Montreal the 22d Decr 1775.
Sir
Altho' we have not the Honour to be known to you, we find it very necessary to acquaint you with what passes here, to the End that you may not in future fall a Victim to the Humanity which has been your chief Guide since your arrival at this City ー Humanity and Generosity are qualities inestimable to Man, but in certain Circumstances the Situation of the person ought to be considered to the End that Care may be taken that such Generosity may not be used to serve other purposes ー Many of the Citizens are surprised that all the Place-Men, that were made prisoners in the eleven Vessels taken near Sorrel have not been sent down to the neighbouring Colonies, as those persons go in and out of almost every House in the City, holding a Conversation big with the most inhuman Sentiments and the most disadvantageous to the Cause of Liberty. There are also in Town, those who held Commissions under Government who hold very indecent & indiscreet Conversations and who grow insolent & insupportable It is therefore to be hoped that as soon as the Rivers are taken and that the Roads are passable that you will send all those who were taken in the eleven Vessels down to the other Colonies on the Continent. It is the only Method to silence those who have any bad Designs and to procure peace and Tranquillity to those who have nothing more at Heart than your Welfare & Success and who desire to assure you that they are with true Sincerity and Respect Sir [&c.]
The faithful Union with Liberty
[Endorsed] The above is a Translation of an original Letter sent from Montreal to Genl Montgomery at the Camp before Quebec by some Friend to the Cause.
1. Papers CC (Letters of Major General Philip Schuyler), 153, I, 468, NA.