HISTORY OF VERMONT. 75 



roade prisoners in Canada, he sent on board a 

 vessel to Nevv England, on their parole of hon- 

 or ; and supplic^d them with every thing requi- 

 site to make their voyage agreeable and pleas- 

 ant. The other prisoners amounted to about 

 eight hundred ; these were called upon to take 

 an oath not to serve during the war against 

 Great Britain, unless they were properly ex- 

 changed ; those that were almost naked, were 

 decently clothed ; and they were then sent by a 

 flag to the American commanders. A number 

 of the sick and wounded were scattered about in 

 the woods and villages, destitute of every com- 

 fort of life, and in extreme danger of perishing 

 through want. To prevent the melancholy 

 fate that awaited these wretched men, Carieton 

 issued out a proclamation, commanding the 

 proper officers to find them out, and afford them 

 all necessary relief and assistance at the public 

 expence. And that nothing might be wanted 

 to make their relief compleat and encouraging, 

 he assured them by his proclamation, that as 

 soon as they were recovered, they should be 

 sent back to their respective provinces. By 

 these acts of magnanimity and sound policy, 

 most of these unhappy men were preserved from 

 perishing. The officers and men returned to 

 their several provinces, announcing the praises 

 of sir Guy Carieton ; and avowing that no con- 

 siderations should persuade them to bear arms 

 ligainst the British, tillthey were fairly exchanged. 

 The American army in Canada was now 

 greatly inferior to the British, in riumber, artil- 

 lery, health, accommodations and every other 

 circumstance ; and nothinp- ■ remained for them 



