Gen. Philip Schuyler
Ed. note: The
quotes below are of a mocking, sardonic reply delivered to Burgoyne in reply
to his lofty
proclamation issued at the Bouquet. Digby does not tell us
who penned this missive, it was probably anonymous, closed only with
"Saratoga, July 10-- 1777 A B. C D E &c." This writer
believes it makes for marvelous reading, as Burgoyne's Proclamation was
intended to strike fear and submission into the hearts of the Americans,
this derisive reply shows just the opposite. [jpm]
[Digby writes]...About this time, a letter addressed to general
Burgoyne, burlesqueing his proclamation appeared, which perhaps may
entertain the reader.--
To John Burgoyne Esq
Lieut General of his majesty's armies in America, Colonel of the Queen's
Regiment of Light Dragoons, governor of Fort William in North Britain, one
of the Representatives of the Commons of Great Britain and commanding an
army and fleet on an expedition from Canada &c &c &c.
Most high, most mighty, most puissant, and sublime
general! When the forces under your command arrived at Quebec, in order to
act in concert and upon a common principle with the numerous fleets &
armies, which already display in every quarter of America the justice and
mercy of your King; we, the reptils of America, were struck with unusual
trepidation and astonishment. But what words can express the plentitude of our horror, when the Colonel of the Queen's Regiment of Light Dragoons
advanced towards Ticonderoga? The mountains shook before thee, and the
trees of the forest bowed their leafy heads. The vast lakes of the north
were chilled at thy presence, and the mighty cataracts stopped their
tremendous career and were suspended in awe at thy approach.
Judge then, oh! ineffable Governor of Fort William
in North Britain, what must have been the terror, dismay, and despair that
overspread this paltry continent of America, and us, its wretched
inhabitants! Dark and dreary indeed was the prospect before us, till like
the sun in the Horizon, your most gracious and irresistible proclamation
opened the doors of mercy and snatched us, as it were, from the jaws of
annihilation. We foolishly thought, blind as we were, that your gracious
master's fleets and armies were come to destroy us and our liberties; but
we are happy in hearing from you, and who can doubt what you assert, that
they were called forth for the sole purpose of restoring the rights of the
Constitution to a froward, stubborn generation?
And it is for this, oh! sublime, Lieut Genl! that
you have given yourself the trouble to cross the wide Atlantic, and with
incredible fatigue traversed uncultivated wilds; and we ungratefully
refused the profered blessing?
To restore the rights of the Constitution, you have
called together an amiable host of savages, and turned them loose to scalp
our women and children and lay our country waste. This they have performed
with their usual skill and clemency, and we remain insensible for the
benefit, and unthankful for so much goodness.
Our Congress have declared Independence, and our
assemblies, as your highness justly observes, have most wickedly
imprisoned the avowed friends of that power with which they are at war,
and most profanely compelled those whose conscience will not permit them
to fight, to pay some small part towards the expenses their country is at
in supporting what is called a necessary and defensive war. If we go on
thus in our obstinacy and ingratitude, what can we expect, but that you
should in your anger give a stretch to the Indian forces under your
direction, amounting to thousands, to overtake and destroy us, or what is
ten times worse, that you should withdraw your fleets and armies and leave
us to our own misery, without completing the benevolent task you have
begun in restoring to us the rights of the Constitution.--
We submit, we submit most puissant Coll
of the Queen's regiment of Light Dragoons & Governor of Fort William in
North Britain, we offer our heads to the scalping knife, and our bellies
to the bayonet. Who can resist the terror of your arms? who can resist the
force of your eloquence? The invitation you have made in the consciousness
of christianity, your royal master's clemency, and the honour of
soldiership we thankfully accept; The blood of the slain, the cries of the
injured virgins and innocent children, and the never ceasing sighs and
groans of starving wretches, now languishing in the gaols and prison ships
of New York, call on us in vain, while your sublime proclamation is
sounding in our ears!
Forgive us, oh! our country! forgive us dear
posterity! forgive us all ye foreign powers! who are anxiously watching
our conduct in this important struggle, if we yield implicitly to the
persuasive tongue of the most elegant Coll of the Queen's
Regiment of Light Dragoons. Forbear then, thou magnanimous Lieut general,
forbear to denounce vengeance against us! forbear to give a stretch to
those restorers of the Constitution's rights, the Indians under your
direction! let not the messengers of wrath & justice await us in the
field, and devastation, famine and every concomitant horror, bar our
return to the allegiance of a prince, who by his royal will, would deprive
us of every blessing of life with all possible clemency. We are domestic;
we are industrious; we are infirm and timid; we shall remain quietly at
home and not remove our cattle, our corn, or forage, in hopes that you
will come at the head of troops, in the full powers of health, discipline,
and valour, and take charge of them for yourselves.--
Behold our wives and daughters; our flocks and
herds; our goods and chattels, are they not at the mercy of our lord and
king, and of his lieutenant general, Member of the house of Commons and
Governor of Fort William in North Britain?
SARATOGA, July 10-- 1777 A B. C D E &c.
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