382 -THE SERVICES OE LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 
am directed to inform you that the Congress of the United States of 
America make no answer to insolent letters. 
I am, with due respect, 
Your obedient humble servant, 
Charles Thompson, 
Secretary. 
A remonstrance had already been made by the commissioners to 
the Congress on August 7th on the subject of the violation of the 
Saratoga convention. It is undeniable that Burgoyne's army was 
treacherously detained three years in America in direct infringe¬ 
ment of the agreement entered into between Generals Gates and 
Burgoyne. These troops were kept a year in or near Boston, then 
marched a distance of 600 miles to Charlottesville, at that time a 
village in the back woods of Virginia, and they were subjected to 
most ungenerous and vindictive treatment. 
October 10th, 1778. —The Raleigh frigate (rebel), Captain Barry, 
of 32 guns and 255 men, was sent into New York by H.M. ship the 
Experiment, Sir J. Wallace commander, and the Unicorn, Captain 
Ford. She was discovered in Boston bay at 8 o'clock in the morning 
of the 26th September, when after a chase of eight hours the Union 
engaged her, and the first broadside carried away the rebel foretop¬ 
mast and main-top-gallant-mast. The action continued till 10 o'clock. 
The Experiment coming up received a broadside which was instantly 
returned, and the rebel finding he could not escape, ran his ship 
aground on Sale Island, and made his escape in his boats with 102 of 
his men. Sir James Wallace has taken and destroyed no less than 
16 armed vessels in his last cruise. The inhabitants of Boston ap¬ 
plied to Monsieur d'Estaing desiring he would clear the bay of English 
ships, but Monsieur answered that he had no intention to divide his 
fleet, and that as soon as he was properly fitted, he intended to pro¬ 
ceed to sea to fulfil the orders of the king his master. 
Flour is so scarce in and round Boston, that the rebels are obliged 
to employ an immense number of waggons to convey it from all parts 
of the continent, at an enormous expense, to supply their great and 
good allies, the rascally French. 
October 12th. —General Washington and his army are now in and 
about Peek's Hill, Fish Hill and Danbury. 
