George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-17-02-0042

To George Washington from General Henry Clinton, 19 September 1778

From General Henry Clinton

New York 19th Septr 1778.

Sir,

Nothing but his Majesty’s positive Instructions of which I send you an Extract, could have induced me to trouble you or the American Congress again on the Subject of the Troops detained in New England in direct Contravention of the Treaty entered into at Saratoga. The Neglect of the Requisitions already made on this Subject is altogether unprecedented among Parties at War. I now however repeat the demand that the Convention of Saratoga be fulfilled; & offer by express and recent Authority from the King received since the date of the late requisition made by His Majesty’s Commissioners to renew in His Majesty’s Name all the Conditions stipulated by Lt Genl Burgoyne in respect to the Troops serving under his Command.1

In this I mean to discharge my duty not only to the King whose orders I obey: But to the unhappy People likewise whose Affairs are Committed to You, and who I hope will have the Candor to acquit me of the Consequences that must follow from the New System of War you are pleased to introduce. I have the Honor to be &c.

(signed) H. Clinton

Copy, MiU-C: Clinton Papers; two copies, P.R.O., 30/55, Carleton Papers.

A note below the docket on the copy in MiU-C reads: “A Letter of the same date & Tenor addressed to His Excy H. Laurens Esqr. President & others the Members of the American Congress at Philadelphia was sent at the same Time.” Col. George Baylor, who received all of these letters when they were sent out from New York City on 22 Sept., mistakenly forwarded to GW the letter addressed to Laurens rather than the one addressed to GW (see Baylor to GW, 23 Sept., and GW to Laurens, 23 Sept.).

1. For the king’s instructions to Clinton in regard to the convention of Saratoga, see George Germain to Clinton, 12 June 1778, in Davies, Documents of the American Revolution description begins K. G. Davies, ed. Documents of the American Revolution, 1770–1783; (Colonial Office Series). 21 vols. Shannon and Dublin, 1972–81. description ends , 15:139, and Clinton to Germain, 15 Sept., 1778, in Davies, Documents of the American Revolution description begins K. G. Davies, ed. Documents of the American Revolution, 1770–1783; (Colonial Office Series). 21 vols. Shannon and Dublin, 1972–81. description ends , 15:201.

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    Washington Papers
    Title
    To George Washington from General Henry Clinton, 19 September 1778
    Author
    Clinton, Henry
    Recipient
    Washington, George
    Date
    19 September 1778

    Reference

    Cite as
    “To George Washington from General Henry Clinton, 19 September 1778,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-17-02-0042. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 17, 15 September–31 October 1778, ed. Philander D. Chase. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2008, pp. 45–46.]

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