From George Washington to the Commissioners for the Exchange of Prisoners, 7 March 1780
To the Commissioners for the Exchange of Prisoners
[Morristown, 7 March 1780]
Whereas a proposition hath been made and acceded to for a meeting of Commissioners at Amboy on Thursday the 9th instant for the purpose of settling a General Cartel.1
In order to carry the said proposition into effect and to make the most liberal permanent and extensive provision for the exchange and accomodation of prisoners of War.
You Major General St Clair and Lieutenant Colonels Carrington and Hamilton in virtue of full powers to me given by The Honorable the Congress of the United States2 are hereby appointed and authorised to meet such Commissioners of suitable Rank as shall come duly authorised on the part of His Excellency Sir Henry Clinton or His Excellency Lieutenant General Knyphausen in virtue of powers from His Britannic Majesty at the time and place above mentioned and at any time and place afterwards to which it may be thought proper to adjourn—with them to treat—confer—determine and conclude upon a General Cartel for the exchange and accommodation of prisoners of War including the Troops of the Convention of Saratoga and all matters whatsoever which may be properly contained therein on principles of justice humanity and mutual advantage and agreeable to the custom and practice of War among civilized Nations.
For all which this shall be your Warrant and your engagements being interchanged shall be ratified and confirmed by me. Given under my Hand and Seal at my Head Quarters at Morris Town this 7th day of March 1780
Go: Washington
By His Excellency’s Command
Rob: H: Harrison: secretary
LS (retained copy), in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; copy, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DNA:PCC, item 167; copy, P.R.O.: 30/55, Carleton Papers; copies, P.R.O.: C.O. 5/99, 182, and 397; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. The copies in P.R.O. include a copy of a postscript signed by Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair and lieutenant colonels Edward Carrington and Alexander Hamilton certifying the copy as true.