, for con- i^rmation of the cartel, carried him into a councilof the Indians then fitting, who tdtcl him, that it was a mercy never before (heWh in their wars, that they had killed fo few of their prifoners, but they fhould certainly kill «very man, who Ihould hereafter fall into their hands : That Captain Forfler joined in defiring, that the bloody meflage (hould be delivered to General Arnold 1 and moreover, that he Ihould be notified. That if he re- jeded the cartel, and attacked him, every m«n of his prifoners would be put to initanc death* '■;■■ ' •' ■'*' '^' ... v;;^;.:;: : >^l»,rt •' That General Arnold was extremely averfc from entering into any agreement, and was at length induced to it, by no other motive than that of favitig the prifoners frorti cruel and 'I .■ ( II ) «nd inhuman deaths, threatened in fuch termt as left DO doubt it was to be perpetrated t and that he did in the end conchide ic, after ieverftl Sags received from Captain Forder, and a relinquilbment byr him, of the unequal jirticjc, retraining our foldiers from again bearing arms. ; . : . .;..;i rs ;.^a. ** That the prifoners fo ftipulated to be given up to the enemy, were not in pofleffion of Ge- neral Arnold, nor under his direction, but were at the time diftributed through various parts of the continent, under the order&of this JfO"^-, a. >„,„-,„..,■ .,:.„„„; '.■^... •* That four hoftages were accordingly deli- ' yered to Captain Forfter, who were imme- ! diately plundered and ftript by the favages i and oq his part was delivered, one major, four captains, fifteen fubalterns, and three hun- dred and fifty- five privates, as fpecified in a certificate of Captain James Ol'good and pthers, of whom no fpecification by their names or number has yet been tranfmitted : That he retainedtwelve Canadians,, jilleging in his j unification, exprefs orders lb to do$ and that living in a military government, they were tQ be confiderede^xn inaworfe light •• • ' than I il ( » ) !i iif than Mcrton from his Majtsfty^s ^rmjr; th^fe he carried away in- irons, but afterwards re- kflfed : That he permitted the Indtans to carry into their country feveral others, natives oif the United States, for purpofes unknown: That during the time of their captivity, not half food was allowed the prifonerfj they ■were continually inlulted, buffeted, and ill- treated by the favagcs ; and when the firft parties of them were carried off from tlife Ihore, to be delivered to General A rhoFd*, balls of mud were fired, and at the hit parties, muflcet balls.** ' -: Whel-eupon the Congrefs came to the fol- lowing refolutions : -r .i. - ?a i;cj " That all adts contrary to good faith, the laws of nature, or the cuftoms of civijiied nations, done by the officers and foldiers of his Britannic Majefty, by foreigners or fa- vaaes taken into his fervice, are to be con- (idered as done by his orders, uiilefs indem- nification be made in cafes which admit in- demnlBcations } and in all other cafes, unlefs immediate and eflfeflive meafures be taken by him or his officers, for bringing to con- dign puniihmenti the authors^ abettors, and j perpethrtors of the 'aft. - liS^n i^ - :»nt^n' * i. I I ,ii f i,ii \i i ^^ «. wmm \ •ti 'i^^yb^/4^,Thatthe plonderrngthe baggage of the garrifon ac the Cedars, dripping them of their cloaths, and delivering them into the hands of the favages, was a breach of the capitulation on the part of the enemy, for which indemniBcation ought to be de- manded. ' • • ' ••>'^ f^i:>t tJ ' •* Re/ohedjThu the murder of the prifoners of war was an inhuman violation of the laws of nature and nations-, that condign punilh- ment Ihould be infliifted on the authors, abec^' tors, and perpetrators of the fame-, and that for this purpofe it be required, that they be delivered into our hands. ' » . ' J • -I ■■ . <( Refohed, That the agreement entered Into by General Arnold, was a mere fponfion on his part, he "not being invefted with power, for the difpofal of prifoners, not in his poilef* iion, or under his directions ', and that there- fore it is fubjed to be ratified, or annulled at the difcftion of this houfe. iS'-J ■ cc Refehed, That the (hamcful furrender of the pod at the Cedars, is chargeable on the commanding o6icer ^ that fuch other of tho prifoniers as were taken there, (hewed a wil- lingnefs to Bght the enemy •, -and that Major •Sherburne and the prifoners taken with him, :i:iii although T ' ii iiiinuDji I — III 'Vjm' \' I'lli I! ! ! f I I C »4 ) ikhough thfir difpartty of numbch was great, Ibught the enemy bravely, for a conliderskblr time, and Airrendere d at £ift, bnt oti abfolate n^ceffity ; on which confidcration, and oh which only it is refolved. That ihe fiid fpon- Hon be ratified, and that an equal nuipber of captives from the enemy, of the faid ranlb and condition, ? returned to them, as fti- pulated by the laid fponfion, " Refolved, That previous to the delivery of the prifoners to be returned on our part, the Britifti commander in Canada, be required to deliver into our hands, the authors, abettors, and perpetrators, of the horrid murder com- mitted on the prifoners, to fuffer fuch punilh- ment as their crime defervesj and alfo to make indemnification for the plunder at the Cedars, taken contrary to the faith of capitu- lation-, and that until fuch delivery and indemnification be made, the faid prifoners be nc-t delivered. ' ^^'-'.^]'.^'^<"^''ii^-''^ ^v^Sr^ " '«* Refolved, That if the enemy (hould com- Iriie any farther violence, by putting to death, torturing, or otherwife ili-treating thie .prifoners retained ^- them, or any oi" the hoftagcs put into their hands, rccourfe be had lb rttaliatiorf, a^ the fole rtjeans of ^ap^^ • theprogrefs of human butchery •, and that for that %^ ^■wir^www "I "iWfPil (' 15 ) that purpQfc^ punishments of the fame kind and dcgr^ be inflicted on an equal nuqibcr of the captives from them in our pofleffipn,' till they (hall be taught due refpeft to the vio- ^(^ right (^.nations. ,.,'• ^' •• Refolved, That a copy of the foregoing ireport and refolutions be tranfmitted to the commander in chief of the continental forces, to be by him fcnt to Generals Howe and Burgoync. . < *"■' By order of the Congrcfs, (Signed) John Hancock, Prefidcnt." From this report, which has been partially ftatcd to the Public by the pretended friends of America, mankind would naturally con- ceive orders had been given, and meafures purfued, for the deftruftion of the provmcials; while, on the contrary, every officer of the crown has, notwithftanding the repeated in- fiances of ill-treatment which they have re« ceived, endeavoured to diftinguifli themfelves by ^8 of generous humanity, infcparaWc jTrom the cbara^er of a 3riti0i foldicr. Ge- jsera^ Carkton, after receiving the grofleil;. peribnal infuks, and regardlels of thci*' ia« j(C«^ual endeavours to (ite^e ft^^^lQufy be- /'i !i;.a .' ■i';rfiai!. ^ff.l ^<^«pp"m wmmmii^ ( t6 ) dy J tween him and General Burgoyne *, give the following public orders immediately af- ter receiving this ihameful report. ^ehec^ Augufi 4, 1 776. • <« The commanding officers of corps will take efpecial care every one under their command be informed, that letters or mef- fages from rebels, traitors in arms againft the king, rioters, difturbers of the public peace, plunderers, robbers, affaflins, or mur- derers, are on no occafion to be admitted ; / that Ihould emiflaries from fuch lawleis men again prefume to approach the army, whether under the name of flag of truce-men, or am- bafTadors, except when they come to impbre the king's mercy, their perfons (hall be imme- diately feized, and committed to clofe con-* ,. ,. ■:'""^- , -^^^''.k-. . v. . " ' ::' :;■■ ' :r *.. • The Congrefs ordered the copy of their report indre« folutions to be fent General Burgoyne, although the fecond in command, inftead of General Carleton, the commander in chief, hoping thereby to create a jealoufy between thofe gallant officers ; and the enemies of the conftitution have, fince General Burgoyne's return to England, indoftrioufly propagated a report, that they had difagreed. A report, which the compiler can, and does take upon him to declare, void of truth ; and it is with fatisfaftion he can aflbrc the Pabiic, that the king's fervice has been condafitd with the utmpft nnaniniity and cordiality between thole twoge> Bcrali. , finemcnt . (... ■■, ( 17 ) finemtnt, in order to be proceeded agalaft", as the law directs ; their papers and letters, for