They were entrusted for safe keeping to the respective legislatures and committees, to whom it was necessary to apply for the execution of every order respecting them.] On the recall of General Gage, the command devolved on General Howe, whose conduct was less exceptionable; and this rigorous treatment of prisoners was relaxed.
Not long after this correspondence with General Gage, while Montgomery was employed in the siege of St.John's, Colonel Ethan Allen was captured in a bold and rash attempt on Montreal.

Under the pretext of his having acted without authority, he was put in irons, and sent to England as a traitor.
While he was yet in Canada, congress requested the Commander-in-chief to inquire into the fact.

He addressed a letter to Sir William Howe, requiring explanations on it, and assuring him that General Prescot, who had been taken in Canada, and was understood to have contributed to the severities inflicted on Colonel Allen, should receive exactly the fate of that officer.
General Howe, not holding any authority in Canada, or not choosing to enter fully into this subject, General Schuyler was directed to make particular inquiries into the conduct of Prescot; and congress, on being informed of the inefficacy of the application to General Howe, ordered that officer into close jail..