To George Washington from Robert Morris, 28 September 1780
From Robert Morris
Philada Septr 28th 1780
Sir
I am indebted to Andw Elliot Esqr. of New-York for many Acts of Friendship, Civilty & Humanity shewn by him at my request to various American Prisoners in that place, He has obtained them liberty to return on Parole, to be exchanged, or advanced them Money just as their Circumstances required, and I have had no call to make return’s untill now, that a Captn Mure of the 82d Regt lately taken onboard a Packet bound from England to New York, is a Prisoner at Lancaster,1 and Mr Elliot desires me to obtain leave for him to go into New York on Parole and an exchange if possible as he will interest himself to have any American Officer that shall be Named of equal Rank sent out immediately in return for Capt. Mure who is a near relation of His. As I am sure your inclination will not only lead you to oblige me but also to enable any Friend of this Country to return obligations of the Nature of those, I owe to Mr Elliot, it is not necessary that I urge a compliance with this request which will not be refused unless the interest of our Country or the Rule of your duty, forbid what I ask, and in either case, I wou’d neither make nor persist in such an application. I applied to the Board of War, they informed me that Doctr Withersp⟨oon⟩ had interested himself on behalf of Capt. Mure, but from the Tenor of some late Resolutions of Congress on the Subject of Prisoners,2 they thought it more proper You shou’d alone decide on these points, otherwise they were disposed to permit Capt. Mure to go in on Parole3—With the most perfect esteem & respect I have the Honour to be Your Excellencys most Obedt hble Servt
Robt Morris
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. The Pennsylvania Evening Post (Philadelphia) for 14 Aug. listed Capt. William Mure among prisoners taken to Philadelphia from the captured “British packet Mercury” (see also John Cadwalader to GW, 20 Sept., and n.2 to that document).
William Mure (c.1758–1831) belonged to the Scottish aristocracy. His eponymous son later wrote that his father joined the army “as a cornet” in his youth “and served as captain of the 82d regiment in the American war, in the course of which he was wounded and twice taken prisoner.” Mure left the British army soon after his “second captivity,” following the surrender at Yorktown, Va. (, 1:45).
2. For these resolutions, see , 17:704–8. Andrew Elliot, Loyalist lieutenant governor of New York, had written Mure from New York on 4 Sept. 1780: “This will be forwarded to you by Mr. Robert Morris of Philadelphia, a very old and particular friend of mine, who I am certain will render you every service in his power. I am in hopes that he, and some other of my acquaintance to whom I have applied, will obtain leave for you to come here on parole. Your being my relation will also, I am persuaded, induce them to use their interest to get you exchanged. …
“If you want a little money to bear your travelling expenses, I have desired Mr. Morris to let you have it” (, 2:342; see also Morris to Mure, 20 Sept., in , 2:343).
3. GW replied to Morris from Passaic Falls on 11 Oct.: “I am happy to inform you, that the business to which I am indebted for your favor of the 28th Ulto, was effected previous to the receipt of your letter. Mr Elliot had applied thro’ Mr Izard, for Captn Mure’s parole, which was immediately granted, and orders given to the Commissary of Prisoners to signify the same to him. I make no doubt therefore, but that he is, by this time, either in New York or up on his way thither.
“It will ever give me pleasure to contribute to the comfort or convenience of any Gentleman in whose behalf you interest yourself, when I can do it with propriety—on other terms I am convinced you wd not ask it” (ALS, CSmH; GW added “Complimts to Mrs Morris” in the closing and signed the cover, which is addressed to Robert Morris in Philadelphia).
GW’s aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman had written Abraham Skinner, commissary general of prisoners, on 18 Sept.: “Colo. Moylan informs me that he obtained His Excellency’s permission for Capt. Mure who I believe is at Lancaster to go into New York upon parole. His Excellency will be absent a few days, but as I cannot doubt Colo. Moylans word—you will be pleased to signify the permission to Capt. Mure” (DLC:GW). For GW’s absence, see The Hartford Conference, 20–22 Sept., editorial note.