whomfocver, even for the commander in chief, arc to be delivered to the proved mar- tial,' that, unread and unopened, they may be but^ned by the hands of the common hang- man. At the fame time, the commander in chiif cxpcfls, that neither the afTaffination of Brigadier General Gordon, nor the late no- torious breach of faith, in refolving not to return the troops and Canadians taken at Sc. John's, in exchange for thofe rebels, who fell into the hands of the favages at the Cedars and Quinchien, purchafed from them at a great price, and reftored to their country on thofe exprefs conditions j be imputed to the provincials at large, but to a few wicked and defighing men, who firft deceived, then ftep by ftep mlfled the credulous multitude to the brink of ruin -, afterwards, ufurped authority- over them, eftablifhed a defpotic tyranny not to be born, and now wantonly and foolifhly endeavour to provoke the fpilling the blood of our unhappy countrymen of this conti- nent, in hopes of covering their own guilt, or ^6rifit1ning their tyranny by the gencrai deftruflion of their country. Let their crihies purfue thefe faithlefs bloody-minded men,. C who ■#^ 1 *• i|. ^* mtmm "^W^ ( »« ) who a/Tert that black is white, and white black. It belongs . Britons to diftinguifh thcmfclves,notlcfs by their humanity than their valour. It belongs to the king's troops to favc the blood of his deluded fubjefts, whofc greatcft fault, perhaps, i» having been de- ceived by fuch men, to their own deftruftion. It belongs to the crowni it is the duty of all faithful fcrvants of the crown, to refcue from oppreflion, and reftore to liberty, the once happy, free, and loyal people of this conti- nent. All pri Toners from the rebellious pro- vinces, who chufe to return home, are to hold themfclves in readinefs to embark at a fliort notice. The commiflary Mr. Murray iliall vifit the tranfports deftined for them, and fee that wholefomeprovifions, neceffarycloath- ing, with all pofTible convenience for their pafTage, be prepared for thefe unfortunate men. They are to look on their lefpeftive provinces as their prifon, and tiiere remain, till further enlarged, or fummoned to appear before the commander in chief of this pro- vince, or any other commander in chief for his Majefty, for the time being, which fum- mons they fhall obey. General Howe will regulate their place of landing. . ,^ ^^ /■?/■•' *A^'- J^' In ( m wmmm .vHT^'"' i: *9 ) * In confcqucncie of thcfe orders, the rebel pfifone^s were foon embarked and fent to New York, highly fatisfied with the unex- ^edled treatment they had met with ; after their arrival, they exerted themfelves in fa- vour of the King's fubjeifls detained by the titbels, and particularly for the wife and fa- mily of Mr. Livius, Chief Jiiftice of Quebec, whofe liberty they procured, and fent them to Halifax -, and it is not doubted, but they earneltly folicited the Congrefs to fulfil the cartel entered into for their pre- fervation. • - The epithets given by General Carleton in the preceding order, have been thought harfli and fevere-, there is no doubt, but he did Violence to his own inclinations, when he found himfelf necefiitated to ufe them. The people of Montreal had been publicly ind generally plundered ; many of the prin- cipal inhabitants carried prifoners to the other colonies j the cartel entered into for exchang- <»»«,., /-P^^t'T- C 21 ) ** Undcrftanding that the Continental Con* grefs have refufed to retu-n the troops who are prifoners in the provinces, in exchange for the rebels, who fell into the hands of the favages at the Cedars and Quinchien in May laft, according to an exprefs agreement, made between Captain George Forfter, of his majcfty's eighth regiment, who, at great ex- pence to government, brought them from thofe favages i and Mr. Benedift Arnold, who commanded the rebel army. And that, in order to colour this violation of faith, and further to deceive their unhappy country- men, they have given public reafons, which have no foundation in truth, accufing his Majefty's faithful fervants and loyal fubjefls, with the mod inhuman a6ts of unfeeling cruelty. Hence we think it a duty incum- bent upon us, who were prefent and well acquainted with the whole tranfaflions, to difabufe our fellow- fubjedls, by flating the following narrative of what happened on the occafion. *' Captain Forfter commanding the garrifon of Ofwegathie, having formed a defign to relieve the citizens of Montreal, from the opprefilv.e tyranny of the rebels, did, on the 1 2th of May laft, begin his march, with one C 3 captain. '^■^TTpipiJWI^" • I'- ■ Hf.' |(': !