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CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS 
 
 OF 
 
 SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 
 
 VOL. II. 
 1778- 1782. 
 
OF THIS LETTER-PRESS EDITION 
 350 COPIES HAVE BEEM PRINTED. 
 
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CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS 
 
 OF 
 
 SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 
 
 COLLECTED AND EDITED BY 
 
 WORTHINGTON CHAUNCEY FORD. 
 
 VOLUME II. 
 
 1778-1782. 
 
 • * %• • r , 
 
 NEW YORK. 
 1893. 
 

 V* 
 
 WICKERSHAM PRESS- 
 LANCASTER, PA- 
 
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 a; 
 
 CONTENTS OF VOL II, 
 
 PAGE 
 
 1778. 
 
 From General Washington, January 8th i 
 
 Reasons that prevent him from acting in his behalf— General rule to 
 govern exchanges. 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, January 8th 2 
 
 Proposes an exchange — Wishes to go to Newport on parole — Asks for 
 his influence. 
 
 From Robert Walker, January i6th 4 
 
 Wishes to share in a privateer. 
 From Robert Walker, January 23d 5 
 
 Privateering venture. 
 To Major-General Heath, January 25th 6 
 
 Expectations of an exchange. 
 Washington to Major-General Putnam, January 25th 7 
 
 Return of captures from Webb's Regiment — Works in the Highlands — 
 Unfair system of exchanges. 
 Thomas Mumford to Philip Dumaresq, January 29th 8 
 
 Introducing Colonel Webb. 
 From Brigadier-General Parsons, February 8th 8 
 
 Faith of Governor Clinton not shaken — Intelligence — Orders to join 
 regiment. 
 From Joseph Webb, February 12th 9 
 
 Every indulgence to be granted to him — Advice on his residence and 
 conduct — Hopes for a parole — General Lee soon to come out. 
 From Colonel Meigs, February 24th 11 
 
 Personal — Hopes for peace. 
 
 Parole, February 25th • 12 
 
 Joseph Webb to Governor Trumbull, March 3d 12 
 
 The Winthrops — Young Deane. 
 From Joshua Loring, March 7th 13 
 
 Leave to move as far as Flushing. 
 From Joshua Loring, March 9th 14 
 
 Permission to visit New York. 
 Washington to. Robert R. Livingston, March 12th 14 
 
 Change of men and measures in the Northern department — Putnam 
 must not return — Gates in charge. 
 
 (v) 
 
 254708 
 
CONTENTS OF VOL. II. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 From Christopher Miller, March nth 15 
 
 Quarrel between Bayard and Burd. 
 
 From Joshua Loring, March 15th 16 
 
 A general exchange anticipated. 
 
 From Joseph Webb, March 27th 16 
 
 Good treatment assured — Bad consequences of keeping prisoners long. 
 
 From Barnabas Deane, March 27th 18 
 
 Regret to find no exchange has occurred — Jesse Deane. 
 
 From John Winslow, March 28th 18 
 
 Horses — No parole while a general exchange of prisoners is pending. 
 
 Prisoners of War 19 
 
 Sketch of the principal events in the negotiations for a general cartel 
 for the exchange of prisoners, from 1775 to March, 1778. 
 
 To Mrs. Simpson, April 4th 86 
 
 Messages. 
 
 From John Winslow, April 13th 86 
 
 Wishes for more generous sentiments. 
 
 From Amos Bull, April 14th 87 
 
 Desires a pass for his family. 
 
 From James Seagrove, April 1 5th 88 
 
 Learns of his being a prisoner — A recommendation. 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell to Joseph Webb, April 15th Z?> 
 
 Visits Wethersfield— Will labor for Colonel Webb's release. 
 
 From Samuel Camfield, April 16th 89 
 
 Drawings of a lottery. 
 
 Elias Boudinot to William Atlee, April 18th 89 
 
 Why the conference on an exchange came to naught— Stopping of the 
 Hessian officers— Contradicting orders. 
 From Amos Bull, May 2d gi 
 
 Driven to flight— Gratitude for his kindness. 
 From John Winslow, May 5th 9I . 
 
 Cannot at present permit his coming to the city. 
 From Louis Pintard, May 7th o 2 
 
 Officers to go out— Settling accounts of prisoners. 
 From Brigadier-General Parsons, May 10th 93 
 
 Some public papers forwarded. 
 Elias Boudinot to General Washington, May 13th 93 
 
 His reception and treatment in New York— An exchange of officers 
 effected— No provision for those who remain prisoners. 
 To John Winslow, May 16th 
 
 The parole renewed. 
 
CONTENTS OF VOL. II. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, May 18th 95 
 
 Application received too late — Will take the first opening to present it. 
 
 Report of a Committee of Congress, May 21st 95 
 
 Memorial of American Prisoners on Long Island, May — 97 
 
 From Joseph Webb, May 25th 98 
 
 Rotation in exchange insisted on — A suggestion from the East — Silas 
 Deane not returned from France — Unnecessary severity towards prisoners. 
 From Colonel William Axtell, May 29th 99 
 
 Privileges to prisoners. 
 To Colonel Axtell, May 30th 100 
 
 Tryon's documents. 
 
 Colonel Antill to Governor Tryon, June 2d 100 
 
 His papers an insult. 
 
 Joseph Barrell to the Town Committee, June 4th 10 1 
 
 Is unwilling to serve as representative. 
 From Lewis Pintard, June 6th 101 
 
 Return to New York — Letters and newspapers — No further news of an 
 exchange — Appointment of Beatty. 
 From Brigadier-General Parsons, June 7th 102 
 
 His friends anxious for his release — Pleasing appearance of affairs — 
 Peace commissioners. 
 From John Winslow, June 13th 104 
 
 Unfavorable prospect of securing a parole. 
 From James Seagrove, June 1 7th 104 
 
 Will remain in Philadelphia — His conduct may be excused — Evacuation 
 of the city by the British — Position of the American army. 
 From Lewis Pintard, June 19th 105 
 
 An exchange agreed upon. 
 From Colonel Axtell, June 19th 106 
 
 Permission to shoot. 
 From Ensign Galloway, June 20th 106 
 
 Has opened one of his letters — Reasons for this act. 
 From E. Tudor, June 20th 107 
 
 His application to be allowed to go out. 
 From Joseph Webb, June 21st 107 
 
 Some horses sent in by Cornet Graefe — Efforts to secure his exchange 
 — Personal — Some bills sent — Loans to prisoners — Commissions to be filled. 
 From Mrs. Joseph Webb, June 22d , * ro 
 
 His polite treatment — Home matters. 
 
viii CONTENTS OF VOL. II. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Elias Boudinot to , June 25th in 
 
 Disappointed in obtaining mercy — Attack upon his stores — Obstacles to 
 an exchange — Evacuation of Philadelphia interfered. 
 
 Putnam to the President of Congress, June 30th 113 
 
 Inquiry into his conduct — In doubt on the issue — His trying position. 
 
 Colonel Tallmadge to Barnabas Deane, July 6th 114 
 
 Losses of the enemy in their march through New Jersey — Weak and 
 disheartened — Celebrating July 4th. 
 
 To General Leslie, July 17th 116 
 
 An insult to a prisoner. 
 
 Major Beatty to General Washington, July 18th 117 
 
 A partial exchange — Differences between the commissaries — Intelligence. 
 From Captain McKissack, July 19th 118 
 
 Dissatisfaction among the prisoners. 
 To Colonel Axtell, July 22d 119 
 
 Increase of insults — A request for change. 
 From Adjutant Hopkins, July 22d 120 
 
 Wanted a loan — Colonel Webb's title. 
 To Sir Henry Clinton, July 24th 120 
 
 Wishes to be released on parole. 
 From Major Beatty, July 30th 121 
 
 Desires a list of officers who are prisoners — Personal gossip. 
 
 Major Beatty to General Washington, July 31st 122 
 
 Exchange of marine prisoners — The situation of the prisoners laid be- 
 fore Congress — Detained from headquarters. 
 
 To Major Beatty, August 15th 123 
 
 A list of officers, prisoners. 
 
 From Joseph Webb, August 26th 124 
 
 Question of full colonels — Must practise patience — Seme exchanges — 
 The Deanes. 
 
 To Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, August 27th 126 
 
 Desires to be released on parole — Urgent reasons for this indulgence. 
 
 Brigadier-General Parsons to General Washington, August 29th 127 
 
 Intelligence from the enemy. 
 
 Governor Clinton to the President of Congress, September 9th 128 
 
 The inquiry on the loss of the Highland forts — Is personally involved in 
 the decision — Requests copies of proceedings. 
 
 To Joshua Loring, September — 130 
 
 Urges his release on parole. 
 
CONTENTS OF VOL. II 
 
 PA6E 
 
 To Captain John Webb, November ist 130 
 
 Patience nearly exhausted — Cannot court a scoundrel — Frets over his 
 imprisonment. 
 
 Sir Henry Clinton to General Washington, November 10th 132 
 
 Exchanging privates for officers — More of the convention troops — Com- 
 missioners may meet. 
 General Washington to the President of Congress, November 14th.. . 133 
 
 The order recalling paroled officers — A proposition for exchange. 
 From Silas Deane, November 14th 134 
 
 Wishes to meet him. 
 Joseph Webb to Jeremiah Wadsworth, November 24th 135 
 
 The situation, financially and politically — Marriage of Sarah Simpson and 
 Joseph Barrell — On affairs of the prisoners. 
 From Colonel Chester, December 13th 136 
 
 His suit with Johnson — Desires a statement from Colonel Webb — The 
 affidavit sent. 
 
 Report of the Commissioners on Cartel, December 15th 138. 
 
 From Lewis Pintard, December iSth 142 
 
 Failure of the commissioners to agree — Cash for officers. 
 From Joshua Loring, December 19th 143 
 
 Little hope of a general exchange — Doubtful of a parole being granted. 
 
 1779. 
 
 Colonel Beatty to General Washington, January 3d , 143. 
 
 Obstacles thrown in the conduct of his business — Asks for relief and in- 
 structions. 
 
 General Phillips to General Washington, January 6th ..,.,., 145 
 
 Regret at failure to exchange — The convention troops — Proposes a con- 
 versation. 
 
 From Joseph Webb, January 14th , 147 
 
 Prisoners to go in — Some supplies forwarded — Deane's reply to Common 
 Nonsense — Prisoners from the Eagle packet. 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Baylor, January 16th 148 
 
 Has leave to go to Virginia. 
 Brigadier-General Phillips to General Washington, January 16th ... 149 
 Report on the conference on exchanges — The troops of convention — 
 Exchange by ransom. 
 
 From Edmund Seaman, January 23d 149 
 
 Sends Deane's article. 
 
 From Captain Heron, January 24th 15a 
 
 Permission asked to buy supplies. 
 
CONTENTS OF VOL. II. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Brigadier-General Phillips to General Washington, February ist 151 
 
 The proposed conference on prisoners — Extract from Sterling's letter. 
 From Colonel Baylor, February 4th 152 
 
 Will be permitted to go out. 
 To General Clinton, February — 152 
 
 Asks leave to send a memorial to Congress. 
 From Joshua Loring, February 7th 153 
 
 Colonel Webb to accompany Colonel Baylor. 
 From James Watson, February 9th 153 
 
 Pleased with the prospect of his exchange. 
 Colonel Beatty to General Washington, February 24th 154 
 
 Statement respecting prisoners — The matter of accounts — General sub- 
 ject of naval prisoners. 
 Colonel Chester to Royal Flint, February 26th 156 
 
 His trial — Summary of the arguments for and against — Colonel Webb's 
 deposition not sufficiently full. 
 From General Washington, February 25th 158 
 
 Sends a calculation of prisoners. 
 From Colonel Chester, February 28th 158 
 
 Urges him to visit Wethersfield — His testimony on the suit of Johnson. 
 To the President of Congress, March 5th 160 
 
 Report on the memorial of the prisoners — Resolution of Congress. 
 Washington to Sir Henry Clinton, March 14th 161 
 
 Regrets failures to agree on exchanges — Proposes a new meeting of 
 commissioners. 
 From William Duer, March 20th 163 
 
 News from the southern department. 
 From Captain Swan, March 30th 163 
 
 A mission to Philadelphia to secure money for prisoners. 
 To Joshua Loring, April 4th 164 
 
 An officer should attend the meeting of commissioners at Amboy — Gen- 
 eral Thompson proposed. 
 From Silas Deane, April 1 7th 165 
 
 Is about to set out for Camp. 
 From Colonel Beatty, April 16th 165 
 
 The meeting of the commissioners — The extravagant demands of the 
 British — Obstacles to an agreement. 
 From James Keene, April 22d 167 
 
 End of the meeting of the commissioners. 
 From Brigadier-General Thompson, April 27th 167 
 
 An active campagn promised. The meeting at Amboy. 
 
CONTENTS OF VOL. II. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 From Joshua Loring, May 9th 168 
 
 Hopes to send a parole release. 
 From Brigadier-General Thompson, May 9th 168 
 
 Can go out on parole. 
 To Jeremiah Wadsworth, May 28th 1 69 
 
 Order of Congress respecting Phillips and Riedesel — Miss Bancker. 
 From Major Huntington, June 13th 1 70 
 
 Accounts of the regiment — Difficulty in disciplining troops — Lieutenant- 
 colonel Livingston — Regiment anxious for his release. 
 From Jeremiah Wadsworth, June 1 7th 171 
 
 In a villainous country — Position of the enemy. 
 From Captain John Webb, June 19th 1 72 
 
 May have leave of absence if the Colonel writes. 
 From Adjutant Hopkins, June 19th 1 72 
 
 News from Flat Bush — A notable dinner. 
 From Joshua Loring, June 20th 1 74 
 
 No objection to exchanging him but for the injustice to others — The ex- 
 pectations of the British in a cartel. 
 To Joseph Barrell, July 4th 1 75 
 
 Returns from the East — A capture by a privateer. 
 From Major-General Gates, July 4th 1 76 
 
 To celebrate Independence. 
 To Joseph Barrell, July 6th 1 76 
 
 Some prizes sent in — British repulsed at Charleston. 
 
 To Jeremiah Wadsworth, July 9th 177 
 
 The certificate and hope of an exchange— Miss Bancker — The descent 
 on New Haven and Fairfield — Congress ! 
 
 To Joseph Barrell, July nth 1 79 
 
 Ravages of the enemy in New Haven and Fairfield — Instances of their 
 brutality — Movements of the British from New York — Penobscot — Caro- 
 lina news false. 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Harrison, July 14th 182 
 
 General rule of exchanges — Beatty to meet Loring. 
 
 From Nancy Johnson, July 1 5th 182 
 
 A friendly letter — Distressing situation on the sea-cjast. 
 
 To Jeremiah Wadsworth, July 24th 183 
 
 Will soon be a freeman. 
 
 To Joshua Loring, July 27th 184 
 
 Sends the Consul's certificate — Violators of parole. 
 
xii CONTENTS OF VOL. II 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Silas Deane to Simeon Deane, July 27th 185 
 
 Disorders in Philadelphia — Plundering in Connecticut — Reinforcements 
 from England — Paine — Public meetings — Abuse of Holker. 
 
 From Joshua Loring, July 31st 188 
 
 Breakers of parole — Agreement for an exchange. 
 
 From Brigadier-General Glover, August 1st 189 
 
 Intelligence of the enemy's movements — Charleston the probable object. 
 
 From Colonel Beatty, August 9th 190 
 
 The certificate — Will favor him to the extent of his power — A false con- 
 ception of the conference. 
 
 To Joseph Barrell, August 15th 192 
 
 Ffas full power to use certificate — Hopes of a release — Prizes — The prison 
 ships — Personal — News from the south — A fleet preparing to sail from 
 New York. 
 
 From Joseph Barrell, August 12th 194 
 
 A wish for peace — The Penobscot expedition — Prizes and their contents. 
 
 To Major-General Gates, August 13th 195 
 
 A criticism of Congress — The near approach of his freedom — The 
 French fleet and their conquests — The king of Prussia offers his mediation. 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Harrison, August 25th 197 
 
 Nothing done about the certificate — No objection can be made to its use 
 — No distinction can be made in prisoners. 
 
 From Jeremiah Wadsworth, August 24th 198 
 
 Every effort will be made to secure his release — Lee's exploit at Paulus 
 Hook — Box for Dr. Skinner. 
 
 General Washington to the States, August 26th 198 
 
 Violators of parole to be returned. 
 
 Joseph Webb to Jeremiah Wadsworth, September 1st 199 
 
 Business matters — House building — Watson's types — McFingall — A 
 good pi inter needed at Hartford. 
 
 Baron Steuben's report on Col. Webb's regiment, September 22d 201 
 
 General Washington to Colonel Beatty, September 23d 201 
 
 Negotiations for an exchange — Established rule — Position of the enemy 
 — Question of composition and a tariff — How Loring is to be answered — 
 Colonel Webb's case. 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Harrison, September 25th 203 
 
 Commissions sent — Mulish obstinacy of the enemy — An answer sent. 
 
 From Major-General Greene, September 27th 204 
 
 Justice will be done in due season — A memorial from the officers to 
 Congress. 
 
CONTENTS OF VOL. II. xiii 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Silas Deane to Simeon Deane, September 28th 204 
 
 Setting out for France — Changes in the diplomatic service. 
 To Joseph Barrell, October 4th 205 
 
 Some prizes taken — The French fleet on the Georgia coast. 
 To Joseph Barrell, October 6th 206 
 
 Introduces Beatty— The subject of the certificate— The French fleet. 
 Joshua Loring to Colonel Beatty, October 12th 207 
 
 Demands for returns — The Eagle prisoners — An agent to be in Phila- 
 delphia. 
 
 From Jeremiah Wadsworth, October 15th 208 
 
 An active campaign in prospect — Intends to resign— Joseph Webb's 
 proposal. 
 
 From Major-General Greene, October 19th 208 
 
 Departure of his brother — Exchange must be insisted on — Sherburne 
 disputes his rank — The French admiral and the coming campaign. 
 
 From Colonel Beatty, October 24th - 209 
 
 Arrives at Fishkill — Evacuation by the British of the Highland forts — , 
 Intelligence. 
 
 Major-General Phillips to General Washington, October 26th 210 
 
 Flis conversation with Major Skinner — Sir Henry Clinton's wishes — 
 Views on the troops of convention — Why a special rule must apply — Offers 
 his services. 
 
 From Colonel Beatty, October 27th 213 
 
 No hope of an exchange — Recall of the paroled prisoners — Reasons for 
 this act. 
 
 From Major-General Greene, October 28th 214 
 
 Public, not private interest must control — Should bring the case of Phil- 
 lips and Riedesel before Congress — Movements of the enemy. 
 
 Baron Riedesel to William Fitzhugh, November 1st. 215 
 
 His progress to New York — Stopped by order of Congress at Elizabeth- 
 town — Is in need of good medical attention — Has appealed to Washington. 
 
 To the President of Congress, November 13th 217 
 
 The case of Phillips and Riedesel — Asks that the resolution be rescinded. 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Connolly, November 16th 220 
 
 Wishes to effect his own exchange. 
 
 Major-General Phillips to Sir Henry Clinton, November 20th 220 
 
 High sense of honor in Colonel Webb — Asks that the Americans on 
 parole be permitted to remain out — Is about to come to New York. 
 
 Joshua Loring to Colonel Beatty, November 24th 221 
 
 Exemptions from the summons to return. 
 
xiv CONTENTS OF VOL. II. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 To Jeremiah Wadsworth, November 30th 222 
 
 His exchange on the certificate — His horse. 
 
 From Major-General Phillips, December 2d 223 
 
 His exchange not forgotten — Will meet any commissioners Washington 
 may appoint. 
 
 To Jeremiah Wadsworth, December 9th 224 
 
 Sherburne's disputing his rank — A state of the case — Disappointment in 
 a purchase of powder — Public and private morals at a low point — A rumor 
 of a prize. 
 
 To Joseph Barrell, December 1 ith. 227 
 
 At home once more — To remain a prisoner — Prize matters. 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Ramsey, December 14th 228 
 
 Requests his attendance in Philadelphia. 
 
 General Phillips to Sir Henry Clinton, December 20th 229 
 
 Submits a scheme of exchanges — Suggests a conference with the Ameri- 
 cans — Officers to be released on parole — Is ready to serve. 
 
 From Major-General Greene, December 21st 230 
 
 Sherburne's claims of rank — The proposed meeting with Phillips — Do- 
 minion of ignorance and prejudice — Want of money — Arnold's trial. 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Huntington, December 24th 231 
 
 Progress of hutting at Morristown — Uniform and scarlet coats — A duel 
 between Livingston and Van Zandt — Money good for nothing. 
 
 Sir Henry Clinton to Major-General Phillips, December 24th 232 
 
 Agrees to the conference on an exchange. 
 
 To Major-General Phillips, December 25th 233 
 
 Has represented his wishes towards an exchange — Is about to go into 
 Jersey. 
 
 Major-General Phillips to Colonel Magaw, &c, December 25th 234 
 
 As to the exchange — Some political observations — The sad alternative — 
 Cannot agree to what is undignified. 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Huntington, December 29th 235 
 
 On forwarding clothing — The proposition for exchange laid before 
 Washington — Settling depreciation. 
 Proposition for an exchange 236 
 
 1780. 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Huntington, January 6th 240 
 
 In distress for meat — Good conduct of the men — Clothing drawn — Re- 
 ported capture of Pensacola. 
 
 From Aaron Burr, January 4th 241 
 
 His rumored happy prospect. 
 
CONTENTS OF VOL. II. xv 
 
 PAGE 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Huntington, January 22d 242 
 
 Progress of hutting — Trial of Arnold — Beatty to be court-martialed — 
 Clothing accounts — Staten Island. 
 
 Mr. Platt to Joseph Webb, January 30th 243 
 
 A meeting on prices. 
 
 From Captain Walker, February 6th 244 
 
 Good condition of the regiment — Sufferings of the army — Clothing — A 
 general wish for his presence. 
 
 From Samuel Alleyne Otis, February nth 246 
 
 Messages and their reception — Courtship of Morris — Assembly. 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Huntington, February 16th 247 
 
 Clothing and recruiting — Assemblies — Cold weather. 
 
 From His Officers on Long Island, February 24th 249 
 
 In want of supplies. 
 
 From Jonathan Williams, February 24th 249 
 
 Wine for the General — Reported rising in Ireland — Correspondence 
 desired. 
 
 From Captain Walker, February 27th 250 
 
 Ideas on recruiting — Parsons' proposition — The regiment on a good 
 footing. 
 
 From Major Tallmadge, March 6th 25 1 
 
 Recognition of the regiment — Proceedings of the Assembly. 
 
 Instructions to St. Clair, Carrington and Hamilton, March 8th 253 
 
 Negotiating a cartel. 
 
 From Colonel Beatty, March — 254 
 
 Meeting of the commissioners at Amboy — The accounts an obstacle to 
 the success of the negotiation. 
 
 From William Erskine, March 25th 255 
 
 The gayeties of Philadelphia. 
 
 From Joseph Barrell, March 30th 255 
 
 A wish for his freedom — The successes of privateers — Congress and the 
 paper money. 
 
 Washington to the President of Congress, March 31st 256 
 
 The Amboy meeting unsuccessful — Initiative of the French minister- 
 Does not wish to decide in the matter. 
 
 From Captain Bulkley, April 30th 258. 
 
 In want of cash — Desires a horse — Cannot maintain the character of an 
 officer on the supplies afforded. 
 
 From Thomas Wooster, May 12th 260 
 
 Wishes a commission, and a discharge from General Washington — Would 
 not have left the regiment had Webb not been captured. 
 
XVI 
 
 CONTENTS OF VOL. II. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 From Manning Merrill, May 15th 26 ° 
 
 The Hawk and her prizes— Re-election of Governor Trumbull. 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Blagden, May 25th 261 
 
 Reasons for retiring from service— Wishes to be again engaged. 
 
 Joseph Webb to a Committee from Congress, June 2d 262 
 
 An offer for a tanning contract. 
 Arrangement of Officers, June 5th 264 
 
 Joseph Webb to Governor Trumbull, June nth 264 
 
 Distresses of the army — Time for great exertion. 
 Joseph Webb to a Committee from Congress, June 14th 265 
 
 The State will exert itself to raise supplies for the army — The tanning 
 proposition — A better system wanted. 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Morris, June 1 7th 266 
 
 A medium for correspondence — Position of the enemy. 
 Joshua Loring to Major Skinner, June 21st 267 
 
 A proposition for an exchange of prisoners. 
 From Major-General Greene, July 4th 268 
 
 Courtesy to Mrs. Greene — Matrimony — Movements of Sir Henry 
 Clinton — Congress dreaming — The committee of Congress in camp. 
 From Major Tallmadge, July 6th 270 
 
 Credit due to Connecticut — Governor Clinton praised — Reported arrival 
 of the French fleet. 
 Washington to the President of Congress, July 10th 271 
 
 Reasons for an exchange of prisoners — Exchange of privates unfavor- 
 able in a political view — Exchange of Lincoln. 
 Washington to Abraham Skinner, July 12th 273 
 
 A proposition from the British on prisoners — Colonel Webb must be 
 released on the certificate. 
 To Joseph Barrell, July 16th 274 
 
 Is embarking for Newport — It may be worth his while to join him. 
 From Lewis Morris, Jr. July 22d 275 
 
 A letter forwarded — Imprudence in visiting Newport. 
 
 Arrangement of Webb's Regiment, July 23d 276 
 
 Washington to Abraham Skinner, July 24th 277 
 
 The proposition for an exchange — Privates cannot be connected with 
 officers — Prisoners in New York — Directions respecting Duportail and 
 Burgoyne. 
 
 From Joseph Webb, July 25th 278 
 
 Hides from the French Camp — Wadsworth's attitude. 
 
CONTENTS OF VOL. II. xvii 
 
 PAGE 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Huntington, August 19th 279 
 
 Uneasiness in the army — His regiment insufficiently officered — Promo- 
 tions — Short of light. 
 
 Washington to the President of Congress, August 24th 280 
 
 Exchange of officers — A meeting between Lincoln and Phillips — Bur- 
 goyne and the American colonels — The special cases of Colonel Webb and 
 Lieut.-Col. Ramsey. 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Huntington, August 30th 281 
 
 Two duels — Commissions still wanting — A forage for the starved army — 
 Great want of meat — Paper money not worth a straw — A new system 
 needed. 
 
 Washington to Major-General Lincoln, September 10th. , , < . 28*3 
 
 The interview with General Phillips — Hopes to extend the rule of, ex- 
 change — Mr. Skinner will attend. 
 
 Washington to Abraham Skinner, September 1 7th 285 
 
 Objects of his mission — A wide principle of exchange — A rule of com- 
 position — The release of Duportail — Colonel Webb's situation and just 
 claims to be exchanged — Violators of parole — Lieut.-Col. Stacey— A report 
 to be made. 
 
 Abraham Skinner to Joshua Loring, September 21st. ... ., 287 
 
 A proposition to exchange all officers — Special cases. 
 
 Joshua Loring to Abraham Skinner, September 22d 288 
 
 Privates must be included in the exchange — Previous negotiations in the 
 matter — A counter proposition — The troops of Convention — Alternative, if 
 no exchange takes place. 
 
 Major-General Lincoln to Washington, September 25th 291 
 
 No exchange likely, while confined to officers — A great objection re- 
 moved — Reasons in favor of an exchange — Bad effects upon the recruiting 
 service — Possible removal of the prisoners. 
 
 From Major Tallmadge, September 30th 293 
 
 Arnold's treason — Andre's hard position — Not taken under a flag— His 
 marriage. 
 
 From Lieutenant- Colonel Huntington, October 1st 297 
 
 The flight of Arnold — Capture of Andre — Nothing said of a general ex- 
 change—Messages. 
 
 From Richard Cary, October 1st 298 
 
 Hopes to attend his marriage. 
 
 From Abraham Skinner, October 1st 299 
 
 Lincoln's letter to Washington — Wishes his influence — Prisoners may be 
 sent to Halifax. 
 
CONTENTS OF VOL. II. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 From Major-General Howe, October 3d 300 
 
 Why Captain Webb should not resign. 
 
 Washington to Abraham Skinner, October 7th 300 
 
 Is willing to include privates in the exchange — Particular exchanges — 
 Colonel Webb's position — Business to be expedited. 
 
 To Governor Livingston, October 16th 302 
 
 Mrs. Bancker's wish to visit New York — A permit requested. 
 
 Report of a Committee of Congress, October 16th 302 
 
 On exchange of prisoners. 
 
 To Joseph Barrell, October 29th 304 
 
 His marriage with Miss Bancker — Why his intentions had not been an- 
 nounced — Is to be exchanged. 
 
 From Major Tallmadge, November 4th 307 
 
 The new establishment of the army — Officers inclined to resign — Should 
 repair to camp — Many matters to be determined — Sheldon is acquitted. 
 
 Proposition for an Exchange, November 4th 308 
 
 To Joseph Webb, November 13th 309 
 
 Failure of letters — Washington congratulates him upon his release — The 
 new arrangement — Hopes for a leave of absence — The new officers. 
 
 From Joseph Barrell, November 20th 311 
 
 Congratulations on his marriage. 
 
 Washington to General Clinton, November 20th 312 
 
 Is authorized to enter into a general exchange of prisoners — Payment of 
 accounts. 
 
 From James Seagrove, November 25th 313 
 
 His esteem not lessened — A prisoner on parole — Personal. 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Huntington, November 27th 314 
 
 Social activity at Wethersfield — Is again arranged in the army — Winter 
 quarters. 
 
 From Major-General Howe, November 27th 315 
 
 Congratulations — As to brother Jack. 
 To Joseph Barrell, December 27th 316 
 
 A married man — Is finally exchanged. 
 
 1781. 
 
 From Samuel Alleyne Otis, January 2d , 318 
 
 Why he did not prolong his visit. 
 
 Orders on Rejoining his Regiment, February 7th 319 
 
 To Major-General Parsons, February 7th 320 
 
 Men fit to be discharged. 
 
CONTENTS OF VOL. II. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 From Major-General Parsons, February 7th 321 
 
 Permission to discharge the men. 
 From Captain Bulkley, February 16th 321 
 
 Reduced circumstances — Officers ordered to Camp — Why he cannot at- 
 tend. 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, February 18th 323 
 
 Would like to be enrolled in the Connecticut line — No objection thus 
 far raised. 
 
 From Alexander Hamilton, February 22d 324 
 
 Will use his best endeavor to secure his wish. 
 From Alexander Hamilton, March 2d 324 
 
 Leave granted under a condition. 
 To Major-General Heath, March 3d 324 
 
 Why he was compelled to leave camp — Hopes the reasons will be laid 
 before the General. 
 To Major-General Parsons, March 7th 326 
 
 His absence excusable — Wishes to avoid criticism — A free statement of 
 the reasons. 
 From John Philips, March 21st 329 
 
 Evils of the recruiting service — A Connecticut trick — Intelligence — Con- 
 duct of the Assembly — His officers' movements. 
 From James Seagrove, March 25th 330 
 
 Intelligence from the southern army — Losses at St. Eustatius — Wishes 
 a horse. 
 From Colonel Moylan, March 28th 332 
 
 Is to go to Lancaster — An engagement between the fleets. 
 From Governor Clinton, April 3d 332 
 
 Reasons for refusing a pass to Mrs. Bancker. 
 From Major Wyllys, April 4th 333 
 
 No fault found with him — Distribution of recruits — Inoculation — Offi- 
 cers of the regiment. 
 From Lieutenant Parsons, April 6th 334 
 
 Is obliged to resign. 
 From Major Wyllys, April 18th 335 
 
 His presence in camp much needed — Intercepted letters. 
 
 Proceedings of a court-martial, May 7th 336 
 
 From Major-General Parsons, May 7th 336* 
 
 Record of Collier's trial defective — Escorts for provisions and prisoners. 
 From Ensign Booth, May 14th 337 
 
 Why he cannot continue in service — His resignation enclosed. 
 
CONTENTS OF VOL. II. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The conference between Washington and Rochambeau at Wethers- 
 field 339 
 
 From William S. Livingston, May 28th 341 
 
 News from the Southern army — Mutiny in the Pennsylvania line — Cool- 
 ness of Wayne. 
 
 From Richard Demery, June 5th 342 
 
 Begs for assistance. 
 
 Washington to Joseph Webb, June 17th 343 
 
 Sends measure for boots — Sickness of Mrs. Washington — High sense of 
 his attention. 
 
 From Doctor Henry Latimer, June 19th 343 
 
 Directions for inoculation. 
 
 To Joseph Webb, June 27th 344 
 
 Low condition of Mrs. Webb — Hetty's return — Cannot leave his regi- 
 ment till the end of the campaign — Backwardness of Connecticut in aiding 
 the army — The action of the assembly kept secret. 
 
 To Lieutenant-Colonel Tilghman, July 1 ith 347 
 
 Loss of officers. 
 To Jeremiah Wadsworth, July 1 3th 347 
 
 Desires a permit for Mrs. Bancker from Gov. Trumbull. 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, July 16th 348 
 
 Permission to leave camp. 
 Memorial to the Governor and Council of Connecticut, July 20th . . . 348 
 
 Application for a permit for Mrs. Bancker. 
 
 To Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, August 3d 349 
 
 . His controversy with Smith — Wishes an inquiry — Grounds for his rank. 
 From Joseph Webb, August 4th 35 1 
 
 The permit for Mrs. Bancker — Personal. 
 To the Board of General Officers, August nth 352 
 
 His rank. 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, August 18th 358 
 
 Every exertion will be made in his interest. 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, August 22d 359 
 
 Unable to pay him a visit — His controversy with Swift. 
 From Mr. Joseph Webb, August 31st 359 
 
 Sickness of Mrs. Webb — Family matters. 
 From Governor Livingston, August 31st 361 
 
 A pass for Mrs. Webb — Cannot issue a permit to Mrs. Bancker. 
 To Governor Clinton, September 3d 361 
 
 Necessity for Mrs. Webb's removal — Governor Livingston's refusal. 
 
CONTENTS OF VOL. II. xxi 
 
 PAGE 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, September 7th 363 
 
 Arrival of the French fleet— Cornwallis to be surrounded— Capture of 
 Lord Rawdon. 
 
 From Brigadier-General Huntington, September 16th 363 
 
 No permit to a citizen without a recommendation from the Governor. 
 
 From Captain Bulkley, September 17th 364 
 
 Arnold's attack upon New London. 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, September 23d 365 
 
 The advance upon Cornwallis. 
 
 To Joseph Webb, October 5th 365 
 
 Anxiety on Mrs. Webb's account— Is to sail for Connecticut— Reports 
 of Greene's victory. 
 
 To William Smith, October 5th 367 
 
 Application for a flag. 
 
 From Major John Adam, October 6th 368 
 
 Name of sloop — Movements of the enemy. 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, October 10th 369 
 
 Death of Scammell — Progress of the siege. 
 
 To William Smith, October 17th 370 
 
 The flag delayed. 
 From William Smith, October 22d 371 
 
 All obstacles removed. 
 From Abraham Skinner, October 25th 372 
 
 The pass and some turkeys. 
 
 # 
 From Captain Williams. November 2d 372 
 
 Celebrating the capture of Cornwallis — Regimental matters — Rumored 
 
 return of the British fleet. 
 
 From Captain John Webb, November 9th 373 
 
 Camp news. 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Barrell, November 25th 374 
 
 Death of Mrs. Webb. 
 From Captain Williams, November 30th 375 
 
 Letter of condolence — Questions concerning the regiment — Regulations 
 on furloughs. 
 
 From William S. Livingston, December 5th 377 
 
 Sympathy for his loss. 
 From Captain Williams, December 9th 378 
 
 Affairs of the regiment. 
 
xxii CONTENTS OF VOL. II. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 1782. 
 
 To Joseph Barrell, January 4th 379 
 
 Is grateful for his sympathy — Is seeking patience and resignation — Axi 
 unexpected visit from Mrs. Cary. 
 
 From Captain Hopkins, January 9th 382 
 
 Regimental matters. 
 
 From Captain Walker, January 13th 383 
 
 The question of rank — Against his leaving the service. 
 
 From Captain John Webb, February 3d 384 
 
 Has suffered ill treatment. 
 
 From Captain Betts, February — 385 
 
 The regiment needs a higher officer. 
 
 From Major-General Heath, February 4th 386 
 
 The presence of a field-officer required. 
 
 From Richard Cary, February 21st 386 
 
 Some enclosures — Personal. 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Huntington, March 16th 387 
 
 The regiment — Resolutions of the Assembly. 
 
 To Evert Bancker, March 17th ^ 
 
 Death of Mrs. Webb. 
 
 From Captain Walker, March 28th 390 
 
 Some matters concerning the regiment. 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Trumbull, April 15th 391 
 
 A salmon for the General — Invitation. 
 
 From Lord Stirling, April 23d 291 
 
 Sands' contract. 
 
 To Governor Trumbull, May 1st 392 
 
 A surgeon to be appointed. 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Huntington, May 4th 393 
 
 Regimental concerns — Rumors of peace. 
 
 From Barnabas Deane, May 14th 394 
 
 The mutiny in camp — Mismanagement in every department — Persecu- 
 tions for opinion — Deane's letter to Governor Trumbull. 
 
 From Captain Rogers, May 17th 398 
 
 The mutiny — Rewards to officers. 
 From Richard Varick, May 18th 399 
 
 Wants a man as a servant. 
 
CONTENTS OF VOL. II. xxiii 
 
 I'AGE 
 
 From Joseph Barrell, May 19th 359 
 
 Hopes it is the last campaign —Personal loss — Intelligence on naval con- 
 cerns — Investments. 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Huntington, June 3d 401 
 
 Recruiting regulations on size — Death of Colonel Durkee — A celebration 
 — Half-pay to officers. 
 
 From Major-General Howe, June 6th 403 
 
 Some fish wanted for the General's entertainment. 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Trumbull, June 13th 403 
 
 Invitation for the General. 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Huntington, June 20th 404 
 
 Rules for mustering — A regimental inquiry — Promotions — Women more 
 zealous in recruiting than men — A suggestion. 
 
 To Major-General Heath, June 29th 406 
 
 Recommending some discharges. 
 
 From Lord Stirling, July 6th 406 
 
 Ground to be examined for his tent — Approbation of the General. 
 
 To Joseph Barrell, August 4th 407 
 
 Introducing young Craik — Trial of McDougall — Uncertain operations 
 — Personal. 
 From Mr. Jackson, August 19th 4°8 
 
 A servant wanted. 
 From Captain John Webb, August 21st 4°9 
 
 Seizure of the vessel. 
 From Joseph Webb, August 23d 4^9 
 
 Circumstances of the seizure — Governor feels hurt — Hopes of the Say- 
 brook pirates — What is the practice. 
 To Colonel Timothy Pickering, August 26th 4 1 2 
 
 Some wagons and teams required. 
 From Colonel Timothy Pickering, August 27th 4 l 3 
 
 Will satisfy his wants. 
 From Colonel Stewart, September 3d 4 1 3 
 
 An inspection to be had — Washington to be present. 
 To General Washington, September 4th 4*4 
 
 Arrangement of the regiments — Errors in provision department. 
 From Adjutant-General Hand, September 6th 4* 6 
 
 A standard sent. 
 From Major David Smith, September 7th 4*6 
 
 Intelligence of the enemy's movements. 
 
xxiv CONTENTS OF VOL. II. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 From Joseph Webb, September 14th 417 
 
 Cruelly used — Lieutenant-Colonel Huntington — Naval affairs. 
 Joseph Webb to Governor Trumbull, September 17th 418 
 
 Trial of his case — Sympathy for him — His services. 
 From General Washington, September 24th 419 
 
 The Light Infantry to move. 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Humphreys, September 26th 419 
 
 Orders for the march — Secrecy enjoined. 
 To General Washington, October 1st 420 
 
 Calls attention to a dangerous and unmilitary practice. 
 From Joseph Webb, October 1st 421 
 
 Gains his cause — Many questions — Supplies. 
 From Frederick Jay, October 7th 422 
 
 Is not coming to Wethersfield — Wishes some employment. 
 From General Washington, October 7th 423 
 
 Questions the propriety of Captain Webb's expedition. 
 To General Washington, October 8th 424 
 
 Answer to his question — Captain Webb's report. 
 To Joseph Barrell, October 8th 426 
 
 Neglected correspondence — In command of the Light Infantry — Ingrati- 
 tude of the army. 
 From General Washington, October 25th 428 
 
 Orders for the Light Infantry. 
 
 From Major Dexter, November 2d ." 429 
 
 Note of farewell. 
 To General Washington, November 8th 430 
 
 Wishes some changes in the officers — Desires.to attend to the affairs of 
 his regiment — Leave of absence. 
 From General Washington, November nth 432 
 
 Cannot interfere in the arrangement — Leave granted. 
 From General Washington, November 19th 432 
 
 Order for details. 
 Instructions for Colonel Webb, November 22d 433 
 
 A convention for the redress of grievances. 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Tilghman, November 26th 434 
 
 Intelligence and informers. 
 
 From General Washington, December 2d • • • 434 
 
 To protect a foraging party. 
 
 To Major-General Huntington, December 2d 435 
 
 On the numbers of the regiments. 
 
CONTENTS OF VOL. II. xxv 
 
 PAGB 
 
 Major-General Knox to Colonel Swift, December 6th 436 
 
 A memorial from the officers to Congress. 
 From Captain Carlile, December 7th 436 
 
 On leaving the service. 
 
 Colonels Swift and Webb to General Washington, December nth. . . 437 
 
 The numbering of the regiments. 
 From Major-General McDougall, December 15th 439 
 
 A man for a servant wanted. 
 
 Arrangement of Regiments, December 19th 439 
 
 From Lieutenant-Colonel Smith 440 
 
 Exceedingly busy — Latin and French — Will remain at Head Quarters. 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 PAGI 
 
 Alexander Hamilton Frontispiece 
 
 From a portrait by John Trumbull, in the possession of Hon. John Jay. 
 Governor and Mrs. Jonathan Trumbull I2 
 
 From a very early painting by John Trumbull, in the possession of Mrs. 
 Huntington, of Norwich, Connecticut. 
 Letter of Amos Bull 90 
 
 From the Webb MSS. 
 Flat Bush Gazette 142 
 
 From the Webb. MSS. I believe this to be in the script of Col. Webb. 
 Letter of George Baylor 152 
 
 From the Webb MSS. 
 Letter of James Watson 160 
 
 From the Webb MSS. 
 Letter of Joshua Loring 169 
 
 From the Webb MSS. 
 Letter of General GatesI 176 
 
 From the Webb MSS. 
 Jeremiah Wadsworth and his Son 208 
 
 From a painting by John Trumbull, in the possession of Mrs. Adams. 
 Letter of Aaron Burr 241 
 
 From the Webb MSS. 
 Ebenezer Huntington 264 
 
 From a portrait by John Trumbull. 
 Letter of General Greene 268 
 
 From the Webb MSS. 
 Letter of General Howe 300 
 
 From the Webb MSS. 
 William Stephen Smith 323 
 
 From a portrait by John Trumbull. 
 The Webb House at Wethersfield 339 
 
 From a photograph taken in 1892. 
 Letter of William S. Smith 359 
 
 From the Webb MSS. 
 
 (xxvii) 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Letter of William Livingston 361 
 
 From the Webb MSS. 
 Letter of Jedediah Huntington 363 
 
 From the Webb MSS. 
 
 Alexander Scammell 369 
 
 Letter of Richard Cary 386 
 
 From the Webb MSS. 
 Letter of Lord Stirling 406 
 
 From the Webb MSS. 
 Uniform of Regiments 439 
 
 From the Webb MSS. 
 
THE CORRESPONDENCE 
 
 OF 
 
 SAMUEL BLACHLEYWEBB. 
 
 FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Valley Forge, Jany 8*h, 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 I was this Evening favored with your Letter of the 29^ ult? I had 
 heard before of your unfortunate expedition & captivity, and not 
 without concern. 
 
 It would give me pleasure to render you any services in my 
 power, but it is impossible for me to comply with your request, 
 without violating the principles of Justice and incurring a charge of 
 partiality. 
 
 You are sensible, that we have several officers now in captivity 
 with the Enemy of your Rank and of Lieu 1 . Col? Campbell's Rank, 
 who have been in this unhappy situation much longer than you : 
 some taken when General Thompson was defeated at the Three 
 Rivers early in 1775 — others at Long Island in August following — 
 others at Fort Washington and a further number at the Battle of 
 German Town. These gentlemen would surely exclaim loudly 
 against my conduct and with reason, were any distinctions to be 
 made by my concurrence or authority to their prejudice. So far as 
 Exchanges have depended on me, or as they may rest with me, they 
 have been and ever will be conducted on one principle, to wit, to 
 release those first, who were first captured, as far as circumstances 
 
2 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 of Rank would apply. There is no other rule by which equal and 
 impartial justice can be done. 
 
 I know there have been some Exchanges contrary to this rule, but 
 they were not made with my privity, consent or approbation. In a 
 word, you may rest assured whenever circumstances put it in my 
 power to effect your Exchange & that of all the officers and privates, 
 under the Restrictions I have mentioned, there shall not be a mo- 
 ment's delay on my part, but on other terms, or in a different order, 
 you will find on reflection, I can never do it. Suppose yourself for 
 an Instant an Officer taken at any of the above periods, you would 
 consider it an injury — a wrong — an act of high injustice done you, 
 If one captured the io* h of December last of your Rank was ex- 
 changed for you. Perhaps on your return, you may have interest 
 enough with your Acquaintances to obtain your release on parole, 
 but you cannot do this on a principle of having an officer sent in on 
 the like indulgence, the objections to an Enlargement on parole out 
 of due course in such case being the same as to an Exchange. 
 I am 
 
 D' Sir 
 Your most obedient Servant 
 
 G? Washington. 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL CAMPBELL. 
 
 Concord, 8th January, 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 Previous to your favour of the 16* Ulti? which only reached me 
 this evening, I took the liberty of acquainting you that the friends 
 of Col? Ethan Allen, have had it many months in contemplation, 
 his exchange in my behalf; but from certain obstructions, which I 
 understand originated from Governor Tryon, the release of that 
 Gentleman has hitherto been obstructed. 
 
 By a want of Power and Interest, the friends of Col? Allen have 
 not been able to obtain from the Council of Boston, my permission 
 to go on Parole to the City of New York, where I might accomplish 
 for him, what I find my efforts at this distance are too feeble to 
 
SAMUEL B LAC H LEY WEBB. 
 
 effect ; and there is now not the smallest hope of our mutual ex- 
 change taking place. 
 
 Under such circumstances, I am naturally led to bend my atten- 
 tion to you Sir, and to accept with pleasure and Satisfaction, the 
 well meant Proposition of my friend Major Morrison. If any exer- 
 tions in my power can facilitate that business I shall think myself 
 happy in the attempt. The Difference of Rank seems to be the 
 only possible objection on the part of the British : on the side of 
 America, there can be none ; But as there is not of your rank, an 
 officer of the British Army, a Prisoner of War in the hands of the 
 Americans ; and as chance has placed me, the first officer of superior 
 rank for exchange ; there is good reason to believe, the matter will 
 meet with no material obstruction, but what a Personal application 
 on my part may effectually remove ; especially, as it appears by the 
 contents of the letter and Parole you did me the honour to inclose, 
 that General Pigot has already been pleased to accede to the agree- 
 ment. 
 
 In the mean time Sir, I should esteem it a singular favour you 
 would use your best endeavours with the Council of Boston for my 
 immediate permission to go to Newport on Parole ; that I may be 
 able to settle that matter in such a manner as to prevent any possi- 
 ble embarrassments in that quarter. 
 
 A request of this nature when stated by an American Officer of 
 your character, who has already experienced the salutary effects of 
 such an indulgence cannot fail to carry with it the most powerful 
 conviction of its justice and propriety, and even lead the most scru- 
 pulous to honour it with their complience. It is not you Sir that 
 will reap the sole benefit of such attention, but all whom the fortunes 
 of War may hereafter place into the hands of the British troops. 
 The instances of similar acts of indulgences having been extended to 
 Colo 1 . 5 Miles, and Haussigger, to Lieu 1 . Colo 1 . 8 Kachline, Moulton, and 
 Lutz, are sufficient instances to prove that acts of generosity in this 
 respect are not uncommon from the British to the field officers Pris- 
 oners of War in their hands. 
 
 Should Congress and General Washington approve of our mutual 
 exchange, the matter (in case I am permitted to go immediately on 
 Parole to Rhode Island) will be brought to a speedy issue ; should 
 they not happen to accede to it, and that it may be your desire to 
 
4 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OE 
 
 lengthen your stay in Connecticut, I shall by personal application to 
 General Pigot prolong, and by remaining there your substitute, con- 
 firm an absence. 
 
 I have the honour to be with great respect 
 
 Sir, 
 Your most obedient and 
 very humble Servant 
 
 Arch? Campbell 
 Lieut. Colo 1 . 71 s . 1 Reg* * 
 
 FROM ROBERT WALKER. 
 
 Stratford, i 6 January, 1778. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 I condole with you for your misfortune : hope Sir you will not be 
 long in that disagreeable situation : my Brother informs me that M r . 
 Broome has a Privateer called Washington, the 1-32 part he will sell 
 to the officers in the service : further informs that you are about to 
 purchase s<? Part. Should you, my brother & self have a desire to 
 join you, to the amount of four hundred pounds in s<* purchase. 
 Your Statements upon the matter, & upon what terms s4 part is to be 
 
 * From the collection of Dr. John S. H. Fogg, of Boston. 
 
 Archibald Campbell (1739-179 1 ) was a son of James Campbell of Inverneil. 
 He entered the army in 1757, holding a commission as Captain in the Fraser 
 Highlanders, when Simon Fraser (Lord Lovat's son) raised that regiment for 
 service in America u by special license from the King on the recommendation of 
 Mr. Pitt." He served through the campaign, was wounded before Quebec, and 
 after the disbanding of the Fraser Highlanders, he was promoted to Lieutenant- 
 Colonel in the 42d Highlanders, serving in India. Returning to England in 1773, 
 he was elected a member of Parliament, but again entered the service on the 
 outbreak of the American Revolution, and was again in Fraser's Highlanders. 
 While on his way to America he was carried into Boston harbor after the city had 
 passed into Washington's hands, and so became a prisoner, with about two hun- 
 dred and ten of his men. He was described by General Ward as " a member of 
 Parliament, and a gentleman of fortune." In the year 1777 he was exchanged 
 for Ethan Allen, received an appointment as Brigadier General, and did meritorious 
 service in Georgia. He returned to England in 1778, and in later years, as Gov- 
 ernor of Jamaica and Madras, he acquitted himself with honor. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 5 
 
 purchased, & when she is to sail will oblige us. Have not to add. 
 My brother's compliments to yourself, Brother & Family. I am &c 
 
 Robert Walker.* 
 P. S. I would like to have one hundred pounds of the above sum 
 in another Bottom if you think proper. 
 
 FROM ROBERT WALKER. 
 
 Stratford, 23 January, 1778. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 Yours by M* Putnam came safe to hand, am sorry we can't make 
 a purchase in the Washington Privateer, from the character I have 
 heard of her. But however, our books tell us the Race is not to the 
 swift nor the battle to the strong. As M* Broome has several others 
 for sale, am willing to purchase to the amount of four hundred 
 pounds L [awful] money in any one, or more, as you may think 
 proper. I suppose Sir you have heard or know the situation of 
 those for sale, & which is most likely to do well. Should think the 
 sooner they sail the better, as the risk is not so great off & on the 
 Coasts. If my business had permitted, should have done myself the 
 pleasure to have made you a visit, but time would not admit of it, 
 as I expect to return to Camp next week : shall leave the matter 
 wholly to you, Sir, and rest satisfied with what you do in the affair. 
 If you will take the Trouble, Sir, you'll greatly oblige your friend 
 & Humble servant Robert Walker. 
 
 N. B. Would rather chuse to put the sum in two bottoms — not 
 less.f My mother, sister & brother's compliments to Col? Webb & 
 Family : not forgetting Mrs. Dwights & mine. 
 
 * Walker had entered the service in 1775, and as a Lieutenant in Wooster's 
 regiment had gone to Canada. In 1776, as a captain in Colonel Samuel Elmore's 
 regiment, he took the field in July under Schuyler, and marching into Tryon 
 county, did garrison duty at Fort Schuyler (Fort Stanwix). At this time he was 
 at West Point, a captain in Colonel John Lamb's Artillery. 
 
 t Even Washington was concerned in privateering, with John Parke Custis, 
 George Baylor, and Lund Washington. Writings of Washington, vi., 197. 
 
6 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 TO MAJOR-GENERAL HEATH. 
 
 Wethersfield in Connecticut 
 Jan^y 25^ 1778. 
 Dear General 
 
 Thro : the carelessness of some person your kind 
 letter of the 25* Ult™° reached me only this Evening, 
 I am exceedingly obliged for the Sentiments it con- 
 tained, and your attention to my situation, but much I 
 fear it can be of little service towards the facilitateing 
 my exchange, — General Washington in a letter just 
 come to hand says "with pleasure he would consent to 
 my immediate exchange for LA Col° Campbell, but that 
 many Officers of my Rank have been much longer 
 Prisoners, and would with Justice complain of parti- 
 ality, should he consent" — my only chance left is, that 
 the Enemy may accept U. Col° Lawrence of the New 
 Corps for me, he has gone in on Parole to endeavor 
 it. — Wishing you long Life and felicity I am my Dear 
 General with the warmest thanks, and Sentiments of 
 Esteem — 
 
 Your obliged friend 
 & Most Obed 1 . 
 Hum 1 ? 1 Serv 1 . 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 Compliments to Majors Pollard and Keith, their 
 forwarding the enclosed lett r . to Col° Campbell will 
 much oblige me.* 
 
 * From the Heath Collection in the Massachusetts Historical Society. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO MAJOR-GENERAL PUTNAM. 
 
 [25 January, 1778.] 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 I was yesterday favor'd with your Letter of 15* Instant inclosing 
 a return of those taken from Col? Webbs & Ellis's Regiments. 
 
 I begin to be very Apprehensive that the Season will entirely pass 
 away, before any thing Material will be done for the defence of 
 Hudsons river — You are well acquainted with the great necessity 
 there is for having the works there finished as soon as possible, & I 
 most earnestly desire that the strictest attention may be paid to 
 every matter which may contribute to finishing & putting them in a 
 respectable State before the Spring. 
 
 I wish you had not waited for returns of the Militia to furnish me 
 with a State of the troops in that quarter — & if you do not get them 
 in, before you receive this, you will please let me have an Accurate 
 return of the Continental troops alone, it being absolutely necessary 
 that I should know the strength of your command as soon as 
 possible. 
 
 I congratulate you on the Success of your two little parties against 
 the Enemy — which I dare say will prevent their making so exten- 
 sive Excursions for Some time at least. One circumstance however 
 I cannot avoid taking Notice of — that Our Officers who have been 
 but a very short time in the Enemy's hands reap the advantages cf 
 any Captures wch happen to be made by us — this must not be prac- 
 tiz'd in future, as it is the height of Injustice & will (if continued) 
 draw upon us the just censure of the Officers who have been for a 
 long time Suffering all the Rigors of a Severe Captivity — The proper 
 Mode of proceeding is, to deliver them into the Hands of the Com- 
 missary of Prisoners, who Must be best acquainted with the pro- 
 priety of Complying with the Claims of our Officers in their hands. 
 
 I shall represent your Situation in the Money Way to the Pay- 
 master Gen 1 . & order such measures to be taken as May relieve you. 
 
 I am Sir 
 Your Most Obed 1 . Serv*. 
 
 G? Washington. 
 
8 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 THOMAS MUMFORD TO PHILIP DUMARESQ.* 
 
 Hartford, 29 January, 1778. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 I had Occation Lately to write you & solicit favors for my son 
 Giles Mumford, an Ensign in Col? Saml B. Webb's Regiment, who 
 had the Misfortune to be Captivated with his Colonel &c. &c. I 
 depend on your goodness to Render him every assistance which he 
 may need. 
 
 The Bearer of this, Col? Sam 1 . B. Webb, was at the Head of the 
 Regiment to which my said son Belongs. He is an intimate friend 
 & particular acquaintance of mine. As he expects soon to return to 
 New York a prisoner, I have the Assurance to Recommend him to 
 you as a Gentleman of Delicate Sentiment, induced by the strong- 
 est Ties of Honor from which he cannot Depart (tho' some among 
 you may Denominate him a Rebel). Give me leave to Recommend 
 him to your notice & Civility (tho' a prisoner). I wish him to par- 
 take of your Liberality with my son, and assure you his Bills on me 
 shall meet due honor for what you kindly advance him. If any of 
 your friends & acquaintance meet the same Reverse of fortune I 
 shall be Happy to Retaliate your (solicited) favour, & am, D r . S r . , 
 your old friend &c. 
 
 Tho! Mumford. 
 
 FROM BRIGADIER-GENERAL PARSONS. 
 
 Fishkill 8* Feby 1778. 
 Dear Col? : 
 
 I rec'd your Kind Letter of y? 3? Ins 1 , this Evening on my Return 
 from our mutual Friend Gov? Clinton's & have the Pleasure to assure 
 you, his opinion of you is not shaken by any Reports he has heard ; 
 if you should be exchanged I beg you to desire Major Huntington to 
 come on to Camp as soon as possible ; he is much wanted. If tis 
 possible to procure me a pencil & Ivory Book ; Buttons for a Coat, 
 Lining &? I shall be particularly obliged by your Care for me in these 
 matters. 
 
 A Declaration of War between France & England, Pitt in admin- 
 istration, a general Exchange of Prisoners very speedily & a Prohi- 
 
 * A merchant of New York. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLE\ WEBB. 
 
 bition against calling us Rebels, gain Credit here. When y? Drafts 
 are made I think twill be well to have some good Recruiting officers 
 at Home ; as there's the greatest prospect of Closing y? War next 
 Campaign our prospects of Recruiting will be increased. 
 
 All other of your Officers (unless some special Difficulties subsist) 
 & all Soldiers whose Furloughs are out I desire may be directed to 
 join immediately as the Works are of great Importance to be finished 
 early & our Labourers are few 
 
 I am dear Sir 
 
 Yr. Obed* hble Servt, 
 
 S. H. Parsons.* 
 
 FROM JOSEPH WEBB. 
 
 New Haven, Thursday Evening, i i o'clock 
 February 12th, 1778. 
 My dear Brother : 
 
 I am extreemly sorry that I cou'd not have spent a few hours with 
 you before your leaving this land of freedom for a place. I assure 
 you that I did as much as was in my power to get you Exchanged, 
 but all to no purpose. They say you gave 'em hopes of Col. Camp- 
 bell, and they can take no other. They speak much of your Gentl? 
 like Conduct towards their prisoners, & say that Every Consistent 
 Indulgence shall be given you. On your arrival at Valentine's, 
 shou'd you meet with Maj 1 : Carden, acknowledge from me his 
 politeness to Maj 1 : Huntington, &c, and I think you will find him 
 much the Gent 1 } — General Jones commands at the Bridge, who has 
 been always extreemly complaisant & civil. 
 
 On your arrival at York I wish you to go direct to M r . [Miles] Sher- 
 brooke ; it must be the first House you go to. You'll find him & 
 his Lady quite alone. — (I had engaged you lodgings at Miss Coven- 
 try's with Christopher Miller, who you'll find clever, & I wish you to 
 wait on him,) but M. 1 . Sherbrooke insists upon your taking Lodgings 
 at his House, & I know not but it will be best for many reasons. 
 For however he says he differs in sentiment, he will not say anything 
 on public matters to you. You shall live more retir'd with him than 
 other person, & that he will be your particular friend. — Col. Sherriff 
 
 * From the collection of Dr. John S. H. Fogg, of Boston. 
 
to CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 was exceeding friendly & clever, told me that shou'd you stay a few 
 days after my arrival, he wou'd take Care there shou'd no objection 
 arise or Exception taken, which makes me unhappy that I did not 
 see you before you went into York. I wanted a long Chit Chatt of 
 some hours before I parted with you. You are sensible that One 
 can not say one half they want to by Letter. — besides I have just 
 come off of a most tedious jaunt at a late hour. — I saw M? Boutinott 
 [Boudinot] in New York who hinted to me that General Washington 
 was much displeased at your asking the Exchange, when so many had 
 been so long confin'd, & you so lately taken. I made him no 
 answer. — However, he can be of service to you. It may not be 
 amiss to you to go to Pintard's, where you'll find him ; it's near Mr. 
 Sherbrook. — Col? Delancy is return'd with me, — so is Col? E/y, 
 Bulkeley & Mumford on parole, and are unhappy as myself at not 
 seeing of you. — General Robertson, his two Aides, Wymn's & Mur- 
 ray, was vastly polite to me, and deserve my particular thanks. I 
 can hardly paint to you the attention I received from General Rob- 
 ertson on Gov 1 : Trumbull's ace* , on Putnam's as well as my own. — 
 Those Civilities go beyond what any one but a feeling good Heart 
 can judge of. — In short I should not do Justice to our most worthy 
 friend Sherbrook, if I suffered a line to pass without acknowledging 
 his Family's friendly notice & regard to me — their warm Attachment 
 to our family makes me love 'em — Add to the rest, let me recomend 
 to your attention one of the most valuable Couple Mr. Jn? Atkinson 
 & his Lady, on whom I have given an Order to pay if you want 
 Twenty Guineas. 
 
 I believe General Robertson will leave you come out on parole, 
 which I prefer — but should he not, I think you will be much happier 
 on Longisland than in York, as M* Sherbrook can tell you his Chit- 
 chatt & mine about this & some other affairs. — I wish you to write 
 me as often as possible. Send me by Ballentine a Hamper Porter, 
 6 Gross Good Corks. — Tell Col. Meigs I have got him a p? of white 
 Eyelets — Ensign Mumford begs you to remember your Officer's 
 Commissions, which are, of consequence to them. Shou'd you have 
 any other Commands from his Father, He wishes it may be sent 
 back by some careful Body to the Care of M* Bears.* 
 
 * " By a Letter just received from Colo Webb who has gone into New York, 
 agreeable to his Parole, I hear his Officers Prisoners there Suffer Much for Want 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. n 
 
 I intended to have wrote you a number of Letters to our particular 
 friends, but really I am to[o] fatigue'd, sleepy & unwell, so that you 
 must Excuse it. Take the Will for the Deed, and depend I shall 
 
 constantly think of you while you are in your Cap . General 
 
 Lee is in some Expectation of coming out soon. He's allowed the 
 Liberties of the Town, & when its proper He'll be very happy to see 
 you. — We have just at this late hour agoing to set down to supper, 
 being hungry Enough I can give you my word. One & all desire 
 my mentioning Compliments, &c, &c. Delancy says he'll soon be 
 with you. — I have got the Bearer to come to you, not knowing but 
 you may want something more than I at present know of — let me 
 know & if within my grasp you'll have it. — I am as anxious for you 
 as you can wish tho : I know no one will be treated with more polite- 
 ness than yourself that they think differs so widely from them. Let 
 me caution you to refuse, forever chatting on politicks — it can be of 
 no service to yourself or Country — Mr. Chew & George Brindly took 
 much pains to please me, & will be your friend — the latter is quite 
 an agreeable family — I think however your greatest happiness will be 
 (provided you are obliged to stay) will be in your Chamber with 
 
 your Books. 
 
 [Jos : Webb.] 
 
 FROM COLONEL RETURN J. MEIGS. 
 
 Horse Neck, Feby 24th, 1778. 
 Dear Colonel: 
 
 I received your favor of the 18* ult. by the lad that returned with 
 your horses. Am much obliged for the papers, have not received 
 any from the Eastward since you left us, & when they arrive shall 
 make it my care to forward to you. 
 
 I have forwarded your letter to your friends, & believe they are 
 well. 
 
 Major Humphreys is here. General Putnam came down in a 
 sley. The small Major pushed on, I believe as far as Norwalk. Who 
 
 of their Commissions. None of that Regiment have yet been Commissioned I 
 would beg your Excellency's Direction what Date their Commissions are to have 
 and that Blanks Maybe forwarded to Commission them." — Brigadier- General 
 Parsons to General Washington, 18 February, 1778. 
 
12 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 knows but peace may soon be fixed on the Basis of Right. Every 
 friend to Virtue, on Both sides the water wish it. But at least let us 
 lessen the horrors of war by a General Exchange of Prisoners ; how 
 many anxious breasts on both Sides will in that case be unburthen'd. 
 I don't mention this on your account who have always been the 
 fav'rite of fortune, & will never want a friend. 
 
 The severe season has prevented the Eastern Mails — can't give 
 you any news until they arrive, will then send what papers come to 
 Hand, & wish the same from you if they can be obtained. Dear 
 Col. I wish you a speedy exchange, & am, your most humble serv* 
 
 R. J. Meigs. 
 
 PAROLE. 
 
 I, Samuel B. Webb, of Wethersfield in Connecticut, 
 having Leave to go to Long Island on Parole do 
 hereby pledge my Faith & Word of Honor that I will 
 not do or say any Thing contrary to the Interest of 
 his Majesty or his Government, and that I will not de- 
 part from the House I am placed in by the Commissary 
 for Prisoners nor go beyond the Bounds by him pre- 
 scribed. Given under my Hand this Twenty fifth Day 
 of February, 1778. 
 
 [Samuel B. Webb.]* 
 
 JOSEPH WEBB TO GOVERNOR TRUMBULL. 
 May it Please your Excellency : 
 
 I have been confin'd these several days or I shou'd have waited 
 on your Excellency to Know when you shou'd choose to go home, 
 as I look upon myself under particular Obligation to see you well at 
 Lebanon — Our particular Friend Jere Wadswr* h told me to make 
 my self quite easy about the matter for He had Business, plenty of 
 Horses & wou'd choose to see you home 
 
 * The signature has been torn off, and on the margin is written by Col. Webb : 
 "A new one given 14th May, 1778." 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 13 
 
 my Horses & Chariot — or Sleigh are at your service without the 
 least Ceremony, or inconvenience to me in the World, and I sincerly 
 wish you to do as it may best suit yourself — I am anxious about the 
 affair of Judd & Flyn I promised you wou'd send your Order, to 
 Newport which I hope you have done, if not it ought not to be 
 ommitted any longer — I feel a little chagrin'd about the two young 
 Lads of M T . S Winthrop, I have ask't a great Number of the first 
 people who say they cannot see it inconsistant, but a p s . of Civility 
 that may be Justly due each side & scarcely even lost. — Col. Sheriff 
 was vastly Civil in Obtaining my permitt for M r . Deane's son to go 
 first into York, then in obtaining a pass for him to England France 
 &c — long after all this was Compleated — He was Chatting with me 
 about his Sister — was anxious about her maintaining & taking Care 
 of so large a Family & started the scheme of Educating at his own 
 Expence the Two Lads — ask't me to obtain your leave, which Civil- 
 ity He wou'd much more return if ever in his power — I wish Sir you 
 may think as I do about the Affair & aid the Good Lady who will 
 readily acknowledge the Obligation — 
 
 I am your Excellency most 
 Ott H. Serv'. 
 
 Joseph Webb. 
 
 Wethersfield, 3? March, i 778.* 
 
 FROM JOSHUA LORING. 
 
 Sir: 
 
 In answer to your letter to M r . Winslow 6* h Ins 1 . I am to acquaint 
 you that General Robertson has no Objections to your going to New- 
 town, or any other place on Long Island not further distant from 
 New York than Flushing, and when you have fixed your quarters 
 you will be kind eno' to let me know 
 
 I am Sir Your Most Obd 1 . Humble Servant 
 
 Jos. Loring 
 
 New York 7* March 1778. Commiss of Pris? 
 
 Col Webb Prisoner on Parole 
 
 * From the Trumbull Papers in the Massachusetts Historical Society. 
 
i 4 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 FROM JOSHUA LORING. 
 
 New York, 9 March, 1778 
 Sir: 
 
 I have obtained Genl Robertson's leave for you to come to New 
 York, for which this will be your sufficient Pass. I am, Sir, your 
 most obd 1 . humble Serv*. 
 
 Jos. Loring 
 Comm\ s of Pris? 
 
 WASHINGTON TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. 
 
 Headquarters, Valley Forge, 
 12 March, 1778. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 I should have answered your favr. of the 14th January before this 
 time, had I not have been daily in hopes that I should have been 
 able to have given you a satisfactory account of a change of men 
 and measures in the North River Department. It has not been an 
 easy matter to find a just pretence for removing an officer from his 
 Command where his misconduct rather appears to result from want 
 of Capacity than from any real intention of doing wrong, and it is 
 therefore as you observe to be lamented that he cannot see his own 
 defects and make an honorable retreat from a Station in which he 
 only exposes his own weakness. 
 
 Proper measures are taking to carry on the enquiry into the loss 
 of Fort Montgomery agreeable to the direction of Congress, and it 
 is more than probable, from what I have heard, that the issue of that 
 
 enquiry will afford just grounds for a removal of Genl. P but 
 
 whether it does or not, the prejudices of all ranks in that quarter 
 against him are so great, that he must at all events be prevented 
 from returning.* I hope to introduce a gentleman in his place, if 
 
 * "Your Excellency is not ignorant of the extent of General Putnam's capacity 
 and diligence ; and how well soever these may qualify him for this most import- 
 ant command, the prejudices to which his imprudent lenity to the disaffected, and 
 too great intercourse with the enemy, have given rise, have greatly injured his 
 influence. How far the loss of Fort Montgomery and the subsequent ravages of 
 the enemy are to be attributed to him, I will not venture to say; as this will 
 necessarily be determined by a court of inquiry, whose determinations I would 
 not anticipate. Unfortunately for him, the current of popular opinion in this 
 
SAMUEL B LAC H LEY WEBB. i 5 
 
 the general course of service will admit of it, who will be perfectly 
 agreeable to the State and to the public. In the mean time I trust 
 that Genl. Parsons will do every thing in his power to carry on the 
 works, which from his last accounts are in more forwardness than I 
 expected. 
 
 I wish all the men on the upper part of the River had been drawn 
 down to the Highlands instead of being kept to carry on an expe- 
 dition, in which I never was consulted, but which I saw from the 
 beginning could never succeed, from a variety of Reasons which it 
 would be needless to give you or any man acquainted with the State 
 of the Country thro' which it was to have passed. Those who were 
 most sanguine I fancy now see the impracticability of it. 
 
 Peekskill and the neighboring Posts were, by Resolves of Con- 
 gress included in the Northern department, and the care of carry- 
 ing on the Works put under the direction of the Officer Command- 
 ing in that district. Genl. Gates being soon after the Resolve called 
 to the Board of War, he had no opportunity of doing any thing 
 towards it. Whether there will be any alteration in the extent of 
 the command this campaign I cannot tell, but if it falls again into 
 that department more immediately under my particular command 
 you may depend that all the attention due to posts so important 
 shall be paid to them. I am, 
 
 G? Washington. 
 
 and the neighboring States, and as far as I can learn in the troops under his 
 command, runs strongly against him. For my own part, I respect his bravery 
 and former services, and sincerely lament, that his patriotism will not suffer him 
 to take that repose, to which his advanced age and past services justly entitle 
 him." — Robert R. Livingston to Washington, 14 January, 1778. 
 
 To Governor Clinton, Washington wrote on the 12th: "The hints which you 
 were pleased to give of mismanagement in the North River command came also 
 from ^everal other hands, and did not a little embarrass me, as they contain 
 charges rather resulting from want of judgment than any real intention to do 
 wrong. It is much to be lamented that we should have officers of so high a 
 rank as to entitle them to claim separate commands with so moderate a share 
 of abilities to direct them in the execution of those commands." For an extreme 
 view of Putnam's abilities, see Dawson : 
 
16 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 FROM CHRISTOPHER MILLER. 
 
 New York, March ye nth, 1778. 
 My good Friend: 
 
 Mr. Gaine's last paper contained all the news that was in the last 
 
 Country papers. I am to sail next Sunday, if the time is put off, 
 
 I'll see you — I am this moment informed that a quarrel happen'd 
 
 last night between Col. John Bayard and a M* Burd, a West Indian, 
 
 a Lieut, in B. Reg 1 . . Burd struck John, on which John drew his 
 
 sword and Kild him on the spot — this is an unlucky affair, — the lady 
 
 present there comp^ 
 
 Your friend & humb 1 . Sarv*. 
 
 Chris? Miller.* 
 
 FROM JOSHUA LORING. 
 
 New York, 15 March, 1778. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 I yesterday made application to General Robertson for your pro- 
 posal, and had I met the same Encouragement from the Com- 
 modore everything had been settled to your Wishes, but I apprehend 
 it will now not be worth your attention, as I have this Morn'g : 
 received a letter from M* Boudinott with Gen 1 . Washington's leave 
 to go to Phil? and I am to take Gen 1 . Lee with me, and expect a 
 general exchange will immediately take place. If I can be of any 
 Service to you command me and am sir, your most obed*. Humble 
 serv* Jos^ Loring 
 
 Cemmis* Pris^ f 
 
 FROM JOSEPH WEBB. 
 
 Wethersfield, 27 March, 1778. 
 My dear Brother : 
 
 Mine by M r . Frink I hope you Received — let me repeat to you 
 
 the sensible Obligations we are under for the civil Genteel behavior 
 
 shewn you by all ranks — those attentions you have shewn to Pris- 
 
 * " General Lee goes to Philad'a by land in a few days. Mr. Lowring & Major 
 Williams goes with him— the Gen'l is freting at some simtoms of the Gout he 
 finds on him" Miller to Webb, 17 March, 1778. 
 
 t From The Lee Papers, II., 379. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 17 
 
 oners when in your Hands is I am now told most amply Return'd, 
 nothing in Life can be more pleasing to a feeling susceptible mind, 
 nor a mark of greater soul than treating a Prisoner well when in your 
 power — as well as the highest heights of good sound policy. I cou'd 
 wish to have a long circumstantial Letter from you p* the Return of 
 the Bearer M r . s Smith, who now is permitted by his Excellency Gov 1 ; 
 Trumbull to visit her aged Mother in New York. I have venturd 
 to say if she gets permission to go in she will be treated with the 
 greatest politeness from the officers of the army on both sides — I 
 have been expecting some Garden Seeds from my Friend M* Chew 
 — likewise a list of Prisoners in the Navy Department — Send me 
 both Rivington's & Gains' Papers — tell Col? Hinleyhigh his Lady 
 was yesterday with me & has lately with all her children had the 
 Small Pox — and is now anxious to go to him, but as yet she has not 
 Liberty — She much wants to hear particular from her Husband with 
 his particular Order. 
 
 Will you ask Col? Laurence how he does, & whether the ace* he 
 knows well about, is settled. — Where is Serg 1 . Ballentine — He uses 
 me excessive ill — in short the British Prisoners are in distress for 
 Clothing — I wish you would mention it to Col? Sheriff and the other 
 Officers — let Cap*. Emmerick know that the new Levies are in great 
 distress for Clothing — for Heaven's sake let the General Exchange 
 take place for the Advantage of both sides — there's been such deser- 
 tions of the Prisoners that Williams tells me he's obliged to shut 
 most of them up, which is extremely bad, & I am told of their, 
 almost as often as every other Day, breaking Prison, &c. &c. Much 
 could be said of the bad Consequences of keeping Prisoners so long 
 Confin'd. — This Lettei was to have gone by M? Jn? Smith, but thro 
 mistake did not & now will be handed you by M r . Frink or Ensign 
 Green. — Mr. Frink you know; he wants to settle with our friend 
 M r . Sherbrooke — Ensign Green has been very attentive to British 
 Prisoners & deserves merit for his Care of 'em & can tell the Neces- 
 sities & their great want of Clothes. 
 
 My most Respectfull Compliments to Mr. Sherbrooke & his Lady 
 — General Robertson & his two Aid de Camps. 
 
 I am, dear Sammy, 
 
 Your most aftf B' 
 
 J. Webb. 
 
i8 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 Lieut. Blotchen I advanced some money to is run off — if you see 
 M r . Moon, PayMaster to Gov!: [Mountfcrt] Brown I wish you or M* 
 Chew to mention it. If he's any Pay to stop it for his friend Webb 
 if consistant. 
 
 Ask M r . friend Chew again & again not to forget the Scarlet Beans, 
 Savoy Cabbage, Cawliflower, Sweet Majoram. 
 
 FROM BARNABAS DEANE. ' 
 
 Withersfield, 27 March, 1778. 
 My dear Sir : 
 
 I was much Disappointed on my Return from Boston to find that 
 you was not Excharg'd & that you was gone into New York. How- 
 ever I have the satisfaction to hear that you are in our Good Friend 
 Sherbrooke's Family where I am certain you will meet with Every 
 Civility that you could wish. Our little Boy* sail'd for Europe six 
 weeks ago. I make no Doubt he is with his Father by this time. — 
 I would be much oblig'd to you for the News Papers from New 
 York when you have an Oppy Also please to write me if there is any 
 of our vessels Bro* into New York. Please to make my Compli- 
 ments to M* Sherbrooke and his Lady. 
 
 I am with Esteem &c 
 
 B. Deane. 
 
 FROM JOHN WINSLOW. 
 
 New York, 28 March, 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 I have laid before Genl Robertson your Letter to me, & am to 
 
 acquaint you that the Gen 1 , objects to your sending your Servant 
 
 out, but that if you will write out & order your Florses to be brought 
 
 to the Bridge your Servant shall have leave to go there to receive 
 
 them. 
 
 The Genl do's not choose you should go out on parole at present 
 
 as a general Exchange is now negociating. 
 
 No news from Wethersfield. 
 
 Your most hble Serv* 
 
 John Winslow, 
 
 D. C. P. 
 
 * Jesse Deane. 
 
SAMUEL B LAC H LEY WEBB. 19 
 
 PRISONERS OF WAR. 
 
 INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 Few of the incidents of the revolutionary war, and of the policy 
 that was based upon those incidents, are involved in so much doubt 
 as the exchange of prisoners of war between the American and 
 British commanders. This no doubt is due not only to a lack of the 
 requisite data from a military standpoint, but also to the curious and 
 not very consistent interference of the Continental Congress, em- 
 barrassing the American quite as much as the British commander, by 
 introducing methods that it is very doubtful a strict recognition of 
 belligerent rights could justify. 
 
 A cartel providing for an exchange of prisoners is a purely volun- 
 tary act of the parties entering into it, confined to a few definite 
 points, and controlled by the convenience rather than the necessity 
 of the respective commanders. Neither belligerent can demand a 
 cartel ; nor, on the other hand, can such a voluntary agreement em- 
 body stipulations contrary to humanity, or to the rules and usages of 
 war. It is chiefly intended to relieve a commander from the burden 
 of providing for a large number of prisoners of war, while leaving a 
 corresponding number of his own men in the power of the enemy 
 and incapable of performing any service. Equality is thus the 
 essence of a cartel ; and mutual advantage the motive for framing it. 
 
 The position of the British commander was a delicate one, for he 
 could do nothing to recognize the political claims of the Colonists. 
 To him they were rebels, pure and simple ; and in taking up arms 
 against their king, they had incurred the severest punishment that 
 could be imposed for what is "generally deemed the highest crime 
 that can be committed in civil society."* They were criminals, not 
 belligerents ; and in the first passage of notes between Gage and 
 Washington, the British general hinted at that position. " Britons, 
 ever pre-eminent in mercy, have outgone common examples and 
 overlooked the criminal in the captive. Upon these principles your 
 prisoners, whose lives by the law of the land are destined to the 
 cord, have hitherto been treated with care and kindness, and more 
 comfortably lodged than the king's troops in the hospitals j indis- 
 
 * Story, Commentaries, § 1797. 
 
20 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 criminately, it is true, for I acknowledge no rank that is not derived 
 from the king."* With the American commander he could not 
 negotiate, except for an absolute submission to the mercy of the 
 king ; and to enter into a formal and solemn compact of any nature 
 with him, would have involved an admission of the political claims of 
 the Colonists. The proclamation of 12 June, 1775, issued by Gage, 
 specially characterized all who were in arms as rebels and traitors, 
 and for such nothing but submission could obtain pardon ; to treat 
 with them was out of the question. And it was not long before thib 
 position was endorsed by the king ; for the royal proclamation of 23 
 August, i 775, declared the colonies to be in open rebellion against 
 the Crown; and all the king's officers, civil and military, were 
 ordered to give information of such persons as should be found aid- 
 ing and abetting those who were in aims against the Government, or 
 holding any correspondence with them, "in order to bring to con- 
 dign punishment the authors, perpetrators and abettors of such 
 traitorous designs." To this Congress replied, threatening to retal- 
 iate " in the same kind and degree upon those in our power who 
 have favored, aided or abetted, or shall favor, aid or abet, the system 
 of ministerial oppression. The essential difference between our 
 cause and that of cur enemies might justify a severe punishment : 
 the law of retaliation will unquestionably warrant one equally 
 severe."! 
 
 The advantage of an exchange was recognized even before Wash- 
 ington assumed the command of the Continental army, for isolated 
 exchanges had occurred under one form or another between the two 
 parties,! though as yet no effort had been made to reach a basis for 
 a general cartel, as, indeed, there was little occasion for it. It was 
 not until October, 1775, that the matter became of sufficient import- 
 ance to warrant formal notice, when the Committee of Congress — 
 Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Lynch and Benjamin Harrison — were 
 in camp, consulting with the commander-in-chief and the Executives 
 of the New England Colonies on the needs and prospects of the army. 
 
 * 13 August, 1775. 
 
 ^Journals of Congress, 6 December, 1775. 
 
 \ Before Washington had assumed the command, Putnam, escorted by the 
 Wethersfield company under Colonel Chester, had effected an exchange of a few 
 prisoners. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 21 
 
 One of the questions laid by Washington before this Committee 
 of Conference was: "Is it advisable to propose an exchange of 
 prisoners? Should any of the officers and soldiers (in the army or 
 navy) now in our Power, be given up for any except the officers and 
 soldiers of the American army?" And the conference agreed "that 
 an Exchange will be proper, citizens for citizens, but not officers and 
 soldiers of the regular army for citizens." The question of the treat- 
 ment of prisoners and their allowances were answered thus : " that 
 they be treated as prisoners of war, but with humanity, and the 
 allowance of provisions to be the rations of the army; that the offi- 
 cers being in pay should supply themselves with cloaths, their bills 
 to be taken therefore; the soldiers furnished as they now are." 
 Before the report of the conference was laid before Congress the 
 reply to the first question was modified so as to read, that " an Ex- 
 change will be proper, citizens for citizens, officers for officers of 
 equal rank and soldier for soldier," and, in that form, the final report 
 was laid before Congress on November 1st. Some little difficulty 
 occurred to delay the adoption of the report, for not only did four 
 weeks elapse before these paragraphs received the formal endorse- 
 ment of Congress, but Washington wrote to Reed, November, 1775 : 
 " I wish that matter respecting the punctilio, hinted at by you, could 
 come to some decision of Congress. I have done nothing yet in 
 respect to the proposed exchange of prisoners, nor shall I now, until 
 I hear from them or you on this subject." The capture of Ethan 
 Allen, and his ill treatment at the hands of the British General Pres- 
 cott was the immediate cause, perhaps, of precipitating a decision ; 
 for Washington was directed to propose an exchange for Allen. 
 Congress, in the very words of the conference, outlined the plan of 
 a general rule of exchange, " citizens for citizens, officers for officers 
 of equal rank, and soldier for soldier."* To secure a better treat- 
 ment of Allen, Washington threatened to retaliate on Prescott, but 
 at the same time suggested that an " exchange of prisoners taken on 
 each side in this unnatural contest " might be entered into, if Howe 
 should signify that it was " agreeable." f In his reply the British 
 General took no notice of the suggestion, but on the day after 
 Washington's letter was written, he wrote to Lord Dartmouth : 
 
 ♦See Ford's Writings of Jefferson, I., 494. 
 f Washington to Howe, 18 December, 1775. 
 
22 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 "Mr. Washington, presuming upon the number and rank of the 
 prisoners in his possession, has threatened retaliation in point of 
 treatment to any prisoners of theirs in our power ; and proposes an 
 exchange, which is a circumstance I shall not answer in positive 
 terms ; nor shall I enter upon such a measure without the King's 
 orders. Your Lordship has enclosed a publication extracted from 
 the minutes of the Continental Congress in reference to his Majesty's 
 proclamation of the 23d of August, on the principles of which Mr. 
 Washington seems to have founded his threats." 
 
 Germain, independently of Howe's inquiry, and having in mind 
 certain awkward complications likely to arise should the Hessian 
 troops serve in America, on 1 February, 1776, notified him of the 
 return of certain American prisoners and continued : 
 
 " It is hoped that the possession of these prisoners will enable you 
 to procure the release of such of his majesty's officers and legal sub- 
 jects as are in the disgraceful situation of being prisoners to the 
 rebels; for although it cannot be that you should enter into any 
 treaty or agreement with the rebels for a regular cartel for exchange 
 of prisoners, yet I doubt not but your own discretion will suggest to 
 you the means of effecting such exchange, without the King's dignity 
 and honor being committed, or his majesty's name used in any 
 negotiation for that purpose. And I am the more strongly urged to 
 point out to you the expediency of such a measure, on account of 
 the possible difficulties which may otherwise occur in the case of any 
 foreign troops serving in North America." 
 
 Apart from political considerations, there was one serious obstacle 
 to any general system of exchanges — the varying authority under 
 which prisoners were held. From the beginning of the contest there 
 was but the semblance cf civil government, as self-constituted com- 
 mittees and conventions, framing their own rules of conduct and 
 acting independently of any established procedure, were the con- 
 trolling powers. As revolutionary bodies, their authority was 
 supreme and their powers of administration restrained only by the 
 want of popular support, which was rarely withheld ; and, depending 
 upon the people, they too often exercised their self-assumed func- 
 tions in a cruel and arbitrary manner. The rights of persons and of 
 property were violated, force employed where persuasion or a proper 
 application of judicial process would have sufficed, and the bitterness 
 of faction only aggravated the spirit of lawlessness that usually 
 accompanies a popular movement. Men were seized and thrown 
 into prison on mere suspicion; their property was taken on the 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 23 
 
 flimsiest of excuses ; and a word or a look that could be interpreted 
 as hostile to the Congress or the "good people" of the Colonies 
 rendered the citizen liable to insult, injury and the charge of traitor. 
 Many instances could be given of imprisonments ordered by a local 
 committee, without any higher authority to restrain and check abuse, 
 or repair injury ; and it was long before steps were taken to frame 
 general rules or centralize the management of prisoners in the hnnds 
 of the Continental Congress, by which means alone could uniformity 
 and a fair degree of responsibility be attained. Prisoners taken by 
 the Continental troops, or under a warrant issued immediately by 
 Congress, were from the first subject to its control only. In Decem- 
 ber, 1775, persons taken in arms on board any prize were to be 
 deemed prisoners at the disposal of the general, "whether the prize 
 be taken by vessels fitted out in the pay of the continent or by 
 others."* In the general instructions issued to commanders of 
 private ships or vessels of war, having commissions or letters of 
 marque and reprisal, it was stipulated that prisoners or captives 
 taken on board prizes should not be ransomed but should be dis- 
 posed of as Congress, or, "if that be not sitting, in the colony 
 whither they shall be brought, as the general assembly, convention, 
 or council, or committee of safety, shall direct."f Two months later 
 the subject was again regulated, and the care of prisoners imposed 
 on the supreme executive of the colony where the capture was made, 
 or the prisoners brought, and the local committees empowered to 
 superintend the conduct of prisoners, and to punish misbehavior.]: 
 The cost of maintenance was a charge on the continent. 
 
 In the meantime Congress possessed a committee, the origin of 
 which I have not been able to solve. When the prisoners taken at 
 St. John's arrived at Philadelphia, they were scattered among some 
 neighboring towns in Pennsylvania, under direction of a committee, 
 on the membership of which the Journals are silent. || When Wash- 
 ington sent to Congress a copy of his letter to General Howe, threat- 
 ening to retaliate Allen's treatment upon Prescott, he enclosed a 
 letter from Master James Lovell. "His case is truly pitiable. I 
 
 * Journals of Congress, 2 December, 1775. 
 
 \ Journals, 3 April, 1776. 
 
 \ Journals, 21 May, 1776. 
 
 || Journals, 17 November, 1775; 15 and 16 December, 1775. 
 
24 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 wish some mode could be fallen upon to relieve him from the cruel 
 situation he is now in. I am sensible of the impropriety of exchang- 
 ing a soldier for a citizen ; but there is something so cruelly distress- 
 ing in regard to this gentleman, that I dare say you will take it under 
 your consideration." * The matter was referred to a strong com- 
 mittee, composed of Thomas Lynch, William Hooper, George 
 Wythe, Silas Deane and Samuel Adams,f who reported J in favor of 
 exchanging Governor Skene for Lovell and his family. 
 
 Still another committee was named on January 9th to inquire into 
 the conduct of officers who were prisoners, and the members, William 
 Livingston, Eliphalet Dyer, and William Floyd, laid their report be- 
 fore Congress on the 12th. When Brigadier-General Prescott arrived 
 in Philadelphia, Mr. Adams, Samuel Ward and Roger Sherman were 
 sent to examine him. The appointment of a special committee, and 
 of distinct composition from others, to consider each case as it 
 might arise, is good evidence that no settled policy for the control 
 of prisoners had yet been so much as outlined. Nor was a begin- 
 ning made until February 4th, when Thomas McKean, Richard 
 Smith and Flenry Wisner were directed to take an account of the 
 prisoners, the names of the officers and their places of residence, 
 and report to Congress. § This committee was, on the 7th, 
 joined with another, who had made a report upon a letter from the 
 Council of Safety of New Jersey on prisoners ; and, as only three 
 members in the two committees were present, James Wilson and 
 Oliver Wolcott were added. Congress instructed this new commit- 
 tee to " examine the capitulations entered into with the prisoners at 
 the time of their surrender, to have the paroles of the officers taken, 
 to order them to their respective places of residence, to see that the 
 capitulations be duly observed, and the orders of Congress respect- 
 ing the prisoners punctually carried into execution, and finally to 
 make a return to Congress of the paroles of the officers, their names 
 and places of residence, and also the number of privates, and where 
 placed." || This I suppose to be the " committee on prisoners," of 
 
 * Washington to the President of Congress, 18 December, 1775. 
 
 f Journals of Congress, 30 December, 1775. 
 
 \ Journals, 5 January, 1776. 
 
