George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-09-02-0491

To George Washington from General William Howe, 22 May 1777

From General William Howe

New York 22d May 1777

Sir

Not having received an Answer to my Letter of the 21st April, I am to request your final Decision upon the Demand I then made of the Prisoners in your Possession, both Officers and Soldiers, in Exchange for those I have returned, and for your Determination respecting the Prisoners now here, that I may my Arrangements accordingly.

It is with Concern I receive frequent Accounts of the ill Treatment still exercised upon Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, which I had Reason to flatter myself you would have prevented. He has, it is true, been taken out of a common Dungeon, where he had been confined with a Degree of Rigor, that the most attrocious Crimes would not have justified, but he is still kept in the Jailers House, exposed to daily Insult from the deluded Populace. This Usage being repugnant to every Sentiment of Humanity, and highly unworthy of the Character you profess, I am compelled to repeat my Complaint against it, and to claim immediate Redress to this much injured Gentleman. With due Respect, I am Sir Your most obedient humble Servant

W. Howe

LS, DLC:GW; LS (duplicate), enclosed in Howe to GW, 5 June 1777, DLC:GW; copy, DLC:GW; copy, enclosed in GW to Hancock, 28 May 1777, DNA:PCC, item 152; two copies, P.R.O., 30/55, Carleton Papers; copy (extract), enclosed in GW to Hancock, 13–14 June 1777, DNA:PCC, item 152. The LS is addressed to “General Washington &ca &ca &ca,” and the duplicate LS is addressed similarly. The extract in DNA:PCC consists of the second paragraph concerning the treatment of Lt. Col. Archibald Campbell.

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