GEN. WASHINGTON. Very well. You may now withdraw and refresh yourself, unless you've further to say--I'll dispatch you shortly. EXPRESS. Nothing further, sir. [_Exeunt OFFICER and EXPRESS._ GEN. WASHINGTON. [_Opens and reads the letter to GENERALS LEE and PUTNAM._] I am well pleased with their contents--all but the behaviour of the haughty Carleton--to fire upon a flag of truce, hitherto unprecedented, even amongst Savages or Algerines--his cruelty to the prisoners is cowardly, and personal ill treatment of General Montgomery is unbecoming a General--a soldier--and beneath a Gentleman--and leaves an indelible mark of brutality--I hope General Montgomery, however, will not follow his example. GEN. LEE. I hope so too, sir--if it can be avoided; it's a disgrace to the soldier, and a scandal to the Gentleman--so long as I've been a soldier, my experience has not furnish'd me with a like instance. GEN. PUTNAM. I see no reason why he shou'dn't be paid in his own coin.--If a man bruises my heel, I'll break his head--I cannot see the reason or propriety of bearing with their insults--does he not know it's in our power to retaliate fourfold? GEN. LEE. Let's be good natur'd, General--let us see a little more of it first---- GEN. PUTNAM. I think we have seen enough of it already for this twelve-months past. Methinks the behaviour of Lord Boston, the ill treatment of poor Allen, to be thrown into a loathsome dungeon like a murderer, be loaded with irons, and transported like a convict, would sufficiently rouse us to a just retaliation--that imperious red coat, Carleton, should be taught good manners--I hope to see him ere long in our College at Cambridge---- GEN. LEE. I doubt; he'll be too cunning, and play truant--he has no notion of learning American manners; ev'ry dog must have his day (as the saying is); it may be our time by and by--the event of war is uncertain---- GEN. PUTNAM. Very true, sir; but don't let us be laugh'd at forever. _Enter an OFFICER in haste._ OFFICER. Sir, a messenger this moment from Quebec waits to be admitted. GEN. WASHINGTON. Let him enter. [_Exit OFFICER._ _Enter MESSENGER._ GEN. WASHINGTON. What news bring you? MESSENGER. I am sorry, sir, to be the bearer of an unpleasing tale---- GEN. WASHINGTON. Bad news have you?--have you letters? MESSENGER. None, sir--I came off at a moment's warning--my message is verbal. GEN. WASHINGTON. Then relate what you know. MESSENGER. After the arrival and junction of General Montgomery's troops with Colonel Arnold's, Carleton was summoned to surrender; he disdaining any answer, fir'd on the flag of truce---- GEN. WASHINGTON. That we have heard--go on.