 § Journals, 4 February, 1776. 
 
 || Journals, 7 February, 1776k. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 25 
 
 which frequent mention is to be found in the Journals from February 
 to June,* when, on the erection of a war office, the care of prisoners 
 of war was one of its duties. f All of this regulation pertained to the 
 police or supervision of the prisoners, and it was not until June 1 7, 
 1776, that a general rule was laid down governing exchanges : "pris- 
 oners taken by continental forces be not exchanged by any authority 
 but the Continental Congress." It would appear as if the control 
 was now so centralized that no confusion could arise. % 
 
 Having determined that Continental prisoners were under the sole 
 control of Congress, it became necessary to frame some rule for ex- 
 change with the British. A committee, composed of Carter Brax- 
 ton, James Wilson and Benjamin Harrison, prepared the measure,§ 
 and as adopted by Congress it provided : 
 
 "That the commander-in-chief in each department be empowered 
 to negotiate an exchange of prisoners in the following manner : One 
 continental officer for one of the enemy of equal rank, either in the 
 land or sea service, soldier for soldier, sailor for sailor, and one 
 citizen for another citizen. 
 
 "That each state hath a right to make any exchange they think 
 proper for prisoners taken from them or by them. 
 
 "That the several commanders-in-chief in each department be 
 directed to exchange any officer in the British service, now a pris- 
 oner in any of these states, of or under the rank of colonel, for 
 colonel Ethan Allen. 
 
 " That the persons taken prisoners with Colonel Ethan Allen be 
 put upon the same footing as those in the continental service, and 
 exchanged accordingly as opportunity presents." || 
 
 Meanwhile the Adjutant-General of the British army, Colonel 
 Patterson, had held his conversation with Washington, and had ad- 
 verted to the proposed exchange of Lovell for Skene, to which the 
 English commander was willing to assent. So long a time had 
 elapsed since the proposition had first been made that Washington 
 turned to Congress for advice ; and receiving the proper authority, 
 wrote to Howe " that the Congress have not only approved of this 
 
 * February 8, 20, 21, 28; March 4, 14, 19, 29; April 9, 17, 19; May 9, 13; 
 June 1 and II, 1776. 
 
 ^Journals, 12 June, 1776. 
 % Journals, 22 July, 1776. 
 § Journals, 9 July, 1776. 
 || Journals, 22 July, 1776. 
 
26 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 proposition, but, judging that a general exchange of prisoners will be 
 attended with mutual convenience and pleasure to both parties, have 
 empowered their commanders in each department to negotiate 
 one."* lie then quoted the resolutions of July 22d. Howe at once 
 readily consented to the mode of exchange, merely adding that de- 
 serters should not be included in the arrangement, and that the 
 choice of persons to be exchanged should be made by the respect- 
 ive commanders for their own officers and men.f Congress ex- 
 tended this latter condition so as to give the respective commanders 
 the right to choose what citizens should be given in exchange by 
 the other. £ The question of exchanges in the nav^l line was un- 
 touched by this agreement, as that could be determined only by 
 Admiral Lord Howe. 
 
 No sooner had this arrangement been made, when an incident 
 occurred to prevent its action on the lines intended. The unfortu- 
 nate affair at the Cedars, in which American prisoners had been 
 massacred by Indians in spite of the efforts of the British com- 
 mander to protect them as he was bound to do by the terms of the 
 capitulation, and the subsequent act of Arnold in purchasing the 
 safety of the remaining prisoners by engaging to return an equal 
 number of British, precipitated a difference between the American 
 Congress and the British commander that threatened the continuance 
 of any system of exchanges. Congress forbade Arnold to return any 
 British prisoners until the perpetrators of the massacre had been de- 
 livered up, and reparation made for the plunder taken at the Cedars.§ 
 This order the British naturally construed as a refusal to confirm the 
 treaty, and Washington bore the brunt of the charge of violating the 
 agreement made by Arnold, although he had not " the smallest con- 
 cern " in the matter. Indeed he pointedly asked Congress to re- 
 consider the matter, and carry the agreement into execution. || 
 
 But Congress stood firm and distinctly asserted its power to dis- 
 avow the promise made by Arnold at the Cedars, on the ground of 
 
 * Washington to Howe, 30 July, 1776. 
 
 f Howe to Washington, 1 August, 1776. 
 
 \ Journals of Congress, 27 August, 1776. 
 
 § Journals of Congress, 10 July, 1776; Writings of Jefferson (Ford) II, 3c. 
 
 || Writings of Washington, IV, 476. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 27 
 
 want of authority. " The agreement entered into by General Arnold 
 was a mere sponsion on his part, he not being invested with powers 
 for the disposal of prisoners not in his possession, nor under his di- 
 rection ; and, therefore, it is subject to be ratified or annulled, at the 
 discretion of this house."* The outcome of this attitude was that 
 no general exchange was made in the year 1776, and when Congress 
 again and again urged the matter, no step could be made towards a 
 satisfactory agreement. In September, Congress directed the Gen- 
 eral to procure as soon as possible an exchange of tie officers and 
 soldiers taken on Long Island. f In October, it directed Washington 
 to negotiate an exchange of the officers returned from Canada, they 
 to have a preference over those taken in New York and Long 
 Island.^ It was Webb who announced the success of this negotia- 
 tion^ In November leave was given to exchange the foreign pris- 
 oners, the mercenaries in the pay of Great Britain, who might be 
 made prisoners to the United States. || 
 
 Other questions had arisen. 
 
 " I regret," wrote Washington to Howe on November 7th, " that 
 it has not been in my power to effect the proposed exchange of 
 prisoners before this time. As soon as the proposition was agreed 
 to, I wrote to the Governors and Conventions of the different 
 States, where the prisoners were, to have them collected and sent 
 to the most convenient places in the neighourhood of the two 
 armies. Their dispersed situation, for their better accommoda- 
 tion, has been the reason of the delay ; at least I cannot ascribe 
 it to any other cause. It has not arisen, Sir, from any design 
 on my part ; and I am persuaded the difficulty of drawing them 
 together must be evident to you, especially as it was early sug- 
 gested in some of my former letters. As to the charge of your offi- 
 cers being confined in common gaols, I had hoped that you were 
 satisfied by my assurances on this head before. It is not my wish, 
 that severity should be exercised towards any, whom the fortune of 
 war has thrown or shall throw into our hands. On the contrary, it 
 is my desire, that the utmost humanity should be shown them. I am 
 convinced, the latter has been the prevailing line of conduct to pris- 
 
 * Journals of Congress, 10 July, 1776. 
 
 f Journals, 26 September, 1776. 
 
 % Journals, 10 October, 1776. 
 
 %Ante, Vol. I, p. 180. 
 
 || Journals of Congress, 15 November, 1776. 
 
2 S CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 oners. There have been instances, in which some have met with 
 less indulgence than could have been wished, owing to a refractory 
 conduct and a disregard of paroles. If there are other instances, in 
 which a strict regard to propriety has not been observed, they have not 
 come to my knowledge, and if you will be pleased to point them out, 
 and to particularize the names of the officers, the earliest inquiry 
 shall be made into the complaint, and the cause removed, if any 
 exists. 
 
 " With respect to the stragglers, who have lately fallen into our 
 hands, I cannot, upon the best consideration, discern hew the agree- 
 ment subsisting between us is affected by sending them to places 
 from whence they may be easily collected upon a general exchange. 
 That the custom of war requires, or that the interest of an army 
 would admit of a daily exchange of prisoners, are points on which 
 we are so unhappy as to differ in sentiment. The opportunities of 
 conveying intelligence, and many other consequences flowing from 
 such an intercourse, seem so very obvious, that, upon further reflec- 
 tion, I flatter myself you will think with me on this subject. But if 
 otherwise, it might have been exemplified on your part in the imme- 
 diate return of such stragglers from our army as have fallen into your 
 hands, which would have justified an expectation of a similar con- 
 duct from us." 
 
 Howe was satisfied by this that the delay in the exchange was due 
 to the neglect of those to whose care the arrangement cf prisoners 
 had been entrusted, and not to any disregard to the agreement on 
 the part of Washington. 
 
 '• Give me leave at the same time to observe, that this measure, 
 naturally so desirable to the parties concerned, must be in a great 
 degree interrupted, if a general exchange should remain an object, 
 to the prejudice of prisoners near at hand, who upon the shortest 
 notice of their ranks or numbers might be relieved by an equality of 
 those in my possession ; and as I cannot foresee any objection to 
 an exchange taking place immediately, so far as may be conveniently 
 effected, and as often afterwards as the prisoners more remote shall 
 arrive, I am willing to hope for your concurrence in promoting the 
 same. 
 
 " You are pleased to say, the usage of war does not allow of an 
 immediate exchange of prisoners ; which I can by no means agree 
 to, the contrary being ever the custom of armies, between which an 
 exchange of prisoners has been determined, as far as the nature of 
 business may permit. And in respect to stragglers from your army, 
 since you have been pleased to say I might have set you examples 
 of returning them, I am to inform you, that no persons under that 
 description have fallen into my hands. Such men as have been 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 29 
 
 lately taken in arms, as well as those who have been longer in con- 
 finement, are solely detained for the arrival of your prisoners, in 
 consequence of assurances received from you on that subject."* 
 
 Having agreed upon the exchange, the question of manner was not 
 a little complicated by the arbitrary selection of objects by the Brit- 
 ish. Washington collected such prisoners as were in the states of 
 Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey, and sent them in, making 
 a demand of such officers in exchange as he thought best entitled to 
 a preference, beginning with those taken at Quebec. The British 
 commander paid no respect to this demand, but sent out such as 
 best pleased him, or made the most urgent application. This act 
 called out a sharp remonstrance from Washington : 
 
 " I would beg leave to recall your attention to the proposition for 
 the exchange of prisoners, in the several letters I have lately written 
 on that subject, and to inform you, that I have not received such 
 officers in exchange as were requested by me. I am persuaded, Sir, 
 that this mistake has arisen from Mr. Commissary Loring'sf zeal to 
 facilitate the business ; but I would at the same time desire that you 
 give him orders, whenever any of your officers are sent in by me, not 
 to send others in exchange, till he is furnished with a list from me, 
 of such as I would choose to prefer, which shall always be done as 
 soon as possible. For as the prisoners seldom pass my head-quar- 
 ters on their way, it is not in my power to transmit such lists by 
 them, without occasioning their delay. If this mode is not complied 
 with in future, I shall be under the disagreeable necessity of stopping 
 others from going in, as my ideas and expectations are by no means 
 answered by what has happened." j 
 
 The difficulties attending an exchange were aggravated by the 
 want of proper supervision of the prisoners. Congress had made no 
 provision for an officer to take charge of this matter, though early in 
 1776 the General had positively asked for one, and in May had 
 written : 
 
 " Before I have done, with the utmost deference and respect, I 
 would beg leave to remind Congress of my former letters and appli- 
 cations, respecting the appointment of proper persons to superintend 
 and take direction of such prisoners, as have already fallen and will 
 fall into our hands in the course of the war, being fully convinced, 
 that, if there were persons appointed for, & who would take the 
 
 * Howe to Washington, n November, 1776. 
 
 t Joshua Loring, British commissary general of prisoners. 
 
 \ Washington to Howe, 17 December, 1776. 
 
30 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 whole management of them under their care, that the continent 
 would save a considerable sum of money by it, and the prisoners be 
 better treated and provided with real necessaries, than what they 
 now are ; and shall take the liberty to add, that it appears to me a 
 matter of much importance, and worthy of consideration, that par- 
 ticular and proper places of security should be fixed on and estab- 
 lished in the interior parts of the different governments for their 
 reception. 
 
 "Such establishments are agreeable to the practice and usage of 
 the English and other nations, and are founded on principles of 
 necessity and public utility. The advantages, which will arise from 
 'em, are obvious and many. I shall mention only two or three. 
 They will tend much to prevent escapes, which are difficult to effect, 
 when the public is once advertised, that the prisoners are restrained 
 to a few stated and well-known places, and not permitted to goe 
 from thence ; and the more ingenious among them from disseminat- 
 ing and spreading their artful and pernicious intrigues and opinions 
 throughout the country, which would influence the weaker and 
 wavering part of mankind, and meet with but too favorable a hear- 
 ing. Further, it will be less in their power to join and assist our 
 enemies in cases of invasions, and will give us an opportunity always 
 to know, from the returns of those appointed to superintend them, 
 what number we have in possession, the force sufficient to check and 
 suppress their hostile views in times of emergency, and the expenses 
 necessary for their maintenance & support. Many other reasons 
 might be adduced to prove the necessity and expediency of the 
 measure. I shall only subjoin one more, and then have done on the 
 subject, which is, that many of the towns, where prisoners have been 
 already sent, not having convenience for or the means of keeping 
 them, complain that they are burdensome ; and have become care- 
 less, inattentive, and altogether indifferent whether they escape or 
 not ; arid those of 'em that are restricted to a closer confinement, 
 the limits of jail, neglected, and not treated with that care and 
 regard, which Congress wish." * 
 
 In October, 1776, the appointment of a Commissary of Prisoners 
 in each state was authorized, to hold a commission from the respect- 
 ive States, but to report to the continental Board of War.f Two 
 months later Washington was directed to appoint a commissary of 
 prisoners, a necessary step towards concentrating the management 
 of this much divided responsibility. % 
 
 * See Journals of Congress, 21 May, 1776. To the President of Congress, 11 
 May, 1776. 
 
 ^Journals of Congress, 7 October, 1776. 
 X Journals, 27 December, 1777. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 31 
 
 "A commissary of prisoners must be appointed to attend the 
 army ; for want of an officer of this kind, the exchange of prisoners 
 has been conducted in a most shameful and injurious manner. We 
 have had them from all quarters pushed into our camps at the most 
 critical junctures, and without the least previous notice. We have 
 had them travelling through the different states in all directions by 
 certificates from committees, without any kind of control ; and have 
 had instances of some going into the enemy's camp without my 
 privity or knowledge, after passing in the manner before men- 
 tioned."* 
 
 The decision of Congress covered only one side of the problem, 
 and no further action was taken till January, 1777, when the follow- 
 ing resolutions were adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That General Washington be directed to propose and 
 conclude with General Howe an agreement, whereby those who are 
 or may be made prisoners by the enemy, may be supplied with pro- 
 visions and other necessaries, at the expense or on the credit of the 
 U. S. — 3 January, 1777. 
 
 Resolved, That General Washington be directed to propose to 
 General Howe that a commissary be appointed on behalf of the 
 United States to furnish the American prisoners of war, captivated 
 by the British army, with such necessaries as they may want ; and if 
 such commissary be allowed to reside among the prisoners, that 
 General Washington appoint a suitable person for the purpose, until 
 an exchange can be effected. — 16 January, 1777. 
 
 The capture of Major General Lee introduced a new factor. It is 
 difficult to explain how he came to stand so high in the estimation of 
 Congress, as there is nothing in his career that marks him out as a 
 soldier or a commander. His capture, whether brought about by his 
 wish or his misfortune, at once impressed Congress with the idea 
 that his release must be obtained. Washington was directed to pro- 
 pose an exchange of six Hessian field officers taken at Trenton for 
 Lee,t and on a rumor that Lee had been committed to the provost 
 (which he had not), and on a belief that such treatment "totally un- 
 worthy of that gentleman's eminent qualifications," pointed to fur- 
 ther injuries to his person, those unfortunate Hessian officers and 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Archibald Campbell were held as objects of re- 
 taliation — should that become necessary.} In fact, Lee was so well 
 
 * Washington to the President of Congress, 20 December, 1776. 
 f Journals of Congress, 2 January, 1777. 
 
 \ Journals, 6 January, 1777. Some curious examples of Lee's conceit are to 
 be found in his letters written at this time. Lee Papers, II., 383, 389. 
 
32 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 treated that he could employ his time in framing a plan of campaign 
 for the British army, and in devising a meeting between the Howes 
 and a deputation cf Congress, undoubtedly for consultation on a 
 peace and submission. Congress rejected the advance, and ordered 
 the five Hessian officers and Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell into safe 
 and close custody, publishing an explanation of this measure.* This 
 placed Washington in an awkward position. 
 
 " From the best information I have been able to obtain, General 
 Lee's usage has not been so disgraceful and dishonorable as to au- 
 thorize the treatment decreed to those gentlemen, were it not pro- 
 hibited by many other important considerations. His confinement, 
 I believe, has been more rigorous than has been generally experi- 
 enced by the rest of our officers, or those of the enemy, who have 
 been in our possession ; but, if the reports be true, received on that 
 head, he has been provided with a decent apartment, and with most 
 things necessary to render him comfortable. This is not the case 
 with one of the officers comprehended in the resolves, if his letter, of 
 which a copy is transmitted, deserves your credit. Here retaliation 
 seems to have been prematurely begun ; or, to speak with more pro- 
 priety, severities have been and are exercised towards Colonel Camp- 
 bell, not justified by any that General Lee has yet received. 
 
 " In point of policy, under the present situation of our affairs, this 
 doctrine cannot be supported. The balance of prisoners is greatly 
 against us; and a general regard to the happiness of the whole 
 should mark our conduct. Can we imagine, that our enemies will 
 not mete the same punishments, the same indignities, the same 
 cruelties, to those belonging to us, in their possession, that we im- 
 pose on theirs in our power? Why should we suppose them to 
 possess more humanity than we have ourselves ? Or why should an 
 ineffectual attempt to relieve the distresses of one brave, unfortunate 
 man, involve many more in the same calamities? However dis- 
 agreeable the fact may be, the enemy may at this time have in their 
 power, and subject to their call, near three hundred officers belong- 
 ing to the army of the United States. In this number there are 
 some of high rank ; the most of them are men of bravery and of 
 merit. The quota of theirs in our hands bears no proportion, being 
 not more than fifty at most. Under these circumstances, we should 
 certainly do no act to draw upon the gentlemen belonging to us, and 
 who have already suffered a long captivity, greater punishments than 
 they have experienced and now experience. If we should, what 
 will their feelings be, and those of their numerous and extensive 
 connections? Suppose the treatment prescribed for the Hessians 
 
 * Journals, 20 & 21 February, 1777. 
 
SAMUEL BLACTILEY WEBB. 33 
 
 should be pursued, will it not establish what the enemy have been 
 aiming to effect by every artifice and the grossest misrepresentations, 
 I mean, an opinion of our enmity towards them, and of the cruel 
 conduct they experience when they fall into our hands, a prejudice 
 which we on our part have heretofore thought it politic to suppress 
 and to root out by every act of lenity and kindness? It certainly 
 will. The Hessians would hear of the punishment with all the cir- 
 cumstances of heightened exaggeration, would feel the injury with- 
 out investigating the cause, or reasoning upon the justice or neces- 
 sity of it. The mischiefs, which may and must inevitably flow from 
 the execution of the resolves, appear to be endless and innumerable. 
 
 " On my own part, I have been much embarrassed on the subject 
 of exchanges already. Applications are daily made, by both friends 
 and enemies, to complete them as far as circumstances of number 
 and rank will apply. Some of the former have complained, that a 
 discrimination is about to be adopted, perhaps injurious to their 
 reputation, and certainly depriving them of their right of exchange 
 in due course, as established upon the principles of equality pro- 
 posed last year, acceded to by both parties, and now subsisting. 
 The latter charge me with a breach of faith, and call on me to per- 
 form the agreement. 
 
 " Many more objections might be subjoined, were they material. 
 I shall only observe, that the present state of our army, if it deserves 
 that name, will not authorize the language of retaliation, or the style 
 of menace. This will be conceded by all, who know that the whole 
 of our force is weak and trifling, and composed of militia (very few 
 regular troops excepted), whose service is on the eve of expiring. 
 There are several other matters, which might be mentioned upon 
 this subject, would time and opportunity permit ; but as they will 
 not, I beg leave to refer you to Colonel Walker, who will deliver 
 this, and give satisfaction to any inquiries that may be deemed nec- 
 essary. Persuading myself that Congress will indulge the liberty I 
 have taken upon this occasion, I have only to wish for the result of 
 their deliberations after they have reconsidered the resolves, and to 
 assure them that I have the honor to be, &c."* 
 
 * To the President of Congress, I March, 1777. On the main subject of this let- 
 ter, Congress resolved, " That General Washington be informed, that Congress 
 cannot agree to any alteration in the resolve passed on the 6th of January; and, 
 as to the complaints of Colonel Campbell, it was never their intention that he 
 should suffer any other hardship, than such confinement as is necessary to his 
 security for the purpose of that resolve." — Journals, March 14th. In communi- 
 cating this resolve, the President of Congress observed : — " The obvious distinc- 
 tion of General Howe in his treatment of General Lee, who is notoriously com- 
 mitted to the custody of the provost, and denied his parole, while our other offi- 
 cers are admitted to it, was the ground on which Congress proceeded when they 
 
34 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 A decided step had been taken in the meantime and at the sug- 
 gestion of Howe to determine the difficulties. He had asked that 
 an American officer meet one from the British army, and Washing- 
 ton named his Secretary, Robert Hanson Harrison, giving him the 
 following instructions : — 
 
 " Differences in opinion having arisen between General Howe and 
 myself, respecting the construction of a proposition made the 30th 
 of July, and acceded to the 1st of August last, for the exchange of 
 prisoners, whereby it was stipulated, ' that officers should be given 
 for officers of equal rank, soldier for soldier, and citizen for citizen ;' 
 — for the accommodation of these differences, and to remove every 
 just cause of complaint on the part of the enemy, if such there be, 
 you are to meet any officer, not of inferior rank to yourself, who 
 shall come properly authorized to treat upon the subject, and to 
 adopt such measures, as you shall deem adequate to that end. 
 
 " Experience having also shown, that the agreement above recited 
 is not sufficiently definite to answer all the salutary purposes intended 
 by it, nor sufficiently comprehensive to include the various cases in- 
 cident to the state of prisoners, you are hereby vested with full power 
 and authority to devise and conclude upon such improvements, in 
 aid of the same, as shall appear necessary for establishing a more 
 regular and explicit mode of Exchange, as well with respect to the 
 prisoners who have been, as those who shall be hereafter taken ; 
 making mutual provision for such an allowance to pay all necessaries 
 as their comfort and welfare during their captivity may require ; and, 
 finally, to treat, determine, and agree upon all matters whatsoever 
 relative to prisoners of war, on the principles of justice and humanity, 
 and conformable to the most civilized customs and usages, for the 
 greater ease, convenience, and security of all captives belonging to 
 the armies under our respective commands ; for all which this shall 
 be your sufficient warrant ; and your engagements, being mutually 
 interchanged, shall be ratified and confirmed by me. Given under 
 my hand and seal at Head Quarters in Morristown, this 4th day of 
 March, 1777." 
 
 passed that resolve (of January 6th), the intention of which was to show that in 
 proportion as severities against him were increased, the same treatment should be 
 exercised on six field-officers." — Letter, March 17th. 
 
 " That if the officer commanding the army of the enemy will acknowledge 
 Major-General Lee to be a prisoner of war, and intitled to be treated and ex- 
 changed as such, General Washington be authorized to proceed in the exchange 
 of prisoners, either according to the principles and regulations of the cartel 
 already agreed to, or according to such other and further principles and regula- 
 tions as shall appear to him most proper and advantageous." Journals of Con- 
 gress, 24 March, 1777. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 35 
 
 From the British side came Lieutenant-Colonel W. Walcott, who 
 brought a paper, prepared presumably with the approval of General 
 Howe, couched in terms so objectionable, that the American repre- 
 sentative refused to receive it. It was afterwards sent out by a 
 flag, and was as follows : 
 
 2 April, 1777. 
 
 Whereas General Washington did, in his letter to General'Howe, 
 bearing date the 30th day of June, 1776, declare that he was author- 
 ized to propose, and he did in said letter accordingly propose, a 
 general exchange of all prisoners of war, in the manner and upon 
 the terms following, viz. : " Officers for officers of equal rank, soldier 
 for soldier, and citizen for citizen." To which proposal his Excel- 
 lency, General Sir William Howe, did, in his answer of the first of 
 August following, accede and agree. And, whereas, in pursuance of 
 this agreement, General Sir William Howe, relying upon the honour 
 and good faith of General Washington, for the due and punctual 
 performance thereof on his part, hath, at several times, sent and de- 
 livered over to Gen. Washington, as will fully appear from the lists 
 with them transmitted, a number of officers on their parole, and up- 
 wards of two thousand two hundred privates, of the enemy his 
 prisoners ; and who, as well officers as privates, are still to be con- 
 sidered as such until they shall be regularly exchanged, officers for 
 officers of equal rank, and the privates by a like number of those 
 now in the possession of General Washington ; some of whom, hav- 
 ing been taken before, or about the time of concluding the agree- 
 ment, have, in direct violation thereof, been detained as prisoners 
 for full eight months, and others, taken in the latter end of Decem- 
 ber and in the beginning of January last, have been in the like con- 
 dition of prisoners for three months ; none, or very few of them, have 
 hitherto been sent in, in return or exchange of the number of 
 prisoners sent by Gen. Howe to Gen. Washington. I, Lieut. Col. 
 William Walcott, vested with full powers for this among other pur- 
 poses, do therefore in the most positive and peremptory manner, 
 require and demand of General Washington the full and due per- 
 formance of the agreement above recited ; and consequently the 
 speedy and immediate release of all prisoners of war, whether British, 
 Hessians, Waldeckers, Provincials or Canadians, as well officers as 
 soldiers, now in his possession, or so far as they shall go or may go 
 towards the exchange of those sent and delivered over to Gen. 
 Washington. And whereas there are still in the possession of Gen. 
 Sir William Howe a very considerable number of officers, and a 
 number of privates of the enemy, prisoners unexchanged ; I do far- 
 ther require and demand of Gen. Washington, that so soon as he 
 shall have compleated the exchange of those already delivered over 
 to him, agreeable to my requisition and demand for that purpose, he 
 
36 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 shall proceed to the exchange of these last mentioned officers and 
 privates, in conformity to the agreement of the 30th of July and 1st 
 of August, 1776 ; to the execution of which the groundless and un- 
 precedented objections offered on the part of Gen. Washington, by 
 Lieut. Col. Harrison, cannot with any degree of reason, or con- 
 sistently with common sense, be allowed or admitted as obstacles. 
 The one, that "the whole of the prisoners contained in the Commis- 
 sary's lists, and delivered over to General Washington, should not be 
 accounted for, because many of them died on their return to the 
 place of their arrival." Posterior therefore confessedly, from the 
 objection itself as stated, to their being delivered over to Gen. 
 Washington, all of whom therefore must be, and all of whom, this 
 objection notwithstanding, I do again require and demand to be ex- 
 changed, according to the express terms of the agreement, "soldier 
 for soldier," for every man delivered to the person who received 
 them for and in the behalf of Gen. Washington. The other, " the 
 case of Lieut. Col. Lee," whose release General Washington might 
 with greater propriety demand, whenever, with the terms of the said 
 agreement, " officers for officers of equal rank," he shall have in his 
 possession an officer of rank equal to the reputed rank of the gentle- 
 man in question ; but until that appear, the demand and objection 
 upon this subject are at least premature. I do, moreover, expect 
 and demand, that an immediate and categorical answer shall be 
 given to these just and reasonable requisitions and demands. 
 Given at the house of the Rev. Mr. Beech, in the townships of Hills- 
 borough, the second day of April, one thousand seven hundred 
 seventy and seven. 
 
 W. Walcott, 
 
 Lieut. Col. 
 To General Washington : 
 &c, &c. 
 
 To this insolent demand Washington prepared an able reply, ad- 
 dressing it to 
 
 LIEUTENANT-GENERAL HOWE. 
 
 Morristown, 9 April, 1777. 
 Sir: 
 
 I take the liberty of transmitting you a copy of a paper addressed 
 to me by Lieutenant-Colonel Walcott of your army, which came 
 enclosed in a letter from Lieutenant-Colonel Cornwallis. It is with 
 peculiar regret, I am constrained to observe, that this illiberal per- 
 formance of Colonel Walcott's is obviously calculated to answer a 
 less generous purpose, than that of merely effecting an exchange, 
 contains a gross misrepresentation of facts, and is a palpable devia- 
 tion from that delicate line, which I expected would mark his con- 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 
 
 37 
 
 duct, as a man of candor and ingenuity. That gentleman has cen- 
 sured two articles insisted on by me through Lieutenant -Colonel 
 Harrison, at their meeting of the ioth ultimo, "as groundless, unpre- 
 cedented, and inconsistent with any degree of reason or common 
 sense," though founded, as I conceive, in the clearest principles of 
 equity and justice. Not contenting himself with this, which would 
 have given me no concern, he has assumed the privilege of mutilat- 
 ing and misstating those articles in such a manner, as to change their 
 meaning, and to adapt them to the unfair conclusions he wished to 
 establish. 
 
 Having premised these things, and being charged in direct and 
 positive terms by Colonel Walcott, who acted under your authority, 
 with a violation of the Agreement made between us for the Exchange 
 of prisoners, and called upon for a performance of the same, I think 
 it necessary to explain the motives of my conduct, and the grounds 
 on which those articles or objections stand. In respect to the first, 
 I freely repeat, that I do not hold myself bound, either by the spirit 
 of the agreement, or by the principles of justice, to account for those 
 prisoners, who, from the rigor and severity of their treatment, were 
 in so emaciated and languishing a state, at the time they came out, 
 as to render their death almost certain and inevitable ; and which, 
 in many instances, happened while they were returning to their 
 homes, and, in many others, immediately after their arrival. 
 
 You must be sensible, that our Engagement, as well as all others 
 of the kind, though in the letter it expresses only an equality of rank 
 and number, as the rule of exchange, yet it necessarily implies a re- 
 gard to the general principles of mutual compensation and advan- 
 tage. This is inherent in its nature, is the voice of reason, and no 
 stipulation, as to the condition in which prisoners should be re- 
 turned, was requisite. Humanity dictated that their treatment 
 should be such, as their health and comfort demanded ; and, where 
 her laws have been duly respected, their condition has been gener- 
 ally good. Nor is this the language of Humanity alone ; justice de- 
 clares the same. The object of every cartel, or similar agreement, 
 is the benefit of the prisoners themselves, and that of the contending 
 powers. On this footing, it equally exacts, that they should be well 
 treated, as that they should be exchanged. The reverse is, there- 
 fore, an evident infraction, and ought to subject the party, on whom 
 it is chargeable, to all the damage and ill consequences resulting 
 from it. Nor can it be expected, that those unfitted for future ser- 
 vice by acts of severity, in direct violation of a Compact, are proper 
 subjects for an exchange. In such case, to return others not in the 
 same predicament, would be to give without receiving an Equiva- 
 lent ; and would afford the greatest encouragement to cruelty and 
 inhumanity. The argument, drawn from the mere circumstance of 
 the prisoners having been received, is of no validity. Though, from 
 
38 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 their wretched situation, they could not, at that time, be deemed 
 proper for an exchange, yet our humanity required that they should 
 be permitted to return among us. 
 
 It may, perhaps, be fairly doubted, whether an apprehension of 
 their death, or that of a great part of them, did not contribute some- 
 what to their being sent out when they were. Such an event, whilst 
 they remained with you, would have been truly interesting ; because 
 it would have destroyed every shadow of claim for a return of the 
 prisoners in our Hands; and, therefore, policy, concurring with 
 Humanity, dictated that the measure should be adopted. Happy 
 had it been, if the expedient had been thought of before these ill- 
 fated men were reduced to such extremity* It is confessed, how- 
 ever, on all sides, that, after their delivery, they still continued your 
 prisoners, and would be so till regularly exchanged. 
 
 I acknowledge, that I should, and I have been always willing, not- 
 withstanding this concession, to account for every man, who was in a 
 proper condition and fit to be exchanged at the time they came out, 
 so far as the proportion of prisoners with us would extend. With 
 what propriety, or upon what foundation of justice, can more be de- 
 manded ? This has been proposed, or, what is the same, was most 
 clearly implied in the first article or objection made by Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Harrison, and illiberally rejected since, as inconsistent with 
 any degree of reason or common sense. Painful as it is, I am com- 
 pelled to consider it as a fact not to be questioned, that the usage of 
 our prisoners, whilst in your possession, the privates at least, was 
 such as could not be justified. This was proclaimed by the concur- 
 rent testimony of all who came out ; their appearance sanctified the 
 assertion ; and melancholy experience, in the speedy death of a large 
 part of them, stamped it with infallible certainty. 
 
 In respect to the second article insisted on, your discriminating 
 Major-General Lee from other captive officers belonging to the 
 American army demanded my particular attention. I was author- 
 ized to conclude, from your laying him under peculiar restraints, and 
 from your letter of the 23d of January last, that you considered him 
 in a singular point of view, and meant to exclude him from the com- 
 mon right of exchange, stipulated for all officers in general terms. 
 This distinction, the more injurious and unwarrantable, as you never 
 excepted him, though you knew him to be an officer in our army at 
 the time, and long before the Agreement was entered into, made it 
 my duty to assert his right in an explicit manner, and to endeavour 
 to put the matter upon so unequivocal a footing, as to insure his en- 
 largement, whenever an officer of rank belonging to your army should 
 be in our power. This was attempted by the Article, and nothing 
 more ; nor is any other inference to be drawn from it It is true, a 
 proposition was made, since his captivity, to give a certain number 
 of officers of inferior rank in exchange for him ; but it was not 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 39 
 
 claimed as a matter of right. What name, then, does that proceed- 
 ing merit, by which it is suggested, that the immediate release of 
 General Lee had been demanded, without having an officer of equal 
 rank to give for him ? The suggestion cannot be supported by the 
 most tortured exposition, nor will it have credit where candor is 
 deemed a virtue, and words preserve their form and meaning. 
 
 As to the charge of delay in not returning the prisoners in our 
 hands, the dispersed situation of those, taken at a more early period 
 of the war, through the different States, arising from the circumstan- 
 ces of their captivity and a regard to their better accommodation, 
 made their detention for a considerable time unavoidable. When 
 the agreement subsisting between us took place, the speediest direc- 
 tions were given to have them collected, that an exchange might be 
 effected. This was done in part, and at a juncture when motives of 
 policy opposed the measure, but were made to yield to the rigid 
 maxims of good faith. f We were pursuing the exchange, and con- 
 tinued our exertions to accomplish it, till the miserable appearance, 
 indicating an approaching catastrophe, of those sent out by you, 
 made it improper. Foreseeing that a difficulty might arise, and that 
 it might be expected, that I should account for the whole of them, 
 which I by no means thought it equitable to do, it became necessary 
 that the matter should be adjusted, and the due proportion settled 
 for which I ought to be responsible, before anything further could be 
 done on my part. Upon this ground stands also the detention of 
 those, who have been since captured. Added to these considera- 
 tions, the discrimination set up in the instance of General Lee is to 
 be regarded as utterly irreconcilable with the tenor of our agreement, 
 and an insurmountable obstacle to a compliance with your demands. 
 
 Thus, Sir, have I explained the motives of my conduct, and I trust 
 vindicated myself in the eye of Impartiality from the improper and 
 groundless charge, which you and the gentleman acting by your au- 
 thority have been pleased to allege against me. If, in doing this, I 
 have departed in the smallest degree from that delicacy, which I 
 always wished should form a part of my character, you will remem- 
 ber, I have beer forced into recrimination, and that it has become 
 an act of necessary justice. I shall now declare it to be my ardent 
 wish, that a general exchange may take place, on general and liberal 
 principles, so far as it can be effected, and that the agreement, sub- 
 sisting between us for that purpose, should be inviolably observed ; 
 and I call upon you, by every obligation of good faith, to remove all 
 impediments, on your part, to the accomplishment of it. If, how- 
 
 *The following clause was here inserted in the first draft of the letter, but 
 was omitted in the transcript sent to General Howe: "Happily we found ai 
 equivalent, so far as their number went, in those returned from Canada, and who 
 had experienced the humanity of General Carleton." 
 
4 o CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 ever, you do not, I console myself with a hope, that those unfortu- 
 nate men, whose lot it is to be your prisoners, will bear their suffer- 
 ings with becoming fortitude and magnanimity. 
 
 I am, Sir, with due respect, &c.* 
 
 The question seemed no nearer a solution from this reply than in 
 the beginning; and the remedy was not contained in General 
 Howe's letter in answer : 
 
 New York, 21 April, 1777. 
 Sir: 
 
 I have received your letter of the ninth instant, concerning the 
 requisition of Lieutenant-Colonel Walcott, a copy of which came 
 inclosed. 
 
 Though I observe that officer has meant to insist very strongly on 
 the justice of the claim for the return of prisoners in your possession, 
 which was one of the objects of his appointment, I do not see reason 
 to suspect that any personal incivility was intended by the terms in 
 which his opinion is expressed. 
 
 Without entering into a needless discussion of the candour or illib- 
 erality of the sentiments on which your arguments are founded, yet 
 since you are pleased to assert, that "the usage of your prisoners 
 
 * " The design of Washington's letter, and its publication by the Congress, was 
 to sanctify their breach of faith in not sending back our soldiers in exchange, to 
 represent General Howe as devoid of humanity, and to irritate the deluded Ameri- 
 cans still more against the English nation, as a people totally lost to virtue. It was 
 by such misrepresentations and falsehoods that the rebel leaders first fomented and 
 brought on the present rebellion; and they still continue to support it by the same 
 infamous means. Men of malignant and ambitious dispositions of mind are al- 
 ways at the head of their affairs. It was such dispositions that made Lovell a 
 delegate, and Washington a general." — roliticus, in the London Chronicle, 14 
 August, 1777. 
 
 John Adams wrote of this letter : " Washington is in the right, and has main- 
 tained his argument with a delicacy and dignity which do him much honor : He 
 has hinted at the flagitious conduct of the two Howes towards their prisoners in 
 so plain and clear a manner that he cannot be misunderstood, but yet decency and 
 delicacy are preserved, which is the more to be applauded because the natural re- 
 sentment of such atrocious cruelties renders it very difficult to avoid a more 
 pointed language in describing them." — To his wife, 13 April, 1777. 
 
 " Resolved, That Congress approve General Washington's conduct as to the car- 
 tel for exchange of prisoners, and of the reasoning contained in his letter of the 
 9th May, making no doubt of the facts upon which his arguments are founded 
 being duly ascertained; and that the General be informed it is the opinion of 
 Congress that he strictly adhere to the principles contained in the said letter." — 
 Journals of Congress, 6 June, 1777. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 41 
 
 was such as could not be justified, — that this was proclaimed by the 
 concurrent testimony of all who came out, — that their appearance 
 sancified the assertion, and that melancholy experience, in the 
 speedy death of a larger part of them, stamped it with infallible cer- 
 tainty," these, I say, being what you assume as facts, I cannot omit 
 making some observations upon them. 
 
 It might, perhaps, suit with the policy of those who persist in 
 every expedient to cherish the popular delusion, that the released 
 prisoners should complain of ill-usage, or their captivity might really 
 form a grievous comparison with the state they were in before they 
 were persuaded to encounter the vicissitudes of war. But if their 
 sufferings were as great as you think yourself authorized to assert, a 
 dispassionate consideration of the following indisputable and notor- 
 ious facts will point out the cause to which they are to be, in a great 
 measure, ascribed : 
 
 All the prisoners were confined in the most airy buildings, and on 
 board the largest transports in the fleet, which were the very health- 
 iest places of reception that could possibly be provided for them. 
 
 They were supplied with the same provisions, both in quantity 
 and quality, as were allowed to the King's troops not on service, 
 some accidental instances excepted, wherein however the omission, 
 when known, was immediately remedied. 
 
 Near one half of the whole number of prisoners, whose diseases 
 appeared to require peculiar care, as well as separation from the 
 rest, were at different times received into the British hospitals, and 
 their own surgeons, without restriction, supplied with medicines for 
 the remaining sick, until it was discovered that they disputed not to 
 dispose of large quantities by private sale. 
 
 From this short state of facts, it is evident that your prisoners 
 were provided with proper habitations, sufficient and wholesome 
 food, and medicines. Nor do I know of any comfort or assistance 
 compatible with their situation as prisoners, of which they were in 
 want, excepting clothing ; the relief to their distress in this, and the 
 article of money, of which you were repeatedly advised, and they 
 had claim to receive from your care, was neglected or refused, while 
 they were furnished with every necessary I was in a situation to 
 supply.* 
 
 * It will be interesting to compare these statements with the arraignment of 
 the British by Congress. 
 
 " The inhuman treatment of those who were so unhappy as to become prisoners. 
 The prisoners, instead of that humane treatment which those taken by the 
 United States experienced, were in general treated with the greatest barbarity. 
 Many of them were near four days kept without food altogether : When they re- 
 ceived a supply, it was both insufficient in point of quantity and often of the worst 
 kind : They suffered the utmost distress from cold, nakedness and close confine- 
 
42 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 To what cause a speedy death of a large part of them is to be 
 attributed, I cannot determine, but your own experience will sug- 
 gest to you, whether the army under your command, in the course 
 of last campaign, was free from such calamitous mortality, though 
 assisted with refreshments from all parts of the surrounding pro- 
 vinces. 
 
 It is insinuated that I might have released the prisoners before 
 any of the ill consequences had taken place. I am obliged to say, 
 the event at least appears to have proved the caution with which I 
 ought to have adopted that expedient. The prisoners were ready to 
 be delivered up, waiting only for your proceeding in the exchange, 
 which you had proposed, and I agreed to. 
 
 I admit that able men are not to be required by the party who, 
 contrary to the laws of humanity, through design, or even neglect of 
 reasonable and practicable care, should have caused the debility of 
 the prisoners he shall have to offer for exchange ; but the argument 
 is not applicable to me in the present instance. 
 
 I might finally put this question : How is the cause of debility in 
 prisoners to be ascertained? But as we differ so much in the prin- 
 ciple upon which your objections are framed ; as I think those 
 objections are unsupported by precedent or equity, anc that your 
 adherence to them would be a direct and determined violation of 
 the agreement, it becomes unnecessary for me to add more, than to 
 call upon you to fulfil your agreement for returning the prisoners 
 demanded by Lieut. Col. Walcott. 
 
 With respect to the case of Mr. Lee, now professed to be a prin- 
 cipal motive for your refusal to continue the exchange of prisoners, 
 it is comprehended, I must insist, under my general and original 
 exception to persons in his circumstances. 
 
 With due respect, I am, Sir, 
 
 Your most obedient servant 
 
 W. Howe. 
 
 Unwilling to assume the responsibility of answering Howe's criti- 
 cisms, Washington referred to them to Congress, where they remained 
 
 ment : Freemen and men of substance suffered all that a generous mind could 
 suffer from the contempt and mockery of British and foreign mercenaries : Mul- 
 titudes died in prison; and when others were sent out, several died in the boats 
 while carrying ashore, or upon the road attempting to go home. The committee 
 in the course of their inquiry learned, that sometimes the common soldiers ex- 
 pressed sympathy with the prisoner, and the foreigners more than the English. 
 But this was seldom or never the case with the officers; nor have they been able 
 to hear of any charitable assistance given them by the inhabitants who remained 
 in, or resorted to the city of New York; which neglect, if universal, they believe 
 was never known to happen in any similar case in a Christian country." — Jour- 
 nals of Congress, iS April, 1777. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 43 
 
 unacted upon for more than six weeks. In this delay Howe saw his 
 opportunity; and on May 2 2d wrote, demanding a final decision 
 upon his demand for the prisoners in exchange for those sent in, and 
 on the prisoners "now here, that I may make my arrangements 
 accordingly." This was a telling suggestion, and forced Washington 
 to turn to Congress and urge action : 
 
 " Good faith seems to require, that we should return as many of 
 theirs at least as we received effectives from them ; I mean such as 
 could be considered capable of being exchanged ; and perhaps 
 sound policy, that the agreement subsisting for exchanges should 
 continue. On the other hand it may be said, that our prisoners in 
 general, in the enemy's hands at present, will have greater security 
 by our retaining them, and that General Howe will be less apt to 
 relinquish any part of his claim, the more the number in our hands 
 is diminished by an exchange. 
 
 " I confess I am under great difficulty in this business. But what 
 is more particularly the cause of this application, is the latter part of 
 the first paragraph of the enclosed copy, — ' and for your determina- 
 tion respecting the prisoners now here, that I may make my arrrnge- 
 ments accordingly* This is couched in terms of great ambiguity ; 
 and I am really at a loss what interpretation to give it ; whether he 
 intends that his conduct respecting them shall be as I advise (this 
 appears more favorable than can well be expected), or that, if the 
 previous demand is not answered in a satisfactory manner, he shall 
 consider them on a different footing from that on which our former 
 prisoners were, and the agreement totally dissolved. We are told 
 government offered the prisoners they took to the India Company, 
 and they have procured an act dispensing with that of the habeas 
 corpus in particular cases of persons supposed inimical to them. 
 How far they or their commanders may adopt these measures, re- 
 mains to be known. I have only mentioned them as they respect 
 the general subject of my letter." * 
 
 Congress moved slowly, but in the end approved of Washington's 
 reasoning, and directed him not to recede from his position. As a 
 consequence he wrote a full reply. 
 
 TO LIEUTENANT-GENERAL HOWE. 
 
 Middlebrook, i o June, 1777. 
 Sir: 
 
 Your several letters of the 21st of April, 2 2d of May, and 5 th in- 
 stant, have been received. Having stated my sentiments in an ex- 
 
 * Washington to the President of Congress, 28 May, 1777. 
 
44 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 plicit manner in my letter of the 9th of April, upon the subject of 
 your demand and the disagreement between us, I thought it unnec- 
 essary to trouble you with a repetition of them. From the com- 
 plexion of yours of the 21st of April, we appeared to differ so widely, 
 that I could entertain no hopes of a compromise being effected, or 
 that an answer would produce any good end. But, as you have 
 called upon me again for my final determination upon the matter, I 
 shall freely give it, after making some observations upon what you 
 have said, with the intention to obviate the objections on my part to 
 a compliance with your demand through Lieutenant-Colonel Wal- 
 cott. 
 
 You admit the principle, upon which my objection to account for 
 the whole number of prisoners sent out by you is founded, but deny 
 the application, by delicately insinuating, in the first instance, that 
 the ill treatment complained of, was " an expedient to cherish pop- 
 lar delusion," and by asserting, in the second, that, supposing their 
 sufferings to have been real, they were to be ascribed to other causes, 
 than those assigned by me. I shall not undertake to determine, on 
 whom the charge of endeavouring to excite popular delusion falls 
 with most propriety ; but I cannot forbear intimating, that, however 
 successful ingenious miscolorings may be, in some instances, to per- 
 plex the understanding in matters of Speculation, yet it is difficult to 
 persuade Mankind to doubt the Evidence of their Senses, and the 
 reality of those facts, for which they can appeal to them. Unless 
 this can be done, permit me to assure you, it will always be be- 
 lieved, whatever may be suggested to the contrary, that men could 
 not be in a more deplorable situation, than those unhappy sufferers 
 were, who are the subject of our difference. Did I imagine that 
 you, Sir, had any serious scruples on the occasion, I might produce, 
 in support of what I have alleged, the strongest proofs that Human 
 testimony can afford. 
 
 To prove that the prisoners did not suffer from any ill treatment 
 or neglect of yours, you say, " they were confined in the most airy 
 buildings and on board the largest transports in the fleet ; that they 
 were supplied with the same provisions, both in quantity and qual- 
 ity, as were allowed to your Troops not on service ; that the sick, 
 such of them as required peculiar care, were received into the 
 British hospitals, and the rest attended by their own surgeons, who 
 were supplied with medicines without restriction, till it was discov- 
 ered, that they disposed of large quantities by private sale." That 
 airy buildings were chosen to confine our men in, is a fact I shall 
 not dispute. But, whether this was an advantage or not, in the 
 Winter Season, I leave it to you to decide. I am inclined to think 
 it was not, especially as there was a General complaint, that they 
 were destitute of fire the greater part of the time, and were only 
 prevented from feeling the inclemency of the weather, in its 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 45 
 
 extremest rigor, by their crowded situation. This, I must believe, 
 was not very conducive to their health ; and, if we may judge by- 
 comparison, we must conclude that they endured similar inconven- 
 iences on board the transports. 
 
 As to the supplies of provisions, I know not what they were. My 
 ideas of the matter were drawn from their united testimony, con- 
 firmed by their appearance, which represented the allowance as 
 insufficient in quantity, bad in quality, and irregularly served. You 
 yourself mention some " accidental instances of omission." I appre- 
 hend they were much more frequent, than you were apprized of. It 
 may not be improper to observe, that there is a material difference 
 between persons confined and deprived of every means of subsist- 
 ence, in aid of their allowance, and those who are at large and have 
 other resources, as is the case with your Troops when not on ser- 
 vice, who have the benefit of their pay, and what they can occasion- 
 ally gain by their labor. You might also find from inquiry, that we 
 made no distinction in our supplies, between your soldiers, prisoners 
 with us, and our own in the field. They were not stinted to a 
 scanty pittance, but had full as much as they could use, and of the 
 best kind. In respect to the attention paid to the sick, I am sorry 
 their accommodation was injured, in any degree, by the misconduct 
 of the surgeons. I heartily join with you in reprobating their pro- 
 ceedings, and shall esteem it a favor, if you will point out the per- 
 sons, and furnish me with such proofs of their guilt as you may be 
 possessed of. 
 
 The more effectually to exonerate yourself from the consequences 
 imputed to the neglect or ill treatment of the prisoners, you assert 
 they had every comfort and assistance from you, that your situation 
 would admit ; and that they wanted nothing but money and cloath- 
 ing, which ought to have been furnished by me. Had we left your 
 prisoners with us to depend entirely upon the supplies they drew 
 immediately from you, their condition would have been little better 
 than ours in your hands. Your officers and soldiers can both inform 
 you, that they experienced every mark of public and private gener- 
 osity, that could be shown them. Frequent instances might be ad- 
 duced, that, on notice of your men being in want, orders were 
 immediately given, that necessaries should be procured for them. 
 Every thing was done, on our part, to facilitate any steps you took 
 for the same end. 
 
 You were permitted to have an agent amongst us, countenanced 
 by public authority, and allowed every latitude he could wish to 
 enable him to execute his office. I am sorry to say, the same con- 
 duct has not been observed towards us ; and that there are instances 
 to show, that, far from endeavoring to remove the difficulties, which 
 necessarily lay in our way, to making such ample supplies as we 
 could wish, obstacles have been made, that might very well have 
 
46 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OE 
 
 been waved. A late instance of this is to be found in your refusing 
 to let us have a procuring agent with you, who might purchase what 
 was necessary to supply the wants of our men.* You must be sensi- 
 ble, that, for want of a regular mode being adjusted for mutually 
 conveying supplies, there was a necessity for an exercise of gener- 
 osity on both sides. This was done by us, and we supposed would 
 have been done by you, which made us less anxious in providing, 
 than we should have been, had we foreseen what has really hap- 
 pened. We ascribed every deficiency on your part to the indeter- 
 minate situation of affairs in this respect ; and, looking forward to a 
 more provident arrangement of the matter, we thought it our duty 
 not to let the prisoners with us be destitute of anything requisite for 
 their preservation, and imagined that your reasonings and feelings 
 would have been the same. 
 
 Your saying that we were frequently advised of their distress is of 
 little avail. It was not done, till it was too late to remedy the ill 
 consequences of the past neglect, and till our prisoners were already 
 reduced to a miserable extremity. I wish their sufferings may not 
 have been increased in the article of cloathing, by their being de- 
 prived of what they had, through the rapacity of too many of their 
 captors. Reports of this kind have not been wanting. 
 
 You further observe, that my own experience would suggest 
 whether our army, in the course of the last campaign, was not sub- 
 ject to the same calamitous mortality with the prisoners in your pos- 
 session. I cannot but confess, that there was a great degree of 
 sickness among us ; but I can assure you, that the mortality bore no 
 kind of resemblance to that, which was experienced by the prisoners 
 with you ; and that the disorders in the camp had nearly ceased 
 before the captivity of a large proportion of them. The garrison, 
 that fell into your hands on the 16th of November, was found, I am 
 convinced, in perfect health. 
 
 In reply to my intimation, that it would have been happy, if the 
 Expedient of sending out our men had been earlier thought of, you 
 are pleased to say, that the Event has proved the caution with which 
 you ought to have adopted the measure. What inference can be 
 drawn from my refusing to account for prisoners, scarcely alive, and 
 by no means in an exchangeable condition, to warrant an insinua- 
 tion, that I should have done the same, had they been released 
 under different circumstances, let your own candor determine. But 
 then you ask, " How is the cause of debility in prisoners to be ascer- 
 tained?" This seems to be considered as a perplexing Question. 
 
 * In acknowledging the commission as Deputy Commissary of Prisoners, Lewis 
 Pintard returned it, and wrote : " I must inform you that I believe no person 
 bearing the like would be permitted to remain in the city [New York], and act 
 under it." 19 May, 1777. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 47 
 
 For my part, I cannot view it as involving any great difficulty. 
 There is no more familiar mode of reasoning, than from effects to 
 causes, even in matters of the most interesting importance. In the 
 subject before us, the appearance of the prisoners, and what event- 
 ually happened, proved that they had been hardly dealt with ; but 
 their joint asseverations, aided by the information of others not in- 
 terested in the distress, more than as they regarded the rights of 
 humanity, established the fact too firmly for Incredulity itself to 
 doubt it. 
 
 I should hardly believe you to be serious in your application of 
 the exception, to which you allude, to the case of Major-General 
 Lee, if you had not persisted in a discrimination respecting him. I 
 did not entertain the most distant Idea, that he could have been 
 supposed to come under the description contained in it ; and to 
 force such a construction upon that gentleman's circumstances, how- 
 ever it may be an Evidence of ingenuity, is but an indifferent speci- 
 men of candor. I still adhere to what I have already advanced on 
 this Head. I can by no means think of departing from it. 
 
 I am now to give you my final decision on the subject of your de- 
 mands. In doing this, I can do little more than repeat what I have 
 already said. I am extremely desirous of a general exchange, on 
 liberal and impartial principles ; and it is with great concern I find, 
 that a matter, so mutually .interesting, is impeded by unnecessary 
 obstacles. But I cannot consent to its taking place, on terms so dis- 
 advantageous as those you propose, and which appear to me so con- 
 trary to justice and the spirit of our agreement. I think it proper to 
 declare, that I wish the difference between us to be adjusted on a 
 generous and equitable plan, and mean not to avail myself of the re- 
 leasement of the prisoners to extort any thing from you not compati- 
 ble with the strictest justice. Let a reasonable proportion of pris- 
 oners to be accounted for be settled, and General Lee declared 
 exchangeable, when we shall have an officer of yours of equal rank in 
 our possession. I ask no more. These being done, I shall be happy 
 to proceed to a General Exchange. But, in the mean time, I am 
 willing that a partial one should take place for the prisoners now in 
 your hands, as far as those in ours will extend, except with respect 
 to Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell and the Hessian field-officers, who 
 will be detained till you recognise General Lee as a prisoner of war, 
 and place him on the footing I claim. This latter proposition I am in- 
 duced to make, from the distinction which your Letter of the 2 2d 
 May seems to hold forth ; and I think it necessary to add, that your 
 conduct towards prisoners will govern mine. 
 
 The situation of Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, as represented by 
 you, is such as I neither wished nor approve. Upon the first inti- 
 mation of his complaints, I wrote upon the subject, and hoped there 
 would have been no further cause of uneasiness. That gentleman, 
 
48 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 I am persuaded, will do me the justice to say, he has received no ill 
 treatment at my instance. Unnecessary severity and every species 
 of insult I despise, and, I trust, none will ever have just reason to 
 censure me in this respect. I have written again on your remon- 
 strance, and have no doubt such a line of conduct will be adopted, 
 as will be consistent with the dictates of humanity and agreeable to 
 both his and your wishes. 
 
 I am, Sir, &c. 
 
 Congress also referred the whole subject of prisoners to the Board 
 of War, where there must have been some difference of opinion. A 
 subject that had been so fully treated by the opposing generals, and 
 which was blocked needlessly by the insistance of Congress to secure 
 Lee's release, ought not to have required long study. Both the gen- 
 erals admitted that they had agreed upon the terms of a cartel ; that 
 those terms had been in part carried into effect, and that minor 
 differences had arisen that a reasonable policy could determine. 
 Lee had now been admitted to his parole, so that obstruction was out 
 of the way. 
 
 The Board of War, in a meeting held 22 July, 1777, at which John 
 Adams, James Wilson and William Duer were present, agreed to re- 
 port to Congress 
 
 "That General Washington be empowered to negotiate an ex- 
 change of prisoners with General Howe, for such prisoners as are 
 now in captivity not having any respect to the present Dispute rela- 
 tive to the privates who died upon the Road before they reached the 
 place of their Destination, which for the present is to be suspended, 
 and that such exchange be made without any exception of Lt. Colo- 
 nel Campbell or the Hessian Field officers." 
 
 The proposition was rejected by Congress, 4 ayes, 6 noes, and one 
 divided.* A modified measure was adopted 7 June, 1777. 
 
 " Resolved, That General Washington be authorized to negotiate 
 the exchange of prisoners with the enemy in such manner and on 
 such terms, as he shall judge expedient, notwithstanding the resolu- 
 tion of Congress respecting Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell and the 
 five Hessian field officers." 
 
 Twelve days later these officers were admitted to parole. 
 
 Although the question of a cartel was thus replaced on precisely 
 the footing it was during the summer of 1776, the time for acting 
 was unpropitious. The activities of recruiting and disciplining the 
 
 * MS. The vote is shown by an endorsement in Thomson's writing, but the 
 details of the votes by States are not given. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 49 
 
 army, and the excitements of a campaign intervened. A Commis- 
 sary General of Prisoners was appointed, and a better choice than 
 Elias Boudinot could hardly have been made.* The questions of 
 care, of expense and policy, were strongly in favor of an exchange ; 
 while the stories of suffering on both sides lent great weight to an- 
 other appeal. On a chance opportunity Washington reopened the 
 matter. 
 
 TO SIR WILLIAM HOWE. 
 
 Head-Quarters, 4 November, 1777. 
 Sir: 
 
 I have been informed by Lieutenant- Colonel Frazer, who is now 
 a prisoner in your possession, that Major Balfour, one of your aids, 
 had assured him, that it was your earnest desire, that a general ex- 
 change of prisoners should take place on equitable terms, or, if this 
 could not be effected, that the officers on both sides should be 
 released on parole. This, I have no doubt, was done by your 
 authority, and with an intention, that it should be communicated to 
 me. I assure you, Sir, nothing would afford me more satisfaction, 
 than to carry the first proposition into execution. But, lest we 
 should still unhappily disagree about the privates to be accounted 
 for, and that this may not operate to the prejudice of the officers, it 
 is my wish, for their mutual relief, that their exchange may imme- 
 diately take place, so far as circumstances of rank and number will 
 apply ; and if any should then remain, that they may return to their 
 friends on parole. I am induced to mention an exchange, in pref- 
 erence to the other mode of release, supposing that it will be more 
 agreeable to both parties. 
 
 While we are on this subject, I would take the liberty to suggest, 
 that on the footing of our present agreement the colonels, who are 
 your prisoners, cannot be exchanged, there being no officers of the 
 like rank in your army prisoners with us. From this consideration, 
 I am led to inquire, whether an equivalent cannot be fixed on to 
 effect it, as has been practised in similar cases. I have the honor 
 to be, &c. 
 
 GENERAL HOWE TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Philadelphia, 6 November, 1777. 
 Sir: 
 
 I am favored with your letter of the 4th instant. The general 
 exchange of prisoners is so desirable a measure in justice to the 
 officers and men immediately concerned, that I have repeatedly de- 
 
 * Washington to Boudinot, I April, 1777. 
 
50 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 manded of you a releasement of prisoners equivalent to those you 
 have received, as far as the numbers in your possession will admit, 
 on which condition I could enter upon a further exchange. The 
 officers I have already permitted to return to their homes, on account 
 of some peculiarity in their situations ; and other indulgences, need- 
 less to mention, must sufficiently have evinced my desire to relieve 
 the whole ; and, when this previous point before mentioned is ad- 
 justed by our respective Commissaries, I shall readily agree to make 
 the exchange as general as possible, and to the return of all such 
 officers and men as may afterwards remain unexchanged on either 
 side, under obvious and reasonable conditions. 
 
 Those at present prisoners with me are ready to be delivered on 
 the shortest notice, and it rests solely with you to justify me in doing 
 it. * * * 
 
 In this fair situation every prospect for an exchange seemed favor- 
 able. Unfortunately, the terms of capitulation granted by Gates to 
 Burgoyne, all too favorable to the British general, afforded a new pre- 
 text for delaying the settlement. Again did Congress interfere, and 
 setting aside a solemn compact on a very frivolous pretext, involved 
 itself in a web of casuistry, and its general in a predicament from 
 which he could hardly extricate himself with honor — unless he chose 
 to override the express injunctions of that body. Of Gates' right 
 to enter into a convention, there was no question ; and the terms 
 of that convention, however much to be criticised from the stand- 
 point of policy, should have been strictly complied with. The first 
 note of suggestion came from the New York Council of Safety : — 
 
 FROM THE NEW YORK COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO THE CON- 
 TINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 5 November, 1777. 
 ****** ** 
 
 It is from Congress that we expect relief; the means are in their 
 hands, if scruples, ill suited, in our opinion, to the circumstances of 
 the country, and reprobated by the conduct of the enemy, do not 
 prevent the use of them. Gen'l Burgoyne and his army are valuable 
 hostages for the future good behaviour of the enemy. Should we 
 permit them to depart, may we not have reason to fear the impreca- 
 tions of those who are already ruined by their ravages, and that we 
 may be judged by the laudable jealousy of the tories, as accessory to 
 future devastations by the British army? We know, Sir, that treaties 
 are sacred, and God forbid that those with whom we contend should, 
 in violating them, be justified by our example. But they profess to 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 51 
 
 believe that no faith is to be kept with those they call rebels ; and 
 we have little doubt that Gen'l Burgoyne's army will consider them- 
 selves as released from their engagements, the moment they quit the 
 port of Boston. For a breach of their convention they will not need 
 pretences, if an open avowal of their principles should not render all 
 pretences unnecessary ; may they not allege that we have broke faith 
 with them in the affair of the Cedars, and in the cartel for the ex- 
 change of prisoners? However this may be, shall we hesitate about 
 the part that we ought to take, when, happily, they have furnished 
 us with just and solid reasons for considering the convention as 
 nullified by their own acts? All treaties, sir, ought by the contract- 
 ing parties to be executed, not only in conformity to their letter, but 
 according to their true spirit, intent and meaning ; and more partic- 
 ularly so, those which are capitulatory in their nature, because being 
 founded inter arma, they admit not of that technical precision which 
 may be justly expected in all other treaties. The apparent scope of 
 the convention in question, is to secure a free and undisturbed 
 return of the British army, commanded by Gen'l Burgoyne, to Great 
 Britain and Canada, entirely disarmed and divested of every thing 
 but their personal baggage and the means of carrying it ; and inca- 
 pacitated to serve in America during the present war. This appears 
 most manifestly from the 2d and 6th articles ; and hence it follows, 
 that, according to good faith, all provisions, arms, artillery, stores 
 and ensigns of war, tents, public equipage, and the military chest, 
 ought to have been delivered to us. But of all these, sir, what have 
 we received ? The arms delivered up are by no means proportioned 
 to the number of men, of which their army consisted, without esti- 
 mating spare arms, of which there is reason to believe they had a 
 considerable quantity to put into the hands of the disaffected ; and 
 many of those given in were purposely injured. The standards and 
 military chest are either destroyed or secreted; the tents burned, 
 and only a part of those immense stores which they possessed, has 
 come to our hands. Upon a more minute inquiry, more important 
 infractions may probably be discovered. If the infractions we have 
 alleged are not sufficient, in the judgment of Congress, to nullify the 
 convention, we wish such inquiry may be made. In the meanwhile 
 we would beg leave to ask, whether it is not highly imprudent to 
 leave between 4 and 5,000 men, with their officers at their head, so 
 near the seacoast as Boston, especially while the enemy's troops are 
 at Rhode Island ? or when, after embarkation, the prisoners of war 
 may reinforce the enemy in New York, or Pennsylvania, or with new 
 supplies, make fresh inroads into this, or some neighboring states? 
 We would, therefore, beg leave to hint, that it may not be improper 
 for Congress to retard the embarkation of General Burgoyne and his 
 troops, until full inquiry can be made whether he has honestly per- 
 formed his part of the convention. 
 
52 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 We have spoken, sir, with freedom ; our all depends upon it. We 
 must either bring the enemy to deal with us upon equal terms, or 
 we must give up the contest. If we fetter ourselves with treaties, 
 while they disregard all laws, both human and divine, we forge our 
 own chains ; and, like the apocryphal hero, prefer death and the 
 ruin of our country to the breach of ceremonies which our adver- 
 saries contemn. We have long borne with their inhumanity ; our 
 threats of retaliation have been hitherto considered as idle words, 
 and it is time to give them efficacy ; the juncture is favorable. A 
 brave people should dare to execute what they have thought it just 
 to threaten. ****** 
 
 Washington placed his objection on a very much higher plane, for 
 he thought the ministry would replace the garrisons in England with 
 these convention troops, and send the garrison men to serve in 
 America — a stroke of policy which would not have violated the letter 
 of Burgoyne's convention. He suggested that some delay might be 
 caused in their departure by refusing to sell them sea stores, but 
 supplying them with rations agreeably to stipulation.* Another 
 consideration of some importance suggested itself to Washington. 
 The disadvantages of an embarkation at Boston were so great that 
 no request of Burgoyne to have the port changed should be enter- 
 tained. Transports in rounding the cape at this season of the year 
 would run serious risk, and might be driven even to the West Indies. 
 So highly did he consider this condition, that he sent expresses to 
 enforce it ; j while Gates saw an opportunity to delay, and possibly 
 to force a general exchange : 
 
 " It has occurred to me, that should Sir William Howe still obsti- 
 nately refuse to settle any equitable cartel for the exchange of pris- 
 oners, that Congress would be justified, in ordering the fulfilling the 
 
 * Washington to Jeremiah Powell, 5 November, 1777; to General Heath, 13 
 November, 1777. 
 
 f " I have never entertained the smallest idea, that General Burgoyne should 
 be permitted to change the port of embarkation, or that the least variation of the 
 spirit and letter of the convention would be indulged to the troops under his 
 command. There is no doubt, but the British regiments upon their arrival in 
 England, will be ordered to do duty there, but the Germans cannot, by the laws, 
 serve in Great Britain or Ireland. If General Burgoyne has any sinister design, 
 what I suggested to Congress in my letter of the 10th instant, a copy of which I 
 conclude your Excellency has received, will be a good method of delaying, if not 
 finally preventing the execution of his project." — Gates to Washington, 23 
 November, 1777. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 53 
 
 Convention of Saratoga to be delayed, until the United States 
 received justice in that particular. At any rate, there will be very 
 few of Genl. Burgoyne's soldiers to embark, as most of the Germans, 
 and a great many of the British, have deserted upon their march 
 towards Boston, and many more will yet desert."* 
 
 Sir William's letter of the 6th did not entirely satisfy Washington, 
 and he returned to some points that needed explanation. 
 
 TO SIR WILLIAM HOWE. 
 
 Head-Quarters, 14 November, 1777. 
 Sir: 
 
 I am sorry to find, by the tenor of your letter of the 6th instant, 
 that we still unhappily differ in our ideas of those just and reason- 
 able terms, upon which a general exchange of prisoners might take 
 place, and that an event so desirable is probably yet at a distance. 
 This being the case, that relief to the unhappy, where it is practica- 
 ble, may no longer be delayed, I am induced to accede to your 
 proposition, made through Lieutenant-Colonel Frazer, "that the 
 officers, who are prisoners of war, on both sides should be released, 
 and have liberty to return among their friends on parole." I shall 
 expect your answer as soon as possible upon this subject ; after which 
 I shall give immediately the necessary orders for the return of your 
 officers to such places as you appoint. At the same time, I wish 
 that their exchange may appear to you, as it does to me, the more 
 eligible mode of release. Notwithstanding what I have said, if the 
 interpretation I have given your letter does not correspond with 
 your own meaning, and you are disposed to proceed to an exchange 
 of all the prisoners in your possession, for an equal number of those 
 in my hands, without regard to the dispute subsisting between us, I 
 shall be happy to adopt the measure. I therefore request an expla- 
 nation of the third paragraph of your letter, where you say, — 
 " Those at present prisoners with me are ready to be delivered on 
 the shortest notice, and it rests solely with you to justify me in 
 doing it." 
 
 In respect to the charge against Mr. Boudinot, the enclosed paper 
 will show he has not failed to represent to Mr. Loring the wants of 
 the prisoners in our hands. That these may be supplied, I shall 
 upon your application grant passports to such persons, not above the 
 rank of regimental quartermasters, as you may send out with neces- 
 saries for them. 
 
 You call upon me to redress the grievances of several of your offi- 
 cers and men, who, you are pleased to say, M you are well informed 
 are most injuriously and unjustifiably loaded with irons." If there is 
 
 * Gates to the President of Congress, 10 November, 1777. 
 
54 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 a single instance of a prisoner of war being in irons, I am ignorant 
 of it ; nor can I find on the most minute inquiry, that there is the 
 least foundation for the charge. On the contrary, I have every rea- 
 son to believe, that your officers and men, who are prisoners with us, 
 are experiencing a very different treatment. I wish you to particu- 
 larize the cases you allude to, that relief may be had, if the com- 
 plaints are well founded, and the character and conduct of the per- 
 sons shall not forbid it. 
 
 Now we are upon the subject of grievances, I am constrained to 
 observe, that I have a variety of accounts, not only from prisoners 
 who have made their escape, but from persons who have left Phila- 
 delphia, that our private soldiers in your hands are treated in a 
 manner shocking to humanity, and that many of them must have 
 perished through hunger, had it not been for the charitable contri- 
 butions of the inhabitants. It is added in aggravation, that this 
 treatment is to oblige them to enlist in the corps you are raising. 
 The friends of these unhappy men call daily upon me for their relief, 
 and the people at large insist on retaliating upon those in our pos- 
 session. Justice demands it. However, before I could proceed to 
 a measure my feelings recoil at, I thought it right to mention the 
 facts to you ; and I would propose, that I may be allowed to send a 
 suitable person into the city under the usual restrictions, to examine 
 into the truth of them.* 
 
 I must also remonstrate against the mal-treatment and confine- 
 ment of our officers. This, I am informed, is not only the case of 
 those in Philadelphia, but of many in New York. Whatever plausi- 
 ble pretences may be urged to authorize the condition of the former, 
 it is certain but few circumstances can arise to justify that of the 
 latter. I appeal to you to redress these several wrongs ; and you 
 will remember,, whatever hardships the prisoners with us may be 
 subjected to will be chargeable on you. At the same time it is but 
 justice to observe, that many of the cruelties exercised towards pris- 
 oners are said to proceed from the inhumanity of Mr. Cunningham, 
 provost-martial, without your knowledge or approbation. I am, Sir, 
 with due respect, &c. 
 
 * " Congress in this morning session resolved to make a strict enquiry into the 
 treatment of American soldiers and other inhabitants of America now or late 
 prisoners in Philadelphia. A copy of the resolution will be added to those above 
 mentioned. I have been instructed by Congress to add a request to your Ex- 
 cellency to demand access by a proper officer to such prisoners as remain alive, 
 in order [that] an effectual enquiry may be made and a satisfactory answer as to 
 the facts returned. Congress are of opinion that the demand may be justly 
 founded on the precedent of Agents from the enemy appointed on their part and 
 permitted by Congress to visit Hessian prisoners on this side." President Lau- 
 rens to General Washington, 19 November, 1777. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 55 
 
 P. S. Just as I was about to close my letter, two persons, men of 
 reputation, came from Philadelphia. I transmit to you their depo- 
 sitions respecting the treatment they received while they were your 
 prisoners. I will not comment upon the subject. It is too painful. 
 
 REPLY OF GENERAL HOWE. 
 
 Philadelphia, November, 1777.* 
 Sir: 
 
 I am averse to altercation, and therefore wish to be explicit and 
 understood in my answer to your letter of the 14th instant, and to 
 your very importunate requisition of the 23d. I shall never agree 
 to a partial exchange of prisoners, until you have on your part ful- 
 filled the cartel agreed upon ; but as that matter has already been 
 sufficiently investigated in the course of our correspondence, and by 
 deputies respectively appointed, it is unnecessary to enlarge upon 
 the subject. As liquidating the account, by the delivery of an equal 
 number of prisoners for those received by your agents and commis- 
 saries, is the only preliminary, which can be admitted for a further 
 arrangement ; of course it rests with you, whether an exchange is to 
 take place or not, and therefore you stand responsible for the incon- 
 venience, which the officers and men of our respective armies must 
 unavoidably be put to in their present state of captivity. 
 
 In order to alleviate their distress, and remove the evil as far as 
 depends upon me, I shall permit officers for officers of equal rank to 
 go home upon their paroles. That rule, if you choose to adopt the 
 measure, shall be observed for such officers as you send upon their 
 paroles to this place, New York, or Rhode Island. I could wish 
 there were no grievances on either side, real or imaginary, to be 
 complained of, as every man, in my opinion, who comes fairly under 
 the description of a prisoner of war, without any aggravating circum- 
 stances on his part, is undoubtedly entitled to good treatment, and 
 every indulgence, which can in prudence be granted ; but that indul- 
 gence can only be regulated by the situation of the place, in which 
 the prisoners happen to reside. If ever any officer or commissary 
 under my command has deviated from the civility, care, and atten- 
 tion due to prisoners of war, under the above description, it is not 
 consistent with my knowledge, and is contrary to my directions and 
 intention. 
 
 The provision issued to the prisoners, who are or have been in my 
 hands, has been uniformly the same, and is agreeable to a regula- 
 tion, which has long been established for victualling British troops, 
 when they are on board men of war or transports. They surely 
 must receive that allowance, as a field-officer visits them every morn- 
 
 * This letter was received on November 27th. It must have been written on 
 the 25th or 26th. 
 
56 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OE 
 
 ing, who has orders to hear their complaints and to report to me. 
 You cannot suppose there could be any intention of deviating from 
 this rule in the case of Joseph Cloyd and William Dewes. I have no 
 objection to your sending a commissary, with a supply of clothing, 
 money, and other necessaries for the prisoners at Philadelphia, who 
 shall be permitted to visit the places where they are confined. 
 
 In return, I expect you will send passports for persons, who shall 
 not be above the rank of quartermasters or commissaries, to carry 
 supplies for the prisoners in your hands at Hartford and other places, 
 where they are confined. You can stipulate the places to which it 
 is necessary the quartermasters and commissaries should go. I can- 
 not with any precision ascertain them, and therefore leave it at large 
 for your determination. I cannot enter into the merits of Mr. Bou- 
 dinot's report to you, as he refers to a correspondence with Com- 
 missary Loring, who is at New York. You wish me to particularize 
 the cases I allude to, of prisoners of war being injuriously and un- 
 justifiably loaded with irons. Major Stockton and other officers of 
 the New Jersey Volunteers were put in irons at Princeton. The 
 Major and a captain of that regiment were marched out of that place 
 under a guard, and handcuffed together. 
 
 I am with due respect, Sir, your most .obedient servant. 
 
 W. Howe. 
 
 This letter came at a critical period, for Washington, vexed at the 
 delay in hearing from Howe, was in the act of giving instructions to 
 Boudinot to confine a number of the officers in his hands, and to put 
 the privates under different and harsher restrictions than had been 
 imposed. This measure of retaliation was undertaken with great 
 reluctance. " Captivity of itself is sufficiently grievous," he wrote to 
 Howe on the 28th, "and it is crued to add to its distresses." The 
 whole correspondence was sent to Congress, and the report of the 
 Board of War, as recorded in the Congress MS., discredited Howe. 
 
 At a Board of War, 5 December, 1777. Present, Mr. Lee, Mr. 
 Duer, Mr. Harvey and Mr. Smith. 
 
 The Board beg leave to report that they have taken into consid- 
 eration the letters which have passed betwixt General Washington 
 and General Howe from the 4* to the 26* of November, relative to 
 the exchange and treatment of prisoners, and submit to the consid- 
 eration of Congress the following Resolutions. 
 
 That General Washington be informed that General Howe's an- 
 swer to his Letters of the 14th and 23d of November, remonstrating 
 against the inhuman treatment of the American Prisoners, is in the 
 opinion of Congress by no means explicit and satisfactory, since it 
 neither invalidates the truth of the Depositions of Joseph Cloyd and 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 57 
 
 William Dewes, Citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or 
 gives assurance of a more humane attention in future to the American 
 prisoners in General Howe's power, than has been hitherto shown to 
 them. 
 
 That General Washington be directed to require of General Howe 
 a speedy and explicit explanation of the following passages in his 
 Letter in answer to those of General Washington of the 14* and the 
 23d. November. 
 
 "As every Man in my opinion who comes fairly under the descrip- 
 tion of a Prisoner of War, without any aggravating Circumstance 
 on his part, is undoubtedly entitled to good Treatment, and every 
 Indulgence which can in prudence be granted; but the Indulgence 
 can only be regulated by the situation of the place, in which prison- 
 ers happen to reside." 
 
 " If ever any officer or Commissary under my command has de- 
 viated from the Civility, Care and Attention due to Prisoners of 
 War, under the above Description, it is not consistent with my 
 knowledge, and is contrary to my Directions and Intention." 
 
 "The Provision issued to the Prisoners which are or have been in 
 my hands, has been uniformly the same, and is agreeable to a Regu- 
 lation, which has long been establish'd, for victualling British Troops 
 when they are on board Men of War or Transports ; they surely 
 must receive that allowance, as a Field Officer visits them every 
 morning, who has orders to hear their Complaints, and to report to 
 me. You cannot suppose there could be an intention of deviating 
 from this Rule, in the case of Joseph Cloyd and William Dewes." 
 
 As there are several passages in the above cited Paragraphs which 
 strongly imply General Howe's intention of making a distinction in 
 treatment between Persons taken in Arms and the faithful and liege 
 Citizens of these States, who by chance or the fortune of War may 
 fall into his power; an intention utterly irreconcileable, not only 
 with the principles of humanity but with the spirit of General 
 Howe's former Sentiments on this subject, as expressed in the fol- 
 lowing paragraph of his letter to General Washington, dated Staten 
 Island, August 1, 1776 : — 
 
 " Wishing sincerely to give Relief to the Distresses of ALL Pris- 
 oners, I shall readily consent to the mode of exchange you are 
 pleased to propose, viz* , officers for those of Equal Rank, Soldier for 
 Soldier, Citizen for Citizen, the choice to be made by the respective 
 Commanders for their own Officers and Men." 
 
 Extract from the Minutes, 
 
 Joseph Nourse, D. S. 
 
 Endorsed : "One Motion confirmed as an amendment. A Reso- 
 lution offered 8 Decern. Postponed to 15th."* 
 
 ♦The "one motion" is printed in the Journals, 8 December, 1778, and prac- 
 tically omits the extracts from Howe's letter, without altering the purpose of the 
 
58 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 A new point had been suggested by Washington which was of 
 importance in its subsequent developments. In November he had 
 asked why the British were allowed to pay for the subsistence of 
 their prisoners in Continental money, money " which they refuse 
 themselves, which they attempt to depreciate in every instance they 
 possibly can," and which they had openly counterfeited. Besides, 
 the British had demanded hard money of the Americans for the 
 support of the prisoners in their hands. Why should not they be 
 obliged to pay in coin? The suggestion bore fruit, and Burgoyne 
 was informed that coin only would be received, a condition which 
 he thought somewhat odd, as it implied that Congress did not give 
 credit to its own paper.* Having settled this point, Washington re- 
 turned to another issue — that of accounts : 
 
 " While I am on the subject of Mr. Burgoyne and his army, I 
 would submit it to Congress, whether it will not be right and reason- 
 able, that all expenses, incurred on their account for provisions, 
 should be paid and satisfied previously to their embarkation and de- 
 parture ; I mean by an actual deposit of the money. Unless this is 
 done, there will be little reason to suppose, that it will ever be paid. 
 They have failed (that is, the nation) in other instances, as I have 
 been told, after liquidating their accounts and giving the fullest cer- 
 tificates, and we cannot expect they will keep better faith with us 
 than with others. The payment, too, I should apprehend, ought to 
 be in coin, as it will enable us to administer some relief to our un- 
 fortunate officers and men who are in captivity."! 
 
 This was the situation when Colonel Webb was made a prisoner. 
 
 Pending an appeal to Howe, Congress issued its final decision, 
 that the embarkation of the Convention troops be suspended until a 
 distinct and explicit ratification of the convention of Saratoga should 
 
 resolution so far as the treatment of citizens went. Not deeming this sufficient, 
 another motion was made to direct Washington to " demand of General Howe a 
 speedy and explicit explanation of the line of conduct which he hath adopted, and 
 means to observe in future to such persons, whether officers, soldiers, or citizens 
 of these States, as may be subjected to his power," but the consideration was post- 
 poned, and does not appear to have reached a final determination. 
 
 * "The demanding hard money was so extraordinary that he [Burgoyne] 
 imagined Great Britain would not hesitate at paying thirty thousand pounds ster- 
 ling to publish such a procedure to the world." Heath to the President of Congress^ 
 1 8 January, 1778. 
 
 t Washington to Congress^ 14 December, 1777. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 59 
 
 be properly notified by the court of Great Britain. This bold move, 
 which cannot be justified, forced Howe to agree to an exchange. 
 
 HOWE TO WASHINGTON. 
 
 Philadelphia, 5 February, 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 By advices received from Rhode Island, transmitting to me a 
 copy of a letter from General Heath to Lieut-General Burgoyne, a 
 copy of which is inclosed, I am informed that it is determined to 
 detain General Burgoyne's troops in New England until all demands 
 for their provisions and other necessaries are satisfied, and that this 
 determination is grounded, not only upon a requisition of mine for 
 provisions to be sent in for the subsistence of the prisoners in my 
 possession, and for the purchase of other necessaries, but upon a for- 
 gery by my agents, emissaries and abettors, of what are called conti- 
 nental bills of credit. This last allegation is too illiberal to deserve 
 a serious answer. 
 
 With regard to the other, I know not from what expression, in 
 any of my letters to you, it has been understood, that I made the 
 requisition alluded to. You know that the allowance of provisions to 
 prisoners, from the beginning of my command, has been equal in 
 quantity and quality to what is given to our own troops not on ser- 
 vice. If you had thought this insufficient, you might have directed 
 a farther supply from the markets, and were likewise at liberty to 
 send in whatever articles you thought proper from the country. The 
 allowance of fuel has been also regulated, as well as our means would 
 admit, and a similar permission of purchase or supply from you has 
 never been refused. My letter of the 21st of April last explained to 
 you what was afforded to the prisoners ; clothing, and some other 
 necessaries, they had a right to expect from those, who had been the 
 occasion of their being exposed to the chance of captivity, and that 
 idea I have ever understood to be mutual. But notwithstanding the 
 remonstrances I made to you upon that point, finding that supplies 
 were not sent in, my humanity interposed in behalf of the unfortun- 
 ate men in our possession ; and, on a late representation of their 
 distress, I permitted in this city the purchase of blanketing, and such 
 other necessaries as the severity of the winter require, and without 
 which they must absolutely have perished. 
 
 Confident as I am, that you will acknowledge this to be a just 
 recital of facts, I cannot but think it unnecessary to say any thing 
 farther, either upon the cruelty falsely alleged to have been exercised 
 against the prisoners, or the unjust reflections you have been so often 
 induced to transmit to me upon that head. In consideration, how- 
 ever, of the real and unavoidable distresses of the prisoners on both 
 sides, as well as to put an end to all fruitless altercation on the sub- 
 
6o CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 ject, I shall consent to an immediate exchange of all prisoners now 
 in our possession, as well officers as private men, so far as the num- 
 ber of the latter, and parity of the rank of the former, will admit. 
 In the mean time, I shall wait the arrival here of the British officers, 
 whom you have released upon their paroles, and shall, without delay, 
 send an equal number to you in return. 
 
 With regard to the account for provisions and other necessaries, 
 which I find by General Heath's letter is become a pretext for in- 
 fringing, if it is not intended as an absolute breach of, the conven- 
 tion of Saratoga, I do readily agree to the immediate appointment 
 of commissioners, on your part and on mine, to settle that account, 
 together with all other accounts for provisions, &c, furnished the 
 prisoners on either side, and to make payment of the balance. As 
 I have no objection to the earliest meeting of the commissioners for 
 completing the exchange and liquidating the accounts, I trust there 
 will be no new impediment to the release of General Burgoyne's 
 troops, but that you will give immediately such orders for their 
 embarkation upon the arrival of the transports at Boston, as will 
 remove every difficulty. I am &c, 
 
 W. Howe. 
 
 WASHINGTON TO SIR WILLIAM HOWE. 
 
 Head-Quarters, io February, 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 I received yesterday the favor of your letter of the 5th instant. 
 In answer to whatever it contains concerning General Burgoyne's 
 army, and the measures adopted relative to it, I have only to inform 
 you, that this is a matter in which I have never had the least direc- 
 tion. It lies wholly with Congress ; and the proposals you make on 
 this head must be submitted to them. I have accordingly trans- 
 mitted a copy of your letter, and shall be ready to forward to you 
 any resolution they may take in consequence. 
 
 I shall omit animadverting on your observations with regard to the 
 allowance and treatment to prisoners in your hands. It is a subject 
 which has been fully discussed in the progress of our correspond- 
 ence ; and the necessity of a further investigation is superseded, by 
 your now meeting me on the ground I have so long wished. The 
 powers under which I act are entirely derived from Congress, and 
 must of course be subject to such modifications, as they may think 
 proper according to circumstances to prescribe. But, holding 
 myself fully authorized, by their instructions and intentions, to avail 
 myself of the reasonable terms, you are at this time willing to adopt 
 for the mutual relief of prisoners, I shall explicitly close with your 
 propositions to the following effect : — " That an exchange of all 
 prisoners now in our possession, officer for officer, soldier for soldier, 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 61 
 
 and citizen for citizen, so far as number and rank will apply," be 
 carried into execution, as expeditiously as the nature of the case will 
 admit, and without regard to any controverted point, which might 
 prove an impediment to so desirable an end. And here, as I may 
 not clearly understand your meaning, when you say, — " In the mean 
 time I shall wait the arrival of the British officers, whom you have 
 released upon their paroles, and shall without delay send an equal 
 number to you in return," — I take occasion to request, that you will 
 be pleased to favor me with an explanation ; whether you intend to 
 consider such officers, on both sides, as still continuing under the 
 obligation of a parole, or as absolutely exchanged in pursuance of 
 the general cartel. I see no reason why an effectual exchange 
 should not at once operate with respect to them. 
 
 I also agree, that two commissioners from me shall meet a like 
 number from you, on the ioth day of March in Germantown, at the 
 King of Prussia Tavern, at eleven in the forenoon, to adjust upon 
 equitable terms the difference you mention, and such other matters 
 as they may be severally empowered to determine. 
 
 With respect to a general settlement of accounts, as it compre- 
 hends points with which I have no authority to interfere, it is not in 
 my power to concur in the measure you suggest for that purpose. I 
 am under the necessity of referring it to the decision of Congress. 
 Considering a general exchange as finally agreed on between us, I 
 shall without delay order the prisoners in our hands to places in the 
 vicinity of your different posts, as their respective situations may 
 render most convenient ; and shall give you notice as they arrive, 
 that you may return a number equal to those sent in from time to 
 time. I am, with due respect, Sir, &c. 
 
 Howe objected to so late a day for the conference, deeming an 
 early meeting essential to the relief of the prisoners ; but Washing- 
 ton insisted upon his date, and Howe with bad grace acquiesced. 
 Washington felt obliged to consult Congress. That body had ap- 
 pointed in January a committee, to proceed to camp, and consult 
 with the Commander in chief on a new system of army administra- 
 tion. The Committee was composed of five members, Dana, Reed, 
 Folsom, G. Morris and Charles Carroll. Among the subjects that 
 required their attention was the cartel for the exchange. A letter 
 on this topic was prepared by Gouverneur Morris, and is preserved 
 among the MSS. of the Congress. It is without date, and is en- 
 dorsed "superceded by a Conference." In it and Washington's let- 
 ter of March 7th, we have the situation outlined. 
 
62 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 COMMITTEE TO WASHINGTON. 
 [Drawn up by G. Morris.] 
 
 Sir: 
 
 The Committee at Moor Hall have employed such Time as they 
 could spare from many Interruptions this Morning in a Conference 
 upon the very important Subject of the Cartel now about to be es- 
 tablished. And altho' they may not be (and probably are not) so 
 well acquainted with some Facts as other Gentlemen and having 
 perhaps different Feelings upon the Subject may view the same 
 Object in a different Point of Light, yet they conceive that the Ideas 
 of Citizens may not be quite useless to Gentlemen of the Army now 
 about to determine on the dearest Rights of Citizens at least of un- 
 fortunate ones. Neither will it be improper that as Members of 
 Congress, they should endeavor to explain and to vindicate some 
 Resolutions of Congress which must in the Course of the Business 
 become Matter of Debate and which (in the Opinion of some Gen- 
 tlemen not improperly have been already stigmatized as cruel and 
 unjust. Your Excellency's Request, superadded to these Considera- 
 tions, leads the Committee to go into the Matter a little at large — 
 a Measure which on so important a Transaction their Duty seems to 
 require. 
 
 Without entering into the Deduction of an historical Train of 
 Facts we shall simply refer to* those which apply to particular Prop- 
 ositions ; but it appears to us absolutely necessary to investigate if 
 possible the precise Situation which the contracting Parties stand in, 
 as well absolutely as relatively to each other. For since no Fact 
 can be clearer than this, that Interest alone (and not Principles of 
 Justice or Humanity) governs Men on such Occasions, it becomes 
 necessary to know our Interest and theirs which can alone be col- 
 lected from such Situations. 
 
 And here because it frequently happens that Soldiers particularly 
 young Soldiers are dazzled with misconceived or ill applied Notions 
 of Honor it may be well to step a little on one side and explain our 
 Sentiments. Honor, mutually pledged, appears to the Committee 
 to be the ostensible Security of Compacts prompted and complied 
 with for mutual Ease, Security or Advantage. The Current of His- 
 tory will shew us that this Security is for the most Part only ostensi- 
 ble, and were History silent, our own Melancholy Experience in the 
 present War after the first Cartel settled, will evince the Truth of the 
 Observation at least as far as the Business before us requires. But 
 allowing that it were more than ostensible, allow it to be real. We 
 cannot conceive that it hath any Thing to do with adjusting the 
 Terms of the Compact. It is in publick what Honesty is in private 
 Transactions and tho Honesty obliges a Man to pay what he owes, 
 it hardly obliges a Man to run in Debt. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 63 
 
 The Enemy possessing Quebec, Halifax, Rhode Island, New York, 
 Philadelphia and Florida, are distressed for Men to make a proper 
 Defence at these several Places in the Beginning of the ensuing 
 Campaign, they being at present ignorant where the Storm which 
 they suppose to be collecting will fall and fully convinced that the 
 Loss of any capital Post will do them more essential Injury than the 
 Failure of an Expedition, or a considerable Defeat. Besides this, it 
 is with Difficulty they can procure Subsistence for their present 
 Force in America, and their Supplies of Money begin to run low. 
 They are therefore much affected by the Resolutions of Congress 
 compelling them to send Provision in Specie or pay for it in hard 
 Money at a par Exchange. 
 
