From the Massachusetts Board of War
Translation: Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères
<Boston, October 24, 1777, in French: Your public character
and responsibilities justify our opening a correspondence to
inform you of events since the happy days of Trenton and
Princeton. The British have recently occupied Philadelphia and
fought Washington at Germantown; our privateers are doing
damage, but the middle states are suffering. To look to the
north, why did St. Clair surrender Ticonderoga and open the
way to New England? But Burgoyne, made overconfident by
earlier successes, suffered defeat at Bennington. Then his army
surrendered at Saratoga; the gazettes will give you details. Howe
should meet the same fate now that our northern army is free.
In this situation it would be ridiculous for us to treat on
Britain’s terms. Even if our troops defending the coast were
defeated and captured, our militia would form a new army,
and either die in battle or win independence. We have had
setbacks, but we do not exaggerate our success. France and
Spain maintain their neutrality, we are surprised to see, when
they could obtain a large share of our commerce and humble
Great Britain.
This will be delivered to you by Jonathan Loring Austin.>
628595 = 025-099a.html