# C 22 ) captain, two lieutenants, two ferjeants, two cprporals, one drummer, and th|rty-thrcc private foldiers, of his Majefty's eightk regiment i and eleven Englifh and Canadian gentlemen voluntctis, and one hundred and fixty ravages of different nations. On the 14th, we got to St. Regis, and were there? joined by iBfty-four favages of that village, f;'om whence we marched on the i6th, in the afternoon, and that right encamped at the upper end of Lake St. Francis, about nine miles from St. Regis. On the morning of the i7tli, we fet forward, having received information of the number and ftrength of the enemy, pofted at the Cedars, which greatly difcontented the favages. About three o'clock in the afternoon, we halted at Point Baudet, and there received an exprefs^ advifing of General Carleton's having driven the enemy from before Quebec, which had caufed great confternation amongft the re- l^els \ thus encouraged, the favages marched with great fpirit, hoping to arrive in time tq attack the rebels at the Cedars by break of day; but when we got to the mouth of tie Lake, fifteen miles from the enemy's poft, ir was late, and the favages being unacquainted, with the rapids, encamped there* except jibou^ J^' ^^^mp^mn^m^ ( 23 ) about fifty who accompanied us to Point Diable, about fevcn miles from the rebels, where we encamped. ** The morning following, being joined by the body of our Indians, we fell down the St. Laurence, to within three miles of the enemy, and there lodged our batteaux and canoes in fecurityj from thence we fent a party of Indians to attack the rebels on the left, while the body advanced on the right. The detached party foon fent us one prifoner and a fcalpi the rebel fcalped, would not have been killed, but for his obftinately re- fufing to furrender to two favages, when it was not poffible for him to cfcape. Captain Forfter now fummoned the enemy to furren- der, while it was yet in his power to fave their lives. Fearing that (hould they not do it im- mediately, the favages could not be reftrainecj by the fmall numbers of his troops, from committing afls of cruelty. In reply, they requefted three hours to confider, which was granted. Within the time they fent a fiag, demanding permifllon to quit the pc*" with their arms, which was refufed; and hoflili- ttfs again commenced. We foon after re- ?:cived intelligence from Qiiinchien, which is about nine miles below the Cedars, of a re- inforcement, with provifions, being landed C 4 there 7"^ ( H ) there from Montreal, under the command of a Major Sherburne ; who, upon a report oC the garrifon at the Cedars being taken by u», had again retreated to the iQand of Mon- treal. •* On the 19th, in the morning, we advanced, under the cover of fome houfcs, to within one hundred and fifty yards of the enemy's bread-work, where, having no cannon, we kept up a fire of mufquetry, whenever there appeared any objed foi- its dire? ;'--T%^:^;l^-'' ■^?:-?p^ I i Iff t':i «*l! 1l 'I n Mil \i \ ■ ( 34 ) delivered, for which the hoftagCs are not tO be anfweraWe. . . . r " It being our full irvcention to ful^ the the above articles, we mitMuaMy Agn* aod interchange them as affurances of perforni- ance, figncd at Vaudriel, this 26th day of May, in the year of our Lord one thoufand feven hundred and fcvcnty-fix. " By order of CapO And^- Parke, Lieu- uin George For- tenant inthe King's or fter, commanding >• Sthregimentof foot, his Maj«fty*s for- 1 Chev** Lorimier, ces at Vaudriel. j r£R"' de MoNTiGwr, ' HeW' Sherburne, • ." ; Isaac Butterfield, /.■'.'