From George Washington to General William Howe, 29 March 1778
To General William Howe
Head Qrs [Valley Forge] 29th March 1778
Sir
I have been favoured with your Letter of the 27th Instant.
I agree with you, that German Town shall be considered a neutral place during the meeting of the Commissioners, and that no Troops shall be permitted to enter it, while they are there, except the guards mutually sent to attend them.1 With due respect I am Sir Yr Most Obed. servant.
Go: Washington
DfS, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW; copy, enclosed in GW to Henry Laurens, 18 April, DNA:PCC, item 152; copy, DNA:PCC, item 169; two copies, P.R.O., 30/55, Carleton Papers; copy, ScHi: Henry Laurens Papers; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. This letter was published in newspapers such as the Pennsylvania Gazette (York), 2 May 1778, as part of the report of “The Commissioners appointed by his Excellency General Washington, to meet, confer, determine, and agree upon a treaty and convention for the exchange of prisoners of war, etc.”
1. On 28 Mar., GW’s secretary Robert Hanson Harrison wrote Brig. Gen. John Lacey, Jr., of the Pennsylvania militia: “On Tuesday next Commissioners between the Two Armies are to meet at German Town on the subject of prisoners. That place is to be neutral during their negociations, and his Excellency desires, that while the Commissioners are there that none of your parties be suffered to enter into the Town” (PHi: Gratz Collection).