 Having mentioned these Resolutions it is not amiss to attempt to 
 clear them from the Imputation of Inequity. And first it must be 
 observed that in every Compact between belligerent Powers to as- 
 certain money Matters, Recourse must be had to a tertium inter- 
 veniens, or middle Rate, neither Party being willing to trust the 
 Honesty of the other, seeing that if he did, that other by exercising 
 the allowed sovereignty of a state might raise or lower the current 
 coin so as to suit his own Convenience according to the Circumstan- 
 ces and Exigencies which might arise. A fortiori on the present 
 occasion is such a precaution necessary to us, the Value of whose 
 Money is from the Nature of the Case more fluctuating than that of 
 other Nations. Besides which the Enemy deny that it is Money 
 and have not only the Will, but in a great Measure the Power too, 
 of governing its Value, and further have exerted themselves to de- 
 preciate it by Methods totally unprecedented among honest Men. 
 If then it were agreed that both Sides should pay for the Subsistence 
 of Prisoners in the Money of the respective Countries, what would 
 be the Consequence but that our Resources must be entirely ex- 
 hausted in maintaining our Enemies, and this by Reason of their 
 Knavery and our Folly. Besides this it would be declaring upon the 
 very Face of the Transaction that our Money is not worth a Quarter 
 of what it is uttered for by Congress, which is the next step to mak- 
 ing it worth nothing at all. With a View to these Inconveniences, 
 Congress fix the Medium to be in Spanish Milled Dollars, worth 
 each a paper Dollar of the Currency of these States @ 4/6 Sterling. 
 Nor does the objection of Inequity lie so strongly as Gentlemen 
 suppose even in their own favorite Point of View, for it is permitted 
 to them to pay in Specie, and if they can do it cheaper and more 
 conveniently than in Gold, they certainly will, but the Fact is their 
 Provision costs them more than ours even on this inequitable Ex- 
 change as it is called, and we shall have to pay for so much as is 
 furnished to our Prisoners according to what it costs them, and not 
 as we might have bought it in the Country. Nor shall we be per- 
 mitted to replace our Deficiency in Provisions unless they happen to 
 
64 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 want Subsistence. For this we find was the Case at first, and the 
 Liberty of sending in Flour and wheat as they grow short in the Arti- 
 cles was (on that Principle and for their own Advantage) extended 
 to an amount for purchasing other Necessaries, yet even then they 
 by Proclamation obliged us to sell our Wheat at their Price, or in 
 other Words to pay for their Commodities just what they pleased. 
 And tho it may be said that this Proclamation applied chiefly or 
 only to their own Territory, yet where it is known (and the Fact is) 
 that the Inhabitants of that Territory never did raise Wheat beyond 
 their own consumption, the slight thin Pretence only exposes their 
 Conduct. 
 
 But to return, it is evident that the Interest of the Enemy now 
 calls upon them loudly for an Exchange of Men, and therefore it is 
 by no means a matter of surprise that Genl. Howe after having de- 
 layed it so long is from these circumstances brought to urge an 
 Exchange with such Rapidity. 
 
 On the other Hand the Capture of Burgoyne and the Leizure 
 allowed the United States to breathe from the late Exertions will en- 
 able them to bring no despicable Force into the Field earlier than 
 the Enemy can be well supported by additional numbers ; besides 
 this the maintaining so large a number of their Prisoners will bring 
 in considerable supplies of solid coin while the Liberty which a 
 Principle of Retaliation now fully adopted compels them to allow 
 our Prisoners, will enable us to maintain them with comfort among 
 the Enemy, whereas if exchanged, they would scatter abroad thro' 
 the Country and make little or no Addition of strength to our Army. 
 At the same Time the Want we feel of good officers and the suffer- 
 ings of our sailors and citizens call upon us to establish a Cartel. 
 Our Interest therefore is to push the Exchange of Officers, Mariners 
 and Citizens. The Mariners indeed will not be exchanged on the 
 ensuing Conference, but must take their chance upon the great and 
 useful Retaliation which Genl. Howe with great Propriety condemns, 
 because it affects his Interest which was greatly forwarded by ren- 
 dering American Prisoners so miserable as to disincline them to the 
 service of their Country if not absolutely forced to abjure it. 
 
 The Exchange of officers will we believe be admitted by the 
 Enemy tho' from the Delays affected there, and the parole system 
 adopted there is very good Reason to suppose that they will expect 
 great sacrifices on our Part in the Exchange of Privates and also 
 some Relaxation in the inequitable Demand of subsistence. But the 
 Exchange of Citizens they will if possible avoid, because it is their 
 Interest to render the Acceptance of civil offices extremely danger- 
 ous, since without civil offices there can be no civil Government, and 
 the Enemy have Discernment enough to discover that civil Govern- 
 ments will be a more effectual Bar to their claim than any Army 
 upon Earth, and this for Reasons your Excellency is so fully 
 possessed of that it is needless to run thro the Detail. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 65 
 
 Hence it follows that the Exchange of Citizens should be a sine 
 qua non of the Treaty ; it should be made the great Corner Stone, 
 Unless the Enemy will (which they will not) agree to carry on the 
 War upon those benevolent Principles which we set them a fair Ex- 
 ample of by Releasing all such of their Citizens as fell into our 
 Hands. The next Part of the Treaty should we conceive be the 
 Exchange of officers, and here as well as in the Exchange of Citi- 
 zens, we ought to insist that former agreements be complied with on 
 their Part before we take a single step further in the Business. The 
 great security of Public Faith being a regular and rigid Execution of 
 the Performance of every Promise on the Part of our Enemies while 
 we have the Power of compelling Performance, which will be the 
 Case so long as we prudently retain their soldiers in our Hands. 
 
 Another Resolution of Congress presents a very considerable Ob- 
 stacle in the way of this exchange, and that is a Resolution directing 
 that the subjects of the several states found in Arms shall be deliv- 
 ered to the states respectively. The Enemy will doubtless expect 
 either a direct or at least an implicative Repeal of this Resolution, 
 but as neither the one or the other can be in the Power of the Com- 
 missioners would it not be proper either to obtain a Confirmation of 
 their Authority from Congress or else to instruct the Commissioners 
 to insert a general clause to the following Effect, viz. : " Provided 
 always that Nothing herein contained shall be construed in any wise 
 to affect any Acts of the British Parliament or Resolutions of the 
 American Congress." But if it shall be thought most advisable to 
 obtain from Congress a Confirmation of the absolute Power of the 
 Commissioners, we then submit to your Excellency the Propriety of 
 directing them to provide that such Troops raised by the Enemy 
 in America shall be last exchanged, and also a special Provisoe that 
 nothing in the Articles contained shall be construed to prevent either 
 Party from proceeding judicially against those who by the Event of 
 this Contest shall appear to have been Rebels. The Reason of 
 which observation is this that so long as the Troops raised among us 
 are entitled to the Privilege of equal Exchange, the Enemy will be 
 enabled to carry on the American War in a great Measure by the 
 strength of America. Besides this it is no small Inducement to in- 
 terested Men to join them, that at the worst Great Britain will make 
 it an Article to save the Property of her Adherents in America, and 
 altho Prudence may as it probably will lead us to go a great Way in 
 our Compliances to get rid of a very burthensome War, yet certainly 
 Prudence will now dictate to hold out a Beacon to the wavering in 
 Terrorem. 
 
 Should a Cartel take Place then in settling the Terms great Atten- 
 tion should be paid to the valuation which both with Regard to civil 
 and military Characters should be made on Republican Principles, 
 that is the officers should be estimated very low when compared with 
 
66 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 the Privates, whether Citizens or soldiers, and besides this they 
 should be exchangeable for each other only — that is to say civil offi- 
 cers for civil officers, military for military, citizen for citizen, and 
 soldier for soldier. The Reasons of which, considering the dispro- 
 portionate number of officers and those too of high rank among us, 
 are too evident to dwell upon. 
 
 In adjusting accounts we cannot but be of opinion that the full 
 Value of our Money should rigidly be insisted on, and before the 
 Ballance is struck it should be agreed how such Ballance is to be 
 paid ; for which a Variety of Modes presents itself. If neither Gold 
 or Paper will answer (for if they will not acknowledge the legality 
 and Value of our Money, they certainly should not be permitted to 
 pay their Debts with it) then it may be proper for the Americans to 
 pay in Wheat and the English in Cloth at limited Prices, which 
 would be for the mutual Advantage of both Parties, or to establish 
 some other Mode alike in the Power of both to comply with. 
 
 The Enemy will probably make a very considerable Demand of 
 Prisoners taken at Fort Washington, but before a Tittle of this is 
 complied with for the Sake of the Influence it may have on future 
 Transactions, the Question must be settled whether Prisoners on 
 Parole are or are not at the Risque of those who grant the Parole, 
 and this must be made an Article of the Treaty. For if they are not, 
 then when old Prescott dies, Lee should be considered as released, 
 because upon calling for Prescott he could not come in, and there- 
 fore the other would not be bound. But if they are, then we are not 
 to account for one more of these Men than are now alive. However, 
 supposing the former to be the Rule established, which we believe 
 ought to be the Case, then a manifest Distinction is to be taken be- 
 tween the common Accidents of Nature and other Circumstances. 
 For clearly should the Enemy after dismissing Prisoners on Parole 
 waylay them and put them to the sword, we should not be held to 
 redeem them. Again, if their Death was rendered equally certain 
 by previously administering Arsenick, the Determination ought to be 
 the same ; and surely no good Distinction can be taken between 
 Death brought on by a Detention of the Necessaries of Life, and an 
 Exhibition of the Principles of Death. If therefore it should appear 
 that these unhappy Men were by hard Treatment so reduced that 
 great Numbers necessarily died, we ought not to be held to account 
 for them, and a very favorable opportunity now offers to stickle for 
 these unhappy People to the uttermost and in order that the Enemy 
 may find it their Interest to treat Prisoners better in future, they 
 should not be suffered to take the least advantage of their own 
 Wrong. The Commissioners therefore should be directed to estimate 
 the Number of these Prisoners very low and further to start an Ob- 
 jection whether even any of them are to be exchanged, inasmuch as 
 the Capitulation of Fort Washington was clearly broken, and altho it 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 67 
 
 may not be proper to insist on this Matter, yet it will be of use to 
 raise it, because in Treaty the Claim of an adversary should be op- 
 posed on every just and honorable Ground, since by that Means it 
 may be much lessened if not totally avoided ; besides which the only 
 Security for their future good Faith consists in making them pay for 
 their former Iniquities. 
 
 Another claim they may perhaps set up is that of Restitution for 
 the Men taken at the Cedars, but on this Occasion the Case of Fort 
 William Henry last War is so fully in Point that they cannot say 
 much on the subject. 
 
 On the whole, Sir, we have to entreat that the Commissioners will 
 not suffer a Head long Desire of relieving the Miseries of our un- 
 happy fellow Countrymen or a blind Attachment to Principles which 
 the Enemy disregard (they having in Fact nothing to do in the 
 making of Treaties) to lead them into a hasty acquiescence in the 
 Enemy's insidious Proposals, for such their Proposals will and 
 indeed ought to be, if they would maintain the Character of able 
 Negotiators. But that on the other Hand they will industriously 
 consider that on a proper Management and use of the present 
 opportunity, the Rights and Interests of this Country do most 
 materially depend. And we cannot but wish for many Reasons that 
 they may be careful not to interfere with the Resolutions of Con- 
 gress, which may involve in it very disagreeable Altercations. 
 
 It is true that by insisting on these various Points the Treaty may 
 become intricate, and after all the whole Matter fall to the ground. 
 But if it should, who will suffer most by the Accident. This is a 
 Question which should be maturely weighed, because upon a 
 proper answer to it must depend the Steps to be taken on our Part. 
 And at any Rate should the Exchange be ever so desirable, the best 
 Way to bring it about will be by an apparent Indifference whether it 
 ever takes Place. 
 
 WASHINGTON TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. 
 
 Valley Forge, 7 March, 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 I take the liberty of transmitting to you copies of three letters 
 from General Howe, of the 14th and 21st ultimo, and of the 2d in- 
 stant, with their enclosures. The unhappy violation of the flag of 
 truce has laid us under no small embarrassments, and has afforded 
 the enemy good grounds for complaint and triumph at the same 
 time. This however is the natural consequence, and must ever be 
 the case, where different powers counteract each other in matters of 
 the most delicate importance. There are some circumstances at- 
 tending this affair, which it may possibly be in the power of Con- 
 gress to throw light upon. If they can, I shall be obliged by their 
 assistance. 
 
68 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 March 8th. — In consequence of the letters, which have lately 
 passed between General Howe and myself, particularly those of the 
 5th and 10th ultimo, copies of which I had the honor to transmit to 
 you in mine of the 8th, continued to the 14th, I was about to send 
 commissioners to meet those appointed by General Howe for adjust- 
 ing the disputed points between us, carrying into execution an ex- 
 change of prisoners, and improving the old cartel, as far as it might 
 be practicable, for their better accommodation in future. This 
 meeting was to be on the 10th instant ; but, yesterday morning, 
 Dunlap's paper of the 4th being put into my hands, I found that a 
 resolution had been made on the 26th of February, calling for all 
 accounts against prisoners in our hands, and declaring that no ex- 
 change should take place, till the balance due thereon to the United 
 States is discharged. Some of the States are not required to exhibit 
 their claims till the 1st of June. The time that would be taken to 
 adjust them, and make a delivery of the prisoners, would more than 
 exhaust all the ensuing summer. 
 
 This resolution I cannot consider as an intended infraction of my 
 engagements with General Howe ; yet its operation is diametrically 
 opposite both to the spirit and letter of the propositions made on 
 my part, and acceded to on his. I supposed myself fully authorized 
 "by the instructions and intentions" of Congress to act as I did; 
 and I now conceive, that the public as well as my own personal 
 honor and faith are pledged for the performance. 
 
 By the direction of Congress, I in the first instance stipulated 
 with General Howe an exchange of prisoners, "officer for officer, of 
 equal rank, soldier for soldier, and citizen for citizen." This agree- 
 ment they have ever approved, and repeatedly declared their willing- 
 ness to carry into execution. Their resolution of the 24th of March 
 last empowered me (on condition of General Lee being declared 
 exchangeable) not only "to proceed" to the exchange of prisoners, 
 according to the principles and regulations of the cartel before 
 agreed on, but also to enter into such further principles and regula- 
 tions as should appear to me most proper and advantageous. A 
 subsequent resolution on the 6th of June holds forth the same lan- 
 guage, sanctions my conduct and reasonings in the negotiations 
 about that time on the subject, and directs an adherence to them. 
 No event has occurred since that period, by which I could conclude 
 there was any alteration in the views of Congress ; so far from it, 
 that all my late letters breathing the same spirit with the former, and 
 pointedly signifying my wish to bring about a general exchange, if 
 not with an express, at least met with a tacit approbation. General 
 Howe at length, by profession if not in reality, is willing to perform 
 the agreement on the conditions required by me and confirmed by 
 them. 
 
 It may be said, that, with whatever powers I was originally vested 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 69 
 
 to negotiate an exchange, the resolution of the 19th of December 
 last was an abridgment of them, so far as to annex a new condition, 
 the settlement and payment of accounts previous to its taking place. 
 I had no conception of this being the case in the present instance, 
 however the letter may warrant the construction. Besides the com- 
 mon principle of preventing the inconveniences, necessarily result- 
 ing from allowing the enemy to make their payments in paper cur- 
 rency, I had reason to imagine that General Burgoyne's army was 
 more particularly the object of the concluding clause. This inter- 
 pretation I the more readily adopted, for, exclusive of the affairs of 
 that army, I verily believed, that, from the confused, defective state 
 of our accounts relating to prisoners, there would be a considerable 
 balance in favor of Mr. Howe. Nor was the situation of our accounts 
 the only reason for this belief; the prisoners in our hands, especially 
 those westward of the Delaware, as I am informed, have been in a 
 great measure supported by their own labor, and at the expense of 
 the enemy, who have had agents constantly among us. If this is the 
 case, the reason of the resolve not applying, the effect ought not of 
 course. 
 
 But perhaps it may be thought contrary to our interest to go into 
 an exchange, as the enemy would derive more immediate advantage 
 from it than we should. This I shall not deny ; but it appeared to 
 me, that, on principles of genuine, extensive policy, independent of 
 the considerations of compassion and justice, we were under an ob- 
 ligation not to elude it. I have the best evidence, that an event of 
 this kind is the general wish of the country. I know it to be the 
 wish of the army ; and no one can doubt, that it is the ardent wish 
 of the unhappy sufferers themselves. We need only consult the tide 
 of humanity, and the sympathies natural to those connected by the 
 cement of blood, interest, and a common dread of evil, to be con- 
 vinced, that the prevailing current of sentiment demands an ex- 
 change. If the country, the army, and even the prisoners them- 
 selves, had a precise idea of our circumstances, and could be fully 
 sensible of the disadvantages, that might attend the giving our enemy 
 a considerable reinforcement without having an equivalent, they might 
 perhaps be willing to make a sacrifice of their feelings to the motives 
 of policy. But they have not this knowledge, and cannot be en- 
 trusted with it ; and their reasonings, of necessity, will be governed 
 by what they feel. 
 
 Were an opinion once to be established (and the enemy and their 
 emissaries know very well how to inculcate it, if they are furnished 
 with a plausible pretext), that we designedly avoided an exchange, 
 it would be a cause of dissatisfaction and disgust to the country and 
 to the army, of resentment and desperation to our captive officers 
 and soldiers. To say nothing of the importance of not hazarding 
 our national character but upon the most solid grounds, especially in 
 
70 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 our embryo state, from the influence it may have on our affairs 
 abroad, it may not be a little dangerous to beget in the minds of our 
 own countrymen a suspicion, that we do not pay the strictest ob- 
 servance to the maxims of honor and good faith. 
 
 It is prudent to use the greatest caution not to shock the notions 
 of general justice and humanity, universal among mankind, as well 
 in a public as a private view. In a business on the side of which 
 the passions are so much concerned as in the present, men would be 
 readily disposed to believe the worst, and cherish the most unfavor- 
 able conclusions. Were the letters, that have passed between Gen- 
 eral Howe and myself from first to last, and the procedings of 
 Congress on the same subject, to be published with proper com- 
 ments, it is much to be feared, if the exchange should be deferred 
 till the terms of the last resolve were fulfilled, that it would be 
 difficult to prevent our being generally accused of a breach of good 
 faith. Perhaps it might be said, that, while the enemy refused us 
 justice, we fondly embraced the opportunity to be loud, persevering, 
 incessant in our claims ; but, the moment they were willing to 
 render it, we receded from ourselves, and started new difficulties. 
 This, I say, might be the reasoning of speculative minds ; and they 
 might consider all our professions as mere professions ; or, at best, 
 that interest and policy were to be the only arbiters of their validity. 
 
 Imputations of this nature would have a tendency to unnerve our 
 operations, by diminishing that respect and confidence, which are 
 essential to be placed in those, who are at the head of affairs either 
 in the civil or military line. This, added to the prospect of hopeless 
 captivity, would be a great discouragement to the service. The ill 
 consequences of both would be immense, by increasing the causes of 
 discontent in the army, which are already too numerous, and many 
 of which are in a great measure unavoidable ; by fortifying that un- 
 willingness, which already appears too great, towards entering into 
 the service, and of course impeding the progress both of drafting 
 and recruiting ; by dejecting the courage of the soldiery, from an 
 apprehension of the horrors of captivity ; and, finally, by reducing 
 those, whose lot it is to drink the bitter cup, to a despair, which can 
 only find relief by renouncing their attachments and engaging with 
 their captors. These effects have already been experienced in part 
 from the obstacles, that have lain in the way of exchanges ; but if 
 these obstacles were once to seem the result of system, they would 
 become tenfold. Nothing has operated more disagreeably upon the 
 minds of the militia, than the fear of captivity, on the footing on 
 which it has hitherto stood. What would be their reasonings, if it 
 should be thought to stand upon a worse? 
 
 If a present temporary interest is to be a ruling principle, it is 
 easy to prove, that an exchange can never take place. The consti- 
 tution of our army in respect to the term of service for which our 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 71 
 
 men engage, and the dependence we are obliged to place on the 
 militia, must for ever operate against us in exchanges, and forbid an 
 equality of advantages. Should it be said, there are times when it 
 might be peculiarly unequal and injurious, and that the present is 
 such, on account of the weak condition of our army, I answer, that 
 the delay necessarily involved in the previous negotiation on the 
 subject, in delivering the prisoners from time to time in small num- 
 bers, and receiving others in their stead, and the mode of delivery 
 at different places, will nearly bring the matter to the point we could 
 wish, and give us leisure to reinforce this army, if it is to be done at 
 all, so as to obviate in a great measure the ill consequences appre.- 
 hended. 
 
 But if the argument of interest on a partial scale be pursued as 
 far as it will go, not only the general consideration thrown out above, 
 but special ones apposite to every situation, will present themselves, 
 that we ought not to exchange. Now we ought not, because our 
 army is weak ! When the season is more advanced, and it is time 
 for the campaign to open, we ought not, because our army may be 
 strong, and it will be our business to avail ourselves of our own 
 strength, and the enemy's weakness, to strike some decisive blow ! 
 If they, by the protection of their shipping and impregnable works, 
 should be able to baffle our attempts till the period of reinforcements 
 from Europe arrive, it will surely then not be our interest to add 
 numbers and strength to an enemy already sufficiently numerous and 
 strong ! Thus, by a parity of reasoning, the golden era will never 
 come, which is to relieve the miseries of captivity. Our service 
 must become odious ; those who are out of it will endeavour to 
 keep so ; and those who are in it will wish to get out of it ; every 
 prisoner the enemy makes will be his soldier, rather than submit to 
 a rigorous and despairing confinement. 
 
 If we do not seize the present propitious moment, when the ne- 
 cessities of the enemy press them to reasonable terms, to form and 
 establish a liberal cartel, it is not impossible, in the vicissitudes and 
 reverses of war, that a time may come when we should wish we had 
 embraced it, and interest may strongly impel the enemy to decline 
 it, except on the most unequal conditions. True policy, as well as 
 good faith, in my opinion, binds us to improve the occasion. There 
 are however some ambiguities in General Howe's conduct, which 
 requjre explanation, and ought to put us upon our guard. I deter- 
 mined to make the affair of citizens (namely, to procure an exemp- 
 tion from captivity for them if possible, or, if not, since it cannot 
 now be demanded as a matter of right, to fix their exchangeability 
 upon the easiest and most unequivocal foundation,) an indispensable 
 preliminary to any further procedure ; and at the same time to se- 
 cure the exchange of General Lee, and all other officers, who have 
 been the particular objects of exception. 
 
72 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 The interview intended between General Howe's commissioners 
 and those on our part on the ioth instant is now postponed.* I 
 cannot doubt that Congress, in preservation of the public faith and 
 my personal honor, will remove all impediments, that now oppose 
 themselves to my engagements, and that they will authorize me, 
 through commissioners appointed for the purpose, to negotiate a 
 more extensive and competent cartel, upon such principles as may 
 appear advantageous and founded in necessity, and resolutions here- 
 tofore to the contrary notwithstanding ; and I must request, that 
 they will favor me with their answer by the earliest opportunity. 
 
 The work, from its nature, will be difficult. Two parties are con- 
 cerned, whose interests are more than opposite in a common view. 
 We shall endeavor to act for the best, and to promote the public 
 service as far as possible, though we may not be able to answer the 
 expectations of all. But it should be remembered, that, although 
 General Howe's want of men affords a prospect of favorable terms, 
 yet he will not be disposed to sacrifice to it all considerations of 
 general advantage in a contract of such a nature ; and it is not even 
 to be hoped, that it can take place except on principles of mutual 
 benefit. I persuade myself, that the freedom I have taken in deliv- 
 ering my sentiments so fully upon this occasion will readily be ex- 
 cused, as it proceeds from a desire to place the motives of my con- 
 duct in a just point of view, and from an opinion of duty, that led 
 me to a free discussion of a subject, which, considered in all its 
 lights, will appear to comprehend consequences of the first delicacy 
 and magnitude. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c.f 
 
 * " I have your letters of the 14th and 21st of February, and the 2d of March, 
 of all which due notice shall be taken. Particular circumstances make it incon- 
 venient for my commissioners to meet yours at the time appointed. I must, 
 therefore, beg to have the meeting deferred till the 31st of March." — Washing- 
 ton to Sir William Howe, 9 March, 1778. Sir William wrote, March 24th, to 
 Lord George Germain: "The time appointed for the meeting of the commis- 
 sioners being postponed by General Washington to the 31st of this month, with- 
 out assigning any satisfactory reason, leads me to believe that neither he, nor 
 those under whose authority he acts, are sincere in their professions to carry an 
 exchange into execution at this time." 
 
 t Read in Congress, March 16th. \ 
 
 After taking this letter into consideration, Congress voted to suspend the ope- 
 ration of their former resolves in the present instance, and authorized General 
 Washington to proceed to an exchange of the prisoners then in the power of the 
 enemy, without waiting for a previous settlement of accounts; but, in arranging 
 any future cartels of exchange, he was required to act in conformity to the re- 
 solves, which ordered a liquidation of accounts for the support of prisoners, be- 
 fore they could be exchanged. — Journals, March 18th. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 73 
 
 WASHINGTON TO SIR WILLIAM HOWE. 
 
 Valley Forge, 12 March, 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 Your letter of the 10th came to hand last night. The meeting 
 of our commissioners cannot take place till the time appointed in 
 my last. 
 
 I am not able to conceive on what principle it should be imagined, 
 that any distinction, injurious to Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell and 
 the Hessian field-officers, still exists. That they have not yet been 
 returned on parole is to be ascribed solely to the remoteness of their 
 situation. Mr. Boudinot informs me, that he momently expects 
 their arrival, in prosecution of our engagement. You are well 
 aware, that the distinction originally made, with respect to them, 
 was in consequence of your discrimination to the prejudice of Gen- 
 eral Lee. On your receding from that discrimination, and agreeing 
 to a mutual releasement of officers on parole, the difficulty ceased, 
 and General Prescott was sent into New York, in full expectation, 
 that General Lee would have immediately come out in return. So 
 far from adhering to any former exception, I had particularly 
 directed my commissary of prisoners to release Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Campbell, in lieu of Lieutenant-Colonel Ethan Allen. 
 
 I wish, Sir, I was not obliged to say there are some ambiguities 
 still characterizing the measures taken concerning General Lee, 
 which justify alarming surmises, notwithstanding all that has passed 
 to the contrary. I have now been as explicit as you can desire, on 
 the subject of Colonel Campbell and the Hessian gentlemen ; and I 
 hope to find you as explicit on the subject of General Lee, by giving 
 directions, without further delay, to liberate him in place of General 
 Prescott. General Lee's request, mentioned by you, to be permitted 
 to come by land to Philadelphia, can be no objection to this requisi- 
 tion. It was founded upon your order to send him round by water 
 to that place ; and, conceiving it would be insisted on, that he 
 should pass to Philadelphia, he preferred the mode of going by land, 
 as the least inconvenient alternative. But the measure appears to 
 me wholly improper, and a departure from our late stipulation, cal- 
 culated to impose unnecessary hardships on that unfortunate gentle- 
 man, and to produce needless procrastination, at least, in allowing 
 him the common benefit of a general agreement. With due respect, 
 I am, '&c. 
 
 ALEXANDER HAMILTON TO GOVERNOR CLINTON. 
 
 Headquarters, 12 March, 1778. 
 * * * Another resolve* by plain implication acknowledges a 
 thing not founded in fact, which is very injurious to us — to wit, that 
 * Journals of Congress, 26 February, 1777. 
 
74 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 we have enlisted prisoners of war. This silences all our complaints 
 against the enemy for a similar practice, and furnishes them with a 
 damning answer to anything we can say on the subject. This is at 
 least an instance of folly and inconsideration, and serves to prove 
 the general charge. 
 
 These men seem also to have embraced a system of infidelity. 
 They have violated the convention of Saratoga, and I have reason to 
 believe the ostensible motives for it were little better than pretences, 
 that had no foundation. I have lately seen some letters from Bur- 
 goyne on the subject. There was, however, a strong temptation for 
 this, and it may be excused, though I cannot say the measure is to 
 my taste. Lately a flag with provisions and clothing for the British 
 prisoners with G[eneral] Washington's] passport was seized at 
 Lancaster. The affair was attended with circumstances of violence 
 and meanness that would disgrace Hottentots. Still more lately,. G. 
 W's engagements with G[eneral] H[owe] for an exchange of prison- 
 ers have been most shamefully violated. Congress have resolved 
 that no exchange shall take place till all accounts are settled and the 
 balance due the U. S. paid. The beauty of it is, on a fair settle- 
 ment, we shall without doubt be in Mr. Howe's debt ; and, in the 
 meantime, we detain his officers and soldiers as a security for the 
 payment — perhaps forever. At any rate, it cannot take place all 
 next summer. 
 
 It is thought to be bad policy to go into an exchange ; but, ad- 
 mitting this to be true, it is much worse policy to commit such 
 frequent breaches of faith and ruin our national character. What- 
 ever refined politicians may think, it is of great consequence to pre- 
 serve a national character; and, if it should once seem to be a 
 system in any state to violate its faith whenever it is the least incon- 
 venient to keep it, it will unquestionably have an ill effect upon 
 foreign negotiations, and tend to bring Government at home in 
 contempt, and, of course, to destroy its influence. The general 
 notions of justice and humanity are implanted in almost every 
 human breast and ought not to be too freely shocked. In the 
 present case the passions of the country and army are on the side of 
 an exchange, and a studied attempt to avoid it will disgust both and 
 serve to make the source odious. It will injure drafting and re- 
 cruiting, discourage the militia, and increase the discontents of the 
 army. The prospects of hopeless captivity cannot but be very dis- 
 agreeable to men constantly exposed to the chance of it. Those 
 whose lot it is to fall into it, will have little scruple to get out of it 
 by joining the enemy. 
 
 It is said not to be our present interest to exchange, because we 
 shall endeavor, by and by, to take advantage of the enemy's weak- 
 ness to strike some decisive blow. If we should fail in this, which I 
 believe we shall, when they get reinforced, we shall not think it our 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 75 
 
 interest to add to the strength of an enemy, already strong enough, 
 and so on ad infinitum. The truth is, considered in the mere view 
 of barter, it can never be our interest to exchange ; the constitution 
 of our army, from the short term of enlistments and the dependence 
 we are obliged to place in the militia, are strongly opposed to it ; 
 and if the argument of present interest be adhered to, we never can 
 exchange. I may venture to assert there never can be a time more 
 proper than the present, or rather a month or two hence ; and go 
 about it as soon as we please, the previous negotiations necessary and 
 other circumstances will, of course, procrastinate it for some time. 
 And I would ask whether, in a republican state and a republican 
 army, such a cruel policy as that of exposing those men who are 
 foremost in defense of their country, to the miseries of hopeless 
 captivity, can succeed ? * * * 
 
 Alex. Hamilton.* 
 
 Washington commissioned Col. William Grayson, Lieut. Cols 
 Robert Hanson Harrison, and Alexander Hamilton, and Elias Bou- 
 dinot, Commissary General of prisoners, to meet the British com- 
 missioners and take " into consideration all past transactions relative 
 to the exchange of prisoners, to adjust the differences that have so 
 long subsisted in regard to them, to remove all difficulties that may 
 arise in carrying into execution a general exchange of prisoners with 
 both parties at this time, and finally to establish a regular and ex- 
 plicit cartel for the future." Howe, on his side, named Colonel 
 Charles O'Hara, Colonel Humphry Stephen and Captain Richard 
 Fitzpatrick, and Joshua Loring, his commissary general of prisoners. 
 Germantown, the place of meeting, was declared neutral territory 
 while the conference was to last, and the guard to attend the com- 
 missioners on either side was determined. The first meeting took 
 place on 31 March, 1778, when the powers of the respective sides 
 being exchanged, examined and approved, the British represen- 
 tatives proposed "to take up the business of our meeting, in the 
 form of a general cartel, and to make the discussion of past trans- 
 actions a secondary object ; in doing which, it was to be under- 
 stood that nothing was to final or obligatory, till the whole treaty 
 should be concluded." This procedure was accepted as eligible in 
 itself, and consonant with the intention of the meeting, and certain 
 propositions were submitted in writing by the English, who proposed 
 an adjournment until the following day, that the American represen- 
 
 * Works of Alexander Hamilton, (Lodge,) vii., 541. 
 
76 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 tatives might examine them and prepare their answers. The next 
 day another meeting was held, certain modifications proposed, and 
 to give an opportunity of digesting what the two sessions had brought 
 forth, the next meeting was named for April 3? Howe now expected 
 the commissioners to retire within their respective lines at the ter- 
 mination of each session, as the neutrality of the place was to con- 
 tinue only during the time of actual negotiation. This suggestion 
 was "equally unexpected and surprising" to the American Commis- 
 sioners, and contrary to the tenor of the conditions on which the 
 conference had been proposed. " It could not but produce much 
 unnecessary delay in the negotiation, the distance between your 
 camp and Germantown being sixteen miles, and tended to impose a 
 new and burthensome condition on us, by obliging us to perform a 
 journey of twice that distance every day. In point of propriety and 
 for the despatch of business we thought it necessary, the Commis- 
 sioners should remain constantly together." The Commissioners re- 
 turned to camp, and asked for instructions from Washington. New- 
 town was agreed upon as the place of meeting,* and in the interim 
 Washington again sought a clear statement from Congress of its 
 wishes. 
 
 WASHINGTON TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Valley Forge, 
 4 April, 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 I have now the honor to acknowledge your several letters of the 
 21st, 29th, and 50th ultimo, with their enclosures, which have been 
 duly received. It gives me pain to observe they appear to contain 
 several implications by which my sensibility is not a little wounded. 
 I find myself extremely embarrassed by the steps I had taken 
 towards an exchange of prisoners, and the formation of a general 
 cartel making more ample provision for their future accommodation 
 and relief. The views of Congress seem to be very different from 
 
 * " Commissioners from me are to meet others from General Howe on Monday 
 next at Newtown, to settle a cartel for a general exchange of prisoners. During 
 the sitting of the Commissioners none of our parties are to enter the town, and 
 you are therefore to give immediate notice to all the officers under your command 
 to pay strict obedience to this order. The British Commissioners will probably 
 come part of the way on Sunday; they will be attended by an escort of horse, 
 and care must be taken not to offer the least insult to their flag."— Washington 
 to General Lacey, 4 April, 1778. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 77 
 
 what I supposed them, when I entered into my late engagements 
 with General Howe. Their resolution of the 30th ultimo, pointedly 
 requiring a strict adherence to all former ones upon the subject, will 
 in all probability render them impracticable. I considered some of 
 their resolutions as dictated on the principle of retaliation, and did 
 not imagine the terms they contained would be insisted upon in ne- 
 gotiating an agreement calculated to remedy the evils which occa- 
 sioned them. In most respects they might be substantially complied 
 with ; but there are some points to which an exact conformity must 
 of necessity destroy the idea of a cartel. One is the obliging of the 
 enemy to pay gold and silver on equal terms for Continental cur- 
 rency, estimating the articles supplied them at their actual prices 
 with us, as seems to be the design of the resolve of the 19th of 
 December; another is, that, subjecting the inhabitants of these 
 States, taken in arms against them, to trial and punishment, agree- 
 able to the resolve of the 30th of the same month. 
 
 I am well aware that appearances ought to be upheld, and that we 
 should avoid as much as possible recognising by any public act the 
 depreciation of our currency ; but I conceive this end would be an- 
 swered, as far as might be necessary, by stipulating, that all money 
 payments should be made in gold and silver, being the common 
 medium of commerce among nations, at the rate of four shillings 
 and six pence for a Spanish milled dollar \ by fixing the price of 
 rations on an equitable scale relatively to our respective circum- 
 stances ; and providing for the payment of what we may owe, by 
 sending in provision and selling it at their market. The rates of 
 money, and the prices of provisions and other commodities, differ 
 everywhere ; and, in treaties of a similar nature between any two 
 States, it is requisite, for mutual convenience, to ascertain some com- 
 mon ratio, for both the value of money in payments, and for the 
 rates of those articles on which they may arise. 
 
 It was determined on mature consideration not to conclude any 
 thing expressly, that should contradict the resolution of the 30th of 
 December ; but at the same time, if it is designed to be the rule of 
 practice, it is easy to perceive it would at once overturn any cartel 
 that could be formed. General Howe would never consent to ob- 
 serve it on his part, if such a practice were to exist on ours. Though 
 the law ought not to be contravened by an express article admitting 
 the exchangeability of such persons, yet, if it is not suffered to sleep, 
 it is in vain to expect the operation of it will be acquiesced in by 
 the enemy.* 
 
 * This point is so clear, that the ground taken by Congress, and adhered to 
 with pertinacity, seems very extraordinary. By the resolution of the 30th of 
 December, all loyalists, or Americans in the British service, who should be taken 
 in arms, were to be sent to the respective States to which they belonged, and 
 
78 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 The measures I have taken must evince, that it is my determina- 
 tion to pay the fullest attention to the interests of citizens, and to the 
 rights of General Lee, in the treaty ; and I think it but justice to the 
 gentlemen appointed to negotiate it to declare, that I know them to 
 be so fully impressed with the importance of both those objects, as 
 to make them cheerfully observant of the injunctions of Congress, 
 so far as not to conclude any agreement, of which the exchange of 
 General Lee and the alternative respecting citizens are not essential 
 parts. These points have been early determined on. 
 
 It is with no small concern, that I have been obliged to trouble 
 Congress upon the subjects of this letter ; and, should they appear to 
 them in the same light they do to me, and they should think proper 
 to remove the obstacles, which now oppose the business in hand, I 
 must request they will be pleased to communicate their determina- 
 tion as expeditiously as possible, that the commissioners may govern 
 themselves accordingly, and either proceed to forming a cartel, or 
 put an end to the negotiation. Before the resolves of the 30th 
 came to hand, they had met, and been in treaty two days, with a 
 prospect of a favorable accommodation. 
 
 I am happy to inform Congress, that General Lee will be put out 
 on parole to-morrow in place of General Prescott ; and I have every 
 reason to expect, if the negotiation can be continued upon admissi- 
 ble terms, that his exchange will immediately follow the releasement 
 of Colonel Campbell and the Hessian field-officers. It is agreed, 
 that Lieutenant-Colonel Allen shall be exchanged for Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Campbell. * * * 
 
 The next meeting of the Commissioners was held at Newtown on 
 6 April, 1778, and the matter was opened on the following day. 
 Here came in the instructions of Germanin. At Germantown the 
 American Commissioners had raised the point that the propositions 
 submitted by Howe contained an "essential imperfection," in that 
 they gave no recital of the authority by which the British comman- 
 der acted, whereas Washington's commission specified that he was 
 acting "in virtue of full powers to you delegated." Howe would 
 not consent to an alteration, on the ground that "he meant the 
 Treaty to be of a personal nature, founded on the mutual confidence 
 and honor of the contracting generals ; and had no intention, either 
 
 suffer the penalties inflicted by the laws of such States upon traitors. Such a 
 resolution was an effectual bar to any agreement for a general exchange. The 
 British commander was as much bound in honor and justice to protect these per- 
 sons, as he was to protect the British officers or soldiers; and in some respects 
 more so, inasmuch as they had made greater sacrifices in supporting the cause of 
 the king. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 79 
 
 of binding the nation, or extending the cartel beyond the limits and 
 duration of his own command." In reply it was urged that " the 
 private faith of an individual could not in the nature of things be a 
 competent or proper security for a treaty of public import," and to 
 set the public faith of America against the private word of Howe 
 would be an unequal compact. In the course of the discussion the 
 English " intimated an impropriety in treating with us on a national 
 ground, in a contract of such a nature as the present, which might 
 imply an acknowledgment inconsistent with their claims" — a reason 
 that, it was retorted, would apply with equal force against the whole 
 business of exchange. "The measure," said the Americans, "was 
 calculated for mutual advantage, and must justify itself on its expe- 
 diency and necessity," and to remove every obstacle to a completion 
 of the matter the Americans suggested that a clause be admitted 
 into the cartel " declaring that no expressions contained in it should 
 be construed to affect the political claims of either country, in any- 
 thing, not directly necessary to the due and faithful observance of 
 the Treaty." 
 
 Two of the English commissioners returned to Philadelphia and 
 laid the objection before Howe, for him to solve it if possible ; but 
 they returned without satisfaction, and no middle ground being 
 offered the American commissioners reduced their point to writing : 
 
 "It appears to be the intention of the respective Generals, 
 mutually expressed in their powers, to do an extensive and per- 
 manent act, which shall not only effect a settlement of past differ- 
 ences, and a general exchange of prisoners, for the present; but 
 shall extend to the establishment of a ?-egular and explicit cartel in 
 future. The objects of this cartel will not be wholly of a military 
 nature, but will include matters of very interesting civil concern. It 
 is apprehended, that the power of entering into a Treaty of such im- 
 portance is not naturally inherent in military command, and that it 
 cannot be exercised, by either of the Generals, as an official act, 
 merely, in virtue of their military capacities, but must be founded on 
 special authority, delegated for the purpose. This authority, accord- 
 ing to reason and universal practice, ought to be declared, otherwise 
 it will not appear, nor have the least efficiency or operation. 
 
 " That if the authority does not exist, the negotiation can have no 
 sufficient foundation. It must rest solely on the footing of personal 
 
80 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 confidence. The public faith cannot be considered as pledged for 
 the performance of any engagements in consequence of it, and these 
 may of course be overruled at pleasure. Could the credit of indi- 
 viduals be supposed great enough in preservation of personal honor, 
 to prevent the interference of superior authority, their influence 
 could not, at any rate, extend beyond their own command, and 
 should the casualties of war remove them, their successors would 
 not be, in any manner, bound by their engagements. 
 
 " In fine it is conceived, there would be a manifest impropriety, in 
 conducting a business of this nature on personal ground, as such a 
 measure would be destitute of that validity, which the solemnity of 
 a public act alone can give ; and which the magnitude of the objects 
 it is intended to comprehend, indispensably requires. Personal 
 confidence, or the mutual confidence of individuals, is too slender 
 and unsubstantial a basis for concerns of so great variety and extent, 
 as the treaty in contemplation must necessarily involve." 
 
 In reply Howe's commissioners expressed concern that the objec- 
 tions raised by the Americans should prove such an obstacle to the 
 negotiation, and while asserting their belief that their powers were 
 "ample and sufficient," declared themselves ready to carry on the 
 matters entrusted to them. This left the matter as it stood on the 
 first meeting of the commissioners, and was conclusive so far as the 
 treaty was concerned, as the British refused to receive the following 
 note from the American representatives : 
 
 That they [the Americans] were " inexpressibly concerned to find 
 that the Commissioners on the part of General Sir William Howe 
 should think it necessary to make the objections stated to their 
 powers, and supported, as they apprehend, by the most conclusive 
 reasons, an insurmountable obstacle to the progress of a negotiation, 
 intended to answer the most benevolent and estimable purposes. 
 
 " As General Sir William Howe must be supposed fully impow- 
 ered to enter into the Treaty, his commission imports, they can con- 
 ceive no sufficient reason, for not declaring his powers, and would 
 flatter themselves, that nothing can be easier than to remove the 
 cause of their objections, and to proceed in the business on admissi- 
 ble terms. They are ready and solicitous to treat on fair, proper 
 and equal ground ; such as will give efficacy to their proceedings, 
 and place a public act on the foundation of public authority." 
 
SAMUEL B LAC H LEY WEBB. 81 
 
 These papers were prepared at Newtown on April nth, and re- 
 turning to Valley Forge the American commissioners on the 15 th 
 made their report to Washington, and begged for his approval of 
 their position. This was given, and on the 18th the papers were 
 sent to Congress, the General saying : " The negotiation between 
 the Commissioners is ended, without effecting a cartel. Nor do I 
 suppose from the information I have received on the subject, there 
 is any good prospect that one will be formed, or at least for a great 
 while, on a liberal and extensive plan. * * * The old agreement, 
 I presume, continues, and under it we must carry on exchanges."* 
 The proceedings of the commissioners were referred to a committee 
 composed of Gouverneur Morris, Mr. Drayton and Mr. Dana, who 
 reported upon them favorably and Congress accepted the report, 
 adding " That Congress are sincerely desirous of settling a cartel for 
 the exchange of prisoners, on principles of justice, humanity, and mu- 
 tual advantage, and agreeable to the customary rules and practice of 
 war among civilized nations, and they lament the obstacles raised by 
 General Howe and his commissioners during the negotiations held 
 for this desirable purpose."! All the documents were ordered to be 
 printed. 
 
 One more paper may be added, the reply of Congress to Wash- 
 ington's letter of the 4th, taken from the draft : \ 
 
 [Draft in MS. of Dner.~\ 
 Sir: 
 
 In Obedience to the Directions of Congress, I am to acknowledge 
 the Receipt of your Letter of the 4* Instant. 
 
 Congress with great Concern perceive that your sensibility is 
 wounded by their Resolutions. Placing the firmest Confidence in 
 your Prudence, abilities,§ and Integrity, they wish to preserve that 
 Harmony with you, which is essential to the general weal : you may 
 rest assured that far from any Intention to give you Pain, their 
 Resolutions have no other Motives, or End but the public Good ; 
 they therefore hope that you will not in future be distrest by Appre- 
 hensions, as injurious to their Honor, as they are to their own 
 Feelings. 
 
 * Washington to the President of Congress, 18 April, 1778. 
 f Journals of Congress, 21 April, 1778. 
 
 J The letter as sent is printed in Sparks' Washington, V, 539. 
 § Inserted by Thomson. 
 
82 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 However different the views of Congress may seem to you now 
 from what you supposed them to be, when you entered into your 
 late Engagements with General Howe ; yet by strictly attending to 
 their Resolutions you will find they are founded in Humanity, as well 
 as Policy, and invariably regard the Dignity, Safety and Independence 
 of these States* 
 
 The Duplicity of General Howe, and Authentic Information that 
 the Gentlemen appointed by you to negotiate the Cartel held 
 Opinions repugnant to the Sense of Congress constrain'd them in a 
 Matter of such high Moment as forming a General Cartel to express 
 their sentiments in an Explicit Manner, lest they might have only to 
 lament, when it was out of their Power to remedy, a Misapprehen- 
 sion on Points, deeply affecting, in their Judgment, the Safety, and 
 Honor, of these States. 
 
 Congress expected that you would consider their Resolutions of 
 the 30* Ul? in the Light of private Instructions, calculated to shew 
 their sense with Respect to the general Outlines of the propos'd 
 Cartel ; a Practise usual with the Supreme Power of every State in 
 similar cases. 
 
 You observe that a strict adherence to all the Resolutions of Con- 
 gress must of necessity destroy all Idea of a Cartel ; but as a Dis- 
 tinction can easily be made between such of the Resolutions of 
 Congress respecting Prisoners, asf flow from general Principles of 
 Policy, and those which J arise from Circumstances, which have 
 render' d a Variation from Time to Time necessary, it is conceived 
 that an Attention to this Discrimination will rid§ you of those Em- 
 barrassments, w 1 ? you may at first View, think yourself entangled 
 with. 
 
 The Resolution of Congress of the 19th December respecting the 
 Mode of settlement for Supplies to the Enemy's Prisoners seems not, 
 to have been sufficiently attended to. It is left at the option of the 
 Enemy to pay either in Coin, Dollar for Dollar, or in Provisions, etc. 
 equal in Quantity and Kind to what is furnished. Whatever Objec- 
 tions may be made against the first mode, there surely cannot be a 
 more just, and equal Ratio than the latter. General Burgoyne 
 
 * On a slip attached to the letter with sealing wax is written in Joseph Reed's 
 writing : " they certainly had nothing in View but the Dignity the Safety & Ind. 
 Congress certainly had nothing in View but a proper Respect to the Dignity, 
 Safety and Independence of these States." These words were substituted for 
 those in the draft. 
 
 t Word in Thomson's writing. 
 
 % Two words in a writing unrecognized. 
 
 § On margin, but to be inserted here, is written " remove the difficulties with 
 which you seem to be embarrassed." I cannot place the writer. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 83 
 
 [lately made the same objections on this point]* which occurr'd to 
 you : but on being reminded by Major General Heath of the alter- 
 native offer'd by the Resolution, he acquiesced, and the victualling 
 Ships are now actually delivering Provisions in Payment for what 
 they have received.! The move suggested by you is liable to this 
 strong objection, that it would lay us under the necessity of furnish- 
 ing the Enemies' Prisoners with us, as well as ours with them, with 
 Provisions ; which Certainly would be a Capital Advantage to them, 
 if we consider the Distance whence they must derive their Supplies. 
 Congress however do not wish that a general Cartel should break off 
 for Want of a strict Compliance with this Res: provided a mode is 
 adopted for Subsisting Prisoners, upon a Principle of Equality to the 
 Contracting Parties, and are therefore willing to confide in your Pru- 
 dence to settle finally this matter. \ 
 
 The Resolution of the 30th of December was a Measure naturally 
 flowing from the Treason acts which the respective States have past 
 in Consequence of the Express Recommendation of Congress. On 
 a mature Deliberation they are convinced that a Deviation from it 
 would be subversive of our Character as an Independent People, 
 and inconsistent with sound Policy. No [officer] of Congress, or 
 under their authority can suspend the Operation of the Laws of the 
 Different States, and therefore they cannot consent that any Measure 
 should be adopted in the proposed Cartel which may contravene that 
 Resolution. 
 
 It does not however appear to Congress that any Embarrassment 
 will arise in this Matter, unless the Enemy should insist upon an 
 Article in the Cartel that Americans taken in Arms shall be entitled 
 
 * By another hand. 
 
 f On a slip thus marked is written by Duer : " The Commissaries of Prisoners 
 on each Side may pass Receipts for the Rations received, expressing the Quantum 
 of each Article received for the Subsistence of the Prisoners in the Power of the 
 Contracting Parties — and the Ballance may be paid in Provisions, or in Coin, at 
 the Option of either Party. 
 
 \ On the margin, in Thomson's writing, is found : — 
 
 " On the question to strike out 
 
 Mass. 
 
 Mr. Dana 
 
 ay 
 
 Maryl. 
 
 Mr. Chase 
 
 no 
 
 
 Mr. Gerry 
 
 ay 
 
 
 Mr. Forbes 
 
 no 
 
 
 Mr. Lovell 
 
 ay 
 
 
 Mr. Henry 
 
 no 
 
 Rhod. I. 
 
 Mr. Ellery 
 
 ay 
 
 Virg. 
 
 Mr. Lee 
 
 no' 
 
 Con. 
 
 Mr. Huntington 
 
 no 
 
 N. C. 
 
 Mr. Burke 
 
 ay 
 
 N. Y. 
 
 Mr. Duer 
 
 ay* 
 
 
 Mr. Harnet 
 
 ay 
 
 N.J. 
 
 Mr. Scudder 
 
 ay 
 
 s. c. 
 
 Mr. Laurens 
 
 no 
 
 P. 
 
 Mr. Jas Smith 
 
 no 
 
 
 Mr. Drayton 
 
 no 
 
 
 Mr. J. B. Smith 
 
 ay 
 
 Georg. 
 
 Mr. Langworthy 
 
 ay 
 
84 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 to the Benefit of an Exchange. Under the Terms of " Officer for 
 Officer, Soldier for Soldier, &c? ," * Traitors would no more be in- 
 cluded by the Laws of Nations than Deserters. The carrying this 
 Resolution into Practice can depend only on the Will of the Several 
 States, who in this Respect must be presum'd to be governed by 
 Principles of Policy, of which they must necessarily be competent 
 Judges. 
 
 Congress are concerned to find that an Absolute Exchange is agreed 
 onforLt. Col. Campbell, and Lt. Colo. Allen, and that Genl. Lee is 
 only permitted to come out on Parole. They will however suspend 
 their Judgment in this Matter, 'till they are informed whether your 
 Commissioners were acquainted with the Resolution of Congress of 
 the joth Ulto. previous to such Agreement. 
 
 The Intention of Congress in that Resolution was, That no Ex- 
 change (general or partial, absolute or Parole) should take Place, 
 without the Order of Congress, 'till the Exchange of Genl. Lee for 
 Genl. Prescot had been first made. Since Genl. Howe's Propositions 
 for a General Exchange they deem this Preliminary not only due in 
 Justice to that unfortunate and deserving Officer; but essential to 
 the Honor of these States — / am therefore directed to inform you that 
 it is the Unalterable Determination of Congress that unless this Point 
 is acceded to, all further Negotiations, whether for a general or Par- 
 tial Exchange (except in Cases to be submitted to the Opinion of 
 Congress ) should cease. It being in their Opinion more eligible that 
 no Cartel should take Place, than that the Honor of these States 
 should be sullied, and their Wisdom impeached by releasing those 
 Officers, whom it is well known, the Enemy have been long anxious 
 to procure, and leaving Genl. Lee and others, whom they wish to de- 
 tain, and whose Services their Country requires, at the Disposal of a 
 Merciless Enemy. 
 
 Congress cannot but think that the Exchange of Genl. Lee should 
 precede (not follow) the Releasement of Col . Campbell, and the Hes- 
 sian Field Officers ; especially that of the latter, who were made 
 Prisoners subsequent to Gen' I Lee's Capture; and it is their Expec- 
 tation, if the Exchange of Col . Campbell is not so far concluded as 
 to oblige you to Comply with it, it may not take Place 'till General 
 Lee is absolutely Exchanged for Genl. Prescot. 
 
 I am further directed, Sir, by Congress to inform you, that in their 
 Opinion, the late Conduct, and Correspondence of Genl. Howe ren- 
 der a Strict Attention to the Support of the Dignity of these Free and 
 Independent States at this time peculiarly Necessary, and that they 
 esteem that Dignity injured by permitting the Enemy's Officers, Pris- 
 oners with us, to go in on Parole, before outs are sent out, a Practice 
 admitting an Imputation of a Want of good Faith on our Part, and 
 
 * " (Wh. are generally used in Cartels)" — Marginal note by Duer. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 85 
 
 a Perfect Confidence in an Enemy, whom we cannot trust; and on 
 this Account studiously to be avoided: they therefore doubt not from 
 your Zeal for the Honor of these States that you will pay a strict At- 
 tention to this Matter in future, as nothing can tend to sink us both 
 in our Estimation, and in that of all the World than a patient Sub- 
 mission to that Insolent Superiority, which our Enemies affect in car- 
 rying on this War* 
 
 Congress have taken Measures for purchasing such Articles of 
 Capt 1 ? Cottineau's Cargo as are necessary for the Army.| 
 
 ♦On margin, in Thomson's writing: 
 " To strike out : — 
 
 Mass. 
 
 Mr. Dana 
 
 ay 
 
 S. Caro. 
 
 Mr. Laurens, 
 
 no 
 
 
 Mr. Gerry 
 
 ay 
 
 
 Mr. Drayton 
 
 ay 
 
 
 Mr. Lovell 
 
 no 
 
 Georga 
 
 Mr. Langworthy, 
 
 no 
 
 Rh. I. 
 
 Mr. Ellery 
 
 no 
 
 
 
 
 Con. 
 
 Mr. Huntington, 
 
 ay 
 
 
 
 
 N. York. 
 
 Mr. Duer 
 
 no* 
 
 
 
 
 N. Jersey 
 
 . Mr. Scudder, 
 
 no 
 
 
 
 
 Penn. 
 
 Mr. Jas. Smith 
 
 ay) 
 
 ayW 
 
 
 
 
 
 Mr. J. B. Smith 
 
 
 
 
 Maryld. 
 
 Mr. Chase 
 Mr. Forbes 
 Mr. Henry 
 
 no 
 ay 
 ay 
 
 
 
 
 Virg. 
 
 Mr. Lee 
 
 no 
 
 
 
 
 No Caro 
 
 Mr. Burke 
 
 ay 
 
 
 
 
 t With this letter is a scrap in the writing of Major-General Charles Lee, signed 
 by him without date, place of writing or address of person to whom written, read- 
 ing as follows : 
 
 "As the misunderstanding with respect to Genl. Lee seems now to be cleared 
 up from the circumstance of his being put on his Parole, it is scarcely necessary 
 to stipulate any particular article on his subject, but to prevent any cavils for the 
 future let it be said in a few words that he shall be exchanged for Major General 
 Prescott. Charles Lee." 
 
 There is also the original letter, in the writing of Charles Thomson, signed by 
 Henry Laurens, and sent to Washington. This was used by Mr. Sparks. 
 
 In a volume of transcripts of the letters of Laurens, while President, I find the 
 following memorandum prefixed to this letter : " The following is Copy of a Let- 
 ter, produced by amendments in Congress on a draught prepared by a Commee 
 in answer to Gen. Washington's Letter of the 4th April — the draught presented 
 the 9th, debated at divers meetings & resolved the I April, ^ P- 9 o'clock, P. M." 
 This memorandum is in Laurens' writing. 
 
86 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 TO MRS. SIMPSON. 
 
 Flatbush on Long Island 
 4 April, 1778. 
 
 Yours by Colonel Delancy, and the one by Mrs. 
 Smith are both received, for which you have my thanks; 
 they afforded me a singular pleasure haveing been de- 
 barr'd from hearing of you a long time before — those 
 enclosed to your friends were delivered, no doubt they 
 will answer them by this conveyance — Am sorry I did 
 not see our B r . Jack before he went to the Southward, 
 in your next be kind enough to let me know if he re- 
 ceived my Letter from Horseneck. In my present 
 situation I cannot say many things I wish, must defer 
 them 'till we meet — which I hope will be soon. That 
 Health & Happiness may be your lot, is the fervent 
 Wish 
 
 of your Friend and Affect e . B r . 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 FROM JOHN WINSLOW. 
 
 New York, Api 13, 1778. 
 D« Sir: 
 
 I shall endeavour to obtain Leave from Genl Robertson for you 
 to come to Town the first Oppy I have of being with him. 
 
 Serg*. Ballentine who came in here with your Brother had Leave 
 to £0 from hence to Phil? by Land, whether he ever got there I have 
 never heard, & should not some Person have been sent out from 
 thence in Exchange for him, I shall send out a person from hence. 
 I wish they without would form more generous Sentiments of Us, & 
 not be quite so scrupulous. Am sorry your Brother should fall 
 under any Censure in this Matter. I have no Opp? of getting any 
 English or Country Newspapers, or Magazines, Should I be able to 
 get any, you shall have them. No further News from Ml Loring, 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 87 
 
 since I last saw you, & I know of no person that is going to Con- 
 necticut, when I do, I shall let you know. All your Letters were 
 forwarded by Cap. Manly & Mrs. Smith. I am D* Sir your friend 
 & hum Serv 
 
 John Winslow, Com Pris? 
 
 FROM AMOS BULL. 
 
 New York, Apl 14, 1778. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 I was yesterday at your house in Flat Bush, but had not the pleas- 
 ure of finding you at home : — my business with you was perhaps a 
 little singular, hope however, you will not think it impertinent. You 
 have, heretofore, done me many essential services ; for which, am 
 under great obligations, & shall never be happier, than when in my 
 power to repay them. 
 
 I know the liberal principles on which you act, & the generous 
 sentiments you hold : am therefore encouraged to ask a favour from 
 you, which no other can grant. — My family are at Farmington in 
 Connecticut, & my beloved Daughter suffering for want of her edu- 
 cation, which she is now in her prime for gaining : have long en- 
 deavoured to obtain their permission to come to this place, but have 
 hitherto been refused. Now if you can consistently do it, I have to 
 ask, that you will be so very obliging as to write to Gov. Trumbull, 
 & the Council of War in your State, requesting leave for them to 
 come, which am sure will not be denied you. I have constantly, & 
 uniformly, relieved the distressed prisoners with us, while in Rhode 
 Island, to the utmost extent of my abilities, & shall continue the 
 same line of Conduct here : think myself therefore intituled to my 
 family's enlargement. — pray be so good as to write me. I lodge at 
 present at Sam 1 . Franklin's, but if you send a letter to Rivington's, 
 shall readily get it. Should be exceeding happy to see you. 
 
 That you may long enjoy every felicity, is the hearty wish of, Sir, 
 your ob*. Serv 1 . 
 
 A. Bull.* 
 
 * Amos Bull married Abigail, a sister of Colonel Webb. 
 
SS CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 FROM JAMES SEAGROVE. 
 
 Philadelphia, 15 April, 1778. 
 My dear Friend : 
 
 A few days past I received a Letter from a friend in York, ac- 
 quainting me of your being a Prisoner on Parole, on Long Island — 
 be assured my good Friend this I was distrest to hear, and especialy 
 as I have been unfortunately absent, when a person whom I highly 
 respect, and am under numberless obligations to, perhaps stands in 
 need of a friend's assistance to lighten Captivity — but on considera- 
 tion that can scarcely be suppos'd the case with you — for the Gen- 
 eral good character which you have established, exclusive of your 
 extensive acquaintance in New York and Long Island must make 
 your time pass as agreeable as situation can permit. I wonder at 
 your not writing me. I heard of a Col? Webb's being taken in the 
 Sound, but was informed he was of Stamford. Believe me, dear 
 Sam, I wish to see you, for which purpose I shall pay a visit to 
 N. Y. — next month — and in the meantime should you stand in need 
 of Cash, please call on the bearer M r . William Constable (Partner of 
 Jn? Porteus & Co. Hanover Square, New York) who will deliver you 
 what you require, and I shall reimburse him here. You see I make 
 no ceremony with you and expect none on your part. I have much 
 to say when we meet. We have very late news from England — 
 things seem as if we should have Peace in America — nothing but 
 Independance can prevent — I pray God our Country be not obsti- 
 nate. I shall expect a Line from you as soon as possible and am, 
 dear Sam, your friend & Humble S l . 
 
 Jf Seagrove. 
 
 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL CAMPBELL TO JOSEPH WEBB. 
 
 Rocky Hill, 15th April, 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 On my way to Morristown, I took the liberty to pay my personal 
 respects to your family, with a view to receive the honor of their 
 Commands for Colo 1 . Webb at New York. Your absence from home, 
 the indisposition of some part of your family, together with the in- 
 formation of a Gentleman of your house, that their letters had al- 
 ready gone in, and further commands could not be executed in the 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 89 
 
 space of three or four hours, I thought it best under the most press- 
 ing circumstances in point of time to push forward on the road, and 
 deny myself the pleasure of accepting your very hospitable invita- 
 tion. 
 
 I am much indebted to your wishes with respect to my release, 
 and do assure you, Sir, did it lye in my power to forward that of 
 your BroT it would give me a very singular pleasure in so good an 
 opportunity of convincing you of the respect & esteem with which 
 I have the honour to be, Sir, 
 
 Your most obedient and very humble servant 
 
 Arch? Campbell, 
 Lieut. Colo 1 . 71* Reg* . 
 
 FROM SAMUEL CAMFIELD. 
 
 [New York] Thursday Noon, 
 [16 April, 1778.] 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 By this time you will see the fate of our Numbers in the late Lot- 
 tery drawn here, as I sent you this Morning the News-Papers, with 
 a List of Prizes by M* Hageman of Flatbush, by which you'l find 
 we came much better off in this, than we did in the Former One, as 
 three of our Tickets in this came up Prizes to the Amount of Twenty 
 Dollars — Capt? Martin saild again Yesterday. M* & M r . s Sherbrooke 
 desire their Compliments to you and intend coming up to Flatbush 
 for the Summer Season the latter End of next Week. I am, Dear 
 Sir, 
 
 Your very hum : Serv*. to Comm? 
 
 Sam^ Camfield. 
 
 ELIAS BOUDINOT TO WILLIAM ATLEE. 
 
 Camp, April 18, 1778. 
 Dr Sir : 
 
 My late Absence from Camp will be a sufficient Apology for not 
 answering your several Letters lately rec<? . Our return from New 
 Town has been earlier than I expected, occasioned by the difficulty 
 of reducing old English Pride. — A refusal to treat with us as publick 
 Persons and to consider Citizens as exchangeable, tho this came out 
 
9 o CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 by the bye, broke us off.* We thought it a Matter of too great 
 Magnitude to trust to private Faith where the publick alone ought 
 to be pledged. However you will judge better of our Conduct when 
 you see our Proceedings which I suppose will be printed as soon as 
 it is thought proper to give them to the publick. It will be prudent 
 to wait their Motions for a few Day's first, as I consider it yet as a 
 political Maneuvre. 
 
 I am so chagrined about the Hessian officers stopped with you 
 that I hate to think of it. I cannot fathom the meaning of our con- 
 duct. By express orders they were stopped in the first place at 
 Hanover, after repeated assurances to the Enemy that they were 
 coming on and should be hastened in. Congress required the liber- 
 ation of Gen 1 . Lee and Exchange of Coll. Allen as preliminaries — 
 These were complied with. The General and myself officially again 
 repeated our assurances that they should immediately be sent in. 
 To prevent any embarrassment to you, when I ordered them from 
 Hanover, I wrote to the Board of War what I had done — Instead of 
 stopping them still at Hanover, they are suffered to come to Lan- 
 caster, as if it was designed to put them to all the trouble and vex- 
 ation possible. In short we must appear in the most ridiculous 
 View to the Enemy — Our councills continually militating against 
 one another — and I do confess that the orders issued in my depart- 
 
 * In the cabinet of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, I found a MS. of Elias 
 Boudinot which may refer to this conference between the commissioners, or to a 
 proposition to be submitted to them. The point is noted that unless the com- 
 missioners have received authority from Congress, as well as from the General, 
 they cannot make a treaty or agreement to exchange citizens, as such prisoners 
 were under the control of the civil governments. In case an agreement should be 
 reached, the difficulty of constituting a fair exchange was almost insuperable. 
 The variety of office and appointment in civil life was great, and the dissimititude 
 of officers under each of the contracting parties, would alone be an obstacle. Two 
 remedies were suggested : I. To divide such prisoners into two civil classes, of 
 those in office, and those in civil life; and 2, to value officers at a certain nominal 
 value. Simplicity recommended the former remedy; but it would be even more 
 simple to agree that all citizens acting in their proper character and obedient to 
 the laws of their protector, should not be the objects of capture. As to the 
 second remedy suggested, it was not deemed policy to ransom prisoners by cash 
 or by provisions. If the rate of ransom was fixed too high, it would be beyond 
 the power of Congress to pay; if too low, it would afford the enemy an easy, the 
 easiest, method to recruit their army. 
 
:~f 
 
 &Lc£~ y y 
 
 ^/Y^// ' /ST/V StS/Yf/S/f /*/<&*■ W*/e sTto/y /<? ^ * t\ 
 
 t*/b^', ^//^V//////^/^ a /-,"** y<r-t*> : ^/.^///i/ y^/*/?, # 
 \ y y /y 
 
 
 /r\l* +, ys7, 4 j, /$ >/ , , *~^- t y,ts /.*& *^ <sy^im.<rJt'"*S>*" 
 
 „y*y yru /*s/ a /&*,/$> < sy*y /& jH****^:^ *y^ >?£* *+x>r* S^ c 
 
 f-' 
 
 i/S**-^ S^/t 4^', Art '*i »-V*^ r - 
 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 91 
 
 ment are so various and contradictory that I am rejoyced my time 
 is so near at an End. I heartily feel for our worthy General, who 
 ought to be a Saint instead of a mere man. He is sensibly affected 
 in every thing that touches his Honor, and this is too often wounded. 
 By the Bearer I write to Congress on this Head, sollicking for 
 immediate orders for their liberation, and that you should have the 
 earliest notice of it. The old Pass will do, by your altering the 
 Date. * * * 
 
 E. BOUDINOT.* 
 
 FROM AMOS BULL. 
 
 New York, May 2d 1 778. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 Your very obliging letter came duly to hand, and the contents 
 shall be gratefully remembered. 
 
 Had all the Americans acted on so liberal principles, I had not 
 now been here : but scandal, insult and abuse, variously and inces- 
 santly inflicted, obliged me to seek relief by flight ; a small part of 
 my sufferings you may remember having relieved me from ; at least 
 if you have forgot it, I never shall, — however, I will not trouble you 
 with a tedious relation of what is past, — if you can by any means 
 effect my family's enlargement, so that they may come to this place, 
 you will not only add one to the innumerable obligations I am 
 already under, but will also do a special deed of charity to my 
 daughter, who is going to ruin, for want of her education. 
 
 May you long live, to enjoy the smiles of Heaven, and the bless- 
 ings of all Mankind, as you have the best wishes of, Sir, your real 
 friend, 
 
 & very much obliged, hum 1 . Serv* 
 
 A. Bull. 
 
 FROM JOHN WINSLOW. 
 
 New York, 5 May, 1778. 
 D* Sir: 
 
 Our Generals have been so busy that I had not an opportunity of 
 speaking to them for you & on further Consideration I think it might 
 
 * From the cabinet of the Pennsylvania Historical Society. 
 
92 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 be as well to put it off till Mr Boudinot goes out, as it might be 
 thought by the General that your Intention of coming in, was with a 
 view of having a private Conversation with M r . Boudinot, which I 
 dare say you woud wish to avoid. 
 
 Your hum. Servant 
 
 John Winslow 
 C. P. 
 I deliver'd Gen'l Robertson your Billet who referr'd me to 
 Gen 1 . Jones.* 
 
 FROM LEWIS PINTARD. 
 
 N. York, 7 May, 1778. 
 Gentn : 
 
 M* Boudinot being Exceedingly Hurried has desired me to inform 
 you in answer to your letter of last Evening respecting Col 1 ? 5 Murray 
 & Hobby that he Cannot determine which of them should go out & 
 thinks the fairest way is for them to draw Lotts for it, & he desires 
 they will do so Imediately & advise him who is to go. He expected 
 to have got away this day, but is disappointed & hopes to be able to 
 go tomorrow. You will be timely advised the Hour. I sent a form 
 last night of an order to be drawn on me for the Board of the offi- 
 cers going out, to Col? Magaw w? I hope got safe to hand & that 
 they are settling with their Landlords accordingly, it will be best to 
 let one or two bring over all the Orders for my Examination & Ac- 
 ceptance, & not put every Landlord to the Trouble of coming over. 
 I have rec<? Col? Webb's fav^ by his Servant & had heard before the 
 reasons why he was not permitted to come to Town. I will pay him 
 a Visit as soon as these good folks are gone, being, Sirs, 
 
 Your very Hum. Sv l . 
 
 L. Pintard. 
 
 I find the Officers will not be permitted to come to Town but just 
 as they are to embarque. 
 
 * " I must confess I am much chagrined that you have not had the offer of com- 
 ing out upon parole at least — many Gentm of the Army and others I thought 
 wou'd Interest themselves in your behalf. I most sincerely wish it might be 
 allowed you to come out & stay with me — had I time, I wou'd write more largely 
 upon the subject. I have just heard that Generals How & Washington have 
 broke off the General Cartel. I hope its not true." Joseph Webb to Colonel 
 Webb, 5 May 1778. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 93 
 
 FROM BRIGADIER-GENERAL PARSONS. 
 
 May ioth, 1778. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 I have enclose you the Crisis N? 5, the Draft of a Bill once read 
 in one House of the British Parliament, which is cal'd the Concilia- 
 tory Plan of the British Minister.* The Answer of Congress refus- 
 ing to treat on any other Conditions than an unconditional Acknowl- 
 edgement, on the Part of Great Britain, of the Independence of the 
 States, and also the Terms of the Treaty with France I should have 
 sent you, but have mislaid them : the Substance you may find in the 
 inclos<? Hand Bill ; be patient. I hope you will soon find that Peace 
 restord to these States which every good Man wishes, both lasting & 
 honorable. Your Friends are well, my Comp? to your fellow Pris- 
 oners. I am D* S r . 
 
 Y* Obed* Serv' 
 
 Sam. H. Parsons. 
 
 ELIAS BOUDINOT TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Baskenridge, May 13th, 1778. 
 Df Sir: 
 
 On my arrival at Morris Town, I found L* Coll. Campbell, who 
 proposed my going with him to New York, as he thought he could 
 aid me greatly in farthering some immediate relief to our suffering 
 Prisoners. By Coll Allen I rec<? Genl Clinton's permission to attend 
 Coll. Campbell and then proceeded to New York. — I found Major 
 Gen 1 . Daniel Jones in the Command & Gen 1 . Valentine Jones 
 Commandant of the City. Both these Gentlemen appear deter- 
 mined to give every relief to Prisoners that is in their Power. — They 
 treated me with uncommon Civility & granted me every Thing I 
 asked. — The Exchange I took with me was compleatly carried into 
 Execution, with the addition of twenty-five Officers & about Twenty 
 Privates being for the Servants of Gen 1 Burgoyne, Coll. Campbell 
 
 * " Mr. Parsons left some papers for me at Hartford to be sent to you, the Drafts 
 of Bills of Parliament have not sendt, as Political observations were introduced by 
 Mr Parsons at the bottom of it, and realy such as that Gentleman never could 
 expect a British officer would cany." Ensign J. Green to Colonel Webb, 16 May, 
 1778. . 
 
94 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 & others. Genl Jones has given me the strongest assurances that 
 our Officers & Privates shall not have reason again to complain of 
 unnecessary Severity; indeed their whole System appears to be 
 changed, or at least in Confusion. I cannot but mention the service 
 I rec<? from Coll. Campbell, who seems determined to interest him- 
 self in mitigating the rigors of Captivity, which he appears well 
 acquainted with. — Many of our officers who are now Exchanged, are 
 at a loss to know what to do, there being no Provision mad£ for 
 them, and having left both Property & Friends, they are anxious for 
 any employment, in which they may hope for some Satisfaction for 
 the multitude & severity of their sufferings. 
 
 As I am much engaged to get my Accounts in proper order, I 
 shall remain here, till that is done, unless I receive other orders from 
 your Excellency, which I beg to be favoured with, if you think my 
 immediate Presence necessary at Camp. — If a successor to my de- 
 partment has been nominated, I should be much obliged by the In- 
 formation. 
 
 I have the Honor to be with the greatest Regards and Esteem, 
 Your Excellency's &c. 
 
 Elias Boudinot, 
 
 Com. Genl of Pris. 
 
 TO JOHN WINSLOW. 
 
 Flat Bush, 16* May, [1778]. 
 Sir: 
 
 Your orderly Sarjant waited on me the 14^ Inst, 
 with my Parole signed in Feb? last, together with an 
 exact Copy (the date only excepted) which he re- 
 quested me to sign & take up the old one — the reas- 
 ons for this were misterious, however as he told me it 
 was your particular desire — & I knew it could make 
 no odds with me, I did not hesitate about complying — 
 but as it yet seems somewhat unaccountable, I shall be 
 obliged if you'll give me the reasons, why you re- 
 quested it, — the letter you forwarded me from my Sis- 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 95 
 
 ter was duly received — for which you have my thanks. 
 I am with Cons. &c. 
 
 S. B. Webb. 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL CAMPBELL. 
 
 New York, 18 May, 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 At the time you was pleased to honor me with a visit, it gave me 
 very much concern, that indispensible attendance with the regiment 
 had called me frequently abroad; and the more so, as you had 
 quitted the City before I had it in my power to pay you my respects. 
 
 The application I made in your behalf with General Jones, was 
 unfortunately too late ; had I had a more early intimation of your 
 wish, it is probable better success would have attended my entreaty. 
 Mr. Boudinot was gone and that business so far closed, that Gen'l 
 Jones (who seemed extremely desirous of rendering justice to your 
 pretensions) waved at that juncture an interference, from a doubt 
 how far Sir H'y Clinton might have approved of all that had been 
 already agreed to. However, Sir, you may rest assured, I shall be 
 ready to catch at the first opening to forward the object of your 
 wishes, and shall at all times be happy in the opportunity of con- 
 vincing you of the respect and esteem with which I have the honor 
 to be, Sir, your most Obed't H'ble Serv* 
 
 Archibald Campbell, 
 
 Lieu' Col? 71st. Reg 4 . * 
 
 REPORT OF A COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS. 
 
 [21 May, 1778.] 
 The Committeef to whom were referred the Letters from Gen 1 . 
 Washington of the 1 i* h May, inclosing a Copy of a Letter from Genl 
 Howe of the io* h May respecting the Exchange of Prisoners — beg 
 leave to report — that the Propositions of Genl Sir W™ Howe, for an 
 
 * On the 5th of May Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell had been exchanged for 
 Colonel Ethan Allen. 
 
 t The members of this committee were, William Duer, Richard Henry Lee and 
 Charles Carroll. The report was laid before Congress on May 21st, and is 
 printed in the Journals for that day. I have used the MS. report of the Com- 
 mittee. 
 
96 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 Exchange of Prisoners, in his Letter of the i o* h May, Appear to your 
 Committee so ambiguously Exprest, and so liable to Misconception 
 that in their opinion it is Expedient that Congress should on their 
 part make Proposals for an Exchange on Principles of Equality, and 
 exprest in clear, and Explicit Terms — From this Consideration your 
 Committee submit to Congress the following Resolutions : — 
 
 That Gen 1 Washington be desired to inform Gen 1 . Sir W™ Howe, 
 that Congress, ever anxious to alleviate the Calamities of War, are Will- 
 ing to make an Exchange of Prisoners on the following Principles viz : 
 
 That an Exchange be made of all officers in the Possession of 
 either Party, whether on Parole or otherwise as far as Rank and 
 Number will apply. 
 
 That as Genl Sir W? Howe has the Power of Exchange the offi- 
 cers made Prisoners under the Convention of Saratoga, Congress 
 cannot think of agreeing to an Equivalent in Privates for officers, 
 but are willing to extend this exchange to the officers of Gen 1 Bur- 
 goyne's army. 
 
 That an Exchange as far as Numbers will Apply be Made of all 
 Soldiers in the actual Possession of either Party — and also of all 
 who having been released on Parole are, in the opinion of Gen 1 Wash- 
 ington, proper objects of exchange. That the Officers and Soldiers 
 so to be exchanged be Mutually delivered at Such Places in the 
 States of Rhode Island, New York, and Pensilvania, and at Such 
 Periods of Time, as the Said Genl s may determine on — That Gen 1 
 Washington, in Case the proposed Exchange should unhappily not 
 take Place, be directed to inform Gen 1 S? W. Howe that Congress 
 expect, that he will, from a Regard to their [the] Prisoners in the 
 Power of these States, take effectual Measures, that the American 
 Prisoners may not Surfer any Distresses from the Approaching hot 
 Season, which is in his Power to prevent, as the present Possession 
 of Long Island and Rhode Island Afford him An Opportunity of 
 Extending humanity towards Prisoners, without a Breach of Duty to 
 the Power under which he acts.* 
 
 * " I have transmitted to General Howe a copy of the resolution respecting 
 prisoners; and supposing him willing to effect an exchange immediately, I have 
 written to Mr. Boudinot and requested him, as he is in possession of all the pa- 
 pers concerning them, to come to camp without delay, and superintend the 
 business on our part." Washington to the President of Congress, 24 May, 1778. 
 
SAMUEL BLACIJLEY WEBB. 
 
 97 
 
 MEMORIAL OF AMERICAN PRISONERS ON LONG ISLAND. 
 
 [May, 1778]. 
 To The Honorable the Delegates of the United Independent 
 States of America. In Congress Assembled 
 
 THE MEMORIAL 
 
 Of the Field Officers now Prisoners on Parole on Long Island in 
 behalf of themselves, and at the particular Joint request of their 
 Brethren in the like situation. 
 
 Eeg leave to represent that they have undergone a long and ted- 
 ious Captivity with (they hope,) the fortitude and Magnanimity be- 
 coming the Cause in which they are engaged, and altho : by the 
 fortune of War thrown into the hands of their Common Enemy, yet 
 with Patient concern have suffered all the Calamities attendant upon 
 such a Situation, Long hopeing for that relief which you in your 
 Wisdom should think they were justly Entitled to. 
 
 By far the greater number of them have been Prisoners Eighteen 
 and Some Twenty Months. They presume it will be needless to 
 suggest to you the Numerous difficulties they have respectively un- 
 dergone dureing that Period. The Public supplies (not exceeding 
 in the whole jQ 7 & a suit of Cloathes) being too sorry a Pittance to 
 Merit Your or their attention. Not to mention several Foreigners, 
 who destitute of every Connextion in America, having quitted their 
 Native Shore to enter into our Service, remain here devoid of Every 
 Relief even the necessary Change of Linnen & many others in the 
 Like Situation. These malancholy considerations, in addition to 
 several more, together with the Frequent applications of the Officers 
 who seem to look up to us the subscribers for Redress & Consola- 
 tion have induced us to trouble you upon the present occasion, the 
 Friends & Connections of the officers have vainly Immagined that 
 the Remittances to Mr. Pintard your Agent was sufficient for their 
 Exigencies but this Alas ! is too well known by Us not to be the Case. 
 We would therefore Humbly propose that an order may be issued to 
 the Treasurer to advance to the Commissary Gen 1 , of Prisoners for 
 our use (a List of whom with their Respective Ranks can be pro- 
 cured from him) a certain sum of money to be by him forwarded to 
 M r . Pintard who will see it properly Distributed and take their Re- 
 
98 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 spective Reeceipts. This or any other method that you shall be 
 pleased to adopt will be gratefully acknowledged by &c.* 
 
 FROM JOSEPH WEBB. 
 
 Wethersfield, May 25th, 1778. 
 My dear Brother : 
 
 Yours of the 6* h Inst 1 . I have rec<? — you mistake if you think I 
 have not attended the matter of your Exchange, but a line of rota- 
 tion is the mode insisted upon. — I can't say but I am much dis- 
 apointed that you have not been allow'd to come home on parole. 
 
 Not long since I was at Boston, Cambridge & that Circuit, and 
 Waited on General Philips, who was polite enough to consent on his 
 part that Col? Sutherland shou'd be Exchanged for you, and has 
 wrote to General Clinton on the Subject, copy of which I now en- 
 close you. — I have wrote General Robertson which you may peruse 
 & have deliv? — I sincerely wish M* Boudinot may consent to the 
 Exchange of Col? Sutherland as He's a Convention Officer & can 
 not be taken amiss by the American Officers, altho : they may have 
 been a Prisoner longer than yourself.f I wish to hear from you by 
 the Return of the Bearer. I have also sent you a few News Papers 
 which after you have perused I wish to give M r . Gain or M^ Joseph 
 
 * " A memorial from the field officers now prisoners on parole on Long Island, 
 in behalf of themselves and at the particular joint request of their brethren in 
 like situation, was read : 
 
 " Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three; The members chosen 
 Mr. R. H. Lee, Mr. S. Adams and Mr. Duer." Journals of Congress, 26 May, 
 1778. 
 
 t " I observe what you say with regard to Col. Webb, but am surprised at your 
 not reflecting on what I have repeatedly wrote ' That the Gen\ will not suffer any 
 Person to be exchanged but in the order of their capture.' There are several 
 Colls older than Col. Webb & altho the General as well as myself would be much 
 pleased in serving Coll. Webb, yet i!: never will be consented to, that he should 
 be preferred to an older Prisoner of the same Rank — I shall be extremely sorry if 
 Coll. Sutherland is gone in upon this Principle, as I know it will give the highest 
 offence & raise the greatest Clamour. — The Gen\ has been applied to by Coll. 
 Webb on the same Subject, the bare proposing of which greatly disgusted him. — 
 I wish you would mention this gen\ Rule to Genl Heath, as it may save him 
 much Trouble in avoiding partial applications." Elias Boudinot to Joshua Mer~ 
 sereau, 10 June, 1778. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 99 
 
 Chew. M r . Gain was to have sent me his'n in return — You say you 
 hear Silas Deane has return'd from France, its a mistake. He's yet 
 there and I am told like to be for a Time — but Simeon has arrived 
 & is gone to South Carolina. 
 
 General Putnam is at Hartford, & has sent me word of the Flag, 
 but I cou'd wish I had more time to write. You must remember 
 me to our friend M^ Sherbrooke, McEvers, their Ladies — Delancy 
 and the Circle that enquire after our family. Your little Nieces 
 Sally & Harriet are well. M* s Simpson is not yet confin'd. — I cou'd 
 not at the Time Salmon was Caught, find an Opportunity to send 
 you any. — I shou'd like you wou'd bring out the London Magazines 
 bound or otherways. 
 
 I am your most Affect. B* 
 
 Jos : Webb. 
 
 I have been to Hartford visiting the Prison, & find as \torn\ 
 Mason a Midshipman, & two other Officers closely confined. I am 
 told its in consequence of complaints from New Port, Hallifax &c, 
 of the treatment of the American Prisoners, — and Connecticut did 
 not go into the sevear Law of Retalliation untill Complain'd of very 
 much — the Deputy Commissary Williams has promised that he will 
 do everything in his power to forward their Exchange — I enclose 
 you some Letters lately sent me by them which I promised to for- 
 ward & am happy to find an OppY so soon. — I have just parted with 
 Col? Meigs on his way to Hartford who promises to call on me on 
 his Return, & shew me some Letters, Papers &c. 
 
 FROM COLONEL WILLIAM AXTELL. 
 
 Flatbush, 29 May, 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 The Field Officers Prisoners Quartered in the Different Townships 
 in this County may whenever it be most Agreeable to themselves 
 Visit any of the Respective Townships where the Prisoners are 
 Quartered when and as often as they Please — Allways Returning to 
 their Quarters in the Evenning 
 
 I Shall Esteem it a Particular favor to Communicate to them this 
 Regulation which I this day obtain from the General together with 
 
ioo CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 Permission for Col 1 . Antle [Antill] and L*. Coll Brune [Bruyne] to 
 Remain in the Quarters where they now are 
 
 I am, Sir, Your most Obed* & Very Hum 1 . Serv 4 . 
 
 W™ AXTELL. 
 
 TO COLONEL AXTELL. 
 
 Flat Bush, 30 May, 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 I had the Honor of your favor last Evening, its 
 Contents respecting the priviledges given the Field 
 Officers Prisoners, shall be attended to. The several 
 Acts of the British Parliament from his Excellency 
 Gov 1 ". Tryon, I would take pains to communicate to the 
 Gentlemen Prisoners on the Island, but that they are 
 already made Public in the News Papers. — I will for- 
 ward those under cover to U. Col° Hobby, likewise 
 notify U. Col° Antill and D. Col° Brown of their per- 
 mission to continue at their old Quarters. I am, Sir, 
 Your most Obed 1 . Hum. Serv 1 . 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 COLONEL ANTILL TO GOVERNOR TYRON. 
 
 June 2d , 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 I rec'd a day or two ago, the late Acts of the B. Parliament ac- 
 companied w* 1 a printed copy of L d Germain's Lett* to you with a 
 Postscript. All these I had before seen conveyed to the Public in 
 general thro : the common Vehicle of Intelligence, the News Papers. 
 Decency should have induced General Tyron to have deemed that 
 Channel sufficient for me, without offering an insult to my Honor, 
 and my understanding, by sending them to my address when here a 
 Prisoner on Parole. 'Tis an Insult to my Honor as holding a Com- 
 mission in the United Independent States, to my Understanding as 
 to suppose my Sentiments to be affected by this fresh Instance of 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 101 
 
 British distracted Policy. In order to prevent further trouble to you 
 or any further enclosures of His I£ ship, — rest assured that my 
 profession indicates my Affection to Britain, and my Conduct shall 
 always mark the Real & unalterable friend to America. 
 
 I am with personal Respect &c 
 
 Ed? Antill.* 
 
 JOSEPH BARRELL TO THE TOWN COMMITTEE. 
 
 Boston, 4th June, 1778. 
 Gentlemen : 
 
 I am much Obliged by the Honor done me by the Town yester- 
 day in Chuseing me one of their Representatives ; but exceedingly 
 sorry for the Choice, as I find myself utterly averse to the employ. 
 How this matter came about I cannot conceive as I've made it my 
 invaried rule to inform every person who mention'd it, that I could 
 on no consideration think of serving. My only Aim, and highest 
 wish, is to support the Character of an Independent Honest Man, 
 and to enjoy the satisfaction consequent thereon. As to Public life 
 I never desire to be known in it, and am convinced I can be of no 
 service to this town by being in the General Court. Was it not that 
 all Private considerations ought to give way to Public good, I should 
 mention that my business would greatly suffer ; but My Aversion & 
 Inability are fully sufficient with me to beg as a favor the Town 
 would excuse me from Accepting this Trust. 
 
 I am sir with all due Respect Y* Most Obed* Serv 1 . 
 
 Jo Barrell. 
 
 FROM LEWIS PINTARD. 
 
 New York, 6 June, 1778. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 On my return Home Saturday last I received a letter from Mr. 
 Boudinot, desiring me to meet him in the Jerseys. 
 
 I set out Monday in the storm, and on my way to his house, at a 
 little village called Chatham, about ten miles from Morristown, I had 
 the pleasure to see and dine with your younger brother, Captain of 
 
 * From a copy in Colonel Webb's writing. 
 
io2 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 the Light Horse, who was very well, and in high spirits ; glad to 
 hear so straight from you. He set out Thursday last with his troop 
 of horse and many others to join General Gates at Fishkills. 
 
 I returned this day, & have brought sundry letters for the officers, 
 all of which I enclose to you, requesting the favor of your delivery 
 of them. I enclose you also some newspapers, which I would rather 
 you should not mention to certain people who are apt to take um- 
 brage at everything and make mountains out of mole-hills. Your 
 brother did not write, because I could tell you he was well, and 
 it would have been improper for him to write more. 
 
 I can give you no further news about the exchange. Mr. Boudi- 
 not informed me he knew nothing of the particulars, having only 
 received a few lines by express from General Washington, acquaint- 
 ing him that General Howe having proposed a general exchange, to 
 which the Congress had acceded, his presence became necessary at 
 camp immediately. I parted with him at Princeton on Thursday 
 morning, when he set out for the camp and I for home. 
 
 Major John Beatty, late your fellow prisoner, is appointed by 
 Congress to succeed Mr. Boudinot as Commissary of Prisoners, and 
 he accompanied him from Princeton to camp. 
 
 I came in a flag boat with a load of flour, which will unload Mon- 
 day, and prevent me the pleasure of paying you a visit ; but you 
 may expect to see me as soon as I can possibly spare half a day, 
 being, Yours sincerely, 
 
 L. Pintard.* 
 
 FROM BRIGADIER-GENERAL PARSONS. 
 
