June 25th
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“The Law of Retaliation, is not only justifiable, in the eyes of God and man, but absolutely a duty.”
British General William Howe
New York Public Library
To British General William Howe
Camp Cambridge 18 December 1775
Sir,
We have just been informed of a Circumstance, which, were it not so well Authenticated, I should scarcely think credible; It is that Col: Allen*, who with his small party, was defeated and taken Prisoner near Montreal, has been treated, without regard to decency, humanity, or the Rules of War; That he has been thrown into Irons and suffers all the Hardships inflicted upon common Felons.
I think it my Duty Sir, to demand and do expect from you an Ecclaircisment on this Subject; at the same Time I flatter myself, from the Character which Mr. Howe bears, as a man of Honor, Gentleman and Soldier, that my demand will meet with his Approbation: I must take the Liberty also of Informing you, that I shall consider your silence, as a confirmation of the Truth of the report; And further assuring you that whatever Treatment Colonel Allen receives; whatever fate he undergoes, such exactly shall be the Treatment and Fate of Brigadier Prescot, now in our Hands.
Library of Congress
The Law of Retaliation, is not only justifiable, in the Eyes of God and Man, but absolutely a duty, which in our present circumstances we owe to our Relations, Friends and Fellow Citizens.
Permit me to add Sir, that we have all here the highest regard and reverence for your great personal, Qualities and Attainments, and that the Americans in general esteem it not as the least of their Misfortunes, that the name of Howe; a name so dear to them, should appear at the Head of the Catalogue of the Instruments, employed by a wicked Ministry for their destruction.
With due Respect I have the Honor to be, Sir Yr Most Obedt & Hble sert
Go : Washington
P.S.: If an Exchange of Prisoners taken on each side, in this unnatural Contest, is agreeable to General Howe, he will please to Signify as much, to his Most Obedient.**
* Ethan Allen
** “Congress by a resolve (December 2) had directed Washington to obtain the exchange of Allen. Howe did not feel himself authorized to hold exchange negotiations without directions from England. Washington’s words apparently touched a tender spot, for Howe replied (December 25): ‘It is with regret, considering the character you have always maintained among your friends, as a gentleman of the strictest honor and delicacy, that I find cause to resent a sentence in the conclusion of your letter, big with invective against my superiors, and insulting to myself, which should obstruct any further intercourse between us.’ This letter is in the Washington Papers.” — Fitzpatrick, et al., WGW.
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