"General,—
"Before I commence any military operations against the fort, into which it appears that you have retired, I shall fulfil a preliminary duty authorised and practised by civilized nations. You are aware, no less than myself, of the nature of your position, and of the entire inutility of occasioning any further effusion of blood. You witnessed with grief the melancholy fate of the town of Roseau; my first endeavours on entering it were to issue orders for stopping the progress of the conflagration; but, unfortunately, considerable destruction had already taken place.
"The want of necessaries is ever attended with the most cruel consequences, the evils of which can easily be calculated; this consideration alone is more than sufficient, without reference to the particular circumstances in which you are placed, to induce you to accept the honorable conditions that I am ready to grant you, and thus to preserve the interesting inhabitants of this colony from fresh calamities, which are inseparable from the occurrences of war.
"I beg you, General, to make me an early communication of your answer, and in the meantime to receive the assurance of the high esteem which I entertain for you.
"I have, &c.,
(Signed) "La Grange."
(Answer.)
"Head Quarters, Prince Rupert's
February 25th, 1805.
"Sir,
"I have the honor to say I received your letter. My duty to my King and country is so superior to every other consideration, that I have only to thank you for the observations you have been pleased to make, on the often inevitable consequences of war. Give me leave, individually, to express the greatest gratitude for your humanity and kind treatment of my wife and children; and at the same time to request a continuance thereof, not only to her and them, but towards every other object you may meet with.
"I have, &c.,
(Signed) "Geo. Prevost."