The Virginia Gazette

ANNAPOLIS.
November 2.

Extract of a letter from William Smith, Esq; one of the Delegates in Congress from this State, to his Excellency the Governor, dated York Town, October 31, 1777:

I HAVE the pleasure to enclose your Excellency a copy of the convention, signed the 16th instant by Lieutenant General Burgoyne. The intelligence which accompanies this says the war is ended in that part of the world. I most sincerely congratulate your Excellency on this important and interesting event.

ARTICLES of CONVENTION between Lieutenant General BURGOYNE and Major General GATES.

1. The troops under Lieutenant General Burgoyne are to march out of their camp with the honours of war, and the artillery of the entrenchments, to the verge of the river, where the old fort stood, when the arms and artillery are to be left. The arms to be piled, by word of command of their own officers.

2. A free passage to be granted to the army under Lieutenant General Burgoyne to Great Britain, upon condition of not serving again in America during the present contest; and the port of Boston is assigned for the entry of transports to receive the troops whenever General Howe shall so order.

3. Should any cartel take place, by which the army under General Burgoyne, or any part of it, may be exchanged, the foregoing article to be void, as far as such exchange shall be made.

4. The army under Lieut. Gen. Burgoyne to march to Massachusetts Bay, by the easiest, most expeditious, and convenient route, and to be quartered in, near, or convenient as possible to Boston, that the march of the troops may not be delayed when transports arrive to receive them.

5. The troops to be supplied on their march, and during their being in quarters, with provisions by General Gates, at the same rate of rations as the troops of his own army, and, if possible, the officers horses and cattle, are to be supplied with forage at the usual rate.

6. All officers to retain their carriages, battle horses, and other cattle, and no baggage to be molested or searched, Lieutenant General Burgoyne giving his honour there are no public stores secreted therein. Major General Gates will of course take the necessary measures for the due performance of this article, should any carriages be wanting for the transportation of officers baggage, they are, if possible, to be supplied by the country, at the usual rates.

7. Upon the march, and during the time the army shall remain in quarters in the Massachusetts Bay, the officers are not, as far as circumstances will admit, to be separated from their men. The officers are to be quartered according to rank, and are not to be hindered from assembling their men for roll calling, and other purposes of regularity.

8. All corps whatever of General Burgoyne's army, whether composed of sailors, batteau-men, artificers, drivers, independent companies, and followers of the army, of whatever country, shall be included in the fullest extent of the above article, and comprehended in every respect as British subjects.

9. All Canadians, and persons belonging to the Canadian establishment, and many other followers of the army, who come under no particular description, are to be permitted to return there. They are to be conducted immediately, by the shortest route, to the first British port on Lake George, and to be supplied with provisions in the same manner as the other troops, and are to be bound by the same condition, of not serving during the present contest in North America.

10. Passports to be immediately granted to three officers, not exceeding the rank of Captains, who shall be appointed by Lieutenant General Burgoyne, to carry dispatches to Sir William Howe, Sir Guy Carleton, and to Great Britain, by way of New York; and Major General Gates engages the public faith, that these dispatches shall not be opened. These officers to set out immediately after receiving their dispatches, and to travel by the shortest routes, and in the most expeditious manner.

11. During the stay of the troops in Massachusetts Bay, the officers are to be admitted to their parole, and are to be allowed to wear their side arms.

12. Should the army under Lieutenant General Burgoyne find it necessary to send for their clothing, and other baggage, to Canada, they are to be permitted to do it in the most convenient manner, and the necessary passports granted for that purpose.

13. These articles are to be mutually signed and exchanged to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock, and the troops under Lieutenant General Burgoyne are to march out of their entrenchments, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.

Camp, at SARATOGA, October 16, 1777.