To George Washington from Abraham Skinner, 18 April 1781
Elizabeth Town April 18th 1781
sir
I have received His Excellency’s Letter of the 14th countermanding my Instructions respecting the negociation of Exchanges with Mr Loring. I have therefore deferred seeing him, and set out for Philadelphia in the Morning to compleat my Business with the Board of War.
As the state of our Prisoners at New York demand an early interview with the British Commissary, I shall be much Obliged by having the General’s further commands as early as he may think proper, Mr Duree my deputy at Camp (who deliver this) will forward any Letters to me and receive any Orders respecting the Department.
My List of Prisoners has the addition of a Major and an Ensign taken by a whale Boat from Brunswick a few nights since with a Party who landed on Long Island at a place called Yellow Hook about four Miles from Brooklyn Ferry—The Major is of the Brunswick Dragoons and was lately Exchanged The other a Hessian Ensign—I have taken their Paroles and sent them to Lancaster. I am sir Your mo. Obt Servt
Abm Skinner
Commissary General Prisoners
Accounts from New York agree that a very large Embarkation is taking place said for the Southward. Sir Henry Clinton has his Baggage on Board and certainly goes himself.
From the movements many People in the city expect an Evacuation very Shortly.
A Flag just arrived with a few Prisoners brings accounts similar to the above.
DLC: Papers of George Washington.