20 JUNE 1896, Page 16

CHANNING'S SHORT HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.

[TO THI EDITOR 0/ THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—In your review of Channing's History of the United States, in the Spectator of June 13th, you speak of "Burgoyne's capitulation." This is incorrect. Burgoyne never capitulated ; be made a convention by which his troops were to be embarked for England, the terms were the same as those of the Convention of Cintra. The only difference was that the English kept their faith with a defeated foe, the Americans did not, and what makes the contrast stronger between the action of the two nations is that in the Saratoga case many of Burgoyne's men might have cut their way out, whilst Junot had no retreat whatever.—I am, Sir, &c., GEORGE WROTTESLEY, Major-General.

75 Cadogan Gardens, June 16th.