The Virginia Gazette

His Excellency General CARLETON's ORDERS.

QUEBEC, August 4, 1776.

The Commanding Officers of corps will take special care every one under their command be informed, that letters or messages from rebels, traitors in arms against the King, rioters, disturbers of the public peace, plunderers, robbers, assassins, or murderers, are on no occasion to be admitted; that should emissaries from such lawless men again presume to approach the army, whether under the name of flag of truce-men or ambassadors, except when they come to implore the King's mercy, their persons shall be immediately seized and committed to close confinement, in order to be proceeded against as the law directs; their papers and letters, for whomsoever, even for the Commander in Chief are to be delivered to the Provost Marshal, that, unread and unopened, they may be turned by the hands of the common hangman: At the same time the Commander in Chief expects that neither the assassination of Brigadier General Gordon, nor the late notorious breach of faith, in resolving not to return the troops and Canadians taken at St. John's, in exchange for those rebels who fell into the hands of the savages at the Cedars and Quinchin, purchased from them at a great price, and restored to their country on those express conditions, be imputed to the provincials at large, but to a few wicked and designing men, who first deceived, then step by step misled the credulous multitude to the brink of ruin, afterwards usurped authority over them, established a despotic tyranny over them not to be borne, and now wantonly and foolishly endeavour to provoke the spilling the blood of our unhappy countrymen of this continent, in hopes of covering their own guilt, or confirming their tyranny, by the general destruction of their country. Let their crimes pursue those faithless, bloody minded men, who assert that black is white and white is black; it belongs to Britons to distinguish themselves not less by their humanity than their valour; it belongs to the King's troops to save the blood of his deluded subjects, whose greatest fault perhaps is having been deceived by such men to their own destruction; it belongs to the Crown, it is the duty of all faithful servants of the Crown, to rescue from oppression, and restore to liberty, the once happy, free, and loyal people of this continent.

All prisoners from the rebellious provinces, who choose to return home, are to hold themselves in readiness to embark at a short notice.

The commissary (Mr. Murray) shall visit the transports destined for them, and see that wholesome provisions, necessary clothing, and all possible convenience for their passage, be prepared for these unfortunate men.

They are to look on their respective provinces as their prison, and there remain till farther enlarged, or summoned to appear before the commander in chief of this province, or any other commander in chief for his Majesty for the time being, which summons they shall obey.

General Howe will regulate their place of landing.

E. FOY, Deputy Adjutant General.

(A true copy)

FRANCIS CARR, clerk, Aid de Camp to Lieutenant General Burgoyne.