 Horseneck 7th June 1778. 
 Dr Colo : 
 
 I am occasionally at this Place and find M' Drummond going to 
 New York, who is kind enough to engage to deliver you this Line — 
 As I shall return again in the Morning to West Point, I have not 
 Time to give you much Information, nor would it be proper as this 
 will probably pass such Hands as are not intitled to Information 
 from me. Your Friends are anxious to see you again in a Land of 
 
 * From the Reminiscences of General Samuel B. Webb, 265. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 103 
 
 Liberty and your Regiment would be happy in your Restoration, 
 Livingston & Huntington are with us at last & every Thing about 
 Us wears a pleasing Appearance ; our old Friend Gen'l Gates has 
 taken the Command of the Department & at present has much the 
 Love & Confidence of the Troops under his Command; Wyllys, 
 Meigs & Sherburn, Greaton, Putnam, Nixon, Hazen, J. Livingston 
 & your other Friends were very well last Fryday ; Malcom is with us 
 and renders himself very agreeable to the Department in which he 
 serves — The acts of Parliament repealing some obnoxious Acts laid 
 upon the Americans by the Britons you have seen ; their Reception 
 in the Country at this Time is such as you would expect after the 
 Loss of so much Blood & Expence of so much Treasure ; Should the 
 Commissioners ever arrive and bring with them Powers to recog- 
 nize the unconditional Independence of these States perhaps there 
 might be a reconciliation ; we think burning Bristol and some other 
 small fiery Excurtions of late are not the clearest Evidence of the 
 Wishes of the Administration for Peace — I have heard you intend 
 coming out on Parole if you can obtain the Commanding Officers 
 Consent ; if a Cartel is settled I think you are more likely to be ex- 
 changed if you continue on the Island ; we should be happy to see 
 you but more happy to find you in a State to join your Regiment 
 — Your Friend M* Hosmer & his Family are well they often express 
 their Concern for you & your Fellow Prisoners. You will be sur- 
 prised to hear he proposes to take a long Journey in about Two or 
 three Weeks, and has so far recovered from his Splenetic Habit as 
 to believe he is able to endure the Fatigues of Heat & Cold, and 
 that no Climate will affect his Constitution, tho he has so often tried 
 and failed in his Expectation. 
 
 I have no Newspapers with me ; the Opportunity of writing was 
 unexpected, my Compliments to your Fellow Prisoners. 
 
 I am my dear Sir 
 
 Your Friend 
 
 S. H. P[arsons] * 
 
 * From the collection of Dr. John S. H. Fogg, of Boston. 
 
io4 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 FROM JOHN WINSLOW. 
 
 New York, 13 June, 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 I shall mention to the General what you say respecting L* Boyd, 
 & take his directions concerning him.* 
 
 No Letters from without very lately. Should any come in for you 
 I shall forward them. 
 
 I must confess to you I don't think it probable that at this partic- 
 ular Conjuncture you will obtain Leave to go home on parole, but 
 should rather advise you to be patient a little while. Believe me 
 your friend and most hum. servant 
 
 John Winslow, 
 C. P. 
 
 FROM JAMES SEAGROVE. 
 
 Phila, 17th June, 1778. 
 Dear Sam : 
 
 I wrote you some weeks since and was in hope of having had a 
 Line from you, acquainting me with your Situation. I then had 
 some expectation of seeing you on Long Island, but have since de- 
 clined all thoughts on that head, and have determined remaining 
 here and throwing myself on the mercy of our much injured Coun- 
 try — who I doubt not will be more favourable than is generaly ex- 
 pected. They never have been deficient in sound policy — their 
 lenity to returning prodigals will be no small proof. For my own 
 part I have the consolation of thinking no man can accuse me of 
 having ever acted against the interest of America. All I can charge 
 myself with has been my giving up my opinion to a set of deluded 
 Men who have been but to[o] much favourers of an infamous oppo- 
 sition to the Liberty of this Country — it's now too late to reflect. I 
 can only hope that my future exertions may in some manner recom- 
 mend me to the favour of a country which you know I have ever 
 respected. I hope soon to meet you a free man, and will be happy 
 
 * " At your solicitation Lt Andrew Boyd will be sent out in Exchange for an 
 Officer of the 71st Regt who is come in, & I beg to trouble you with a Pass for 
 im to come into this City Tomorrow, which please to forward to him." Winslow 
 to Colonel Webb, 2 July, 1778. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 105 
 
 to accompany you in any efforts for the General Good. — The British 
 Army abandon this City this very night, I think without opposition, 
 in order to save the Town. The rout of the army is through Jersey 
 to Amboy. What will be their plan afterwards cannot say. I ex- 
 pect there will be warm work in Jersey as they pass. I am sorry to 
 find the exch[angin]g of Prisoners again at a stand. I know not 
 what is the cause. 
 
 I dare venture to say I shall be exceedingly condemned by our 
 Tory friends with you. I care not, I have already done too much to 
 please them. I am now determined to act for myself. May happi- 
 ness attend you. I hope we shall soon meet. I cannot add, as the 
 last ship is now leaving the Town. God bless you. 
 
 Yours &c. 
 
 J. Seagrove.* 
 
 The American Army within a very short way of our Lines. — Gen'l 
 Arnold to com'd the Troops which enters the City. 
 
 FROM LEWIS PINTARD. 
 
 N. York, 19 June, 1778. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 I have this minute received a letter from Major Beatty, who has 
 been in town by the bye near two days, dated 12th inst., in 
 which he says : M r . Boudinot with my self have at length settled 
 every difficulty with regard to an exchange. Mr. Loring who will 
 probably arrive before this reaches you, will inform you of the par- 
 ticulars. You will be kind enough to inform the gent 1 } on Long 
 Island of this agreement, who I flatter my self will all be at liberty 
 in a few weeks. The flag is detained for my answer to the Major's 
 letter, and therefore I can only add that I am. 
 
 Your Very Humble Serv* 
 
 L. PlNTARD. 
 
 Please to inform Mr. Clarkson that his chair is safe in my stable.f 
 
 * James Seagrove was a merchant of Philadelphia. In November, 1778, a let- 
 ter from Abraham Chilborn, of Haverford West, directed to Seagrove, was inter- 
 cepted and laid before the Continental Congress. That body transmitted it to the 
 Executive Council of Pennsylvania, but I am unable to discover any action taken 
 upon it. 
 
 f From Reminiscences of General Samuel B. Webb, 266. 
 
106 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 FROM COLONEL WILLIAM AXTELL. 
 
 Flatbush, June 19th, 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 His Excellency Major General Try on Desir'd me to acquaint you 
 that he Leaves you at Liberty to Visit any of the District where the 
 Prisoners are Cantoon'd Viz New Lotts, Flat Lands, Gravesend, and 
 New Utrecht, And at the same time was PJeas'd to signify to me by 
 Letter that you have his Commission to go a Shooting with any one 
 Companion You Please Which His Excellency is Pleased to Leave 
 to Your own Discretion. 
 
 I am, Sir, Your Most Obed* & Very Hu™ Serv* 
 
 W. Axtell.* 
 
 FROM ENSIGN GALLOWAY. 
 
 Brooklyn Ferry, 20th June, 1778. 
 M r Galloway presents his respectful compt? to M* Webb. Ml 
 Galloway as officer of the day upon the ferry, has taken the liberty 
 of opening a letter of M 1 . Webb's, which he hopes M* Webb will ex- 
 cuse. M* Galloway would not have taken that liberty, but he 
 detected two officers belonging to the Congress (who were prisoners 
 at Flatbush and upon their Parole of honour) who were endeavour- 
 ing to go to New York without a Pass, either from General Tryon or 
 any of the commanding officers upon Long Island. — As there has 
 been so much disturbance lately at Flatbush, M* Galloway hopes 
 M' Webb will overlook it. 
 
 M* Galloway's compt! to Colonel Webb — is exceedingly sorry 
 any misunderstanding should have happened between them in con- 
 sequence of his having done his duty, does not recollect to have 
 made use of the words Colonel Webb mentions, if he did Colonel 
 Webb will impute it to the hurry of business on so disagreeable a 
 post and a warmth of temper and not to any intentional insult — 
 which he assures him was the case. 
 
 Tuesday morning, 10 o'clock. 
 
 * " Mr AxtelPs compliments attend Colonel Webb, and if agreeable will wait 
 on him to-morrow morning to pay their Respects and Dine with General Tryon 
 at the Camp near Flushing." To Colonel Webb, 25 June, 1778. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 107 
 
 FROM E. TUDOR. 
 
 New York, 20 June, 1778. 
 Dear Colonel : 
 
 I received your favor of this day, and was very sorry that I could 
 not have the pleasure of waiting on you with Mr. Shaler, by reason 
 of attending the General. Since I saw you, have waited on General 
 Prescott and Colonel Campbell and mentioned your affair. You 
 may depend on it, they are inclined to serve you. Colonel Camp- 
 bell acquaints me that he has received no answer from Sir Henry 
 Clinton as yet, but every day expects one, and nothing can be done 
 till then. Nothing could afford me greater pleasure than your com- 
 pany in the Flag, which will most probably sail on Monday or Tues- 
 day next, and will endeavor, if possible, to see you before we sail. 
 Am very busy now in packing up Governor Franklin's things. I 
 am, Dear Colonel, Yours &c. E. Tudor. 
 
 P. S. Have sent you the machine, and hope it will fit. If it 
 should not suit, return it and have it altered.* 
 
 FROM JOSEPH WEBB. 
 
 Wethersfield, June 21st, 1778. 
 My Dear Brother: 
 
 This will be handed to you by Cornet Graefef a young Gent? 1 
 that was taken Prisoner at Bennington, since which has been much 
 of his Time in the Jerseys on Parole and now takes his departure 
 from Chatham & this Town and appears to be much the Gent™. — 
 By him I send you a Horse for yourself, and another for Richard — 
 your several Letters have duly come to hand, I have as regularly 
 answer'd them, but find mine for some reasons, what I can't say, 
 have scarcely ever arrived to you, — the Horses I hope will please 
 you, the one sent for yourself is rather low in flesh on Ace 4 , of a 
 Number of races he has lately run but is % Blood & is an Excellent 
 Horse. — I wish you may soon return to us. I confess I have been 
 much disappointed at your long stay from your Anxious Friends, but 
 I really did expect from Connections, General Prescott, French, &c, 
 
 * From Reminiscences of General Samuel B. Webb, 299. 
 
 f "Augustus Lewis Graefe, Cornet of Prince Lewis's Dragoons in the service of 
 his Britanic Majesty." Note by Colonel Webb. 
 
108 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 that they would have sent you (at least) out on parole. — General 
 Prescott, Col? Campbell, Col? French & the rest of the Gent™ that 
 have Interested themselves in your behalf have our family's sincere 
 thanks — When I was at Cambridge I was several Times in Company 
 with General Philips, who was polite enough to consent on his part 
 that Col? Sutherland shou'd be Exchanged for you, and gave me a 
 Copy of a Letter which he wrote His Excellency Gen 1 . Sir H. Clin- 
 ton on the Subject — which Copy I forwarded to you, and as I said 
 before am much surprised that you are not with me either by Ex- 
 change, or parole ; however I will not find too much fault until I 
 know more of the matter — its of consequence, much so, that you get 
 out — but if you have to wait until your proper turn of rotation, God 
 knows when you'll come on Ace* of being full Col? . I can't think 
 it but bad Policy on both sides that a General Exchange is put off. 
 
 Make yourself however happy & contented — I well know a Pris- 
 oner's life is not very agreeable at first ; though you are treated with 
 the greatest marks of politeness we often hear — Yet a Prisoner. 
 I promise myself the satisfaction of seeing of you soon either by Ex- 
 change or on parole, I think the most likely is the former. Mrs. 
 W[ebb] & her two little Daughters are well. Mrs. Simp [son], her 
 son & her little Daughter Peggy are well, & I believe both H[etty], 
 
 Mrs. W[ebb], Mrs. S[impson] will write you p* the Cap* G & 
 
 Cornet Graefe. 
 
 I send you a Bill of Exchange of One Hundred & fifty Pounds 
 Sterling in my favor on Maj. Joseph Goldthwait, New York, payable 
 two days after sight, which I know he will most strictly Honor for his 
 own Sake & his Hon4 aged Father. I also send you p T . this opporty 
 some Notes on the British officers which ought long ago to have 
 been paid. Should you not be able so settle 'em Desire M r . Lorrain 
 [Loring] as Commissary of Prisoners to take 'em and pay them to 
 you or to give a Rec* as he thinks most proper, tho : I must confess 
 I think extremely odd they have not paid it according to promise in 
 Guineas — is this the treatment I have to expect for advancing 
 strange officers in a Country ; Prisoners & distressed for money. — 
 Capt. Luke of the 55t h Reg* had monies of me at the same time 
 with these Gent? & paid it with Honor in Guineas to my order — I 
 hope the following Gent™ will do the same — M r . Chew will doubtless 
 aid & assist you. I have mentioned the matter to him. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 109 
 
 Sterling 
 Bernard Denniss, Ensign 40th Regt Note dated 17th March 1777 £ 5. 8.0 
 James Carmichael Qr Mastr 40 Regt do 11. 0.0 
 
 Wm Carter 40th Regt do 9. o. o 
 
 Wm C. Hall 28 do 5. 12. 6 
 
 Donald MacDonald 55th do 6 # 3. 
 
 37- 3-6 
 
 You'll observe the last has given his Pay Master Orders to pay his. 
 I much want them settled — I also send you Lieut. [Benjamin] 
 Griffith's Bill on the Pay Mastf for £ 13. 1. o Sterling — likewise 
 the first of two Setts on Sam! Jones, Esq 1 : , drew by Peter Herring 
 for £ 50. o. o Sterling. 
 
 I have sent you a Number of News Papers which after you have 
 perused I wish may be sent to Hugh Gain. He promised, so did 
 Rivington, to send me their papers out constantly. — I wish you 
 would remember to get me Gain's, Roberts, Mill & Hicks, & Riv- 
 ington's from the if* of January, 1778 to the time of Your coming 
 out — likewise their Registers & List of the British Army for 1778. 
 
 [No Signature.] 
 
 June 21st 1778. 
 You see to what a length Business with other matters have run 
 me to — before I go any further let me advise you to go and see 
 Prince's Gardens at Flushing, its well worth your seeing — Can you 
 tell me in your next Smith's situation that married Miss Abby 
 Farnsworth — she is now in this Town and wishes to know if her 
 Husband wishes her there. She can obtain His Excellency Gov? 
 Trumbull's leave at any time to go, as many another Lady almost he 
 says. — I have this moment lent M* Graefe, a Cornet of Horse that 
 was taken a Prisoner at Bennington (since his being a Prisoner He's 
 behaved much the Gentl™) Twelve British New Heavy Guineas, 
 which he promises as p* Copy of a Rec* I now send you to pay 
 you on his arrival in New York or a few Days after ; or in case you 
 have come from York to be paid John Atkinson, Merchant in York. 
 I have sent you no Sadie or Bridle as the Gent 1 ? 1 that take your 
 Horse had 'em of their own. — I much want a good, fashionable 
 genteel Plated Curb Bridle — a p? plated Sturrups-a genteel 
 Pocket Book for myself & one for my Lady — a set of London Mag- 
 
no CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 azines — some White— some scarlet Twist — a genteel p T . stone shoe 
 Buckels for Mrs. W. 
 
 Purchase for Gov 1 : Franklin to be sent out by some flag that may 
 be coming with some Cloathing, 2 Hampers Porter, 1 Ream Good 
 Paper, some News Papers &c. * * * 
 
 Capt. Jack W[ebb] is well at White Plains — Jesse [Deane] has 
 safe arrived to his Father in Paris. * * * 
 
 I have sent you some News Papers from here, there & everywhere, 
 some old & some new. I wish you to tell the British officers that 
 you may see that their Prisoners are realy in the greatest want of 
 their Clothing, more particular the Article of Linnen. Was I to ad- 
 vise I shou'd recommend Two shirts 2 p!; Hose 2 pT overhalls to 
 each man, a good Blanket for the Evening & Morning. — Col. 
 
 Sheriff is the Gent™ to apply to. 
 
 Adieu my Dear Br. 
 
 FROM MRS. JOSEPH WEBB. 
 
 Wethersfield, June 22 <3, 1778. 
 ******* 
 
 It is with great pleasure I hear of the Polite, Genteel Treatment 
 you have met with, and doubt not but that you make yourself as 
 cheerfull and as happy as its possible in a situation so truly undesir- 
 able. 
 
 Colonel Chester & Lady, M* Webb and your Sister have lately had 
 a most agreeable Tour to Norwich, Colchester, &c, &c. Saw many 
 of your good friends who asked particularly after you, and wish much 
 to see you. Col? Chester, M r . & M T . S and Miss Chester present com- 
 pliments. I know you would ask many questions about little Sally 
 and will therefore tell you, and in the first place, that she has not 
 forgot you. The manner she lamented the Loss of you for many 
 days was really affecting, but now she consoles herself with the hope 
 that you will come again and I dare promise she will share the gen- 
 eral joy such an event would give. Little Blachley* too in my es- 
 teem is become valuable, but should I attempt to draw the charac- 
 ters of our little Group, Sally, Jack, Harriot and Peggy, it would 
 
 * Her son. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. in 
 
 doubtless become tedious, and I should be sorry that the length of 
 this scrawl (triffling as it is) should prevent its reaching you. 
 Heaven bless and preserve and restore you, is the wish of your 
 affectionate sister. A. W. 
 
 ELIAS BOUDINOT TO 
 
 New Jersey, 25 June, 1778. 
 
 From my reception in New York and the enlarged Sentiments I 
 observed there, I had hopes of being able to do much in moderat- 
 ing the rigors of Captivity & the cruelties of this unnatural war — I 
 am greatly distressed to find myself in some measure disappointed — 
 As soon as I arrived here I spread abroad what I thought the senti- 
 ments and future designs of those I conversed with while with you, 
 relative to Prisoners in Genl ; and in Consequence obtained the 
 Pardon of one who was condemned to die for high Treason, got 
 others discharged and hoped to prevent any more from being con- 
 fined — Agreeable to the requests of your General's and my own 
 Engagements I hastened flour down to the two Landings mentioned 
 to them & both in their Power, in order to pay off the Debt of our 
 Prisoners on the Island — In the midst of this agreeable Review, a 
 Party of Troops from Sandy Hook came to the Landing at Middle 
 Town Point & burned my Store House & Mill containing about 200 
 Barrels of flour & a few hundred Bushells of wheat — took off the 
 Gentleman (a respectable & aged character) who had the Care of it 
 together with 3 or 4 neighbors. These Men (of fortune & family) 
 were indiscriminately thrown into the Sugar House with our common 
 Soldiers & refused their Enlargement tho the most ample Security 
 was offered. I wrote to Genl Jones immediately on this subject but 
 have not rec<? any Answer * * * 
 
 Mr. Loring assured me that there was nothing in the way [of an 
 exchange], but the old dispute about the sick men sent out to us in 
 1776 — that Genl Clinton was very desirous to begin his Command 
 free from all unnecessary dispute & if that was settled, would en- 
 deavor to put the Prisoners in the most desirable Situation, and tho 
 he could not positively engage that those in Philadelphia should be 
 
ii2 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 immediately discharged on Parole, yet from his Knowledge of Sir 
 Hen : Clinton's Sentiments, he had not the least doubt of it. We 
 then attempted to liquidate the dispute, but could not meet within 
 ioo — being both tyed up by Instructions. However on his painting 
 the distresses of our Officers & Men in being taken to Sea, in very 
 affecting Terms, & assuring me of the certainty of their relief in 
 case of a Settlement, I ventured to exceed my orders and gave up 
 the ioo men in order to prevent the difficulty of a sea Passage to 
 our unfortunate Prisoners. And it was expressly agreed that I should 
 hurry the British & Hessian Prisoners in, so as to be exchanged be- 
 fore he leaves Philad — if they did not arrive in Time, our Prisoners 
 were to be left & yours were to be pushed on to Amboy. I imme- 
 diately dispatched Expresses to every department in the States, with 
 orders to send on to your Posts every Officer & a Sufficient Number 
 of Privates without the least delay — A few came on & were ex- 
 changed, but the Hessians being averse to the Exchange could not 
 so easily be got down without Guards — This occasioned the una- 
 voidable delay of a few days ; but they did arrive sooner than could 
 reasonably be expected. — To my great surprise, Gen 1 . Clinton deter- 
 mining to leave Philadelphia on Thursday last, embarked all our 
 Prisoners on Wednesday, on hearing of which I went down to the 
 Lines & wrote to M r . Loring on the subject, when Genl Robertson 
 came out to me, from whose Sentiments I still hoped they would be 
 relanded ; but rec<? an Answer from him that he could not accom- 
 plish any thing more than in case their Prisoners, or a considerable 
 number of them, arrived by Friday Evening, our Prisoners should 
 be returned from the Ships. On Thursday Morning they evacuated 
 the City, and hearing of the Prisoners approaching the Town on 
 Friday sent down the River, to acquaint the Commanding Officer of 
 it, when I found all the Ships had sailed in the morning and none 
 were to be found. 
 
 Thus the fair Prospect of settling the affairs of Prisoners on an 
 Equitable footing has again vanished. * * * 
 
 E. Boudinot. 
 
 * From the Cabinet of the Pennsylvania Historical Society. 
 
SAMUEL B LAC FILEY WEBB. 113 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL PUTNAM TO THE PRESIDENT OF 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 Hartford, June 30th, 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 You May remember that Sometime Since, a Resolution of Con- 
 gress was passed, that whenever any Fort or Fortification, garrison'd 
 by the Army of the United States should be taken by the Enemy, 
 the Commanding Officer of such Fort or Fortification should have a 
 Court of Enquiry into his conduct, and the reason of such loss.. 
 In consequence of that Resolution his Excellency Appointed Major- 
 Gen 1 M*: Dougall, B. Gen\ Huntington and Col. Wigglesworth to 
 carry it into execution, respecting the loss of Forts Montgomery & 
 Clinton. 
 
 The Court set at Fish Kill some time in April last, but I had no 
 Knowledge of their Appointment untill they arrived, and therefore 
 could not procure such evidences, and papers, as I might have 
 done, had I been favor'd with timely notice. After the Court was 
 over his Excellency Gen 1 Washington ordered one to this place, to 
 collect and forward on the Recruits and Draughts of this State for 
 the Continental Army : it is sometime since they were all forwarded, 
 except some few who have deserted ; and those there is very little 
 probability of catching. I wrote his Excellency an account of this, 
 and desired to Know whether I might not be ordered to Join the 
 Army : I received for answer that the operations of the Campaign 
 were not determined on, and till they were I had better tarry here. 
 I have waited with the utmost impatience for orders, but none hav- 
 ing arrived I desired Col. Wadsworth to ask Gen 1 . Huntington, 
 what had been or was to be done, in consequence of the Court of 
 Inquiry. I have just learnt that the proceeding of the Court, and 
 the papers relating thereto, have never been laid before his Excel- 
 lency. I think there must be some mistake as I am hardly willing 
 to believe, that Gen 1 . M<? Dougall would keep papers of such im- 
 portance to the United States as well as to My Character, so long 
 by him, but would have sent them to Congress or his Excellency for 
 perusal, that if I had been reported guilty of Any Capital Crime I 
 might have the benefit of a Court Martial, And have been con- 
 demned or acquitt'd, so that My Character Might Stand in a clearer 
 light in the World, but to be posted here as a publick spectator for 
 
ii 4 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 every ill Minded person to make their remarks upon, I think is very 
 poor encouragement for any person to venture their lives and for- 
 tunes in the Service. 
 
 I must beg that the Hon'ble Congress will take this matter into 
 their consideration, and grant that I may be acquitted and that with 
 Honor, or tryed by a Gen 1 . Court Martial. 
 
 I have sent Major Putnam, My Aid de Camp, to wait the deter- 
 mination of Congress, and if they have not too Much business of 
 greater concern, I wish to have an Answer by him as soon as possible. 
 
 I have the Honor to be with the greatest respect and esteem 
 
 Yt Most obed* Serv* 
 
 Israel Putnam.* 
 
 COLONEL TALLMADGE TO BARNABAS DEANE. 
 
 White Plains, July 6th, 1778. 
 My Dear Friend : 
 
 After waiting for several Days for particular accounts from Genl 
 Washington respecting the Enemy's march & the late battle in N 
 Jersey, I finally have it in my power to give you the same with some 
 Degree of Certainty An Express has this Day arrived from Bruns- 
 wick (where the Army then was) with the following accounts, viz — 
 that the Enemy's loss was in killed Rank & file 245 
 
 4 Officers among which is L* Colo Monkton 4 
 
 Wounded amounted to 1255 
 
 Prisoners 117 
 
 Deserters since they left Philadelphia 1572 
 
 Thus it appears that the Enemy are 3 J 93 
 
 weaker for their Jersey Expedition 
 
 * This letter was read in Congress July 8th, and referred to the Board of War. 
 On June 18th, 1778, Washington sent to Congress the proceedings of the Court 
 of Inquiry on the losses of the Highland forts, which were referred to the Board 
 of War. No action appears to have been taken, and on 4 August Putnam laid 
 before Congress a letter from Washington, which was referred to a committee 
 composed of Titus Hosmer, R. H. Lee and Scudder. This committee reported 
 that " upon careful examination of the facts stated by the Court of Enquiry, and 
 consideration of the evidence taken and transmitted, it appears that those posts 
 were lost not from any fault, misconduct or negligence of the commanding officers, 
 but solely through the want of adequate force under their command to maintain 
 and defend them." Journals of Congress, 17 August, 1778. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 115 
 
 Our loss is 7 officers & 52 Rank & file Among which are L* Col? 
 [Rudolph] Bunnel (Pensylvania) & Major [Edmund B.] Dickinson 
 (Virginia) . 
 
 By this noble exertion of our Countrymen & fellow Soldiers, I am 
 of the opinion that the fighting business is nearly over ; so that ex- 
 cepting a small Skirmish now & then I trust no Capital Action will 
 hereafter be projected by S? Harry Clinton 
 
 My prophecy of the Enemy's March thro' N Jersey, I see is com- 
 pleatly fulfilled, but such success I must confess I did not fully expect 
 
 I believe I have hardly been so long silent since I have been your 
 Correspondent, which You must impute wholly to the urgency of my 
 duty. M T . Sebor was good enough to pay me a Visit when De- 
 tached from the Reg* to Dobbs's ferry, of the Duties of which Post 
 (as Commanding Officer) he can fully inform You 
 
 I wish I had it in my power to inform You that we were soon to 
 move down towards fort Independence as in my opinion (& from 
 my late Comm4 near that post I think I can form a good opinion) 
 the Enemy would leave that post on our appearing with any Con- 
 siderable force in its Vicinity. They are weak & disheartened, & of 
 Course would.not be able to oppose much force, with very different 
 feelings. I must not omit to inform You that on the 4* h inst (being 
 the anniversary of American Independence) the Gen 1 . & Field 
 Officers of the Army were invited to dine with Gen! Gates when 
 we had 13 as Catholick Toasts given us by the Gen! as Men ever 
 drank. I presume I hardly need inform You that we were very 
 merry on the occasion, Wine at any time being such a Rarity 
 the effluvia and Influence of which, joined to the noble occa- 
 sion, You may depend on it made us as sociable as any Sons of 
 Backus in any Q* of the World. 
 
 The following are the Toasts — 
 
 1 — The glorious Revolution of the 4^ July 1776. 
 
 2 — The United, free & Independent States of N. America. 
 
 3 — The Congress — with grateful thanks for the honour they have 
 done their Country by their Spirited answer to the British Com- 
 missioners. 
 
 4 — His Excellency Gen! Washington. 
 
 5 — The Navy of the U. States — may it ever be employed to pro- 
 tect, but never to Enslave mankind. 
 
n6 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 6 — The immortal memory of the Genl s Warren — Montgomery — 
 Mercer — Wooster — Harkimer 6° Nash — with all the renowned 
 Heroes, who have fought, bled & died in defence of their Country's 
 freedom. 
 
 7 — Doct* Franklin & our Ambassadors at foreign Courts. 
 
 8 — The Kings of France, Spain & Prussia — with all the Kings & 
 Princes in alliance with the U. S. of N. A. 
 
 9 — A firm & Speedy establishm 4 of the Consideration of the 
 U. States of N. America 
 
 io — The lovely Females of America, & may they give their hearts 
 & hands only to the friends of their Country 
 
 1 1 — May our Bretheren in Canada, Florida & Nova Scotia, speedily 
 enjoy the blessings of free States 
 
 1 2 A Shameful expulsion to the B. Tyrant's fleets & Armies 
 
 13 — The war being gloriously finished, may all the blessings that 
 flow from liberty, peace, Agriculture & Commerce be the future por- 
 tion of the U. States of N. America 
 
 You must excuse these rough scrawls as I have gay Company to 
 day, such as Col? W. Livingston, M. Huntington &c &c 
 
 Fail not, my Dear friend, to interest me in the small Privateers 
 you have mentioned I depend wholly on You for this. Make my 
 Compliments to Mess 1 : 5 Broome, Chester, Webb their Ladies & all 
 friends. I am with esteem 
 
 Yours Sincerely 
 
 B. Tallmadge.* 
 
 TO GENERAL LESLIE. 
 
 Flat Bush, 17 July, 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 Dureing our Captivity and residence on this Island 
 we are happy in haveing received and willing to ac- 
 knowledge the politest treatment from the Gentlemen 
 of the British Army. It frequently has been other- 
 ways with ill natured Refugees and Inhabitants of il- 
 
 * From the cabinet of the Connecticut Historical Society. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 117 
 
 liberal Sentiments, these we have ever tho't beneath 
 our notice. An Instance I am now obliged to com- 
 municate of an Officer under your Immediate com- 
 mand deviating from the Character of a Gentleman in 
 a Way which I am confident will not be Justifyed by 
 you. 
 
 Cap 1 . Drakeford of the 26^ last Evening came to the 
 Quarters of a M r . Helm, U. in the American Army, a 
 prisoner of War now on his Parole, and without the 
 least provocation insulted him with the most abusive 
 language, after which in a most unorentleman-like man- 
 ner forced the Cockade from his Hat, collared and 
 push'd him from the Stoop on which he was standing. 
 M r . Helm's situation prevented his retaliating either by 
 Word or Action, thinking it a more proper way to ob- 
 tain Sattisfaction by laying the matter before his Su- 
 periors. At his particular request, I have taken the 
 liberty of writing you on the Subject. 
 
 With due Respect I am, Sir, yours &c. &c. 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb 
 Col° American Army. 
 
 MAJOR BEATTY TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Elizth Town, July i8*h, 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 I am now to inform you that yesterday I effected the Exchange 
 of all the privates in the Enemy's hands — except those in the Hos- 
 pital & a few out at work, amounting in the whole to less than a 
 hundred. These M* Loring has promised shall be sent out in the 
 Course of a week or ten days. 
 
 The prisoners are in general in good care — have therefore des- 
 spatched all the Continental Troops to Head Quarters, under the 
 care of Capt. Forman. I must refer your Excellency to Coll. Scam- 
 
n8 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 mell for the number of those — the militia, sailors, &c. making up in 
 the whole 647. In order to determine among the militia, who were 
 not in actual service, I obliged them, before they were discharged to 
 make exact returns to me of their number, Reg* , State, & time when 
 taken. From this measure I find 15 men sent out here, who were 
 taken from their own houses, and many of them out of their Beds. 
 These I told Mr. Loring I could not receive in any other light than 
 Citizens, nor would I return any equivalency for them. He pre- 
 tended entire ignorance of their being so taken & said they were re- 
 turned to him as Prisoners of War. After quarrelling some time, we 
 omitted giving Credit for them & referred it to a future day. 
 
 I can discover little from the Prisoners who are come out. They 
 seem generally to concur in saying, that they are removing the 
 cannon, stores, baggage, &c. from Staten Island — & I cannot but 
 add y} from several circumstances, as that of a great number of small 
 craft plying between that & New York, a great appearance of Tents, 
 without men, the crossing over a Body of Troops to Long Island, & 
 indeed a general Confusion seems to subsist among the whole — I 
 am inclined to believe that an Evacuation will soon take place unless 
 the Fleet at Sandy Hook should remove. They hesitate no longer 
 in saying a French war must take place — & that Brittain will now be 
 oblidged to exert herself. 
 
 Should your Excellency have any commands for me, please to 
 direct to me at Princeton. 
 
 I am, Sir, &c 
 
 Jn? Beatty. 
 
 FROM CAPTAIN M^KISSACK. 
 
 Flatlands, July 19th, 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 I rec<* yours by Serg 1 . Clark, which mentions "it has been re- 
 quested to you, that the late Order from the Com missy Gen 1 , of 
 Prisoners, has been rec<? with much Dissatisfaction." I do assure 
 you, Sir, it has caused much Grumbling and Murmuring amongst the 
 officers in general of this District ; Nevertheless, we have resolv'd to 
 attend to it for a few Days, but are Determin'd (should it not soon 
 be revok'd) to take our former Enlargement be the Consequence 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB, 119 
 
 what it will. — Be assur'd, Sir, this [is] not only my private opinion, 
 but the Sentiments of every American Officer Prisoner in this Dis- 
 trict. I have the Honour to be, Sir, 
 
 Your most obed 4 . Humble Serv*. 
 
 Will 1 ! 1 McKissack. 
 
 TO COLONEL AXTELL. 
 
 Flat Bush, 22 July, 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 By desire of the Gentlemen on Parole in Flat Bush 
 as well as on my own account, I am induced to urge 
 you will request the Commander in chief to remove 
 from this Village the Officers that are Prisoners, or 
 the Invalids lately quartered in the same Houses with 
 us. Of two Evils we are taught to choose the least — 
 and I do assure you we can hardly picture to our- 
 selves a worse situation than the present. The in- 
 sults we receive from the Soldiery grow more frequent 
 every day. I have experienced their abuse three 
 times this day when standing at my Quarters, and 
 have hourly applications from my B r . Prisoners to 
 represent the matter to Sir Henry Clinton — but as 
 you are particularly knowing to their Conduct from 
 the Inhabitants, as well as the Officers, I think it 
 proper the representation should come from you, — in 
 this case there is no occasion of my writing His Excel- 
 lency on the Subject. 
 
 I am, Sir, your most obed 1 . Hum b . Serv*. 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb 
 Col^ Ame r . A^ 
 
120 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 FROM ADJUTANT HOPKINS. 
 
 Flat Bush, 22<3 July, 1778. 
 Dear Colo : 
 
 I am intirely destitute of Cash, and am Necessitated for some 
 necessary articles, such as shoes, &c. Shall esteem it as a particular 
 favour if you would advance me a small sum, which I shall repay as 
 soon as I receive supplys, which I expect every moment. 
 I am Dear Col? tho quite unwell 
 
 Your Very Humb? Serv* 
 
 Elisha Hopkins. 
 Sam 1 . B. Webb, Esq J, Lieut. Col? of the Queens Guards in his 
 Most Christian Majesty's service, and Col? of the first Reg* of 
 Guards in the United States Army. 
 
 TO SIR HENRY CLINTON. 
 » 
 
 Flat Bush on Long Island 
 July 24^, 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 Some time in May last Major-General Prescott, LA 
 Col°. s Campbell, Anstruther and French requested of 
 Gen 1 . Jones permission for me to go into the Country 
 on Parole. Your Excellency being absent General 
 Jones could not at that time comply with their request, 
 but assured me he would remember the application, 
 and when in his power gratify my wishes. Business 
 of more importance, no doubt, prevented his mention- 
 ing it since your arrival. 
 
 Col°. Sutherland of the 47^ has come in on Parole, 
 with a view I understand of getting exchanged for me. 
 My private concerns in the Country make me ex- 
 treamly anxious to get out. Should your Excellency 
 think proper to allow of the Exchange with Col° 
 Sutherland it will make me happy ; otherways I shall 
 esteem it a particular favor I may be allowed to be with 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB, 121 
 
 my friends in the Country on Parole. Any Gentle- 
 man of the British Army, now Prisoner with the Amer- 
 icans, haveing an Inclination to come in on Parole, I 
 will chearfully endeavor to obtain leave for that pur- 
 pose. 
 
 I have the honor to be with Esteem 
 Your Excellency's Most obed 1 . Hum 1 . Serv*. 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb 
 Col° American Army. 
 
 FROM MAJOR BEATTY. 
 
 Princeton July 30^ 1778. 
 My Dear Collonell : 
 
 I have but a Moment to write you, as an Exchange of a Number 
 of the Fort Washington Officers will in a few days take place. I 
 must request you to furnish me with a return of the whole of the 
 officers on the Island — beginning with those oldest in Captivity — 
 ascertaining their Rank & the time of their Captivity — I am obliged 
 to take this Step — both to do Justice to the Prisoners — & to prevent 
 any reflections upon my Character — the utmost Impartiality is meant 
 to take place & if I err in any respect, it must be attributed to the 
 gentlemen there, who do not do Justice to themselves. I have no 
 list to proceed upon, except an Inaccurate one from New York — I 
 must beg the gentlemen will rectify this Matter — & if any dispute 
 arises, with those of the same rank & who were taken at the same 
 time, it is Gen 1 . Washington's Opinion, that they either draw Lotts, 
 or it shall be determined by Precedency of Rank. Whatever return 
 they make me, it shall regulate all future Exchanges — I must request 
 a report from you as speedily as possible. 
 
 I enclose you two of our latest Papers — it contains as much as I 
 am at Liberty to write. Peruse it & lend it to your Neighbours. 
 Remember me very affectionately to the good Family you live in. 
 My Comp? t0 ^[r Clarkson's & M r . Van home's Family — tell them I 
 saw their Friends very lately — Particularly Matt [Clarkson?] — who 
 are all well— Tell Tommy at the Dominy's, to keep up his Spirits — 
 another Twelve month will put him on the List for an Exchange. I 
 
122 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 dare say, he Enjoys the Sweets of Confinement as fully as any of 
 you — I flatter myself some times with seeing you — but fear I shall 
 not be able to accomplish it. 
 
 I am vfi Comp* to all the gentlemen 
 
 D* Sir, your most Obed 4 . Hum. Serv* 
 
 Jn? Beatty. 
 George Tudor begs to write his name & to say he expected to hear 
 from Col? Webb & Col. Antle [Antill] before this in answer to two 
 letters wrote to them some time past. Adieu & believe him sin- 
 cerely yours. 
 
 MAJOR BEATTY TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Princetown, July 31st, 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your Favor of the 27 th 
 Instant which has just come to hand, and am to inform you, that I 
 have already complied with part of the Instructions therein con- 
 tained : In a Letter from the Marine Committee of Congress, I was 
 authorized to inform Admiral Gambier that his proposition relative 
 to the Exchange of Marine Prisoners was acceded to by Congress, 
 binding themselves to return a like number in our possession, with 
 as little delay as possible.* I have wrote to Admiral Gambier yes- 
 terday, acquainting him that I shall attend at Elizabeth-Town to- 
 morrow, their to receive and give him credit for whatever number of 
 Prisoners he shall deliver over — pledging the Public Faith of these 
 States for an equal return. In my answer to the Committee I in- 
 formed them of my having no particular instructions respecting 
 marines, mentioning particularly the case of the Frenchmen. I now 
 wait their orders on that head. 
 
 I am just returned from Philadelphia where I have in as pointed a 
 manner as I was capable of, laid before Congress the distressed sit- 
 uation of their Prisoners, representing at the same time the accounts 
 already contracted and the Impractibility as well as Impropriety of 
 discharging these debts in the manner heretofore adopted, begging 
 they would furnish me with as much hard money as would answer 
 the present demand, and put Mr. Pintard upon a more reputable 
 
 * Journals of Congress, 30 July, 1778. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB, 123 
 
 Footing ; whose private credit is already engaged for more than he 
 can ever pay and who is in danger of being throw'd into a Provost, 
 unless some measures are speedily taken to relieve him. Congress 
 have not paid that attention to it I thought the urgency of the case 
 demanded, and after waiting a number of days for an Answer, was 
 dismissed without any other, than that they would resume the Con- 
 sideration of it. 
 
 I shall endeavor always to administer a sufficient supply of pro- 
 vision to the prisoners in New York, and shall strictly comply with 
 your orders with regard to Individuals. 
 
 I fear I shall be detained longer from Head Quarters than I at 
 first imagined, occasioned by the very slow returns of the Prisoners 
 from the different places they have been confined in — as well as this 
 last order from Congress, respecting the exchange of marines. 
 
 I shall however at all times wait your Excellency's commands, and 
 will be found by directing your letters to me at Prince Town, if not 
 there, they always know where to send to me. 
 
 I am &c. 
 
 Jn? Beatty, 
 Com. Gen. Pris. 
 
 TO MAJOR BEATTY. 
 
 Flat Bush on Long Island, 
 August 15 th 1778. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 We have met and made out a return of the officers and other 
 Prisoners upon this Island, we have taken up the mode settled in 
 our army with regard to their respective ranks, as the General rule 
 of our conduct in the arrangement, we have signed and sent you by 
 which means you will be possessed of the situation we are in here 
 and enabled the better to do justice and give satisfaction to all par- 
 ties If you should be acquainted with any circumstances relative 
 to the prisoners that have not come to our knowledge you will make 
 such alterations {in the roster of exchange) as you shall think proper. 
 We have put down the third Lieutenants by themselves tho' we sup- 
 pose they will rank as Ensigns and be exchanged accordingly. We 
 
124 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 are further to inform you that we have taken no notice of those in 
 the Provost Guard nor the Marine or Sea officers 
 
 We remain with Respect your Hbb! Serv^ 
 
 James Irwine B. Gen 1 . P. S. 
 
 S. B. Webb, Col? Amer? Army 
 
 Ed? Antill L. Col? D? 
 
 Jn? Bruyne L*. Col? D? 
 
 John Smock L* Col? Jersey Mili. 
 
 Andrew Gilbrith Maj! Pen? Flying Camp. 
 
 Edward Tillard MajT Conn* Army 
 
 Tarlton Woodson Majr Conn* A*? 
 
 Levin Joynes May. 9* Virg? Reg 1 . 
 
 Sam Logan Maj* Conn*. Army 
 
 FROM JOSEPH WEBB. 
 
 Elizabeth Town,' Aug. 26, 1778. 
 Dear Brother : 
 
 I wish this may not find you in York but gone home either by 
 Exchange or parole. I confess I am much chagrind that you have 
 been detain'd so long, but God only knows how much longer you 
 may yet be in bondage, for it seems that the affair of the full Colonels 
 yet remains unsettled between the two parties. I did expect the 
 British Officers many that have been Prisoners in New England, 
 more particular in Connecticut, wou'd have interested themselves 
 with the General Officers in your behalf. Gratitude is a virtue al- 
 most above every other, it must please Heaven itself I have been 
 told that Col? Campbell & some others have acted the generous. 
 They have my most unfeigned thanks for their politeness & civility 
 and I hope they may sooner or later be sensible that doing a gener- 
 ous good action, meets with its reward. 
 
 I feel for your situation and wou'd do every consistent thing in 
 my power for your release, but realy I see no prospects as there is 
 no full Colonels in the King's Service in America. You will there- 
 fore wait with patience, or perhaps General Clinton will consent to 
 your coming out on parole, if you can't be released. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 
 
 "5 
 
 You may tell General Robertson I have paid the money accord- 
 ing to order which I'll soon send the Ace* of that you may receive 
 it. I saw Gov? McKinley who was endeavoring his Exchange for 
 Gov? Franklin but I believe will not exceed (?) — it seems they ex- 
 pect Thomson to be Exchang'd first (but however its not yet deter- 
 mined.) I cou'd wish to compleat as much of a settlement with 
 •those Bills you may have as you possibly can. (I wish you might 
 Exchange y* two Horses for a finer pair, & if cheap a Genteal Phae- 
 ton I much want. — I yesterday met with M r . s Maturin, sister of Will- 
 iam Livingston, & returns in a few Days, who can tell you more par- 
 ticulars of the situation of our Family. — If you see Col? Barton you 
 may ask him to settle with you the money advanced him when a 
 Prisoner. He also took in some money to deliver Col? Heart who 
 was a Prisoner on Long Island, but while Col. Barton was on his 
 Road to York, Heart was Exchanged — & Col. Barton had no OppX 
 to deliver the money, but now has it, which you'll please to receive 
 and give him a Rec* for. 
 
 I wish you to give my Compliments to M? Jn? Winslow & ask him 
 if I shall advance money to the Good Parson's Lady Miss Sucky, &c. 
 if its His desire I'll do it with pleasure. — I Rec? two half Joe's of 
 Doct 1 : Middleton to be Deliv? a Prisoner at Dunstable (IS. A. Home 
 75 4 . h Reg 4 . ) which I forwarded, but very lately it was return'd me & 
 the Ace 1 , was he was Exchanged ; therefore you'll repay Doct. Mid- 
 dleton the two half Joes. I enclose you a Letter from S[ilas] 
 D[eane] — who is well & expects soon to return back from where he 
 last came. — I wish you to rememb 1 : me to M r . Lorrain [Loring], 
 Winslow, Sherbrook & our Friends. B[arnabas] Deane is in Com- 
 pany with me on our Rout from Philadelphia Home & desires to be 
 rem? amongst the Rest. — Our sister Simpson is now at Boston. I 
 hope she'll not lose her House tho : I much fear it. * * * 
 
 Jos. Webb. 
 
 Capt. Hawlker I am sorry to find in close prison at Philadelphia. 
 He I conclude ranks with a Col? of the Army — the Reason given for 
 his close confinement is — that all the Americans in the Navy [rest is 
 missing.~\ 
 
126 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL CAMPBELL. 
 
 Flat Bush on Long-Island 
 Sm: August 27*, i 77 8. 
 
 Your friendly offers of service some time since, when 
 I was soliciting leave of Absence on Parole deserve 
 my warmest acknowledgements. Since that period I 
 have been patiently waiting in hopes, and daily expec- 
 tation of hearing from Sir Henry Clinton, but still re- 
 main in a disagreeable State of suspense. A letter 
 received yesterday from M r . Silas Deane (my Step 
 Father) and another from my Brother make me doubly 
 anxious to get out. M r . Deane writes me he is soon 
 to return to France, and wishes much to see me on 
 Business of Consequence to me before he goes — my 
 Brother informs me my private affairs call loudly for 
 my attention and begs the exertion of my friends to 
 obtain leave for me to retire into the Country on Pa- 
 role — these added to a bad State of Health which I 
 have been in for some time past induce me once more 
 to intrude on your Politeness — and to request you will 
 be pleased to state my situation to the Commander in 
 Chief, and if possible obtain for me the Indulgence of 
 being with my friends. I do assure you, Sir, I should 
 not have again troubled you on this subject but for the 
 weighty reasons offer'd, viz. — The anxiety of my friends, 
 the suffering situation of my private concerns and my 
 ill State of Health. I shall be happy when in my 
 power personally to acknowledge your Civilities, and 
 am, Sir, with Esteem 
 
 Your Most Obed 1 . & Very Hum" Serv*. 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb 
 Col° American Army.* 
 
 * Endorsed by Colonel Webb " not sent." 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB, 127 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL PARSONS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 29th Augt , [1778]. 
 Dear General : 
 
 By My Son from Long Island Yesterday, I learn that Genl Clin- 
 ton's Baggage Arriv*? at Flushing last Wednesday, he was expected 
 there last Thursday ; about forty Field Pieces had Arriv? at Flushing 
 from New York : that the Hessians at Huntington had March 1 ? for 
 Jamaica : that the Dragoons at Huntington had receiv*? Orders to 
 March to the Narrows ; but when they were ready to March were 
 order'd to Wait for further Orders — that Orders were Sent to Gen\ 
 Tryon to hasten his March Westward, that his Troops were incamp'd 
 yesterday at Satalket on their Way Westward. That he heard the 
 English Fleet Sail'd last Wednesday ; this acct. he rec<? from Col. 
 Webb, and Others, of our Prisoners, — that the Inhabitants are Anx- 
 ious to have Arms & a few Men Sent to them and they Will Answer 
 for Gov 1 ; Tryon & his Command — That all the Vessells Near the 
 Harbour & Bay of Huntington were order'd to the Bay under Con- 
 voy of their Ships of War, whither they had loaded or not : that 
 there were yesterday Near Seventy Sail of Vessels in Huntington 
 Harbour Mostly Square rig4 Vessels — 
 
 Mr. Scudder, exchange left New York last Saturday, Says he saw 
 from the Provost Guard a considerable Number of Small Pieces of 
 Field Artillery which were remov'd Toward Eastward which he was 
 inform'd were remov'd to Long Island — that the British Fleet re- 
 turn' d Much Shatter' d after the late Storm ; he Saw a Ship, Said to 
 be a 50 Gun Ship dismasted lying in the East River, that Most of 
 the Artillery which was on y« Fields near y* Provost Guard was re- 
 mov'd — that the Flour in the City is Very Musty & the Inhabitants 
 Not well Supplied even with that — That Some Troops are incamp? 
 at Bushwick a large Camp at the Fly ; No English Fleet Arriv? be- 
 fore he left y* City. 
 
 I am y\ Excellency's h Serv*. 
 
 Sam?- H. Parsons. 
 
128 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 GOVERNOR CLINTON TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.* 
 
 Poughkeepsie, 9th September, 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 In Loudon's New York Packet of the 3d of September, I find the 
 following Paragraph "In Congress August 17* 1778 The Committee 
 to whom was referred a Letter from Gen 1 . Washington of the 28^ 
 July last respecting Major General Putnam, and the Report of the 
 Court of Inquiry on the Subject of the Posts in the Highlands on 
 Hudson's River taken last year which was transmitted Congress Re- 
 port ; That upon Careful Examination of the Facts Stated by the 
 Court of Inquiry and Consideration of the Evidence taken and 
 transmitted it appears That those Posts were lost Not from Any 
 Fault, Misconduct or Negligence of the Commanding Officers, but 
 Solely thro' the Want of an Adequate Force Under their Command 
 to Maintain and defend them. Resolved That Congress Agree to 
 the said Report. Extract from the Minutes, Charles Thomson 
 Sec 1 ?" As this Resolution Appears to have been printed at the In- 
 stance of Major General Putnam I have No Doubt of it's Authen- 
 ticity Altho' I have Never been favoured with a Copy of it, Nor 
 does it appear to have been published by order of Congress. 
 
 Your Excellency will permit me to remind you that I am one of 
 the Officers alluded to in that Resolution, and that the Forts on the 
 Banks of Hudson's River in the Highlands were under My immedi- 
 ate Command when reduced. 
 
 I was then a Subordinate Officer and Subject to the orders and 
 Command of General Putnam ; Had the Resolution Considered me 
 as such No doubts respecting the Propriety of My Conduct would 
 have remained — On the Contrary it Seems to Consider the different 
 Posts as being under distinct and independent Commands and of 
 Course the Propriety of Maintaining or evacuating them as left to 
 the Discretion of their respective Commanders — The Resolution 
 Ascribes the Loss of the Posts Not to the Fault, Misconduct or 
 Negligence of those Officers but Solely to the Want of an adequate 
 Force to Maintain them, and as not only the Posts Under My Com- 
 mand, but a brave Garrison & valuable stores were lost ; it gives 
 birth to a Question, which, however interesting to me, it does not 
 
 * Henry Laurens. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 129 
 
 determine, Viz' whether as I (being on the Spot) cannot be sup- 
 posed Not to have known the strength of the Garrison and of the 
 Enemy Without — being Supposed too Ignorant or ^Negligent for the 
 Command I ought to have made so great a Sacrifice to so Vain an 
 Attempt ; but whether on the Contrary I ought not to have pre- 
 served the Garrison & Stores by Vacating the Posts. 
 
 What the Sentiments of Congress may be on this subject or 
 whether they will think proper ever to make them known is to me un- 
 certain. Should it not be thought an object of sufficient Importance 
 to Merit an Inquiry ; yet the Respect I owe My own Reputation 
 added to the Desire I have of preserving the Confidence which the 
 Garrison reposed in me ; and of which they gave me the highest 
 Proof leads me to think it My Duty to enable myself to evince the 
 Propriety of My Conduct on that Occasion especially as the Silence 
 of Congress May be urged as an Argument against its having been 
 altogether unexceptionable. 
 
 For this purpose I request the Favor of Congress to order certi- 
 fied Copies of the Report of the Court of Inquiry, of the Papers ac- 
 companying it and of General Putnam's Letter informing them of 
 the Loss of the Forts to be transmitted me ; As by these I trust it 
 does Not only Appear that tho' unfortunate in the Event, The 
 Garrison made the best possible Defence but also that My Con- 
 duct in attempting to hold those Posts tho' with an inadequate 
 Force — The Reasons which were given me to expect a reasonable 
 Reinforcement & the Nature of My Command considered — was 
 strictly Justifiable. 
 
 Your Excellency's Attention to this Subject will greatly oblige 
 Sir etc. Geo. Clinton.* 
 
 * Congress sent certified copies of the papers, and, through its president, in- 
 formed him that it was " well satisfied of the propriety of his conduct as com- 
 mander of the Forts on Hudson's River." Journals of Congress, 21 September, 
 1778. I have been unable to discover any of the papers connected with this in- 
 quiry into the loss of the Highland forts. The originals have been abstracted 
 from the papers of the Continental Congress, and the copies sent to Gov. Clinton 
 are not to be found among the Clinton MSS. 
 
130 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 TO JOSHUA LORING. 
 
 [September, 1778.] 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 A State of constant suspense is of all others the 
 most disagreeable, and to be continually troubling 
 those who I am confident wish to serve me is extreamly 
 painfull, — nor would I again mention it to you, but that 
 my peculiar situation demands my every exertion to 
 obtain my Parole — and I cannot but think I am entituled 
 to this Indulgence. Col° Antill I find has permission 
 to go to town, and assurances that he will be permitted 
 to retire to the Country on Parole. My situation I 
 think would induce the same hand to grant me the 
 Indulgence. Permit me Sir again to request your Ex- 
 ertions. Perhaps a personal application might have 
 weight, if so I wish to be in Town a day or two. 
 
 M r . Keene is going to town. I have requested he 
 will See you on the Subject, and beg your further ad- 
 vice what steps I shall pursue. My former letters 
 contain as much on the Subject as I can mention. 
 Wishing to hear from you> I am Sir, your friend & 
 Most Obed 1 . Serv 1 . 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 TO CAPTAIN JOHN WEBB. 
 
 Sunday Even? ten oClock Nov? 1 1778. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 An hour Since your letter of the 29^ was handed, 
 however disagreeable its contents it afforded me pleas- 
 ure to hear of your welfare and exertion on my behalf. 
 Your advice is good, 'tis easier to say what ought to 
 be than to perform, I presume to say no Man has borne 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 131 
 
 his situation (considering all Circumstances) with more 
 fortitude than your Hum e . Serv*. — but in fact my pa- 
 tience is nearly exhausted, Since you left us in May 
 last I have been fed with fair promises — next Week — 
 in a few days &c &c &c I was positively to be permitted 
 to retire to the Country on Parole, 'till at length prom- 
 ises appeared mere Bug bears — when I requested my 
 friends to obtain a Catagorical answer to my request, 
 I obtained it — no you shall not go — the pretence was 
 the unjust treatment of L\ Col°. Conolly, but so little 
 dependance have I in promises that should Conolly be 
 released — I don't believe they would let me go out, 
 My soul will not bend beneath the dignity of its Rank, 
 I cannot court a Scoundrel, disavow my real Senti- 
 ments, and make him believe me his friend — no nor 
 never will, a little of this kind of conduct I believe 
 would have obtained my request, — at least I am told a 
 Man of Rank, and well known, is my opposer, and I 
 am confident from no other principle but that I have 
 not bow'd at his feet, and solicited his favor, — Was it 
 not that I have a young Reg 1 , in the Field, & several 
 other matters, which almost singularly attend me I 
 should not be so uneasy, compare .my situation with 
 Col° Allison & Judge you whether I ought not in the 
 Strictest Justice to be exchanged before him. However 
 fully confident of your good will I shall not trouble 
 you further on this head, your advice shall be taken 
 respecting another application, at the same time should 
 L l . Col Conolly be released from Confinement I beg 
 you'll notify M r . Loring of it — & back it with a request 
 for my Parole — 
 
 You say had an agreeable Partner accompany me to 
 
1 32 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OE 
 
 the Ward — might have been more Agreeable — oh ! my 
 D r . Jack these are not the times to be whispering soft 
 things to the fair females, — but this I try, and I should 
 think myself void of every tender generous feeling did 
 I not feel an agreeable alleviation when in their Com- 
 pany, — but alas hours of reflection will come, & what 
 are my tho'ts, A Prisoner — & a prisoner like to be, 
 these at this Glorious period, are too much to bear with 
 any degree of patience — 
 
 I know of no Opportunity at present to forward this 
 to you, I shall lay it aside 'till one offers when I will 
 again take up my pen. 
 
 SIR HENRY CLINTON TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 New York, io November, 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 It is not necessary at present to resume the consideration of the 
 principal questions relating to the convention of Saratoga. I wish 
 merely to bring under Review the Resolution of Congress of the 
 21 s . 1 of May, enclosed in your Letter of the 23"? to Sir William Howe. 
 
 It appears to me different from the Practice of all Nations or 
 Parties at War, and in some Degree tending to increase the Hard- 
 ships of War, to refuse granting an Equivalent of Privates for officers. 
 
 Such an Exchange at present may prevent great Inconveniences 
 to many of the Parties concerned. 
 
 You have ordered the Troops of the Convention to be removed 
 from Massachusetts Bay to Virginia ; and I have ordered all the 
 officers of your Army, Prisoners out on Parole, to return here. 
 
 These movements, with all the Hardships incident to them at this 
 Season, may in part be prevented if you think proper to agree that 
 the officers of your Army Prisoners on Parole, or now here, be ex- 
 changed for Officers and Men of the Troops of the Convention, 
 according to the Customary Proportion, or according to such Pro- 
 portion as may be determined by Commissioners appointed on 
 both Sides. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 133 
 
 If what I propose should meet with your approbation, and the 
 Time and Place for the meeting of Commissioners for the Purposes 
 before mentioned is determined, I shall send Colonels O'Hara and 
 Hyde of His Majesty's Foot-Guards, as Commissioners on my Part, 
 who will be fully instructed and authorised to enter on the consider- 
 ation of any matters that may arise in the conduct of this Business. 
 
 Mr. Clarke, Assistant Commissary General to the Troops of the 
 Convention, who will have the honor of delivering this Letter, being 
 desired by Major General Phillips to return immediately to Cam- 
 bridge by land, in order to settle some accounts relative to that 
 army, I am to request a Passport for him to return thither for that 
 Purpose. H. Clinton. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. 
 
 Headquarters, Fredericksburg, 14 November, 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 I do myself the honor to transmit you the copy of a letter of the 
 io* h instant, which I received yesterday from Sir Henry Clinton, on 
 the subject of exchanging the prisoners of the Convention. 
 
 Should the proposition be agreeable to Congress, I shall be glad 
 to receive powers to enter into a negotiation as soon as possible, as 
 it may probably relieve our officers, upon parole, from the disagree- 
 able necessity of returning to New York.* I will just observe, that 
 should an exchange take place upon the terms proposed by Sir 
 Henry, I should suppose we shall not be obliged to give up any con- 
 siderable number of privates by way of composition, as the officers 
 of the Convention, should the whole be suffered to be exchanged, 
 would go a great way towards liberating ours at present in the hands 
 of the enemy. But it cannot be expected that they will leave their 
 troops entirely destitute of officers. 
 
 Mr. Commissary Clark, mentioned by Sir Henry Clinton, was 
 permitted by General Heath to go from Boston to New York to 
 
 * Mr. Loring had written to Colonel Beatty, on October 31st, summoning all the 
 officers who were at home on parole, to repair immediately to New York. 
 
i 3 4 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 settle the accounts and procure money for the discharge of the debts 
 of the troops at Cambridge. I am &c 
 
 G? Washington.* 
 
 FROM SILAS DEANE. 
 
 Philadelphia, 14th Nov* f 1778. 
 My dear Sir : 
 
 Miss Ogden has the goodness to be the bearer of this Letter. I 
 have wrote you several, & am surprized to learn that you have not 
 received them as I sent them open, & the Contents were inoffensive. 
 I fondly hoped, you would before this, have been exchanged, for I 
 am extremely impatient to see you though it were but for a few 
 Days, this as the last resource. I proposed to Cap* Duncan That 
 at least you might be permitted to come out on your parole for a 
 few weeks ; I write you a Letter by him open which you must have 
 received before this will come to hand. I pray you to take care of 
 your health, and to write me by every Opportunity just to let me 
 know how you are, as to health, & if I shall not have the pleasure of 
 seeing you, yet I shall be no less anxious for your release, to obtain 
 which nothing in my power shall be wanting. I am my 
 
 Dear Sir Your's most Affectionately, 
 
 Silas Deane. 
 
 * This letter was referred to the Board of War, and, on its report, Congress im- 
 powered and directed Washington to appoint commissioners to confer with the 
 British on the exchange " of officers in the service of these states, now prisoners 
 in the actual possession of the enemy, or out on parole, for the officers and men 
 of the troops of the convention, according to their ranks and numbers, officers of 
 equal rank to be first exchanged : after which, if it shall be necessary, an equiva- 
 lent of inferior for superior officers, and, if agreeable to such equivalent, all the 
 officers of the army shall be exchanged, and a balance of officers remain in their 
 hands, then an equivalent of privates to be given in exchange for such officers, 
 shall be settled according to the customary proportion, or such proportion as may 
 be agreed on." Washington was fully authorized to ratify the terms agreed upon. 
 Journals of Congress, 19 November, 1778. Sir Henry Clinton's letter, and the 
 report of the British Commissioners, are printed in Almon's Remembrances, 1779. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 135 
 
 JOSEPH WEBB TO JEREMIAH WADSWORTH. 
 
 Wethersfield, 24 November, 1778. 
 My dear Friend : 
 
 This will be handed you by my young Man Manning Merrills who 
 waits on you as the Head of the Department for a Sum of Money 
 due from Friend Knaps your Deputy ever since July, you can't think 
 my Dear Sir what shifts turns & twistings I have been obliged to 
 make during this Intrim of non payments I am now in the greatest 
 distress — which makes me Dispatch off to your friendly assistance, I 
 am not insensible of your troubles & Vexations, but I trust it will 
 now be convenient in Which case I know you will aid & Assist me as 
 soon as any one in short my present distress is as high as I can paint 
 but I leave you who is so well acquainted with Mankind trade & 
 Commerce to reflect — & for any further particulars to enquire of 
 Merrills the Bearer but I well know that with you it will be needless 
 to Enlarge I have told you my case and can only beg your attention 
 to me at this Time which I shall ever acknowledge — I need not 
 mention that things daily rise, the Farmers are playing the Devil 
 with us, when will the Continental Currency End — is Congress En- 
 deavoring to retreave her Character ? in short Congress is not what 
 Congress was. — Esq 1 : S yet holds His Seat — but without add- 
 ing I know you think as I do.— 
 
 I have given up all thought of Business & now spending Old Stock 
 — in short there's not the least encouragements for the Man of Busi- 
 ness nothing but one scene of extortion uneasiness freting & finding 
 fault with each other but Sweet Hope once in awhile comes in which 
 makes it pass for the present— I would ask for a long Circumstantial 
 Letter from you, but I must acknowledge I do not deserve it — I 
 must own this is the first Letter I have Wrote you since I had the 
 pleasure of seeing of you at Philadelphia. 
 
 Mr. Jo. Barrel mercM of Boston is lately married to a certain M^ 
 Simpson of Weathersfield.* We have all hands lately drank Tea with 
 your good Lady & family left all well, except y T . Little Son which is. 
 much better than of late. I am Dear Wadsworth 
 
 Your most affectionate & sincere friend Joseph Webb. 
 
 * The marriage occurred on November 16th. 
 
136 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 I have lately seen Col. Webb at the lines near Kings bridge — poor 
 fellow is extremely unhappy thinks hard an Exchange is not push for 
 the Officers that are prisoners. — I have enclosed Col? Tillman 
 [Tilghman] Aide D Camp to the Commander in Chief some of His 
 Letters to me which you can see — pray what can be done ? Some- 
 thing ought to be done. — Our treatment of a Certain Col. Conolley 
 is an Excuse for this Deviltry, pray do you know anything about the 
 matter ? shoul d Col? Beatty be near you I beg you would ask him 
 particularly about it, & let me know — likewise its Reported that Our 
 Commissary has Rec'd Orders to Order into York all the American 
 Prisoners out on parole — Bulkly, Ely & Mumford are anxious & 
 much wish to know. — Pray has Col? Biddle or the Good M T . S Shaw 
 Rec<? some Gauze & Ribbon sent her. Y? &c as before 
 
 Webb*. 
 
 FROM COLONEL CHESTER. 
 
 Wethers field, Deer 13th, A. D. 1778. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 I troubled you, not long since, by Br? Webb, with a request, re- 
 specting the action commenced agairst me, by Col. Johnson. The 
 Particulars of that affair you are minutely acquainted with. It is at 
 present suspended only for want of your testimony ; but I fear it 
 cannot be put off much longer on that, or any other score. I must 
 therefore beg of you to forward me your affidavit (if allowable) as 
 early as possible, sworn to, sealed, & directed to Windham County 
 Court. You can shew it to some proper officer, who, when satis- 
 fied, will frank it. If it comes unsealed, it will answer me no pur- 
 pose in Court. I should be glad (if it may be) of a Copy directed 
 to me. This may save your friend, & I know of nothing else that 
 can.| 
 
 We are all most ardently wishing your exchange, and an oppor- 
 tunity of embracing you in the Arms of friendship. God knows how 
 long it may be first. M r . s Simpson is married to M r . [Joseph] 
 
 * From the Wadsworth MSS., in the possession of Mr. J. F. Morris, of Hartford. 
 
 t In February, Colonel Chester again wrote that the testimony of Colonel Webb 
 had not been received, the trial had been with much difficulty postponed, and a 
 flag was to be sent into New York to obtain his testimony. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 137 
 
 Barrell of Boston. Miss Webb has left us, to spend the winter with 
 them. M? Webb buried her little Harriot while Mr Webb was 
 with you at the Lines. Jerry Ingersoll is return? home in health. 
 The situation is such that you'll pardon we while I only add that I 
 am, Dear Sir, your affectionate friend 
 
 & Humble Servant 
 John Chester. 
 
 COL. WEBB S AFFIDAVIT. 
 
 I, Samuel B Webb, of lawful age testify & say 
 that sometime in Deer 1776 while I was an Aid de 
 Camp to his Excellency General Washington, that 
 Lieut Colo Obadiah Johnson of Colo Andrew Wards 
 regiment made application to his Excellency for liberty 
 to go home on furlough. We were then in quarters 
 on the west side of Delaware about eight or ten miles 
 from Trenton. At that time a general idea prevailed 
 that some capital stroke would soon be made or at 
 least attempted. Genl Washington about that time 
 told his Aids to refuse every application for furloughs 
 & when the s^ Lieut Colo Johnson spoke to me on the 
 subject, I told him it was impossible to comply with his 
 request and gave him the strongest reason to believe 
 that some important movement was about to take 
 place which required the Assistance of all the Officers. — 
 He continued to urge the matter & persuaded me to 
 speak to the General on the subject — The General was 
 surprized I should mention it and positively refused 
 it. — Yet to the best of my knowledge a second & third 
 application were made by the said Lieu*. Colo John- 
 son — Upon which his Excellency authorized me to 
 mention to said L\ Col° Johnson — that no man of spirit 
 
138 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 who was a friend to his country would wish to leave 
 the army at such a critical period — that it would set a 
 bad example for officers to leave us & that the sol- 
 diers with propriety might refuse to continue after the 
 term of their enlistment if officers were permitted 
 to p-o home for their amusement & to attend to 
 their own private affairs These remarks seemed to 
 have no weight with the said L l . Colo Johnson & he 
 insisted on my repeating the application ; which I did — 
 and to the best of my knowledge his Excy replied — 
 "that such men were better at home than here as they 
 never would do their duty in the field or encourage 
 others to do it." His Excellency therefore said, that 
 if Colo Ward would give his consent the said L\ Colo 
 Johnson might go home, and Upon Colo Wards con- 
 senting I wrote the furlough — Further the deponent 
 saith not. — 
 
 S B Webb 
 (Copy) 
 
 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS. 
 
 Camp, 15 December, 1778. 
 
 We, the Commissioners appointed by your Excellency for the 
 purposes specified in the powers to us given on the 30^ of Novem- 
 ber last, Beg leave to report — 
 
 That in pursuance of your instructions, we repaired to Amboy on 
 Monday, the 7* instant at 11 oClock; where we continued till 
 friday evening the n* h before we were met by the Commissioners on 
 the part of His Excellency Sir Henry Clinton, who had been de- 
 tained 'till that time by impediments of weather. 
 
 That the next day we had an interview with them on the business 
 of our Commission ; in which they immediately objected to our 
 powers, as not extending to the purposes they had in view — declared 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 139 
 
 the object of our meeting had been misunderstood, and after a short 
 conversation, put an end to the conference. 
 
 That their intention, as communicated to us, was — that the ex- 
 change of each of their officers should necessarily involve the ex- 
 change of a certain number of their privates also ; and consequently 
 that the whole of our officers, prisoners in their hands, should be 
 exchanged for a part only of the officers of the Convention troops, 
 with a proportion of private men to discharge the balance in their 
 favour ; whereas the line of conduct prescribed to us, both by the 
 resolution of Congress and your Excellency's powers founded 
 thereon, was, "that officers of equal rank should be first exchanged, 
 after which, if it should be necessary, an equivalent of inferior for 
 superior officers ; and if agreably to that equivalent all the officers 
 of the Enemy should be exchanged, and a balance of Prisoners re- 
 main in their hands, then an equivalent of privates was to be settled, 
 according to the Customary proportion or such proportion as might 
 be agreed on." 
 
 That the British Commissioners in the course of the Conference 
 having urged certain inconveniences, which in their opinion would 
 result from the Separation of all the Officers of the Convention 
 troops from the men, by a general exchange, — in order effectually to 
 obviate that objection, we thought ourselves authorized by our in- 
 structions to make them an offer, which we accordingly made, to 
 exchange whatever part of the Convention Officers, they might think 
 Proper for an equal number of our officers in their possession of 
 equal rank, as far as the relative state of numbers would permit. 
 This proposal, however, they totally declined. 
 
 That after the Interview, we received a Letter from the British 
 Commissioners Containing reasons, which they had before Assigned 
 verbally, for their refusal to conduct the negotiation on the terms 
 proposed in our instructions ; a copy of which letter and of our An- 
 swer, we beg leave to Subjoin for Your Excellency's perusal. 
 
 LETTER FROM THE BRITISH COMMISSIONERS. 
 
 Dated, Amboy, 12th Deer 1778. 
 Gentlemen : 
 
 We cannot sufficiently lament that the purposes of our Meeting, 
 you will pardon us for observing, have been defeated by a less Gen- 
 
140 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 erous and Extensive construction of the Resolves of the Congress of 
 the 19^ Nov? than the view in which we had considered them. 
 
 Every feeling of Honour, Justice and Humanity make it impossible 
 to acquiese in a proposal which might lead to separate the Officers 
 from the private soldiers, by exchanging the former and leaving the 
 latter still in Captivity. Companions in their More fortunate hours, 
 they Must be equally sharers of affliction. Such Cruel and Unpre- 
 cedented distinctions, between Men who have equally a claim upon 
 the favour & Protection of their Country, We are certain your own 
 feelings, as officers and men, would condemn — You will consequently 
 not be surprised at the impossibility of our acquiescing in the partial 
 mode of Exchange proposed. 
 
 We beg leave therefore to acquaint you, that We intend returning 
 to New York to morrow to make our Report to Sir Henry Clinton. 
 Let us flatter ourselves that some expedient may be immediately 
 embraced by both Parties, upon Such Honourable Humane & Disin- 
 terested Principles as may give the most speedy and ample Relief to 
 every Order of Unfortunate men concerned. 
 
 We are, Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble Servants 
 
 Cha? O'Hara 
 West Hyde. 
 
 ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING LETTER. 
 
 Amboy, Decern' 12th, 1778. 
 Gentlemen : 
 
 We have read the Letter with which you were pleased to favour 
 us this afternoon. 
 
 We join with you in lamenting that the purpose of our meeting 
 has been frustrated ; and we assure you, that it is to us Matter of 
 equal concern and surprise to find, that there should be a difference 
 in our respective Constructions of the Resolve to which you refer. — 
 Persuaded as we were, that the terms of that Resolve were too sim- 
 ple and precise to admit of more than one interpretation ; we did 
 not even suspect it possible to differ about its' meaning ; and the 
 objects of our meeting having been delineated, in a manner which 
 appeared to us perfectly clear & explicit, we had no expectation of 
 the difficulty which has occurred in carrying them into execution. 
 
 You will not be Surprised that this should have been the Case, 
 when you recur to the circumstances that produced our meeting — 
 We beg leave to recall them to your view. Sir Henry Clinton in 
 his Letter of the io l . h of Nov? proposed to General Washington an 
 exchange of our officers prisoners in his hands, for officers & men of 
 the Convention troops — General Washington replied that he did not 
 think himself authorized to accede to the proposal, but would refer 
 it to Congress, and communicate their decision. In a subsequent 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 141 
 
 letter of the 27! 11 he transmitted the Resolve in question as an 
 " Answer to the proposition contained in Sir Henry's letter of the 
 io': h ," at the Same time announcing our appointment as Commis- 
 sioners " to negotiate an exchange on the principles therein men- 
 tioned" — The language of the Resolve was litterally this — to 
 exchange " the officers in the service of the United States, prisoners 
 in the actual possession of the Enemy or out on parole for the offi- 
 cers and men of the Troops of the Convention, according to their 
 rank & number : Officers of equal rank to be first exchanged, after 
 which if it shall be necessary an equivalent of inferior for superior 
 officers, and if agreably to such equivalent All the officers of the 
 Enemy shall be exchanged and a balance of prisoners remain in 
 their hands, then an Equivalent of privates shall be settled according 
 to the customary proportion or such proportion as may be agreed 
 on." Sir Henry Clinton in his Letter of the 2^ Instant acknowl- 
 edged the receipt of the foregoing and consented " in consequence " 
 to a meeting of Commissioners at the time and place appointed. 
 
 This, Gentleman, you will be sensible could not be considered by 
 us otherwise than as an acquiescence with the terms of the Resolve ; 
 and we appeal to your own candor for their perspicuity and natural 
 import. — It Could not therefore but appear strange, that at first 
 Sight of our powers, without any comment or explanation, though 
 they were expressed not only in the spirit but in the letter of the 
 Resolve ; You at once objected to them and declared the purpose of 
 our meeting had been Misunderstood. As the one was only a tran- 
 script of the other, we conceived from the manner in which the 
 objection was raised, that it applied not to any construction given to 
 the Resolve ; but to the Resolve itself. 
 
 How far the feelings of honor, justice and humanity may be 
 repugnant to a Compliance with the proposal which has been made, 
 you only can determine for yourselves ; though we think it a ques- 
 tion which might have merited an earlier consideration. We believe 
 however it is not very customary to exchange Officers for privates, 
 when there is a sufficient number of Officers on both sides to ex- 
 change for each other ; but that this is rather a secondary expedient, 
 made use of only when there are officers on one side and none on 
 the other. In the present war the practice of exchanging officers for 
 private men, in any case whatever, has not yet been known ; and if 
 exchanges conducted without reference to this principle have here- 
 tofore been thought consistent with justice and humanity, we can 
 perceive no sufficient reason why a different opinion should be enter- 
 tained at this time. 
 
 With respect to any inconveniences which you think might attend 
 the exchanging all the officers of the Convention troops — we take 
 the liberty to repeat what we mentioned in our interview this 
 Morning — that we are willing to exchange as many of them as you 
 
142 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 may judge proper for others of equal rank as far as numbers will 
 extend. 
 
 We beg leave to assure you, that we should be happy to be af- 
 forded an opportunity of concurring with you to the utmost of our 
 power in Measures for extending relief, as far as the circumstances 
 of the parties will permit, to every order of captivity, on principles 
 of humanity and mutual Advantage. 
 
 We are Gentlemen Y* Most Obedient Humble Servants 
 
 Rob. H. Harrison 
 Alex. Hamilton. 
 
 This put an end to the business of our meeting, and we have taken 
 the earliest opportunity to return to Camp and report our proceed- 
 ings to your Excellency ; which we hope will meet with your appro- 
 bation.* Rob. H. Harrison 
 
 Alex. Hamilton. 
 
 FROM LEWIS PINTARD. 
 
 N.York, 18 Deer ,1778. 
 Dr Sir: 
 
 M T . Loring & the Commissioners are returned without doing any- 
 thing towards the Exchange. I have seen the former, and he says 
 the American Commissioners would only exchange officers & not 
 privates. The British insisted on a proportion of each & they have 
 parted, so that all your hopes of a speedy exchange are come to 
 nothing, which I am very sorry for, but there is no other remedy 
 than the old one of Patience. I have not yet got leave to furnish 
 the cash to the officers. Lord Roddon [Rawdon] has referred the 
 matter to Ml Loring, on my calling on him yesterday about it, he 
 promised to see his Lordship & give me an answer this day, which I 
 have not yet got, altho : I have been five times for it myself. A 
 
 * "As an exchange has not been effected, and Sir Henry Clinton has called for 
 all our officers on parole, I shall, in consequence of the resolution of the 19th ulto., 
 order the Commissary of Prisoners to require the immediate return of the Conven- 
 tion and any other officers with the Enemy on parole. I do not mean, however* 
 to include General Burgoyne in the demand, unless Congress should direct it; as 
 there appear to be many political reasons for permitting him to remain in Britain 
 in his present temper. But if Congress should differ from me in opinion on this 
 point, I shall be happy to be informed, that measures may be pursued for his re- 
 call." — Washington to the President of Congress, 16 December, 1778. 
 
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SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 143 
 
 Number of the Country People have been to Town this day for their 
 Board & were obliged to return without their money — the officer 
 appointed to attend the payment of the money being busy & could 
 not attend. 
 
 With Compliments to all, I am, D r . S r . , 
 Y 1 ; 3 Affectionately 
 
 L. Pintard. 
 
 FROM JOSHUA LORING. 
 
 New York, 19 December, 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 I am sorry its not in my power to give you any encouragement in 
 regard to a general exchange, the Commissioners having disagreed 
 in the very first proposition made by us, which was to have a pro- 
 portion of privates with our officers, and which could not be assented 
 to on your part from a resolve of Congress which was to be implic- 
 itly adhered to ; this being the case, we parted without doing the 
 least business. As to your obtaining leave to go home on parole, I 
 think it impracticable, well knowing Sir Henry Clinton's resolution 
 not to let an officer go out, until those return that are already out ; 
 and I am sorry to inform you that not one has come in yet, notwith- 
 standing they have been summoned a long time since. Whenever it 
 is in my power to serve you, be assured of my attention. Col. 
 Beatty has not yet sent anything for you. Whenever he does, it 
 shall be taken care of, and you made acquainted. I did not get one 
 of your papers while I was out. The first I have I will send you. I 
 am, Sir, Your most obedient & most humble serv* 
 
 Jos. Loring.* 
 
 COLONEL BEATTY TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Elizabeth Town, 3d January, 1779. 
 Sir: 
 
 On my arrival at this place with a view of negotiating the ex- 
 change of a number of marine prisoners, I am prohibited by the 
 
 * From the Reminiscences of General Samuel B. Webb, 236. 
 
i 4 4 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 Commanding officer at this post of conducting my business in the 
 usual manner, but am informed that previous to my sending in any 
 prisoners, it is necessary that I should have a particular and special 
 order from your Excellency for that purpose. As this mode of pro- 
 cedure was entirely new and for which I had received no warrant or 
 instructions, I took the liberty of asking General Maxwell whether 
 the order implied in it the exchange of prisoners, or was meant only 
 to prevent the too frequent passing of private persons, and by which 
 an intercourse was kept up with the enemy. He replied the pro- 
 hibition was general, and that he could by no means admit of Pris- 
 oners going in as hitherto upon my pass, but that it was necessary I 
 should have your Excellency's special order. 
 
 As a number of prisoners are now on their way from Phil? for New 
 York, and the General has refused them quarters in this place, I am 
 to request your Excellency's immediate Instructions in this case, 
 setting forth the line of conduct I am in future to pursue.* 
 
 I am &c. 
 
 Jn? Beatty 
 
 P. S. The necessitous call of the prisoners at N. York for an im- 
 mediate supply of provisions for their support urges me to apply for 
 your Excellency's passport for that purpose. 
 
 * Washington wrote to Congress to prescribe a proper line of conduct for 
 Colonel Beatty to pursue, suggesting the following points : " To reside at the 
 Head-Quarters of the army. To make no exchanges but such as are directed by 
 the Congress, the Board of War, or the Commander-in-chief, (the directions of 
 the two former to pass through the hands of the latter;) and, whenever he has 
 occasion to send a Flag into the enemy's lines with provisions for prisoners, or 
 any other business, to make application to the Commander-in-chief, who will judge 
 of the cause and the propriety in point of time. The exclusive privilege which 
 Mr. Beatty seems to require, of regulating the intercourse by flag, both with re- 
 gard to the object and the time of sending them, astonishes me. It would give 
 him powers, which no Commissary of Prisoners has ever yet been vested with. 
 They must be dangerous, and certainly are unnecessary, as the Commissary can 
 have no business in the course of his office, with which the Commander-in-chief 
 ought to be unacquainted." n January, 1779. 
 
 Congress confirmed these suggestions by the resolutions printed in the Jour- 
 nals, 23 January, 1779. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 145 
 
 GENERAL PHILLIPS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Sussex in the Jerseys, 
 
 6 January, 1779. 
 SIR: 
 
 I have received at this place your letter dated from Philadelphia 
 of December the 25^ for which and allowing Lieutenant Campbell 
 going to New York I return you, Sir, my very sincere thanks. 
 
 I lament from the bottom of my heart at there being so little 
 likelihood of an Exchange of Prisoners of war, the cause of humanity 
 is deeply interested in it, and the injury both sides receive should 
 urge the real and good intentions of both parties to endeavour at 
 procuring a mutual release of officers and soldiers who by an unlucky 
 chance of war are separated from their friends and Country. 
 
 I cannot help being of the opinion that the methods already 
 adopted have failed from want of explanation, and the Commission- 
 ers who have met may possibly have been over tenacious of punctilio 
 and forgot that in treating of an Exchange of Prisoners, they were to 
 consult the feelings of humanity and not those of pride, however well 
 founded on either side, and that a number of articles in strict form 
 might be passed over for the advantage of a common good. 
 
 I view the resolves of the American Congress for suffering ex- 
 changes upon a general plan, as perfectly leading to real advantage, 
 but the locality and particularity of the Troops of Convention as- 
 suredly requires a modulation of that resolve which the Commission- 
 ers have not perhaps attended to. In a number of Prisoners of War 
 made at large it is very easy to exchange them upon a general plan 
 and each Officer returns to his Corps or Regiment, but the Troops 
 of Convention are differently circumstanced, for the Corps and Reg- 
 iments being actually included in the situation of the Officers, these 
 latter being exchanged have no place to resort to and their military 
 stations would be as effectually lost as now when they are under the 
 restriction of a Convention, and it becomes therefore of unavoidable 
 necessity that to promote or suffer an exchange, some method must 
 be fallen upon to release whole corps, officers and men. This might 
 be done by an exchange of all the American officers who are prison- 
 ers of war for their value in officers and men of the Troops of Con- 
 vention, and for the rest to remain until a second opportunity, should 
 such arrive, or to be released by ransom, paying a stipulated sum in 
 
146 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 specie for each rank as might be agreed on by persons chosen for 
 the purpose on both sides. 
 
 I really imagine that a conversation on this subject might lead to 
 a favourable conclusion, and so far is certain that a mere conversa- 
 tion need nor can lead to nothing unless the American Congress on 
 the one part and Sir Henry Clinton on the other should permit a 
 negotiation to take place after such conversation had passed. 
 
 I freely offer myself to you, Sir, on the occasion, and will meet any 
 officer sent by your Excellency and talk over with him this matter so 
 very interesting to us all ; as this will not be treaty or negotiation, I 
 waive every punctilio about rank in your officer and wish to meet as 
 gentleman and gentleman, and if we have the good fortune to throw 
 any lights on what may be judged the intentions of the American 
 Congress, and of Sir Henry Clinton, it may result into a meeting of 
 Commissioners, who having their path smoothed it will probably 
 make their interview of effect. 
 
 I am well aware, Sir, that you cannot enter into my views without 
 the previous consent of the Congress, and I request to leave you at 
 full liberty of making this correspondence known to them to whom 
 I should address myself without hesitation did I not suppose your 
 Excellency to be the proper channel in a military matter. 
 
 I will own to you a very strong desire of visiting New York, and I 
 enclose you a letter for the President of the American Congress, and 
 will request, if you think it proper that you will allow the Deputy 
 Adjutant General to the Troops of Convention to deliver it to the 
 President. 
 
 I shall pursue my route to Bethlem and there wait the return of 
 the Deputy Adjutant General who will have the honor of delivering 
 this letter to your Excellency. 
 
 I have the honor to be, Sir, with great personal respect, Your 
 Excellency's most obedient and 
 
 most humble servant 
 
 W. Phillips. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 147 
 
 FROM JOSEPH WEBB. 
 
 Wethersfield, 14 January, 1779. 
 My Dear Brother : 
 
 I Rec4 yours p r . M r . s Coffin & observe the Contents about the 
 Hay ; at that time I expected a Cartel wou'd have been settled. 
 After I found the prospect was over, I sent to the Governor who 
 has sent me permission to send you in one Ton of Hay, one Barrel 
 flour, & some little necessarys to make you more comfortable. I am 
 afraid M^ Loring thinks odd of Col? Ely, Cap 1 . Bulkley & Ensign 
 Mumford's* not returning sooner, but you'll please to acquaint him 
 that they never heard of it untill the i2 t . h Instant, which gives them 
 much uneasiness for fear of Censure : they are now preparing to go, 
 tho poor Buckley has met with a sad Misfortune, a Hhd of Salt fell 
 upon one of his feet, which has laid him up for a long while, but is 
 so far recover'd as to determine to go in immediately. I believe 
 they'll endeavor to carry in about a B r . of flour a man — perhaps 
 some Cyder, Wine & Spirits etc. I wish you'd speak to the Com- 
 missary for his permission. Col. Heart tells them it will be seized 
 as being Counterband, & against the Rules of Flags. — I can't think 
 a single Objection will arise on the subject, when they know its 
 going only to the Prisoners' relief — without the least fraud — I have 
 told them the British wou'd not be guilty of it & affirmed to them 
 that they might carry those little Necessaries without the least Dam- 
 age or Danger of either Side — for I well know I was suffer'd to bring 
 out Porter, Wine, Cheese, etc. etc., to their Officers Prisoners — but 
 however I wish M r . Loring to send a Line out to Col? Eno by the 
 first OppY with his permission for those Necessaries, subject to his 
 inspection, or an Officer that he thinks proper after the things arrive 
 at New York. 
 
 If a good Opp*. offers wou'd it not be well to send your Carriage 
 & Horses out to save any Great Expense? S[ilas] D[eane] is yet 
 at Philadelphia in a paper war with Common Nonsense [Thomas 
 Paine], bally & Hetty are at Boston — the same privateer that took 
 the Harriet packet we are told has taken the Eagle Packet from 
 New York with a Number of British Officers, which Officers, except 
 
 * Ensign Mumford was exchanged at New York, and did not therefore return 
 into New York a prisoner. 
 
148 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 what few was kill'd, are landed in Spain to a British Consul, & his 
 Rec* to deliver General Washington as many American Officers of 
 the same Rank [taken].* Poor Col? Howard of the Guards was 
 killed — The Eagle on the passage to Newberry Port was retaken. — 
 Pray how many Officers of the Rank of Colonels are before you in 
 the line of rotation ? I wish if consistant you wou'd give me a List of 
 Connecticut Officers now Prisoners with you, the Date & the partic- 
 ulars — by Ely, Buckley & Mumford I shall write you. Adieu, says, 
 
 Your affectionate B\ 
 
 Jos : Webb. 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT COLONEL BAYLOR. 
 
 .? 
 
 New York, January i6*h, 1779. 
 Dear Webb : 
 
 I received your very polite favor of yesterday — and I can with 
 great sincerity say that I shall be equally happy to see you, but 
 lament the cause of our meeting. 
 
 I with pleasure tell you that I have got permission to go to Vir- 
 ginia, this indulgence is allow'd me on account of my invalid state 
 of health — be assured that I will not leave this place without paying 
 you a visit, unless I am prohibited. My compliments you will 
 please to offer to all our Friends. 
 
 I am my D? sir your 
 
 Friend & affec*. Hbl e Servant, 
 George Baylor, f 
 
 * " Perusing your Brother's letters by M> Townly, I observe no mention to 
 have been made of your Exchange proposed by your worthy Brother-in-law Mr. 
 Barrell ; who wrote his Excellency Gen\ Washington, requesting your Exchange 
 for a Gentleman of the British Army; who was taken in one of the outward 
 bound Packets from New York, and carried into some Foreign Port; by a Priva- 
 teer belonging to Mess. Barrell & Co. The Capt of the Privateers d[elivere]d 
 them (I think six in Number of different Ranks) to one of the British Ambassa- 
 dors at a Foreign Court & took his recpt for them as Exchangeable in America; 
 which Recp't has come to hand & forward to His Excellency Genl Washington, 
 for that purpose." Nathan Frink to Colonel Webb, 1 February, 1779. 
 
 f From the collection of Dr. John S. H. Fogg, of Boston. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 149 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL PHILLIPS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Bethlem, Saturday, Jany 16, 1779. 
 Sir: 
 
 I have waited in anxious expectation of answers to my letters sen* 
 by the Deputy Adjutant General of the Troops of the Convention, 
 but your Excellency not leaving Philadelphia so soon as expected, 
 and my officer not being permitted to go on to that Capital has 
 created a delay which has occasioned my waiting here some days. 
 
