From George Washington to General William Howe, 8 January 1778
To General William Howe
Head Qrs [Valley Forge] January 8th 1778
Sir
I am directed by the Board of War to acquaint you, that they have received undoubted information, that a Captain Dick and a number of American Officers are confined in Dungeons in England.
It is not known with whom this injurious and unwarrantable treatment originated, nor by what authority it is continued; but it is expected that you will interest yourself to have it redressed. The Board cannot but feel1 the wrong, and, however painful it may be to retaliate, they are determined to treat an equal number of your Officers of the like rank, with the same degree of rigor, as long as It shall remain.2
Your Favor of the 21st Ulto in answer to mine of the 28th of November, was duly received.
Before I conclude, I would mention my concern that your last Flag was fired upon. From the inquiries I have made upon the subject, the accident appears to have happened from your messengers approaching by an indirect road and omitting to give the customary Signal in time.3 I am Sir with due respect Yr Most Obedt Servt
G.W.
Df, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW; copy, enclosed in GW to Henry Laurens, 8 Feb., DNA:PCC, item 152; copy, DNA:PCC, item 169; two copies, P.R.O., 30/55, Carleton Papers; copy, P.R.O.: Colonial Office, Secretary of State’s Correspondence with Commander-in-Chief, North America; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Harrison initially wrote “resent,” but he then struck out that word and wrote “feel” in place of it.
3. See Howe to GW, this date, n.2.