Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-11-11


"REMINISCENCES OF l77s
Generals Washington, Buryoyne, and Schuyler
We have been favored with copy Of The Continental
Journal" weekly paper published at Boston in 1878.
We make two short extracts from 1.-THE showing the
treatment which Gen. Burgoyne received at Albany and
the other letter from Gen. Washington to Gen. Bur-
goyne, which, the defeated General himself truly
marks, does honor to the human heart"
1t will be recollected by those conversant with the his
tory Of the revolution that after the surrender Of Bur-
goyne at Saratoga he was allowed to 60 to England
of impaired health before the army under his
command could be sent according to the stipulation
the convention Of Saratoga After Gen. Burgoyne
rived in England motion made in the British Par
lament that this House resolve itself into commit
tee Of the whole to consider Of the transactions Of the
northern army under the command Of Lieut. Gen. Bur-
goyne and Of the state and condition Of the said army
and also by what means Lieut. Gen. Burgoync, who
manded that army released and is returned to
England" In the course of the debate Gen. Burgoyne
said:
"In regard to the call made upon for explanation
specng the burning the country during the progress of the
army under my command, ignorant Of such circum-
stances. do recolect than accident by Hre
and positively assert there FIRE by order
of myself any other officer except Saratoga
That district the property of Major General Schuyler
the American roops there large barracks built by him
which took fire the day after the army arrived upon the
ground in their retreat, and believe need any
other proof of that matter being merely accident than that
the barracks made of my hospital full of
sick and wounded soldiers Gen. Schuyler had likewise
good dwelling house, exceeding large storehouse great
mills and other outhouses to the value altogether
perhaps Of ten thousand pounds few days before the
negotiation with General Gates the enemy had formed
plan to attack large column of troops were ap-
preaching to the small river preparatory general
action and were entirely covered from the fire Of the a
lery by those buildings. Sir that gave
to set them fire. and in very short time that whole pro-
pery have described consumed. But show that the
person deeply in that calamity did not put
the construction upon it which has pleased the honorable
gentleman to do inform the House that of the
frst after the convention signed Gen.
Schuyler expressed to him regret ut the event which
had happened and the which had occasoned it. He
desired to think Of said the occasion justified
it, according to the principles and rules of and he should
have done the upon the OCCASION words that
effect He did more he sent to conduct
to Albany in order he expressed it. procure better
quarters than stranger might be able to find This gentle
conducted very elegant house. and to my great
SURPRISE presented to Mrs Schuyler and her family and
in this Generals house remained during my whole stay in
Albany, with table of more than twenty for and
my friends, and every other demonstration Of fhospay-a
situation painful is true in point Of sensbty at the me
but which now contemplate with some satisfaction"
This magnanimous treatment on the part Of Gen.
Schuyler towards humbled enemy and fair exhibition
Of the courteous and hopabe character Of the citizens
Of Albany in 778 It is proper to say that Albany has
dgenerated in this respect since that period and that
there gentlemen here who delight in generous
actions and in opportunities for displaying kindness and
all the couresies Of polite society to those who may be
inferior to them in the worlds category Of rank and po
sition.
As we said at the outset Gen. Burgoyne obtained
mission from Congress to leave the country and at the
time he addressed Congress this subject he
letter to Gen. Washington asking his influence
the granting of his request and expressing high opn-
ion of his private character The following is Washing
toms reply:
| "HRApouARrnRs,
PENNSYLVANIA, MARCH Ii, 177S.
SR was only two days since honored with your very
obliging letter Of the 11th Of February
Your ndugent opinion of my character, and the polite
terms in which pleased express it. peculiarly
atterng, take pleasure in the opportunity you have
afforded of assuring that far from suffering the
of national opposition to be embered and debased by
sonal anmoy ready to do justice to the merit Of
the gentleman and the soldier and esteem when ia
due however the idea of public enemy may ntsrpoe You
will think the language ceremony IL add
that sentiments Of personal respect in the present instance
| reciprocal
Viewing you in the light of officer contending against
what conceive to be the rights Of country the
of fortune You experienced in the field be
le to me but abstracted from considerations of national
Ss una1odaSe dcus of whose forbid
his and man. whose lot combines the calamity
Ill health, the anxetes Of captivity and the painful sensb
y for reputation exposed where he values it, the
assaults Of malice and detraction.
GAS your aiddecamp went directly to Congress, thu
business Of letter had been decided before 1t
hand happy that their cheerful acquescence with
your request prevented the necessity and
wishing you and agreeable passage with perfect
/ storation Of your health, have the honor to be,
every respectfully sir your most obsdient servant.
i GEORGE WASHINGTON"
i What noble spirit breathes in this letter-a spri
ready do justice to the merit Of the gentleman
ready TO esteem public enemy when his private cbarac
ter worthy Of respect ready to sympathise in tn
feelings of modification which, in battling for the right
he had caused ready to wish health and happiness
conquered foel The incidents narrated above in
frmstion of the propositions that true gentleman win
polite under all circumstances and to all persons tha
be will be honorable and forgivng to enemy;
that genuine polteness is virtue which the well
balanced mind and the kindly heart