The Virginia Gazette

NEW YORK. January 18.

Copy of a letter from General Montgomery to General Carleton, dated
Holland House (near Quebec) December 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."