Revolutionary War–dated ALS signed “J: Burgoyne,” one page, 7.25 x 9.5, March 27, 1778. Letter to Major General William Heath, in full: “I should be glad to know if a small vessel could be got to carry Capt. Willoe to Halifax, & what the expense would be, and am to desire you will please to order passports to be taken by Capt. Willoe to Canada, & duplicates by the Flag of Truce that goes by the way of Albany, for the sage conduct of the Vessels that are to bring the Clothing and other articles for the Convention troops to the port of Boston. The dispatches are ready to go by the flag of Truce to Albany as soon as you please.” Addressed on the reverse of the second integral page in Burgoyne’s hand. In very good to fine condition, with scattered light foxing and old tape reinforcement along the hinge on the integral address leaf.
Following the Battles of Saratoga in September and October of 1777, Heath was placed in charge of the Convention Army of Burgoyne’s surrendered troops, a total of roughly 5,900 British, German, and Canadian soldiers, each of whom agreed to return to their homeland with the assurance of never again setting foot on American soil. Given the sheer size of the army, diplomatic negotiations bottlenecked, and soldiers were forced to spend a year in various barracks and houses around Cambridge. An aide-de-camp to General Friedrich Adolf Riedesel, Captain Samuel Willoe was granted parole to return to Halifax with his family on April 15, narrowly avoiding prolonged imprisonment following Continental Congress’ decision to revoke the convention after Burgoyne’s refusal to provide a descriptive list of all captured officers. A fascinating letter related to a true turning point in the war for independence. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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