 Since I have been at Bethlem I have seen and read a Philadelphia 
 Newspaper reciting the Report made by your officers of their Con- 
 ference with Colonels O'Hara and Stephens. Had I seen it before 
 I believe I should not have troubled you with any overtures on my 
 part, and yet I protest it to be my opinion that I have not a doubt 
 that the American Congress will see the absolute necessity of allow- 
 ing exchanges of complete corps of the Troops of Convention, if 
 they mean really to promote or agree to any exchange, and upon 
 any other condition there can be none, for it is obvious that a Cartel 
 upon the resolution of Congress taken literally renders all your 
 officers into a free and full activity of service, whereas the Officers of 
 the Troops of Convention would gain a change of place only, but be 
 equally lost to the service as at present, the corps to which they be- 
 long being still detained. Under this description there needs not 
 any interposition of a superior power, for the officers have too high 
 a sense of honor to desire to quit their corps in the moment of dis- 
 tress, and therefore would not wish to be exchanged partially. 
 
 To exchange by ransom would effect the whole business to a 
 mutual benefit by a general release. I am ready to enter into a 
 negotiation upon that Plan. * * * 
 
 W. Phillips. 
 
 FROM EDMUND SEAMAN. 
 
 N. York, Jany 23, 1779. 
 Ml Edm<? Seaman's respectful Comp 1 ; 5 to Col. Webb & has sent 
 him under cover a Phil? Paper of 21^ Ult? just rec<? by Miss Schem- 
 erhorn from Morris Town, containing a Piece under the Signature of 
 "Plain Truth," being Strictures on the address of Common Sense to 
 M* Deane, which he thinks a very candid, masterly & unanswerable 
 
1 5 o CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 Performance, much to M* Dearie's Credit & highly exposing the 
 Author of Common Sense, which its more than probable Col. Webb 
 has already been furnished with, as its of an old Date, however 
 should he not, it will give M r . Seaman Pleasure in sending the Col. 
 any Papers that have a Tendency to remove the Prejudices that have 
 been attempted to be raised against the character of a Gentleman so 
 nearly related to him as M* Deane. M^ Seaman was extremely 
 mortified that he happened not at Home when the Col. was kind 
 enough to call & see him when last in Town, & hopes the next Time 
 he will not be deprived of that Happiness. The Ladies join in 
 CompV 5 to you. 
 
 FROM CAPTAIN JAMES HERON. 
 
 E[lizabeth] Town, Jany 24th, 1779. 
 My dear Col : 
 
 I applied to Gen 1 . Maxwell as you directed, but without success — 
 he has, however, given me his word that he will write Instantly to 
 Gen'l Washington for his approbation, & in case his permission can 
 be got, I have left directions to Col : Beatty to purchase some flour, 
 &ca, & send it in for your use. be assured I shall leave nothing un- 
 done to serve a friend I so much esteem. Neither Beatty nor any 
 of his assistants are here at present, nor is there any supplies of 
 money left here to carry us to our different destinations (cursed 
 usage). I've met with Major Jiles here, whose horses & servant I 
 get to carry me the length of Philada, where I hope I shall do myself 
 the pleasure of delivering your Letter. 
 
 You may expect a Line from me as I pass through this to join the 
 Reg 1 . , which I understand are at Danb? this is a cursed place & 
 I'm ready to quarrel with everything & everybody — so not being in 
 a humour to write I must bid you adieu. My Comp 1 . 5 to M r . C's 
 Family, the Ladys, &c, &c. 
 
 I am, My Dear Col : with the greatest Esteem & friendship yours 
 
 J. Heron. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 151 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL PHILLIPS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Lancaster, February 1st, 1779. 
 Sir: 
 
 I last night received by express your Excellency's letters of the 
 26^ and 30* of January, as, also, the letter from the President of the 
 American Congress and the Resolve of that body on my subject. 
 
 I have been delayed at this place unavoidably, but the Susque- 
 hanna is now open and I shall pursue my journey to Virginia. 
 
 You are pleased to mention, Sir, in your letter of the 26 l . h of Jan- 
 uary that 
 
 "respecting a conference intended to serve as a basis for a final 
 negociation of the Exchange of the Convention Troops, you (that is 
 I) have withdrawn." 
 
 I must take a liberty of observing on this that you surely Sir, have 
 misconceived me. I made the proposition which was refused by 
 you in a letter I had the honor to receive from you dated the 25* 
 December, 1778, from Philadelphia, and Lord Stirling in a letter to 
 me from Middlebrook of January 1 7*, an extract of which I enclose, 
 confirms the refusal. 
 
 I have been uniform in my wishes and attempt to exchange the 
 Troops of Convention, or to procure their release by ransom, and I 
 am still desirous of such an event. * * * W. Phillips. 
 
 [extract.] 
 
 I had the honor of receiving your letter of the 6*. h by your Deputy 
 Adjutant General. The uncertainty of General Washington's return 
 to this place, and the route by which he would come from Philadel- 
 phia induced me to persuade Mr. Bibby to remain here while I 
 should communicate his business by letter to General Washington. 
 I late last night received his Excellency's answer. I find he is still 
 of opinion that no good can possibly result from any negotiation on 
 the subject of an exchange of the Convention Troops. The pro- 
 posal of exchanging whole corps of officers and men together was a 
 point urged by the British Commissioners at Amboy, and was ob- 
 jected to by ours as impossible and inconsistent with the power 
 vested in them. These sentiments have since been confirmed by 
 Congress. Stirling. 
 
152 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 FROM COLONEL BAYLOR. 
 
 Thursday Morning [4 February, 1779.] 
 Dear Webb : 
 
 Agreeable to your request I coppyed your letter to Gov? Franklin 
 last evening and waited on him this morning with it, and from what 
 he tells me, I have not the least doubt but that you will have leave 
 to go to Philadelphia, but from his conversation I fancy you will not 
 be indulged to remain out any time. He is to give an answer on 
 Saturday morning, if it is to me I will [send] it express to you, and 
 wait with pleasure for your good company to Philadelphia, if you are 
 permitted to go out, which I natter myself you certainly will. I shall 
 take out a carriage and Horses. 
 
 My compliments to Van Fitz & all others. Excuse haste. 
 
 Yours &c 
 
 George Baylor. 
 
 TO GENERAL CLINTON. 
 
 [February, 1779.] 
 To his Excellency *• 
 
 Sir Henry Clinton, K. B. 
 
 Commander in Chief of His Britannic Majesty's forces in 
 North America. 
 
 The Memorial of sundry Officers of the American 
 Army, Prisoners of War on Long Island, on behalf of 
 themselves and others 
 
 Most respectfully sheweth : 
 
 That a Memorial has been drawn up and signed by 
 all the Officers Prisoners on Long Island addressed to 
 the Hon b . le the Continental Congress, purporting an 
 earnest desire that a general Exchange might speedily 
 be concluded on, for the mutual advantage of the un- 
 fortunate Captives of both Armys 
 
 For the more speedy effecting so desireable a pur- 
 pose, we your Memorialists most earnestly request 
 
i&r 9**44 ^— ^^v__ 
 
 r 
 
 <us s^/ cr ^~. ^u^. ^— ^^— ^^ ^ 
 
 *~ ■ Ww 
 
 
 «v 
 
 
 ^m 
 
 j8o^<U^ 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 153 
 
 that your Excellency would be pleased to permit Col° 
 Sam 1 . B. Webb to accompany Col? Baylor to Phil* , 
 there to remain on Parole so long as may be necessary 
 to present and enforce the above mentioned Memorial. 
 And your Memorialists as in Duty bound &c* 
 
 FROM JOSHUA LORING. 
 
 New York, 7 February, 1779. 
 Sir: # 
 
 The Commander in Chief has been pleased to grant you permis- 
 sion to go with Col? Baylor to Phil? for the purpose specified in 
 your Memorial ; this therefore will be your sufficient Pass to come 
 to New York as soon as you think Proper — the time given you to 
 return in is six weeks.f 
 
 I am sir, 
 
 Your most obedient Humble servant 
 
 Jos* Loring 
 
 Com. Genl Pris? 
 
 FROM JAMES WATSON. 
 
 Weathersfield, 9 February, 1779. 
 Dear Colo : 
 
 I am happy to hear that a prospect of your being exchanged ap- 
 
 * In the script of Col. Webb. 
 
 f I have no record of the date on which Colonels Webb and Baylor set out from 
 New York, but it is to be presumed they did almost at once. On the back of a 
 letter received when in Philadelphia, Colonel Webb has noted the dates of each 
 Tuesday from February 9th to March 23d — just six weeks — and added " 22 March, 
 1779," the day on which he probably expected to be again on the Island. On 
 February 10th, he made sundry purchases in New York : a steel hilted sword, a 
 sword knot, belt and hook; a stick, cane strings, and stick of pomatum — articles 
 needed in social intercourse in Philadelphia. Mrs. and Miss Van Home sent by 
 him some letters to Miss Livingston. In Philadelphia Colonel Webb was with 
 General Arnold, and attended a ball given at the City Tavern. Although Col. 
 Livingston wrote from Middlebrook on the 20th that Colonel Webb's route was 
 to Brunswick and not to Head Quarters, a visit must have been paid to Head 
 Quarters, and a conversation held with Washington on the subject of prisoners. 
 See letter from Washington, 25 February, 1779,/^/. 
 
154 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 pears so promising. Your Friends here wish as earnestly for the 
 arrival of that happy moment as you possibly can. 
 
 I have had the pleasure of seeing many of the officers of the 
 Reg* this Winter who are universally anxious for your return & their 
 impatience is the best proof [of] the love & esteem which they ever 
 had for you. 
 
 I have sent you a few papers, and should acknowledge it as a par- 
 ticular favor if you could return some of the New York papers by the 
 Flagg. I am, Sir, with the greatest esteem &c 
 
 J. Watson. 
 
 COLONEL BEATTY TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Commissary Prisoners' Office 
 
 24 February, 1779. 
 Sir-: 
 
 In obedience to your Excellency's commands of yesterday, I beg 
 leave to lay before you the following state of facts, relative to the 
 situation and sustenance of the marine and other prisoners now with 
 the enemy. 
 
 1 st. That there are at present with the enemy about 258 prisoners 
 of war, as appears from Mr. Pintard's return of the 6th. instant, near 
 200 of whom are confined on board the prison ship ; the remaining 
 part in the sugar houses and Provost. 
 
 2d. That the allowance issued them by the enemy is found insuf- 
 ficient to support them under their captivity, and that therefore 
 Congress and the Board of War have directed that further supplies 
 of provisions and clothing be furnished them by the American com- 
 missary of prisoners, occasionally, as their wants may demand. 
 
 3d. That in two letters received from the agent in New York, 
 bearing date the 1st. and 6th. instant, he, therein, makes a requisi- 
 tion that a larger and more uniform supply of flour and beef is 
 necessary to answer the purposes intended by the above resolves 
 than has hitherto been furnished. 
 
 4th. That in his issues no regard has been paid to the prisoners, 
 whether captured on board Continental armed vessels, State priva- 
 teers, letters of marque, or private merchant ships, but that the whole 
 have received an equal portion of the supplies thus furnished. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 155 
 
 5th. That the subjects of his most Christian Majesty, captured by 
 the enemy, have by order of his Excellency Mons. Gerard, been 
 supplied in like manner with the American prisoners, he (the Sieur) 
 becoming accountable for such issues. 
 
 6th. That exact and distinct accounts are kept of every pound of 
 bread and beef issued, whether to French or American Prisoners, 
 and receipts taken from the officer or other most distinguishable 
 person among them. 
 
 7th. That the debt thus incurred by these supplies is charged to 
 the Continent solely, and that no one State has, at any time, fur- 
 nished their respective prisoners with either provision or cloathing. 
 
 To these facts give me leave to add the disagreeable and critical 
 state I am in with regard to the exchange of Naval Prisoners, having 
 by order of the Marine Committee of Congress, in July '78, pledged 
 the public faith to Admiral Gambier, that like returns should be 
 made for any number of prisoners he should land at Elizabeth Town ; 
 that in consequence of such engagements there were passed over to 
 us at different times, seamen to the amount of near 600 ; that returns 
 for about 400 only have been made, and that we have been called 
 upon more than once to make good our engagements; that from 
 certain resolves of Congress, all prisoners who shall be captured, 
 either by private armed vessels or otherwise thrown in upon these 
 coasts, do belong to such States as they shall respectively be made 
 prisoners by, to be disposed of in exchange for those only of that 
 State, when so taken. That few or no continental frigates are now 
 cruising, and that from the claims of the different States no pros- 
 pect remains of our ever being able to make those full returns prom- 
 ised by and demanded of us ; and finally, that from those private, 
 state and partial exchanges, great confusion and irregularity arises 
 in the office. I am therefore to request your Excellency will give 
 me such further instructions and directions on this head, as are 
 necessary, more especially as I am to meet the British naval com- 
 missary of prisoners next week to adjust and settle those accounts. 
 
 I am, &c, 
 
 Jno. Beatty. 
 
156 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 COLONEL CHESTER TO ROYAL FLINT. 
 
 Wethersfield, February 26, 1779. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 I last week return'? from Windham County Court, where I have 
 had a tryal by the Judges only not on my former plea of not Guilty 
 but on another which I obtain? liberty to put in, in the room of it, 
 viz* a plea of priviledge, or as it was considered a Plea in abatement. 
 My Attorneys argued the Case very ingeniously, & produced a mul- 
 titude of authorities against any inferior Jurisdiction their calling 
 any Member to account for words spoken in Parliament, or Assem- 
 bly in free debate. The members in both Countries had been 
 punished very severely for misconduct, but by the house only. 
 Some have been reprimanded on their Knees at the barr of the 
 house — others fined — suspended — expelled — imprisoned &c. The 
 lower courts have ever refused hearing, or trying Actions, for crimes, 
 or injuries done in Parliament, because it was a known, & Estab- 
 lished principle, that no member was accountable out of parliament 
 for words spoken in the House. The derivation of the word Parlia- 
 ment, seemed to be much to my Purpose, from the French Parler 
 le mont, to speak one's mind. 
 
 The attorneys ag* me observ? , that if these principles were 
 adopted, no person was secure in his reputation, and that the house 
 of Assembly would soon become the great Theatre of slander and 
 defamation. But instead of producing authorities & entering into 
 serious argumentation, they went into a popular declamation ag* 
 English Laws & Tyranny. They were no longer a guide to us. 
 Thank God we are the free inhabitants of the free & Independant 
 State of Connecticut, &c. &c. A Great Rabble came in to hear the 
 Pleas, which now seemed rather addressed to their Passions than to 
 the Judges. However the next day we were told that the Pleas in 
 abatement were insufficient. This obliged me to appeal to the 
 Superior Court, & I doubt not they will judge differently on the 
 Question. If they do, Johnson shall have all the Chance against me 
 he can wish ; for I have heretofore told, & still continue to tell the 
 story in all Companies. M* [Titus] Hosmer & a number of my 
 friends, persuaded me to alter my Plea, which at first thought was 
 against my inclination, as I thought it would be mearly shrinking 
 from a Charge which I was convinced I was able to support. My 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 157 
 
 friends observed that duty to the Publick, and to the rights of the 
 house, would oblige me to endeavor to prevent the pleading so bad 
 a precedent in future. For if it was once known that Members were 
 liable to be prosecuted before the Courts of Law, for doing their 
 duty in the House, in free debate, no person would dare oppose the 
 greatest villain in the world who should be nominated to office, un- 
 less his Crime was on record, since if he did, he might at least be 
 called to a remote part of the State, & put to the Cost of proving 
 what he had said to be true. The consequence of which would soon 
 be, that every person nominated must pass sub silentio. 
 
 However I will not rely so much on a favorable issue on the pres- 
 ent Question before the Superior Court as to desist in my endeavors 
 to be ready to Meet him on the Merits, but shall go on Collecting 
 what evidence I can in the matter. I have a number sworn to al- 
 ready that have heard Colonel Webb tell the story very much as I 
 related it in the Assembly, & as charged in the declaration. But my 
 Attorneys fear they will not be admitted, as they are mere hearsay 
 evidence. The deposition you favored me with, is the best I have 
 yet been able to obtain. Cap* Fitch could not remember so partic- 
 ularly, but his deposition is a good one. I have not yet seen D*. 
 Knight. He has removed to Plainfield, & can be summoned to 
 Court when needed.. Major Cook, I shall soon see. I have pressed 
 Col. Ward hard in the matter. He is very loath to say anything in 
 the affair. I suppose he has given Johnson a General recommend 
 as a good officer & is afraid tb answer any Questions I would put, 
 least it should contradict it. I think he uses me ill in the affair. I 
 wish you to hint to me what you had reference to in particular, when 
 you mentioned to me that Gen 1 . Ward & Major Cook might be of 
 service to me. 
 
 I confess myself much disappointed in Col. Webb's deposition. 
 He ever told the story to others, as well as myself, very differently. 
 I have always understood that the General told Johnson to his face 
 that "no Gentleman would persist in urging for a furlough after what 
 had passed :" and then again in anger, "That it was a matter of very 
 little consequence" with some Field officers whether they were in 
 Camp or Countrey. But now it seems that Col. Webb was author- 
 ized to say so.& so, to Johnson from the General. This representa- 
 tion will have a very different effect on the minds of a Jury, though 
 
158 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 one would think either way it was enough to Petryfy a man of feel- 
 ing. I think I must see Col. Webb on this Business. His mind is 
 so fully taken up with the important concerns he is come out upon, 
 that 'tis not strange he does not recollect so particularly some things 
 that may be very important to me. 
 
 I shall endeavor to acquaint you with the Issue of the Cause 
 whenever it is determined. The Superior Court will hear the case 
 in about three weeks. 
 
 When you visit Connecticut I hope to have the Pleasure of wait- 
 ing on you at my House. Please to make it your home. A Bed, & 
 Stable, with such fare as we have, is ever at your service. 
 
 Your care & attention in this matter has laid me under particular 
 obligations, which shall ever be acknowledged by, Dear Sir, your 
 affectionate Friend & very Humble Serv* John Chester. 
 
 FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Head Quarters Middle brook 
 25 th Feby, 1779. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 Agreeable to my promise, when you were at Head Quarters, I 
 have had a calculation made from the last returns of the Commissary 
 of Prisoners, of the number of privates which upon the several prop- 
 ositions that have been made by the enemy, we should have to give 
 them in a general exchange of our officers for officers and privates of 
 the Convention Troops — By submitting this to Congress, if neces- 
 sary, they will be the better able to decide on the propriety of 
 adopting the measure solicited in the memorial which you have been 
 appointed to present. 
 
 I am with great regard 
 Dear Sir 
 
 Your most obed Ser 1 . 
 
 G? Washington. 
 
 FROM COLONEL CHESTER. 
 
 Weathersfield, Feb. 28, A. D. 1779. 
 My dear Friend : 
 
 I rejoice to have an Opportunity once more to write you free of 
 
 Constraint & with liberty to say what I please ; I cannot write a 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 159 
 
 Letter to be examined by every body. Great as the privilege is 
 there is a greater one I wish for I mean the pleasure of a personal 
 interview with my too long absent friend. Why will you not visit 
 Wethersfield while on Parole at this Time — Six weeks surely would 
 allow you time enough just to call & see us at least. The perform- 
 ance of one condition on your part shall reconcile us to be absent 
 from each other a little longer ; & that is that you apply yourself so 
 diligently to your business as to effect your exchange. Your visit 
 then we hope will not be short & temporary. We are all earnestly 
 wishing for such an event, & hope it will take place generally. If it 
 does not I think you must stand a good Chance on ace 1 , of the Offi- 
 cers taken by your Brother Barrel's Vessel. 
 
 Besides the ties of Friendship, the bonds of Interest call loud on 
 me to see you. — ^5,000 is no small sum for me to loose, as much as 
 money has depreciated. I am to acknowledge your favor accom- 
 panied with your deposition. — I could wish to have seen you before 
 you had wrote it, as I am persuaded, if you had time to recollect 
 Coolly, you would have wrote me one much more favorably to my 
 purpose. — Did you receive a Long letter from me last fall by Bro* 
 Jos. when you met him at the Lines? With that I sent the Copy of 
 what I had heard you relate as near as I could recollect, & the sub- 
 stance of what I hoped you would have been able to remember & 
 have attested to. — It is also very near what Mr. Hosmer, Major 
 Huntington, Capt. Belding & M T . Elisha Williams of E. Hartford have 
 attested they have heard you relate. The most material difference 
 is this that these Gentlemen & myself have ever understood you that 
 after Johnson had very indecently & repeatedly urged for a furlough 
 the General told him to his face that after what had been said no 
 Gentleman would ask for a furlough, and Johnson still persisting in 
 his application, the General told him that " If he would not take no 
 for an answer, he might go to his Col. & if he would recommend 
 him, one of the Aids de Camp should write him one, for I think, tis 
 a matter of very little consequence with some officers, whether they 
 are in the Army or the Country." — You see how very differently the 
 minds of a Jury will be affected by this last representation of the 
 matter as spoken by the General himself in person & its coining 
 from the General through another person. Besides I told the story 
 in the Assembly that the General said it to Johnson himself, & the 
 
160 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 Charge is laid against me in that manner in the declaration. I dare 
 say when you come to reflect on this matter you will find that you 
 have not given me so good a deposition as you would be able to do 
 on further reflection. Indeed, tis not very strange at this distance 
 of time that you should not recollect so minutely all that passed on 
 this occasion especially as your attention at the time of writing the 
 deposition must have been engaged with heavier cares, to you & the 
 Publick. — But enough of this for the present. — I expect to hear from 
 you while at Philadelphia again on this subject, according to your 
 encouragement in your Letter. In the mean time I keep your 
 deposition to myself, & intend no one shall know its contents. 
 
 As to Domestic news we have nothing remarkable. The good 
 People at both houses are in tolerable Health — Those of our family 
 in Particular desire their Love to you. Bro 1 : Jos. is or will soon be 
 with you in Philadelphia. To him I must refer you for the news 
 with us. Hoping soon to see you here I must for the present bid 
 you Adieu. 
 
 Subscribing myself your affectionate friend 
 
 & Obliged Humble Serv* 
 
 John Chester.* 
 
 TO JOHN JAY, PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. 
 
 Philadelphia, March 5* h , 1779. 
 Sir: 
 
 The Committee to which was referred the Memorial 
 from the Officers on Long Island, having fully en- 
 quired into their situation & c . — have been obligeing 
 enough to inform me, they intend making their report 
 this morning. I shall esteem it a particular favor you 
 will propose it to be taken up by Congress this day, as 
 I am extremely impatient to have the matter deter- 
 mined — should Congress think proper to recommend 
 an Exchange 81 refer it to His Excellency General 
 
 * From the collection of Dr. John S. H. Fogg, of Boston. 
 
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 <7 
 
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 A. 16. St» tdffl&J, 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 161 
 
 Washington, I shall set of immediately for Head Quar- 
 ters in hopes the matter may be bro't to a conclusion 
 before my Parole expires. 
 
 I am with Esteem & Respect 
 Your Excelly's Most obed*. 
 
 & very Hum e . Serv 1 . 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS. 
 
 In Congress, 5 th March, 1779. 
 Resolved that General Washington Commander in Chief of the 
 Armies of the United States be and he hereby is fully authorized and 
 empowered at his discretion to negotiate and establish with the 
 Commander in Chief of his Britannic Majesty's forces a Cartel or 
 Agreement for the general Exchange of prisoners comprehending 
 the Convention Troops or a more partial Agreement for any par- 
 ticular or definite number of prisoners and to fix and conclude upon 
 the terms and conditions of the Said Exchange, ascertaining and 
 allowing an equivalent of inferior for superior Officers, and an equiva- 
 lent of privates for officers according to such proportion as has been 
 customary or shall appear to him to be just and equitable, and to 
 appoint Commissioners and the time and place of their meeting to 
 treat and confer with the Comm 1 ; to be authorised by the Comman- 
 der in Chief of the Brittish Forces on the terms and manner of such 
 Exchange. And it is hereby declared that the Acts and Stipulations 
 of the said Commissioners being ratified and confirmed by the re- 
 spected Commanders in Chief aforesaid shall be final and conclusive. 
 
 Extract from the Minutes 
 
 Chas Thomson Secy. 
 
 WASHINGTON TO SIR HENRY CLINTON. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Middlebrook, 14 March, 1779. 
 Sir: 
 
 It is much to be regretted, that all the attempts, which have been 
 made to establish some general and adequate rule for the exchange 
 
162 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 of prisoners, have hitherto been ineffectual. In a matter of so great 
 importance, too much pains cannot be taken to surmount the 
 obstacles that lie in its way, and to bring it to a satisfactory issue. 
 With an earnest desire to effect this, the honorable the Congress 
 have again authorized me to propose the settlement of a general 
 cartel, and to appoint commissioners with full powers for that pur- 
 pose. This proposition, in obedience to their order, I now make ; 
 and if it should meet with your concurrence, I shall be ready to send 
 commissioners to meet others on your part, at such time and place 
 as shall be judged convenient. 
 
 That the present attempt may not prove as unsuccessful as former 
 ones, it is to be hoped, if there is a meeting of commissioners, that 
 the gentlemen on both sides, apprized of the difficulties which have 
 occurred, and with a liberal attention to the circumstances of the 
 parties, will come disposed to accommodate their negotiations to 
 them, and to level all unnecessary obstructions to the completion of 
 the treaty. I have the honor to be with due respect, &c* 
 
 * " Let me assure you, Sir, that my wishes coincide sincerely with those which 
 you express for the completion of a purpose equally urged by justice and human- 
 ity. Allow me to say, that I am happy to find the direction of this affair is now 
 entirely reposed in military hands, as I can from thence augur the same liberality 
 of negotiation, on the part of your commissioners, which I trust you will find on 
 ours. Colonel O'Hara having sailed for England, it requires a day or two for the 
 person, who is to supply his place, to inform himself of the points on which the 
 business will turn. On Monday I shall send down Colonel Hyde and Captain 
 Andre to Staten Island, that they may meet your commissioners either at Amboy 
 or Elizabethtown, as you may wish." — Sir Henry Clinton to Washington, 31 
 March, 1779. 
 
 " I am under the necessity of requesting, that it may be deferred until Monday, 
 the 1 2th instant, when Colonel Davies and Lieutenant-Colonel Harrison will meet 
 Colonel Hyde and Captain Andre at Amboy, in the forenoon. Those gentlemen, 
 I am persuaded, will enter upon business with the most liberal and generous 
 dispositions; and from thence I am happy to conceive with you the most favor- 
 able expectations. You will, however, suffer me to observe, that, should the in- 
 tended negotiation answer our wishes, yet it will not flow from that partiality, 
 which you have been pleased to suppose." — Washington to Sir Henry Clinton, 
 4 April, 1779. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 163 
 
 FROM WILLIAM DUER. 
 
 Phills Hill, 20 March, 1779. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 Gen 1 . Williamson, who commands a Detachment of the Continen- 
 tal Army in Georgia writes to Congress on the i6* h Feby, that the 
 Enemy on the 15* had abandoned Augusta, having in vain Endeav- 
 or'd to rouse the Indians against us. The Creek Nation, which is 
 the most powerful, refused in particular even to attend a Conference 
 to which they were invited. They were making the best of the Way 
 to Savanna, and two Bodies of men were detached to fall on the 
 Rear. 
 
 The Express who brought the Letters says that the night before 
 he left Charlestown, an account had arrived at that Place, that most 
 of their Baggage, and a number of Prisoners had fallen into our 
 hands. A Body of arm'd Tories in Number about 500 were at- 
 tempting to form a Junction with the Enemy, but there is every 
 Reason to imagine these will be frustrated in their Design. As it 
 will give you and all the Friends of America infinite Pleasure to find 
 that the Enemy are frustrated in their last Resource, I have desired 
 our Friend D r . Draper to forward this Intelligence to you. All the 
 Family here desire their Compliments — and hope soon to see you 
 make one amongst the Sons and Daughters of Freemen. In this no 
 one joins more sincerely than your affectionate 
 
 H b . le Serv 4 . 
 
 W 11 DUER. 
 
 FROM CAPTAIN JOHN SWAN. 
 
 [Flat Bush,] March 30th, 1779. 
 My dear Colo : 
 
 We had a general meeting yesterday or a meeting of Generals, 
 which you please, in consequence of which I have by their order in- 
 closed you a letter to Sir Henry Clinton, requesting the Commander 
 in Chief to let Major Joynes & myself go to Phil? to procure a sum 
 of money from the Board of Treasury for the use of the Prisoners 
 here — before I conclude it is my duty to mention that I was anxious 
 of declining going from the time my name was first mention'd, but 
 insisted upon. Major Joynes is particularly deputed from the ninth 
 
1 64 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 Virginia Reg 1 , to lay a claim of theirs before Congress, in behalf of 
 themselves & the Phil? Prisoners in general. 
 
 I have some reasons to believe that Sir Henry will not admit more 
 than one officer to go upon this business — in that case you will 
 mention which you think will fulfill the intention of the officers here. 
 — I am requested to inclose their letter to you, begging you will 
 deliver it to the Commander in Chief & procure an immediate an- 
 swer which be pleased to inclose me. We are all well & anxious of 
 seeing you before you go out,* & none more so than a certain Lady 
 of our acquaintance. I ever am with much real esteem, my Dear 
 Sir, Affectionately Yours, 
 
 J. Swan. 
 
 TO JOSHUA LORING. 
 
 New York, 4 April, 1779. 
 Sir: 
 
 In conversation with the Gentlemen Prisoners yes- 
 terday on Long Island, I found they had a desire that 
 some of the principle Officers from their Body should 
 attend the Commissioners to Amboy, and gave for 
 reason, that should any objections arise on the part of 
 General Washington's Commissioners, he might have 
 influence enough to obviate it, provided they should be 
 in an error, which is quite possible may be the case 
 for want of a thorough knowledge of our situation and 
 Circumstances. I cannot but be of opinion it may be 
 attended with good consequence — and am certain it 
 can do no injury. General [William] Thompson, who 
 is a man of weight and influence would be the proper 
 person. Should you join rne in opinion, be so oblige- 
 ing as to name it to Sir Henry Clinton or Lord Raw- 
 
 * Col. Webb had applied to be released on parole. Sir Henry denied the wish 
 of Captain Swan. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 165 
 
 don, in doing which you will confer an obligation to all 
 the' Prisoners on Long-Island, as well as, Sir, your 
 most obedient Hum. Serv* S. B. Webb. 
 
 FROM SILAS DEANE. 
 
 Philadelphia, Ap\ 17th, 1778 [1779]. 
 Dear Coll : 
 
 I hope to see you in a few Days, shall therefore say only that I 
 propose to set out for Camp next Tuesday at the Farthest, but if 
 you arrive there pay no Regard to this but come on as fast as Possi- 
 ble to Philadelphia, for if you meet me on the Road, it will be as 
 well, perhaps better. I shall go by Trenton, Princeton and so on 
 the Common Road direct to Basken Ridge where if you arrive before 
 me come to meet me. Whatever you may obtain of intelligence I 
 wish to learn of you personally, for the practise of intercepting Let- 
 ters prevails, and those who are Base enough to intercept, are wicked 
 enough to put the worst Construction on everything. Wishing you 
 success, I am my Dear Col. 
 
 Most affectionately yours 
 
 S. Deane. 
 
 FROM COLONEL BEATTY. 
 
 Amboy, April 16th, 79, Saturday. 
 Dear Colo : 
 
 We met here agreable to appointment on Monday last — since 
 when we have conferred to no purpose & indeed I must say, I fear, 
 no general Cartell will be fixed — some hopes yet remain of a partial 
 exchange taking place — I am sensible how much pain & uneasiness 
 this letter will create among those unfortunate Gentlemen, of whom 
 you are one — More especially as they conceive their further delay 
 upon the Island to be occasioned from an Unwillingness to promote 
 their Enlargement, unless some evident advantage was gained — Give 
 me leave to Undeceive you in this point — 
 
 However liberal & generous you may have supposed the British 
 Commissioners propositions w'd be, upon their arrival at this place I 
 
166 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 do assure you, they were infinitely more Extravagant, than when we 
 met in Decern' last — To prove this I shall Inform you — That their 
 first proposal was — That the whole of the Prisoners in our Hands, 
 amounting to above three Hundred officers, & as many thousand 
 privates, should be wholly given up — Then Gen'l Clinton conceiving 
 the Ballance would still be against us, was however in the fullness of 
 his generosity, willing to give up, the whole of our officers who were 
 Prisoners with them — Such liberality we were strangers to, & wanted 
 more convincing proofs of Sir Henry's, before an acquiescence in 
 such proposals. We next proceeded to settle the Ratio or grade of 
 officers, as we thought agreable to their own propositions last Dec. 
 they could not object to the Exchange of half their officers & the 
 residue of ours to be redeemed with privates — Here too their gener- 
 osity was displayed in striking colours — Upon a Calculation agreable 
 to their Ratio we found it would take, all the Convention Troops 
 and about half our Army to redeem our Officers — We were aston- 
 ished & yet the gentlemen conceived themselves as treating upon 
 the most generous & liberal principles — 
 
 To day I fancy they will go upon a partial Exchange. I hope it 
 may reach my Friend — of this I shall inform you more particularly 
 when we break up. 
 
 I flatter myself the Gentlemen will rest satisfied from this Infor- 
 mation as I am well assured, we were disposed to give up a good 
 deal — but the Terms the British Gentlemen held out were so indig- 
 nant, that you had rather continue Prisoners, than be released upon 
 such conditions — Gen'l Thompson who is the Bearer of this — will 
 give you such further Information as you may want — 
 
 I am to request your attention to that matter, we talked of when 
 at Biddle's Quarters — if it can not be done in whole, let it be 
 attempted in part — The advantages accruing from it, are becoming 
 more & more considerable every day — opertunitys will serve to let 
 me hear from you in this way — Neglect none — Comp* to the Ladies 
 & Gentlemen of your place — & believe me to be in Haste D x . Col? 
 Yours J. B.* 
 
 * From the collection of Dr. John S. H. Fogg, of Boston. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 167 
 
 FROM JAMES KEENE. 
 
 New York, 22 April, 1779. 
 Dr. Sir: 
 
 C. G. Loring is expected home this evening, as for the Commis* r 
 I cannot learn whether they come at the same time or not ; but I am 
 afraid nothing to the purpose is done. 
 
 Col. Beatty will be in York as soon as the Commissioner's breakes 
 up, whether a Genl exchange takes place or not, with fifty Thousand 
 Dollars to Discharge the oifi: s Board, &c. &c. I expect to leave the 
 Com 1 ? 5 Depart 1 , very soon, that is the reason of my stay in town so 
 long, I shall have my answer at 12 o'clock this day from Lord Raw- 
 don. I hope it will be for the best. I'll be upon a shure footing, 
 then I shall know what to trust too.* I am, Sir, with Esteem 
 
 Y r . most obedV very Hble Serv 1 . 
 
 J. Keene. 
 
 FROM BRIGADIER-GENERAL THOMPSON. 
 
 New York, April 27, 1779. 
 Dear Webb : 
 
 I have seen many Letters from England but very little News of 
 consequence — They all mention that Troops are coming out some 
 say 15,000 but I can't believe one third of that number can be sent 
 — Tho' I am of opinion that every step will be taken to carry on an 
 Active Campaign against us — 
 
 A Party has been in Monmouth County and brought of a small 
 Guard of about twenty Men. I can't procure a London Paper to 
 send you tho' I had the Promise of one this Morning — The British 
 Commissioner are much out of Humor, they are about to Publish 
 their proceeding at Amboy — You will then know all that past on the 
 subject of an exchange — I am endeavoring to bring about my Ex- 
 
 * " Mr. Loring cannot give you any satisfactory ace* concerning your being ex- 
 changed for one of the officers taken in the Eagle Packet. As soon as he can 
 with any propriety, he'll let you know. Mr L. is always ready to serve you; 
 proper opportunity must be observed. I assure you I am never happier than 
 when I can do you any service." J. Keene to Colonel Webb, 27 April, 1779. 
 
1 63 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 change for one of their Gen'ls & hope to succeed — I shall see you in 
 a day or two and am D r . Webb Yours very sincerely. 
 
 W^ Thompson. 
 Tuesday Morning.* 
 
 FROM JOSHUA LORING. 
 
 9 May, 1779. 
 Sir: 
 
 I was in hopes ere this to have sent you leave to go home on your 
 Parole for a month, or perhaps longer, the disappointment you have 
 met with heretofore, has prevented my giving you any Encourage- 
 ment on this head, and I will now only say, that I expect to obtain 
 permission for you tomorrow, likewise for Col? Allison, whom if con- 
 venient beg you will inform. I am, your most Obedient & most 
 Humble Servant Jos* Loring, 
 
 C. G. Prisoners. 
 
 FROM BRIGADIER-GENERAL THOMPSON. 
 
 Tuesday Evening [9 May, 1779.] 
 D* Webb: 
 
 The matter is at last fixed for our going out on Thursday Morn- 
 ing. Come to Town as soon as Possible. Our Paroles to be 'till 
 called for or exchanged-! 
 
 Send Colonel Magaw's Letter to him without loss of time as I 
 suppose he will take out M? 5 Magaw and will have little time to pre- 
 pair. My best Complim 1 * to my Friends at Flat Bush and am, D* 
 Sir, yours very sincerely 
 
 W™ Thompson. 
 
 * From the collection of Dr. John S. H. Fogg, of Boston. 
 
 f " The committee, consisting of Mr. Spencer, Mr. Atlee, Mr. Scudder, to whom 
 was referred a letter from Brigadier- General Thompson and Colonel Webb, in 
 behalf of themselves and sundry others, representing 'that Gen. Clinton had con- 
 sented to their retiring into the country on parole until such time as they shall be 
 called for; and that he required in return that they should obtain permission for 
 Generals Phillips and Riedesel, witji their aids-de-camp, and Capt. Watterson, of 
 the 2 1 st regiment, to go into New York on the same condition; and praying that 
 Congress will be pleased to comply with the said proposal for their parole ex- 
 change,' brought in a report; whereupon, Resolved, That the commander in chief 
 be authorized to make such and so many parole exchanges as he shall, from time 
 to time, judge beneficial or expedient." Journals of Congress, 3 June, 1779. 
 
c, 7 
 
 1 
 
 
 ,&, 
 
 g^^Uj^- 
 
 <r 
 
 "> 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 169 
 
 TO JEREMIAH WADSWORTH. 
 
 North Branch, Rariton, 
 Fry day Even? , 28 May, 1779. 
 Dear Wadsworth : 
 
 I was not a little disappointed this afternoon to find 
 you had left Head-Quarters before I came on. I had 
 several matters of consequence to chat with you about, 
 be obligeing enough to remind our good friend 
 Harrisson to write me as early as possible what the 
 determination of Congress about General Phillips and 
 Reidsell may be, it is interesting to me, if they cannot 
 be permitted to go in I shall be in continual anxiety for 
 fear of receiveing a summons to return to Captivity — 
 God forbid that should be the case, I have already had 
 my share. General Knox is desireous of having a 
 Barrel of Pickeled Salmon sent him by return of my 
 Waggon, I was to have spoke to you on the Subject — 
 be kind enough to write M r . Hubbard about it. 
 
 I am now at the North Branch in full view of Miss 
 B[anckerl — this day you found fault about my not in- 
 troduceing you, tis done, I have said many cleaver 
 things of my friend Jerry, and he has nothing more to 
 do than to make his appearance before the Lady to be 
 well acquainted, whenever that happens I hope you'll 
 steal a kiss on my account, that is if you can by a 
 retrograde manoevre do it with your usual Gallantry, 
 I go from this very early in the morning on my way to 
 the Holy Land, let me hear from you frequently — and 
 at all times believe me very sincerely 
 
 Your friend & Most 
 Humb e . Serv* 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
170 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 P. S. Be kind enough to Settle my travelling Ac- 
 count with Maj r . Hamilton — I advanced 50 Dollars* — 
 
 FROM MAJOR HUNTINGTON. 
 
 Quarters, Tiverton, Rhode Island, 
 
 13 June, 1779. 
 Dear Webb : 
 
 By M T . Jones the Bearer of this, I had the first information of your 
 Return to Weth<? , tho had before heard you was out of N. York on 
 Parole. When he informed me you had got home, my first Ques- 
 tion was, have you got any Letters or letter for me, to which he gave 
 me an answer in the Negative. You will readily believe me not a 
 little disappointed, I assure you I was ; but when he informed me 
 you did not know of his setting out, I pardoned you, but shall not 
 extend it for forty Days — tho' M*. Jones tells me you expect to be 
 here next week — I wish it may be sooner. I wish to see you much, 
 both on my own ace 1 , and yours, as I believe, you will not find your 
 Money Accounts in the situation you expected they would have been 
 before this time. I hope you will bring on your Papers, that you 
 may be able to Close some of the Accounts that remain unclosed. 
 Your Clothing Accounts I have with me. — You will scarcely know 
 your Regiment when you arrive — Your Officers new as to the Ranks 
 they now hold except two — the soldiers as usual well armed, tolerably 
 Disciplined but badly Clothed. You know it is natural for a Man 
 who is answerable for the appearance of a Reg* , if he is faulty, to 
 make or rather to meditate an excuse. My great & Principle one is, 
 the new method of Discipline introduced, makes an Alteration from 
 the old greater more difficult than to instruct new Troops. Why 
 they will appear to you raw & Undisciplined is obvious, because 
 your situation, has much too long been, where we have been taught 
 to look as a Pattern for Discipline. — But why need I trouble you 
 with that, you will say. I can give you a very good reason which is, 
 that when you left the Regiment you thought them discipline , & of 
 course you might have reason to expect to find them so when you 
 return — & unless I informed you to the Contrary, the Mortification 
 
 * From the cabinet of the Connecticut Historical Society. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 171 
 
 you would show in your Countenance would be so great that I should 
 not but discern it, & of Course feel it myself — which to avoid, this 
 serves to make you come prepared. — Pray did you see anything of 
 Lieut Col° Livingston as you came from Philadelphia, has he re- 
 signed, is he dead, or is he Coming to join the Regiment? I have 
 not hear4 a word from him since Jany last except in the Round 
 about way. The Gentlemen Officers desire their friendly Compli- 
 ments to you, & Rejoice that you are once more in the Land of Lib- 
 erty, tho' universally wish, and I believe most sincerely, that your 
 Stay was like to be longer than the Uncertainty of a Parole will give 
 them reason to believe, tho' they are highly flattered with the pleas- 
 ing Expectation that you will soon pay them a Visit, altho' they are 
 station? in this dreary & Dismal Part of God's Creation. I wish 
 most earnestly that your Exchange may be so speedy, that instead 
 of a Visit, you may join & take Command of a Reg 1 , who regret your 
 Inactive Situation as they wish to be under your Immediate Com- 
 mand, as doth your Affectionate friend & 
 
 Very Humble Servant 
 Eben* Huntington. 
 
 P. S. Present my Affectionate Compliments, Respects, Love and 
 whatever you please to the Circle. 
 
 Wish you to bring with you the Accounts of Moneys rec? from 
 M* Lockwood due to the Soldiers, which you have in your hand, as 
 some of the soldiers are anxious to have their Money.* 
 
 FROM JEREMIAH WADSWORTH. 
 
 Camp at Smith's Clove, 17 June, 1779. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 I rec<? your agreeable favour dated at the South Branch of the 
 Rariton, since my arrival here. Had I been so fortunate as to have 
 
 * * To his sister, Mrs. Barrell, Colonel Webb wrote on June 13th : " I hope to set 
 off for Providence the last of this or beginning of next week; after I have done 
 my business with the Regiment I shall very eagerly take my flight to Boston to 
 see my long absent friends, when I shall have chat enough for you. Remember 
 me to your good Husband, who I never saw, but hope soon to be acquainted 
 with. Abby, I think, will conclude to go with me and spend a few weeks with 
 you, as Hetty is to accompany me back." 
 
172 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 found it when I returned to Rariton, it wou'd have been a very 
 agreeable introduction to Miss B[ancker] who every body says you 
 are engaged to. If I am ever in that neighborhood again I shall 
 certainly do myself the honor to call on her. This is a most villain- 
 ous country, rough, Rocky, and a bad climate. Rattle snakes & 
 Robbers are plenty. It was an infringement on the right of wild 
 Beasts for man ever to enter this Clove, it ought to have remained 
 as Nature certainly intended it for the sole use of snakes adders & 
 Beasts of prey. 
 
 Harrison says he will write you soon, but dont think Congress 
 have done anything very effectual. What they have done I dont 
 know. If the Carolina news is true your fears of being recalled are 
 over — but entre nous I am yet an unbeliever. I am alone, every 
 body else believes it, but no official information is come to hand, and 
 the time so long I confess there is great doubt. The Enemy remain 
 at the two Points Van Planks & Stoney Point fortifying and are ex- 
 pecting reinforcements, which they will certainly have, when I expect 
 we shall have some serious business among those dreary Hills & 
 dales. I intend to be pretty regular in my correspondence with you, 
 if you are not like my other friends, too lazy to keep it up. You 
 will remember the possibility of your letters miscarrying & write 
 accordingly. My love to your Brother & Sisters, Col. Chester & 
 family. * * * J. Wadsworth. 
 
 FROM CAPTAIN JOHN WEBB. 
 
 Camp Fredericksburg, June 19th, 1779. 
 Dear Brother: 
 
 I am very sorry that it was not my Fortune to meet you on the 
 
 Rhodes, by accV 5 I was not but one Mile out of the Rhode when you 
 
 Past ; I have the Promise of Col? Sheldon to return home when I 
 
 Please, he ses that if you and my Brother says that you want to see 
 
 me upon Business, that I shall return when he comes back, which 
 
 will be in a few Weeks ; I want very much to see you before you 
 
 return, upon Business; the Business will be to lay a plan of our 
 
 Future doing Business, the last year was very Fortinate upon the 
 
 whole. — I shou'd be very happy to hear what M' D[eane] intends 
 
 to do about our affairs ; and how our worthy friends are in Jersies, 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 173 
 
 particularly Miss B[ancker] and M r . Lotts Family & Cap 1 . Randels 
 Family. I am exceeding happy that you have once more got out of 
 N. York, & wish sincerely that you may be Exchang'd, and not be 
 obliged to return to that disagreeable place that you have been in so 
 long. — I wish you to tell Col? Sheldon that you want to see me very 
 much. — Wright me by Col. T. and let me no when I had better re- 
 turn home, I suppose that e'er long you will go to see my Sisters in 
 Boston — I can consistantly with my duty leave the Reg 1 , as there is 
 two Field Officers, three Cap* 5 four Lieut! & five Cornets, to Com- 
 mand One Hundred & Seven men. — 
 
 I wish you to send your Servant to Durham for my Stone Horse, 
 as I hear that he is Rhode every Day, and let my Brother put him 
 under the care of some Carefull hands, that he may be taken good 
 Care of — I am wishing that you may soon be exchanged. 
 
 Your afH Brother 
 
 John Webb. 
 
 We have just Received Orders from Gen 1 . Mondergal [McDou- 
 gall] to March to Bedford, if you have any Epalets that you can 
 spare I wish you to send them me with my Baggage. 
 
 FROM ADJUTANT HOPKINS. 
 
 Flat Bush, 19 June, 1779. 
 Dear Colonel : 
 
 I enclose this as I shall every opportunity that offers to write the 
 person whom most I sincerely esteem and respect. The Colo, must 
 not expect from his Adjutant's letters the ease and elegance of a 
 Chesterfield, or the eloquence of a Chatham, but that he means to 
 inform the Colo, (as far as his situation will permit) of many things 
 that have transpired in Limbshire since his absence. 
 
 A list of characters has made its appearance. A. is suspected for 
 the A — th — r [author?], on Gilded Chariot Wheels, &c, &c, &c, 
 &c. — It's whispered near L — ve L — n [Love Lane ?] that a great 
 personage who lately left Limbobush has broke off all connections 
 with a noted house in Amsterdam. A certain young Noble — n who 
 sometime since made his appearance in this city has withdrawn from 
 the corner of L — ve L — n, in consequence of its not being allowed 
 that he'd an elegant head of hair. 
 
174 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 Last Tuesday Capt. Bulkley, Mr. Riley and myself had several 
 gentlemen to dine with us of the Colo's acquaintance, in the fields 
 near my quarter. Believe me I may say with propriety that a table 
 more elegantly furnished has not made its appearance in Limbobush 
 for this century past. There was fifteen invited but only ten came, 
 which made the glorious number of thirteen. By desire of the pres- 
 ident I here Enclose a copy of our proceedings copied by the secre- 
 tary to the president. Mr. B. & both of the Mr. C's were invited 
 but for reasons very obvious did not come. Mr. Fitzhugh & Ran- 
 dolph present their most respectfull compliments. They would have 
 wrote, but they say its customary for gentleman who leaves this, to 
 first inform their friends they leave behind where to direct to them. 
 Major Giles, Capts. Goodale, Fauntleroy, Willis, Willing, with Mr. 
 Robins, Hall, Bender, Lloyd & Bradford present their compliments 
 to the Colonel. Dear Colonel, I still remain, your Unfortunate Ad'jt 
 
 Elisha Hopkins. 
 
 (P. S.) My best compliments to Mr. Webb and Family, also to 
 Capt. Jack.* 
 
 FROM JOSHUA LORING. 
 
 New York, June 20, 1779. 
 Sir: 
 
 I have received your's of the 9* h Instant by Cap. Rankin, & was 
 glad to find you had got safe home to your Friends ; We have heard 
 Nothing yet of Gen 1 . Phillips or Riedesel \ I observe you are in hopes 
 of some Propositions being made for a partial Exchange when those 
 Gentlemen arrive ; I heartily wish you may not be disappointed, for 
 while you refuse to give Us any Satisfaction for the Officers that have 
 violated their parole, I am well assured the Commander in Chief will 
 not exchange a single Officer. We should have no Objection to ex- 
 changing You for an Officer of equal rank or an equivalent of those 
 taken in the Eagle Packet was it not doing great Injustice to those 
 of the Convention & others that have been so much longer Prisoners 
 and although it is the only Chance you have of being speedily ex- 
 changed, yet I think you will admit the Justice of our Objection, 
 
 * From the Reminiscences of General Samuel B. Webb, 220. The toasts are 
 given in the same book, 394. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 175 
 
 Whenever I can be of Service to You, You may rely on my Atten- 
 tion, but I fear it is at a very great Distance. You know I have been 
 very anxious to have the Account of those Officers who had broke 
 their parole settled, as it was a Bar to all Exchanges, & for which 
 purpose so long ago as last February I acquainted Col. Beatty, that 
 the Commander in Chief was willing to leave it to the Honor of 
 General Washington to determine in any doubtful Case among those 
 Officers, that We only asked Reparation for any Injury received by a 
 Breach of Honor which certainly is but common justice, yet We re- 
 ceived no Satisfaction, but on the Contrary have been put off from 
 time to time in the most trifling Manner, and now I find by your 
 Commissioner's Report that your Commissary informs them "that a 
 "great Part of Those comprehended under this Description were 
 "either not Officers at all or effected their Escape properly" — 
 Among so great a Number as One hundred & Sixteen there may be 
 some found under Circumstances which perhaps might give a Colour 
 to this Assertion, but can We do more than leave it to Your Selves to 
 determine in that Case ; & though You had pretended to find par- 
 ticular Exceptions, should not the Remainder have been returned or 
 accounted for immediately. I am Sir 
 
 Your most Obed 1 . hum Serv^ 
 
 Jos Loring, 
 
 Com. Genl Pris 1 : 5 
 
 TO JOSEPH BARRELL. 
 
 Mann's Tavern in Wrentham 
 
 Sunday morn? 7 o'clock 4 July 79. 
 Dear Brother : 
 
 After leaving you yesterday we jog'd slpwly on like 
 Darby and Jone, saying nothing, but much thinking — 
 this parting with friends is very disagreeable, I always 
 comfort myself with the pleasing Idea we part to meet 
 again — lodg'd at Hedden's 21 miles from Boston, and 
 came on here this morning to Brakefast, where I met 
 M r . Stoddard from New London who informs that a 
 
1 7 6 CORRESPONDENCE AND JO URNALS OF 
 
 prize Brig arrived there last Wednesday taken by the 
 Hancock Beaver and little Cromwell. She was from 
 Hallifax for New York laden with Fish & Oyl and 
 about 700 Bushels Irish Potatoes, — he says that 'tis 
 reported the Delaware Frigate is taken by the Boston 
 and Confederacy. 
 
 Hetty would write but wishes to push on before the 
 Heat of the day. She joins me in the affectionate re- 
 membrance to you & family, and to our friends at 
 Ten-Hills. 
 
 In haste I am y r . Affec 1 . B r . 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 FROM MAJOR-GENERAL GATES. 
 General Gates presents his Compliments to Col? Webb — requests 
 the favour of his Company at Dinner, tomorrow, at the Cold Spring, 
 to Celebrate the Anniversary of the Declaration of Independency, & 
 the Success of the Arms of the United States in South Carolina. 
 Sunday Eve. [Providence], 
 July 4th, 1779. 
 
 TO JOSEPH BARRELL. 
 
 Providence, Tuesday Morn? 
 6 July, 1779. 
 Dear Brother : 
 
 I congratulate you on the arrival of a large and val- 
 uable prize ship, laden with provision and goods at 
 New London, — taken 'tis said by the Revenge, and the 
 two little privateers The Washington and Gates, — this 
 I think will more than clear the first cost of our shares 
 and I wish they may be further successfull. I set off 
 from this in half an hour and intend reaching Wethers- 
 

 
 ws v , 
 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 177 
 
 field on Thursday Evening or Friday morning, from 
 whence you may again hear from me. The Philadel- 
 phia paper of the 23^ Ultp, confirms the ace 1 , of the 
 defeat of the British before Charlestown. A Gentle- 
 man is arrived there who was in the action, & says 
 when he left, they were nearly surrounded about ten 
 miles from the Town. — 'tis unaccountable we have no 
 regular express from that quarter, — General Washing- 
 ton has ordered Glover's Brigade from this to join him 
 on Hudson's river with all possible dispatch, seems 
 confident the Enemy mean to attack him * * * 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 TO JEREMIAH WADSWORTH. 
 
 Wethersfield, July 9^, 1779. 
 Dear Wadsworth : 
 
 I arrived from Boston last evening when I found 
 your letter of the 1 7^ Ult° which would have been an- 
 swered by the earliest conveyance had I been at home, 
 our correspondence shall never drop by my neglect I 
 assure you. I value it to much for that, — I am now at 
 our friend Colts where I found a man going direct for 
 Fish-kill, and tho' your letter is not by me I cannot let 
 pass so favorable a conveyance without informing you 
 I am in a State of existance, & if I could get my parole 
 from New- York I might add happy — of this I think 
 there is a favorable prospect, as I have now by me the 
 British Consul's certificate at Corunna for four Lt. Col- 
 onels one Major one Capt & one Cornet taken by the 
 Vengence Privateer, the owners of which have politely 
 said that if one would not do for me I was welcome to 
 to the whole. I intend seting of for Head Quarters in 
 
178 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 about ten days to get General Washington to make 
 demand of Sir Henry Clinton, they cannot refuse ex- 
 changing me with any propriety. I am sorry you did 
 not see Miss B. she is a fine Girl, — but believe me 
 when I say I have no claim but that of Friendship — 
 what the world says of me respecting her, they say of 
 many others — Common fame in General is, you know, 
 a dam'd lyar, — I mention this particularly on the Lady's 
 acct. — as those reports are by no means advantageous 
 unless true, — that she is one of my favorites I am 
 proud to own. 
 
 Old Connecticut my friend begins now to feel the 
 oppressive hand of our brutal Enemy; there temporary 
 possession of New Haven, and the wanton distruction 
 of that once beautiful Village, Fairfield, you undoubt- 
 edly will hear of before this reaches you, it has in some 
 degree roused our Countrymen from there lethergy, 
 they are preparing to march on the shortest notice 
 wherever called, — only think of it they are going to 
 work on Sunday (instead of praying) to get in the 
 Harvest that they may be ready to move, — this for the 
 Holy Land is something new, — Capt. Heillhouse with 
 a few Inhabitants and some Collegians did himself im- 
 mortal Honor at New Haven — would all the Militia 
 follow there example we should soon have an end to 
 this War, — a prize arrived last week at Salem from 
 Glascow for N. York, with 3600 Barrels flour, the 
 privateers in General have great success lets here from 
 you soon. I shall write again the first opportunity, in 
 the Interim I am 
 
 much your friend & Hum Servt 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 179 
 
 O — the Congress — I wish my cursing them would 
 make them better — I expected ere this they would 
 have fullfiir there promise to me but * 
 
 TO JOSEPH BARREL!.. 
 
 Wethersfield, Sunday 
 11 July, 1779. 
 Dear Brother : 
 
 Our sister and myself arrived here Thursday last 
 after a warm disagreeable ride, and found our friends 
 in a state of Health, but the whole Country in an up- 
 roar; the Enemy about 2000 under the infamous Gov- 
 ernor Tryon, have been at New-Haven — they took 
 possession of the Town on Monday last, there being 
 only about 100 of the Militia to oppose them; the 
 young Men of the Town and the Collegians, behaved 
 gallantly, fought them as long as it could be of service. 
 In the action we lost about 20 of that number, on Tues- 
 day they embarked after plundering the Town and 
 burning a few stores, went over to East Haven and 
 burnt all the Buildings next the Shore; from this they 
 took sniping and went for Fairfield, where they landed 
 & took possession without opposition, the Militia being 
 dismissed after the Enemy embarked at New Haven, 
 under an Idea that they had returned to N. York — and 
 the Harvest suffering. At 12 o'Clock Thursdav ni^ht 
 they sent a Flag to the Inhabitants who had collected 
 on the Heights out of Town, acquainting them if they 
 would come in give up their arms and swear allegiance 
 to George the Third the Town should be preserved, 
 
 * From the Wadsworth MSS. in the possession of Mr. J. F. Morris, of Hartford. 
 
180 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 they returned for answer, that the Town was but a 
 secondary object, and that they should never submit to 
 the Government of Britains Tyrant, the Enemy went 
 immediately to plundering, and at seven oClock set fire 
 to the Town which now remains a heap of rubish — 
 This Village was large & as beautifull as any in this 
 State, the buildings large and elegant, to add to the 
 misfortune, the Inhabitants had not time to remove any 
 of their property, so that many reputable worthy 
 familys are reduced from a State of affluence to Pov- 
 erty. Thus are these wretches the Servants and 
 Slaves of George the Third, burning defenceless Towns 
 and wageing War against innocent Women & Chil- 
 dren. — a Child of three years old was taken from the 
 Arms of its mother and thrown into the flames, and the 
 mother to stop her shrieks knock'd down with a 
 Musket, a Man who was taken prisoner being an old 
 Countryman, was rolH in a sheet bound fast — the sheet 
 wet with rum and set fire to — in this situation just be- 
 fore he expired our people found him, several negro 
 servants who were left to take care of their Masters 
 property were burnt alive for attempting to extinguish 
 the fire — indeed my friend this last excursion of theirs 
 has been mark'd with more savage cruelty than before 
 known, for which may God reward them. I am happy 
 to tell you it has had a very good effect on the people, 
 the Tory and Timid Whig now join in determining to 
 take Arms with their virtuous Countryman and sware 
 revenge — I have never seen the people so universally 
 ready to take the Field since the Lexington Battle. — 
 This morn? an Express informs that 4000 of the 
 Enemy have march' d from Kings bridge and had got 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 181 
 
 as far as Horseneck. The fleet under Tryon with 
 2000 still in the sound, so that it appears they are 
 determined to burn all our Sea coasts— The Militia far 
 and near are under Marching- orders, and wait but the 
 signal to move. Two Brigades of Continentals are on 
 the March from Hudson's river. I wish they may 
 have it in their power to meet the British, they give out 
 they intend to penetrate into the Heart of this state. — 
 I wish most fervently they would attempt it, but I 
 rather fear they will not go far from their shiping — let 
 me hear from you respecting Penobscott — I intend in a 
 day or two to proceed to Head Quarters, my absence 
 from this will not be long, on my return you shall hear 
 from me. My Love is with Martha and Abby and 
 your little ones — something of the same nature hovers 
 about Ten-Hills. Kiss them all for your friend & very 
 Affectionate Brother 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 Monday Morn? We are just informed the Enemy 
 have burnt Norwalk, I fear its too true — enclosed you 
 have an order drew by my B r . on M r . Babcock for 
 ^iooo Law. M>[ , which if paid Credit to my Ace 1 , 
 against my share of the Washington & Gates — should 
 it not be paid, let me know and I will forward the 
 money the first safe conveyance. New London Har- 
 bour remains blocked up. The Carolina news has lost 
 all Credit — was there ever such a hum run thro: the 
 Continent? 
 
1 82 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HARRISON. 
 
 New Windsor, July 14th 1779. 
 Dear Webb: 
 
 Agreable to your request when We parted, I inform you, that Con- 
 gress on the 3? ulto Resolved, "That the Commander in Chief be 
 authorised to make such and so many parole exchanges as he shall 
 from time to time judge beneficial or expedient " — 
 
 This Resolution you will perceive does not point out any particu- 
 lar persons to be exchanged — and of course the General is obliged 
 to take up the business upon a general plan. He has directed the 
 commissary to go as extensively into the relief of our Officers as he 
 can — and if the Enemy are not highly unreasonable and will go as 
 largely into the business as Mr. Beatty is authorized to do — the 
 greater part or at least a great proportion of our Friends will be re- 
 leased. M\ Beatty is gone to meet M* Loring upon the occasion, 
 which has been put off thro necessity, as there were several points to 
 be inquired into and fixed respecting prisoners, charged by the 
 Enemy as Officers and Violaters of parole, before an interview could 
 take place, which could not be adjusted till a few days ago. 
 
 I shall be very happy, my friend, if you should be restored to your 
 acquaintances even upon this footing. A final exchange would be 
 still better ; but we must take things as we find them. I did not 
 think it worth while to write you, before matters were in train. — If 
 your release is effected — you shall know it by the first oppportunity. 
 I must be done. I am D* Webb 
 
 Y' Aff l . H b . le Serv* 
 
 Rob. H. Harrison.* 
 
 FROM NANCY JOHNSON. 
 
 Stratford, 15 July, 1779. 
 The assurance of the continuance of your friendship, Col : Webb, 
 gave me satisfaction, as my esteem for you remained unaltered. 
 
 I have ever, from the first, lamented your disagreeable situation in 
 being a Prisoner, and wished you to obtain an exchange as you de- 
 sired. 
 
 * From the collection of Dr. John S. H. Fogg, of Boston. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 183 
 
 I now congratulate you in being once more with your Friends, & 
 hope you will no more be obliged to leave them to live among those 
 who must be disagreeable to you. Since no one can have all their 
 wishes gratified in this world, we must endeavor to be content with 
 what we can obtain. We have need of much Philosophy to bear 
 with tolerable patience the disagreeables of this Life. Religion alone 
 can support us in real Calamities — the only way to bear present Ills, 
 as we ought, is by extending our views to a better world, and hoping 
 fortune good. — 
 
 " That gen'rous hope, whence every Joy below 
 " Its spirit draws, and every pain its balm." 
 
 Is it not folly in an high degree to give it for any advantage here, 
 where all is varying, uncertain & unsatisfying? 
 
 Our situation in these Towns along the seacoast, is very Distress- 
 ful. I know your generous feeling heart will pity the unhappy suf- 
 ferers — my heart bleeds for them. O ! destructive War ! O ! bar- 
 barous fury of inhuman Britons ! may Heaven defend us from their 
 rage ! terror & anxiety torment my mind. 
 
 Had it happened to be convenient to you to pass thro' Stratford, 
 your Friends here would have been glad to see you. Miss Walker 
 and our Family, desire me to assure you of their friendly remem- 
 brance & good wishes ; they all were glad to hear of your return 
 from N. York. — I sincerely wish you Happiness, Col? Webb, and 
 with real esteem am Your friend 
 
 N. Johnson. 
 
 TO JEREMIAH WADSWORTH. 
 
 Head Quarters, 24* July, 1 779. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 Our friend Harrisson is so very busy that he cannot 
 at present attend to that matter of Chester's — he 
 promises to do it and have it with you — I wish you 
 would put him in mind of it and get it Sworn to as its 
 a matter of consequence. I go from this so soon as 
 
184 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 my Horses arrive, and shall proceed to Horse neck, 
 and have the strongest Idea that I shall soon be a 
 Freeman — God bess you. Adieu Yours, 
 
 S. B. Webb. 
 
 TO JOSHUA LORING. 
 
 Horsneck, July 27 1 ? , 1779. 
 Sir: 
 
 After a long jaunt and great pains I have obtained 
 the British Consul's Certificate for the Officers taken 
 in Eagle Packet and landed in Spain, of which the In- 
 closd is an exact Coppy of the Original now with me— 
 had not the Army been between this and Kingsbridge 
 I should have proceeded near that Post and made you 
 acquainted with my Business, as it is I have requested 
 a Gentleman who lives at this place to go down under 
 the Sanction of a Flag and request Col° Simes or 
 Emerick, to forward you this & wait your answer — my 
 desire is that you would be so obliging as to meet me 
 somewhere Between this and New York, to settle the 
 Exchange of the Officers above referred to having full 
 power on our part to do as I think proper, and I doubt 
 not we shall agree on the Terms without the least diffi- 
 culty, if it should Be your Choice I should go to New 
 York on the Business By Land cr water, I shall not 
 hesitate to comply, though it would be more agreeable 
 that I could meet you as first propos'd; In your letter 
 of 20 fc . h Ult° you say I cannot Expect Sir Henry Clinton 
 will Agree to any exchange till such time as those per- 
 sons who have violated their Paroles are first accounted 
 
 * From the Wadsworth MSS. in the possession of Mr. J. F. Morris, Hartford. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 185 
 
 for — the inclos'd coppy of an order published a few- 
 days since in our newspapers, will I hope convince you 
 that Gen 1 . Thompson and myself made a proper repre- 
 sentation of their conduct, and I am authorized to say, 
 every Officer who has Violated his parole will be ac- 
 counted for — as I am at this place solely on the busi- 
 ness I have mentioned you will much oblige me, by 
 naming the time and place of our meeting as early as 
 possible, M r . Frink the bearer will wait, (if he can 
 obtain permission) till this Can be sent to New York 
 and your answer obtain'd, I am more anxious as I am 
 Confident we shall immediately agree on the terms. 
 I am Sr Y r . 
 Most Obed 1 . Hum e Serv*. 
 
 S. B. Webb. 
 
 SILAS DEANE TO SIMON DEANE. 
 
 Philadelphia, July 27th, 1779. 
 Dear Brother : 
 
 I sent you a Diet? , by Mons : De Francy, which doubt not you 
 have received, but untill I have Lett 1 : 3 from you acknowledging it 
 will make no Use of it. We are here in the greatest possible 
 Anarchy & Confusion. On Saturday Night the House of M* Hum- 
 phreys a respectable Citizen, & as True, & brave a Whig, as any in 
 this State was forced by the Rabble, excited, & led on, by Two of the 
 Committee. He was from Home, but returned, just after they had 
 entered in search of him. They had knocked down, and Wounded 
 his Sister a Young Lady in the House, and were retiring just as He 
 made his Way thro, them into his House ; He armed himself, and 
 stood on his defence, whilst they insulted, and Abused him, and to 
 intimidate Him, led up a File of Soldiers armed, but He bravely de- 
 fied them all Unitedly, and without any Assistance from the Author- 
 ity of the City or his Neighbors, dispersed them. This daring 
 outrage, tho. not the greatest that has been committed here, has 
 
i86 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OE 
 
 alarmed the Citizens, & yesterday there was a Town Meeting, at 
 which the Committee found themselves greatly embarrass'd and were 
 severely censured ; M T . R Morriss was acquitted of every Charge, 
 and greatly applauded, this indeed looks favorable, but the Meeting 
 stands adjourned untill this Morning, & the proceedings of this Day, 
 will shew what will probably be the Event, the Contest is between 
 the Respectable Citizens, of Fortune & Character, opposed to the 
 Constitution of this State, and People in lower Circumstances, & 
 Reputation, headed by Leaders well qualified for their Business, & 
 supposed to be secretly supported, by the Pres* & Council How- 
 ever Things may End, It may at this Instant be truely said, there 
 are few unhappier Cities, on the Globe than Philad* , the reverse of 
 its Name, is its present Character, which I hope will not be its situa- 
 tion for any Time,* 
 
 It is a Melancholy Reflection to Think, that whilst Our Common 
 Enemy, is Wasting Our Sea Coasts, & laying Our fairest, & most 
 peaceable Towns, in Ashes, We are quarrelling among Ourselves, and 
 can scarcely be constrained from plunging Our Swords in each oth- 
 ers Bosoms. Fairfield, Norwalk, & the Country between them, are 
 Plundered, & burnt to almost the last House by the Enemy, N 
 Haven was Plundered, & the Stores on the Wharf burned, and many 
 Houses in E Haven, the individual Acts of Barbarity You must sup- 
 pose many, & Atrocious, they are so, almost beyond description, or 
 Example The Enemy have evacuated the State ; The Surprise of 
 their Garrison at Stoney Point was a most gallant Affair And con- 
 ducted in some degree, to make them retire from Connecticut. 
 Lord Cornwallis is arrived at New York with some Recruits, & it is 
 given out that Adm 1 . Arbuthnot may be daily expected with a large 
 Reinforcement I doubt it, though Our Friends in France, write 
 positively, on the subject. He must have sailed in May, which in- 
 duces Me to think his Destination changed, & that his being bound 
 to America was given Out rather as a blind. I send you inclosed 
 Two Lett? 5 from M* Limozin which I opened, impatient for News 
 from France, from whence I receive Nothing by Letter, pray write 
 Me Your situation and What You have Suffered, also how the Land 
 
 * A very good picture of the disturbed condition of Philadelphia in 1779 is given 
 in Reed, Life and Correspondence of President Reed y ii., 137. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 187 
 
 Office goes on. I send you part of Two Papers by which you will 
 see how Payne [Thomas Paine] is handled, there are Two more still 
 severer but I have them not by Me at this Time. The Verses merit 
 preserving. 
 
 Our Brother B. D. is gone to Boston, he has been successful in 
 Privateering lately, in the Mars particularly. 
 
 I am my D* Brother most Affectionately 
 
 Your's S. Deane. 
 
 28! h I miss'd the Post of yesterday, & will now add briefly, the 
 transactions of the Day. At Nine oClock Two or Three Hun- 
 dred Men of the lower Orders of the People armed with large Staves 
 or Bludgeons with Drum & Fife entered the State House Yard, and 
 Stationed themselves Near The Hustings, soon after a large Number 
 of Citizens of the first Character entered. A few Resolutions passed, 
 when Gen 1 . Cadwallader offering to Speak the Phalanx prepared for 
 the purpose raised such a Noise that He could not be heard, the 
 Chairman call'd to Order and put the Question if He should be 
 heard, a very great Majority declared for the hearing of him. But the 
 Moment He began, He was interrupted by the same party, with their 
 Shouts, striking, & cracking of their Sticks against each other &c, on 
 this He with His Friends amounting to near Three fourths present, to 
 prevent the most fatal as well as disgraceful Consequences retired in 
 a Body to the College where they formed a Meeting & went on with 
 their Business, & appointing a Comm. to protest against the proceed- 
 ings of the other party, they came to several Resolutions and Ad- 
 journed The party left in the State House yard also went on, & 
 passed a Number of Resolutions, such as might be expected from 
 them, & then broke up. Thus The Two Parties are pitted against 
 each other, each making Proselytes as fast as possible, against an- 
 other Tryal of their Forces meantime the Minister has taken up the 
 Insult offered to M* Holker, & thro, him, to his Most Christian 
 Majesty by the late Committee in a perious Stile, & demanded satis- 
 faction j This will I hope bring some of these Leaders to their Sen- 
 ses, but some of them I have no doubt have their Views, & their 
 Interest so strongly & deeply fixed in promoting Anarchy & Confu- 
 sion, That Nothing will call them off the desperate Course they are 
 pursuing, some of them I doubt not are well paid for all This by the 
 Enemy ; and sure I am, the Enemy is now gaining more, by this 
 
188 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 kind of Campaign, than by any other they can devise or plan. I am 
 now seriously intent on leaving the City as soon as possible, without 
 any further reference to Congress, for I see no probability of their 
 waking from the Lethargy they are in, and Attending to Business of 
 the utmost importance, in a regular and decisive Manner. The 
 Report is that Lord Cornwallis and the Fleet are arrived, but Ace* 5 
 of the Troops uncertain, some say Five Thousand some More, if they 
 are really arrived I expect a large detachment of them will be em- 
 ployed in Maneuvring, with Gen 1 . Washington, & in destroying Our 
 Coasts Or that their Fleet and a principal part of their Army will 
 strike on some part Eastward, perhaps Attempt Boston whether I 
 shall go Northward or Southward first is uncertain, but I shall leave 
 the Continent the Moment I can do it with probable Safety, of Ar- 
 riving, in the first Neutral, or Friendly Port, pray let Me know what 
 Bromfield & Roach are doing, their Conduct is very surprising and 
 they do not write Us one Word. I am ever my Dear Brother* 
 
 Most Affectionately 
 
 Yours &c 
 
 S. Deane. 
 
 FROM JOSHUA LORING. 
 
 New York, July 31* , 1779. 
 Sir: 
 
 I have but this Moment received yours of the 27* Ins' and in 
 reply Thereto beg leave to inform you that I met Col 1 . Beatty at 
 Eliz* 1 Town on the 20* Instant respecting an exchange of all your 
 Officers that had broke Parole \\ the proposals that he made was 
 that all whose turns it had come to should be finally exchanged, & 
 accounted for immediatly, for the remainder, a like number of 
 British Officers of equal ranks to be sent in, & held on Parole until 
 finally exchanged — in the latter you are included with a Brigd 1 : for 
 one of the Major Generals to be sent in, being according to Gen 1 
 Conway Cartel an equivalent — but should our respective Comman- 
 ders in Chief, chuse to make this Exchange a final One there will be 
 no further difficulty — The Officers taken by the Vengence Privateer 
 
 * From the Cabinet of the Connecticut Historical Society, 
 t Writings of Washington, viii., 32. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 189 
 
 are all included in this Exchange on Parole, and of Course Credit 
 given you for them — but we cannot finally exchange them in prefer- 
 ence to others who have been so much longer in Captivity, therefore 
 our meeting could be to no effect, as it is determined to exchange 
 Brig 1 : 5 Gen 1 . Thompson, Waterbury, Col 1 . McGaw & yourself for 
 Major Gen! 5 Phillips & Reidsell, there being no Tariff settled be- 
 tween Us, we cannot have a better Presedent than Gen! Conways, 
 and as I know your anxiety to effect this Business let me advise to 
 Gen! Phillips & Reidsell being sent in as soon as Possible, for it is 
 a long time that We have expected them, and then do you propose 
 the Exchange being made final ; when I assure You that our meet- 
 ing could be to no Purpose, having settled every thing with Col 1 
 Beatty and from which I cannot deviate, I hope you will excuse me, 
 and believe that I am with due respect — 
 
 Your Most Obedient & 
 Most Humble Servant, 
 
 Jos Loring 
 
 Com. Gen 1 ¥x\&? 
 
 FROM BRIGADIER-GENERAL GLOVER. 
 
 RlDGEFIELD I Aug* 1 779. 
 
 Dear Colo : 
 
 Your esteem'"? favor of yesterday is now before me ; thank you for 
 the Intelligence which agrees with acco t5 rec'd by several Deserters, 
 Come into my post within a few days past — Should Philadelphia, be 
 ye enemy's Object which I think may be easily effected by ye Jer- 
 seys, or by Chesepeak, (either of which would Divide & give us 
 Trouble) the Latter, I think most Likely, to take place ; but Cannot 
 suppose it to be their intention, they having by experience found, 
 that place did not answer their purposes — 
 
 Should they bend their force East, it would Harrass our army, and 
 Distress ye Inhabitance, but Cannot see what advantages would 
 accrew to them ; they Cannot establish a post to act offenceively, 
 Should they be so infatuated, it would so Divide them they must be 
 oblig'd to Act altogether on ye Defencive — 
 
 Upon the whole, if ye N. River is given up, I think Charlestown, 
 will be, their next Object, the force their being found insufficient to 
 
i 9 o CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 Conquor or bring that part of ye Country to terms they wish — I 
 wish you may succeed in your much wish'd for exchange, and that 
 you may have the pleasure of being at ye head of your Regiment 
 again. — Gen'l How arrived yesterday, if any allterration in ye Dis- 
 possition of ye troops takes place, its probable, you may find me at 
 Lower Salim, or Pound Ridge, where I shall be happy to see you at 
 your Return. — I am Dear Col. Your 
 
 Most Obd 4 . H b . le Serv* 
 
 Jn? Glover.* 
 
 FROM COLONEL BEATTY. 
 
 Head Quarters, West Point 
 Augt 9th, 1779. 
 
 j, Yours of the 3^ Inst 1 , is before me. I am not a little surprised 
 
 at the Stile in which you write — you are certainly too well acquainted 
 
 with the Line of Duty prescribed me to conceive I should either 
 
 injure you in an Exchange or interfere in a matter which comes not 
 
 within my Cognizance. 
 
 The certificate given Capt Newman is perfectly private, nor is he 
 amenable even to the State for his Conduct in the disposal of those 
 Prisoners. In this light so far from having it in my power to nego- 
 ciate Exchanges for them, I have not even a negative in the case. 
 
 I will not say that Mr. Loring has designedly misinformed you but 
 certain I am he has most egregiously misunderstood me, as I am 
 confident no mention whatsoever was made of those Prisoners during 
 the whole of our Conference and indeed till this time I was a per- 
 fect Stranger to either their Rank or numbers. In answer to that 
 part of your letter in which you insist upon my attending imme- 
 diately to the Exchanges of yourself, Capt. Bulkley and the other 
 officers of your Regm* , I must beg leave to Observe that in point of 
 Friendship, I know no person who I wou'd sooner Serve in this way 
 than Col? Webb ; but as Commissi of Prisoners, he, with the rest 
 must remain with the Enemy untill the time of their Capture entitles 
 them to an Exchange without injury to their Brethren in Captivity. 
 
 I cannot omit taking notice here of the manner in which Mr. 
 
 * From the collection of Dr. John S. H. Fogg, of Boston. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 191 
 
 Loring has expressed himself to you in his letter of the 31^ ult? He 
 says " Colo 1 . Beatty met him on the Business of Officers who made 
 " Breach of Parole ; those whose turn of Exchange has already come 
 "were to be immediately accounted for; for the remainder a like 
 "number of British officers were to be returned, to be held on 
 "Parole until finally Exchanged," and then immediately adds "in 
 "the Latter you are included with a Brigadier for one of the Major 
 "Generals." 
 
 Either he has intended to Convey to you some false Ideas relative 
 to our Negotiation or must include you in the list of Officers who 
 have made breach of Parole. It's true we treated upon this Subject, 
 but entirely distinct from that of Parole breakers, and even here I 
 informed Mr. Loring I should observe the same Line of Conduct as 
 in absolute Exchanges, viz. coinciding exactly with the time of their 
 capture. 
 
 Mr. Loring cannot certainly be serious when he says " they were 
 included in the Exchanges on Parole" as I do assure you they were 
 not once mentioned : and his reason for not finally Exchanging 
 them is truly ridiculous, had he Examined the Certificate given by 
 the Consul at Corunna he must have observed that they were "re- 
 leased and set at Liberty" without any Condition or restrictions 
 whatsoever, other than that a like return of American Prisoners 
 should be given up for them, how then from this can he infer that 
 they are only to be held on Parole while the others are (if they 
 please) in actual service. Were I to negociate this matter I should 
 insist that they were accounted for immediately, the nature of the 
 Certificate supposes it & Justice demands it. 
 
 I thank you for the hint given me of our Friend N. C. 
 
 I have heard nothing from him since I see you, probably owing to 
 my not writing him, if you have leisure & think I can render you 
 any Service in this difficulty, you will always find me at this place or 
 where ever Head Quarters may be. Compliments to Your Bro* and 
 believe me to be your Mo : Ob 1 . & very 
 
 Hum 1 . Serv* 
 
 Jn? Beatty. 
 
i 9 2 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 TO JOSEPH BARRELL. 
 
 Wethersfield, Tuesday Evening 
 io August, 1779. 
 Dear Barrell : 
 
 I wrote you by yesterday's post but had not then 
 time to be so particular as I wish'd; by M r . Riley who 
 sets off tomorrow I have the pleasure to inform you 
 that on my arrival at Head Quarters, General Wash- 
 ington politely returned the certificate with full powers 
 to negotiate the exchange as I tho't proper, from this 
 I proceeded to our out posts and by a Flag wrote M r . 
 Loring (in which I enclosed a copy of the certificate) 
 and requested him to meet me, acquainting him at the 
 same time that I was fully authorized to exchange them. 
 After waiting a week I received for answer that it 
 was quite needless for him to meet me, as he had 
 lately been with our Commissary of Prisoners, and 
 agreed on Major General Phillips and Riedesel being 
 sent in, Brigd r . Generals Thompson, Waterbury, Col- 
 Magaw and myself should be at Liberty, and I have 
 since found the two first named are sent for from Vir- 
 ginia, so that I have reason to suppose three or four 
 weeks at farthest will release me — however for fear of 
 accidents I have kept the certificate by me, nor do I 
 intend giving it up 'till my Exchange is final. 
 
 I find that a prize or two of the Gates's has got in to 
 the Eastward. Shall be glad to know how they turn 
 out — I think they must have cleared us before this — 
 We are all extremely anxious about the Penobscott 
 Fleet, knowing that several King's ships have sail'd 
 about Twenty days since from New York — Your Dam'd 
 Prison ships ought to be better guarded, let them die 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 193 
 
 as ours do in New York from three to Eight a day, — 
 if no other way follow the example of our Enemy shut 
 them close under deck at sunset and starve them on 
 two oz. of pork by day. Cruelty is oftentimes produc- 
 tive of the best consequences, and terminates in hu- 
 manity. However, the best way is to exchange our 
 poor fellows who are thus suffering, which will render 
 cruelty unnecessary. 
 
 We are told that M r . [Sam.] W[hit]e has at length 
 Het the Temple [Hetty Temple], let him bow at the 
 shrine, and if he does not worship with zeal, Fervency 
 and a true manly feeling, I'll venture to say he has not 
 half the Religion about him that attends your Hum e . 
 Serv*. — Good Luck attend them. 
 
 We have no news in this quarter but that the 
 Enemy have abandoned their design against Charles- 
 town. General Greene in his letter to me of the 6 l . h 
 Ins 1 , says "We have certain accounts that the Enemy 
 have returned from before Charlestown and are all 
 gone back to Savanna & Beaufort in Georgia." 
 
 A fleet is prepareing to sail from N. York with 
 Troops. We conjecture they must be bound to the 
 Southward as they have taken on Board their heavy 
 Baggage, Artillery, Waggons &c, and the officers lay 
 in from three to five Months' stores — this may be de- 
 pended on, as I saw a man who left N. York about six 
 days since, haveing been sent there for intelligence. 
 
 Remember me to the circle of our friends. Hetty 
 desires her Love to you, as does your Affect Brother 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 P. S. We expect Jack to pay us a visit in ab\ ten 
 days. I wish Martha was in a proper condition for you 
 
194 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 to accompany her here ; I think we should have a few 
 social hours. Adieu.* 
 
 FROM JOSEPH BARRELL. 
 
 Boston, 12 August, 1779. 
 My dear Brother : 
 
 I should have wrote you before since y r . Departure, but [for] the 
 uncertainty of your situation. I embrace this first moment after I 
 am assured of your return to Wethersfield, to assure you that I am 
 rejoiced you have a fair prospect of an exchange, and shall be 
 heartily glad when it is effected. * * * I shan't write him 
 [Joseph Webb] by this post, as I wrote fully yesterday by M* Lock- 
 wood, tho' I observe what he says in his favor of the 9* p? post, 
 heartily join him in sentiment, & my best wishes, that the Devil may 
 take the man that prevents an honorable peace. Tell him we begin 
 to do as he wishes with respect to prisoners, as we are absolutely de- 
 termined no one shall go at large in this Town. I am sorry I can't 
 give you better accounts from Penobscot, f We haven't yet heard 
 of its surrender, tho' I have firm hopes still that will be the event, & 
 if I don't wish it, I wish my right hand may forget its cunning. * * * 
 
 The Prizes sent in by the Gates & Beaver are very clever — 70 odd 
 hhds high proof Jamaica is better than 40 kicks in the Britch, nay I 
 
 * " I was one night at our friend, Doct'r Johnson's, on my return. Found the 
 family as usual. Much inquiry about you. Sally says she intends paying you a 
 visit some time in the Fall. They have been very unhappy with the insults of the 
 common people, but the Doct'r has at last taken the oath of allegiance to the 
 United States, and people of all ranks seem pleased with it. I presume if he acts 
 with decision he will soon be in great favor, and indeed is a most amiable mem- 
 ber of society." Colonel Webb to Mrs. Simpson, 9 August, 1778. 
 
 t This expedition was one of the disastrous failures that, by diverting reinforce- 
 ments from the main army, jeopardized the general cause. "The Bostonians 
 have made an unfortunate expedition to a place called Penobscot, where a body 
 of about 800 men from Halifax, under the command of Brig* Gen\ McLean, had 
 made a lodgment, as is supposed, for the purpose of getting masts and spars for 
 their shipping. This armament from the Massachusetts Bay, (consist'g altogether 
 of militia,) went there to dispossess them, but were so dilatory in their operations, 
 that Sir George Collier, with a superior naval force to theirs, appearing, occa- 
 sioned the destruction (by themselves) of all their shipping, and the troops to get 
 off as well as they could by land." Washington to Lafayette, 12 September, 1779. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 195 
 
 prefer it to 50. I think you had best sing small on this Acc't untill 
 your exchange is compleet, w* 1 I hope will be very soon. By several 
 Gent? from France, that have been in London, there is but little 
 prospect of those proud fools giving up their Idea of their In- 
 dependance; If it will please the Asses, let 'em stile themselves 
 Kings of America, as they do of France, and I am content they 
 should hold as much power in the one Country as in the other, for I 
 trust one day to find their haughty spirits sufficiently humbled, and 
 when that is the Case I shall be willing to employ their Mechanicks, 
 for the dogs are good workmen. But after their wanton brutality 
 in America, with all their arrogance, I'm sure they'l never pretend 
 to anything on the score of Humanity, but what a Savage will be 
 ashamed of. * * * 
 
 Jo Barrell 
 
 TO MAJOR-GENERAL GATES. 
 
 Wethersfield in Connecticut 
 13* Aug 1 . 1779. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 When I was last with you I promised to have sent 
 you a piece in Manuscript wrote with freedom respect- 
 ing Congress, and another a representation to Con- 
 gress about M r . Lee signed by W. H. Drayton and 
 Wm. Paca — the first of these since I saw you has been 
 published in the News papers — the other I now enclose, 
 it should have been done long before this, but that I 
 have been on a Journey to the Westward from which 
 I have just returned. I hope it will sufficiently alarm 
 the freemen of our Country, and be a means of their 
 chooseing in future Men of more virtue and integrity 
 than some of the present members, 'tis time they should 
 be sifted. I am pleased with a prospect of haveing my 
 freedom anounced me in a few days and hope I may not 
 be again disappointed, when I shall have the pleasure 
 
196 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 of seeing you. Our news from the West-Indies is 
 pleaseing. I have seen the Capitulation of S l . Vin- 
 cents, and the Philadelphia paper gives an ace 1 , of the 
 Grenades being taken by Count De Estaing — that Ad- 
 miral Byron came up to rescue it from him, Gen 1 . Grant 
 landed with 2500 Men and made three unsuccessful 
 attacks on the French Troops — Count De Estaing sent 
 five Frigates to block up the English Transports — then 
 went out with his fleet and met Byron, a long & Bloody 
 engagement ensued, the English fleet at the close of 
 the day ran five Mile to Leeward — and 'twas reported 
 had lost five capital ships. — This intelligence comes by 
 a Capt. Robinson in 18 days from Martinico and is 
 credited, — the prevailing opinion is De Estaing rides 
 triumphant in the West Indias. I confess I am led to 
 believe it, if so, the English must loose all their valuable 
 possessions in those Seas. Another account from 
 Philadelphia says the King of Prussia has sent his 
 Ambassador to the Court of Great Britain to act as 
 Mediator between that court, France & America, the 
 truth of these matters you must soon be possessed of 
 — if true I think we may soon set ourselves down in 
 peace — which must be the wish of every good Man — 
 with Compliments to the fair you honor with your 
 Company — & Gentlemen of your family, I am, Sir, 
 your most obed*. & very Hum 1 . Serv* * 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 * From the Cabinet of the New York Historical Society. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 197 
 
 FROM ROBERT HANSON HARRISON. 
 
 Aug. 25, 1779. 
 Dear Webb : 
 
 I have received your two favours and also have seen your letter to 
 Gen 1 . Greene — and am exceedingly sorry such difficulties have oc- 
 curred to prevent your exchange. You will have heard from Mr. 
 Beatty the Commissary — and I am persuaded there was Nothing 
 Settled between him and Mr. Loring with respect to the British Offi- 
 cers, released at Corunna. Besides what he has told me, I have seen 
 Mr. Loring's list of the officers who appear to have been the subjects 
 of their Conference — and none of these Gentlemen are mentioned in 
 it that I recollect. Mr. Loring Must have been Mistaken in his rep- 
 resentation. I have mentioned the affair to His Excellency and the 
 Substance of your letters. The result is — that it is impossible for 
 him in general cases to take up any business respecting prisoners, 
 but upon a general scale & system ; However, as the prisoners taken 
 by Capt? Newman were not originally subject to the direction of the 
 Continent, as he was not in their employ — and their owners have 
 consented that you & Col? Coates might be exchanged for them — 
 the General does not think that our officers can object to the Meas- 
 ure and will second your views ; but as the owners themselves have 
 not particularly designated any other persons and seem to have left 
 it to him from the letters you delivered to make exchanges for the 
 residue — If he interferes at all in the business — the residue must be 
 applied to release our Officers according to their ranks & the prior- 
 ity of their captivity. And let me add, My friend, that this ought to 
 be the case. It is not a liberal or a just policy that Makes any dis- 
 tinction about prisoners of War engaged in the same contest — there 
 should be no distinction of this or that state ; but every man taken 
 from the Enemy — no matter by whom — ought to be applied to the 
 release of the first officer of his rank — prisoner with them. My ad- 
 vice to you is to come to this place and without delay. It is very 
 probable there may be a meeting between the two commissioners, 
 when your exchange by your personal attendance may be more 
 easily effected. 
 
 P. S — Bring with you all the original papers from the British Con- 
 sul at Corunna. 
 
 I am D r . Webb Y™ in haste aff 
 
 Rob. H. Harrison. 
 
