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by their threats and menaces, I find is not changed,) that of 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 info the following Articles of Agreement with Major Henry Sherburne, and the under-subscribing officers in the name of the Power they were employed by, and of the officers and soldiers who shall be released by this agreement, whose rank and number shall be endorsed 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 those prisoners taken in opposing Government shall not, on any pretext whatsoever, hereafter take up arms against the Government of Great Britain.
3d. That the prisoners shall be conducted with safety, and 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.
4th. That the prisoners so returned shall not, under any pretext whatsoever, either in words, writings, or signs, give the least information to Government's enemies, or their adherents now in arms, in the least prejudicial to his Majesty's service.
5th. That the batteaus or other conveniences made use of to transport the prisoners to the south shore of said river, or the necessary people to conduct them, shall return unmolested.
6th. That hostages be delivered for the performance of these articles to the full, according to the sense and spirit of agreement, without any equivocation whatsoever.
7th. That the security of the subscribers be given to the inhabitants for all the waste and spoil committed by the detachment under Colonel Bedel, on fair accounts, attested and signed, being delivered in, 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.
Signed at Vaudreuil, this 26th day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six.
By order of Captain George Forster, commanding his Majesty's forces at Vaudreuil.
ANDREW PARKE, Lieutenant in the King's or 8th Reg. of Foot.
HENRY SHERBURNE.
ISAAC BUTTERFIELD.
THEODORE BLISS.
DANIEL WILKINS.
JOHN STEVENS.
EBENEZER SULLIVAN.
CHEO.LORIMIER.
LESARDE DE MONTIGNT.
Articles between General ARNOLD and Captain FORSTER.
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 putting their prisoners to death, to disencumber themselves in case of 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 number shall be endorsed on this cartel:*
1st. That there shall be an exchange of prisoners faithfully made, returning an equal number of his Majesty 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 which circumstances will admit, to the south shore of the river St. Lawrence, from which they are to repair to St. John's, and return to their own country 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 whatever, 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 articles to the full, according to the sense and spirit of the agreement, without any equivocation whatever.
6th. That the security of the subscribers be given to the inhabitants for all the waste and spoil committed by the detachment under Colonel Bedel, on fair accounts, attested and signed, being delivered, 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, at Vaudreuil. GEORGEFORSTER, Captain, commanding King's Troops.
St. Ann's, 27th May.
ART. 2d. The prisoners shall be sent to the south shore of the river St. Lawrence, within one league of Caughnawaga, 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.
4th. Four Captains shall be sent to Quebeck as hostages, and remain there until prisoners are exchanged.
6th. 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. B. ARNOLD.
To George Forster, Captain.
May 27.
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.
May 27.
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. B. ARNOLD.
Copy of Proceedings of Council of War held in CHAMBLY,
CANADA, May 30, 1776.
At a Council of War, held at Chambly, May 30, 1776:
Hon. Brigadier-General WOOSTER, President.
Brigadier-Generals: Arnold, Thompson, De Woedtke; Colonels: Greaton, Maxwell, Poor, Stark, Campbell, St. Clair, Livingston, Porter, Brown, Hazen, Allen, McAufie, Gilman.
1st. Resolved, That orders be immediately transmitted to the Commanding Officer at St. Ann's to attack the enemy at Quinze Chiens, as soon as the time fixed for the cessation of hostilities is expired.
2d. Resolved, That it is necessary that a General Officer should take the command of the forces sent to Quinze Chiens.
3d. Resolved, That five hundred men, including those ordered this morning, be immediately sent from Montreal to St. Ann's, and that their place be supplied by the troops from St. John's.
4th. Resolved, That, if practicable, it will be for the interest of the Colonies to keep Canada.
5th. Resolved, That it is not practicable or prudent, under our present circumstances, to keep possession of Deschambault.
Resolved, That the present post now occupied be kept for the present by the main body of the Army.
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