I have tranfinitted Congrefs a copy of your propofition, relative to an exchange of the troops of the Convention, and fhall do myself the honour to communicate their decifion the moment it is made known. Mr. Clarke has my permillion to proceed by the moft convenient route to the troops of the Convention. I have the honour to be, with all due respect, Your Excellency's moft obedient servant, GEORGE WASHINGTON, His Excellency Sir Henry Clinton. Head Quarters, Fredericksburg, Nov. 27,1779 SIR, IDO myfelf the honour of tranfmitting to your Excellency the inclofed copy of an act of Congrefs of the 19th inftant, in answer to the propofition made in your letter of the 10th. In order to negociate an exchange on the principles therein mentioned, Lieutenant Colonels Harrison and Hamilton of the army under my command, will meet Colonels O'Hara and Hyde at Amboy, on Monday the 7th of December, at 11 o'clock, with proper powers. I would propofe as the means of expediting business, that our refpective Commiffaries of Prisoners fhould attend at the fame time and place, to carry into execution what fhall be determined by the Commiffioners. I have the honour to be, with due refpect, Sir, Your moft obedient servant. GEORGE WASHINGTON. P. S. If your Excellency fhould chufe to return me an answer your letter will have the moft speedy conveyance by way of Elizabeth Town. R His Excellency Sir Henry Clinton. In CONGRESS, November 19th, 1778. be empowered and directed to appoint Commiffioners, and fix the time and place of their meeting, to confer with the commif fioners appointed, or to be appointed, by Sir Henry Clinton, or other the Commander in. Chief of the British forces in America, on behalf of his Britannic Majefty, on the exchange propofed by Sir Henry Clinton, in his letter to General Washington of the roth inft. of the officers in the fervice of thefe States, now prifoners in the actual poffeffon of the enemy, or out on parole, for the officers and men of the troops of the Convention, according to their rank and number: Officers of equal rank to be first exchanged, after which, if it fhall be neceffary, an equivalent of inferior for fuperior officers; and if agreeable to fuch equivalent, All the officers of the enemy fhall be exchanged, and a balance of prisoners remain in their hands, then an equivalent of privates fhall be fettled according to the customary proportion, or fuch proportion as may be agreed on. The Commiffioners to to be appointed by virtue hereof, to make report of their proceedings to General Wafhington, who is hereby fully authorised and empowered finally to ratify the terms of the said exchange on behalf of these United States. Refolved, That General Washington, be directed to call for Lieutenant General Burgoyne, and other officers of the Convention troops, now prifoners to thefe United States on parole, whenever the intereft of the United States fhall, in his opinion render it necessary. Extract from the Minutes, CHARLES THOMPSON, Secretary. SIR, December 2d, 1778., HAVE received your letter of the 27th of laft month, relative to the exchange of. prisoners proposed by me in mine to your Excellency of the 10th; and in confequence thereof, I fhall fend two Commiffioners to meet the like number on your part, on the time and place appointed, when I hope both parties will enter upon the business proposed, with that zeal which the importance of the object may require. I propofe fending with my Commiflioners as is, ufual upon fuch occasions, ohe commiffioned officer, one ferjeant, and eight private centinels. It is to be understood, that the place of meeting is to be exempted from every kind of military operation during the meeting of the Commiffioners: For the more immediate dispatch of business, it may be neceffary that the Commiffioners should be authorised to grant passports figned by both parties to fuffer perfons that may be employed in carrying letters to the Head-Quarters of both armies, to pafs unmolested. I am, with due refpect, Your Excellency's moft humble fervant His Excellency General Washington. By His Excellency SIR. HENRY CLINTON, Knight of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, General and Commander in Chief of all his Majefty's Forces within the Colonies laying on the Atlantic Ocean from Nova Scotia to Weft Florida inclufive, &c. &c. To Colonel Charles O'Hara and Colonel West Hyde of his Majefty's Foot Guards. Ν IN pursuance of a propofal made by me to General Washington, refpecting an ex 1 |