198 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 FROM JEREMIAH WADS WORTH, 
 
 Murderer's Creek, near New Windsor, 
 24 August, 1779. 
 Dear Webb : 
 
 I rec<? your favour of the 15 th instant yesterday, since which have 
 been out in the Country — returned last night designing to go this 
 morning to West Point to General Greene, but my boat being stolen 
 prevents. Tomorrow I shall be with him. Beatty is gone out of 
 Camp, be assured nothing in my Power shall be wanting to effect 
 your release from the Rascals ! before this reaches you, the news of 
 Lee's surprising the Garrison at Paules Hook will be told you. I 
 have not the Particulars, but we have 150 prisoners with little loss on 
 our side.* I wrote Jo Webb some time since respecting a Chest 
 from New York for Doctf Skinner (now with the light infantry) re- 
 questing it might be sent on here for the Doctf — he often asks me 
 about it. I will thank you to inquire into the matter and write me 
 an answer. Tell Col. Chester I will attack old father Harrison to- 
 morrow. * * * J. Wadsworth. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE STATES. 
 
 Head-Quarters, 26 August, 1779. 
 Sir: 
 
 I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency a list of sundry 
 officers belonging to your State, who have been in captivity and are 
 reported by the commissary of prisoners as violators of parole. A 
 conduct of this kind, so ignominious to the individuals themselves, 
 so dishonorable to their country and to the service in which they 
 have been engaged, and so injurious to those gentlemen who were 
 associated with them in misfortune, but preserved their honor, 
 demands that every measure should be taken to deprive them of the 
 benefit of their delinquency, and to compel their return. We have 
 pledged ourselves to the enemy to do every thing in our power for 
 this purpose ; and in consequence I directed Mr. Beatty, the com- 
 missary of prisoners, to issue the summons, which you will probably 
 have seen in the public papers. But as it is likely to have a very 
 partial operation, I find it necessary, in aid of it, to request the in- 
 
 * Writings of Washington, viii, 27. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 199 
 
 terposition of the different States to enforce a compliance. The 
 most of these persons never having been, and none of them now be- 
 ing, in the Continental service, military authority will hardly be suffi- 
 cient to oblige them to leave their places of residence, and return to 
 captivity against their inclination; neither will it be difficult for 
 them to elude a military search, and keep themselves in concealment. 
 I must therefore entreat, that your Excellency will be pleased to take 
 such measures, as shall appear to you proper and effectual, to pro- 
 duce their immediate return. This will be rendering an essential 
 service to our officers in general in captivity, and will tend much to 
 remove the difficulties, which now lie in the way of exchanges, and 
 to discourage the practice of violating paroles in future. I am, &c. 
 
 G? Washington. 
 
 JOSEPH WEBB TO JEREMIAH WADSWORTH. 
 
 Wethersfield, Sept. 1, 1779. 
 My dear Sir : 
 
 The trunk you Wrote to me about was immediately on the Rec* 
 of your Letter forwarded to our Friend Hubbard (the charges at- 
 tending said Trunk is charged to DocT Skinner) — I have been for 
 these 15 or 16 Days at Canaan Salisbury, the Mannor of Livingstone 
 and Round amongst our Cursed old affairs such as Morgages, Secur- 
 ities, Iron Works &c — I blush and am truly asshamed when I reflect 
 that I have not Wrote you since you left us. 
 
 I should be more unhappy still if you thought it out of disregard 
 Neglect to a Gentleman I look upon as one of my first true & Valu- 
 able Friends, (but after our mutual acquaintance I know you can't 
 have the most distant Idea of the kind) — I can truly say I have hardly 
 been at home since your leaving Hartford — I am to day at New 
 London to-morrow at Salisbury, then Boston & am building a farm 
 House at Colechester which has likewise taken up much of my Time, 
 I need not add that I have plenty of Business almost everywhere else 
 that takes up too much of my Time from my friends, but to you who 
 knows me so well I think too many apologies Unnecessary — There- 
 fore can only say that I am still the J. W. the same Friend & am 
 happy of a line from you when you have leisure & see fit to trust me 
 with Intelligence, or in short even only Chit Chatt Letter, — one thing 
 
2oo CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 I must allow appearance of Neglect of answer? Your Letters when 
 on Business is at this time against. me. you Wrote for Courtney's 
 Sublime & beautiful, it was from home Ever since I have Endeav- 
 or'd to find it but without success. I am now told its at Hosmer's, 
 so soon as I get it home it shall be sent you — I now send you the 
 Pupil at pleasure by the same author which will please you — this 
 brings me to the wish that our Friend Watson's Types may come 
 safe, His prospect is good at present. He of late tho* they were lost 
 
 in * but since find Dr. Franklin Ship 1 ? them in the Alliance & 
 
 hourly Expects them — when we shall be happy to show our Friend- 
 ship to Watson more than by outward appearances. 
 
 I wou'd have the above Two Books republished, I wish you to 
 take Care that Mr? Lawrence has the Reading of the Pupil & may I 
 ask your particular attention to Return me the Book's for the above 
 purpose when you return which I am told by your good Lady is soon 
 expected. 
 
 M* Fingall I can not meet with ; t it worthy of being Republished 
 — indeed I have some others that wou'd be of much benefit both to 
 the publisher & the public at large — how sincerely I wish to see a 
 good printer Established at Hartford such as a one as we have often 
 Chatted of — Even such a one as We think Watson — but this Dam'd 
 Junto with their dam'd puritanical Jes[uitical] faces ruin everything 
 — all seams dormant, but Curse the Rascals, they are not past find- 
 ing out yet too Wicked to be come at. P. S — y. is in the party, & 
 I believe many others that one would blush to think wou'd be Con- 
 cerned — This will be handed you by Col? Chester & Webb to whom 
 I refere you for all the new's of the Day in this Quarter — Please to 
 Remember to our Friends Genl Green & Colonel Biddle whose po- 
 liteness & attention to me when I was at the Army I remember with 
 most grateful Heart — Their Hospitality shall not be forgot. 
 I am their & your 
 
 Most aff. Friend J. W. 
 
 We are Just told that Arburthnot is arrived at York — & what is bet- 
 ter that Mumford has another prize of Turtle & fruit arrived — you'll 
 please to come in season to take some of the dirty green peices. } 
 
 * A word that cannot be deciphered. 
 
 f Some words omitted in the MS. 
 
 X From the Wadsworth MSS. in the possession of Mr. J. F. Morris, of Hartford. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 201 
 
 FROM BARON STEUBEN'S REPORT. 
 Remarks of the Inspector General on Col. Webb's regiment : 
 This Regiment is in seven companies and is too weak to form a 
 batalion, the only fault I can find with it — being in the best order of 
 any I have yet seen at the first review. The arms are really a 
 model for the army. The Regiment marches perfectly and has a 
 military air. 
 
 Colonel Webb deserves particular credit for the superior order in 
 which he has kept this regiment. 
 
 Extract from the Report 
 
 Alex Hamilton 
 Aid De Camp. 
 H<? Q 1 ? Sept. 22 1779. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO COLONEL BEATTY. 
 
 Head Quarters, West Point, 
 23 September, 1779. 
 Sir: 
 
 I have received your report dated the 2 2d of your transactions 
 with M r . Loring, on the subject of exchanges. Mr. Loring's answer 
 to your first proposition revives the old question of a composition of 
 privates for officers, which has been so repeatedly and so fruitlessly 
 agitated, and which can now only tend to embarrass the relief of 
 prisoners on both sides. It seems, that the more we do to remove 
 the obstacles in the way of exchanges, the more solicitous the enemy 
 are to contrive new ones, and revive the old ; as if they expected at 
 length to fatigue us into compliance with their unreasonable 
 demands. I know not with what face of justice or decency they can 
 depart, whenever it suits a particular interest, from all those prin- 
 ciples, which have been agreed upon between us, and have uniformly 
 governed our exchanges. The only established rule of exchange 
 hitherto has been "officer for officer of equal rank, and soldier for 
 soldier." The settled disinclination of the enemy to fixing general 
 and permanent rules, adequate to all the cases of captivity, have 
 obliged us to content ourselves with partial and particular ex- 
 changes ; and from everything that has happened, their ideas are so 
 remote from ours, that there is little reason to expect any future 
 
202 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 negotiation would be attended with more success than the past, or 
 that we should even be able to unite in a Tariff, which would have 
 no other object than the relief of prisoners on terms of equal advant- 
 age. While this continues a secondary motive with the enemy, and 
 the augmentation of their force by a large accession of privates the 
 ruling one, nothing of that kind can be expected. If we, therefore, 
 renounce particular exchanges on the former plan, the prisoners will 
 have no other prospect before them, than that of hopeless captivity. 
 
 I would wish you in your answer to Mr. Loring, to represent these 
 things to him in a decent but pointed manner, to make him sensible 
 of the inconsistency of his conduct, and the ill-consequences it must 
 produce ; informing him at the same time, that we will not hereafter 
 make any exchanges whatsoever, unless they extend to officers and 
 indiscriminately, on the footing which has heretofore obtained. The 
 instructions I have already given you, on the subject of composition, 
 are not to be exceeded ; and I would wish the question of privates 
 for officers to be avoided, as I am certain from the unreasonableness 
 of the enemy on this head, that it can answer no other purpose, than 
 to perplex and impede the business. If in treating of a Tariff, Mr. 
 Loring persists in pressing Conway's cartel as a model, he can be 
 very justly told, that the circumstances of the parties in the present 
 war differ much from those of France and England, at the time of 
 treaty, and that these are the only proper standard by which to regu- 
 late our argument. 
 
 You will insist on your second proposition, informing the enemy, 
 that this mode is not without reference to their wishes, but to dis- 
 courage the practice of breaking paroles, and establish a distinction 
 between the violators and the scrupulous observers : that their in- 
 terest can in no way be affected by it, and consequently they can 
 have no reasonable objection. As to the third answer, you will ex- 
 plicitly inform them, that I have nothing to do with those persons, 
 not military prisoners, who have broken their paroles, either to ex- 
 change or return them ; that I do not consider them as proper sub- 
 jects of military capture, in the first instance, nor hold myself bound 
 to restore them to a state of captivity, in which they were first placed, 
 contrary to the usages of nations. 
 
 Col. Webb's exchange by composition we cannot claim as a matter 
 of right, but I wish every method in our power to be taken to induce 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 203 
 
 the enemy to consent to it. The pretext of not being willing to con- 
 tinue partial exchanges is forced and ridiculous ; the more, as there 
 are such recent instances in the cases of Edmundstone and Feather- 
 stone. You must plead the constant practice heretofore ; the gen- 
 erous treatment shown to the prisoners taken in the Eagle ; the 
 obligation in point of honor and justice, upon the enemy to return 
 an equivalent ; and the proposals, they have made at different times 
 for particular exchanges by composition. You will observe to them, 
 that the gentlemen taken in the Eagle are not under a parole, but 
 absolutely released and at liberty to act ; that by an authentic act 
 of their consul at Corunna they have incurred a debt, which they 
 cannot without a flagrant breach of faith refuse to pay ; that the ex- 
 change, so far as it depends on us, is already made, and that they 
 have no choice but to make a return. You will demand an explana- 
 tion of what they mean by "the former principles;" whether it is, 
 that they are ready to return an equal number, of equal ranks, on 
 the former principle of equality of rank, or whether they refuse to 
 make a return for these, unless the terms of their first proposition 
 are complied with. After you have prepared your answer in the 
 spirit of these instructions, you will let me have a view of it. 
 
 I am &c 
 
 G? Washington. 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HARRISON. 
 
 West Point, 25th September, 1779. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 I inclose you a commission for L* Col? Huntington and the rest 
 of your officers. They are the only sort circumstances will admit of 
 being sent at this time. You know the reasons — and they will 
 answer all the purposes of any other kind. The case of your officers 
 is far from being peculiar — there are many others without commis- 
 sions. For a particular cause no commission is made out for your 
 self — it will not operate any injury to you. 
 
 Mr. Beatty has received the General's instructions upon the sub- 
 ject of Mr. Loring's answer, in which your release is attended to & 
 urged. I sincerely wish it may be effected ; but from the mulish 
 obstinacy of the Enemy and the idea they have, or affect to hold, 
 
2o 4 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 that we shall receive far more benefits from your exchange than from 
 that of any other officer — and that we don't mean to prosecute the 
 business of exchanges farther — I cannot say the prospect" is so 
 flattering as to promise a certainty of success. They will be com- 
 pelled however at any rate to explain the meaning of their answer 
 on the subject of the prisoners taken in the Eagle packet — and to 
 say explicitly whether their accounting for them is to be connected 
 and involved with other exchanges or any conditions. Nothing can 
 be equal to their prevarication & disingenuity. 
 
 I am D' Sir AfTc^y 
 Rob. H. Harrison. 
 
 FROM MAJOR-GENERAL GREENE. 
 
 West Point, Sept. 27th, 1779. 
 Dear Col : 
 
 I received your favor of the 23d the same day you wrote it. I 
 hope you are fully convinced of the temper and disposition of the 
 two Gentlemen at Head Quarters. Did I not tell you which of the 
 two was the more candid and sincere ? Depend upon it, you will 
 ever find him so. Since you was here, I have said nothing upon the 
 subject, but you may rest assured, I shall do you all the service in 
 my power. However, I told you before, and repeat it again, it is 
 difficult to carry a point with a man when it is against his popular 
 interest ; but the General is a man of a million, and I doubt not, will, 
 do you justice, in due season. 
 
 I believe the general Officers intend to send in a Memorial to 
 Congress, upon the Grievances of the officers of the Army. What 
 it will produce I cannot say. Perhaps a disagreeable quarrel. 
 
 I have not time to add, only that I am with great regard, your 
 most obedient humble ser* Nath : Greene. 
 
 SILAS DEANE TO SIMEON DEANE. 
 
 Philadelphia, Septr 2 8th, 1779. 
 My Dear Brother : 
 
 I have not received any Letter from you, for several Weeks, and 
 
 had it not been for the setting out of M r Gerard, and other Events, 
 
 I should at this time have been to meet Our Brother at the East- 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 205 
 
 ward. I set off positively Tomorrow, shall return, as soon as possi- 
 ble, and then set out To see you, in Virginia, whence I propose 
 embarking for France. A Lee's Commission is superceded, and 
 M* Jay appointed Plenipotentiary to Spain, by which the whole of 
 the Family, are disposed of, though The Mischief, they have done, 
 is in some instances irreparable yet their Dismission is a favorable 
 Event, and gives almost universal Joy. I say almost, for the Junto 
 tho broken are not destroyed. The removal of these men is some 
 satisfaction to me, & in part repays me for what I have suffered, & 
 the Indignities thrown upon me whilst persuing my Opposition 
 against them ; I pray to have the earliest Information, of the Arrival 
 of the Fier Roderigue, in which Ship I hope to be able to embark 
 for France, and have written to M r D e Francie on The Subject pray 
 put him in mind of it if you see him I have nothing particular to add 
 but am as [ My Dear Brother Yours 
 
 S De[ane].* 
 
 TO JOSEPH BARRELL. 
 
 Octo 4* h 1779. 
 Dr. Br. : 
 
 Wright and Riley are not yet ready for a settlement, 
 but will they say soon, the moment I can have the 
 Acct s . duplicates shall be forwarded to you. The 
 Washington has sent in two Oystermen, palitable if not 
 profitable, was left in chase of a Schooner lumber 
 
 * From the Cabinet of the Connecticut Historical Society. 
 
 Of the unfortunate differences among the American commissioners in Europe, a 
 very interesting chapter could be written. The fault was almost entirely with 
 Arthur Lee, whose jealousy and suspicion were directed against any one who 
 seemed to stand in his light. He was the instrument of Deane's downfall ; and 
 while he ruined his own usefulness, he succeeded in largely neutralizing the efforts 
 of the commissioners in France, and in embroiling Congress in a quarrel that 
 brought no little discredit upon that body. Deane had been before Congress, and 
 made a partial statement : but was ordered to return to France under a promise 
 of having his accounts passed upon there. 
 
 Deane returned to Philadelphia on the 16th of October, and after a short stay 
 went to Virginia to embark. 
 
206 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 loaded, remember your Hum 1 ? Serv. is yet a poor 
 prisoner I hope the Scoundrels will soon pay for their 
 ungenerous conduct to others as well as to me.* — The 
 arrival of Count De Estaing on the Georgia Coast is 
 certain, Congress received letters from him dated 6 t . h 
 Sept r . — We expect to hear of him this way ere long. 
 I shall have an opportunity of writeing you more fully 
 in a few days — my Love to the Circle and assure your- 
 self of the Affect 5 , of Y r . B r . 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 TO JOSEPH BARRELL. 
 
 Wethersfield, Wednesday, OctoT 6*, 1779. 
 My dear Brother : 
 
 The Bearer Colonel John Beatty sets of this morn- 
 ing for Rutland and Boston, he is my friend, and a 
 cleaver fellow, your notice of him will oblige me, he 
 stays only two days in Town — if you have leisure chat 
 with him about my Exchange, he is Commissary Gen- 
 eral of Prisoners and has the management of the 
 Corunna certificate for me, he can inform you how the 
 matter stands — be kind enough to press this Idea, — 
 that the Owners of the Privateer insist on my Exchange 
 at all events, — I am sorry the name of Coates has ever 
 been mentioned, as he has no Military Rank, — Report 
 says the French fleet are off the Hook, that they are 
 
 * " Your letter pr this post informs me you are once more return'd to Bro. Jos., 
 & I'm sorry still a poor prisoner. I wish ardently those dogs may pay for their 
 cruelty to you, and think if you are the man I take you to be, you will positively 
 effect your exchange from the Certificates I gave you, & that I shall have the 
 pleasure of seeing you still before Winter. I wish you would hurry Ryley & 
 Wright for the settlement of the Washington & Gates prizes." Joseph Barrell to 
 Colonel Webby 7 October, 1779. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 207 
 
 expected is certain, Gen 1 . Washington has ordered all 
 the Boats on this river to be collected, and some new- 
 ones Built, for further particulars I refer you to Col 1 . 
 Beatty haveing only time to beg my Love to Sally 
 Abby, your little family & friends, 
 
 Yours 
 
 Affectionately 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 JOSHUA LORING TO COLONEL BEATTY. 
 
 New York, Octo. 12, 1778. 
 Sir: 
 
 I was deceived into a Belief that some Agreement was at hand 
 and that difficulties were surmounted, I am sorry to observe with 
 yourself that you have only overcome every Aversion to Altercation 
 & Asperity. 
 
 I demand the immediate return to Captivity of all Officers or Per- 
 sons admitted by us to Parole. 
 
 Presuming yourselves may think it too flagrant a Violation of 
 Right to withhold & protect those men who have broken their word 
 of Honor I expect they be restored without any further delay. Up- 
 wards of Seventy remain unaccounted for by our Estimate and up- 
 wards of fifty even by your own. 
 
 The Officers taken in the Eagle packet we consent to exchange 
 immediately Rank for Rank, as also those officers of the Convention 
 mentioned in the enclosed list. You must take Credit for them out 
 of the Violators of their parole. 
 
 We have to demand that a Person may reside at Philadelphia 
 upon the footing on which M* Pintard resides here, and to ask that 
 under such Restrictions as you may judge necessary, he may be per- 
 mitted to visit the Prisoners in other parts of the Country. 
 
 Further proposals of Exchanges on your part as well as ours must 
 be put off until such Gentlemen as are on parole return and those 
 who are with you contrary to parole are restored or accounted for. 
 I am with due respect &c. 
 
 Jos : Loring 
 Com. Genl PrisT 
 
208 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 FROM JEREMIAH WADSWORTH. 
 
 Murderers Creek, near New Windsor, 
 15 October, 1779. 
 My dear Sir : 
 
 I rec4 your favour of the 7* instant. We * D'Estaing, yet 
 
 we are very impatient to hear of his success at Georgia. If he comes 
 we must have some hard knocks, and your lads that burn for Laurels 
 may have a chance to reap them. I am sorry you are not in a situ- 
 ation to be active. Your affairs are never out of my Mind, and I 
 loose no opportunity to hint your situation — be assured I am never 
 to busy to the affairs of my friend S. W. — Sebor is here, but is to 
 return with M* Deane, & goes to France so that affair is over. I 
 have explicitly told Congress that I shall serve them no longer than 
 the end of this year.f What they will say I know not — I wish to 
 part friends but fear a storm, however am prepared to meet it. I 
 have wrote Jo! Webb an answer to his Letter on the subject of his 
 Works, it has been in my Power to serve him and I hope still is, 
 but I cannot approve his letter to me it ought to have been clear & 
 Particular in his own name, & his terms fixed. I have told him so. 
 He may think hard of it, but he must remember what I told him. I 
 cannot involve myself, and Dance's past actions give me no hopes 
 of his being punctual. If you shoud come to Camp when D'Estaing 
 arrives, I shall see you & will then conclude on some Plan of em- 
 ploying the stock Sebor was to have used. My love to the Family, 
 & all Friends — farewell. Many compliments attend you from the 
 Circle of friends. Your sincere friend 
 
 J. Wadsworth. 
 
 FROM MAJOR-GENERAL GREENE. 
 
 West Point, Octo. 19, 1779. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 Your brother's obstinacy deprives me of an opportunity of writing 
 a full answer to your letter. I have been endeavoring to prevail on 
 him to stay to day, but cannot. The desire of being thought a man 
 of great business, or his passionate fondness for his wife, has over- 
 
 * Illegible. 
 
 ^Writings of Washington, VIII., 124. 
 

SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 209 
 
 ruled all my arguments and persuasions. My loss will be his family's 
 gain ; and all that I can say about it is, he is a veiy obstinate clever 
 fellow. 
 
 With respect to your own concerns, I can give you no new advice, 
 but wish you to pursue the policy recommended, which was obsti- 
 nately to preserve in claiming your right of exchange upon a prin- 
 ciple of private equity. You must be moderate but steady in this 
 demand. You know the difficulty and the great bar to the business. 
 This will follow you like your shadow. However, I think you will 
 succeed at last. 
 
 There has been a new difficulty arose respecting rank, between? 
 you and Col. Sherburne : but I imagine this will vanish upon exami- 
 nation. I hope you are, philosopher like, prepared for all events. 
 
 Count d'Estaing is laying siege to the Capital of Georgia. There 
 is flying reports that he has succeeded in part. I wish he may fully 
 accomplish his designs. He is shortly expected here with an inten- 
 tion to co-operate with us in an attempt upon New York. I am not 
 sanguine in this expectation. It is a great object, but the Count 
 will not I fear be detained long enough, to give success to the busi- 
 ness. It will be an up-hill piece of work, and terminate in a Winter 
 Campaign if attempted. But this under the rose. I have intelli- 
 gence from Providence that the enemy are evacuating Newport. 
 This will add new difficulties to the enterprize upon New York. 
 However we are in good health and high spirits, fit for almost any 
 undertaking. Small difficulties will vanish before us, if the Count 
 shall agree to co-operate with us in an attempt upon the city. 
 
 I hope you have been fortunate in your private concerns. You 
 must keep that business as secret as possible. Depend upon it, you 
 are both and delicately situated in that business. 
 
 I am with good wishes for your health & prosperity, your friend & 
 humble serv*. Nath : Greene. 
 
 FROM COLONEL BEATTY. 
 
 Fishkill, 24 October, 1779. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 After much Fatigue, a severe wetting, a wild goose chase after my 
 Boy, one oversett & twice being mired, I arrived here this evening. 
 
210 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 I dont know that I ever was more thankfull, or felt more happy in 
 returning to the army, than in the present Instance. — But do not 
 Imagine from this, that I am forgetfull of my Friends in Weathers- 
 field, or insensible of the many civilities received at their Hands ; it 
 has made an impression not easily erased, and I only wish an opor- 
 tunity of rendering a suitable return. 
 
 In point of news I have only to Inform you, that on Wednesday 
 night, the Enemy evacuated their Works, on Stoney & Verplanks 
 points. It appears they went off in some Hurry, as they have left 
 some stores & a large quantity of Pioneers Tools. They have 
 attempted destroying their works, & which they in part compleated 
 — they also set fire to their Barracks ; which were extinguished by 
 our Troops, who very shortly after took possession of the Posts — I 
 am at a loss to know, on what principle to account for this 
 manoeuvre. It would suppose the Count was on the Coast — yet of 
 this we are wholly Ignorant — it is not impossible — as their Intelli- 
 gence must be much spedier than ours — & Rivington in a late paper 
 acknowledges Sir James Wallace's being taken by a French 74 — I 
 give you this as mere Conjecture, having been here only a few min- 
 utes & meeting with this oportunity — as the Bearer waits, I cannot 
 add more, than that I am with the greatest esteem, Dear Sir, your 
 most obed*. Hum? Serv 4 . Jn? Beatty. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL PHILLIPS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Bethlem, October 26th, 1779. 
 Sir: 
 
 Upon reading your Excellency's letter of the 30th of September, 
 delivered to me by Major Skinner, I did not hesitate at communicat- 
 ing my sentiments to that gentleman relating to an exchange of 
 prisoners at large, and particularly as such exchange was connected 
 with the Troops of Convention. My conversation on this matter 
 with Major Skinner arose on the instant of reading your Excellency's 
 letter, and it was my real and genuine opinion. I know not whether 
 Major Skinner may have thought proper to inform you, Sir, of what 
 I have said, and I therefore take the liberty of troubling your Ex- 
 cellency with this letter. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 
 
 Uninformed as I am of the variety of matter, conversations, and 
 meetings which have passed on the subject of exchanges, it would ill 
 become me to attempt at positively judging what may be Sir Henry 
 Clinton's real feelings on this subject ; but being perfectly well 
 acquainted with the uprightness of his way of thinking and the 
 humanity and compassionate turn of mind he so fully possesses, I 
 am free to decide, as my belief, that the relief of captivity has been 
 on his part the constant primary and prevailing motive of all his 
 transactions with your Excellency concerning either partial or gen- 
 eral exchanges of prisoners made between the two armies : and as 
 far as I am able to give an opinion, by what I have read in Publick 
 Prints, I must conceive Sir Henry Clinton has wished only for ex- 
 changes upon mutual advantages and upon terms of equality, equity 
 and honour. 
 
 I will be free to own, Sir, that I have no doubt of your Excel- 
 lency's generous and liberal sentiments, and I really imagine you 
 have, Sir, equally with Sir Henry Clinton a desire for a general Ex- 
 change of prisoners of war. 
 
 The reasons which have hitherto prevented this humane business 
 from being brought to a fortunate conclusion have been owing, as I 
 am given to understand, to the mode adopted by Sir Henry Clinton 
 for an exchange of the Troops of Convention, and it leads me, Sir, 
 to give you my opinion upon that particular subject. 
 
 Whatever officers of either army may have been made prisoners 
 of war, upon their being exchanged, join their respective regiments 
 and go into immediate actual service both in Sir Henry Clinton's 
 army and that commanded by your Excellency, such exchanges 
 are certainly made upon terms of mutual advantage, equity and hon- 
 our, governed by considerations of humanity for the suffering officers 
 and pursued with a view to the good of the service to which such 
 officers belong. 
 
 Now, I must be allowed, Sir, to give it as my free opinion that the 
 situation of the Troops of Convention differs in many respects from 
 that of Prisoners of War, very materially so as it relates to exchanges 
 officer for officer only without a consideration for the soldiers, inas- 
 much as the American officers so exchanged would immediately join 
 their several corps or be otherwise directly employed in the Ameri- 
 can service as your Excellency and the American Congress might 
 
212 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 think proper, whereas the officers of the Convention being thus ex- 
 changed would not become of any use to the King's service ; it would 
 indeed be an agreeable matter to them as individuals, as they might 
 go to Europe and live with their friends and relations, but could not 
 by any means be employed in the King's service, as the regiments to 
 which they are attached in their several ranks would still remain in 
 a state of captivity. Therefore, Sir, it appears to me that this mode 
 of exchange for the officers of the Troops of Convention would prove 
 a most partial one in which the King would not gain the service of 
 any one officer and your Excellency and the American Congress 
 would on the contrary receive your officers thus exchanged into 
 every positive act of service which might be required from them. 
 
 If I am right in this description surely, Sir, it will appear evident 
 to the whole world that Sir Henry Clinton has never evaded or 
 avoided a general exchange of prisoners, but has been impelled to 
 resist the dictates of his humanity and to refuse agreeing to partial 
 exchanges which must have appeared such from your Commissioners 
 having constantly insisted upon this mode of exchange for the offi- 
 cers of the Troops of Convention. 
 
 Having written thus freely upon the subject, a subject in which I 
 acknowledge to be very much interested, I will go still further and 
 suppose that the campaign being nearly ended the subject of an 
 exchange of the Troops of Convention might again be brought on 
 and pursued, perhaps, with more success than formerly, under which 
 description I will offer, as I did the last winter to your Excellency to 
 meet any gentleman of your family, and enter with him upon a pri- 
 vate conversation on this matter, which need never become a publick 
 subject unless such private discourse may fortunately prove so 
 agreeable to both parties as to make it the basis of a public discus- 
 sion for a general exchange of prisoners. 
 
 At any rate I will freely acknowledge that I am solicitous for the 
 exchange of some few officers whose remaining in their present situ- 
 ation is of the greatest detriment to their healths and their fortunes, 
 and I will request to know your Excellency's sentiments thereon, as, 
 if I have your consent, I propose to solicit Sir Henry Clinton in their 
 behalf, and they may be exchanged against any particular American 
 officers, prisoners of war that your Excellency may chuse. 
 
 I should not have taken up so much of your Excellency's time 
 
SAMUEL B LAC H LEY WEBB. 213 
 
 had you not, Sir, by your letter and message by Major Skinner, 
 given me reason to suppose you would excuse it. 
 
 I have the honor &c, 
 
 W. Phillips. 
 
 FROM COLONEL BEATTY. 
 
 Head Quarters, 27 October, 1777. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 I had the pleasure of scrawling you a Line from Fish Kill Sunday 
 Evening on my arrival there, but fear you could not read it as it was 
 scarce legible to myself. I wish I could dispense with the disagree- 
 able task of writing this Letter or forbear affording you the pain its 
 inclosures must give you ; sensible however of your Philosophy and 
 of its becoming my Duty to inform you sooner or later, I have 
 thought best thus early to inclose you a copy of Loring's Answer. I 
 have this day laid it before the Comm? in Chief and await his further 
 Instructions thereon. I am as yet able to judge nothing of what may 
 be done here and am equally at a loss to advise what you are to do, 
 — perhaps no time is to be lost and an enclaircisement should be 
 required of Congress for the detention of Philips and Riedesel with 
 their families. 
 
 This I am confident has ruffled their tempers and is the occasion 
 of the remanding of the American Pris n . rs thus far it concerns you 
 and the other Gentleman's honour (who came out upon those 
 Terms) equally to investigate and report to New York the ostensible 
 reason of this delay, for I do assure you, the General with ourselves 
 are alike ignorant of it ; but I conceive you are particularly involved 
 in that part of Loring's answer, where they offer an Exchange of the 
 Officers taken in the Eagle Packet upon Terms highly injurious to 
 you — Such as I do not believe we shall consent to and such as I am 
 sure you ought never to submit to while possessed of the original 
 certificate. This Intimation in confidence & presume it will rest with 
 you. — Pray let me hear from you whatever may be your determina- 
 tions thereon & rest assured you always have a Friend in D? Sir, your 
 art* Hum 1 . Serv* Jn? Beatty. 
 
2i 4 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OE 
 
 FROM MAJOR-GENERAL GREENE. 
 
 West Point, October 28th, 1779. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 Col. Beatty delivered me your letter last Evening. 
 
 Should there be any serions opposition to your claim in point of 
 Rank, my little influence shall not be wanting to set you right. 
 
 Great political characters generally govern themselves more by 
 maxims of policy than by what is called private justice ; and upon 
 this principle you are to interpret their actions and intentions. The 
 rights and claims of individuals have but a feeble voice, and are 
 faintly heard amidst the clamour and noise of contending parties. 
 In vain will you plead the merit of past services, personal sufferings, 
 or sacrifices, when those pleas and those claims are opposed by su- 
 perior interest. 
 
 The doctrine of politicks is not unlike the laws of nature, where the- 
 weaker is ever obliged to give place to the stronger. 
 
 Happy he who has a powerful interest to support him, and trusts 
 not to private virtue, to contend with pairing interests. 
 
 The secret springs of human actions, are difficult to investigate ; 
 and the wishes and intentions of a thorough paced politician not 
 easily discovered. But I think we may pretty fairly conclude that 
 when we find a delay in obtaining justice, and obstacle upon obstacle 
 hove in our way, that there is some interest opposed to our wishes. 
 I will not say that this is your situation, but leave you to think and 
 judge for yourself. 
 
 Col. Beatty whose letter will accompany this, will be a messenger 
 of ill news to you. Mr. Loring has made a demand of all the Pris- 
 oners on Parole, to return to captivity. This I suppose is in conse- 
 quence of General Phillips & Riedesel being refused the liberty of 
 going into New York. I think it will be your first business to bring 
 this matter to an explanation, both with the General and the Con- 
 gress. I would never agree to Loring's proposition, nor give up the 
 Parole of the prisoners belonging to the Eagle pacquet upon that 
 footing, and I would urge the General anew to demand my exchange 
 immediately if I was in your place. 
 
 The summons must be peculiarly disagreeable after such bright 
 prospects of an exchange as you once had. Human life is chequered 
 with evils. It often happens when we are swimming on with the tide 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 215 
 
 of good fortune, we are shipwrecked in full view of the haven of our 
 happiness ; and again when we are ready to sink into ruin, we are 
 delivered when we least expected it ; and sometimes from a quarter 
 whence we could have had no hopes. It is the business of a soldier 
 and a philosopher to be prepared for whatever may happen. 
 
 Whatever services I can render you, shall not be wanting to ac- 
 complish your wishes. 
 
 The Enemy is in the State of New Jersey. They landed at Am- 
 boy and have been at Brunswick and Middle Brook. We have no 
 particulars of their depredations. They are said to be about 5,000 
 strong. 
 
 General Sullivan, Lord Sterling and General Wayne are said to be 
 on their march to check their ravages. 
 
 We have no news from the southward and are almost ready to 
 despair of the Count's coming ; indeed we are apprehensive he has 
 met with some misfortune. We are all impatience to hear from the 
 State of Rhode Island, as we have great reason to think that place is 
 evacuated. 
 
 Make my compliments agreeable to M T . Webb and his Lady, and 
 Col. Chester and his Lady. 
 
 Trust but few 
 
 Many are good companions who are very unfit 
 
 to be trusted with the secrets of friendship. 
 
 Yours sincerely 
 
 N. Greene. 
 
 BARON RIEDESEL TO WILLIAM FITZHUGH. 
 
 Bethlehem, i Novr., 1779. 
 Sir: 
 
 When I had the Pleasure of becoming acquainted with you and 
 your Lady at Bath, to whom I, and Madame de Riedesel present our 
 kindest Compliments, I had not the smallest Idea of entering into a 
 Correspondence with you from this Place. But a few Days after 
 your departure from the Springs, Colonel [Theodorick] Bland com- 
 municated to me a Letter from His Excellency General Washington,, 
 signifying that Maj* General Phillips and myself, with our respective 
 Familys, had permission to go to New York, in which Letter, He 
 also prescribed our Route. 
 
2 1 6 CORRESPONDENCE AND JO URNALS OF 
 
 Under the firm confidence of General Washington's resolutions 
 which I ever thought consistent with those of the American Congress, 
 I undertook, notwithstanding what I had suffered, the very long 
 Journey towards New York, and after much fatigue and detriment to 
 my Constitution, being attacked with a continual slow Fever, I ar- 
 rived together with Maj? Gen 1 . Phillips in Thirteen Days at Elizabeth 
 Town, and had anticipated much happiness from the hopes of a 
 speedy Cure, by the change of Air and advice of good Physicians, 
 which I was sure of finding at New York : You will easily imagine 
 what was my astonishment at seeing two Hours after my arrival at 
 Elizabeth Town a Resolve of Congress, that we should not be ad- 
 mitted into New 'York for the present, but wait further Orders, add- 
 ing that we should be removed immediately to Chatham, and from 
 thence, have been ordered to Bethlehem where we now are. 
 
 Although I never could have conceived such a Resolve after the 
 positive declaration of His Excellency General Washington, which 
 determined our undertaking the Journey, I should with every degree 
 of Patience, submit to the will of the American Congress, if the very 
 impaired State of my Health did not render my situation very criti- 
 cal. I am in the need of the advice of skillfull Physicians a strict 
 Regimen and particular conveniences for my reestablishment, all 
 which are almost impossible to be had in this Country, and the 
 longer I remain here without this very requisite assistance, the more 
 I find my Complaints gain ground, which if I am obliged to return 
 to the Climate of Virginia before being entirely recovered I fear may 
 endanger my Life. 
 
 It is not for me to Expatiate on the reasons which the American 
 Congress may have to detain Maj* General Phillips and myself, but 
 am convinced whenever that Body may be informed of the very 111 
 State of my Health; an exception will be made and permission 
 granted for my going into New York, at least for the time it may 
 require to re-establish my Health, especially when it is considered 
 that my residence there can in no way prove prejudicial to the In- 
 terests of the Continent. 
 
 I have hesitated making a representation to the American Con- 
 gress, as I am perhaps entirely unknown to that Body ; but His 
 Excellency General Washington having been the Cause of my un- 
 dertaking this great Journey, it is to Him that I have addressed 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 217 
 
 myself, setting forth every Circumstance, and am persuaded from 
 His proper manner of thinking that He will make the most favorable 
 applications to the American Congress in my behalf. 
 
 The honor I have had in forming an acquaintance with you and 
 the high Idea I have conceived of your character has induced me 
 thus freely to describe my situation to you as a Friend, of the good 
 effects of whose Friendship I am the more perfectly assured from 
 your being a Member of the Body, and whose influence I am con- 
 vinced will be employed on every occasion to second and support 
 any representation of General Washingtons in my Favor ; for which 
 I shall ever acknowledge myself greatly obliged and esteem myself 
 singularly happy to have it in my Power to testify my gratitude, and 
 request you will be persuaded of the very respectfull sentiments with 
 which I shall ever be, Sir, Your most obliged and 
 
 Very obedient humble Servt. 
 
 (signed) de Riedesel. 
 
 P. S. Having mentioned to Gen. Phillips that I have the Pleasure 
 of writing to you he has charged me with his warmest Compliments 
 & respects to you & Mrs. Fitzhugh.* 
 
 TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.f 
 
 Memorial in behalf of Officers, Prisoners of War. 
 
 Philadelphia, 13th Nov., 1779. 
 Sir:— 
 
 It is with pain and reluctance I now trouble your 
 Excellency on a subject, interesting to the unfortunate 
 servants of the Public in general, who are in captivity, 
 and to the Supreme Council of the United States, as 
 
 * From a copy among the Webb MSS. 
 
 On September 28th Congress had decided that " it is highly improper, under 
 the present circumstances of our affairs, to permit any of the officers or persons 
 aforesaid to go into New York; and the board of war are hereby directed to de- 
 tain them until the further order of Congress." Five weeks later this resolution 
 was rescinded, and the British officers released on parole. The first act was a 
 blunder, placing Washington in a very delicate and annoying position. 
 
 t Samuel Huntington. 
 
218 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OE 
 
 the Guardian of their officers, and to myself as an in- 
 dividual. To the Wisdom and Justice of Congress I 
 must now appeal, & beg their attention to the follow- 
 ing particulars: 
 
 In May last, two Brigadiers, five Colonels and a 
 Major, Prisoners of War to the British Army, were 
 permitted by Sir Henry Clinton, to retire to their 
 friends in the County on Parole, on condition that 
 Gen'l Phillips and Reidesel should be allowed to go 
 into New York on the same terms. Brigadier-Gen- 
 eral Thompson and myself, by Letter bearing date 
 May 20th, requested Congress that the above named 
 Gentlemen might have permission to go into New 
 York, and a Committee was appointed and made their 
 Report. Congress thereupon passed a Resolution on 
 the 3d of June, empowering His Excellency General 
 Washington, to make such Parole Exchanges as he 
 tho't proper; in consequence of which, orders were 
 immediately given for Generals Phillips, Reidesel and 
 Families to proceed to New York. They some time 
 since arrived at Elizabeth Town on their way, and 
 there received a Resolution of Congress ordering 
 them back to Pennsylvania. 
 
 It is now six months since we left New York, and 
 have been in constant expectation that those gentle- 
 men would be permitted to return thither; but un- 
 happily find that in consequences of their being de- 
 tained, Sir Henry Clinton has issued a positive order 
 that all American Officers now in the country on 
 Parole, return immediately to their captivity in New 
 York: Enclosed you have a copy of Col. Beatty's 
 orders for that purpose. This not only effects the two 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 219 
 
 Brigadiers and five Colonels, who came out on that 
 condition, but many others who have been indulged in 
 the same way. In behalf of the whole and by advice 
 of several general officers of the army & others, I have 
 without loss of time, repaired to this City to request 
 that The Hon'ble The Congress would be pleased to 
 permit General Phillips and Reidesell to go into New 
 York agreeable to the Resolution of Congress and the 
 order of General Washington — not doubting, but that 
 the Reasons which induced Congress to detain them 
 for a time, are now at an end. 
 
 I trust it is needless to enumerate the many incon- 
 veniences and difficulties, which will attend the Ameri- 
 can officers in captivity, in case these gentlemen should 
 not be permitted to go in. Should it be tho't necessary 
 to mention the particular difficulties to which they will 
 be subjected, I shall be happy to have an opportunity 
 of laying them before your Excellency or a committee 
 of Congress. 
 
 Should Congress have no objection to those gentle- 
 men going into New York, I beg that an order may be 
 given as early as may be consistent with the other im- 
 portant affairs before them. Your attention to this 
 matter will greatly oblige the unfortunate officers in 
 captivity, myself in particular, now anxiously awaiting 
 a decision on this subject. 
 
 I have the honor to be with the utmost Respect, 
 Your Excellency's most obed't 
 
 & very Hum'l Serv'. 
 Sam'l B. Webb.* 
 
 * From the Reminiscences of General Samuel B. Webb, 395. 
 
220 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL CONNOLLY. 
 
 1 6 November, 1779. 
 Sir: 
 
 Altho Congress have resolved to exchange me for any Lieut : Coll : 
 in the service of the United States ; yet I have some reason to be- 
 lieve that a Colonel has been required by the Board of War — Should 
 this, their requisition prove fruitless (which very possibly may be the 
 case,) my setting out with you in the interim for Elizabeth, would 
 undoubtedly expedite the accomplishment of our mutual Wishes; 
 & could not prove prejudicial to the design in hand should it suc- 
 ceed ; as I would then be only so far advanced on my way — 
 
 I think (sir) from your peculiar circumstances, should you urge 
 these reasons they could not avoid producing the desired effect. 
 I am sir Your most obet. Servt. 
 
 Jn? Connolly.* 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL PHILLIPS TO SIR HENRY CLINTON. 
 
 Bethlehem, Novr. 20th, 1779. 
 Sir: 
 
 Yesterday afternoon Colonel Webb of the American Service ar- 
 rived at this place from Philadelphia ; he brought me a letter from 
 the American Board of War, a Copy of which I enclose, by which 
 you will perceive, Sir, that I am with Major General De Riedesel at 
 liberty to renew my journey and to go into New York. 
 
 Colonel Webb being in New England and red in the Publick prints 
 an Account of my being detained ; he immediately set out for General 
 Washington's Head Quarters to receive the Generals instructions for 
 his return to New York, Colonel Webb conceiving, upon a principle 
 of honour that being suffered to visit his friends upon his parole, 
 under a condition of Major General De Riedesel and myself being 
 allowed an equal favour for ourselves and our respective families that 
 he ought, upon our being detained, to return to New York and he 
 writ to Brigadier-General Thompson upon the subject. 
 
 Upon Colonel Webb's arrival at Head Quarters a few days ago he 
 was informed by the American Commissary General of Prisoners 
 that a summons had been sent to him and others [of] the American 
 
 * See Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, xiii, 61, 153, 281. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 221 
 
 officers Prisoners of War requiring their immediate return to New 
 York in consequence of Orders thereon from your Excellency — This 
 by no means can lessen Colonel Webb's propriety of conduct and I 
 have further to add that to the force of this Gentleman's representa- 
 tions at Philadelphia may be ascribed our being suffered so soon to 
 renew our journey to New York. 
 
 Under this description permit me, sir, to suppose that the gener- 
 osity of your mind may influence you to postpone your intentions 
 concerning the return of those American Officers into New York, 
 they are unquestionably entirely innocent relating to the detention 
 of Major General De Riedesel and myself, and General Washington 
 has declared to me by letter that he knew not the reasons which had 
 actuated the American Congress in their conduct on this occasion — 
 It remains yet unexplained. 
 
 It would be presumption in me to say more upon this subject, 
 knowing perfectly well that, upon your Excellencys humanity and 
 judgment, will depend the fate of the American Prisoners of War 
 War absent upon their parole. 
 
 I send this letter by an Officer who, I hope, will have a liberty of 
 going into New York, and by him I will request to receive your Ex- 
 cellency's Commands upon my arrival at Elizabeth Town. 
 
 I shall set out from this place immediately on the arrival of Colo- 
 nel Hooper from Philadelphia, who is to attend me and Major Gen- 
 eral De Riedesel, I imagine it will be on Tuesday next, and Your 
 Excellency will easily conceive that I shall not be long upon the 
 Route. 
 
 I have the honor to be with the highest respect Your Excellency's 
 most obedient most humble servant W. Phillips. 
 
 JOSHUA LORING TO COLONEL BEATTY. 
 
 New York, 24 November, 1779. 
 Sir: 
 
 Major-Generals Phillips & Riedesel having come within our Lines, 
 Brigadier-Generals Thompson, Waterbury, & Col? Webb are hereby 
 exempted from the summons lately given for all your officers at 
 home on Parole to Return, and as soon as the two Generals arrive at 
 New York, Col? Magaw shall have permission to go out. And I shall 
 
222 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 be ready to account for the Suittes of those General Officers as be- 
 fore agreed on. 
 
 The Remainder of your Officers at home on Parole, we expect 
 will come in agreeable to their Summons. 
 
 I am, Sir, with due respect &c 
 
 Jos* Loring 
 Com? Genl Pris? 5 . 
 
 TO JEREMIAH WADSWORTH. 
 
 New Hempsted, io Miles from King's Ferry, 
 
 Tuesday Eveng. 30th Nov. 1779. 
 Dear Wadsworth : 
 
 Enclosed my friend you have a letter to one of the 
 best girls in the world * if you go to Philadelphia its all 
 in your rout to Biddies, and from that to Trenton & let 
 me add the nearest way, in that case call and see the 
 Dear Charmer in a state of Exile, say for me all your 
 lively imagination could suppose I should say for my- 
 self was I present, and notice I have said in my letter 
 
 that you would not forget the Miss should you 
 
 not see her, send the letter by a carefull hand only — 
 Should you see Skinner or Beatty I beg you'll not for- 
 get what I told you this day, I do not wish them to 
 consult Head Quarters about my Exchange in the 
 Certificate, but in case my offer is accepted of — viz — 
 two Lieut. Colonels & Majr Bankby late of the 35* 
 they will act as private Characters, & my friend, or im- 
 mediately dispatch an Express to me, informing Lore- 
 ing a certificate of their Exchange will be forwarded. 
 
 In December 1777 you sent me a Horse by Sergt 
 Weston (rather a Bay Mare) for my Waggon. Lt Col 
 Livingston borrowed him the Jan'y following to go to 
 
 ♦Miss Bancker. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 223 
 
 Boston — before his return I was obliged to go into 
 New York, since I heard nothing of the mare 'till this 
 day after parting with you my Boy informed me, that 
 Churchill the Soldier of mine that is w\ Livingston told 
 him — that Livingston had got the mare, and said it was 
 a present from you — now as this mare must stand 
 charged against me I tho't it my Duty to inform you 
 where she was, — you know the mare — Remember me 
 with Sentiments of Esteem to Genl Greene Lady & 
 family & the circle of our acquaintance — Lets hear 
 from you soon & 
 
 believe me sincerely y r friend & 
 
 obed Servt 
 
 Saml B Webb. 
 Excuse the dirty blotted sheet I have been writing 
 on — I have no other.* 
 
 FROM MAJOR-GENERAL PHILLIPS. 
 
 New York, Deer 2 d, 1779. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 I take the opportunity of a Flag going to Elizabeth- town to inform 
 you that I am arrived here among my friends ; and as my time, as 
 you will naturally conclude, has been hitherto engaged in receiving 
 the civilities and attention of my friends, I have not had an oppor- 
 tunity of entering upon business of any kind. I do not, however, 
 forget the conversation we had on the subject of exchanges ; and I 
 beg leave to repeat to you that I shall be extremely happy to be 
 instrumental in forwarding so desirable an object for both Armies. 
 
 You will please to remember that you promised on your return to 
 the American headquarters, to mention to General Washington our 
 Ideas on the subject ; and you assured me that I should hear further 
 from you relative to this business. I shall be very glad, as I men- 
 tioned to you before, to meet, with the consent of Sir Henry Clinton, 
 
 * From the Wadsworth MSS, in the possession of Mr. J. F. Morris, of Hartford. 
 
224 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 any gentleman recommended by General Washington, to talk with 
 upon these matters at any time, or in any manner most agreeable ; 
 and when I have the satisfaction of knowing that this measure will 
 be adopted, I will then ask General Sir Henry Clinton's Commands 
 to enter upon the subject of exchanges with such gentlemen. This 
 I shall do with much pleasure and cheerfulness, beginning it as a 
 matter of private conversation first, which may hereafter be resolved 
 into a public discussion, should our Ideas on the subject fortunately 
 happen to coincide, and that I obtained Sir Henry Clinton's consent 
 upon the occasion, whom I do not intend to trouble upon the affair 
 until I hear from you. 
 
 It will give me great pleasure if, through your and my means, any 
 measure should be adopted which may tend to the relief of Captivity 
 on both sides. 
 
 I am, Sir, with much personal respect, your most obedient most 
 humble servant W. Phillips. 
 
 TO JEREMIAH WADSWORTH. 
 
 Wethersfield 9 4 . h Dec? 1779. 
 Dear Wadsworth : 
 
 I am again at the old Mansion with the usual feelings 
 of a Prisoner, seeing my Regiment has if possible made 
 me doubly anxious for an exchange. The Gentlemen 
 of my Regiment assure me Sherburne is seriously de- 
 termined to dispute Rank with me, certain I am, he 
 must have his advisors of some weight otherwise he 
 never would attempt so unjust a step. I beg leave to 
 trouble you with the particular situation and request 
 your aid to support me in my absence. I had the 
 Rank of major in June 1775, L l . Co 1 , in June 76 and 
 full Colonel in Jan? yy. Sherburne was a Major in 75 
 and continued as such till Jan? yy when he was ap- 
 pointed to a Regiment, tho not 'till weeks after my 
 appointment, and I had gone into the Country on the 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 225 
 
 Recruiting service in 77; he never hinted an Idea of 
 being an elder officer, — I am told his only pretensions 
 are that he went out a Major in 75 & I a Lieut, — true, 
 I was Chester's Lieut, about a month, but my only in- 
 ducement for taking that Commission was the Man's 
 goodness who commanded the Company — but suppose 
 I had had no Commission till my Lieut. Colonelcy my 
 promotion from that day went ahead of him. Co 1 . 
 Meigs was a major in the same situation, I ask'd him if 
 he had in Idea to claim Rank of me he disdained the 
 tho't, & laugh'd at Sherburne's attempting it. — If it was 
 once admitted there would be no end to disputes, for 
 on the same principle I have a right to claim Rank of 
 Brigadier Gen 1 . Gist, he was a Volunteer at Cambridge 
 when I was a Major, several other similar cases I could 
 name but think them needless. — I have troubled you 
 thus far on this head, supposing you may often fall in 
 Company where the subject may be mentioned — in 
 February I intend going to the Army for a month or 
 two when I will endeavor to have the matter fix'd — I 
 have wrote General Green on the subject, after chat- 
 ting with him, be so obligeing as to write me. 
 
 I wrote you on my way home and enclosed a Letter 
 for Miss B. which I hope you have received. 
 
 M r . Colt tells me he mentioned to you his purchase 
 of Powder and prospects of the great profit arising 
 thereon — your Hum servt. had dip'd in the same way,, 
 the powder was sold by M r . Barrell for more than 
 double the cost, but Judge our disappointment when by 
 the last post we hear that the powder is all condemned 
 and turned on our Hands, & that article since fallen 
 one half — & geting lower, Doelittle deserves to be 
 
226 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 hung, we are in hopes to make him do us Justice, but I 
 have my doubts, — this my first Essay on Speculation, 
 Dam the luck. The Experiment is to sail in a few 
 days — I think she might do well. West India goods 
 continue to rise amazeingly — money depreciating, pub- 
 lic Virtue totally damn'd — Morals of good men effected, 
 — Public men & Public measures like the Money, in 
 short every thing is — as nothing should be, — No steps 
 taking for reinforcing our Army against another Cam- 
 paign, — members of Congress and their Puppies 
 throwing the whole country in a state of Stupidity — 
 with an Idea our Salvation is to be work'd out in 
 Europe this Winter, — I wish for better times. 
 
 Yesterday I saw M? Wadsworth and your little fam- 
 ily well, — let me hear from you soon, make my Comptf 
 to Gen 1 . Green & Lady, to Co 1 . Williams &c — and ac- 
 cept those of the circle here — We celebrate S l . Split 
 G — t at our friend Chesters tomorrow, next Evening 
 have a family Ball here, thus we kick away old Time, 
 & heartily wish your Company, — don't forget to save 
 your convenient Camp furniture for me, particularly the 
 Silver Cups, and on all occasions believe me most Sin- 
 cerely Your friend & Obliged 
 
 Hum Serv*. 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 Friday io 1 } 1 
 Capt. Talbot in the Sloop Providence or Argo a few 
 days since being off Huntington, — house'd his Guns 
 and men, went into the Harbor — boarded and bro f . of 
 the Armed Brigg — formerly the Middletown Capt 
 Sage. — a 20 Gun Ship in sight, he came of clear & has 
 arrived at New-London with his Prize. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 227 
 
 I left at your Quarters at Murderer's Creek when I 
 went for Philadelphia, p r . Boots, Shirt Casimer Waist- 
 coat &c — which is somewhere with your Baggage — I'll 
 thank you if you'll let your Boys take care of them for 
 me. 
 
 Sunday 12^ Mr. Hubbard informs me the Express 
 sets of early to morrow — I have only time to inform 
 you the news of Talbots success is without the least 
 foundation — tho: reported here as currently as our 
 Success at Charlestown last Summer — we have fre- 
 quent Instances of this kind in the Country — I think 
 more than ever — 
 
 Should this meet you in Philadelphia make my best 
 Compliments to Mrs. House — M r . Trist — & to the 
 pretty Miss Ross. — * 
 
 TO JOSEPH BARRELL. 
 
 Wethersfield, Dec'r n* h 1779. 
 My dear Brother : 
 
 After an absence of near Six Weeks a long Journey, 
 much trouble and expense to the tune of more than 
 £joo Law. My , I am again at the old mansion, al- 
 most worn out with rideing ; for my pains I have ob- 
 tained Liberty to continue out in Parole, no Exchange, 
 altho I have offered Two Lieut Colonels and a Major 
 out of the Certificate, it seems determined I am to 
 remain in this very unhappy situation, which way to 
 turn or what to do, I know not. 
 
 Looking over your letters to my Brother dureing 
 my absence I find you frequently mention the settling 
 
 * From the Wadsworth MSS. in the posession of J. F. Morris, of Hartford. 
 
228 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 our accounts with the Agents of the Washington and 
 Gates, when at home seldom a day pass'd but I press'd 
 them to let me know the state of accounts, as often 
 they promised, but none has yet appeared ; the fact is 
 these new-made Gentry know not how to dispatch 
 business, and were they ever so much disposed neither 
 of them could make out their accounts to be under- 
 stood, however I've press'd them so hard they have at 
 length hired a Man who is prepareing their Books for 
 a settlement, they shall have no peace 'till its done, 
 after which if nothing material happens you will be 
 troubled a few days with my Company in Boston. I 
 am happy and congratulate you and Sally on the addi- 
 tion to your family, you ought to be thankfull, as the 
 times are, that there was not two or three. 
 
 The Powder condemned, — my first assay in the 
 speculateing way, ill luck seems to stick close to me, 
 one satisfaction is I did not dip so deep as some others. 
 
 [Sam l B. Webb.] 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL RAMSEY. 
 
 New York, December 14, 1779. 
 Sir: 
 
 From the present appearance of affairs, there is the greatest prob- 
 ability that some Officers will be permitted to go out to Philadelphia 
 on the subject of an exchange in a few days — As you are equally 
 interested in this subject, your interest with Congress and presence 
 is wished for and could you be in Philadelphia about two weeks 
 hence, it would perhaps answer a valuable purpose. 
 
 I am, Sir, your most obed 1 . hum? Serv*. 
 
 Nat: Ramsey.* 
 
 * Endorsed " Examined, J. Loring, Com. Gen\ Prists ." 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 229 
 
 GENERAL PHILLIPS TO GENERAL CLINTON. 
 
 New York, December 20th, 1779. 
 Sir: 
 
 I had the honor to report to you, Sir, my having received a letter 
 from the American Colonel [George] Mathews, expressing a desire 
 of having a conversation with me respecting Exchanges, and giving 
 as his opinion that so humane a purpose might be attained upon 
 terms of equal advantage to both the British and American armies. 
 
 Having received your Excellency's permission to converse with 
 Col. Mathews or any other American officer, I have to inform you, 
 Sir, that I have had frequent meetings with several of those gentle- 
 men prisoners of war, and the result has been our presuming to 
 commit to writing some proposals towards a general exchange in 
 which the prisoners of war on both sides and the Troops of Conven- 
 tion are included. 
 
 We have attempted to do this upon the most liberal principles, 
 and have endeavored by all possible means to put away every ex- 
 ceptionable matter which might create delay or set aside the opera- 
 tion of a business in which humanity is so materially concerned. 
 
 We have taken the liberty to draw up some memorandums to 
 serve as a basis for a negotiation, and we have been so impressed 
 with the rectitude of our way of thinking on the occasion that we 
 have ventured to sign our names to the paper, meaning to have it 
 presented on my part to your Excellency, and on theirs to General 
 Washington, meaning, also, that the completion of so fortunate and 
 so happy a purpose may be concluded between your Excellency and 
 General Washington by each of you granting powers to an officer or 
 officers from the British and American armies to meet and settle 
 finally the matter so that a general exchange may immediately follow. 
 
 Should you, Sir, receive favorably the paper I have the honor to 
 present you, I am to request as a part of this transaction that your 
 Excellency will permit four American officers, prisoners of war, Col. 
 Mathews, Col. Maygaw, [Magaw] Lieu* Col. Ramsay & Lieut. Col. 
 Ely to go to Genl Washington to make on their parts this proposal 
 for a general exchange, they signing a parole to return to New York 
 on the twenty eighth day from their setting out from hence, they 
 supposing it may require that time to settle a business of such serious 
 consequence, they meaning however to return as much sooner as 
 Possible. 
 
230 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 I take leave to offer myself still further in the prosecution of this 
 matter and not conceiving it at all derogatory to my situation or 
 parole, will, with great pleasure, should your Excellency so approve, 
 become one of the officers on the part of the British to meet in 
 commission those American officers whom General Washington shall 
 send on his part. 
 
 I cannot help permitting myself to express the great satisfaction I 
 feel at having been thus far instrumental to what I am sure has ever 
 been a principal object with your Excellency, and if I should under 
 your Excellency's orders be able to compleat this humane object, I 
 shall esteem it among the 'most fortunate events of my life, it will 
 compensate for the misfortune I have suffered, and render me per- 
 fectly happy. I have the honor &c W. Phillips. 
 
 FROM MAJOR-GENERAL GREENE. 
 
 Morristown, Decern. 21st '79. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 Your polite and agreeable letter of the 8th came to hand last 
 Evening. An Express goes to Hartford this morning, and your great 
 anxiety to hear from Camp induces me to write you a line, altho' I 
 am crowded on every side with business. 
 
 Col. Sherburne has been frequently at my quarters since his arrival, 
 but I have had no fair opportunity of opening the subject to him. 
 The principle I am told upon which he claims rank of you is, that 
 you had no rank from being aide-de-camp ; and he has but too much 
 foundation for this opinion, from the sentiments of the Gentlemen at 
 Head Quarters on this question. It is an opinion that I always op- 
 posed, as repugnant to reason and common sense, that a person 
 might have rank, and yet not have it. You may rest assured that 
 nothing on my part shall be wanting, to do you justice, and I shall 
 esteem it a pleasure to have it in my power to serve you. 
 
 I have heard nothing further respecting your exchange, and know 
 not how to mention the matter to the General respecting a meeting 
 with General Phillips. Such a meeting may produce some good 
 consequences, but I really don't believe the General would be very 
 fond of the measure. In your next I beg you to be more particular 
 respecting your own exchange, and in what you wish me to aid you. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 231 
 
 We shall be happy to see you at Camp, where you will find the 
 true military spirit, justice and generosity The great body of the 
 People you know are contracted, selfish and illiberal ; and therefore 
 not calculated to harmonize with a noble nature like yours. It is 
 astonishing when one takes a view of human nature (even in this 
 free Country) to see how much it is under the dominion of igno- 
 rance and prejudice, bound down to rules and modes of behavior that 
 have neither pleasure nor profit to recommend them. But where 
 am I running upon a speculative subject? — Not less than a dozen 
 people are waiting while I gallop you this letter, for it cannot be 
 called writing. I must stop short and wish you good by, and beg 
 my kind compliments to Mrs. Webb and her jolly husband — Please 
 also to remember me to Col. Chester and his family ; in doing this 
 you will not forget to couple Mrs. Greene with me, who is an ad- 
 mirer of the happy circle at Weathersfield. 
 
 The Commissary's and Forage Departments are in a damnable 
 situation for want of money. Col. Wadsworth is at Philadelphia 
 swearing like a disappointed Jew Turk. General Arnold's trial 
 comes on to-day, he has not arrived this morning but is hourly ex- 
 pected. 
 
 With esteem & regard, I am yours sincerely 
 
 Nath. Greene. 
 
 I thank you kindly for the Patterns you have bo't for me for a pair 
 of small Cloth and Waistcoat, and wish you to forward them. 
 
 We talk of an assembly here. 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HUNTINGTON. 
 
 Camp in Moreistown, 24 Dec, 1779. 
 Dear Webb : 
 
 Your favor of the nth Instant came safely to hand. Permit me 
 to thank you sincerely for it, as it took me to Weth'f 'd while read- 
 ing it. You will by the date perceive that we are in camp, tho' 
 expect if good weather, to have the Men's Hutts so far completed' 
 that they may go into them on Sunday or Monday. The officers 
 hutts are not begun, nor will they be meddled with till the men are 
 covered. My own Hutt will not be meddled with till after the offi- 
 cers have finished theirs. The severity of the weather hath been 
 
232 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 such that the men have suffered much ; without shoes and stockings, 
 and working half leg deep in snow. Poor fellows, my heart bleeds 
 for them, while I Damn my country as void of gratitude. 
 
 I wish that you would send me all the clothing in store immedi- 
 ately, I much want it for the men, though am positively forbid by 
 the General using any scarlet coats on any ace* . I wish that Wyllys 
 who will be at home soon might have it in his power to receive the 
 clothing and forward it to the Regiment. 
 
 Since I saw you I have had a small interview with Col. Livingston, 
 but expect to have a thorough investigation of matters tomorrow. 
 Apropos Livingston & Van Zandt fought a duel the day before yes- 
 terday — fired twice each, Livingston lodged both his balls in Van 
 Zandt's body or rather Breast tho' neither of them entered the trunk 
 of his body. He is confined to his room, tho' he is likely to be well 
 soon. Friend Scammell will give you the particulars. Money is 
 good for nothing here, no not a Rush. So if you intend to live when 
 you come to camp, do you bring a good store. 
 
 I am sorry that Hetty should be vexed for having the credit of a 
 speech, which too frequently may be made with propriety. 
 
 My love to her & Mrs. Webb, Compliments to your Lazy Brother, 
 & believe me, sincerely Yours, Eb. Huntington. 
 
 Col. Beatty has this ^minute call'd on me in expectation of Receiv- 
 ing some Coffee which your Brother informed him I had brought on 
 in my wagon — it is a mistake, as I brought on only one box & that 
 was for Gen 1 . Greene. I have deliv'd the box to Gen 1 . Greene, & 
 suppos'd it was for him. Possibly part of it was for Col. Beatty. 
 Your brother can tell.* 
 
 SIR HENRY CLINTON TO MAJOR-GENERAL PHILLIPS. 
 
 New York, 24 December, 1779. 
 Sir: 
 
 As I consented to your conversing with Gentlemen from amongst 
 the American Prisoners of War, on the very interesting subject of an 
 exchange of prisoners, so I now give you my approbation of your 
 proceedings, and my thanks for the earnestness of your labours in 
 this business. 
 
 * From the Reminiscences of General Samuel B. Webb, 200. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB, 233 
 
 I observe that with a steady attention to our purpose, you have 
 with temper and liberality set aside any subject of litigation which 
 might obstruct the desirable relief from captivity which is in view. 
 
 The ground work of a cartel with which you present me I have 
 perused, and deriving from its appearance of equity a hope of its 
 being compleated, I give my freest consent to those Gentlemen 
 whom you name departing on their parole to return in twenty-eight 
 days. 
 
 You have prevented my wishes in offering yourself as commis- 
 sioner, should a negociation take place ; and I accept your services, 
 thinking with you that it will incur nothing derogatory to your situa- 
 tion on parole. I have the honor &c H. Clinton. 
 
 TO MAJOR-GENERAL PHILLIPS. 
 
 Wethersfield in Connecticut, 25^ Dec! , 1779. 
 Sir: 
 
 The distance from Elizabeth-town to this place pre- 
 vented your letter of the 2 d . Ins*, from reaching me 
 till last Evening. 
 
 Our Army being on the March at the time I was on 
 my return from Jersey prevented my paying that atten- 
 tion to the business we conversed on that I intended, 
 however Sir you may depend such is my desire to 
 render the situation of the unfortunate on both sides 
 more agreeable that nothing on my part shall be want- 
 ing to bring about an Exchange, — for that purpose it 
 was I related to some of my friends in the Army what 
 passed between Us at Elizabeth-town, and was anxious 
 that such a meeting as you was pleased to name should 
 take place, not doubting it would be a means of re- 
 moving the present obstacles to a General Exchange. 
 I shall again write on the Subject and hope you may 
 soon have proposals for a meeting. In a few weeks I 
 
234 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 shall set of for Jersey — when I will do myself the 
 Honor of writeing you further on the Subject. Be 
 pleased to mention me with Sentiments of Esteem to 
 General Riedesel — The Gentlemen of your & his 
 family, — with Compliments of the Season I have the 
 Honor to be with all Personal Respect & Esteem, Sir, 
 Your Most. Obed 1 . 
 
 Most Hum e Serv*. 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL PHILLIPS TO COLONEL MAGAW &c. 
 
 New York, December 25th, 1779. 
 Gentlemen : 
 
 It is with the greatest satisfaction that I have delivered to you his 
 Excellency Gen 1 . Sir Henry Clinton's permission for your going to 
 Gen 1 . Washington, the humane purpose which carries you there will 
 in every event do credit to your feelings as men and as officers. 
 
 I cannot help supposing that your negotiation will meet with suc- 
 cess, and as the proposals for an exchange are founded upon so large 
 a base, I apprehend the superstructure may very easily be com- 
 pleated ; and if I am to be connected with the future proceedings, 
 you may depend I shall exert every endeavour for an attainment in 
 which I am concerned with so many suffering persons. 
 
 I am convinced General Washington will view our transaction in 
 the clear and fair light it merits, and I am persuaded the Congress 
 will also see this matter as you, Gentlemen, will offer it to them. 
 
 To observe upon this proposed exchange politically, surely the 
 great contest between Great Britain and America will scarcely feel 
 the event, excepting in the instances of humanity and liberality, 
 which this business, if it succeeds, will produce ; I need not observe 
 militarily upon it as Gen 1 . Washington's knowledge of the subject and 
 his good sense will give it its true explanation — The prisoners of war 
 are out of the question in any argument, and the two divisions pro- 
 posed to be exchanged of the Troops of Convention taken in the 
 fullest Idea will give us very few privates, and of those many of them 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 235 
 
 will be to be discharged from the service ; and above two-thirds, if 
 not all of the rest sent, at the opening of the Spring to Canada. 
 
 I am sure it is unnecessary to expatiate particularly upon the sad 
 alternative, supposing this matter breaks off; you will immediately 
 perceive, reflecting upon it, that it must be attended with a recall 
 into captivity of all the American prisoners of war, and most prob- 
 ably a General Assembly of them, from every part of America, on 
 Long Island. This will in course be followed by my returning with 
 Major Gen 1 . De Riedesel to the troops of Convention, and you must 
 be convinced with me that the present prisoners of war, or otherwise, 
 of both parties, as well as those who may be made so in future ; will 
 become wretched sufferers during the continuance of the present 
 unhappy war. 
 
 I cannot help testifying even in this letter the respect in which I 
 hold the conduct of his Majesty's Commander in Chief in America, 
 who has again most generously offered himself, willing to join with 
 Gen 1 . Washington in a plan for a general exchange ; should it fail, I 
 am persuaded you will agree with me that it will be scarcely possible 
 to renew again any proposals of terms, and I am free to declare to 
 you gentlemen, that, for myself, I had rather perish in the wilds of 
 Virginia than to become a party to any indignity which might arise 
 upon such an occasion ; and in giving these my sentiments, I know 
 I shall be joined by every officer and soldier in the King's service, 
 prisoners of war and Troops of Convention. 
 
 I cannot close this letter without acknowledging the fairness of 
 your proceedings with me on this interesting occasion, and how 
 much you have pursued, with a steady adherence to your own cause, 
 the dictates of humanity and liberal minds. 
 
 I am &c W. Phillips. 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HUNTINGTON. 
 
 Camp near Morris Town 
 29 December, 1779 
 Dear Webb : 
 
 A few days since I wrote you by my old friend Col? Scammell, 
 since which have not been favour? with any of yours. At that time 
 I wrote you about forwarding the Clothing, now in Store, must again 
 
236 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 wish it done if Possible, Particularly the small Clothing, as we are in 
 very great distress for the want of it. Our Men are very destitute 
 of clothing, and entirely so of State Refreshments. I wish it was 
 better attended to by the State, as the Money, if the men had it, 
 would not Purchase those Refreshments here, which are highly 
 necessary for their Comfort. 
 
 Col<? s McGaw, Ely, Ramsay, &c. came out of N. York on Parole 
 three days since with Propositions from Sir Harry Clinton for an 
 Exchange — they laid those Propositions before his Excellency yester- 
 day, but as yet have not received his Answer, if they do not effect it, 
 they will return again soon. — Cap* Williams is on Detachment at 
 Paramus, where (he writes us) he is most agreeably situated. I 
 expect his return in about a Week. Our Men's hutts are so nearly 
 compleated as to receive nearly all the men under cover — to-morrow 
 God willing they will leave their tents & the officers will begin on 
 theirs. 
 
 Cap* Wyllys who delivers this, goes on to meet the Committee 
 for settling the Depreciation, hope Justice will be done & the Army 
 be satisfied. 
 
 My most friendly Compliments attend the Circle in their Winter's 
 Pleasures. 
 
 The Gentlemen of the Regiment Present their Compliments to 
 you, & wish your speedy exchange to join the Reg* 
 
 I am, dear Sir, yours most sincerely 
 Eb. Huntington. 
 
 PROPOSITION FOR AN EXCHANGE. 
 [Enclosed in Washington's letter to Congress, 4 Jany , 1780.] 
 
 It is presumed proposals for an exchange may be opened to be 
 finally agreed upon by the two commanders in chief of the British 
 and American armies under reciprocal terms and mutual faith of 
 equity, equal advantage and honour. 
 
 First — To exchange in the first instance officers prisoners of war, 
 rank for rank, but should officers of similar rank not apply the ex- 
 changes to be made in dissimilar ranks according to a valuation as 
 may be agreed to hereafter ; Private soldiers prisoners of war to be 
 exchanged against private soldiers prisoners of war in the same 
 manner. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB, 237 
 
 Secondly — To exchange in the second instance the troops of con- 
 vention, officers and privates by corps alternately as may be fixed 
 upon by lot, or otherwise, between the commanders in chief of the 
 respective armies according to a valuation of privates against officers 
 as may hereafter be agreed to, that is to say American officers for 
 British and German officers of equal ranks as far as they will apply, 
 corps by corps, and then dissimilar ranks, according to a tariff to be 
 settled for that purpose, the exchange of privates of such corps to be 
 settled in the same manner. 
 
 Thirdly. That upon such exchanges being agreed to, should a 
 balance in American officers prisoners of war remain on the part of 
 the British, such officers to have liberty to reside with their friends 
 upon parole until exchanged; but supposing the balance to be 
 against the British and that the troops of Convention or others 
 should not all be exchanged that, after leaving a certain number of 
 officers, as may be directed by the British commander in chief with 
 the remaining corps, the rest to have liberty to go and reside with 
 their friends in Europe or otherwise until exchanged, and such 
 officers so to be left may at the option of the British commander in 
 chief be relieved from time to time by an equal number of officers 
 of equal ranks. This indulgence of parole to be extended generally 
 to such officers of both the British and American armies as may 
 hereafter be made prisoners of war, and it is to be hoped that ex- 
 changes upon the plan now proposed may constantly take place and 
 as immediately as circumstances will allow, but should any difficulties 
 arise, or any future proposals of exchanges, and that the exchanges 
 be rejected by either party, the officers so on parole to be liable to 
 be called into captivity at the orders of the British or American 
 commanders in chief, provided the Commander in chief so calling 
 shall be prepared at the same time actually to deliver up such officers 
 belonging to his army as had been permitted to go on their paroles, 
 except such as may be in Europe, which necessarily requiring some 
 time for their recall, an equal number of equal rank to be suffered to 
 remain on parole until the arrival of such officers from Europe. 
 
 Fourthly. A tariff or valuation to be founded for officers against 
 privates, by which the estimation of officers against officers of dissim- 
 ilar ranks will be settled, and it is apprehended it may not be an im- 
 proper method to do this by opposing a certain number of privates 
 
238 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OE 
 
 against Serjeants and the lowest rank of officers, viz : Ensign or 
 Second Lieutenant and so on to the highest ranks. 
 
 Fifthly. That should it fortunately happen that an exchange takes 
 place, such part of the troops of Convention as come within it to be 
 marched immediately to Elizabeth Town by the most convenient 
 route, or to such other place as the two commanders in chief may 
 appoint, there to be met by an equality of American prisoners of war 
 and the exchange to take place directly upon the mutual faith and 
 honour of the two Commanders in Chief. 
 
 Sixthly. That all officers prisoners of war on both sides be ex- 
 changed according to the rank they held when taken, and the officers 
 of the troops of Convention according to the rank they held at the 
 treaty of Saratoga. 
 
 Seventhly. That the American officers prisoners of war taken by 
 the British forces in Georgia and South Carolina be suffered to go 
 out on their paroles, after being mustered and certified to by a Brit- 
 ish officer or Commissary, and the principal American officer pris- 
 oner there ; that he be immediately exchanged for British and Ger- 
 man officers who have been made prisoners of war in those parts. 
 The American private soldiers prisoners of war to be exchanged as 
 far as they apply against privates of the British army made prisoners 
 of war in those parts in the same manner, the remaining American 
 private soldiers prisoners of war to be exchanged against such private 
 soldiers prisoners of war of the British army as may be in other parts 
 of America, and the remaining officers to be exchanged against Brit- 
 ish officers prisoners of war, should there be any left in other parts 
 of America to apply, and then finally against an equal number of the 
 troops of Convention according to the terms mentioned in the fore- 
 going articles : and as the suffering the American officers, made 
 prisoners of war in those parts to go to their families upon parole, 
 proceeds from liberal motives and an unwillingness to order them to 
 this part of America, it is to be expected that no delay be made in 
 the final exchange of them against the troops of Convention, to pre- 
 vent which it is proposed that General Washington should send such 
 powers to the American officers there as may render the mustering 
 the officers absolute, and that on the certificates and receipts of 
 American officers prisoners of war, who have thus been suffered to 
 go on parole, being sent to the American commanding officer at 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 239 
 
 Albemarle barracks in Virginia, that officer shall be empowered to 
 direct an exchange of a proportionate number of the troops of Con- 
 vention who will immediately march according to the route and 
 manner already described to New York : to effect this more cer- 
 tainly an officer of the troops of Convention might go from Virginia 
 to Georgia and return with the proper certificates. Should there by 
 any accident be any mistakes in such certificates, they are to be 
 rectified as soon as discovered. 
 
 Eighthly. That on these exchanges being agreed to by the two 
 commanders in chief and their taking place, General de Riedesel to 
 be exchanged with the first division of the troops of Convention, 
 Major Gen 1 . Phillips at the head of the second division, then Lieu- 
 tenant Gen 1 . Burgoyne, and after him the third division. By this it 
 is to be observed that the troops of Convention are to be formed 
 into three divisions for exchanges, not meaning, however, to stop the 
 progress of exchanges, but to allow of the divisions being exchanged 
 in parts as far as numbers will apply. 
 
 Ninthly. Rather than defeat so humane a purpose as that now in 
 contemplation, it is to be wished that the discussion concerning the 
 exchange of officers of the militia not taken in arms, and the troops 
 taken at the Cedars, may be put off for the present. That the offi- 
 cers of militia not taken in arms have the same benefit of parole with 
 that of Lieut. Gen 1 Burgoyne. 
 
 The following tariff it is imagined may be adopted by the Com- 
 manders in chief of the British and American armies, it having been 
 calculated with every attention to mutual advantage, equity and 
 honour. 
 
 PROPOSED TARIFF. 
 
 Lieutenant General 1044 
 
 Major General 372 
 
 Brigadier General 200 
 
 Colonel 100 
 
 Lieut-Colonel 72 
 
 Major 28 
 
 Captain 16 
 
 First Lieutenant 6 
 
 Second Lt. & Ensign 4 
 
 Sergeant 2 
 
240 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 Corporal, drummer, fifer, private soldier, volunteer i 
 
 Adjutants and Quartermasters to reg 1 / 5 and corps to be ex- 
 changed as first Lieutenants supposing they bear no other 
 commission — otherwise by the commissions they bear in their 
 respective corps. 6 
 
 Surgeons to regV 5 and corps. 6 
 
 Mates do do 4 
 
 Chaplains to be always given up on both sides without exchange. 
 The staff of the armies, comprehending adjutants and Quarter- 
 master-Generals with their deputies and assistants, aids de 
 camp, and majors of brigade, to be exchanged according to 
 the rank they hold in the army. 
 Surgeons of the General Hospital to be exchanged as Captains 16 
 Deputy Commissaries General to be exchanged as Captains 16 
 
 Deputy Paymasters General to be exchanged as Captains 16 
 
 Their deputies and assistants as First Lieutenants 6 
 
 W. Phillips, Major General. 
 RobT Magaw Col. 
 Geo. Mathews Col. 
 John Ely " 
 
 Nat? Ramsay Lt. Col.* 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HUNTINGTON. 
 
 Morris Town, 6th Jany, 1780. 
 Dear Webb : 
 
 I wrote you a few days since pr Capt Wyllys since which have not 
 
 been favoured with any of yours. I impute it to want of time & 
 
 Opportunity — Since I wrote you p r . Cap 4 . Wyllys, we have been 
 
 much distress? four days without Meat in our Brigade & Six in some 
 
 others, & by the Prospect before us, it is only a Prelude to greater 
 
 * This proposition was submitted to Washington, who referred it to Congress, 
 not thinking himself authorized to take any steps without their orders. He thought 
 it was more reasonable than any heretofore offered by the enemy, and might be 
 improved into an agreement that would give the desired relief. See his letter to 
 Congress, 4 January, 1780, in Writings of Washington, viii, 152. On January 13 
 Congress renewed the full powers for exchanging prisoners with which he had 
 been invested by its resolution of 5 March, 1779, and Washington intimated to 
 Colonel Magaw his readiness to appoint commissioners. 
 

 
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 I 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
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SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 241 
 
 Sufferings as the Provisions rec<? Yesterday by the CommY will afford 
 not quite two days' Allowance to the Army, & no other Beef within 
 Reach, unless we make a Seizure on the Property of the Inhabitants 
 — which is very disagreeable to our Worthy Gen 1 . — Our men bear it 
 with that fortitude which becomes the Christian & freeman — tho I 
 am fearful, their resolution will not be Competent to the task, should 
 the Evil remain long — Yesterday we drew 114 Coats 117 Vests, 1* 
 breeches, 52 Shirts, 52 Hatts, and 52 Stockings, which are to be 
 delivered to Men inlisted during the War — the Supply is too small to 
 do them Justice & you must think the others are not without their 
 Wants. I wish the State would furnish some Overhalls, Shoes, Shirts, 
 Stockings & Vests as we much want them — If the State expect to 
 reinlist any of their troops, it is highly necessary that the Encourage- 
 ment be fixt on soon, & that a proper Supply of Cloathing & Re- 
 freshments be forwarded ; I believe it will be in my power to recruit 
 the Reg 1 , if the Depreciation is soon made good, familys at home 
 supplied, & a bounty of 3 or 4 Hundred dollars given, — untill then 
 it is in vain to attempt it — We have nothing new in this part of the 
 World, except a Report that Pensacola is^ taken — but as yet it is not 
 Confirm? — I wrote a tantalizing letter to Sally & Hetty inclos"? in 
 your last about our Assemblys — to add let me tell you that we ex- 
 pect to open them the first of Feby or the 3d, which is the Anni- 
 versary of the Grand Alliance. 
 
 My Compliments &c to the Circle, & Permit me to subscribe my- 
 self — Yours Sincerely 
 
 Ebenezer Huntington. 
 
 FROM AARON BURR. 
 
 [Raritan,] 4th January, 1780. 
 Dear Sam : 
 
 I intended myself the Pleasure of delivering the enclosed letters — 
 the Weather and fatigues of my journey, must apologize to Miss 
 Webb, to whom you will please to make my best respects. To you, 
 no apology is due, unless the one which used to serve you last sum- 
 mer when you were so often near me without calling, " full of Busi- 
 ness." 
 
 As I do not hear that you will yet acknowledge yourself the slave 
 
242 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 of Hymen, I am silent on that subject, tho' I might, with propriety, 
 congratulate you on the bliss you expect, were it yet merely in pros- 
 pect ; for if fame does not lie more arrantly than she ever did, you 
 have a certainty of twice as much happiness as you can ever deserve. 
 May the Lord in infinite Mercy (to her) mend and reform you, & if 
 possible (which I much fear) mak*e you worthy the hand and heart 
 of Miss B[ancker], is the sincere prayer of A. Burr. 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HUNTINGTON. 
 
 Morris Town, 22d Jany, 1780. 
 Dear Webb s 
 
 By my friend Wadsworth, I shall just say that two days since I moved 
 into a Hutt, not my own, for that is not built, but into Capt Walker's 
 Hutt, that I may be near to drive on my own — Was I to undertake 
 to tell news I should Hobble myself — for we have none — forgive me 
 — Genl Arnold's tryal will be Compleated in two days, as he hath 
 given in his defense and a very Spirited one — the Court are forming 
 their Judgment and it is expected that he will be acquitted with 
 Honour. Jos : Reed attended the tryal & made a very Elegant 
 Speech to the Court * — Col Beatty is to be the Subject of a C. Mar- 
 tial (the Judge Advocate informs me) for getting Cloth for a Wo- 
 mans Cloak from N. York, which the Genl has some time since for- 
 bid in his Orders. I do not know enough of the Matter to say more 
 — My friend Wadsworth can say more to you about the Reduction 
 of Regiments than I know, as he is but three days from the Fountain 
 of Knowledge. I have sent a line to him to drive with me this day, 
 I wish he may Come, but have not rec? an Answer. As the Month 
 of Feby is at hand I must expect you soon, unless you will Permit 
 me to expect a little from your Promise of Coming or less, than from 
 your Promise of Writing — For I Assure you I expected Several Let- 
 ters before this time, but have received only one, which I have an- 
 swered by five or Six, indeed that one from you, is the only one I 
 have rec? from Connecticutt since I left it, & I expect it will be the 
 Last — As to the Statten Island Frolick & the Starving the Army, ask 
 Wadsworth — I can assure you I am very Sorry that I was one of the 
 Party — The Weather for four Weeks past, has been Severer than 
 
 * Arnold, Life of Benedict Arnold, 237. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 243 
 
 ever was known here for so long a time — It is necessary that you 
 send, or rather bring on all your Accounts of Clothing Issued in '77 
 or 8, as Mr. [Nathan] Beers expects to Close all Clothing Acct* with 
 the Auditors soon, it is really a Matter of Consequence, as well as 
 Settling the Recruiting Accounts. I am fearful you do not suf- 
 ficiently dread the delay. 
 
 Make my Compliments &c to Miss Webb, Hetty, Abby &c, & to 
 the Family at the Mansion. 
 
 A Letter about Nothing. God bless you. Adieu. 
 
 Ebenezer Huntington. 
 
 I hardly dare mention it, but it is true 
 
 Command* of the Brigade.* 
 
 By all means bring on a Pair of Files as we have a Gentleman in 
 the Brigade who pushes elegantly & will teach me with Pleasure. 
 Remember. 
 
 23d. When I had finish? my letter Yesterday, I was waiting to see 
 Col? Wadsworth before I closed it, but instead of that Pleasure I rec? 
 a line from him, that he was that Instant setting off for Hartford. I 
 was grievously disappointed, but put up with it with all the fortitude 
 a Chagrin? Man could do. 
 
 23d, 12 oClock at Night. I now expect to forward this by Major 
 Woodbridge, who was so polite as to Call on me this Even? & inform 
 he shall set out next Tuesday — should anything occur I shall make 
 an addition to Morrow — I wish you to tell friend Jos. a line from 
 him would be agreeable, as I am fearful his Unwillingness to oifend 
 me is the reason he hath not wrote before. Very Sleepy, Adieu. 
 
 3 oClock. 25^. This moment I receive orders to go on Com- 
 mand, I suppose to [Staten?] Island again, but know not — Two 
 Twelves & Eight Sixs march? off with the detachment, I shall over- 
 take them before I sleep you may depend on it. 
 
 PLATT TO JOSEPH WEBB. 
 
 Sunday Afternoon, 30 January, 1 780. 
 Mr. Piatt's Compliments wait on Mr. Webb — he is informed by a 
 line rec? from Gen 1 . Parsons last evening, that the Committee at the 
 
 *A blind reference to which I can give no explanation. 
 
244 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 School House, request his attendance there on monday, 2 oClock, to 
 give them some information respecting the prices of goods &c &c — 
 He is sensible he can be of very little service [to] them, as it will 
 not be in his power to afford them much information on that head ; 
 but willing to gratify them, by complying with their request, & to 
 show every mark of respect, in giving them what little information 
 he can, has agreed to meet them — He is sorry the consequence will 
 be, the treating his friends with a degree of impoliteness he would 
 wish to have avoided ; as it will necessarily deprive him the pleasure 
 of seeing them Tomorrow as he proposed — He hopes, on this occa- 
 sion M r . Webb will excuse him, & apologize to his brothers & M* 
 Deane — He assures them, that had he not considered them, as those 
 of his friends, who he was certain would readily give him that addi- 
 tional proof of friendship, by pardoning a freedom of this kind — The 
 call of the Committee should not have been heard at present — M* 
 Piatt hopes however to have the favor of M r . Webbs & the other 
 Gentlemen's company at dinner Tuesday next. 
 
 FROM CAPTAIN WALKER. 
 
 Hartford, 6th Feby , 1780. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 By way of apology for not writing you before which I should have 
 done, had I not been inform*? you was on a Tour of Pleasure at Bos- 
 ton, therefore thought you would not get my letter very soon — 
 should have wrote by the last Post had I known of your being at 
 Home. However, let what I have now wrote & my embracing the 
 earlyest opportunity serve to convince you it was not for want of 
 attention. 
 
 I left the Reg* the 21st day of last Month and am happy to say in 
 much better circumstances at that time; than they had been for 
 weeks before, our situation in regard to Provision, was such as I 
 never wish to see again, short Commons ever ought to be avoided & 
 when it cannot, the consequences are to be dreaded in an Army ; 
 that you well know — however I can with pleasure inform you (and 
 what I think will give you no small satisfaction) that the Lads bore 
 it with the greatest patience & fortitude. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 245 
 
 We considered the severity of the season, the difficulty of trans- 
 portation, and were willing to make all allowance possible. 
 
 My Good Friend, it required allmost the wisdom of Solomon to 
 conduct at these times & the Virtue of the Angel Gabriel to sur- 
 mount the difficulties, which to appearance, come upon us as it were 
 in a Moment. 
 
 After our long March you may well think our Men were rather 
 destitute of cloathing — after our arrival we begun & completed our 
 Hutts which destroyed our cloathing still more, & to my certain 
 knowledge we had not more than Fifty Men in the Reg* return"? fit 
 for duty, all for the want of Cloathing, many a good Lad with noth- 
 ing to cover him from his hips to his Toes save his Blancket, some 
 wanting one thing & some another, but the most general complaint 
 was shoes. Once we did not experience these hardships though we 
 had greater reason to expect them than at this time, when the Pub- 
 lick were convinced for three years past they had an Army depend- 
 ing upon them for subsistence. 
 
 As to Provision before I left them they had a full supply for the 
 present & cloathing they receive some, though inadequate to their 
 wants. In short my good Friend our sufferings were such as I did 
 not expect at this day, & such as is past my Art with Pen, Ink & 
 Paper to describe or even give you an Idea of our feelings upon the 
 occasion.* 
 
 Am inform you set out for Head Quarters soon, hope you will 
 take Stratford in on your way that I may have the pleasure of seeing 
 you & spending a little more time in chat upon matters & things. 
 I hear an exchange is like to take place which is my most earnest 
 wish should be effected that I may once more have the happiness 
 of seeing you at the Head of your Reg 1 , where you have been long 
 expected & much wish<? for. 
 
 The Family join with me in their best wishes for your health & 
 
 ♦In October, 1779, Washington described clothing as a "superior temptation" 
 to recruits, and the supplies were inadequate. Late in January he wrote " With 
 respect to provision, the situation of the army is comfortable at present on this 
 head, and I ardently pray, that it may never be again as it has been of late. We 
 were reduced to a most painful and delicate extremity." Writings of Washing- 
 ton, VIII, 183. The patience of the army had been sorely tried, and at one time 
 the soldiers ate every kind of horse feed but hay. 
 
