The Virginia Gazette

NEW YORK. Jan. 18.

Copy of a letter from general Montgomery to general Carleton, dated Holland House (near Quebec) Dec. 16, 1775.

SIR,

NOTWITHSTANDING the personal ill treatment I have received at your hands, notwithstanding the cruelty you have shewn to the unhappy prisoners you have taken, the feelings of humanity induce me to have recourse to this expedient to save you from the destruction which hangs over your wretched garrison.

Give me leave to inform you, that I am well acquainted with your situation. A great extent of works, in their nature incapable of defence, manned with a motley crew of sailors, most of them our friends, of citizens, who wish to see us within the walls, a few of the worst troops, that call themselves soldiers, the improbability of relief, and the certain prospect of wanting every necessary of life, should your opponents confine themselves to a simple blockade, point out the absurdity of resistance. Such is your situation. I am at the head of troops accustomed to success, confident of the righteousness of the cause they are engaged in, inured to danger and fatigue, and so highly incensed at your inhumanity, illiberal abuse, and the ungenerous means employed to prejudice them in the minds of the Canadians, that it is with difficulty I restrain them, till my batteries are ready, from assaulting your works, which would afford them a fair opportunity of ample vengeance, and just retaliation. Firing upon a flag of truce, hitherto unprecedented, even among savages, prevents my following the ordinary mode of conveying my sentiments; however, I will at any rate acquit my conscience. Should you persist in an unwarrantable defence, the consequences be upon your own head. Beware of destroying stores of any sort, as you did at Montreal, or in the river. If you do, by Heavens there will be no mercy shewn.