From George Washington to Abraham Skinner, 4 June 1780
To Abraham Skinner
Head Quarters Morris Town 4th June 1780
Sir
You will be pleased to give directions to the Commy of prisoners at Lancaster to permit Docr Paush Surgeon of Genl Knyphausens Regt and Ensign Hamilton of the 17th British—to go into New York upon parole. The former to return when demanded—the latter to remain in New York three Weeks—They are to go by the way of Easton to Elizabeth town, avoiding the Main Body and other posts of the Army.
At the instance of the Board of War, a son of Colo. Conolly’s is to be permitted to go into New York for his education.1 It seems the young Gentleman is an Ensign in the 17th British Regt, and you will therefore direct the Commy at Philada to take a parole from him as such2—I lately recd a letter from a Mr Frazier at Rutland, a Chaplain to the 71st Regt3—As it was mutually agreed at the last meeting of the Commissioners to release all Gentlemen of his Cloth, you will be pleased to take the first opportunity of giving the necessary orders to that effect.4 I am &.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. See the Board of War’s letter to GW of 26 May.
2. A letter from Skinner to Thomas Bradford, deputy commissary general of prisoners at Philadelphia, written on 6 June, reads in part: “His Excellency the Commander in Chief having permitted a Son of Colo. Connollys to go into New York for his Education I am directed by him to desire you will take his Parole and send him on, it seems he is an Ensign in the 17th Regt and as such you will furnish him with the usual pass” (PHi: Thomas Bradford Papers).
3. See Hugh Fraser to GW, 13 May.
4. For these meetings, see Commissioners for Exchange of Prisoners to GW, 26 March (two letters); see also GW to Arthur St. Clair, 2 April.
For the release of British chaplain Hugh Fraser after “Eighteen Months” as a prisoner, see his letter to Guy Carleton, 6 Nov. 1783 (P.R.O., 30/55, Carleton Papers).