From George Washington to General Henry Clinton, 26 August 1780
To General Henry Clinton
Head Quarters 26th August 1780
Sir
In a letter I have lately received from Major General Lincoln,1 he transmitted the inclosed for Your Excellency, which I have taken an early opportunity of forwarding.2 I find by General Lincolns letter to myself, that he proposes to meet General Phillips on the 12th of next Month at Elizabeth Town, which will be perfectly agreeable to me. I shall direct our Commissary of Prisoners to be there at the same time, who will be instructed to execute with the Commissary on your part, if Your Excellency shall think proper to send him, an exchange of Officers Prisoners of War, on the footing of equal rank or composition as far as the number in our hands will admit, and to include also the whole of the Officers of Convention now on Parole at New York or in Europe.3 I wish the measure may meet your approbation, as it will afford relief to many individuals.
On the 26th Ulto I had the honor of addressing Your Excellency and of inclosing some propositions relative to the Agents to be appointed for Prisoners,4 to which I have not been favoured with your answer. I shall be happy to receive it. I have the honor to be Your Excellency’s Most Obet Servant
Go: Washington
LS, in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, P.R.O.: 30/55, Carleton Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
Clinton replied to GW on 4 Sept. from New York City: “I have received the honor of your Letter of the 26th Ultimo, and but for General Phillips’s Indisposition, which made the proposed Meeting uncertain, I should have sent my Reply earlier.
“General Phillips hopes his Health will permit him to be at Elizabeth Town on the 19th Instant, where my Commissary of Prisoners shall attend; and at the same time the Propositions which I think necessary to offer respecting a Resident Commissary will be transmitted” (LS, DLC:GW; copy, P.R.O. 30/55: Carleton Papers).
2. The enclosure has not been identified.
3. For GW’s instructions, see GW to Abraham Skinner, 17 Sept. (DLC:GW).