HISTORY OF VERMONT. 65 



prisoners ^vhich he took at Montreal, it was 

 feared that he would act with severity against the 

 Americans who had now fallen into his hands. 

 His conduct was altogether the reverse. The 

 number of British prisoners which the Ameri- 

 cans had captured, and the dignity and magna- 

 nimity of his own mind, had raised him above 

 the exasperated feelings and cruel revenge, with 

 which moiiarchs generally contemplate what they 

 call rebellion. And v/hile the other British 

 commanders in America were affecting to dis- 

 play their regard to the British king and govern- 

 ment, by abuse, insolence, and inhumanity, to 

 those Americans whom the fortune of war had 

 thrown into their hands ; Carleton discovered 

 the principles and feelings of exalted bravery 

 and humanity, by a dignified LV.d polite treat- 

 ment of the officers and privates v.'ho were be- 

 come his prisoners. Their general was put into 

 an elegant coffin, and buried with those military 

 honors and attentions, which became his rank 

 and character. The officers were provided w'itli 

 money, and other articles which they wanted, 

 invited to dine with the British commander and 

 officers, and treated with all those attentions that 

 the customs of war had made respectful and 

 consoling to the unfortunate. The privates 

 were as well treated and fed as prisoners of war 

 are accustomed to expect. By this method of 

 conduct the British general was not only secur- 

 ing the confidence of his own garrison, but con- 

 ferring favors on his prisoners, which increased 

 their obligations to preserve the honor of sol- 

 diership in every part of their conduct. But as 

 it was altogether uncertain what new forces the 

 yox. II. II 