■ •■ Thxqdore Bliss, . . .. . Daniel Wilkins, ; :v : John Stevens, . ?.! -. ■ * ! ,' \i j.v 1 • V I- i^'^' 'it: ■i; ^■ir.sri r'-'fv^fTT'"- "f>" ( 40 ) ihatt^rct of the Ceadcrs. I would fain flat-J tcr myfelf, that the Congrcfs would never have thought of fuch unheard-of proceedings, had they not had a faifc reprefentation of tho matter. Do not think I am under any con- (Iraint, when I fay, and call that God who muft judge of the truth, to witnefs, that not a man living could have ufed more hu- manity than Captain Forfter did, after the fur- render of the party I belonged to ; and who- ever fays to the contrary, let his (lation or rank in life be what it will, he is an enemy to peace, and a fallacious difturber of mankind. What reafon they can give for not redeeming us^ I cannot conceive •, if they arc wrongly informed, that the ?' r of the Ceaders was a maflacree, why do ^t they rather fulfil th^ cartail, than let thefe hodages remain in the hands of a mercilefs enemy, or do they re- gard therp troops only while the heavens m::ke them vi^lQtious ? "Where we in the hands of a rigorous power (as they would intimate), have they not every colour of juf- tice, after fo enormous a breach of faith, ]0aden*d with chains, to cad us into fomc horrid place, and tell us to langui(h out our days under a fcntance paiTcd by our owq people I .\ii\: riir- ^ uf wof.-il l .^r.is'ci rr./i» v:. ;■ ni^'tAa:] ) .'» >; .. 9 •( ir ( 4« ) ** If they fay there is fome hidden rcafon, far beyond the reach of policy to 6nd out, (for would they fuppofe it policy to diftrefs . his Majcfty's troops, by detaining fuch a number of men from them ?) it would not only . be the breach of there faith that would threaten them i for confider the number of prifoners already in the hands of the Briti(h army, and . alfb confider the chancfc of war, that may yet ^hrow greater numbers into there hands } and yrill people reft contented, when they find there own rulers willing to let them remain prifoners in the hands of what themfclves ,|trm (though unjuftly) a mercilefs people ? * or will they not, fired with refentment for fuch inhuman treatment, take arms to fup- prefs the power,, that regards them no longer then while there blood is fpilling in their fervice ? If this, which appears to be pro- . bable, flipuld happen, confider whetlicr thofe perfons will not be followed by a number of v their friends, which mull naturally make a : great divifion in the Colonies. Then take a. view of Great Britain, and her allies, pouring pn you, and let the moft fanguine expedor in America then judge how long the Colonies, thus divided, can ftand the fury of the com- bat. I know your influence have been great, fn6 for that reafon have wrote, that you may, if sa :|;;.V. t^ t'( ( 42 ) If poflablc, yet prevent America from being branded with the name of injuftice. If you Yofpcft I write this for the fake of getting my own liberty, your fufpicions wrongs me j 'tis Hoc my own confinement, but the breach of a treaty (which even favagcs have ever held facred), that caufei me to writer ♦* You'll be fo cind as to convey the inclofed to my wife, and if ever 1 had fo much of your love as to demand any favour of you, let this be the time that I may implore your anfiflance for my diftreflfed wife and helplefs orphans. May God grant I may once more fee them j till when, 1 am, your affeftionatc brother, Eben^. Sullivan.** ..If H ! I! Mr. Sullivan's letter breathes the fcntiments of an honed man, who had taken arms in . defence of what he thought the liberties of his country, but found himfclf duped and be- trayed by the Congrefs, the faithkfs mif- leadcrs of the credulods multitude. After the preceding papers, and Mr. Sul- livan's letter, it might appear ncedlefs to give further proofs of the falfchood and folly con- tained in the report and refolves of the Con- .grcfs, bad not Monficur Dctcrlaye, one of the tt^, French I ( 43 ) French priefts, and a man of charaAer, under whole care the rebel ofllcers were put, n^ade fome obueftions to the narrative, figncd by the oiRcers and Captain Forftcr i and being dcfired to ftate theai in a letter to the gentle- man who drew up the narradve, he accord- ingly did fo. Hence it becomes necefiary to give the Public a copy of his letter from the original, together with a tranllation. ** Monfieur, '* J'ai etc ties fenfible a Thonneur que v#iis m'avez fait, de me communiquer la relation de la campagne du Capiiain Forfter. " Je I'ai vue avcc d'autant plusde plaifir, que j'ai ete tcmoin