[AMERICAN REVOLUTION]. CLINTON, Henry (1730-1795), British General. Letter signed ("H Clinton") TO GEORGE GERMAIN, New York, 11 January 1779. 1¼ pages, folio, marked "Duplicate", docket on integral blank, left margin reinforced, strip of integral leaf removed. A CONCERN OVER THE PROMOTION OF HESSIAN OFFICERS. General Henry Clinton, commander-in-chief of British forces in America, writes to the British Secretary of State, requesting justice for two British Generals who found themselves outranked by Hessians whom they had once commanded. Clinton explains that due to "a late Appointment of Three of those Colonels to the Rank of Major Generals, Generals Mathew and Pattison, the two eldest Brigadiers upon the spot ... find themselves in an awkward Situation." Clinton asks Germain to consider their case "and place them in a Situation more agreeable than that in which they now feel themselves by the Promotion of the Hessian Colonels." Early in the war, Clinton nearly resigned his commission due to disagreements with General Howe, his superior. Germain had convinced him to remain, and named him commander-in-chief upon Howe's departure. -- GERMAIN, Lord George Sackville (1716-1785), British Secretary of State for the Americas. Autograph letter signed ("Geo:Germain") to an unknown recipient, Whitehall, 23 February 1776. 2 pages, 4to, minor soiling. PROTECTING QUEBEC AFTER THE FAILED AMERICAN ASSAULT. Secretary of State Germain communicates the urgent need to gather British troops to occupy Quebec. On January 1, 1776, American forces under General Richard Montgomery and Benedict Arnold assaulted the city, but failed to take it. Now Germain writes, "Burgoyne ... wished to bring all his force together as soon as might be; he sees the necessity of having a Considerable Body of Troops at Quebec as early as possible ... [they will] put Quebec out of all danger as they will probably arrive at least a fortnight before the Irish Regt., as soon as they join Carleton he will Command the Obedience of the Canadians, and will prepare for the operations of the Campaign which may Commence immediately upon Burgoyne's arrival. I have said all this to the King and he approved or at least is too civil to Contradict your Honorable Servant." The British forces in Canada did launch minor campaigns from Canada in 1776, but a major offensive under General Burgoyne would not be launched until 1777. Together two items. (2)