To George Washington from Major General William Howe, 21 December 1775
From Major General William Howe
Boston. December the 21st 1775.
Sir
In answer to your letter of the 18th inst. I am to acquaint you that my command does not Extend to Canada, nor having received any Accounts wherein the name of Allen is mentioned, I cannot give you the Smallest Satisfaction upon the Subject of your letter; But trusting Major General Carleton’s conduct will never incur censure upon any occasion, I am to conclude in the instance of your Enquiry that he has not forfeited his past pretensions to decency & humanity.
It is with regret, considering the character you have always maintained among your friends as a Gentleman of the strictest honor & delicacy, that I find cause to resent a sentence in the conclusion of your letter big with Invective against my Superiors, and insulting to myself, which Should obstruct any farther intercourse between us. I am Sir With due Respect Yr Most Obedt Sevt
W. Howe
ALS, DLC:GW; copy, enclosed in GW to Hancock, 25 Dec. 1775, DNA:PCC, item 152; copy, P.R.O.: Carleton Papers; copy, MHi: Artemas Ward Papers; copy, DNA:PCC item 169; copy, NjMoHP. The ALS is addressed “To George Washington Esqr. Cambridge.” The copy in P.R.O. is dated 20 Dec. 1775.