Benedict Arnold letter to unknown, 27 May 1776

St. Anns, 27 May, 1776.

GENTLEMEN,

I wrote you from La Chine, yesterday morning, that the army marched at six o clock for this place. We arrived here with the main body at six o clock in the afternoon, when we discovered several of the enemy s, bateaux taking our unhappy prisoners off an island at one league distance from us. Words cannot express our anxiety, as it was not in our power to relieve them. Our bateaux were a league behind, coming up the rapids very slowly. I sent several expresses to hurry them. However, it was sunset before they arrived and I could embark all my people ; previous to which arrived some Caghnawaga Indians whom. I had sent early in the morning to the savages, demanding a surrender of our prisoners, and, in case of refusal, and that any of them were murdered, I would sacrifice every Indian who fell into my hands, and would follow them to their towns and destroy them by fire and sword. The answer I received was, that they had five hundred of our prisoners collected together, and that if we offered to land and attack them at Quinze Chiens, where they were posted, they would immediately kill every prisoner, and give no quarter to any who should fall into their hands hereafter.

Words cannot express my feelings at the delivery of this message. Torn by the conflicting passions of revenge and humanity, a sufficient force to take ample revenge, raging for action, urged me on one hand ; and humanity for five hundred unhappy wretches, who were on the point of being sacrificed if our vengeance was not delayed, plead equally strong on the other. In this situation, I ordered the boats to row immediately for the island, where our prisoners had been confined. We there found five unhappy wretches, naked, and almost starved; the rest, they informed me, were all taken off by the savages just before, except one or two, who, being unwell, were inhumanly butchered. I immediately ordered the boats to row for Quinze Chiens, about four miles from the island on the main land. There the enemy had two brass six-pounders, were intrenched round the church, and well fortified. They began firing upon us, when we approached within three quarters of a mile of the shore, with their cannon and small arms. We rowed near in shore without returning a shot. By this time it was so dark we could not distinguish a man on shore, and, as Ave were unacquainted with the ground, and our people much fatigued, I judged it most prudent to return to St. Ann s.

On our arrival, I called a Council of War, who were unanimous for attacking the enemy early in the morning ; and, at two o clock in the morning, Lieutenant Parke was sent to me with a flag and articles for exchange of prisoners, entered into by Major Sherburne and Captain Forster. One article was, that there should be an exchange of prisoners of equal rank, and that our troops should be under an obligation not to take up arms again; but the King's troops were to be at full liberty. This article I rejected, and despatched Lieutenant Parke to acquaint Captain Forster that I would enter into articles for exchange of prisoners on equal terms, which, if he refused, my determination was to attack him immediately ; and, if our prisoners were murdered, to sacrifice every soul who .fell into our hands. Captain Forster agreed to these terms, and sent them back signed. As they were not so explicit as I judged necessary, with some alterations and explanations I returned them. Inclosed you receive a copy, as finally agreed to. This matter was finished at six o clock this evening, and to-morrow morning part of the prisoners are to be sent to Caghnawaga.

You may be surprised that six days were allowed for the deli very of the prisoners, and that hostilities should in the mean time cease. This does not include the savages. Captain Forster pretended it was not in his power to fix on any particular time for that purpose, but would engage, on his honor, to deliver them as soon as possible ; and proposed, if it could be done in less time, hostilities should then commence, of which Captain Forster is to determine and acquaint me this evening. The base, hypo critical conduct of the King's officers, their employing savages to screen them in their butcheries, their suffering their prisoners to be killed in cool blood, I will leave with you to comment on. I observed to Captain Forster, that it appeared very extraordinary to me, that he could influence the savages to deliver up the prisoners, and could not keep them from being murdered in cool blood, or prevent their being stripped naked, contrary to the agreement made with the garrison at the Cedars.

I intend being with you this evening, to consult on some effectual measures to take with these savages, and still more savage British troops, who are still at Quinze Chiens. As soon as our prisoners are released, I hope it will be in our power to take ample vengeance, or we nobly fall in the attempt. I am, &c.,

BENEDICT ARNOLD.

P. S. A party of fourteen or fifteen Canadians, taken at the Cedars, are excluded from the above treaty; Captain Forster alleging that he had positive orders from government for that purpose.

ARTICLES FOR EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS.

After the maturest deliberation on the customs and manners of the savages in war, which I find so opposite and contrary to the humane disposition of the British Government, and to all civilized nations, and to avoid the inevitable consequences of the savage customs in former wars (which by their threats and menaces I find is not changed), that of their putting their prisoners to death, to disencumber themselves in case of their being attacked by their enemy ; I have, therefore, in compliance with the above disposition in Government, and the dictates of humanity, thought fit to enter into the following articles of agreement with General Arnold, in the name of the power he is employed by, and of the officers and soldiers, who shall be released by this agreement, whose rank and numbers shall be indorsed on this cartel.

1st. That there shall be an exchange of prisoners faithfully made, returning an equal number of his Majesty's troops of the same rank with those released by this agreement, as soon as possible, within the space of two months, allowing a moderate time for casualties that may render the performance of this article impracticable.

2d. That the prisoners shall be conducted in safety, with all possible convenience and despatch that circumstances will permit to the south shore of the River St. Lawrence, from which they are to repair to St. John s, and return to their own countries immediately, without committing any waste or spoil on their march thither, allowing ten or twelve to go to Montreal to transact their private affairs.

3d. That the prisoners so returned shall not, under any pretext whatsoever, either in words, writing, or signs, give the least information to Government enemies, or their adherents now in arms, in the least prejudicial to his Majesty's service.

4th. That hostages be delivered for the performance of these articles to the full, according to the sense and spirit of the agreement, without any equivocation whatsoever.

5th. That the security of the subscribers be given to the in habitants for all the waste and spoil committed by the detachments under Colonel Bedel, on fair accounts, attested and signed, being delivered, and for which the hostages are not to be answerable.

It being our full intention to fulfil the above articles, we mutually sign and interchange them as assurances of performance.

Given under our hands this 27th day of May, 1776.

VAUDREUIL.

GEORGE FORSTER, Captain Commanding the King's troops.

Article 2d. The prisoners shall be sent to the south shore of St. Lawrence within one league of Caghnawaga, and from thence to St. John's and their own country, except twelve, who have liberty to go to Montreal, for which purpose six days shall be allowed, and hostilities to cease on both sides.

Article 4. Four Captains shall be sent to Quebec as hostages, and remain there until prisoners are exchanged.

Article 5th. The Continental troops, from principle, have ever avoided plundering. Upon proof being made of any waste committed by Colonel Bedel's detachment, reparation shall be made. Given under our hands this 27th of May, 1776, at St. Ann s.

BENEDICT ARNOLD, Brigadier-General of the Continental troops.

GEORGE FORSTER, Captain Commanding the King's troops.

Two Majors, nine Captains, twenty subalterns, four hundred and forty-three soldiers. But if the prisoners can be conducted in less time, this truce to cease on the return of the last boats employed on this service, on notice given.

GEORGE FORSTER, Captain Commanding the King's troops.

May 27th, 1770. Answer. If Captain Forster will choose to have hostilities commence in less time than six days, it will be perfectly agreeable to me, provided the time is fixed on, and notice given this evening.

BENEDICT ARNOLD,

Brigadier- General.