oculaire d'une partie des faites, qui y font contenue. J'aurois defire feulemcnt pour I'honneur dc mon village, qu*onyeu marque quetoiisles Iroquois du Lac •qui etoient en chaffe du cote de Chegatfi on combatu fous les ordres du Capitain Forfter, avec une partie de ceux de St. Regis, des Mif- ^lagucs, ct des Cinques Nations. -, . ,5- ** Je puis dire a la louange du dit comman- dant , quM a 1^ tellemenc continer fes iauvages, que je ne les at jamais viie mieux obferver les loixderhumanite. Peuxoutroismontres, au- t^nc d'ltabks pris, ne valen^pas Ja peine de ie ■ '" plaindrc mimmmmmmmfm i;i pi Ur I ^ ( 44 ) plaindre (i fort. Eft-il jamais arriv^ parmi les nations Ics plus policeSj que dans un combat, les vaincus n'ayent ricn perdu de leur bag- gage. Suivant les loix de la guerre, n'auroit^ on pas mettre a more les Canadiens qui one etc pris, les armes ^ la main contre leur roi ? n'cft ce pas, par bonte pour les rebelles, qu'oji a propofe de les exchanger, pour abfeger la temps dc leur mifere ? ♦* Les officiers qui ont ete au Lac, ont ils manque de pain, de viande fraiche, & de bois de chauSTage ? II eft vrai qu*on ne leur a pas donne de iits& dc vetemcnts, parce qu'il n*y en avoit pas dans Tendroic. Mais TofHcier qui etoit blefTe a la cuiffe, a ete re^u dans la maifon des mi(rionaires,qui luiontfournitoutes les douceurs poffibles : Que pretend done le Congres en refufant d*accomplir un cartel qui a ete fait fuivant toutes les loix de I'equite ? 11 me femble qu'il a tout lieu de craindre que dans une autre occafion les fauvages ne met- tent a mort tous leurs prifoniers, et qu*il fera tres difficile de les en empecher, voyant que le Congres les a trompe* •* LeCongres ie plaint des cruautes des fad- Tages. Je vous demande, Monfieur, s*il a etc plus humain I L*automne derniere lorfqu'il ayant pris au coupde Longueil d^ux fauvages de . ,,.. men ( 45 ) tnon village, il Ics a tenu au fcrs pendant un tnois,lespied^dans Teaudans uoe barque. Les troupes du Congres font venues en Canada, en qualite d'amis, & d*alliez •, qu'oot ils fait pour en donner des preuves ? lis ont pris nos villes, perfccute les honnetes gens qui nc voulient point renier leur roi, pillcr les ma- gazins, infulte les minidres de la religion, ec les maifons quails ont brulees a la viie de mon village, font une preuve evident qu'une nation revoltee centre fon prince, eft moins fufceptible de moderation que les fauvages qu*elle accufe de cruaute. Le Capitaine Forfter a done eu raifon d'oppofer des fau- vages aux troupes du Congres j fes fucccs ont repondu ^ la juftice de fa caufe j ec Tinter^c ieul de quelques particuliers I'ont empecbe dc poufler fes conquetes jufqu'a Montreal. On lui eu a impofe fur le nombre d'ennemis qui etoient dans le retrenchment de la Chine, et fur leur forces, parcc qu'on y avoit des ballots q *on ne vouloit pas facrifier. Quoiqu'il en fort, Monfieur, la relation que vous avez en main, ne peut que lui fairc beaucoup d'bonneur, et les peines qu'il s'cft donne, me paroifent bien dignes de re- compenfc. J'ai I'honneur d'etre, avec un profond refpefb, Monfieur, ■ Votretreshumbleettresobeifantfervitcur, AuLacct 9 i'0&, 1776. Deterlav, pretrc." i mwpMP wmmm ( 4« ) :-■■! V. ^ ! |-,l ,if.'i ;^ I'v " Sir, " I am very fenfit.c of the honour you d'id mc, in communicating to me the narrative of Captain Forfter's campaign. ** I have feen it with the more pleafurc^ from having been an cyc-witnefs to part of the tranfadlions therein related. I only wi(h for the honour of my village, it had been men- tioned, that all the favages of the Lake who were hunting near Ofwegatchie, fought undeif the orders of Captain Forfter, with a party of thofe of St. Regis, MifilTagues, and thti Five Nations. I can fay in praife of the corti-* mander, that he kept the favages in fuch order, that I never faw the laws of humanity better obferved •, two or three watches, with as many coats taken, could not be objeds for fuch ftrong complaints. Did it ever hap- pen among the mod civilized nations, that in an adion, the conquered loft no part of their baggage? According to the laws of war, might not the Canadians have been put to death, who were taken with arms in theif hands againft their king ? Was it not out of