Letter from Colonel James Clinton

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Montreal, November 23, 1775.

HONOURED SIR: In answer to your favour of yesterday, suffer us to acquaint your Honour that we are exceeding unhappy to find that you have mistaken the motives which induced us to remonstrate against a number of prisoners being suffered to remain in this Town. Be assured, Sir, it proceeded not from a want of confidence in you, as our General — far from it; but being well acquainted with your humane, generous disposition, and knowing how importunate many of those people are, and, at the same time, firmly believing that the publick safety may be in danger from their remaining in this place, we concluded that a dutiful remonstrance, from your faithful officers, might be used as an argument against granting their requests. Suffer us, Sir, as it really proceeded from a sincere regard to our Country as well as to you, to intercede with you, not to think of quitting us at this critical time; we conceive the worst of consequences must almost inevitably follow from it; and also let us beg of your Honour to reconsider the permitting the officers to remain here. We assure you that we are not alone in our fearful apprehensions of the consequences, but all our friends in this country join with us in sentiment.

We are, Sir, your Honour' s most obedient and humble servants, JAMES CLINTON, Colonel.
JOHN NICHOLSON,
LEWIS DUBOIS.

To the Hon˙ General Montgomery.