George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Samuel Huntington, 14 July 1780

From Samuel Huntington

Philadelphia July 14. 1780

sir,

In Pursuance of the Act of Congress of the 13th Instant herewith enclosed,1 your Excellency will please to obtain the Exchange of Brigadier General du Portail as soon as practicable.2 I have the Honor to be with every Sentiment of respect and Esteem your Excelly’s most obedt servant

Sam. Huntington President

LS, DLC:GW; LB, DNA:PCC, item 15.

1The enclosed “Extract from the Minutes” of Congress, dated 13 July, reads: “The Abilities and Experience of Brigadier General du portail in the Line of his Department as an Engineer appearing to Congress essential to the effectual promotion of the Operations of the ensuing Campaign.

“Resolved, that General Washington immediately endeavour to obtain the Exchange of Brigadier General du Portail now a Prisoner of War on parole” (DLC:GW; see also JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 17:609–10).

2See GW to Abraham Skinner, 24 July; see also GW’s second letter to Huntington, 22 July (second letter), and Skinner to GW, 9 August. Duportail was exchanged in November 1780 (see GW to Huntington, 7 Nov., DNA:PCC, item 152).

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