John HANCOCK, Esq., Camp Saratoga,
President of Congress. October 18, 1777.

Sir: I have the satisfaction to present Your Excellency with the
convention of Saratoga, by which His Excellency
Lieutenant-General Burgoyne has surrendered himself and his whole
army into my hands, and they are now upon their march for Boston.
This signal and important event is the more glorious, as it was
effected with so little loss to the army of the United States.

This letter will be presented to Your Excellency by my
adjutant-general, Colonel Wilkinson, to whom I must beg leave to
refer Your Excellency for the particulars that brought this great
business to so happy and fortunate a conclusion.

I desire to be permitted to recommend this gallant officer in the
warmest manner to Congress, and entreat that he may be continued
in his present office, with the brevet of a brigadier-general.

The honourable Congress will believe me when I assure them that,
from the beginning of this war, I have not met with a more
promising military genius than Colonel Wilkinson, and whose
services have been of the greatest importance to this army.

I am, Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient and humble servant,
Horatio GATES.

_____

_Articles of Convention between Major-General Gates and (p. 011)
Lieutenant-General Burgoyne._

I.

The troops under Lieutenant-General Burgoyne to march out of
their camp, with the honours of war and the artillery of the
intrenchments, to the verge of the river, where the old fort
stood, where the arms and artillery are to be left, the arms to
be piled by word of command from their own officers.

II.

A free passage to be granted to the army under Lieutenant-General
Burgoyne to Great Britain, on condition of not serving again in
North America during the present contest; and the port of Boston
is assigned for the entry of transports to receive the troops
whensoever General Howe shall so order.

III.

Should any cartel take place by which the army under General
Burgoyne, or any part of it, may be exchanged, the foregoing
article to be void, as far as such exchange be made.

IV.

The army under Lieutenant-Gene