companion to the rebels, that a pro|- )fal was made to exchange them, to abridge the time of Jl ( 47 ) J ) of their mifcry ? Did the officers who were at the Lake, wane bread, frefh mca-, or flicl ? It is truc,they v ere not given beds and deaths, bccaui'c there was none in the place i but the officer who was wounded in the thigh, was taken into the houfc of the Miffionarics, who furniflied him with every comfort. What then do the Congrefs mean, bjr refufing to fulfil a cartel made according to all the laws of equity ? I think they have every reafon to fear, that, on another occafion, the favagci will put all their prifoners to death, and thac it will be exceeding difficult to prevent it, feeing the Congrefs have deceived them. " The Congrefs complain of the cruelty of the favages. I would afk you, Sir, if it was more humane laft Fall, when having taken at the attack of Longueil, two favages of my village, they kept them in irons for a month, their feet in the water, on board a floop. The troops of the Congrefs came into Canada as friends and allies. What have they done to prove it ? They have taken our towns, per- " iccuted the people of diftiniflion who would not defert their king, plundered the ware- houfes, infulted the minifters of religion, and the houfes which they burnt in fight of my village, give evident proof, that a nation revolted againft their King, are lefs fufcrp-' ■ '7 tiblc a fV c 48 ) ■ tiblc of moderation, than the favagcs whonj^ they accufc of cruelty. Captain Forfter had reafon for oppofing the favages to the troops of the Congrcfs, and the fuccefs has been equal to the juftice of his caufe, and the in- tereil of fomc individuals or>ly prevented hint) from pufbing ht$ arms to Moncrcal. They deccrvecfhim with refped to the ncm-^ berand ftrength of the enemy intrenched afe Lc Chine, becaufe they had packs of '.ner- chandife whkh they would not facrifice. Be that as it may. Sir, the relation which you have in hand, cannot but do him much honour, and the trouble which it has colty itppe&Ts to me, very worthy of acknowledg- ments. I have the honour to be, with pro* •found refped, , _ ,-. ; ■ ;:■ Sir, ,., .;_ ^.,^, ,._ -, - , ' Your moft humble, .."■■, and moft obedient fervanf. At the Lake, 0£t. 9tb, 1776. DiTARLAYE, minifter. 1* It appears i^-om this letter, that Monfieur Detelayc was parti'.ularly defirous of having ~ the favagts of his village mfntioned in the narr?vtivc, becaufe they had been brought to \h aftion under the King's ftandard, and had conduftcd themfcl/es with great humanity towards 4pi"ii» ( 49 ) towards the prifoners, notwithftanding two of their own nation had been fo cruelly treated by the provii cials. This fcems to be the only alteration he wiftied to have made in the reb.tion. He reafcns juftly on the im- prudent cor.'Jud of the Congrefs, for the lavages finding no faith could be put in them, were with difficulty reftraincd, by the humane efForrs of Sir Guy Carleton, from com- mitting auts of wrmton cruelty, on the in- nocent and defencjlefs families, inhabit- ing the borders of Lake Champlaii. ; and it is much to be feared, in cafe this painful war fhould continue another year, and Government be under the necelTity of em- ploying the favagcs, (which muft inevitably be the cafe) that the commanders in Ame- rica, with all their repugnance to fanguinary meafurfs, will not be able to prevent that de- flrudion, which the Congrefs have fo wanton- ly provoked, by proceedings diihonourable to anycaule. This fet of reliefs and dcfign- ing men, from motives of private intereft, emulation, and envy, have beguiled the mul- titude into, general animofr.y, hatred, and revenge againft the parent ftate ; they have difcarded truth, (the cujios z-irtiitum cmuium) and cheated the people of their liberties and E hap^^lntrfs. ( 59 ) happincfs, by leading them to believe, re- bellion (the fource df mifery) would pro- duce uncokiftrained independence. Whac charm then can turn this mockery, this gri- mace of enthufiaftic liberty, into fentiments of humanity and candour; or what argu- ments convince the republican friends of America, how impofilble it is, for the weak wiics of the wolf, to overcome the gnerous f^r^ngth of the lion ? FINIS. ^