To George Washington from General Henry Clinton, 19 September 1780
From General Henry Clinton
Head Quarters [New York] Septr 19th 1780.
Sir
Major General Phillips, who goes to Elizabeth Town to meet Major General Lincoln, is entrusted and Instructed from me with every thing relating to a General Exchange of Prisoners of War, as well as of the Troops of Convention,1 and also with all matters relative to the Commissaries of Prisoners and their Instructions, who it is intended should reside with the respective Armies.
It is probable Major Genl Lincoln will have your Instructions to confer upon all these Matters with Major Genl Phillips, but should that not be the case, I take it for granted You will immediately send a proper Officer for that purpose to Elizabeth Town.2 I have the honor to be Your Excellency’s Most obedt & most hble Servt
H. Clinton
LS, DLC:GW; copy, P.R.O.: 30/55, Carleton Papers.
2. For GW’s instructions pertaining to this unsuccessful prisoner exchange negotiation, see GW to Benjamin Lincoln, 10 Sept.; see also GW to Abraham Skinner, 17 Sept.; Phillips to GW, 23 Sept., and Lincoln to GW, 25 September.