From George Washington to the Board of War, 10 August 1779
To the Board of War
West point August the 10th 1779
Gentn
I yesterday evening received Your Letter of the 3d and have directed the Commissary of prisoners to permit Capn Edmonstone to go into New York upon parole, subject to an immediate and final exchange, by Sir Henry Clinton’s releasing One of our Captains now in his hands, who has been longest in captivity, & whose name will be mentioned in his parole. Mr Beatty has written to Mr Adams—Deputy Commissary of prisoners at Elizabeth Town upon the business.1 The Board will be pleased to write to Captain Edmonstone2 to proceed thither and to apply to Mr Adams—for farther directions.3 I have the Honor to be with great respect Genn Yr Most Obedt svt
G. Washington
Df, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW; copy, PHi: Capt. Thomas Bradford Papers; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. For the service of John Adam as deputy commissary of prisoners at Elizabeth, N.J., see GW to William Maxwell, 13 Feb., n.2.
2. See the Board of War to GW, 17–18 August.
3. In a note dated 18 Aug. at the war office and appearing below a copy of this letter, Richard Peters wrote the following instructions to Thomas Bradford, deputy commissary general of prisoners at Philadelphia: “You will please to take the necessary Measures to put the above Terms of Exchange of Capt. Edmonstone into Execution immediately by informing him thereof & taking his Parole to go to Elisabeth Town” (PHi: Capt. Thomas Bradford Papers).