Burgoyne, John (1722-1792) to William Heath

An indigent letter written by General Burgoyne as commander of captured British Convention Army to General Heath as American commander of the district where the Convention Army is located. Marked "No. 45." Burgoyne has made multiple corrections and insertions throughout the letter. References letter he sent the day before, which was entirely on the prosecution of Colonel David Henley. Says he will now take notice of other issues in Heath's letter of 10 January 1778. Tells Heath that his source of information, Colonel Henley, is flawed because of the current allegations and that he has been misinformed on the insults and abuses that British troops have supposedly committed. Wants to know how men on prison ships will be able to assert their innocence. Says at this point he will take Heath at his word and assumes he will be the judge. Says 18 men have been imprisoned for an insult concerning one man. Confronts him on charges and tells him to avow the acts or make an apology. Defends his request to try his own men who are accused of breaking Convention rules and other laws. Claims to have looked at the issue of Convention troops enlisting in American army and has enclosed document (see list of documents at GLC04764.54) to assist him. Bristles at suggestion that British soldiers were responsible for a recent spate of highway robberies near their barracks. Says "It might have been more decent Sir to have left that insinuation to your Printers in Boston." Says if you took all the complaints that Heath has against his men, "they still would not, from their nature, weigh a feather in the estimation of Justice against the articles of grievance in the opposite scale." Burgoyne has made notes on separate pages, some of which he inserted into the letter. One note says "not copied for General Phillips," perhaps because it is such a sensitive and indigent letter. Red wax seal is extent.