To George Washington from Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 22 August 1781
philidelphia 22 august 1781
Dear general
i have been just now a Resolved of Congress about the exchange of prisonners by which the matter if Referred to your excellency. in this Circumstance i take the liberty to Recall to your mind Colonel laumoy and lieutenant Colonel Cambray. as my Countrymen, my friend i wish extremely to see them in liberty, but in this moment, i may add that the public advantage if joined to their private and my own satisfaction. the acquantance they have with the southern states may render them very useful. i shall have, dear general the greatest gratitude of what your excellency will be pleased to do for them in this opportunity and i shall Consider it as a great favour for myself.
there are besides in my department Captaine shreiber and Captaine [Vanfont] who are also prisonners. but if the exchange is a general one they shall probably be exchanged of Course. nothwistanding i Qunmudd them to your excellency’s goodness. ihave the honour to be with the greatest Respect and attachment your excellency’s the most obediant and humble servant
Duportail
DLC: Papers of George Washington.