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Henry Letter 1

No. I.

''Mr. Ryland, Secretary to Sir James Craig, Governour General of Canada, to Mr. Henry.

Most secret and confidential.

Quebec, January 26, 1809.

My Dear Sir,-- The extraordinary situation of things at this time in the neighbouring states, has suggested to the governour in chief, the idea of employing you on a secret and confidential mission to Boston, provided an arrangement can be made to meet the important end in view, without throwing an absolute obstacle in the way of your professional pursuits. This information and political observations heretofore received from you, were transmitted by his excellency to the secretary of state, who has expressed his particular approbation of them; and there is no doubt that your able execution of such a mission as I have above suggested, would give you a claim, not only on the governour general, but on his majesty's ministers, which might eventually contribute to your advantage. You will have the goodness therefore to acquaint me, for his excellency's information, whether you could make it convenient to engage in a mission of this nature, and what pecuniary assistance would be requisite to enable you to undertake it without injury to yourself.

At present it is only necessary for me to add, that the governour would furnish you with a cypher for carrying on your correspondence; and that in case the leading party in any of the states wished to open a communication with this government, their views might be communicated through you.


 * I am with great truth and regard, &c.


 * Herman W. Ryland