706. NEWS OF SARATOGA REACHES HAITI Fine content A.L.S. "de Crespin", 4pp. 4to., Cap Francois [Haiti], Nov. 26, 1777 in French to Messrs Debrissai & Nording. A letter between two merchants discussing the war raging to the north. In part: "...The affairs of the Americans are in the best possible state. The news from Boston from the 2nd November assure us that after the affair of the 13th October that took place between General Gates, American, and General Burgoyne where the latter was wounded and lost a great part of his army, the Royalist general has been forced to surrender himself and his won consisting in about 6, 000 prisoner of war. The army under the command of General Howe does not enjoy happy days, news from Baltimore near Philadelphia on the 1st of this month announce that if General Howe does not succeed in breaking through Chevaux de Frise that the loss of his army will follow, finding himself enveloped in Philadelphia by considerable line that General Washington has formed cutting him by these means all communications of the rations by sea, as well as by land, we can count on this news, they are confirmed by several shipped arrived, we consider here the Royalist army utterly destroyed...the Americans I think will be ale to undertake with success the conquest of Canada at the opening of the next campaign..." De Crespin was fairly accurate in his account of Saratoga, but the intelligence concerning Howe's position at Philadelphia was obviously exaggerated. De Cerspin mentions that American ships arriving in Haiti "...are bringing much tobacco, rice, indigo, flour, wood, and they keep on drawing canvas...wool, wines and they have been forbidden to charge any war powder and other ammunition..." Though France would take some time before news of Saratoga would convince the King to enter the war against Britain, France was already moving troops overseas: "We have been announced 12,000 troops for our colonies, 6,000 for the Iles du Vent and 6,000 for this one with those already in garrison..." Usual folds, light uneven toning, otherwise very good. $200-300