246 COKNESrONDKNCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 happyness <\r respects to your Brothers & Sisters — make my Com- 
 plimentB to the good People at Col. Chester's & excuse this scrawle 
 coming from one who remains with esteem 
 
 Your Friend & Huml? Serv 1 . 
 
 J. Walker. 
 
 FROM SAMUEL ALLEYNE OTIS. 
 
 Boston, nth Feby '8o. 
 Dr. Sir i 
 
 1 promised you should hear from me again soon, and indeed if 
 you have half the pleasure in reading that I have in writing, you will 
 not be offended. 
 
 Your misfortune in falling through the ice was greater than your 
 loss of reputation as a steady young man, greater than you suffered 
 in health by drinking good wine, and even exceeded in any incon- 
 venience from that "Busy dog Cupid." Indeed falling into the 
 water will as well cool one's courage this extended season as the 
 lover's leap over a 90 foot precipice. I don't say the acre [ache?] 
 would be as permanent. 1 however did [del?] your message faith- 
 hilly. 1 drank tea with B y, 1) s. I do assure you that the re- 
 membrance was acceptable — a blush suffused itself over that lovely 
 lace, & the lire oi Heaven is hardly more dazzling than her Eyes. 
 
 The other object of your particular attentions J y, K x 
 
 received with a different smile the favourable mention of her by Col- 
 onel Webb, " Impossible he should think of me. It must be my 
 sister" — with a hesitation as if she feared I shouldn't recollect my 
 mistake. I wish these were all the impressions you have given or 
 received. 
 
 Allans at Ten Hills are in a sad train and your friend must Pink 
 Morris,* suffocate himself with the smell of tar or twist a strand or 
 two of tar and hang himself. Lucky for me, however, if I can transfer 
 mv affections & sip the sweets from flowers promiscuously, or if you 
 please can buw like the diligent bee from Pink to Rose and anon to 
 the violet, though could I meet with a real honeysuckle, I could 
 draw the sweets for life. A sly fox this Morris and an old soldier, 
 tvi whilst I thought he was manceuvreing on the banks of the N. 
 
 * L. R. Mom*. The Temples lived »t Ten Hills. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 247 
 
 River or the Dee, he carried on his operations on Charles River. 
 God bless her, I believe she is a good girl, but am not sufficiently- 
 acquainted to know her merits personally. I shall never love her 
 less for being Morris, Mrs. Webb or any other mistress. 
 
 I must repeat my acknowledgements to you and the Captain for 
 you kind invitations. If I come into the vicinity of your mansion 
 or quarters, some very uncommon circumstances must occur to pre- 
 vent my calling upon you the first in my list. 
 
 We had the most brilliant assembly last evening that has been 
 known for many years ; Such a blaze of beauty almost overpowered 
 the senses. Poor little Innocents — not a soul of them put on their 
 holiday countenance to harm any one, not a soul of them, and now 
 they dress, but only look pretty because 'tis fashionable, but eno' of 
 the little villains. They are as much plague as profit nine times in 
 ten. 
 
 I suppose you are preparing for head quarters. May you find 
 things agreeable, and with compliments to all friends, 
 
 Subscribe, 
 
 Your humble Serv* 
 
 Sam^ A. Otis.* 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HUNTINGTON. 
 
 Morris Town, i6*h Feby, 1780. 
 Dear Webb : 
 
 Your fav* of the 3*? Instant with two Inclosed came safe to hand — 
 am happy to hear that so many of mine went safe to you, tho' am 
 certain that there are several which have not been acknowledged — 
 the letters which were enclosed to me I put under Cover, & sent 
 them by a trusty Serg. who return? yesterday with all of them under 
 Cover of one from M? 5 Bancker to Miss Bancker & them under Cover 
 
 * From the Reminiscences of General Samuel B. Webb, 258. 
 
 Samuel Alleyne Otis was a brother of the famous orator, James Otis. In 
 1778, he was a deputy clothier-general under the Continental Congress, and alsa 
 a member of the Massachusetts Board of War. He assisted in the convention of 
 1780, that framed the constitution for the State, and in 1784 was made speaker of 
 the House of Representatives. He is best known as the first Secretary of the 
 United States Senate — dying in Washington in 1814. 
 
248 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 to me. I shall forward the same to Morrow to Mr. Lott for Miss 
 Bancker, where she is at Present on a Visit, as appears by the Super- 
 scription. 
 
 In Expectation of your being here soon, this will be my last, & 
 from your known Punctuality am doubtful whether this will find you 
 on the Road or at Wethersfield, but be that as it may, will figure a 
 line or two, & thank you for your long friendly Letter just acknow- 
 ledged, and note it by Paragraph as I have it before me. The 
 Cloathing you mention I was Oblig4 to draw to cover the Nakedness 
 of our poor distressed Lads. — As to the recruiting of the Lads it is 
 almost impossible, as the money is good for little or nothing in this 
 part of the World, much less than when we came here, & from that, 
 they judge it will soon, very soon be good for Nothing. If the As- 
 sembly & Committee work Spiritedly & Speedily am in hopes to de- 
 tain some of those good Lads, whom I believe to be the best men 
 in the World, but it is their speedy & Liberal Measures only, that 
 can do us any good in Recruiting. — As to the Gen! Exchange I 
 wrote you some time since, that it was on the Tapis, but at Present 
 known no more — So it appears by your letter that your little Parties 
 of two & three are to be Called Dances, am very sorry that Sally & 
 Hetty should be so taken up with the thoughts of a Dance, as to be- 
 lieve themselves in one, because they have three dancers & zfidler — 
 think of the Assembly list 130 Subscribers & 165 Ladies on the List 
 — The first bill is 12,000 N. Jersey — thus much for the Assemblies. 
 
 My Hutt — Ah my Hutt — it is building & will be till nearly the first 
 of next Month, then Sir I expect to open the Doors & welcome every 
 Guest that Comes with Stores, doubly to pay what he Eats & drinks 
 while with me — 1 expect to have about a Dozen fine Girls to drink 
 tea with me the first Afternoon. I think friend Webb you are very 
 fortunate, I believe you to be the only Man in Weth? who is not, & 
 hath not been for a long time froze — Pen & Ink also — It must 
 have been d-d Cold Weather in Connecticut to freeze every thing so 
 Close even the Mills of the Houses, which used to go best in Cold 
 Weather. I must suppose, that the reasons of the Mills freezing is 
 want of use. A Man who goes to Mill as often as the wants of the 
 family require, will always find the Stores in Order, & the Sluice suf- 
 ficiently open for Grinding — It makes me feel unhappy for those 
 who get no Grist this Wether — but knowing your friendly disposi- 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 249 
 
 tion, I think you will endeavour to remove their Complaints, if they 
 make any — When you come to Camp, do you' bring a letter from 
 each & Every of my Weth<? friends, Girls 6° Women not Excepted. 
 I wish to give my love to the Dancing Circle & others with you & 
 believe me to be — 
 
 Yours Sincerely, 
 
 Eben Huntington. 
 P. S. Money nor Promises will reinlist the Band. 
 
 FROM HIS OFFICERS ON LONG ISLAND. 
 
 Flat Bush, 24 February, 1780. 
 Dear Colonel : 
 
 We have yours of the 14* Inst, before us, are happy to hear once 
 more from our friends. The Officers Prisoners from the State of 
 Connecticut, have applied for permission for two Gent? to go out on 
 Parole in order to procure supplies. But no indulgence of that na- 
 ture will be granted, therefore we have to beg you will endeavour to 
 send us such necessary articles, as we may want, & shall procure 
 permission for [them] from the Commanding Officers in New York 
 to be sent us, which we shall send you when ever obtain'd. We 
 expect this will find you in the Jerseys, where the Commissioners are 
 to meet in order to settle the Exchange. God grant that they may 
 succeed. The permission we'll endeavour to send by Gen. Silliman, 
 who we are told is to be exchang'd. Riley & Hopkins has plenty of 
 "the Old Virtue " left yet. Your requests are complyed with re- 
 specting the Horses. 
 
 We are, Dear Col? , with the highest sentiments of regard your 
 unfortunate Officers Edw? Bulkley 
 
 Elisha Hopkins 
 John Riley 
 
 FROM JONATHAN WILLIAMS. 
 
 Boston, Feby 24, 1780. 
 DR Webb: 
 
 Inclosed is a Letter for Gen! Washington, the Case of Wine, which 
 I hope was taken particular Care off, went according to your direc- 
 tions. I leave it to you to acquaint Gen! Washington the mode of 
 
250 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 my sending it, I am sure you will make the best off it & lay me 
 under many Obligations which I already anticipate. 
 
 This Letter has been wrote for some time but I knew not till to- 
 day that it was sent on. 
 
 Appropos Sampson in the Packet is arrived at the vineyard he 
 brings this Story, that Ireland under pretence of opposing an Inva- 
 sion from France & Spain, requested a Supply of arms & which they 
 got to the amount of 40,000 & then remonstrated, prayed for a Re- 
 dress of Grievances, & asserted their Rights to a free Commerce, 
 with a hint that if this was not allowed them, they would redress 
 themselves.* 
 
 That Sir Joseph Yorke had left the Hague in a Hurry, and that 
 the Parliament were assembled in a Hubbub. 
 
 I wrote this in a hurry, however I will write with more leisure an- 
 other time if you will adopt me a Correspondent. I want to com- 
 mence an Intercourse with one that can from his Situation be able 
 to inform me, & all the News that is interesting to you here you shall 
 be supplied with in a homespun Dress If you approve the Choice 
 I have made for a Correspondent. 
 
 I am your most Obdt Serv 1 . 
 
 Jon. Williams, f 
 
 FROM CAPTAIN WALKER. 
 
 Stratford, Feby 27th, 1780. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 Knowing your anxiety for the welfare of your Reg* , & your great 
 desire for having it Recruited ; induces me at this time to offer you 
 my sentiments upon the Subject : as I am inform? you expect to go 
 on to Head Quarters this week, & my business being such as will 
 unhappily prevent me the pleasure of seeing you in this Place. 
 
 The prospects of recruiting in the Country as well as with the 
 Army you must be sensible are very dull at present, though I am 
 confident there are a great many Recruits may be got among those 
 
 ♦Lecky, England in the Eighteenth Century, iv, 491. 
 
 t Jonathan Williams married Grace Harris, a niece of Benjamin Franklin. His 
 son, also named Jonathan Williams, was a commercial agent in France of the 
 Continental Congress. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 251 
 
 whose time of service has expired this Winter, and others, especially 
 these State Regiments that are now raising to send down to the Line, 
 if proper encouragements are offer? & pains taken. 
 
 I heard Geni Parsons propose a plan & such as I believe he means 
 to adopt in his Brigade, on his return to the Army — That was, to 
 send into this State a Number of likely Serjeants & some Musick 
 under the care of some officers & let them go from Town to Town 
 also among the State Troops & beat up for Recruits. You must be 
 sensible that there are numbers of Men now only waiting to know 
 what is done for the Army & what Bounty is given, to encourage 
 them to enlist 
 
 Our Regt is on as good footing as any now in the service from 
 this State, & I think might stand a good chance to recruit would the 
 officers exert themselves.* 
 
 All this I offer on the strength of your being exchanged, which I 
 suppose is allmost a certainty & be assured is the most earnest wish 
 of your sincere Friend & Humbl? Servt. 
 
 J. Walker. 
 
 N. B. Excuse the above scrawl as it was written in great haste. 
 
 FROM MAJOR TALLMADGE. 
 
 Wethersfield, March 6, 1780. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 Just about the time of your departure from this place our Com- 
 mittee were obliged to memorialize the Assembly on the subject of 
 recognizing the general and staff officers belonging to this State as 
 part of the Conn. Line. In consequence of this Wadsworth, of the 
 Assembly Committee, and [Heman] Swift, Smith and myself were 
 called before the House. This afforded the very opportunity which 
 I long wished for of exposing the Jesuitical conduct of a man who 
 had rendered himself odious in the eyes of every honest man. After 
 answering the questions proposed by the House we had the oppor- 
 
 * Webb's regiment was thus reported on: — "This Regt is well kept & Disci- 
 plined; their Arms & Accoutrements were this inspection the Cleanest of the Di- 
 vision ; their Cloathing is in good order. 
 
 " The above is a true state of the Regt as inspected by me March 2nd, 1780. 
 
 " P. Regnier, Sub Inspector." 
 
252 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 tunity of laying before the House sundry letters signed by General 
 W h in behalf of the Committee, which being designed for an- 
 swers to questions of moment proposed by your Committee, we were 
 not able to find any meaning or honest principle in them, and of 
 course (to the great disappointment of a certain person) we laid them 
 before the Assembly as a sample of candour with which, under the 
 auspices of W h, the settlement was like to be conducted. Un- 
 fortunately, the Assembly were as much puzzled to explain the let- 
 ters as our committee. In the pause of our observations before the 
 House, Mr. W h was handled sometimes without mittens. In- 
 deed, the House, I believe, suggested that his objections to our pro- 
 ceedings were rather captious than otherwise. I have not seen their 
 last resolution in consequence of our application, but I am told they 
 
 have taken all the staff officers into the Con 1 Line and excluded 
 
 the general officers. This appears to be an odious distinction, but I 
 am convinced the Generals will do better with the Continent than 
 this State. I hope we have now got almost over embarrassments. 
 
 Since you left us we had an agreeable hop at Mr. Lockwood's. A 
 choice collection of ladies attended. As usual, the number was 
 rather too great. 
 
 We have no news of moment from the Eastward. Our Assembly 
 rose last Thursday. If I should attempt to tell you what business 
 they had done, I should be as long in telling you what they needed; 
 as they repealed almost the whole acts of the session. When you 
 reflect that every paragraph of a bill can be debated and passed the 
 House, and then the whole be negatived, I need not enter into a 
 more particular description of their proceedings. I am told they have 
 determined to make good the ;£io notes issued in '77. Of this you 
 may take advantage, and I wish you would purchase as many as you 
 can find in your travels for yourself and me. Some of them have 
 doubtless been carried into N. Jersey, and the possessors would be 
 glad to get rid of them. 
 
 Make my compliments to General Greene, Colonel Huntington 
 and friends, and be assured that I am 
 
 Yours Sincerely 
 
 Benj Tallmadge.* 
 
 * From the Reminiscences of General Samuel B. Webb, 294. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 253 
 
 TO MAJOR-GENERAL ST. CLAIR, AND LIEUTENANT- 
 COLONELS EDWARD CARRINGTON AND 
 ALEXANDER HAMILTON. 
 INSTRUCTIONS. 
 
 Gentlemen : 
 
 The powers herewith authorize you to proceed to Amboy on 
 Thursday the 9th instant, to meet commissioners on the part of the 
 enemy, for the purpose of settling a General Cartel. You will per- 
 ceive what has been already done in this business by the papers 
 accompanying this. * * * The only instructions I have to give 
 you are these, that you transact nothing under your commission but 
 upon principles of perfect equality and on a national ground. If 
 the enemy will not treat with you on this footing, you will put an 
 end to the negotiation. But after your official business is over, I 
 wish you in private conversation to enter into a discussion of the 
 proposals, so as to remove any difficulties they contain, and prepare 
 the way for some future particular agreement, which may give relief 
 to our officers and men in captivity. 
 
 If you enter into a general Cartel, you must of necessity include 
 the southern prisoners ; but, if you are obliged to confine yourselves 
 to what I now recommend, you will avoid including them. The 
 proposals appear to me generally liberal, though in come respects 
 exceptionable. The tariff, however, is moderate enough. Having 
 entire confidence in your judgment and discretion, I think it un- 
 necessary to enter into a detail of the exceptionable parts ; per- 
 suaded that they will readily occur to you, and that you will take 
 proper steps to have them amended. The settlement of accounts is 
 a point of importance and difficulty. As the matter now stands, I 
 am unable to give you any explicit directions on the subject. If 
 you are like to enter into a general Cartel, you will immediately ad- 
 vise me, and I will obtain further instructions from Congress. If 
 this is not the case, you will hardly be able to draw any engagements 
 from the enemy on this head, and you will perceive this point is not 
 to be made a preliminary nor ultimatum. You will do the best you 
 can, endeavoring by all means to engage The British Commissioners 
 to advance a sufficient sum of money to pay the debts of our officers 
 for board and the like, and enable them to leave their captivity. 
 You will communicate to me from time to time any matters you may 
 
254 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 desire my advice upon, and it shall chearfully be afforded. I 
 sincerely wish you a successful and honorable issue to your commis- 
 sion. G? Washington. 
 Given at Head Quarters. 
 
 Morristown, 8 March, 1780.* 
 
 FROM COLONEL BEATTY. 
 
 Westfield, [March, 1 780] . 
 My dear Sir : 
 
 I am thus far on my Road from Morristown to Amboy where 
 Commissioners are met on the Business of Exchange — an opertunity 
 presenting to Danbury, I send this to Maj 1 : Stagg's care & flatter 
 myself it will reach you tho perhaps late. As you are party con- 
 cerned, I think it necessary to inform you that yesterday Maj 1 : Gen'l 
 Philips, Lt. Col? Gorden & Norton of the Guards, on the part of the 
 British, & Maj* Gen'l St. Clair, Lt. Col? Carrington of the Artillery, 
 & Col? Hamilton of the General's Family on the part of these States, 
 met at Amboy to attempt once more the effecting a cartel, for a 
 general Exchange of Prisoners — Each party appear sanguine in their 
 expectations on this subject; but so frequent disapointments has 
 learned me to doubt everything — the propositions are indeed new & 
 bordering nearer to principles of equity & mutual advantage, & I 
 confess I should be ready to believe they would be established ; were 
 not a liquidation of accounts to be confounded with their Negotia- 
 tions & which I fear will marr the whole ; as you may rest satisfied 
 the Enemy will carefully avoid a settlement of ace 1 . 3 which in their 
 consequences must involve them in a heavy debt & the transfer of a 
 large sum of money. Were not this the case, I should flatter myself 
 with announcing shortly to you, an ace 4 , of your Exchange — but I go 
 down diffident & wish I may return believing — 
 
 My pen is so intolerably bad, that I am obliged to break off— & 
 have only to entreat you will present my Comp 5 . to your Brother's 
 
 * The Commissioners met at Amboy, and from the beginning found themselves 
 blocked by the defective powers of the British representatives, who could only 
 pledge the private faith of Sir Henry Clinton. A cartel, to be of permanent 
 operation, should rest upon national authority and national faith; but this founda- 
 tion could not be given by the British, and the meeting became a mere informal 
 conference. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 255 
 
 good Family & others my friends in Weathersfield — I beg you may 
 write me & Expect a line upon our breaking up — 
 I am with great Esteem 
 
 Dr Sir Yours sincerely 
 
 Jn? Beatty.* 
 
 FROM WILLIAM ERSKINE. 
 
 » 
 
 Philad^ , March 25, 1780. 
 Dear Webb: 
 
 Had there been any half hour since I came, that I could safely 
 say I was sober, I do assure you I would have appropriated that 
 time to you, but so far from that, that the fumes of the past Evening 
 are never out of my head before the next days dinner, & so on alter- 
 nately, however I'm now determined to leave off this life of riot & 
 for once become a sober citizen. The life led here at present, if 
 possible exceeds what you saw in Boston, indeed since I came here 
 it has been one Continued round of pleasure w** is not much in 
 favour of my sprained Leg. it has not been in my power to take as 
 much Care of it as I did on the road, and I have now some thoughts 
 of taking another Journay that I may have time to recover as I'm 
 sure I can never get well here. 
 
 I have never been able to get Col. Stewart to the Hatters — when 
 his engagements are over I expect he will attend to it, and as soon 
 as the hat is finish'd I will send it to Camp with the first safe hand. 
 I have got a fashionable button & loop for it. * * * 
 
 I most sincerely wish you the Beggars benison of a Guinea always 
 in your pocket — 
 
 I am with much Esteem, 
 
 Dear Webb, your Friend &c 
 
 W. Erskine. 
 
 FROM JOSEPH BARRELL. 
 
 Boston, 30 March, 1780. 
 Dear Sam : 
 
 I Have received several Letters from you w c . h are yet unanswered, 
 
 not for want of regard you may justly conclude. 
 
 * From the collection of Dr. John S. H. Fogg, of Boston. 
 
256 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 Bro. Jo has sent me Wright & Ryley's Acct w c . h I have settled in 
 my books, & Charged you what you Received of them, & by the 
 time you Return from Camp you'l find your Acct ready at Jo's. 
 
 I wish your next may inform me that the prospect of your ex- 
 change has not vanished, as has formerly been the case, but that you 
 are once again a free man ; & then for an oppy to return the dogs 
 what you owe them. The only excuse for Nicholson,* is that he was 
 on the eve of Matrimony, and perhaps so elated with the prospect 
 that he Knew not what he promised. He is married, & has since he 
 sailed sent in a very good prize, loaded with Rum you dog. Smed- 
 ley t in the Recovery has also sent us a Sloop with that same sort of 
 Liquor, & I hope the Hawke will not be behind hand. The Bills 
 upon these Vessels, run up beyond all account and such is the Situa- 
 tion of the Paper Money that I fear 'twill not go much longer. The 
 Congress do more to ruin it, than all the [ ] besides by their 
 
 Resolves & Re-Resolves ; & happy for them if they die the same, 
 this last Manoeuvre of promiseing Bills has nearly ruin'd the whole ; 
 as many people had sold their Effects & procured Money to pur- 
 chase Bills, and now finding none coming they gave any price for 
 
 any thing, to get rid of the dying Child. * * * 
 
 J. Barrell. 
 
 WASHINGTON TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. 
 
 Headquarters, Morristown, 31 March, 1780. 
 Sir: 
 
 I have the honor to inclose the report of the proceedings of the 
 commissioners appointed to meet at Amboy, the 9th instant, for the 
 purpose of settling a general cartel, by which Congress will perceive 
 that the present attempt has been as unsuccessful as all the former, 
 and from the same cause. 
 
 In January I was honored with a letter from the Minister of France, 
 informing me of his having received advice from Europe, that the 
 
 * James Nicholson commanded the frigate Trumbull, of twenty- eight guns, built 
 by the order of Congress at Chatham, on Connecticut river, and manned at New 
 London. 
 
 t Probably Samuel Smedley, who commanded the Connecticut brig Defence 
 when she was wrecked in 1779 on Goshen reef, within sight of New London. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 257 
 
 Court of London, on account of the difficulty they found in procur- 
 ing men, had instructed their commander in chief here, to treat with 
 us on a national footing rather than fail to obtain a reinforcement to 
 their army by the release of their prisoners in our hands. He added 
 that he had communicated his intelligence to Congress, and that 
 Congress had requested him to transmit it to me, as a matter which 
 ought materially to influence the measure we were about to take on 
 the subject of an exchange. 
 
 Though I was strongly persuaded beforehand, that there was a. 
 mistake in his Excellency's information, and that the advantages to. 
 be reaped by the enemy from that proposed Exchange, would not be 
 a sufficient inducement to a step of the nature it imported, which I 
 took the liberty to signify to him, yet I thought it my duty to make 
 the experiment, as well from motives of respect to the communica- 
 tion, as from the possibility of its being well founded. I therefore 
 directed our commissioners to take every method to ascertain the 
 Enemy's views on this head, and, if the British commissioners did not 
 come with national powers, to decline doing anything with them in 
 an official capacity ; but after satisfying themselves that nothing was 
 to be effected on a larger scale, they were instructed to enter into 
 private conversation on the terms of a particular exchange. This 
 letter No. 2. will shew what was done in consequence. Congress 
 will perceive that their proposal was not accepted by the gentlemen 
 on the other side, who insisted on the exchange being at all events 
 extended to one half of the second division of the convention'troops. 
 This was a departure from the plan concerted between General Phil- 
 lips and Cols. Magaw, Matthews, &c. 
 
 If Congress think that humanity requires or policy permits us to 
 accede to the enemy's ultimatum, I shall be happy to execute their 
 orders ; but it is a point of so much dekcacy and importance, that I 
 cannot forbear earnestly requesting I may be excused from deciding 
 in it. On one hand, the acquisition of so many men will be of great 
 moment to the enemy, if they meet with success to the southward ; 
 on the other, I see not how we shall be able to maintain our officers 
 in captivity, and the expence is no trifling consideration. I think it 
 necessary to observe, that if the enemy's proposal should be ac- 
 cepted, it may be June before the prisoners are delivered — but per- 
 haps it will be judged advisable to delay a determination 'till the 
 
258 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 probable issue of southern affairs is a little unfolded. I have the 
 honor, &c* G? Washington. 
 
 FROM CAPTAIN EULKLEY. 
 
 Flat Bush, 30th April, 1780. 
 Dear Colo : 
 
 I am very much obliged to you for the Attention you have paid, 
 
 in endeavouring to send in some Necessaries, but it seemeth that 
 
 permission could not be obtain' d ; unfortunate for us as our Supplies 
 
 of Cash is verry nearly expended, perticularly my own having lent 
 
 * Read in Congress, April 6th. Referred to Scott, Houston, and Ellery. The 
 above committee discharged Octr. 13, 1780. Referred to Sullivan, Bland, and 
 Matthews. 
 
 "This attempt for a general cartel and exchange has proved ineffectual, as 
 every former one had done, founded on an objection to the powers given by Sir 
 Henry Clinton; and your Lordship will directly observe the great object of the 
 American Congress is to mark some public act, in which General "Washington 
 may be concerned with Sir Henry Clinton in character of equality with Great 
 Britain, on principles of nation against nation at war; and the positive declaration 
 of the American commissioners on this matter fully evinces the fact, and that a 
 general cartel can never possibly take place on any other ground, which it may 
 be imagined will never be suffered by Great Britain. In a number of attempts to 
 release the troops of convention, the matter has broken off under several descrip- 
 tions. At one time the American Congress would not exchange the troops in 
 corps ; at another they were willing to exchange private soldiers to a certain num- 
 ber, but it was never understood what number or in what manner. Interested as 
 I have been, it has led me to hold conversations with a number of American offi- 
 cers, proving to them that the troops of convention stood under a particular de- 
 scription, and that exchanging the officers without the men against American offi- 
 cers prisoners of war could not be considered as equal, the American officers going 
 to an immediate activity of service, and the convention officers not doing so, as 
 the regiments to which they belonged would still be in captivity; and, however 
 eligible and convenient for the officers themselves, it would be of no advantage to 
 tbe King's service." — General Phillips to Lord George Germaine, 25 March, 1780. 
 
 " Those officers, who have not been indulged with furloughs should be pre- 
 ferred, as they will have an opportunity of visiting their families and friends, and 
 looking into their private affairs at the same time. Captain (John) Webb, the 
 Bearer of this, who is under the necessity of resigning, if he cannot obtain leave 
 of absence, would be content with going home upon those terms. He represents 
 the situation of his family in such a manner, that I wish him to be indulged, if 
 possible, at any rate." — Washington to Major- General Robert Howe, 13 April, 
 1780. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 259 
 
 out some Cash, expecting a Supply of that Necessary from the Pub- 
 lic, (but I suppose permission cannot be procured.) as I have verry 
 little prospect of being exchanged during this unnatural Rebellion, I 
 wish you to be so kind as to send me my old Bay Mare if she is in 
 order ; should she be in a Situation not proper to be sent hear, pray 
 Purchese me a genteel good saddle horse and send him the first 
 good opportunity. I think permission will not be refused for horses, 
 as the British do not at this present eat them ; having plentiful Sup- 
 plies of good Beef, &c. Mr. Hopkins tells me he has wrote for a 
 horse ; it may be convenient to send them both together, Sir you 
 know our situation and consiquently can feel for us ; you know like- 
 wise a good horse will help to whirle away time more agreeably, 
 therefore do not neglect to do me this great favour. 
 
 Have not as yet heard anything about the Bill of exchange you 
 Mention. Intend to do everything you request, if in my power so 
 to do. You mention that the Military Assemblys are truly Brilliant ; 
 I wish I could say that my situation was so ; why do I say anything 
 about my situation, I am suffering for my Invaded country ; send me 
 the good horse and I am Brilliant. The Officers have Jointly peti- 
 tioned the Governour & Councill for Supplies ; and sent it out by 
 General Silliman who has promised to accompany it with his favour- 
 able Representation, I am sure you will give your assistance in a 
 Matter so Necessary. I suppose a part of the Scripture will be veri- 
 fied in this request. Ask & You shall Receive (perhaps twenty 
 dollars) . It is hard to support the Carrecter of an Officer with the 
 small Supplies we have rec<? from the Public, as it is to make* Brick 
 without Straw, (enough of this) — 
 
 Your good Mutual friends at the half way house are well and con- 
 tinue to be the same as they use to be, except a perticular shake of 
 the head when it was mentioned that you and a Miss B[ancke]rwas 
 about to do you know what, the rest of our acquaintance are gen- 
 erally well and make their Compliments. 
 
 Please to make my respects to Colo. Huntington and the Officers 
 of Your once happy Regiment, my best Compliments waits on all 
 friend that inquire ; and on your and my Brother Jose, God Bless 
 him, tell him, that I ever intended to have wrote and done many 
 things for him which the want of a good opportunity has prevented. 
 I am Dear Col? most Sincerely yours 
 
 Edw? Bulkley. 
 
2 6o CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 FROM THOMAS WOOSTER.* 
 
 Hartford, 12 May, 1780. 
 D» Sir: 
 
 I suppose you well know that for some reason or other, the officers 
 of our Reg 1 , had never receiv'd their Commissions when I left the 
 Reg 1 . ; and as I have thought of going to Europe in the Fall, should 
 be much obliged to you if you will take the trouble to get my Com- 
 mission made out, and send it me, tho, I suppose there has been one 
 made out some time ago, tho', I never receiv'd it ; you know a 
 certain person if he had it, and thought it would be of any service to 
 me, wou'd not have delivered it me, except he was oblig'd, for which 
 reason I never have applied for it before ; the reason of my wanting 
 to have it, or that I imagine it might be of service to me abroad, by 
 gaining respect, if not Friends. I should also be glad if you cou'd 
 get me an honourable Discharge from Genl Washington, as I never 
 had one, nor was muster'd out as a supernumerary, tho : perhaps the 
 Major might consider it in that light, but I never receiv'd the year's 
 Pay, which was allow'd to supernY Officers, nor indeed never desir'd 
 it, as I did not enter the service for the sake of pay, or Rank, and I 
 imagine shou'd not have quitted it, untill the war was over, if you 
 had not been so unfortunate as to be taken from it. I beg you will 
 let me know whether you comply with my request by the first op- 
 portunity and in the mean time remain, you most obed* serv* . 
 
 Tho? Wooster. 
 
 FROM MANNING MERRILL. 
 
 Wethersfield, May 15th, 1780. 
 
 Monday Mornf 9 o'Clock. 
 Dear Colo : 
 
 I have the Pleasure to inform you that Friday last the Hawk Re- 
 turned to N. London, & Brought in with Her a Ship from London 
 bound to N. York which she took off Sandy hook — Her Cargo is 300 
 Tons Coal, 20 Tons Riggen, 108 Bolts Duck, & sundry Other Arti- 
 cles which the Cap? had not time to mention when He Wrote — 
 (which was at the Mouth of the Harbour;) she Mounted 20 Guns. 
 
 * Wooster was commissioned a captain in Col. Webb's regiment, 23 February, 
 1777, and retired as supernumerary Captain in April, 1779. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 261 
 
 Viz — 6 — 9'es, & 4 — 4'es & 6'es — & 10 Wooden — 360 Tons burthen, 
 but unfortunately there was 2 Privateers in Sight which its supposed 
 will draw |th but Verry underservedly as they was of no service nor 
 did they Come Up untill she had struck — the Hawk behaved Gal- 
 lantly, & Rec'? the fire of Her 2 stern Chasers for 2 Hours which 
 Cutt Her Riggen & Sails ^prodigiously — when Coming within 30 
 yards he made every thing Ready to lay Her a Board, which the 
 Ship perceiving thought best to Strike, to prevent the Shedding of 
 Blood — the Hawk has taken 4 other Prizes in C? 2 of which they 
 Ran a Shore on Long Island & the People made their Escape — the 
 Other 2 have Arrived but of no great Value — she Sales fast & is 
 much liked. Mr. Webb set off for N. London yesterday, to take the 
 Necessary Care, as he is Agent. 
 
 We have been Expecting you Home for some time past, which has 
 prevented any of the family from Writing. Mrs. W. expressed a 
 Desire to send forward a Letter but was prevented, when she found 
 it must go the Post. Miss W. seams anxious for your return, & oft 
 mentions a desire to see Boston before the Season is so far advanced 
 Y r . Sister A[bigail] is well & sends her Love Jointly & severally with 
 the family. Sally says she wants to see You & you must Come 
 Home — as she has almost forgot her education — but a few days will 
 Revive it as she has the same spirit Remain? — the little Miss is in a 
 fair way to match Sally with a little of your Tuition. I am Dear 
 
 Col? . in haste. 
 
 Yours Affcy 
 
 M. Merrill. 
 
 P. S. friends are all well in Boston & Express a desire to see you. 
 
 Governor Trumbull has not Come in so fully as could have been 
 Wishd — he had not a Majority of Votes by 70, but its generally be- 
 lieved the Assembly will put Him in — old Marshalls Candle is near 
 out — as he is one of our new lighted Gentry, but there was near 300 
 fools that Voted for Him as Gov 1 : . 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BLAGDEN. 
 
 Hartford, May 25, 1780. 
 Dear Colonel : 
 
 I went to Weathersfield this morning in Expectation of the pleas- 
 ure of seeing you there, but found your brother, with the Ladys, Mr. 
 Deane and Major Talmage Just mounting for a Ride to Windsor. 
 
262 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 Capt. Webb Just going for Head Quarters, I take the opportunity 
 of Communicating in the Confidence of that Friendship which I en- 
 tertain for you, some Matters in which it may perhaps be in your 
 power to serve me. 
 
 You know my Reasons for leaving the Army, and I have an opin- 
 ion that you do not disapprove of them, I thought Retirement, more 
 Hon'ble than Service, under an unworthy Commander. 
 
 As I was Ever fond of a Military Life, and Entered very early 
 into the service, I made a Great Sacrifice in Giving up the Rank I 
 had acquired, but my Consolation was, that the Gen 1 . Approved of it. 
 
 Now my Friend, what I would Wish of you is, that as your situa- 
 tion places you near, and frequently in Company of His Excellency 
 and the Generals, you would take Occasion to mention your friend ; 
 not as Coming from him, for your own delicacy will point out to you 
 the impropriety of that, but as a Spontaneous Idea of your Own. 
 
 I cannot ask anything of the Gen 1 , nor will I of Congress, and yet 
 I wish to take a part in this Summer's Campaign — Your Good 
 friend Gen 1 Green has doubtless many occasions, of Imploying in his 
 department those who have served in the Army ; If you think it 
 worth while I beg you mention me to him — In short as you know 
 me, and what will sute my turn, do for me in the same manner you 
 would have me do for you in the same Circumstances. 
 I am my T> r . Sir, 
 
 your Obliged Hu'ble Serv* 
 
 Sam. Blagden.* 
 
 JOSEPH WEBB TO A COMMITTEE FROM CONGRESS. 
 
 Morristown, 2 June, 1780. 
 
 TO THE HONRTHE COMMITTEE FROM CONGRESS NOW SITTING AT MORRISTOWN. 
 
 Gentn : 
 
 Having lately Erected a very extensive & Compleat set of Tan 
 Works, & provided an English Workman of the first Abilities to 
 superintend & Manage the different Branches of tanning Currying & 
 
 * Samuel Blagden was engaged in the party that went from Connecticut in 
 April 1775 to take Fort Ticonderoga, and afterwards served in the northern army 
 as an aid to General Wooster. As a Lieutenant-Colonel he was in Sheldon's 
 Light Dragoon's, and resigned in August, 1779. He does not appear to have 
 again entered the army. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 263 
 
 dressing Leather — I am led to offer my best service to the Public in 
 Tanning any Quantity of Leather not exceeding Two thousand Raw 
 Hides, which shall be Tanned & Curried in most Compleat English 
 Manner for one Half — The Public being at the Expence of a man to 
 superintend the delivery of the Hides to my Order and the Carriage 
 from the places of Slaughter to the Tan yards in Wethersfield — 
 which last Service I will undertake to do at the rate of one Shilling 
 p* mile for Every Tonn of Raw Hides payable in Hides at Two 
 pence half penny p4 and I will procure a proper person to Superin- 
 tend on the best Terms in my power and Receive payment for His 
 Wage in Hides as aforesaid — M* Webb likewise makes this other 
 proposal — that He will Receive from the public any Quantity of 
 of Raw Hides not exceeding the above Quantity at His Works — 
 Superintending the Delivery & the Transportation paid as above (to 
 Have it tan'd & Curried in the best Manner as the Hides may best 
 answer for ; & for every Thirty pounds of Raw Hides so Deliv'd to 
 pay in one pair good Merchantable Large & well made Soldiers Shoes 
 — Deliver'd at the Works to the Order of Congress — The orders of 
 Congress may have a proportionable Quantity of Harness & other 
 Leather instead of Shoes at the said proportion of thirty pounds for 
 one pair of Shoes as may best suit the public — or be most agreeable. 
 
 Mr. Webb also begs leave for the Quantity of Raw Hides as above, 
 superintendance & Transportation being paid as above — to make 
 one more proposal, Viz. — 
 
 To Tan & Curry the Hides in the very best manner & for to re- 
 ceive the Hides at Two pence half penny pr pound free of charge & 
 to give his Workmen orders to Tan the Hides as may be most suit- 
 able — either Sole & Harness or upper Leather : & when finished Mr. 
 Webb will pay for said Hides as above in Leather as follows : — 
 
 Sole Leather at fifteen pence, Harness & Saddle Leather at Eigh- 
 teen pence — Upper Leather in like proportion — 
 
 Mr. Webbs most Respectful Compliments waits on the Gent™ & 
 begs they wou'd take His proposals into Consideration & give him 
 an Answer this Afternoon — As He waits from Returning Home only 
 for the Answer — Shou'd it be agreeable M r . Webb wishes for the very 
 first Hides in Order to Make this utmost dispatch. 
 
 I am Gent™ 
 
 Your Most O 1 ? H Servt 
 
 Jos. Webb. 
 
264 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 WEBB'S OFFICERS. 
 Arrangement of Col? Saml B. Webb's Regiment and the dates 
 from which the officers are to rank. 
 
 Samuel B.Webb Colonel 22 August 1777 
 
 Ebenezer Huntington Lt. Col? j jo Qctober ^ 
 
 Vice Livingston resigned ) 
 
 John P. Wyllys vice Huntington Major 10 Octf 1778 
 
 Edward Bulkley Capt? 1 Jany 1777 
 
 Joseph Walker Captn 22 August 1777 
 
 Samuel William Williams Capt? 23 March 1778 
 
 Elisha Hopkins Capt? j jq Qctr ^ 
 
 vice Wyllys promoted J 
 
 John Riley ^P 1 " } ro July i 7 79 
 
 vice Whiting — dead ) 
 
 Roger Welles Ca P l ° I 9 April 1780 
 
 vice Hart — resigned ) 
 
 Timothy Allen Capt? Lieu* 9 April 1780 
 
 Nathan Beers Lt. 23 March 1777 
 
 *Samuel Mears Lieut j March ^ 
 
 vice Solomon Mears resigned ) 
 
 Ebenezer Frothingham Lieut j ^ May ^^ 
 
 vice Giles Mumford, resigned i 
 
 Huntington Tomlinson ensign 5 April 1780 
 
 *John Meigs Lt. 15 Feby 1778 
 
 Excepting to the above Lt. Col? Huntington claims Rank from 
 12* May 77 vice Lt. Col? Meigs Prefer? from Col? Sherburne's Reg' 
 to a Colonel in the Connecticut Line — 
 
 Camp June 5* h 1780 
 
 Eben Huntington Lt Col? Comm? 
 
 JOSEPH WEBB TO GOVERNOR TRUMBULL. 
 
 Wethersfield, 11 June, 1780. 
 m: 
 
 I wish to know if any Express goes soon to Head Quarters, as I 
 irish to Write — I was Sorry it was not convenient for you & Col? 
 Dyer to come & drink Tea with me last Evening, as I wanted to 
 paint the late distresses of our truly small, but gallant Army — I 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 265 
 
 doubt not your Excellency has a full knowledge of common fame, 
 that they are in want 
 
 but I beg leave to say I believe the Commander in chief's letters 
 do not one half paint their late wants. His delicacy is too great — 
 is it not full Time for each State to exert her self to her full propor- 
 tion of abilities ; to supply Monies & ample Supplys of Magazines ? 
 — do we fully reflect the Art ; Cunning & Abilities of Our Enemies? 
 — is it not Time to be Sensible of our tottering Situation in the 
 midst of plenty? — Excuse me Dear Sir for asking these seeming 
 impertinent Questions — but I have of late seen our Virtuous Army — 
 I have to acknowledge I think the Country have shamefuly Neglected 
 their duty 
 
 I have lately been at the Army and am much surprized affected 
 and truly distressed — had I abilities to speak or write I should think 
 it my duty to rouse the Assembly, Rouse them to their duty, and to 
 Exert her power at this very Critical moment — I fear Government 
 is too timid of her power or abilities — our Militia Law is not the 
 plan for War, it may do for peace — pardon me for saying too much 
 on the subject ; but I feel for my General, for my Bleeding Country, 
 at a time when I think they have a glorious Opportunity to End the 
 war as we cou'd wish — Neglected I fear the Golden Opportunity 
 will be lost. 
 
 I am your Excellencys Most Obt 
 H Servant 
 Jos Webb* 
 
 JOSEPH WEBB TO A COMMITTEE FROM CONGRESS. 
 
 Wethersfield, 14 June, 1780. 
 
 Gentlemen : 
 
 Your Letters to our General Assembly with some Letters from His 
 Excellency I deliv'd in Three days after I left you, and as far as my 
 Abilities wou'd allow painted the distressed situation of the Army — 
 and am in hopes they are rousing from their stupidity, provision is 
 going on from every quarter — I much fear they will not be able to 
 supply the proportions of flour, but I must own I believe they will 
 exert every Nerve — but our government or any other Republic gov- 
 
 * From the Trumbull Papers in the Massachusetts Historical Society. 
 
266 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 ernment are too timid and slow for a Warlike people — but for 
 further particulars wou'd beg leave to refer you to our Friend Col? 
 Wadsworth who left this for Morristown the very Evening I got home 
 — Shou'd you Comply with my proposals, I can only say the sooner 
 the better both for the public Advantage and my Workmen — I find 
 by Examination a great plenty of returning Teams — that the Hides 
 might at once be Order'd to my Order. I suppose from Expence 
 of Carting, I am told there yet remains large Quantities of Hides at 
 Fishkill — I have just seen the Commissary of Hides for this State — 
 who is much pleased with the Prospect of my Works Being Supplied, 
 and will give you Any recommendation of the Workmen you please 
 to require — I Expected to have gone to Fishkill myself — but when 
 I found your Letters and the General's of such importance I push 
 immediately for Hartford — as I said before I will Contract for to 
 have the whole on both sides of the river, or only the Two thousand 
 as you may find Agreeable — But really by what I can Learn its Time 
 there was some better regulation — The Hides are careless and ill 
 taken off — and ill taken care of afterwards — I can only say I wish to 
 Learn from you an the Subject as soon as may be, I will confess I 
 was chagrined you was not prepar'd and ready to finish the Affair 
 when I was at Morris — but I well know you have your Hands full of 
 
 trouble and perplexities. 
 
 I am gentlemen with Compliments 
 Your Most Ob H Serv*. 
 
 Joseph Webb 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL LEWIS MORRIS. 
 
 Heights above Springfield, June 17, 1780. 
 
 Look at the direction of the enclosed, and if it does not produce 
 a train of the most agreeable sensations, I will never forward you an- 
 other. Fortunate man to be thus blessed with the affections of one 
 of the first of her sex. It is not the characteristick of a benevolent 
 mind to be envious of another's happiness, but situated as I am, I 
 could wish to shake hands with you under similar circumstances. 
 
 I need not assure you how sensible I am of the confidence which 
 you have placed in me, and how ready I shall be to oblige both your- 
 self and the lady upon every occasion. I am sure you are sufficiently 
 convinced of my friendship and disposition to serve you. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 267 
 
 I have not had it in my power, from the constant duties in the 
 field, to assist Major Claiborne in forwarding the wine. I will write 
 him upon the subject, and press him to forward it. 
 
 The Enemy continue precisely as they were, & they have com- 
 pleted a bridge of boats across the sound, but whether they mean to 
 retreat or make a daring and serious attack upon our army I cannot 
 say. 
 
 My best respects to your brothers and sisters, and believe me dear 
 Sir, 
 
 Your sincere and affc* Friend 
 
 Lewis Morris Jun? . 
 
 JOSHUA LORING TO MAJOR SKINNER.* 
 
 New York, 21st June 1780. 
 Sir: 
 
 I have received the Commands of His Majesty's Commander in 
 Chief, His Excellency General Sir Henry Clinton to propose to you 
 an Exchange of all British and German Prisoners of War now in 
 your hands according to the certified lists settled between me and 
 M* Beaty at Amboy : against an equal number, Rank for Rank, of 
 the American Prisoners of War on Long Island, including such as 
 may be at home upon their paroles, and Violaters of parole in the 
 due order of their Capture. I have to propose also that such Offi- 
 cers of the Troops of Convention as are now actually on their paroles 
 in New York may be exchanged Rank for Rank against an equal 
 number of your Long Island Prisoners of War, excepting only Major 
 Gen 1 . Phillips and Major General Riedesel and such Officers of their 
 families as they may chuse to be with them. 
 
 You will no doubt take General Washington's Commands upon 
 this Matter immediately. — And on our Officers being suffered to go 
 to any ready place of embarkation for New York, an equal number 
 of American Officers shall be sent from Long Island in exchange for 
 them. — His Excellency General Sir Henry Clinton has No objection 
 to Lieu 1 . Col 1 . Ramsey being opposed to Lieut. Colo 1 . Conolly in an 
 Exchange, supposing this Offer of a general One is accepted of. 
 
 * Abraham Skinner was a deputy Commissary General of Prisoners. In Sep- 
 tember, 1 780, he was appointed Commissary General of Prisoners. 
 
268 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 I have not received any Answer to my Letter of the 6 l . h of May 
 proposing to you an exchange of all the privates — prisoners of War 
 in our possession in New York. — I am directed to repeat that offer, 
 and am ready to deliver these Privates amounting to Five Hundred 
 for an equal number of the Prisoners of War in your hands as fol- 
 lows 
 
 Non Commissioned Officers and Privates taken at Stoney Point — 
 (of the 17* Infantry.) 
 
 The Soldiers of the Artillery according to the enclosed List. — 
 
 The Soldiers of the 42*? and 71^ Regiments, who have been a long 
 time Prisoners at Fort Frederick, and Winchester in Maryland. The 
 remainder to be made up from our prisoners of War of the longest 
 Capture. 
 
 If this meets with General Washington's Approbation, I shall be 
 ready to carry it into execution immediately at such place, as our 
 respective Commanders in Chief shall please to Appoint, and I hope 
 that Motives of humanity will urge that no further delay be made to 
 this proposal. Hitherto your Prisoners have (by great attention and 
 expence) been kept from Sickness, but it will be impossible when 
 the hot weather sets in, for them to continue so, as they have scarce 
 any clothing to keep them clean and healthy. 
 
 I am Sir With due respect Yours &? &? 
 
 Jos? Loring, 
 ComY Genl of Prisoners. 
 
 FROM MAJOR-GENERAL GREENE. 
 
 Camp, Precknees, near Paramus 
 July 4th, 1780 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 I was made happy by your letter of the 26th of last month. There 
 is a mixture of pain and pleasure to hear at the same time, the dan- 
 ger our friends have been exposed to, and their happy escape from 
 it. You have been ill, but have got well. The alarm was no sooner 
 [given?], than joy succeeded it, from your recovery. 
 
 I return you many thanks for your polite attention to Mrs. Greene, 
 I must remain your debtor until you will give me an opportunity to 
 escort Mrs. Webb in the same way, and I can assure you nothing 
 would give me greater pleasure. 
 
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SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 269 
 
 Be not afraid of matrimony, trust me it will not injure you. They 
 who engage in this connection, live for themselves ; those who avoid 
 it live for others. "My greatest happiness is of the social kind ; and 
 I am sure a mind possessed of your sensibility must enjoy the most 
 refined pleasures from so tender a connection. Let the giddy and 
 unthinking laugh ; the pleasures of the rational and the wise, have 
 always been the sport of fools, and strange as it may appear, I firmly 
 believe that matrimony, generally speaking, lessens our expenses as 
 well as enlarges our felicity. 
 
 The Enemy have left this State, and upon the whole, have no 
 great things to boast of. Since you left Morris [town], Sir Henry 
 Clinton arrived, and made some demonstrations as if he intended an 
 attack upon West Point, but dare not attempt it. It is said he is 
 now in the borders of West Chester, destroying the forage of that 
 country, to prevent our availing ourselves of it hereafter, should we 
 have any offensive operations in contemplation against New York. 
 
 The Congress are dreaming as usual ; your very good friend Sir 
 Roger [Sherman ?] is playing his old game of little tricks, and pur- 
 suing his former scale of penny happenny politics ; and unfortunately 
 for America, he finds enough of his kidney to join him, to form a 
 majority in the House. 
 
 The Committee of Congress have almost all got sick ; and we are 
 almost sick of them all, except Schuyler. The other two dare not 
 do what they know to be right. Popularity is the bane of American 
 Liberty, and if a different policy is not pursued hereafter, ten to one 
 but it proves our ruin.* 
 
 Please to make my respectful compliments to your brother and 
 family. 
 
 I am with the greatest respect, your most obed 1 . humble serv*. 
 
 Nath : Greene. 
 
 * The members of this committee were Philip Schuyler, John Mathews and Na- 
 thaniel Peabody. They were vested with very important powers, and constituted 
 the Committee on Co-operation. Journals of Congress, April 6, 12, 13, 1780. 
 Writings of Washington, viii, passim. 
 
270 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 FROM MAJOR TALLMADGE. 
 
 Crompond, July 6th, 1 780. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 Since my arrival at camp (which was on the third day after I left 
 you) , a variety of avocations has prevented my writing to my friends 
 as often as I could have wished. 
 
 I have just returned from H'Qu'rs at West Point, where I found 
 & left your brother Jack in health and happy. 
 
 Since the arrival of Sir Harry from Carolina, and the alarm which 
 spread thro' the country in consequence thereof, on acc't of your 
 fortresses on the North River I am happy to assure you that our 
 affairs at the garrison wear a promising aspect. Much credit is due 
 to the State of Connecticut for their exertions in forwarding sup- 
 plies, and I believe more to Governor Clinton for the seasonable 
 reinforcement which he sent to the fort. From a government so 
 modelled, and a Governor so zealously engaged in our cause, every- 
 thing within the reach of human exertions may be expected. Did 
 you not know the spirit of the Constitution of this State, and par- 
 ticularly the powers of the Governor in military matters, I would 
 relate to you some of his proceedings towards the militia in the late 
 alarm, where pecuniary satisfactions will not atone for breaches of 
 military orders, and the rich are obliged equally with the poor to 
 take their tour of duty or suffer military sentence and execution, no 
 man hopes to escape, and of course all are willing to assist. 
 
 General Washington has retired or advanced from the Clove down 
 to the Kakiat 'tis said on account of forage. 
 
 We have this day been informed that the French Fleet have 
 arrived at Rhode Island. God grant it be true, as I long to be in a 
 more active sphere. I am tomorrow going on an enterprise down 
 to the Line with a very respectable command of horse or foot. I 
 hope the next account you hear from me may relate some achieve- 
 ment. Being on an advanced post, our duty is, of course, severe, 
 subject to frequent alarms and little rest. I have often wished for 
 Miss Webb's faculty of living without sleep, that duty might not affect 
 me. 
 
 My best wishes attend Mr. Webb and lady, Miss Webb, Miss 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 271 
 
 Abby, and our friends at Chester-Hall. I am happy at camp, but a 
 sight of them all would make me happier still. 
 
 Adieu my friend and believe me, 
 
 with sincerity, your friend, 
 
 Benj. Tallmadge. 
 P. S. Compliments to Mr. Deane ; should write, but have not time. 
 P. S. My love to little Sally Ab — . The enclosed parody or an- 
 swer to the song called the banks of the Dee, please t9 present to 
 Miss Chester, as she may probably take the trouble to learn it.* 
 
 Sir: 
 
 WASHINGTON TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. 
 
 Head-Quarters near Passaic, 
 10 July, 1780. 
 
 With respect to an exchange of prisoners, I most earnestly wish 
 that Congress, apprized of our affairs in the fullest manner, and of 
 the prospects of the campaign, had been pleased to determine the 
 point themselves. But as they have not done it, and they have 
 thought proper to refer it to me, I cannot but observe, if motives of 
 policy are ever to prevail over those of humanity, they seem to apply 
 at present against a general exchange. As to officers, their Exchange 
 either on the principle of equal rank, or of composition where that 
 will not apply confining the exchange on that of composition for 
 officers only, is favored both by policy and humanity, and therefore 
 in every point of light it is to be desired ; and there is now a nego- 
 tiation on foot between us and the Enemy in consequence of a late 
 proposition from them for the exchange of all their officers, who are 
 prisoners of war, and for such of those of the Convention (Generals 
 Phillips, Riedesel, and their families excepted), as are in New York 
 on parole, for an equal number of ours of their rank and in order of 
 their captivity ; which, if carried into effect, will give relief to a few. 
 But the exchange of privates, though strongly urged by humanity, 
 would certainly be against us in a political view. It would throw 
 into the Enemy's hands a very respectable permanent augmentation 
 to their present force, already great, while it would add but incon- 
 
 ♦From the Reminiscences of General Samuel B. Webb, 295. 
 
272 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 siderably to ours, as no small proportion of the Men, we should re- 
 ceive, would not belong to the Army, and Many who should at the 
 time, would probably be soon released from it by the expiration of 
 their Enlistments. This is one among the innumerable ill conse- 
 quences that result from short enlistments. Indeed, if the case were 
 otherwise, and the whole of the privates, the Enemy have to ex- 
 change, were enlisted for the war, the advantages derived from an 
 Exchange would not be equal at this time. These would be on the 
 side of the Enemy, on the supposition that offensive operations will 
 be prosecuted on our part, as every Man given them would in such 
 case be equal to two received by us on the lowest scale of calcula- 
 tion. These considerations seem to make the release of the privates 
 ineligible for the present ; but Congress will decide themselves with 
 respect to the business. If they think that their exchange should be 
 deferred, or if we should not be able to effect that of the officers, I 
 should hope every exertion, which our circumstances will authorize, 
 will be made to render their situation easy and comfortable. They 
 have a claim to this, and nothing in our power should be omitted to 
 effect it.* 
 
 General Lincoln informed me, when he arrived here, that from 
 some correspondence which had passed between him and Sir Henry 
 Clinton, he hoped his exchange might be effected for one of the 
 major-generals of the Convention ; and for this purpose he wrote to 
 him just before his departure for Boston with my approbation. The 
 proposition falls within the principle of equality of rank, by which 
 exchanges between us hitherto have been governed ; and his release 
 will not be injurious to the claims of any other officer of ours in cap- 
 tivity, and therefore it appeared to me not objectionable. I hope it 
 will be considered in the same light by Congress. I have the honor 
 to be, &c. 
 
 G? Washington 
 
 * When this letter was considered in Congress, a resolve was passed, " That 
 General Washington be authorized to effectuate an exchange of officers, either on 
 the footing of equal rank, or on composition, or both, as the cases may respec- 
 tively require, confining the exchange on that of composition of officers only, and 
 having due regard to the order of captivity; such exchange to be rendered as 
 extensive as possible in its execution, so as not only to include, on the part of the 
 enemy, prisoners of war, but also the officers of the convention troops, now on 
 parole at New York." — Journals, August 7th. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 273 
 
 P. S. I forgot to mention above that one of the Enemy's late 
 propositions extends to an exchange of the Privates in New York — 
 This I could not effect in the severe weather in the beginning of 
 February but a change of circumstances has since disposed them to 
 think it expedient and to make the offer. They affect to place it on 
 the mere footing of humanity. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO ABRAHAM SKINNER. 
 
 Head Quarters 12th July 178a. 
 Sir: 
 
 Inclosed you will receive a Copy of a Letter from M* Loring the 
 British Commissary of Prisoners, to your self, of the 21^ of last 
 month, which was transmitted me by Major Genl Phillips while you 
 were absent from the Army. You will Perceive by this, that Sir 
 Henry Clinton has proposed, an exchange of all the British and 
 German Prisoners of War in our hands by which from the subse- 
 quent part of the Letter I understand Officers are only meant ac- 
 cording to the Certified lists settled between M r . Loring and M r . 
 Beatty at Amboy — and also of such Officers of the Troops of Con- 
 vention as are in New York on parole, except Major-General 
 Phillips and Major-General Reidesel and such Officers of their 
 families as they may chuse to retain with them for an equal number, 
 rank for rank, of the Prisoners of War in their hands on Long 
 Island, including such as are at home upon their paroles and who 
 have violated their paroles, in due order of their Capture, and that 
 Sir Henry Clinton has agreed to exchange Lieu* Colonel Ramsey 
 for Lieu* Colonel Conolly. I accede most cheerfully to these propo- 
 sitions under the restrictions mentioned below — and regret that your 
 business at Philadelphia has delayed for some days, the necessary 
 measures being taken to carry them into execution. You will there- 
 fore pursue immediate steps for bringing forward all the Officers 
 Prisoners of War, to Elizabeth Town, and will expect their Exchange 
 as well as that of the Convention officers in New York, save those 
 excepted above, on the terms proposed. You will inform M* Loring 
 immediately of our agreeing to his proposal on this head — and that 
 their Officers will be sent in as soon as possible. 
 
 With respect to the proposition for the exchange of privates — You 
 
274 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 will request M r Loring to favour you with a List of their names — of 
 the Corps and Regiments to which they belong and of the place and 
 manner of their Capture — after which you will receive further in- 
 structions on the subject. 
 
 The exchange of Lieu* Colo 1 . Ramsey may not perhaps be in the 
 order of Capture, but the State of Maryland insisting on it for Lieu* 
 Col . 1 Conolly, whom they took & claim as their prisoner — it must be 
 made — 
 
 That there may be no misunderstanding in this business — transmit 
 M* Loring in time, a List of our Officers whom we are to receive 
 from them in exchange, which you will take care not to mention any 
 of those for whom we do not consider ourselves accountable either 
 because they have not been determined violaters of parole or been 
 allowed as proper Subjects of Military Capture. 
 
 Lieu 4 . Governor Hamilton and the officers taken with him at De- 
 troit can't be comprehended in the Exchange as his rank is not set- 
 tled and they are under the direction of the State of Virginia — 
 
 With respect to the Officers taken in the Eagle Packet — our for- 
 mer propositions concerning them must be adhered to. Colonel 
 Webb must be released for them the first, on the proper ratio — and 
 the remainder be applied to the relief of other as formerly directed — 
 
 I am Sir 
 
 Yours &? 
 
 G? Washington. 
 
 TO JOSEPH BARRELL. 
 
 Wethersfield, Sunday Evening, 
 
 1 6th July 1780. 
 Dear Barrell: 
 
 Your letter of the 6th Instant is with me and we 
 have since been waiting a private conveyance to write 
 you particularly which has not offered. I write now 
 only to inform you that B. Deane, J Broome, J Wright, 
 Merrill and myself embark on Tuesday next on Board 
 the Sloop Gates for Newport with a view of seeing the 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 275 
 
 French Fleet and Army and passing a little time tete 
 a tete wt. our friends — if you Joseph Barrell with half 
 a dozen other cleaver fellows from Boston will take it 
 in your heads to meet us there you'll make us happy — 
 and I have't a doubt you may find some business in the 
 speculateing way which will make it worth your while, 
 — as I am told their is many goods come out in the 
 Fleet, don't hesitate — come if possible, we shall stop in 
 at New London, and probably it will be Fryday or Sat- 
 urday before we reach Newport, — whether you come 
 or not write to that place by the Post — remember all 
 single letters to me come post free, therefore never be 
 afraid of writing — my Love to Sally — Joe, Hannah & 
 the circle with and about you, let me see you at New- 
 port when you shall see how much and with what 
 Friendship 
 
 I am your Affct Bro 
 
 Saml B. Webb. 
 
 FROM LEWIS MORRIS, JR. 
 
 Camp, July 22d, 1780. 
 Dr Sir: 
 
 Your favor of the 1 7* came to Hand yesterday. The enclosed 
 
 was sent off by Express immediately. I wish it was in my power to 
 
 return you an answer from her for every letter I forward. But you 
 
 must consider that she lives in a remote part of the country and that 
 
 opportunities seldom offer from that Quarter. 
 
 I cannot but think you imprudent to venture to New Port by 
 
 water, and an under some little apprehension for the consequences 
 
 — Admiral Graves has sailed from New York with a superior fleet, 
 
 with an intention to block up the French, and will no doubt effect it 
 
 for some time — 'till the second division arrives. 
 
 My respects at home, 
 
 and believe me &c, 
 
 L. Morris Jun r . 
 
276 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 ARRANGEMENT OF WEBB'S REGIMENT. 
 
 In Committee of Congress Camp Preakness 
 July 23, 1780. 
 
 The Commander in Chief having laid before the Committee, an 
 act of the State of Connecticut, which is in the Words following, to 
 wit, 
 
 "At a general Assembly of the Governor and Company of the 
 State of Connecticut in America holden at Hartford on the 2? 
 Thursday of May Dom 1780." 
 
 "Upon the Memorial of Ebenezer Huntington Esq? Lieu* Col? 
 Commandant of the battallion of the Army of the United States 
 raised in this State, of which Sam 1 . B. Webb Esq? now a prisoner of 
 War, is Colonel, shewing to this Assembly that altho said battalion 
 hath received bounties, refreshments, and all allowance — as the 
 eight battalions raised in this State have had and received, notwith- 
 standing they have not been explicitly adopted by this State, and 
 added to their line, in the aforesaid army, which is inconvenient to 
 this state, and to said Battalion as per Memorial on file " — 
 
 " Resolved by this Assembly, that the aforesaid Battalion in the 
 Army of the United States, raised in this state, and Commanded by 
 Samuel B. Webb Esq? as Colonel, be and the same is adopted, 
 claimed, and declared to be one of the Battalions of this State, in 
 the army of the United States, and of the Connecticut Line in the 
 said Army, and the Congress of the United States, and the Com- 
 mander in Chief of their Army, are desired to consider said Battal- 
 ion as being part of the Line of this State, in said Army, and to 
 order and treat them as such accordingly." 
 
 A true Copy of record annexed by 
 
 George Wyllys, Secy 
 
 Resolved, by and with the advice of the Commander in Chief, that 
 the regiment whereof Samuel B. Webb Esq is Colonel, now Com- 
 manded by Lieu? Col? Ebenezer Huntington and one of the addi- 
 tional Corps, be and is hereby, annexed to the Connecticut line in 
 the Continental Army, and shall hence forth be Considered and 
 called the 9? h regiment in the Connecticut Line of Continental 
 troops, provided that nothing herein contained shall be considered 
 as taken to be a credit to the State of Connecticut for more of the 
 non Commission'd officers & Soldiers than were Citizens of that 
 State, at the time of their engagement in said Corps. 
 
 Phip. Schuyler 
 Jn? Mathews 
 Nath?- Peabody — 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 277 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO ABRAHAM SKINNER. 
 
 Head Quarters, July 24th 1 780. 
 Sir: 
 
 I have received your Letter of the 224 Instant inclosing a copy of 
 one from Mr. Loring the British Commissary of prisoners of the 19^. 
 I find by his Letter that the Enemy intend to connect the exchange 
 of our officers and privates prisoners at New York and Long Island, 
 and to make the release of the former depend on that of the latter. 
 This is evidently the object at which they now aim. It is inadmis- 
 sable and what I will not accede to — Exchanges from the first that 
 took place between us to the present time, have been conducted on 
 a very different principle, and it was never attempted in any case 
 before to combine the release of Officers and Men together, except 
 in the instance of the Convention Troops ; and the propositions con- 
 tained in Mr. Lo rings Letter of the 21^ of June whatever communi- 
 cations he may have thought it proper to give since are separate and 
 distinct with respect to the business, and do not in the most distant 
 manner hint at any relation between them. You are therefore to 
 govern yourself entirely by his proposition of the 21^ of June and by 
 my Letter of the 12* of Instant with respect to the Officers — 
 
 As to the privates prisoners in New York about whose exchange 
 the Enemy appear Solicitous at present. It might be remarked that 
 humanity required it much more strongly — when it was proposed and 
 urged on our part on the 3? of February — and that they thought 
 proper then to decline it and not to give any answer upon the sub- 
 ject 'til the 6* h of May. But waiving all considerations of the Mo- 
 tives which induced them then to decline, what they now would ac- 
 cede to — You May ascertain with Mr. Loring and obtain Lists from 
 him, of such as are really prisoners, whom we shall deem as such and 
 fit subjects of Exchange. This will be a good and necessary prelim- 
 inary step, and such as will facilitate their release. 
 
 In consequence of directions I have just received for the purpose 
 you will propose to Mr. Loring to exchange any Brigadier-General 
 belonging to them in our hands, for Brigadier-General Du Portail, 
 who was taken at Charles Town, and if the proposition is agreed to, 
 you will take immediate measures for releasing the Officer given on 
 our part — and will obtain an order for the liberation of Gen 1 . Du 
 Portail for his safe conduct to Philadelphia, or Some part of Jersey, 
 
278 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 if Sir Henry Clinton should indulge him with a passage by Water, or 
 if not, till he arrives at such place in North Carolina as he may 
 mention. — 
 
 As Lieu* Gen 1 . Burgoyne is not with the Convention Troops — and 
 the Enemy have no other officers of ours of his Rank to exchange 
 for him ; and as they have several of our Colonels prisoners to them, 
 who can never be exchanged on the principle of equal Rank ; I wish 
 you to propose for the Mutual relief of the parties, his Exchange for 
 our Colonels as far as it may extend, according to the Tariff or 
 Grades which were discussed and thought reasonable by our respec- 
 tive Commissioners when at Amboy last, beginning first with the 
 Officers of this rank prisoners in this Quarter, referring one to be 
 exchanged for Col. Cockier and extending it to the relief of those 
 prisoners in the Continental Line at the Southward, as far as it will 
 reach, according to the Seniority of their Capture, and where this is 
 equal, the dates of Commission Must govern. 
 
 G? Washington. 
 
 FROM JOSEPH WEBB. 
 
 Hartford, 25 July, 1780. 
 My dear Brother : 
 
 I hope you had a happy Jaunt by Water & arrived safe & Pleased 
 with your Reception — I wish I was there to purchase the Hides, it 
 wou'd be of much consequence to me — indeed I can supply them 
 with better Leather by & by, than any other person — to receive 
 those Hides immediately from the French when new & Green are 
 vastly before Dry Hides from the Camp — 
 
 I have hardly tho*. of it long Enough to lay any Regular Plan which 
 way to propose, or what to do, as to Business I know you will not 
 attend to it — to Come to Newport I know not how to, but if they 
 will wait for me & you Advise I will Come immediately — perhaps it 
 may be worth my while — Hides I wou'd buy & pay off in something 
 of Supplys or Leather or Bills only allowing me a Small Time — this 
 between you & me is worth an Object of Persuing, but I hardly 
 know how — I can supply them with Some Leather in seven or Eight 
 Weeks. 
 
 I hope you have Wrote me before this, I would not be so short 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 279 
 
 but the Bearer Col? Wadsworth is waiting — I believe He wou'd do 
 everything for me if he was certain of Dennys fullnlling — He has 
 received a Jealousy that I fear He never will get rid off — He loves 
 our family beyond a Doubt & has a respect & friendship for us — He 
 cou'd at once get me the French Hides which wou'd be of real 
 Friendship — but His fear of punctuality I believe will prevent His 
 doing or saying anything about the affair — but you may depend I 
 shall after the Expence I have been at attend most punctualy to 
 make such Returns as will please 
 
 but Enough has been said if I can get well & good — to bow & 
 Cring too much I can't yet Submit to — 
 
 I will receive the Hides in Returning Vessels — on the Terms I do 
 for the United States or pay for them [as] is Customary. 
 
 There has no Letters arrived for you ; if they do, they shall be 
 Given to Hetty — Colo B — family is well. I have Rec<? a few things 
 from N. Haven. Believe me yours 
 
 J. Webb. 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HUNTINGTON. 
 
 Camp Tappan, 19th August, 1780. 
 Dear Webb : 
 
 Inclosed you will receive the Returns you wish for, except of those 
 men enlisted since JanY last, which do not pass through my hands, 
 but are immediately to be settled with the P[ay] M [aster] Gen [era] I 
 in Camp. For that reason have made no mention of them to you. 
 
 In my last I made some mention of the uneasiness of the army ; 
 it hath not totally subsided, nor do I think it will soon. They seem 
 willing to suffer any Change thinking it cannot be the worse for 
 them. The officers of your Reg* feel [e]very uneasiness at the 
 neglect of the Board of War, in not forwarding the commissions 
 agreeable to the Arrangement long since sent on. His Excellency 
 has wrote them once or twice about it. — Day before yesterday I had 
 an Interview with him, stated the disagreeable situation of the Reg* „ 
 but more particularly of myself in having the Command of the Reg 1 . r 
 and having my Reputation at Stake for their good conduct ; whem 
 we have not Officers enough to attend to the Police of it. — He said 
 he was sensible of their Situation, & would immediately write the 
 
280 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 Board ofWar on the Subject. I shall expect an Answer next Week. 
 If they do not make the Promotions ask'd for, the Officers will Re- 
 sign. They are fully determin'd not to remain in such a situation 
 any longer. We have only four duty officers in the Regiment, & are 
 order'd to have 9 Companies agreeable to the Arrangement of the 
 Army — one of which are in the Infantry ; which leaves two compan- 
 ies to each* officer in the Reg* , instead of three Officers to a com- 
 pany. My Candle is nearly expired, — and this I borrowed from 
 Gen'l Howe's quarters, to compleat my Returns & give you a line. 
 I have not been able to command a Candle for Six Days past. We 
 have no News from the Southward or N. York, worth mention. 
 
 My love to the Good People of my Acquaintance with you. Tell 
 them God Bless them ; it is Saturday evening & I always think of 
 my friends. 
 
 The candle dies this moment ; I shall be scarcely able to close the 
 letter & it must go at Daylight. 
 
 God Bless you. Adieu. 1 1 o'clock Saturday eve. 
 
 Eben Huntington. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. 
 
 Head Quarters, — Miles from Fort Lee, 
 August 24th 1780. 
 Sir: 
 
 I am now to acknowledge the honor of your Excellency's dis- 
 patches of the 9^ which I received four or five days ago, and which 
 I have been prevented answering before, by a variety of pressing 
 business — 
 
 With respect to the exchange of Officers — I beg leave to refer 
 Congress to the Inclosures No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6 which comprehend 
 the correspondence which has passed of late, between us and the 
 Enemy on the subject — and by which they will perceive the footing 
 on which the business stands — and that I have been doing already 
 all in my Power to accomplish their wishes on this head. I expect 
 General Lincoln will be in Camp the io 1 !? of next month, from a 
 Letter I received from him yesterday, with a view of meeting Gen. 
 Phillips on the i2 l . h at Elizabeth Town, agreeable to their mutual 
 desires and a proposition which has passed between them for the 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 281 
 
 purpose, where I will direct Ml Skinner, the Deputy Commissary, to 
 attend and endeavour to effectuate an exchange on the principles, 
 and to the intent Congress have mentioned in their Act of the 7* — 
 I shall include the case of General Burgoyne in my instructions to 
 him, presuming it will be agreeable to Congress, if I do not receive 
 a Letter from them, expressive of their sense to the contrary. His 
 exchange, I think, under all circumstances, for our Colonels, who 
 cannot be released on the principle of equal rank, would be a very 
 fortunate event, but it is one I do not expect, from the little estima- 
 tion in which they seem to hold them. If an exchange is going into, 
 I would observe the rule of seniority will be departed from, in the 
 instance of Colonel Webb and Lieu* Colonel Ramsey. The prison- 
 ers taken in the Eagle packet were captured by a private vessel, 
 whose owners have expressed a desire and insisted that the former 
 should have the benefit of them, so far as it should be necessary for 
 his own exchange, and the State of Maryland have claimed the re- 
 lease of the latter for Lieu* Col. Connolly, who was taken by them, 
 as other States had done in like circumstances. The exceptions in 
 favour of these two gentlemen, are founded on these reasons. Jn 
 every other instance of exchange, where similiar causes have not 
 existed and been insisted on by the States — the business, so far as it 
 has been directed by me, has uniformly been conducted on the 
 principles of equality of rank and priority of Capture. I am exceed- 
 ingly happy that measures are taking for the support and accommo- 
 dation of our prisoners and I hope their situation in future will be 
 more comfortable than it has hitherto been — * * * 
 
 G? Washington. 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HUNTINGTON. 
 
 Camp Ten Eyck, 4 miles from Hackensack, 2 miles from New \ 
 Bridge, opposite Fort Washington, 30th August, 1780. j 
 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 Our news is small, tho' possibly I may tell four days ago a duel 
 was fought between Lt. Peyton * and another officer, both of them 
 
 * Mr. Horace Edwin Hayden, whose Virginia Genealogies contains an account 
 of the Peyton family, suggests that this was probably Dade Peyton, a cornet in 
 Col. Stephen Moylan's regiment of Light Dragoons, raised in Pennsylvania. He 
 was made a Lieutenant, 2 June, 1779. 
 
282 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 Maryland Horse; Peyton was killed, the other wounded. The 
 next day a duel was fought between Baskenridge Wm. Livingston & 
 a Mr. Stack, volunteer in the Marechosa [Marechaussee] Horse. 
 Livingston was killed & buried the night before last at Hackensack. 
 I pity poor Eliza. 
 
 I have not yet been able to obtain the commissions from the 
 Board of War agreeable to the arrangements long since made out, 
 nor doth it appear probable I shall soon. It embarrasses me very 
 much. The officers are very much dissatisfied at the neglect. 
 They think the board do not intend to fill the vacancies. 
 
 The Right wing of the army, except the 2d Conn, commanded by 
 Maj. Gen'l Greene, went on a foraging party last Saturday & to 
 obtain provisions for our starved army Down Past Powles Hook to 
 the Point of Bergen next Staten Island, and without any molestation 
 from the enemy thay obtained considerable forage & some beef. 
 The rascality of our troops was equal to the British. They plun- 
 dered the inhabitants villainously, and I believe offered that violence 
 to some for which the British are universally condemned. One of 
 the Pennsylvania line was immediately hung up for his conduct 
 without ceremony.* 
 
 * " It gives me pain to inform Congress, that we are again in a most disagree- 
 able situation with respect to provision of the meat kind — and we have not from 
 any thing I can find, any good prospect of being either entirely relieved, or of 
 being tolerably well supplied within a reasonable time. A great part of the troops 
 on the 2 1 st & 22d were without any Supply of this Article, and the whole on one 
 of these days; and Since, those that have received, have had but the most scanty 
 pittance, and chiefly such as has been exacted from the exhausted Stores of the 
 Inhabitants. The circumstances we were in determined me, to proceed with the 
 Army to this place yesterday, with a view of attempting some relief from a Forage 
 — and we have now parties detached into the Country below, into Bergen and 
 Barbadoes Necks, to collect any provision that may be there. I dont expect but 
 little Income from the measure, as these places from their Contiguity to the 
 Enemy, will probably be found much drained, — any thing however will be accept- 
 able, and will contribute to silence the complaints of the Troops I have written 
 to Governor Trumbull on our situation, and entreated him to use all his influence 
 to assist us. The State of Flour is such, as to afford us a daily supply, but even 
 our prospects of this Article are by no means such as to make it certain that this 
 will be the case long, especially if we are obliged to continue issuing an increased 
 quantity on account of the failure of meat." — Washington to the President of Con- 
 gress, 24 August, 1 780. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 283 
 
 You will think it strange that the army at this season should be 
 starving, but I can assure you that the troops previous to the time 
 above mentioned, and while that party were out, rec'd no meat. 
 For six days they rec'd only ^ lb. Pork (for meat), and that was 
 taken by force from the inhabitants. They received their flour 
 daily, but no meat but what I mentioned in the six days. Your 
 own feelings will be too keen on the relation without their being ag- 
 gravated by one who was a sharer in the distress. 
 
 We are now in a country in which paper money is not worth a 
 straw. We have nothing but what the Commissary Store affords us 
 & God knows that it is poor enough ; beef sometimes tho' not al- 
 ways and that very often poor, which we ought not to expect at this 
 season. You must change your Congress, that new system may be 
 formed for your army. They cannot exist as an army otherwise. 
 
 Make my love to Mr. Webb & family, Peter Colt, &c, James 
 Lockwood, &c, & believe me to be yours, &c. 
 
 Eben. Huntington. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO MAJOR-GENERAL LINCOLN. 
 
 Head Quarters, 10 September, 1780. 
 Sir: 
 
 By a letter I have received from from Sir Henry Clinton, of the 
 4th Instant, I find that the interview, which has been proposed be- 
 tween you and General Phillips, is to take place on the 19th of the 
 month at Elizabeth Town. I presume Sir Henry Clinton informed 
 you of this by the letter I now transmit ; and I need not add, that it 
 will give me the highest pleasure, if you can effect your exchange, 
 either for Major-General Phillips or Major- General de Riedesel. 
 
 From the prospect I had, founded on the correspondence which I 
 had seen, that there would be a meeting between you and General 
 Phillips on the subject of your exchange, and the earnest desire I 
 had of extending this business still farther, I was induced to inform 
 Sir Henry Clinton, by a letter of the 26th ulto., that "I. should 
 direct our Commissary of prisoners to be present at the time, who 
 would be instructed to execute with the Commissary on his part, if 
 he should think proper to send him, an exchange of Officers, prison- 
 ers of War, on the footing of equal rank or composition, so far as the 
 
284 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 number in our hands would admit, and to include also the whole of 
 the Officers of convention now on parole at New York or in Europe." 
 General Clinton has answered my letter, and informed me, that 
 "His Commissary of prisoners should attend." I shall accordingly 
 order Mr. Skinner, our Deputy Commissary of prisoners to be at 
 Elizabeth Town on the 19th, who will be fully instructed to carry my 
 propositions to Sir Henry Clinton into execution. The business, as 
 to the main points, will rest on the most simple footing, and such as 
 Mr. Skinner is perfectly acquainted with. He has also a familiar 
 knowledge of the few more particular cases, which can arise on the 
 occasion, as he has been long in office, and has not only had re- 
 peated instructions, but has acted upon the subject. From these 
 considerations, I will not give you any trouble in the matter, more 
 than to wish you to interest General Phillips, as far as you can with 
 propriety, if you should find it necessary, to promote and counten- 
 ance the exchanges, which are mutually interesting to both parties. 
 Before you set out for Elizabeth Town, I will show you the instruc- 
 tions, Mr. Skinner will receive. I am, &c* 
 
 G? Washington. 
 
 * A meeting took place at Elizabethtown, according to the tenor of the above 
 letter, between General Lincoln and General Phillips; but the parties could not 
 agree, and nothing was effected, either in regard to the personal exchange of these 
 two officers, or a general exchange proposed in the instructions to Mr. Skinner. 
 There was a misunderstanding as to the object of the interview. General Phillips 
 had got the idea, that he and General Lincoln were to discuss the whole subject 
 of exchanges, and also the appointment of commissaries to reside with the respec- 
 tive armies, and said he went out with powers to that extent; whereas General 
 Lincoln had no other authority than to make an arrangement for his own ex- 
 change. " I shall decline giving any opinion upon this fruitless meeting," said 
 General Phillips in a letter to General Washington, " but I must be allowed to 
 acknowledge my extreme surprise, that it should be conceived by any person 
 necessary for General Lincoln and myself to confer upon the matter of his partial 
 and personal exchange, which depended so entirely and absolutely upon Sir Henry 
 Clinton and your Excellency, and might have been settled by the receipt and re- 
 turn of a letter on either side." — Elizabethtown, September 23d. The mistake 
 was on the part of Sir Henry Clinton, because, in his letter on the subject of the 
 meeting for an exchange of prisoners, he had said that Mr. Loring, the commis- 
 sary, would be sent out for the purpose, and had not mentioned General Phillips 
 as being designed to take any other part, than that of concerting his own ex- 
 change with General Lincoln. He wrote a letter to Washington dated the 19th, 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB, 285 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO ABRAHAM SKINNER.* 
 
 Head-Quarters, 17 September, 1780. 
 Sir: 
 
 It having been agreed that an interview should take place at 
 Elizabethtown between Major-Generals Phillipps and Lincoln on 
 the subject of their exchange, I was induced, from the earnest 
 desire I had of relieving the Prisoners on both sides, so far as cir- 
 cumstances would admit, and in compliance with the directions of 
 Congress, to inform His Excellency Sir Henry Clinton on the 26th 
 ulto., that " I should direct our Commissary of Prisoners to attend 
 at Elizabethtown at the same time, who would be instructed to exe- 
 cute with the Commissary on his part, if he should think proper to 
 send him, an exchange of Officers, Prisoners of War, on the footing 
 of equal rank, or composition, as far as the number in our hands 
 would admit, and to include also the whole of the Officers of Con- 
 vention on parole at New York, or in Europe." The interview be- 
 tween the two Generals is to be on the 19th instant, when Sir Henry 
 Clinton has informed me in answer to my letter, that " His Com- 
 missary should attend." 
 
 You will, therefore, proceed to Elizabethtown, on the 15th instant, 
 and meet the Commissary on the part of Sir Henry Clinton, or other 
 Officer deputed by him, with whom you will make, or endeavour to 
 make, under the restrictions and exceptions heretofore mentioned, 
 an Exchange of a// the Enemy's Officers, who are prisoners of War 
 in our hands, and also of all the Officers of Convention on parole in 
 New York, or in Europe, for an equal number of ours of like rank, 
 according to the order of their captivity ; and, when the principle of 
 equal rank will not apply, you will exchange them on the footing of 
 composition; confining the composition to Officers only; and ac- 
 cording to the value or tariff treated of and judged reasonable by 
 the Commissioners at the last meeting at Amboy. In the Exchanges 
 on the principle of composition, our Officers next in rank to those 
 belonging to the Enemy's Army, who cannot be exchanged on the 
 
 the day on which the meeting took place, stating that he had entrusted General 
 Phillips with full powers respecting the business of exchange. But General Wash- 
 ington was absent when the latter arrived in camp, nor was it received till it was 
 too late to send similar powers to General Lincoln. 
 * Deputy Commissary-general of Prisoners. 
 
286 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 principle of equality, are to be included, and in the order of their 
 captivity. 
 
 The above are the general rules, by which you are to conduct 
 yourself in the execution of the proposed business, and which are to 
 operate only in general with respect to our Officers, prisoners in this 
 quarter, and for their benefit, whose long captivity gives them a claim 
 to the public's first attention. There is, however, besides the ex- 
 change, which it is hoped Major-Genl. Lincoln will effect of himself, 
 either for Major-General Phillips or Major-Genl. Riedesel, and 
 which falls within the principle of equality, the case of Brigadr.-Genl. 
 Duportail, whose release, being particularly directed by Congress, 
 must be attempted and effected, either upon one or oth*er of the 
 foregoing principles, tho' it would be best if it could be obtained on 
 that of composition. The case of Lt.-Colo. Ramsay and Connolly is 
 also to be particulary attended to, for the reasons formerly given you, 
 and likewise Col. Webb's, if the several officers taken in the Eagle 
 packet are comprehended in your transactions, & which, upon every 
 principle of justice, ought to be the case. If there are any other in- 
 stances of Exchanges out of the general and customary line, about 
 which you have received any orders from Congress or the Board of 
 War, you must of course regard them and comply with their direc- 
 tions, or at least endeavour to carry them into execution. 
 
 You are perfectly acquainted with all the circumstances respecting 
 Violators of parole, and know who have been adjudged such, and 
 who have not, and the order and manner in which they are to be 
 accounted ; and also the characters for whom we do not conceive 
 ourselves accountable. It is therefore unnecessary for me to observe 
 further with respect to these, than that the Instructions, you have 
 had repeatedly concerning them, are to govern you on the present 
 occasion. We have in Canada a Lieut.-Colonel Stacey, a prisoner 
 belonging to the Massachusetts line, who was taken at Cherry Valley 
 on the nth of November, 1778. Pie is to be added to your list of 
 lt.-colonels, and exchanged whenever it comes to his turn, having 
 regard to the time of his captivity. You will also recollect the cap- 
 tains, who are Hostages, and endeavour at their release. 
 
 An exchange of all the Officers, prisoners of War in our hands, 
 and also of all the Convention Officers on parole in New York or 
 Europe, is what is earnestly wished. But if you find you cannot 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 287 
 
 make it so general as to comprehend the whole, make it as extensive 
 as you can. You will report your proceedings to me and the Ex- 
 changes you may make, specifying the names and ranks of the 
 Officers on both sides. I have mentioned your Instructions to 
 Major-General Lincoln, who will facilitate the execution of the 
 Objects to which they extend, as far as he can, by endeavouring to 
 get General Phillips to countenance the business either wholly or 
 partially, if it should be necessary. * * * I am, dear Sir, &c* 
 
 G? Washington 
 
 , ABRAHAM SKINNER TO JOSHUA LORING. 
 
 Eliza Town, Sept. 21, 1780. 
 Sir: 
 
 Agreeable to his Excellency General Washington's instructions to 
 me, I am to propose to you the exchange of all your officers, who 
 are prisoners of war in our hands, and also of all the officers of con- 
 vention on parole in New York or in Europe, for an equal number 
 of ours of like rank, and according to the order of their captivity ; 
 and where the principle of equal rank will not apply, I will exchange 
 them on the footing of equal composition, confining the composition 
 to officers only, and, according to the value or tariff treated of, and 
 judged reasonable by the Commissioners at the last meeting at 
 Amboy. 
 
 That in the exchange, on the principle of composition, our officers 
 next in rank to those belonging to your army, who cannot be ex- 
 changed on the principle of equality, are to be included, & in the 
 order of their captivity. 
 
 These are the general principles, by which I am to be governed 
 in the execution of the proposed business, and which are to operate 
 only, in general, with respect to our officers, prisoners in this quar- 
 
 * Mr. Skinner met the British commissary, but they could not agree upon any 
 plan of exchange within the range of the above instructions. Mr. Loring, the 
 British commissary, said the proposals would be accepted if the privates then 
 prisoners in New York were included. On the 8th of October, General Wash- 
 ington wrote to Sir Henry Clinton : " This is perfectly agreeable to me, and I 
 have accordingly directed our commissary to take the most effectual and immedi- 
 ate measures to carry into execution the exchange as well as those privates as of 
 the officers." 
 
288 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 ter, and for their benefit, whose long captivity gives them a claim to 
 the public's first attention. 
 
 There is, however, the exchange of Brigadier Gen\ Duportail and 
 Lieut. Col. Laurens, who were taken at Charleston, which I am also 
 directed to make ; and also the exchange of Col. Webb and Lieut. 
 Col. Ramsay, upon the terms heretofore proposed. 
 
 It is wished, that the exchange of all the officers, prisoners of war 
 in our hands, and also of all the convention officers on parole in New 
 York or Europe may take place, but if we cannot make it so general 
 as to comprehend the whole, we will make it as extensive as we can. 
 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 Ab?* Skinner, 
 Corny Genl Pris.* 
 
 JOSHUA LORING TO ABRAHAM SKINNER. 
 
 Elizabeth Town, 22 Sept. 1780. 
 Sir: 
 
 You must naturally imagine, how much I have been surprised, at 
 the receipt of your letter dated yesterday, containing proposals of a 
 general exchange of the officers prisoners of war, without any con- 
 sideration of the unfortunate privates ; you will please to recollect 
 that the proposal of the exchange of the American privates, pris- 
 oners of war in New York, came first from you in last February, on 
 which an express vessel was dispatched to his Excellency Sir Henry 
 Clinton, in South Carolina, for his orders concerning this matter, 
 which were obtained early in May ; on the sixth of which month, I 
 writ you, consenting to an exchange of the privates, as far as the 
 American privates, prisoners of war in New York went, as also of all 
 the officers, rank for rank, or otherwise by composition, where simi- 
 lar ranks did not apply. This offer for an exchange of officers and 
 privates was repeated in the month of June, by the orders of the 
 king's commander in chief in America, he being arrived at that 
 time from South Carolina at New York. Some time in July, you 
 proposed an exchange of officers without privates, & desired a meet- 
 ing with me at Staten Island, to adjust any doubtful matters, that 
 
 * From the Sparks MSS. in Harvard University. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 289 
 
 might arise upon the subject. Willing, on my part, to do any thing for 
 the humane purpose of an exchange, which his Excellency Sir Henry 
 Clinton had expressed to have very fully at heart, I obtained per- 
 mission to meet you, but unfortunately, finding you positively in- 
 structed not to make any exchange of the privates, prisoners of war,, 
 I was under the necessity of informing you, that I could not engage 
 in a business that had so inhuman a conclusion. I repeat, therefore,, 
 my surprise, that you should meet me again at this place with the 
 same ungenerous proposals. 
 
 I have now, on my part to inform you, that I am prepared and 
 ready to make an exchange with you of all the British and German 
 officers, prisoners of war in your hands, for an equal number of 
 American officers, prisoners of war on Long Island, rank for rank, 
 and when similar ranks will not apply, to pursue the exchange, on 
 the footing of composition, according to the value or tariff treated 
 of and adjudged reasonable, by the commissioners at Amboy ; and 
 that, in the exchange, on the principle of composition, the officers, 
 next in rank to those who cannot be exchanged on the principle of 
 equality, may be included, and that General Washington's principle 
 of justice, respecting the American officers, prisoners of war first 
 taken, to be first exchanged, may be pursued. In this exchange, 
 will also be included such officers, prisoners of war, as are on parole 
 on both sides, as also the American officers, violators of parole, in 
 their order of capture. 
 
