Send Down All The Rebel Prisoners

General Frederick Haldimand To Brigadier General Henry Watson Powell

Quebec   21 June 1782

I last night received a dispatch from Sir Guy Carleton, dated New York, 21st May. He informs me
that when he left England, it was the determination of the Ministry and the sense of the nation at
large to pursue all possible means consistent with honour to bring about an accommodation with
America.

You will please, therefore, to give such orders in the district of your command as will prevent any offensive operations being undertaken until you shall hear further from me, but in such a measure as not to occasion a belief of a report prevailing in the colonies that there is a Cessation of Arms, which is by no means the case. You will do your utmost to prevent depredations and cruelties upon the frontiers by the Indians.

To save time, I shall communicate the above immediately to Oswego and Carleton Island.

You will please to send down all the rebel prisoners from your post by the first opportunity.

British Library. Sloane and Additional Manuscripts, Add MSS 21753, Register of Warrants Issued for the Extraordinary Service of the Army, 1782-1784; National Archives of Canada, Haldimand Collection, microfilm reel number A-678.