1776/12-1779/03

Kingston, Robert M., ?-1794

Header Record

Title: Burgoyne-Kingston collection: papers concerning Convention Army after Saratoga [word processed inventory available] [decimalized]

Bulk 11/1777-04/1778. Papers retained by Lieut. Gen. John Burgoyne's Adjutant General, mostly his (frequently strained) communications with Maj. Gen. William Heath concerning the conditions of the British officer prisoners (41 items). The collection includes a broadside "Burgoyne's Lament" printed at Boston, eight dispatches from various company commanders, three cypher templates, documents on daily business before and after surrender (25 items) and a packet of four miscellaneous items. The broadside is apparently rare. Materials of interest include the broadside, cypher templates, and an…

GLC04764

circa 1777-1779

Kingston, Robert M., ?-1794

Manuscript document

Title: [Cypher]

Appears to be Kingston's cypher to communicate with Sir Henry Clinton in code. "Sir Henry Clinton" is written in pen at the top of one side, along with the word "Top" as a direction of how to place the cypher. There are 4 cut outs. When placed over a coded letter of the same size the cut outs provide a window for the message. There are pencil lines extending from the cut outs as well, which appear to be measurement lines for the actual cut outs.

GLC04764.02

29 May 1779

Kingston, Robert M., ?-1794

Autograph document

Title: to Captain Ross

Written by Kingston as a staff officer to General John Burgoyne. Kingston wrote this somewhere in Britain, where he returned with Burgoyne in April 1778. Requests action on his "particular exchange" as a prisoner of war. Mentions that he could be exchanged for Lieutenant Colonel Bellinger or Colonel Hale. Kingston was only formally a prisoner. He returned to Britain and promised not to fight until exchanged.

GLC04764.77

14 October 1778

Kingston, Robert M., ?-1794

Autograph document

Title: Money paid by Lieutenant Colonel Kingston on Account of General Burgoyne

Account of General John Burgoyne's spending between September and December 1777. First page seems to be the final draft of the account. Mentions expenditures for cheese, horses, and for transporting the general's baggage. Kingston, one of Burgoyne's aids, paid out the money, which amounted to 60 pounds sterling. Kingston initialled the docket, which says a copy was left with a Mr. Collyer and that the account was reviewed on 18 December. Second separate page appears to be the first draft of this account. The draft accounts for a 21 pound sterling appropriation for a widow in the 62nd Regiment…

GLC04764.90

circa 1777-1779

Kingston, Robert M., ?-1794

Manuscript document

Title: [Cypher]

Appears to be Kingston's cypher to communicate with his superiors while a prisoner of war after the Battle of Saratoga. On verso are the names of the people who seem to be in on the coded messages: General Sir William Howe, General Robert Pigot, General William Phillips, and General Henry Clinton. Altogether there are 14 areas cut out, each one numbered, when placed over a coded letter of the same size will convey the true message.

GLC04764.01

circa 1777-1779

Kingston, Robert M., ?-1794

Manuscript document

Title: [Cypher]

Cypher for coded messages probably made by Kingston as a prisoner of war after the Battle of Saratoga. Has four long rectangles cut out. When placed over a letter of the same size the cut outs allow the true message to be conveyed. The name "L. Vallaniez" is written on one side. On the opposite side of the cypher the word "Bottom" is written at the bottom, as a direction of how to place the cypher over the letter. Also has the initials "G.V." written on the same side as the the word "Bottom."

GLC04764.03

30 March 1778

Kingston, Robert M., ?-1794

Autograph letter

Title: to David Henley

Written by Lieutenant Colonel Kingston as a staff officer to General John Burgoyne to Colonel Henley, former commander of the Prospect Hill barracks, under court martial for allegations of murder and mistreatment of British soldiers. In response to Henley's previous note (GLC04764.68). Kingston sends his compliments to Henley. Says General William Phillips will meet the two gentleman Henley mentioned in his quarters tomorrow afternoon. Says Phillips does not have a copy of the paper given from himself to General Henry Knox and asks that a copy be brought. Marked "No 10" at top of recto.

GLC04764.69