Sir

We have just been informed of a Circumstance, which were it not so well authenticated I should scarcely think credible ー it is, that Colonel Allen who (with his small party) was defeated and taken prisoner near Montreal, has been treated without regard to decency, humanity, or the rules of War ー that he has been thrown into Irons & suffers all the hardships inflictd upon Common Felons ー I think it my duty Sir, to demand & do expect from you, an ecclair[is]sement on this Subject; at the same time I flatter myselfe, from the character which Mr Howe bears, as a man of honor, Gentleman, & Soldier, that my demand will meet with his approbation ー I must take the Liberty allso of informing you, that I shall consider your Silence, as a Confirmation of the truth of the report; & further assureing you, that whatever treatment Colonel Allen receives ー whatever Fate he undergoes such exactly shall be the treatment & fate of Brigadier Prescot now in our hands ー

The Law of retaliation, is not only justifiable in the eyes of God & Man, but absolutely a duty which in our present Circumstances we owe, to our relatives, Freinds, & fellow Citizens ー

Permit me to add Sir, that we have all here the highest regard & reverance for your great personal qualities & attainments, & that the Americans in General, esteem it not as the Least of their misfortunes ー that the name of Howe ー a name so dear to them, should appear at the head for the Catalogue of the instruments employed by a Wicked Ministry for their destruction ー

With due respect I have the honor to be Sir [&c.]

P.S. if an exchange of prisoners, taken on each side in this unnatural Contest, is agreeable to General Howe, he will please to signify as much to his Most Obt &c

a true Copy Stephen Moylan P.T.S.

G.W.