Letter from Governour Tonyn to General Gage

v4:316

Intercepted Letter transmitted to Congress by General Washington, with his Letter dated December 18, 1775.

St˙ Augustine, September 30, 1775.

SIR: I have this moment the honour of your Excellency' s letter of 29th April last, with a circumstantial account of the unhappy affair that happened on the 19th April, between His Majesty' s troops and the people of the Province under your Excellency' s Government.

Had the account arrived in any reasonable time, it would have prevented a great deal of anxiety and uneasiness here, but so many things have happened since, to the astonishment of all mankind, that one is actually bewildered in the madness of the times.

Your Excellency' s account of the attack on the heights of Charlestown will probably be as long on the road here as the last; but I hope some system of a more quick communication will soon take place, I must confess I do not think that has been sufficiently attended to; I am sure it was a matter of more importance than in general it seemed to be imagined.

Wishing your Excellency all imaginable success, with a share of good health and spirits, in proportion to the great fatigues you must necessarily undergo and the most arduous command His Majesty has been pleased to entrust to your Excellency' s conduct, I have the honour to be, with very great esteem and regard, sir, your Excellency' s most obedient and most humble servant,

PATRICK TONYN.