1. JM’s motion of 10 June embodying these resolutions is not mentioned in the printed journal (JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). description ends , XXII, 322). The committee under JM’s chairmanship, to which Congress on that day referred the motion, apparently accepted it without change and so reported to Congress on 11 June (JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). description ends , XXII, 323).

2. Benjamin Lincoln.

3. See Report on German Prisoners of War, 5 June 1782, editorial note.

4. Robert Morris.

5. On 11 June Congress decided to postpone a consideration of this report “for the purpose of taking up” a substitute proposal by Arthur Middleton directing Washington to inform General Carleton, the British commander-in-chief, that, unless he would “discharge the arrears due to the United States, for the maintenance” of the prisoners and thereafter pay promptly every month the money required for their support, Congress would “take such measures respecting the prisoners as will be less burthensome, and may appear most beneficial for the public interest.” Presumably after debating the merits of this suggestion, Congress referred it on 11 June to a committee comprising Elias Boudinot, Samuel John Atlee, and John Lowell (JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). description ends , XXII, 323–24). At some undetermined time during the next six days this committee was relieved from its assignment, and Middleton’s motion, together with JM’s resolutions and the “Report of the Commissioners for settling a Cartel &c,” was consigned to the original committee (see n. 1), namely, JM, chairman, Ezekiel Cornell, and Elias Boudinot. Their report, written by Boudinot without any apparent help from JM, was submitted on 17 June 1782. The report provided (1) that Carleton by August must arrange to pay for the food supplied to the prisoners or Congress would reduce its quantity; and (2) that Washington, “without appearing to be the first mover of it,” should try to reopen negotiations for an exchange of prisoners (NA: PCC, No. 28, fol. 77; JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). description ends , XXII, 335–36). This latter directive was designated “secret.” Charles Thomson’s records merely note that the report was “filed” on 8 August 1782.

Four days later, a Lowell-Cornell-JM committee, which had replaced the Boudinot-Atlee-Lowell committee on 29 July, submitted recommendations, drafted by JM, and Congress accepted them (JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). description ends , XXII, 334–35, 337, and n. 2; XXIII, 461–62, 462 n.). In general the Boudinot committee, mentioned in the first paragraph of this note, concentrated upon the problem of how to readmit Loyalists, who had worn the British uniform, into the American community, while the Lowell committee reconsidered, in the light of recent developments, the subjects of a cartel and of payment by the British of the cost incurred by Americans in maintaining their captive British soldiers and sailors.

For Washington’s protracted efforts to have the United States remunerated for feeding the prisoners and to effect a cartel, see Fitzpatrick, Writings of Washington description begins John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington, from the Original Sources, 1745–1799 (39 vols.; Washington, 1931–44). description ends , XXIV, 405–6, 475; XXV, 32–236, passim, 482–83, 485, 487.