To George Washington from Abraham Skinner, 10 March 1781
New Windsor March 10th 1781
sir
In Obedience to your Commands of the 17th Ulto I have Exchanged a number of the Convention Officers who were Ordered to Elizabeth Town for the purpose of going into New York, against and for Officers of similar Ranks in possession of the Enemy as ⅌ the inclosed return No. (1).
I have also Exchanged Lt Colonel Hamilton and others Claimed by the State of Virginia as their Prisoners for Colo. George Mathews now out on Parole and a number of our Lieutenants as ⅌ the inclosed List No. (2). There still remains in possession of the Enemy One Brigadier, Seven Colonels Two Lieutenant Colonels, One Captain and thirteen Lieutenants, for whose Release I proposed the Exchange of General Burgoyne and a Ballance of Privates due to me amounting to 271 Men, as ⅌ the inclosed No. (3). The Enemy refuse to accede to this Proposition unless the Proposal Contained in No. 4 is carried into execution, and We Consent to the Exchange of the Prisoners taken at the Cedars.
I shall thank your Excellency for your further Commands on this Subject and to be informed whether I am Strenuously to insist on the Exchange of General Burgoyne previous to any other Negociation. I am sir with great respect Your Excellency’s Mo. Obt Hume Servt
Abm Skinnr Comr Genl Pr[is]
DLC: Papers of George Washington.
Enclosure
New York 1st March 1781
Proposal of the Exchange of British Officers Claimed by the State of Virginia as Prisoners of War for a number of American Officers Prisoners of War to the British.
| Lieut. Govr Hamilton | 72 | For | Colo. Geo. Mathews | 100 | |||||
| Major Hay | 28 | Lt Nathl Lawrance | 6 | ||||||
| Capt. L. Mott | 16 | Richard Andrews | 6 | ||||||
| Surgns Mate McBeath | 4 | William Andrews | 6 | ||||||
| Interpreter W. [Bellefuil] | 4 | James Keeler | 6 | ||||||
| 124 | 124 |
Settled & Agreed to
Josa Loring Abm. Skinner
Com. Gen. Prisrs C.G. Prisrs
(Copy)
Enclosure
New York March 2d 1781
sir
Having ratified with you the Exchange of the Convention Officers now on their way to Elizabeth Town, and having also adjusted our account of Privates-- I am now to propose to you, the Exchange of Lt General Burgoyne in conjunction with the Balance of 271 Privates acknowledged to be due to me; against and for the Officers now Prisoners with you, and unexchanged, and that if a balance should be due to me on this exchange, the same to be applied towards the relief of American Officers Prisoners to the southwards. I shall thank you for your Answer to this proposal & am sir Your mo. Obed. & very hum. servt
(Copy)
Abm Skinner
Com. Gen. Prisrs