July 17, 1777 --  William Howe to John Burgoyne
From the Gold Star Collection
 

[ ] Gen! Burgoyne / New York, July 17th, 1777 Dear Sir, I have received yours of the 2.d ins.+ on the 15th, have since heard from the Rebel Army of your being in possession of Ticonderoga, which is a great Event carried without loss. I have rec.d your two letters viz.+ from / &Quebec your last of the 14th of May, & shall observe the contents. There is a report of a messenger of yours to me having been taken, & the letter discover.d in a double wooded canteen, you will know of any consequence; nothing of it has [ ] to us. I will observe y/ in writing to you, as you propose in your letters to me. Washington is waiting our motions here, & has detached Sullivan with about 2500 men, as I learn, to Albany.- My intention is for Pensilvania where I expect to meet Washington, but if he goes to the Northw.d contrary to my /  and you can keep him at Bay, be assured I shall soon be after him to relieve you. After your arrival in Albany, yo movements of the Enemy will guide yours; but my / wishes are that the Enemy be drove out of this Province before any operation takes place in Conecticut. S.r Hen.y Clinton / remains in the command here, & will act as occurrences may direct. Putnam is in the Highlands with about 4000 men.- Success be ever with you. Yours. O. / WHowe

See the Stories: Saratoga Background William Howe Goes His Own Way John Burgoyne Surrenders

See the Method: Quill Letter

See the Timeline: 1777