Sir

The unjust, cruel & tyrannical Acts of a venal british Parliament, tending to enslave the American Colonies, have obliged them to appeal to God & the Sword for Redress ー That Being in whose Hands are all human Events, has hitherto smiled on their virtuous Efforts, and as every Artifice has been used to ma[ke] the innocent Canadians, Instruments of their Cruelty by instigating them against the Colonies, & oppressing them on their refusing to enforce every oppressive Mandate, the American Congress induced by Motives of Humanity have at their Request sent Genl Schuyler into Canada, to their Relief, to co-operate with him I am ordered by his Excellency Genl Washington, to take Possession of the Town of Quebec, I do therefore in the Name of the united Colonies, demand immediate Surrender of the Town, Fortifications &c of Quebec, to the Forces of the united Colonies under my Command, forbiding you to injure any of the Inhabitants of the Town, in their Persons or Property, as you will answer the same at your Peril ー On surrendering the Town, the Property of every Individual shall be secured to him, But if I am obliged to carry the Town by storm you may expect every Severity practised on such Occasions, and the Merchants who may now save their property will probably be involved in the general Ruin. I am Sir [&c.]

Honbl Hectr T. Cramahé Lt Governor of Quebec