Horatio Gates draft autograph letter to General John Burgoyne. Three pages of a bifolium, 8" x 13", Headquarters, Boston, [Massachusetts]; November 17, 1777. Docketed. General Horatio Gates drafts letter to captured British General John Burgoyne concerning complaints of housing for British prisoners. Retained draft of letter written, but not signed, by Gates presumably addressed to British General Burgoyne (1722-1792) concerning the latter's complaints about inadequate housing for captured British officers. The letter reads, in part: "I had the honor to receive yours of yesterday's date the last Evening, was not a little surprised to find the parole returned unsigned, as I thought every objection had been obviated on Saturday, and your Excellency has assured me that if the parole was sent up on Sunday morning, it should be returned Signed in the afternoon. I can by no means admit that the Convention is infringed, in any instance. Necessity compelled me to Quarter a larger number of Captains and Subalterns in a Room than usual; but this was by no means to [word crossed out]. The procuring new Quarters for the Field Officers would make room for others, and I assured your Excellency no care or attention should be wanting in me to make the situation of the Officers as easy, and agreeable as circumstances would admit...As to the Quarters allotted to the Officers, being such as would not be held fit for Gentlemen in their situation in any part of the World; and altho' your Excellency may have seen Jails preferable, yet I can assure you that the same Quarters were built for, allotted to, and occupied by our own Officers of the same Rank for their Winter Quarters...I am exceedingly unhappy that your Excellency and General Phillips have not as yet such Quarters as I sincerely wish, or you desire..." General John Burgoyne surrendered his army to General George Washington on October 17, 1777 at the end of the Battle of Saratoga. The British prisoners, including Major General William Phillips (1731-1781), were marched to Boston, arriving first at Cambridge, Massachusetts. This draft by Gates is probably a response to a letter written to him by Burgoyne three days before, on November 14, complaining about inadequate housing for British officers. Horatio Gates (1727-1806) was a British-born American officer in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. In August 1777, he assumed command of the Northern Department and led the army during its defeat of the forces under British General John Burgoyne (1722-1792). The letter is accompanied by an engraved vignette portrait of Burgoyne in uniform by S. Hollyer and an engraving of Gates in uniform by W. Wellstood. Condition: Separated along integral fold. Repairs to edges of most horizonal folds, one fold with .25" closed tear at left edge of second sheet. Minor toning with some scattered foxing. HID03101062020 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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