 I am also instructed and directed to make the exchange with you 
 of the officers of the troops of Convention, who are on parole in New 
 York, or in Europe, and also of the officers taken on board the Eagle 
 packet, with an exception to Major Gen! de Riedesel, Major Gen! 
 Phillips, and Lieut. Gen! Burgoyne, and, on the subject of these offi- 
 cers, I am ordered to inform you, however it may happen respecting 
 the immediate exchange of the two Major Gen! s , that of Lieut. Gen! 
 Burgoyne cannot come into contemplation, or be admitted of, until 
 two complete divisions of the troops of convention are exchanged, 
 agreeable to a plan conversed upon, between the commissioners at 
 the last meeting at Amboy, copies of which plans of exchange, the 
 commissioners on both sides had, for the perusal of their superiors. 
 Lieut. Genl. Burgoyne can only, therefore, be exchanged with the 
 third or last division of the troops of convention. 
 
290 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 I am to inform you that this exchange of officers, as now proposed 
 by me, can only take place with the exchange of privates, prisoners 
 of war on both sides, as far as the number of the American privates, 
 prisoners of war now in New York, and according to the plan, given 
 by me to you, in my letter of May and June last, upon this subject. 
 
 I am also further to inform you, that I came to Elizabethtown, 
 prepared to settle with you the plan for the immediate exchange of 
 the British and German troops, under the treaty of Convention of 
 Saratoga, against the American troops, under Major-General Lincoln 
 taken at the surrender of Charleston, upon which subject, Major- 
 General Lincoln and Major-Gen 1 . Phillips have met at Elizabethtown. 
 
 I have been ordered to pursue this, under the instructions of 
 Major-Gen 1 . Phillips, who directs me to inform you, that he is ready 
 to give me full authority and advice upon this matter, for the carry- 
 ing such an exchange into immediate act ; supposing you to have 
 any powers from your superiors to enter upon that business. 
 
 The making a general exchange, of both officers and privates, is so 
 full of that humanity and generosity, which ought to subsist between 
 armies, that I will not expatiate upon it ; nor need I enlarge, upon 
 the constant attention we have had, to carry those compassionate 
 purposes into execution, it will be left to a dispassionate world to 
 judge of. 
 
 But I am to inform you, that after having kept a considerable part 
 of your prisoners of war, for above twelve months, at New York, and 
 the whole above six, at a very great inconveniency, and at a still 
 greater expense ; it becomes necessary, that we should be released 
 from both the one and the other, and, if your superiors are cruel 
 enough not to suffer the men who fight their battles, to be ex- 
 changed, we shall be under the necessity of sending them to some 
 other parts, where they may be lodged and fed, under every descrip- 
 tion of humanity, but without being of that inconveniency and ex- 
 pense, as I have before observed, they are to us, in their present 
 situation. I am &c 
 
 Josh* Loring 
 
 Com 1 ? Gen 1 Pris.* 
 
 * From Sparks MSS. in Harvard University. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 291 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL LINCOLN TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Camp, 25th September, 1780. 
 My dear General : 
 
 I take this early opportunity to inform Your Excellency that, in 
 the late interview, no exchanges took place, and that I see little 
 prospect that any will be effected, while the Idea remains, that offi- 
 cers only are to be the subject of it. 
 
 In the course of Consideration with General Phillips, (for nothing 
 more took place between us relative to a general exchange of 
 Prisoners as I early informed him that I was not authorized to go in- 
 to that matter) I found that he supposed the reason, why we de- 
 clined the exchange of privates was, that we were unwilling to throw 
 into their hands, in the middle of a Campaign, such a reinforcement 
 as they would receive by an Exchange of all the privates — To obvi- 
 ate this difficulty he mentioned, that the exchange of privates might 
 be postponed to some future day, say the first of December, sooner 
 or later as should be agreed on, but so as not to Act this Campaign 
 — This I hope will remove the objections which have existed against 
 a general Exchange of privates — I think policy — justice and human- 
 ity point to the propriety of exchanging them, if not Immediately, 
 yet at the close of the campaign. Your Excellency will permit me 
 to offer the reasons on which I ground this opinion. 
 
 The Men now prisoners of War (excuse the personality of my 
 situation) are those, who, from an attachment to the Liberties of 
 America engaged in her cause, from a reliance, that they should not 
 only find every support from their fellow Citizens in the important 
 contest, but that they should enjoy all the immunities and blessings 
 peculiar to the Soldier, in the power of the people to grant — that an 
 Exchange, when made prisoner, is one of the rights of a Soldier, 
 none I think will deny — and that he may claim a release when just 
 and reasonable Terms can be had. 
 
 The long and distressing Captivity which many of the prisoners 
 have endured, the severe sufferings to which many of them are now 
 reduced from nakedness and hunger, their constant attendants, and 
 the want of almost every convenience and necessary of life, the mis- 
 eries of which are augmented and embittered by the narrow limits 
 of a loathsome Gaol, and their having no assurance that their 
 sufferings will soon have an end — call for redress. 
 
292 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 The prisoners pained with regret became sore — their minds are 
 soured, and their friends and connexions think them neglected by 
 the public. This may prevent the recruiting our Battalions, and 
 cause a disrelish for the service. Every thing of the kind, I think, 
 should be avoided, and never more necessary than at the present 
 day, when it seems to be the general voice that our only safety and 
 the Freedom of America (under the Supreme Arbiter) depend on 
 an Army raised for the War. If we should refuse to exchange the 
 privates on the proposals made of man for man, it must, I think, 
 operate Powerfully on the minds of those, who other wise might 
 engage in the service, when they reflect how uncertain are the events 
 of War, and that it may be their lot to become the prisoner, and to 
 be destined to a miserable and perhaps to an endless Captivity : and 
 when the Enemy shall have published their Declaration of our 
 refusal to accede to an equal and fair Exchange, we may find it a 
 matter of much difficulty to justify ourselves to the World at large, 
 who will naturally enough suspect us of injustice, in not fulfilling our 
 public engagements, as they will accuse us of wanting humanity in 
 neglecting those very Men, who have stepped forth to arrest our 
 rights. 
 
 The daily decreasing of the number of the Convention Troops, by 
 deserting to the Enemy, for which we have no Compensation, and 
 the great Expence to which we are exposed for the support of them, 
 and of our Officers and Men Prisoners of War with the Enemy, must 
 have their weight in urging to the propriety of an Exchange. — 
 
 To the foregoing reasons, in my humble opinion sufficient of 
 themselves, permit me to annex an apprehension for our unfortunate 
 Prisoners now in New York. The Enemy, supposing themselves 
 authorized by our refusal of an Exchange, may under pretence of 
 economising Provisions, providing for their own safety, or some 
 other plausible reason, have our Prisoners removed to some distant 
 and consequently disagreeable situation, where they may be sub- 
 jected to less expence &£ Should an event of this kind take place, 
 retaliation is hardly in our power, as all parts of the Continent are 
 equally agreeable to the British. 
 
 I hope, Sir, on a review of the matter, as the objection of re- 
 inforcing the Enemy this Campaign is removed, a general exchange 
 will be adopted, by which, many of your Officers and Men, now 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 293 
 
 suffering under the most miserable Captivity, will be released, and 
 once more have the honor of fighting under Your Excellency's par- 
 ticular Command, in support of that Independence of America, 
 which induced them to quit the sweets of a domestic life for the 
 toils of a Camp, which no one will re-enter with more cheerfulness 
 than him who has the honor to be, with the highest Esteem Your 
 Excellency's most obe 1 . & houn. Ser* 
 
 B. Lincoln. 
 
 FROM MAJOR TALLMADGE. 
 
 Headquarters, Tappan, Sept. 30th, 1780. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 I must acknowledge the receipt of your two favors of the 12th and 
 16th inst. ; am sorry I did not receive them in season, that I might 
 have had the pleasure of seeing you on your way to New Jersey. 
 Benton has gone into New York with the horses, etc., agreeable to 
 your request. 
 
 You have doubtless heard before this of the rascally conduct of 
 Arnold. He has gone to the enemy, where I think his misery, which 
 must ensue, will be complete. Poor Andre, who has been under my 
 charge almost ever since he was taken, has yesterday had his trial, 
 and tho' his sentence is not known, a disgraceful death is undoubt- 
 edly allotted to him. By Heavens ! Col. Webb, I never saw a man 
 whose fate I foresaw, whom I so sincerely pitied. He is a young 
 fellow of the greatest accomplishments, and was the Prime Minister 
 of Sir Henry on all occasions. He has unbosomed his heart to me, 
 and indeed, let me know almost every motive of his actions so fully 
 since he came out on his late mission that he has endeared himselt 
 to me exceedingly. Unfortunate man ! He will undoubtedly suffer 
 death tomorrow, and tho' he knows his fate, seems to be as cheerful 
 as if he was going to an assembly. I am sure he will go to the gal- 
 lows less tearful for his fate, and with less concern than I shall be- 
 hold the tragedy.* Had he been tried by a Court of ladies, he is so 
 
 * " I am thus far [Haverstraw] on my Return from Head Quarters, where I 
 have finished my last Duty to poor Andre, of whom I wrote you particularly be- 
 fore. I have begged this scrap of paper of Genl Wayne ... to inform you that 
 Major Andre was hanged on the 2d instant, 12 o'clock. His conduct was un- 
 
294 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 genteel, handsome, polite a young gentleman, that I am confident 
 they would have acquitted him. 
 
 But enough of poor Andre, who, tho' he dies lamented, falls justly. 
 I am happy to find he has wrote to Sir Henry Clinton, in which let- 
 ters he speaks highly of our treatment towards him, and takes off the 
 idea of his being under sanction of a flag when he was taken, which 
 has been told by Arnold to Sir Henry, that our conduct in punishing 
 might be censurable. I think that his letter to General Clinton will 
 effectually ruin Arnold with the enemy. 
 
 Jos. Smith, an accomplice with Arnold, I also bro't on with me ; 
 he is now under trial.* 
 
 paralleled on the occasion. He met death with a smile, chearfully marching to the 
 place of execution, & bidding his friends, those who had been with him, farewell. 
 He called me to him a few minutes before he swung off, and expressed his Grati- 
 tude to me for my Civilities in such a way, and so chearfully bid me adieu, that I 
 Was obliged to leave the parade in a flood of Tears. I cannot say enough of his 
 fortitude — unfortunate youth; I wish Arnold had been in his place." Major 
 Tallmadge to Col. Wadsworth, 4 October, 1 780. 
 
 * Joshua Hett Smith was tried for connection with Arnold, and suspected com- 
 plicity in his treasonable relations with Andre. On the last meeting between the 
 American general and the agent of Sir Henry Clinton, Andre was taken to Smith's 
 house, where he remained a day, expecting to return to the Vulture, a British 
 vessel then lying in the river. Andre was in British uniform, and as it was 
 thought necessary to disguise him, Smith lent him one of his own coats, retaining 
 the British coat, which was afterwards produced at his trial. In the Reminis- 
 cences of General Samuel B. Webb is noted the following tradition : 
 
 " My uncle, John Webb, a Captain of Cavalry, was, like my father, a frequent 
 visitor of the Beekman Manor House, during the campaign on the Hudson; and 
 having slept there on one occasion, Mrs. Beekman says, ' On leaving in the morn- 
 ing, he said to me, " I leave my valise, which contains all the money I have and 
 my uniform. I'll send for it; but do not deliver it without a written order from 
 me." On the following morning, I heard John Smith [an error for Joshua], a 
 neighbor, whom I always suspected, ask my husband for Major Jack's valise ; and 
 he told me to get it from the Major's bedroom. I called out, enquiring of Smith, 
 if he had a written order from Major Jack, for the valise? He answered, "No; 
 but you cannot doubt that he sent me." I told him he was a good-for-nothing 
 fellow; and bade him go about his business. It subsequently turned out, that 
 Smith, at that moment, had charge of Major Andre, and wanted Major Jack's 
 uniform, in order that he might pass our lines as an American officer. Andr6 was 
 arrested on the following morning.' " 
 
 The following letter from Joshua King, a lieutenant in Sheldon's regiment of 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 295 
 
 Of news we are entirely bare. I conclude you are so taken up with 
 the agreeable prospect of connubial life that you can hardly pay 
 attention enough to read a letter from your friend — a man who 
 would not risk anything for such a Banker would deserve never to 
 
 Light Dragoons, is little known, and mentions a casual meeting, without recogni- 
 tion, between Andre and Colonel Webb : — 
 
 Ridgefield, July 9th, 181 7. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 Yours of the 9th is before me. I have noted the contents, and am sorry to 
 observe the indignity I feel at the idea of being obliged to translate a foreign lan- 
 guage to obtain a true history of any part of our revolution. The facts, so far as 
 I am acquainted with them, which it is the object of your letter to obtain, I will 
 state according to the best of my recollection. 
 
 Paulding, Williams and Van Wert I never saw before, or since that event. I 
 know nothing about them. The time and place where they stopped Major Andre, 
 seems to justify the character you have drawn of them. The truth is, to the im- 
 pudence of the men, and not to the patriotism of any one, is to be attributed the 
 capture of Major Andre. I was the first, and only officer, who had charge of him 
 whilst at the Head Quarters of the 2d Regiment of Light Dragoons, which was 
 then at Esq. Gilbert's in South Salem. He was brought up by an adjutant and 
 four men, belonging to the Connecticut Militia, then under the command of 
 Lieut. Colonel Jameson on the lines near Tarrytown, in character under the dis- 
 guised name of John Anderson. He looked somewhat like a reduced gentleman, 
 His small clothes were Nankeen, with handsome whitetop Boots — in fact his un- 
 dress military Clothes. His Coat purple, with gold lace, worn somewhat thread- 
 bare, with a small brimmed tarnished Beaver on his head. He wore his hair in a 
 queue, with a long black beard, and his clothes somewhat dirty. In this garb I 
 took charge of him. After breakfast my Barber came in to dress me, after which 
 I requested him to undergo the same operation, which he did. When the ribbon 
 was taken from his hair I observed it full of powder; this circumstance with 
 others that occurred, induced me to believe I had no ordinary person in charge. 
 He requested permission to take the Bed whilst his Shirt and Small Clothes could 
 be washed. I told him that was needless, for a Shirt was at his service, which he 
 accepted. We were close pent up in a bed-room, with a Vidette at the door and 
 window. There was a spacious yard before the door, which he desired he might 
 be permitted to walk in with me. I accordingly disposed of my guard in such a 
 manner as to prevent an escape. While walking together he observed he must 
 make a confident of somebody, and he knew not a more proper person than my- 
 self, as I had appeared to befriend a stranger in distress. After settling the point 
 between ourselves, he told me who he was, and gave me a short account of him- 
 self, from the time he was taken in St. John's in 1775, to that time. He re- 
 quested a pen and ink, and wrote immediately to Gen. Washington, declaring 
 who he was. About midnight the express returned with orders from Gen. Wash- 
 ington to Col. Sheldon to send Major Andre immediately to Head Quarters. I 
 
296 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 be happy. All must approve your choice ; but you only will be 
 benefitted by the bargain. God bless you, and if I believed she re- 
 membered me as well as I do her, I would send her a thousand 
 compliments. 
 
 started with him, and before I got to North Salem Meeting House met another 
 Express with a Letter directed to the Officer commanding the party who had 
 Major Andre in charge. This Letter directed a circuitous route to Head Quarters, 
 for fear of re-capture. — Gave an account of Arnold's desertion, &c, with direc- 
 tions to forward the Letter to Col. Sheldon, and I did so; and before I got to the 
 
 end of my journey I was joined by Capt. and after by Maj. Tallmadge and 
 
 Capt. Rogers. 
 
 Having given you this clue, I proceed with the Major's own story. He said he 
 came up the North River in the Vulture Sloop of War, for the purpose of seeing 
 a person by Flag; — that was not, however, accomplished: of course he had to 
 come ashore in a Skiff, and after he had done his business, the wind was so high, 
 the Dutchman who took him ashore dare not venture to return him on board. 
 The night following the Militia had lined the shore, so that no attempt could be 
 made with safety. Consequently he was obliged to shift his Clothes, and was fur- 
 nished with a Continental Horse, and Gen. Arnold's pass, and was to take a route 
 by Peekskill, Crampound, Pines Bridge, Sing Sing, Tarrytown, to New York. 
 
 Nothing could disturb him in his route, until he arrived at the last place, except- 
 ing at Crampound; he told me his hair stood erect, and his heart was in his 
 mouth, on meeting Col. Samuel B. Webb, of our army, plump in the face — an ac- 
 quaintance of his. He said the Colonel stared at him, and he thought he was 
 gone, but they kept moving, and soon passed each other. He then thought him- 
 self passed all danger. Whilst ruminating on his good luck, and his hair breadth 
 escape, he was assailed by three bushmen near Tarrytown, who ordered him to 
 stand. He says to them, I hope, gentlemen, you belong to the lower party. We 
 do, says one. So do I, says he, and by the token of this ring and key you will let 
 me pass. I am a British Officer on business of importance, and must not be de- 
 tained. One of them took his watch from him, and ordered him to dismount. 
 The moment this was done, he said he found he was mistaken, and he must shift 
 his tone, He says, I am happy, gentlemen, to find 1 am mistaken. You belong 
 to the upper party, and so do I. A man must make use of any shift to get along, 
 and to convince you of it, here is Gen. Arnold's pass, handing it to them, and I 
 am in his service. Damn Arnold's pass says they. You said you was a British 
 Officer; where is your money? Gentlemen I have none about me, he replied. 
 You a British Officer, and no money, says they. Let's search him. They did so, 
 but found none. Says one, he has got his money in his boots, and there they 
 found his papers, but no money. Then they examined his saddle, but found none. 
 He said, he saw they had such a thirst for money, he could put them in a way to 
 get it, if they would be directed by him. He asked them to name their sum for 
 to deliver him to King's Bridge. They answered him in this way. If we deliver 
 you at King's Bridge, we shall be sent to the Sugar House, and you will save your 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 297 
 
 To your Sister Hetty please make my compliments, and to any 
 person of my acquaintance. 
 
 In haste, believe me, Your friend, and most Obedient servant, 
 
 Ben j. Tallmadge.* 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HUNTINGTON. 
 
 Camp Tappan, 1st October, '80. 
 Dear Webb : 
 
 Your favor of Yesterday's date was handed me last Even? very un- 
 expected, for which I thank Miss Banker. You ask about Arnold, I 
 
 money. He says to them, if you will not trust my honor, two of you may stay 
 with me, and one shall go with a letter which I shall write. Name your sum. 
 The sum was agreed upon, but I cannot recollect whether it was five hundred or 
 a thousand guineas, the latter I think was the sum. They held a consultation a 
 considerable time, and finally they told him, if he wrote, a party would be sent out 
 and take them, and then they all should be prisoners. They said they had con- 
 cluded to take him to the commanding Officer on the lines. They did so, and 
 retained the Watch, until Gen. Washington sent for them to Tappen, when the 
 Watch was restored to Maj. Andre. Thus you see, had money been at command 
 after the imprudent confession of Maj. Andre, or any security given that the patri- 
 ots could put confidence in, he might have passed on to Sir Henry Clinton's 
 Head Quarters, with all his papers, and Arnold's papers into the bargain. I do 
 not recollect to have seen a true statement of this business in any history that has 
 fallen into my hands. 
 
 If my memory serves me, Arnold solicited and obtained the command at West 
 Point, in consequence of his being an invalid; and the reason why his negocia- 
 tion was not completed by Flag of Truce, I will state what Gen. Washington told 
 to the French Embassador, Luzerne. 
 
 He started on his route to Hartford, and dined, with Gen. Arnold, at Haver- 
 straw at Joshua Smith's where Arnold and Andre met. Gen. Arnold showed him 
 a Letter from Gen. Robinson directed to Gen. Putnam, or Officer commanding 
 West Point, requesting an interview by Flag on business of the first importance to 
 the United States. Gen. Arnold asked Gen. Washington if he should go and 
 hear what he had to say. Gen. Washington replied that it would be very im- 
 proper for the Commander in Chief of a Post to meet anybody himself. He could 
 send a trusty hand if he thought proper. But he added, I had no more suspicion 
 of Arnold than I had of myself. This accounts for Maj. Andre's failure by Flag, 
 and his subsequent movements. 
 
 I have thus far complied with your request, giving you such facts, viz : What I 
 have heard from the mouth of Maj. Andre, and what I heard Gen. Washington 
 tell the French Minister soon after the execution of Maj. Andr6. 
 
 * From the Reminiscences of General Samuel B. Webb, 297. 
 
298 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 can only say that last Saturday he deserted to the Enemy without 
 Compleating his hellish Plott, which was to deliver up the Post at W. 
 Point. M T . Andre of the Brittish Army, an Aid to Sir Henry & Ad'. 
 Gen 1 , to the Army at the Request of Arnold sent from N. York to 
 meet Arnold which he did at Joshua Smith's and there rec4 every 
 plan & return from Arnold which he wanted. — On his return to N. 
 York he was taken below all our fixt Guards, by two persons who live 
 by Plunder on the Enemy & had Virtue Sufif* to withstand every 
 offer of reward he would make, or any threat for refusing to let him 
 pass altho he had a Permit from Arnold. It was the most fortunate 
 train of good fortune in detecting Arnold that could Possibly have 
 happen*? — the Particulars which you wish would take a Volume, & I 
 am utterly unable at this time to give them to you Correctly. Sam 1 . 
 Wyllys hath not been gone two hours — & Epaphras Bull lies snoring 
 on the Ground. Gen 1 Lincoln was not able when he met M T . Phillips 
 at Elizabeth Town to agree to an Exchange of families. I hear 
 nothing said of a Gen 1 Exchange. 
 
 Wyllys & the other officers whom I recommended are Promoted 
 & feel happy. — Give my love to Betsy, Hetty & the rest of your 
 family ; tell them God bless them. I wish to be at the N. Branch, 
 but I do not expect it. If honest Dick & his Lady are with you let 
 them know I remember my Old N. York friends. Your Gun you 
 sent for is now at Weth^ sent there last Spring by John Burnham. 
 
 I have a great deal to say to you, and had we not (the last Even? ) 
 drank our Sweethearts & Wives in some very fine Cherry I would 
 finish the Sheet, I can not add to the Scroll, only by once more giv- 
 ing my love to the dear Girls, & subscribing myself your friend 
 
 Eben. Huntington. 
 
 Jack Wyllys, Williams Walker & Epa Bull desire their Compli- 
 ments, I believe Bull is honest, tho' he is not quite awake. 
 
 FROM RICHARD CARY. 
 
 Sunday Morng , i October, 1 780. 
 Dear Webb : 
 
 We all agree that it will be equally as pleasing to attend you to 
 Brunswick the next week as this, and indeed had it been a disap- 
 pointment, the cause would to Mr* Cary & myself have produced all 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 299 
 
 that heartfelt delight & joy that a sincere friendship to such deserv- 
 ing persons is capable of exciting in our breasts. You will there fore 
 naturally conclude that we cheerfully acquiesce in postponing the 
 jaunt — for myself I shall only say that I expect to set off the begin- 
 ning of the week for Phil? , & therefore fear I shall not have it in my 
 power to be present at the solemnity ; but whether I am or not, I 
 shall cordially participate in my friends prospects of future happi- 
 ness ; and most ardently pray that the ceremony may be the intro- 
 duction to an unchangeable scene of conjugal Bliss, which shall last 
 for many many happy years. 
 
 M r . Low & M T . S Cary join in best regards to all the Ladies & your- 
 self, with, D T . Webb, yours most faithfully. You may depend on it, 
 mum's the word. 
 
 R? Cary. 
 
 FROM ABRAHAM SKINNER. 
 
 HdQrs 1 October, 1780. 
 My dear Colo 
 
 I am happy in [the] opportunity of telling you that the result of 
 the last negotiation of exchange has produced a Letter from Genl 
 Lincoln to his Excellency Genl Washington, who means to refer it 
 to Congress. I think this the critical moment ; I shall set off to- 
 morrow or next day for Phil? with the Dispatches from Head Quart- 
 ers on this important Subject & could wish to see you before they are 
 delivered. I am sure much Depends on the success that may attend 
 them and your weight & influence with Congress is of the utmost 
 consequence. 
 
 The Enemy are threatening to send the Privates to Hallifax or 
 West Indies, but say nothing of the Officers. God only knows what 
 may be their fate, it may be worse than it is, but their present situa- 
 tion is intolerable. I need not say any more, your own feelings will 
 suggest the rest. I am with unalterable esteem & friendship, your 
 obi Hum. Servl 
 
 Ab™ Skinner. 
 
 Com. Gen. Pris. 
 
 My Pen is bad & I am in haste. 
 
3 oo CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 FROM MAJOR-GENERAL ROBERT HOWE. 
 
 Orange Town, 3 October, 1 780. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 Captain Webb has refer'd to me the propriety of Resigning, at 
 least he has ask'd my advice upon the subject, & seems to intend ask- 
 ing yours : I have given it as my opinion that he ought not to resign, 
 and I flatter myself you will concur with me. To say nothing of the 
 appearance of quitting the service when America seems most to 
 want his assistance, what would be the consequence to himself; 
 would he not be liable to every Draft of Militia, and perhaps be ob- 
 liged to Head them, & thereby run the Risque of losing his Reputa- 
 tion or sacrificing him self, but if the American Cause is near a 
 man's heart, & surely it ought to be so, how can we reconcile to 
 Honour, Patriotism, or Honesty, the retiring from service when a 
 Diminish'd Army & Exhausted Finances, clamour loudly for the Ex- 
 traordinary Exertions of every Patriot, and even for that of every 
 Individual possess'd of the least spark of private virtue. In short, on 
 whatever side I contemplate this Question (even as a publick one) 
 I conceive that to resign his Commission at this Period is to act un- 
 worthy of himself, and so I am convinced it will be construed. 
 Added to this, his Rank places him on the Brink of Promotion, and 
 the post of Honour is a Military Station, indeed so many Circum- 
 stances combine to point out to me the impropriety of his Retiring, 
 that loving him as I truly do, I would not have him do it by any 
 means, and knowing your love for your Country, your Regard for 
 him, and your nice sense of honour, I doubt not you will concur 
 with me in sentiment, & join to dissuade him from a measure which 
 may not only wound his Reputation, but gratify his Enemies. If 
 you come this way, be assur'd you will make me happy in giving me 
 as much of your company as you possibly can, being, Dear Sir, with 
 Sentiments of Respect and great Regard, 
 
 Your most ob* Serv* 
 
 R. Howe. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO ABRAHAM SKINNER. 
 
 Paramus, Ocrr 7th 1 780. 
 Sir: 
 
 I find by your report of the 24^ Ultimo of the proceedings which 
 
 took place at Elizabeth Town in your late meeting with the British 
 
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 e 
 
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 c~ l *•" 
 
 a fi~*+~ * fit* ' 
 
£** cc^ Lrx ~ 
 
 ^y ' .j>i^ ft** L^ 
 

 
1 
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 fej ^ 
 
 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 301 
 
 Commissary, that the Enemy are willing to go substantially into the 
 exchange of Officers Mentioned in my letter of Instructions to you 
 of the 1 7* h provided the exchange is extended to our privates who 
 were then Prisoners of War in New York, and according to a plan 
 their Commissary furnished you with in May and June last. This 
 proposal, with respect to the privates, is perfectly agreeable to me, 
 and so I have informed Sir Henry Clinton ; and you will take the 
 Most effectual and immediate Measures to carry it into execution, as 
 well the exchange of those Privates as of the Officers, as before 
 directed. If the exchange of Lieutenant-General Burgoyne and 
 Major- Generals Phillips and de Riedesel cannot take place at 
 the same time, we shall have only to regret it, as it will prevent 
 relief to themselves and many others. The proceedings which re- 
 quired the particular Exchanges to be made which were mentioned 
 in My letter of Instructions of the 17* of September, remain un- 
 altered, and therefore they must, I presume, be still attempted. In 
 the instance of Lieutenant- Colonel Ramsay and Colonel Webb, their 
 exchange must be effected, as the footing on which the business 
 stands with respect to them can admit of no Alternative. You are 
 fully informed of it. Indeed, in the case of the former, the point 
 has been explicitly agreed to by the Enemy for Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Conolly \ and, in the case of the latter, if he is not exchanged, the 
 Officers of the Eagle Packet cannot be released. I wish you to ex- 
 pedite the business as much as possible. 
 
 I am, Sir, &? 
 
 G°. Washington. 
 
 P. S. Though the Enemy may not consent to exchange, at pres- 
 ent, Lieutenant-General Burgoyne and Major- Generals Phillips and 
 Riedesel, yet possibly they may be prevailed on to exchange one of 
 the two last for Major-General Lincoln. You will endeavour to effect 
 the release of the whole by every decent and becoming argument, as 
 it will relieve so many of our Officers : But, at all events, attempt 
 the exchange of one of these two for General Lincoln. 
 
 I have not yet received the determination of the State of Virginia, 
 with respect to Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton; and therefore there 
 can be no stipulation for his exchange. 
 
 I hope the State, to whom I have written, will give me information 
 in time on the subject. 
 
3 02 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 TO GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON. 
 
 North Branch, Rariton, 
 i 6 October, 1780. 
 
 Agreeable to my promise I have enclosed your Ex- 
 cellency a certify'd copy of Major MoncriefFs Letter 
 to M r . s Bancker by which you will be convinced there 
 can be little doubt but she will be able to settle her 
 business to her mind — provided she gets to New York 
 before 'tis known what connections are form'd in her 
 family — that once known, it might be made use of to 
 keep her out of her just dues. 'Tis therefore I take 
 the liberty to request your Excellency to forward the 
 permit as early as conveniently may be; and as it is 
 not impossible but M r . s Bancker may meet with some 
 effects which she left in New York, she would esteem 
 it a favor, a Note might be added giving her permis- 
 sion to bring them out, with a few necessary's for her 
 family's use, which she may probably obtain there from 
 people who are in her Debt. 
 
 I am with much respect & esteem, your Excellency's 
 most obed 1 . most Humb e . Serv 1 . 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 P. S. M r . s Bancker desires me to present her best 
 Compliments & to assure your Excell? that she has no 
 intention or desire of bringing w l . her a single article, 
 but for her family's use. 
 
 REPORT OF A COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS. 
 
 The Committee to whom General Washington's Letter of the 7* 
 Instant with Sundry other Papers were Referred beg Leave to Re- 
 port : 
 
 That considering the Sufferings of the American Officers and 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 303 
 
 Soldiers in Captivity; The Expence and Difficulty of Supporting 
 and guarding the Convention Troops, and the Daily Desertions 
 which take place among them, Principles of Humanity and Policy 
 unite in Pointing out the necessity of a general Exchange upon 
 Liberal and Equitable Terms. Your Committee submit the follow- 
 ing Resolutions, viz : 
 
 That General Washington be authorized and Instructed to effect 
 an Exchange of all Continental Prisoners of War and now in Pos- 
 session of the Enemy ; and of the Hostages given in Canada — as 
 well as of all officers on Parole and officers violators of Parole : or 
 Militia actually taken in Arms and remaining prisoners of War for an 
 equal number of the Convention Troops — and other Prisoners in 
 our hands, Rank for Rank, and where Similar Rank will not apply 
 to Pursue the Exchange on the Footing of Composition according to 
 the valuation or Tariff agreed on by the Commissioners at Amboy in 
 March Last. 
 
 That the Exchange of Officers next in Rank to such as cannot be 
 Exchanged on the principles of Equality be considered and Ex- 
 changed on the Principles of Composition. 
 
 That all Prisoners taken by the American Forces in the Northern 
 Department and permitted to return Home on Parole be considered 
 and Exchanged agreeable to their Rank and order of Capture. 
 
 That the Expence Incurred for Removing and Supporting the 
 Convention Troops from the time of their capture be adjusted by 
 Commissioners to be appointed for effecting said Exchange and the 
 Balance (after Deducting the Expence due for Support of our Pris- 
 oners in the hands of the Enemy) paid prior to the Exchange of any 
 Part of said Troops. 
 
 That General Washington impower the Commissioners appointed 
 on his Part (in Case any Dispute should arise Respecting the Sup- 
 port of the Convention Troops) to Submit the same to some Proper 
 arbitrating Power for Determination and to give Hostages as a 
 Security to Refund in Case every part thereof shall be adjudged to 
 have been over paid. 
 
 But in Case the Commissioners which may be appointed by the 
 British Commander in Chief will not accede to the Above Terms 
 The Commissioners appointed by General Washington may propose 
 to them the Exchanging said Troops without payment of Expence 
 
3 o 4 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 upon their Submitting the Same as aforesaid and giving Hostages 
 for securing the payment of such Sums as may be adjudged fully due. 
 
 That all officers be Exchanged according to the Rank they held 
 at the time of Capture ; & Such of the Military as have no Regi- 
 mental Rank by Composition to be settled by the Commissioners. 
 
 That a Brigadier General be Exchanged with each Divisions of 
 the Convention Troops — one Major General with the first & one 
 with the Last Division and that Lieut. General Burgoine be Included 
 in and Exchanged with the Second Division as his remaining to be 
 Exchanged with the Third or Last is altogether unmilitary and in- 
 admissible. 
 
 That Hostages be Mutually given as a Security that the Con- 
 vention Troops & Those received in exchange for them : do not 
 bear arms Prior to the First Day of May next. 
 
 That General Washington be Informed, it is not the sense of Con- 
 gress to make this last article an ultimatum ; unless from the Pres- 
 ent State of our Army the Improbability of his being Joined by the 
 French Troops ; or other Circumstances ; he shall be convinced 
 that the Convention Troops will by the exchange be put in a Situa- 
 tion to Act with the British Army, at the Southward Prior to our 
 having an Equal Force in readiness to oppose them. 
 
 Resolved, that the Commander in chief be directed to insist upon 
 the Exchange of those persons prisoners of War under the Capitula- 
 tion of Charles Town alluded to in their resolution of the 23d day of 
 September last.* 
 
 TO JOSEPH BARRELL. 
 
 North Branch Raritan, 29th Octo., 1780. 
 Dear Barrell : 
 
 My friend Col 1 ! Cary gives me an opportune once 
 more to tell you I am in a state of existence, my long 
 silence you must please to attribute to unavoidable 
 
 * This report, or the resolutions based upon it, were not entered on the Jour- 
 nals of Congress. It was brought in on October 16th, read on the 18th, and re- 
 committed, Mr. Hill being added to the committee. It passed November 7th. 
 The members of the original committee were Sullivan, Bland and Mathews. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 305 
 
 causes, for be assured I have no friend whose good 
 opinion and Friendship I more ardently desire than 
 yours 'tis not customary for me to make professions, 
 my actions must speak for me — my late seeming inat- 
 tention might induce you to think I had forgot my 
 friend Barrell — 'tis therefore I say I am still your warm 
 friend S. B. Webb — the cares of life you know crowd 
 daily & hourly on us, Mortals — a late change * in my 
 situation will prevent my passing that time with you 
 this Winter I had promised myself (for all particulars I 
 must refer you to Col°. Cary) ; however one of these 
 odd days I intend to parade myself at your Door with 
 
 * In this month Colonel Webb married Eliza, daughter of Richard Bancker, one 
 of the " leading merchants of New York, and the largest owner of lands in the 
 Kayaderosseras Patent, which included the region about Saratoga." He died in 
 New York city, 18 April, 1775, and his widow, Sarah, removed to New Jersey, on 
 the Raritan, where Colonel Webb wooed and won the daughter. 
 
 Gerrit Bancker was in New Amsterdam as early as 1655. In 1657 he removed 
 to Beverwyck, where he resided till his death, which occurred in February, 1691. 
 His wife was Elizabeth Dirkse Van Eps, a sister of Jan Van Eps, one of the 
 founders of Schenectady. On Gerrit Bancker's death, his widow removed to 
 New York, and engaged in trade, by which she became wealthy, and left a large 
 property to her children Evert and Anna. Anna became the wife of Johannes 
 De Peyster, of New York, in 1688. Evert succeeded to the mercantile house, 
 living in Albany, where he held many official positions of trust. In 1 686 he 
 married Elizabeth Abeel, daughter of Stoffel Jarse Abeel, and had many chil- 
 dren, of whom seven were living at the time of his will, 1734: — Elizabeth, born 
 29 July, 1693, who married Gerrit Lansing; Christoffel, born, 27 October, 1695; 
 William, born, 28 October, 1699; Jannetie, born, 28 August, 1701, married Har- 
 manus Schuyler; Adriaan, born, 10 October, 1703; Gerardus, born, 1 April, 
 1706; and Johannes. 
 
 Christoffel, or Christopher, son of Evert, married in 17 19, Elizabeth Hooglant. 
 In his will are mentioned the following children : Evert, Adrian, Richard, Chris- 
 topher and William. William resided on Staten Island, married Anna , and 
 
 had children : — Catharine, Elizabeth and Hendrick. Richard remained in New 
 York, and in 1764 became a freeman of the city. He married Sarah Duyckinck, 
 and had one child, Eliza, who married Colonel Webb. A sister-in-law, Mary 
 Duyckinck, is spoken of in Mrs. Bancker's letters to the Colonel, as "Aunt 
 Polly." 
 
3 o6 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 more than One Sister, one you are well acquainted 
 with. / hope the other will prove equally agreeable. 
 
 Surely, my Dear Sister; methinks I hear you say I 
 ought to have told you this before my leaveing Weth- 
 ersfield, believe me my Sister it was a matter I had not 
 fully determined on, that & that only was the cause of 
 my not writeing you on the subject, to Hetty's letter I 
 must refer you, had I leisure I would write you a sepa- 
 rate letter — but Col. & Mrs. Cary are both with us and 
 set of early in the morning for Boston, politeness as 
 well as Inclination induces me to pay them attention — 
 e'er long I hope you will be acquainted with your new 
 Sister, — I flatter. myself both you and Mr. Barrell will 
 love her — however you must remember I am partial, 
 the common fame says she is not unlike Hetty in Dis- 
 position and Manners, this I am sure will not be un- 
 pleaseing to you. 
 
 Remember friend Joe you are to keep at least One 
 Bottle of Satisfaction for me, my Mouth waters at the 
 Idea — tell all your good family I love and Esteem them, 
 say to Otis God bless him — I am almost unpardonable 
 for not writeing him — but tis too late this Evens . I'll 
 chat enough in one hour when I see him to make up 
 for twenty letters. 
 
 If you have any Business at Philadelph 3 ; this Winter 
 command me, — direct for me at Morristown New Jersey 
 to the care of Jacobus Vanzandt, Esqr. All single let- 
 ters reach me Post free — I cannot close without telling 
 you a general Exchange is agreed on — at least so 
 General as to release about 150 of our unfortunate 
 Officers on Long Island — it will take place in about 
 three weeks — your Hum 1 . Serv 1 . is of the happy number 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 307 
 
 — so that I shall probably have the Honor of leading 
 my Reg 1 , the next Campaign. 
 
 Joy to you my friend on the glorious turn of affairs 
 to the Southward — you will know the particulars before 
 this can reach you. Remember me to all friends, and 
 be assured that I am with warm 
 
 Sentiments of Esteem Most 
 
 Affectionately Yours, 
 
 S. B. W. 
 
 FROM MAJOR TALLMADGE. 
 
 TOTOWA, Novr 4th, 1 780. 
 
 My dear Sir : 
 
 Capt. Webb this moment informs me that there will be an oppor- 
 tunity to send you a line tomorrow. 
 
 Since the new Establishment of the Army has come out in Genl 
 Orders, the field officers of the different Lines have been very busy 
 in fixing on those who command the new Regiments for the War. 
 The Provision for the retiring Officers is so ample, that I am sorry 
 to say, there seems to be an emulation among our eastern officers 
 who shall go home, rather than continue in Service. After the great 
 Pains General Washington has taken to provide some honorable 
 Compensation for those Officers who retire, for their past services & 
 sufferings, such a requital would wound him very sensibly. How- 
 ever there is this Check upon them, that none can retire with the 
 benefits promised, until the new regiments are compleatly officered. 
 I am this afternoon informed that the field officers of the Con- 
 necticut Line have been together & that Col. Wyllys — Col. Swift, 
 Col. Webb, Col. Meigs & Lt. Col. Sherman are proposed as the 
 Commanding officers of the new Regiments. Was I to give you my 
 opinion, I should advise that you immediately repair to Camp, for 
 the purpose of assisting in compleating the Arrangement. There are 
 many things, such as the rank of a Reg*, the field & other officers 
 arranged to it, &c, &c, which would be well worthy of your attention 
 — I am informed, this day, by some of our officers just exchanged, 
 that you are at length liberated — I hope it may be true. 
 
308 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 I intended, when I crossed the North River, to have rode as far 
 as Princetown before I returned, and of Course should have called 
 on you. A Letter from the Gen! of this day, on particular business 
 obliges me to return tomorrow. 
 
 It is said there is another Embarkation taking Place, destined to 
 Virginia. 
 
 Col. Sheldon is very honorably acquitted — You will see his whole 
 Tryal in Print. 
 
 Please to make my Compliments to Miss Webb and your Dul- 
 cinea, if She even remembers me. 
 
 In a few months, according to Custom I shall expect to hear, by a 
 Line from you. In the interim am, Dr. Sir, with friendship 
 
 & Esteem 
 your most obdt Servt 
 
 Benj* Tallmadge. 
 
 PROPOSITION FOR AN EXCHANGE. 
 
 New York, 4 November 1 780. 
 
 Propositions by Major General Phillips who has the authority to 
 declare from His Excellency General Sir Henry Clinton that they 
 shall be ratified, supposing them to be agreed to on the part of the 
 Americans. 
 
 That, after the Exchange of all the Officers Prisoners of War, and 
 Supposing the proposed partial Exchanges of several Officers of the 
 Troops of Convention as carried out by Mr. Skinner should take 
 place, there will remain a considerable number of American Officers 
 Prisoners of War on Long Island, among whom will be one Brigadier 
 and eight Colonels : Major General Phillips, therefore, offers to Ex- 
 change all such Officers for a Division of the Troops of Convention 
 to be composed of Corps in the manner proposed at a meeting of 
 the Commissioners at Amboy to the Amount of the Value by Tariff 
 of the remaining American Officers Prisoners of War on Long Island. 
 
 Major General Phillips further proposes a General Exchange of all 
 the Privates Prisoners of War British and German against an equal 
 number of American Privates Prisoners of War in Charlestown, as, 
 also, of all the Troops of Convention, Officers and Privates, against 
 an equal number, Rank for Rank, or by composition, of the Ameri- 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 309 
 
 can Officers and Privates Prisoners of War in Charlestown, South 
 Carolina. 
 
 These Propositions are referred to the Consideration of His Ex- 
 cellency General Washington. 
 
 Major General Phillips delivers this Paper to Mr. Skinner the 
 American Commissary of Prisoners in order that he may lay it before 
 General Washington. 
 
 W. Phillips.* 
 
 TO JOSEPH WEBB. 
 
 Camp Tataway, 13th [Nov.] 1780. 
 My Dear B* 
 
 Number 52 was from the North Branch of Raritan 
 the 29th of October which I hope is with you. I am 
 sorry again to repeat I have received but one letter 
 from you since I left home. It makes me uneasy. It 
 looks too like forgetfulness. Every opportunity I have 
 had has been improved. You certainly can get letters 
 on to the army so that I know not what excuse to make. 
 
 * " I have the pleasure to inform Congress, that, at the late meeting of the re- 
 spective Commissaries, the exchanges of about one hundred and forty of our 
 officers, and all our privates in New York, amounting to four hundred and seventy- 
 six, were effected. Among the former are Major-General Lincoln, Brigr.-Generals 
 Thompson, Waterbury, and Duportail, and Lt.-Colo. Laurens. Sir Henry Clinton 
 having made a proposal of exchanging a further number of the Convention 
 Officers, without attaching men to them, I have acceded to it, by which we shall 
 liberate all our officers in this quarter, except one brigr.-general (Irvine), Nine 
 Colonels, one Captain, and thirty-nine Lieutenants. An offer is made by Sir 
 Henry Clinton to exchange all those, for a division of the Convention Troops, by 
 Composition where Rank will not apply. To this I have refused to accede, un- 
 less Lieutt.-General Burgoyne is taken into the account. If they will agree to 
 this, he alone will liberate nearly the whole of them. They have further pro- 
 posed a general exchange of the Convention Troops, Officers and men, for our 
 prisoners of War at the Southward. I have not thought proper to enter at all 
 upon the business of southern prisoners, because I have but a very imperfect state 
 of them, and because I perceive by the powers granted to Major-General Greene, 
 that he is at Liberty to negotiate the exchange of prisoners in that quarter." — 
 Washington to the President of Congress, 7 November, 1 780. 
 
310 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 I wrote the Baron Steuben at Philadelphia to leave 
 the balance due you in the hands of Mr. Seagrove or 
 Mr. Erskine, but I am apprehensive my letter did not 
 reach him before he set out for the Southward. If so, 
 I know not when you'll get it, or where I shall get 
 some necessary supplies. 
 
 Yesterday the commander-in-chief congratulated me 
 on being once more a free man : 
 
 The new arrangement has taken place in the Con- 
 necticut line as follows: — Swift, Durkee, Webb, Butler 
 & Lt. Col. Comd'g Sherman, but Durkee must, I 
 think retire. He is almost superannuated, and 'tis 
 generally supposed I will be second. I intend this day 
 to solicit leave of absence till Spring in which I hope to 
 be gratified. In the mean time I take this early oppor- 
 tunity to request you will, during the Winter, be pro- 
 viding some necessary stores for me in the Field, such 
 as : Spirits, .Sugar, Coffee, Tea, &c, &c. 'Tis more 
 than probable I shall be with you part of the Winter. 
 My inclination leads me to be with you — my last con- 
 tained reasons why I could not. You'll make my love 
 to Sister Webb, to Abby, and all our friends. Your 
 sisters in New Jersey desired me to remember them 
 to you all. 
 
 I am your very sincere & Most affectionate Brother, 
 
 Sam'l B. Webb. 
 
 The arrangement for the next campaign stands thus: 
 
 r Col. [John] Durkee -\ To consist of the 3<? 
 
 -j Lt. Col. [Thomas] Grosvenor V and 4* h regiments 
 
 (.Major [Willis] Clift. ) incorporated. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 311 
 
 rCol. [Heman] Swift -\ 
 
 2. \ Lt. Col. [Jonathan] Johnson f The 5 * and 7* incor- 
 
 ( Major TTheodorel Woodbridee ) cor P orated - 
 
 rCol. [Heman] Swift 
 \ Lt. Col. [Jonathan] m 
 (.Major [Theodore] Woodbridge 
 r Col. [Samuel B.] Webb 
 
 3. 1 Lt. Col. [Ebenezer] Huntington [■ 2? d and 9^. 
 (. Major [John Palsgrave] Wyllys 
 r Col. [Zebulon] Butler -\ The 6* h with a few offi- 
 
 4. } Lt. Col. [Ebenezer] Gray I cers from the other 
 (.Major [Eli] Leavenworth.* J regiments. 
 
 r Lt. Col. [Isaac] Sherman -\ 
 
 5. Major [David] Smith. The * and 8th incor " 
 ( Major [Benjamin] Throop. ) P orated -t 
 
 FROM JOSEPH BARRELL. 
 
 Boston, 20th Nov., 1 780. 
 Dear Sam : 
 
 Your favor of the 29th Ulto. came to hand this day P r Col? Cary ; 
 the Contents I Note, and very sincerely give you Joy on your En- 
 trance into that State of life which is always honorable, & sometimes 
 the most happy. I speak from Experience & feelingly upon the 
 Subject, w<: h to me has been abundantly so. I want much to see the 
 new Sister, for if common fame ever speaks truth, I'm persuaded I 
 shall love & esteem her, & when you Parade at my Door, I shall give 
 her the first Welcom \ in token of w^ h give her forty Kisses of the 
 best Kind, & tell her I will cheerfully double the number when oppy 
 offers. I am sorry & glad that an exchange is like once more to give 
 you oppY of acting the man, & doing service to your Country. But 
 when I think of the tender connection, you are now engaged in, & 
 that your dear Betsy must feel the separation tho' duty calls, I feel 
 for the tender sex & the more so, as they are the more tender & 
 lovely. You, I'm sure, will therefore conclude that on the present 
 Occasion I shall be sensibly affected ; but I pray God the blessings 
 of Peace may soon restore you to those arms w^ h , if a pure Affection 
 warms the heart, will most assuredly give you a foretaste (& not a 
 
 ♦This is an error, as Leavenworth retired. Abner Prior was the Major of this 
 regiment. 
 
 t From the Reminiscences of General Samuel B. Webb, 127. 
 
3 i2 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 small one neither) of that State where Pain is banished, & mutual love 
 reigns uncontrould. 
 
 I never suspected your attachment of friendship. Indeed a simi- 
 larity of Hearts are never suspicious : & I trust after the Parading 
 you mention that your Conduct will be such as the grave Cits, may 
 approve, & the Rational amusements of a friendly Circle where the 
 amiable sex make the happiness, will be far preferable to the mid- 
 night Revels, that nearly ruined your bro. Barrell as you imprudently 
 supposed the last Winter. But you were mistaken ; your bro. Barrell 
 Knows how far to go with those Gentry w<: h always looses their 
 charms when Compared to the Circles above hinted at. 
 
 No doubt the Cares of life crowd upon us mortals and the State 
 you are now in they will thicken, but then remember you have a 
 Partner to share & lighten them, & I've always found if I had peace 
 at home, the cares of the world never gave trouble for a Moment. 
 For when the Confidence of a friend can be depended on, the Cares 
 of life vanish like the "baseless Fabrick of vision." 
 
 I hope .you will some years hence be able to say amen to this 
 Assertion, for a happy Union will fully impower you to do it. 
 
 A Bottle of Satisfaction is next the wall ; it shall be broach' d to 
 welcom your better Self; but, mind me, none of your he males to 
 guzzel down 3 or 4 of an Evening. 
 
 Otis will be with you speedily as he sets off for Phil? — say in a 
 very few days. 
 
 Adieu ; my best affection to Sister Betsy, Sister Hetty, &c. Don't 
 let Hetty be offended that [I] name Betsy first ; for older or not she 
 has the preeminence being Married, w<: h always takes the right hand 
 of the Single Dames. 
 
 I am Sincerely as always Y* Friend & Bro. 
 
 Jos 'Barrell. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL CLINTON. 
 
 Head-Quarters, 20 November, 1780. 
 Sir: 
 
 I am authorized by Congress to propose a meeting of com- 
 missioners, for the purpose of effecting an exchange of all Conti- 
 nental prisoners of war now in your possession, and of the hostages 
 
SAMUEL B LAC H LEY WEBB. 313 
 
 given in Canada, as well as of all officers on parole, and officers vio- 
 lators of parole, and militia actually taken in arms and remaining 
 prisoners of war, for an equal number of the convention troops, and 
 other prisoners in our hands, rank for rank ; and, where similar rank 
 will not apply, to pursue the exchange on the footing of composition, 
 according to the valuation or tariff agreed on by the commissioners 
 at Amboy in March last. In this business will of course come into 
 contemplation an equitable adjustment and payment of the accounts 
 of the convention troops. I think it necessary to apprize you of this 
 circumstance, that there may be no misapprehension, and that, if 
 the commissioners meet, they may come clothed with proper powers 
 to render the meeting effectual. I request your speedy answer; 
 after which, the time and place of meeting may be regulated.* * * 
 
 G? Washington. 
 
 FROM JAMES SEAGROVE. 
 
 PHILA. 25 th Novr I780. 
 
 Dear Webb : 
 
 I thank you most cordially for your Letter of the 28th Ult, as it 
 convinces that my friend Webb has not entirely forgot there was such 
 a being as Seagrove. I can readily excuse your not answering my 
 two Letters whilst a Prisoner on Long Island, as it might have been 
 attended with disagreeable consequences to you should the Enemy 
 have known it. Believe me Sam, Time or the perplexing and very 
 dissagreeable Scenes I have gon through since we parted, has not in 
 the least lessened my Esteem for you — and it will ever ad to my 
 happiness to hear of your prosperity. I hope you are again a Free 
 Man, I mean that you are exchanged — for if I am to believe repoart 
 you are more a Captive then ever — to that Dear sweet Girl Miss 
 
 * Sir Henry Clinton assented to the proposition contained in this letter, but 
 suggested that the adjustment of accounts should not be limited to the convention 
 troops, but extend to all the prisoners that had been made on both sides during 
 the war, as well British as American. Concerning this point Washington replied 
 that he had written to Congress on the subject; but, since it would take much 
 time to collect and arrange the accounts, he thought it best not to appoint com- 
 missioners for the purpose till this should be done. In the meantime the business 
 of exchange might go forward, according to the principles upon which both 
 parties were agreed. 
 
314 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 B my old acquaintance. Indeed we have it here that you and 
 
 she are one — I cannot think it ; or surely you would have mentioned 
 it. In your next pray empower me to contradict or confirm it — the 
 latter will be most agreeable. 
 
 As I am a Prisoner of War on Parole to this State I cannot 
 promise myself the pleasure of seeing you or the Lady's in Jersey, 
 and when we poor Devils taken in Charlestown are to be Exchanged 
 I know not. 
 
 I am sorry to inform you, that Baron Steuben left this Ten days 
 before I rec'd yours, and is now with the Army in N? or S? Carolina 
 — and as I cannot find any person here to settle his affairs, I now 
 inclose the letter you sent for him. 
 
 I had a few lines from Jos. Webb a few days since which gave me 
 pleasure — Please present my best respects, Love & Compliments 
 
 to Mrs. B , Aunt Polly, Miss B or Mrs. W b, and Miss 
 
 W T ebb who I understand is with you. 
 
 Erskine Desires his Compliments. He sails in a few days for 
 France — Constable is with our Army in Virginia. I shall be glad to 
 hear from you, and when you come this way I shall expect to see 
 you to talk over the days we have seen. 
 
 I am, Dear Sam, Yours AffectY 
 
 J. Seagrove. 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HUNTINGTON. 
 
 Wethersfield, 27th November, 1780. 
 Dear Webb: 
 
 When I last wrote you, it did not enter my mind that so long a 
 time would have Elapsed without seeing or hearing from you, but 
 soon after I wrote, the Reg 1 , left Head Quarters for West Point, 
 which Place I left on the Regiments arrival, & with an Expectation 
 of not seeing them again this Winter, but flattering myself that I 
 should have seen Col? & Mrs. Webb, & sister Hetty at Wethersfield, 
 as at that time I had great suspicions of a Clandestine Marriage, as 
 I used to tell you when at the Hutts — I wish you to give my love to 
 Betsy & Hetty, tell them their presence at Wethersfield is absolutely 
 necessary to make us happy this Winter, as to your being here, you 
 may suppose we can do without you, if you will give us the other 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 315 
 
 good people with you. Last week we began the little family Dances 
 for the Winter, Brother Jack gave the first, a very Clever one, but I 
 must Confess twould have added much to it, to have had your Com- 
 pany, & let me tell you, yourself & the Circle with you, were men- 
 tion^ more than once. By letters from Camp, I find myself again 
 Arranged in the Army, it was unexpected & unwishd for ; it was un- 
 expected, as I had inform? Maj. Wyllys of my (almost) absolute 
 determination to resign when I left Camp, but on the second thought 
 determine to wait till the arrangements should take place to be left 
 out, & Retire with the Advantages which should be given to Officers 
 Arranged out ; As I understood the Resolve of Congress, if the Offi- 
 cers can not agree among themselves to stay, the Seniors are Oblig? 
 to stay, or rather that they are to be Arranged in, & must either stay 
 or resign which gives the younger Officers the opportunity to retire 
 if they Choose it. I have wrote Col? Tilgham [Tilghman] to know 
 what are the Sentiments of His Excellency about the Resolve, as I 
 would wish most earnestly to be one of those who retire, and rather 
 think I shall resign if arranged in. — Pray can you tell what kind of a 
 Corps of officers yours will be ? Are they equal to the task ? I am 
 very unacquainted with the 2d Regiments Corps of Officers which I 
 am told is annexed to yours & therefore if you have made a Judge- 
 ment wish you let me know it. As yet I have not hear? where Win- 
 ter Quarters will be for the Army, but have Conjectured it will be 
 not far from W Point, as that Post must & will be the Principal Ob- 
 ject for the Enemy, & Certainly the most Eligible for the Remains 
 of our Army to retire to not only to be near the Point for the Security 
 of that, but to Secure itself from Surprise, which it will be Subject to 
 after the Levies are discharged. Wherever they are God bless them. 
 — Wishing you Joy, Ah ! Joy indeed, & Eliza all that you can either 
 ask or Wish. I shall wish my love to your little family, of Wife & 
 friends, & Subscribe myself Yours Sincerely, 
 
 Eben Huntington. 
 
 FROM MAJOR-GENERAL ROBERT HOWE. 
 
 Just on the March on Totoway 
 27th November, 1780. 
 My dear Sir : 
 
 May the single be married, and the married happy, is an old 
 
3 i6 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 adage to which thou hast tossed off many a Bumper. In which class 
 I am to rank thee, I know not (for it is matter of speculation) but 
 in either or both I wish thee felicity. I have not had the honor to 
 be much acquainted with the Fair one who has attracted thee, but 
 what I did know of her excited me earnestly to wish to know more, 
 nor has that wish subsided. I thought I discovered in her an agree- 
 able Blending of Gaiety and pensiveness, of frankness and Reserve. 
 Such a commixture cannot fail to produce that delicate medium of 
 character, conduct and disposition, which must give felicity to and 
 receive it from a Man of Honor and sentiment, and with which 
 therefore, you must be happy ; be you both as much so, as I wish 
 you, and you will be full as much so as you need to be. 
 
 Jack Webb, who will deliver you this, would be a clever fellow, 
 had he not the capital Faults of washing his hands in warm water, 
 & running to the Fire when he wipes them. He has received a 
 Lecture for this, just this moment, and has promised to do so only 
 once a month, & by the time that period revolves I hope he will for- 
 get it. You may judge how faulty I think him when these are the 
 greatest faults he has. Another fault, tho' not quite so magnificent, 
 is his straddling with his back to the fire and displaying his stern to 
 it by drawing the skirts of his coat aside, which, as he is already too 
 lean abaft, he had better avoid, lest the draft of the chimney and 
 heat of the fire should by shrinking him increase this defect. I send 
 him to you but remember you must not detain him too long. I hope 
 to visit you this Winter — if not pray visit me. I am, Dear Sir, with 
 Respectful compliments to Mrs. Banker and Miss Banker alias Mrs. 
 Webb & with great Regard, Dear Sir, Yours sincerely. 
 
 R. Howe. 
 
 My compliments to Mr. Wilson & Family. 
 
 TO JOSEPH BARRELL. 
 
 North Branch, Raritan, 
 New Jersey, 27th Dec. 1780. 
 D? Barrel : 
 
 A few days since I was favor' d with yours of the 20th 
 Ult by Mr. Otis which afforded me peculiar satisfaction, 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 317 
 
 as I had not since leaveing WetM heard anything of 
 you — Yes, Barrell, I am among the list of old folks, a 
 Married Man, & be assured I only regret, that so 
 many days and Years have been spent without know- 
 ing the happiest State this world affords, and I have 
 every reason to hope it will continue while my life 
 lasts — that I am a Soldier is in the Eyes of some of my 
 friends a misfortune because I may the sooner quit this 
 Stage, 'tis a misfortune in my own eyes but in two 
 cases — one that my Country should require Men of 
 the profession and the other that I am debar'd the do- 
 mestic ease and comfort which otherways I might en- 
 joy — but I hope to live thro all the troubles of the War, 
 and yet partake of many a social Glass with You — 
 Your new Sister is fond of you and Sally, tho unknown. 
 I flatter myself you will one day or other be equally 
 fond of her, she begs me to tender you both her Love 
 & Compliments, — a fond Mother and she the only 
 Child is all that prevented my takeing her to Wethers- 
 field (and perhaps to Boston) this Winter. I should 
 delay it no longer than the next Spring but then my 
 duty will call me to the Field, I hope it may be the last 
 Campaign and a very honorable one to America. 
 
 The Certificate which you favor'd me with finally 
 has affected my Exchange, you therefore again have 
 my warmest thanks, & thro' you I beg to tender them 
 to others my friends owners of the late Vengeance, 
 Privateer. 
 
 Stick to your promise keep a Bottle of Satisfaction 
 for your new Sister (this has some self in it) I shall 
 have a share, and unless the fortune of War disable 
 me — it shall be the next Winter, — but should it be my 
 
3 i 8 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 unfortunate lot to add to the number who have fallen 
 in this Countrys cause, you may then drink it to my 
 Memory, for even in Death I hope to do honor to my 
 friends. 
 
 Hetty has wrote Sally — this will answer as well for 
 her as for you, tell her I love her most heartily, and 
 wish both you and her every felicity in this World and 
 that which is to come. 
 
 Br. Jack leaves us this day he will take charge of 
 our letters, and talks of paying you a visit — the Circle 
 join me in Compt s . of the season, you will please pre- 
 sent mine to all those who have a friendship for Yr. 
 Affect. Brother Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 FROM SAMUEL ALLEYNE OTIS. 
 
 Phil a, Jany 2d 1781. 
 
 What a weight of obligation. Ruminating in retirement at a dis- 
 tance from all who knew or cared a farthing for me. 
 
 "How poor is the friendless master of a world," thot I, when my 
 very serv*. entered with your very obliging letter. The usual pleasure 
 of breaking the seal was succeeded by a glow of gratitude. There 
 vanity, spite of sober effort, was on the wing, and tickled most sweetly. 
 
 And is it possible my departure could occasion a moment's regret 
 to the ladies ? Really, you have an opinion of my discretion, such 
 a communication is enough to puff one into a Coxcomb. But for 
 my knowledge of yours, & the goodness very conspicuous in the 
 countenances of the amiable circle round your breakfast table, which 
 leads me to attribute the favorable opinion to your candor rather 
 than to my merit, could I be furnished with an equipoise for the 
 vanity that unavoidably arises upon the occasion ? And now to the 
 point. Why, there, with the frankness you use, I inform the ladies 
 "you did not press me to stay," but on friendship's hallowed shrine, 
 
 I s r, I staid not a moment the less with you on that account ; 
 
 nor in the least would it have retarded my calling upon you on my 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 319 
 
 return had your favor of the 220!. ult? never reached me. I could 
 easily forgive an omission when my ill-timed friendship called a son of 
 Mars from the arms of Hebe's beauteous Sister. For could I expect 
 even civility? When my rashness with a man less generous would 
 have made a sacrifice to the Cyprian Queen, whose mysteries I had, 
 although inadvertently, disturbed. Surely I had most reason to 
 apologize at least to one of the ladies, whose pardon I implore. For 
 you, as you never have, and acting yourself, never can offend, I, of 
 course, have nothing to forgive. And if you, as your interest is very 
 prevalent with one of the Ladies, will get me a pardon ; in the name 
 of friendship, I attribute what is passed to forgetfulness. Let a gen- 
 eral amnesty take place, so we can get all the ladies to say — amen — 
 
 The slave of business, I can neither command my own time or 
 movements, and take it not unkindly if I don't promise when per- 
 formance may be impracticable ; But your family have so many in- 
 ducements, that those who do not call upon them, when opportunity 
 admits, are rather objects of compassion than resentment, for neglect 
 of happiness which incurs its own punishment. 
 
 There is a dead calm in politics, & a dearth of news. Therefore, 
 after compliments of the season — many — many happy years to you 
 & your friends, permit me to assure you I am, very sincerely, your 
 friend and ob l . serv't. 
 
 Sam. A. Otis. 
 
 Hope the Cap 4 , got home unhurt in body or heart the day we 
 parted. 
 
 colonel webb's orders on rejoining his regiment. 
 
 Regimental Orders, 7* Feby 1781. 
 It is with singular sattisfaction the Colonel has it in 
 his power, again to join his Reg 1 . — the Honor and 
 welfare of which has always been near his Heart. — He 
 takes this first Opportunity of returning his most sin- 
 cere thanks to the Officers for the great care they have 
 taken in supporting a Discipline which has done Honor 
 to themselves & to the Regiment at large, in which he 
 
320 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 thinks himself an equal sharer. — The cheerfulness with 
 which the Soldiers have endured the many unavoidable 
 hardships merit the approbation & Thanks of their 
 Officers and their Country. 
 
 He most earnestly recommends to the Officers a 
 steady and constant attention to the Discipline of the 
 Regiment, — the time is fast approaching when we shall 
 again take the Field — let us exert ourselves that no 
 Regiment may appear in superior order to us, to ob- 
 tain this — nothing is more absolutely necessary than 
 the Strictest attention by Officers to the internal police 
 of the Reg 1 . — they must be answerable that the Non- 
 commissioned do their Duty and that they are properly 
 supported in the Execution of it — the Col° flatters him- 
 self the Soldiers will continue to behave in a manner 
 becomeing the Characters of Men who are exerting 
 themselves in support of everything dear to freemen, 
 they will continue to recollect they are not Mercenarys, 
 fighting for a foreign Prince, or for extent of Dominion 
 — but for that which is dearer than life — their Liberty. 
 At the end of the War we trust a gratefull Country 
 will honorably reward their Noble exertions, and here- 
 after they will be handed down to future Generations, 
 as Men who have [preserved] themselves and their 
 Posterity from the vilest Servitude. 
 
 TO MAJOR-GENERAL PARSONS. 
 
 Camp, f^ Feb? , 1781. 
 Dear GenV : 
 
 Enclosed you have a list of Eight Men who are 
 naked — and quite a burthen to the Reg\ . I mean if I 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 321 
 
 have your approbation to Discharge them tomorrow. 
 The Bearer Asa Leonard waits on You in. his Sunday- 
 go-to-Meeting Dress — his time not expireing 'till the 
 y^ of May I dare not discharge him without your 
 order — If you'll be so obligeing as to lend me a Gallon 
 of Spirits & a few Potatoes I'll see to repay you soon, 
 I am D r . Gen 1 , affectionately Yours, 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 Serjt. Flower Naked time 
 
 expires 
 
 6* April 
 
 Joseph Porter 
 
 Do 
 
 Do 
 
 10^ April 
 
 Jerizah Thayer 
 
 Do 
 
 Do 
 
 2 April 
 
 Dan 1 . Holt 
 
 Do 
 
 Do 
 
 3 April 
 
 Capt. Sam 1 . Bement 
 
 Do 
 
 Do 
 
 18* Feby 
 
 John Parker 
 
 Do 
 
 Do 
 
 21 March 
 
 Amos Chapman 
 
 Do 
 
 Do 
 
 20 t . h March 
 
 Nehemiah Barns 
 
 Do 
 
 Do 
 
 2 i l . March. 
 
 FROM MAJOR-GENERAL PARSONS. 
 
 7th Feby '81. 
 General Parsons Comp*. to Col. Webb informing him he is of 
 Opinion the Service will be benefitted by Discharging all the Men 
 named within, the Bearer included. The Spirits &c are at Col. 
 Webb's Service when he sends for them. 
 
 FROM CAPTAIN BULKLEY. 
 
 Wethersfield, i 6th February, 1781. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 Yours of the 29* of Dec! last came safe to hand, be ashured 
 every attention shall be paid as you have requested, as nothing 
 would give me greater pleasure then to see your Regiment appear 
 Brilliant and cleaver, and every exertion in my power has and shall 
 be made for that purpose, but am sorry to say 111 fortune and former 
 
322 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 exertions has put it out of my power to do what my soul had the 
 greatest desire, I declare to you on the honor of a soldier and 
 Gentleman I have been under the Necessity of borrowing every shil- 
 ling I have had since my return from Captivity to purchase the Nec- 
 essaries of Subsistence, and am now reduced to less than three 
 shillings, and where to git the next I no not, and what makes my 
 situation wors than bad, and destitute of the real comforts of life (is 
 not this an Irish histe) . I have not as yet got two such boys as you 
 Mentioned but shall do my best endeavour, but I have my fears. 
 Have inclosed a Copy of Printis Stores Receipt for your perusal and 
 satisfaction, and wish to have your Orders concerning him, he or 
 
 some body deserves to be D . 
 
 Yours of the ii* h Instant to Capt. Hopkins was by him presented 
 to me last evening, in which I saw your Order for either Cap 1 . Hop- 
 kins, Riley or myself, to repair to Camp without delay, I cannot 
 conceive you ment either Riley or myself to Join unless it was our 
 choice, therefore shall stay untill your particular order arrives, and 
 for the following importante Reasons, which are these : — our debts 
 on Long Island and in New York are unpaid, our honors at stake, 
 and will be wounded and Tarnished in such a manner if not paid 
 soon as will cause me wish I had not been born. 2? d We have a 
 prospect of Receiving a Small Supply from Jona and his Apostles, 
 and we have apointed Capt. Riley to go into New York for the pur- 
 pose of settling our debts of honor, which business he is [to] go 
 upon as soon as possible. 3* d ly My own perticular reason for not 
 wishing to Join at this time is, all my futer happiness in this world 
 in a great Measure depends on my staying hear untill the campaign 
 opens. You sir cannot but know that my domestic affairs are in a 
 disagreeable Situation, my AccV 5 unsetled and if not adjusted now 
 perhaps never will be, nor cannot be, if any Accident should happen 
 to me, therefore am persuaded you will see the propriety and Neces- 
 sity of my staying at home untill the campain opens.- 4th 1 / I am 
 administrator on Mr. Pomeroy's Estate and am under Obligation to 
 have it settled imediately 5* h I have not a Single articule of stores, 
 nor any Money to purches them with, no, not enough to wet the 
 parchment you was pleased to send me by Captain Williams, which 
 ought to be done in a proper Maner. After all that I have said 
 above (which are facts) Which way can I leave home, how can I 
 
dttts^jx- 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 323 
 
 git to camp, if I had the greatest desire, without Stores or Money to 
 pay the Necessary expence of Traveling to camp. 6* h and lastly, if 
 your Order cannot be countermanded in respect to my Joining the 
 Regiment imediately, you lay me under the dissagreeable Necessity 
 of sending back the Commission you have lately honored me with, 
 and will effectually put it out of my power to serve my Country in 
 this way, and of haveing an Oppertunity of doing honor or dishonor 
 to the Commission I have lately received. 
 
 I am Dear Sir your Sincere friend, And Most Obedient and Most 
 Humbl Servt Edw? Bulkley. 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WILLIAM S. SMITH. 
 
 Head Quarters, [New Windsor,] Feb? 18th, 1781. 
 D* Saml : 
 
 Upon my arrival at Morris Town I found Letters from his Excel- 
 lency and the Marquis the contents of which render' d it necessary 
 that I should set off immediately for Camp, and deprived me of the 
 promised pleasure of visiting your family as I intended ; but as I am 
 the person disappointed, I conclude an appology to you is in some 
 measure unnecessary, therefor. 
 
 I am inform'd that the arrangement of your Line is return'd to 
 have some alterations made, if I Could get my name enroll'd I should 
 be happy & as I must consider myself at present a member of the 
 state, I think my pretensions not slightly founded. 
 
 There is a L* Col? Johnston in your Line who I am inform'd 
 wishes for an opportunity to retire. I should be happy to give him 
 one by taking his place in the Line. It can injure none of the in- 
 ferior officers and the superior I flatter myself would have no objec- 
 tion. I am told they have conversd upon this subject, & no objec- 
 tions were started except by Lt. Col? Gray. His reasons I am not 
 acquainted with, therefore cannot give my sentiments upon them ; 
 but am a little dubious whether they will stand a strict scrutiny. If 
 they should refer to its being a president that might hereafter prove 
 injurious, that may be easily obviated, as there is no Gen* at present 
 in the army in a similar situation ; & as I mean to enter upon no 
 other consideration than by a unanimous consent of the field officers, 
 it will be setting an example that will in my opinion rather be of 
 
324 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 service than otherwise. I intended to have waited on you this 
 morning, but am detain'd in order to join the Marquis, &c. 
 
 If you will inform me after consulting on the subject how matters 
 stand, I shall acknowledge myself obliged. 
 
 Laurels & Life attend you is the wish of 
 
 Wm. S. Smith 
 &c. &c. 
 
 FROM ALEXANDER HAMILTON. 
 
 22 February, 1781. 
 My Dear Sir: 
 
 From different occurrences since your letter to the General ar- 
 rived I have seen no favourable moment to present it. It shall try 
 its fortune to day and you shall hear from me tomorrow. Assure 
 yourself that whatever depends on me shall be done. 
 
 M r . s H s compliments. 
 
 Adieu A. Hamilton. 
 
 FROM ALEXANDER HAMILTON. 
 
 Head Quarters, 2 March, 1781. 
 Dr Sir, 
 
 With some difficulty, the General has in part consented to your 
 wishes. Col Hazen is going to Philadelphia on business — the small 
 number of Colonels now with the army makes him unwilling to let 
 you be absent till he returns. When he returns, if you can obtain 
 General Heath's permission, it will be agreeable to The General. 
 You may make use of this letter to him. 
 
 I wish I could have got the matter placed on a better footing. 
 I am with great regard 
 
 Y r . friend & Ser. 
 
 A. Hamilton. 
 
 TO MAJOR-GENERAL HEATH. 
 
 Hutts, 3? March '81 
 My Dear Gen 1 : : 
 
 Some days since I obtained Gen 1 . Parsons' s per- 
 mission to leave Camp, prior to which I had wrote 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 325 
 
 Col° Hamilton requesting that I might not be limitted 
 to the first of April, on ace 1 , of my regimental Acc^f 
 being unsettled, oweing to my unfortunate Captivity — 
 to leave these, if any misfortune should attend me dur- 
 ing the Campaign, would involve my friends in ex- 
 treame difficulty, to which I added several other 
 weighty and important reasons, all of which are 
 minutely communicated to General Parsons, — my re- 
 quest was that the matter might be submitted to you 
 or him, — & I am sorry the difficulty of passing the 
 ferry for several days past, has prevented me the 
 happiness of waiting on you, as time will not permit 
 my entering so minutely into my peculiar situation, as 
 I should, could I have had the honor of seeing you, — I 
 am now seting of for Jersey, notwithstanding the letter 
 which I yesterday received from Col° Hamilton, a 
 Copy of which you will find herewith, — Pardon me my 
 Dear General for the liberty I take in earnestly solicit- 
 ing your sanction on my conduct, — nothing would in- 
 duce me to it, but the letters I have received acquaint- 
 ing me of M r . s Webb's being unwell — & her Mamma, 
 in a dangerous situation, haveing been confined to her 
 bed for more than a fortnight past, — had the Com- 
 mander in Chief not left Camp I would have seen him, 
 & I am confident when I had told him the situation of 
 my family & that my Reg 1 , consisted of only 24 fit for 
 Action — with a Major & a large proportion of Officers 
 with them, he would not have objected to my absence, 
 — Col° Durkee is purposely detained in Camp by 
 General Parsons that I should go, — Tis impossible my 
 Dear Sir for me to be so particular as I wish — I hope 
 you may have an opportunity of seeing Gen 1 . Parsons, 
 
326 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 who can inform you all I wish, — I wish your answer, if 
 I should be gone Major Wyllys will forward it to me — 
 with respectfull Sentiments of Esteem & Friendship I 
 am my dear Gen 1 . Your friend & 
 
 Obed*. Humb 1 . Serv*. 
 
 Sam^ B. Webb. 
 I have taken the liberty of enclosing a letter to Col° 
 Hamilton, which I have left open for your perusal, if 
 you think proper you'll seal & forward it to Head 
 Quarters against his return — if otherways destroy — 
 
 I am faithfully yours 
 
 S. B. W. * 
 
 TO MAJOR-GENERAL PARSONS. 
 
 North Branch, Rariton, 
 7* March, 1781. 
 Dear General : 
 
 I wrote you the day before I left Camp, & again from 
 Cacaatt [Kakiat] on my way here, — but fearing the 
 latter may miscarry I am induced to trouble you again 
 on the same subject, — the mode which necessity obliged 
 me to take in leaveing Camp makes me extreamly un- 
 happy for fear General Washington or Gen 1 . Heath 
 may think I have treated them with disrespect, — Col° 
 Hamilton's letter of which I enclosed you a Copy, 
 came to hand after I received my leave of absense from 
 you, had not General Washington have left Camp, I 
 would immediately have waited on him, confident that 
 when he knew of M r f Bancker's illness, — the smallness 
 of my Reg*. , & that you had detained Colonel Durkee 
 
 * From the Heath Papers, in the Massachusetts Historical Society. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 327 
 
 in Camp, he would immediately have granted my re- 
 quest, — he being absent I wrote to you and General 
 Heath encloseing each a copy of Col° Hamilton's letter 
 nameing my situation, I told him that I must go even 
 at the expence of my Commission, and wish'd so far 
 his sanction, that should any fault be found, he would 
 be my friend, — after leaveing Camp on my way here I 
 received his answer acquainting me that had the Gen- 
 eral left it to him entirely he would not have objected 
 to my going, but as he signify'd a desire that I should 
 stay his return from the Eastward he dare not pretend 
 to give me leave, — this I knew was out of his power, 
 nor could I expect any thing more from him than to 
 fairly represent my situation should the General think 
 my conduct blameable, — but such is my anxiety that I 
 have not enjoyed a moment's peace of mind since I left 
 Camp, yet such was the circumstances that was I to do 
 again I should think my Duty obliged me to take the 
 same steps, in full confidence that my Superiors would 
 think my reasons sufficient — On my arrival I found 
 M r . s Bancker very ill, tho: something better than she 
 has been, — M r . s Webb's illness was occasion'd by an 
 unfortunate fall you will readily conceive what I have 
 reference to, — and can easily Judge the situation of the 
 family when I tell you they are separated from all their 
 friends, and not a Man but Myself in the Circle — I 
 have been thus particular, my Dear General, to con- 
 vince you the necessity there was of my being here, 
 and to induce you to prevent my being hereafter 
 blamed, — should General Washington take up the 
 matter as a disobedience of orders, it would make me 
 one of the most wretched beings in the World — even 
 
328 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 to receive a reprimand from him would be next to 
 Death, — I acknowledge with the warmest effusions of 
 my Heart that I have long experienced your friend- 
 ship, and am sorry that this occasion should offer to 
 cause you further trouble — but relying on your usual 
 goodness I now take the liberty of requesting as a 
 particular favor, you will be kind enough to write His 
 Excellency as soon as he arrives in Camp, acquainting 
 him that prior to Hamilton's letter I had obtained your 
 permission to go, — that as he had gone out of my 
 reach, at a time when the situation of my friends calPd 
 my immediate attention I had gone before his return, — 
 here my Dear Sir you can add that my Maj r . was in 
 Camp & agreed to continue 'till either myself or U. 
 Co 1 . Huntington returned, & that my weekly return 
 was only 24 Men fit for Duty — But why should I dic- 
 tate to a Man of your Sensibility, — confident I am you 
 are convinced my reasons were the most urgent nature, 
 and I can not doubt your Friendship. — I am led to be- 
 lieve that General Washington supposed Maj r . Wyllys 
 gone with the Infantry as he was appointed to that 
 command, this might cause him to desire my continue- 
 ing a few days longer in Camp. Heav'n forbid the 
 General should suppose I would ever disobey an order 
 of his, I have presumed to deviate in this instance upon 
 supposition that could I have seen him and offer'd my 
 reasons he would not have objected, — had you been in 
 Camp I should have found a friend to advise with. 
 Never had I greater reason to ask it than on this oc- 
 casion, my Character is at Stake which is dearer than 
 life, and on you depends in a great measure my future 
 happiness. I shall without delay attend to the busi- 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 329 
 
 ness I before mentioned to you, and will as early as 
 possible join my Regiment, — I wish not to be absent 
 for a moment longer than I can get my Accounts in 
 tolerable order, which I hope will be by the middle of 
 April, — I will thank you to converse with General 
 Heath on the subject, — he has full power to gratify my 
 wishes, — I shall anxiously wait my Dear Sir to get a 
 particular letter from you on the Subject, — if you write 
 by the Post direct for me at this place to be left at Mr. 
 Vanvaeter's, Rariton Bridge, — Pardon me my Dear 
 Gen 1 , for the liberty I have taken on requesting you to 
 take so much trouble on my ace 1 . — if a grateful Heart 
 can ever repay you, it will not be wanting, — that every 
 felicity may attend you is the ardent prayer of, my 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Your very Sincere friend and Most 
 
 Obed 1 . Hum 1 . Serv*. 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 FROM JOHN PHILIPS. 
 
 Connecticut Camp, Highlands, 
 2 1 st March, 1781. 
 Dear Colonel : 
 
 Affairs in Camp since you left us, have proceeded in the same old 
 routine. — Recruits arrive but slowly, and I am sorry to say that very 
 few of those which have, are fallen to our share ; the mode pre- 
 scribed in general orders has by no means been adopted — the re- 
 cruit has been suffered to chuse his regiment to serve in, and that 
 choice has generally been directed by the Officer conducting them 
 to Camp ; none of ours (commissioned or non-commissioned) have 
 been employed in that service, for which reason but seven or eight 
 men out of upwards of one hundred have joined your regiment ; 
 this is the only reason which I can think probable (in short 'tis a 
 damn'd Connecticut trick !) 
 
33Q CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 The Companies from Susquehanna have arrived, and have been 
 disposed of in the same manner, not a single man has fallen to us ; 
 the moment General Parsons arrives, I am determined to enter a 
 pointed complaint against such conduct, and should that measure 
 prove insufficient, shall desire his leave to wait upon his Excellency, 
 who, in that case, shall not want proper information : I wish to know 
 your sentiments as to furnishing the Regiment with leather Caps, if 
 possible, as you well know the difficulty of procuring Hats, but the 
 former I imagine, might be had from Connecticut ; I know of no 
 other chance of procuring a uniformity in that part of dress. 
 
 We have no late news from the Eastward, you have doubtless 
 heard of the embarkation of a considerable part of the French 
 troops ; that England has declared war with Holland ; and I wish I 
 could add the prospect of Pay for the Army ; it seems our wise As- 
 sembly are much nonpluss'd about that same thing called Pay ; they 
 never ought to have had any thing to do with that, or indeed any 
 thing else that had reference to the army. 
 
 Two Captains have lately joined, Parsons and Allen ; Hopkins I 
 am informed is gone Eastward with General Howe, if so probably I 
 may differ with him, as you are acquainted with the reasons which 
 he urged for his absence ; your party for deserters, I am told, has 
 met with success, and that they are on their way to Camp ; I have 
 not a word from H — g — n, nor know I what he is about. 
 
 We enjoy ourselves here as well as we can ; I am just returned 
 from a ramble upon one of our highest hills, where we had made a 
 match at firing the pistol. I feel fatigued, and wish you a good 
 night — a much happier one than will fall to the share of 
 
 Your friend and humble servant, John Philips.* 
 
 FROM JAMES SEAGROVE. 
 
 Phil*, 25th March, 1781. 
 Dear Webb: 
 
 I have receiv? three of your favours, the last dated the 9* h Ins* : 
 and am truly ashamed of my indolence in not having wrote you be- 
 
 * Col. Webb was then on the North Branch of the Rariton, New Jersey. The 
 letter was intercepted by the enemy, and printed in Rvvingtori 's Gazette, 1 1 April, 
 1781. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 331 
 
 fore — but so it is, when a Man has not anything to employ him he 
 contracts those habits, which on reflection gives him pain, and makes 
 him appear inatentive to his friend. It is more than probable I 
 shoud have sum'd up resolution to have given you a line before, but 
 the want of any thing Novel, agreeable or interesting has in a great 
 measure prevented — and sorry am I to think that at this moment I 
 am equaly destitute. News such as it is we have in abundance — 
 but little dependance can be placed in repoart, certain it is we are 
 at the eve of important events. Lord Cornwallis and Genl Green 
 with a few Miles of each other, both acting with much caution, and 
 their force nearly equal, if any ods Green has it. Arnold at Ports- 
 mouth, intrenched with aty 1500 or at most 2000 Men. The French 
 Fleet gon there with 1200 Grenadiers the Marquis Fayet 1500 L* 
 Infantry — Genl. Guest 500 Continentals from Maryl4 and ab* 4000 
 Virginians under Muhlenberg & Weedon — are the force to attack 
 him — those with the assistance of the shipping I think must do his 
 business. Hope and wish they will attack him without delay, as we 
 have much to fear from the arrival of the British Fleet from Qard- 
 ners Bay with the late embarckation of Troops from New York. If 
 we are so fortunate as to Capture Arnold and push on 2000 Good 
 troops immediately to Green, Cornwallis must fall ; as he is upwards 
 of 300 miles from Charlestown, & 200 from any seaport. His ad- 
 vance into N. Carolina was in my opinion rash, and may prove his 
 ruin. The war between England and Holland no doubt will be in 
 favour of America in General, but individuals feel it very severely. 
 This Town has already lost by the capture of St. Eustatius not less 
 than half a million pounds Hard cash — and I am sorry to say that I 
 contribute to this, not less than ^2000 St? . 
 
 I am affraid I shall be puzzled to get your Port wine and Beer, 
 but if in Town for sale you shall have them & the Corks by way of 
 Trenton to go from thence in a Wagon which brings up some goods 
 of your Neighbour Jn? Shaw who is the bearer. 
 
 Inclosed you have some of our late prints for your and the lady's 
 amusement. Please present my best regards to M? Webb, Miss 
 Webb, M r . s Bancker & Aunt Polly — nothing would give me greater 
 pleasure then to pass a week with you and them, but remember I 
 am bounded by the Delawar. I am to thank Jos. and you for the 
 care of my Mare — as I am totaly unhorsed, and the pleasant riding 
 
332 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 season coming on, — I shall be obliged if you will send her to me by 
 first safe hand with what expenc you have been at. Colo Moyand 
 [Moylan] is at Lancaster, forwarding on his reg* to the Southward. 
 I know not whether he gos or not. I should think not as his Reg 1 , 
 is but small at pres* . 
 
 We are in momently expectation of interesting news from Green 
 and the Marquis — God grant it be agreeable. 
 
 I wish you Health and Happiness & am with expectation of hear- 
 ing from you by every oppty. 
 
 Dear Sir, your affect Friend 
 
 y. Seagrove. 
 
 FROM COLONEL MOYLAN. 
 
 Philskill Wednesday 
 28 March 1781 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 The bearer will deliver you a Letter which my Waggoner brought 
 with some things for you from Philadelphia, he returns this evening 
 or to-morrow morning with my heavy baggage as my rout will be to 
 the Southw4 . M? 5 M. will accompany me to Lancaster. She anx- 
 iously wishes to see the Ladies of your familly before she goes, can't 
 you bring them with you tomorrow to dinner, it will give this fam- 
 illy, and it will give me great pleasure if you do — a vessel arrived at 
 Phil? , saw the french & Brittish fleets engaged last Wednesday off 
 the Capes of Virginia — their force was very near equal and the 
 honor of each so materially engaged that it must be a bloody con- 
 flict. Adieu my dear Webb 
 
 believe me truly yr* 
 
 Stephen Moylan.* 
 
 FROM GOVERNOR CLINTON. 
 
 Poughkeepsie, 3 April 1781. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 Your letter of the 1 7* h Ultimo was handed to me a few days ago 
 at Albany — I flatter myself it is unnecessary to say anything to in- 
 
 * From the collection of Dr. John S. H. Fogg, of Boston. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 333 
 
 duce you to believe it would give me pleasure to serve you or any 
 of your Friends & that you will believe me when I assure you I am 
 unhappy in not being able to comply with your Request in Favour 
 of M rs Banker — Besides the Impropriety of my granting a Pass to a 
 Person not residing in the State I have been under the disagreeable 
 Necessity of refusing Similar Indigencies to so many in like Cir- 
 cumstances with M? Banker that an interposition in her Favour 
 would place me in the most disagreeable Situation such as I am sure 
 you would not wish. I shall be happy to see you — And the Reason 
 which prevented it when you wrote me being now removed I hope 
 soon to have that Pleasure. 
 
 Yours sincerely 
 
 Geo. Clinton.* 
 
 FROM MAJOR WYLLYS. 
 
 Connectt Camp, 4th April, 1781. 
 Dear Colo : 
 
 Your's of the 7* h March is just now come to hand — I sincerely 
 condole with you upon Mrs. Bancker's & Mrs. W[ebb]'s illness. I 
 have been both at H — d quarters, & at General Heath's but know of 
 no fault found with your conduct in leaving Camp — Since my last 
 we have had upwards of thirty recruits joined us some of them good 
 Lads — the former measures adopted in the distribution being in 
 some degree altered — Gen 1 . Parson's not yet arriving in Camp has 
 delayed my intended proceedings — he has been for some days upon 
 a sick bed at Reading — we fear dangerously ill — it is unfortunate for 
 us — but however, be the distribution at present as it may, at the 
 opening of the Campaign the Regiments in the Line must & will be 
 levelled — some Gentlemen are apprehensive of it — & will probably 
 not be pleased with it. 
 
 We have began to put our Recruits (most of them) and some old 
 Soldiers into innoculation — a measure absolutely necessary, as the 
 infection is spread over this part of the Country — I am only sorry 
 that it will postpone the disciplining the Recruits — who have been 
 put under the Drill upon their joining. 
 
 We have no news here but what must have reached you ere this. 
 
 * From the collection of Dr. John S. H. Fogg, of Boston. 
 
334 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 Capt* Bulkley & Williams arrived in Camp the 2d Jnst. — friends all 
 well at Wethersfield — Salmon in great plenty — I have taken Bulkley 
 into our Hutt, as I found it not good to be alone — He with the other 
 Gentlemen of the Reg* present their Compliments to you. The 
 Assembly of Connec 1 . have imposed taxes for our payment — but I 
 have little faith in receiving it soon — it will be next to impossible for 
 me to exist here longer than the 1st of May — at least with any ap- 
 pearance of that decency which I have ever wished to keep up in 
 your Reg* . it will be difficult to draw on H[un]t[ingto]n he has 
 wound himself up in Committee business — and is prepared to ward 
 off every attack — and I can find no prospect unless you alleviate the 
 difficulty by your presence — Gen 1 . Parsons will not probably be here 
 this month — my dilligence & attention to the Reg 1 , shall not be want- 
 ing while I am able to tarry with it. Please to present my best 
 Compliments to Mrs. & Miss W — and believe me 
 Your sincere friend & humble servt. 
 
 Jno. P. Wyllys. 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT PARSONS. 
 
 Hartford, 6th April, 1781. 
 Dear Colo : 
 
 By the enclosed papers you will se my determination, which has 
 been unavoidable. I have therefore only to express my feelings on 
 the occasion, which are unhappy. Having had the Honor of serv- 
 ing under your order with the Gentlemen of your Reg 1 , adds much 
 to the natural regrett I feel at leaving Service, and the Polite treat- 
 ment I received from your self will indear to me the remembrance 
 of that short but happy portion of my time, and for which I request 
 you to accept of my warmest thanks. 
 
 Having had the misfortune of wounding myself will prevent my 
 comeing to the Reg 1 , soon, for which reason I have to request a re- 
 commendation from your self to the Commander-in-Chief for my 
 Dismission. This I wish to be done as soon as may, as it will be a 
 matter of Delicacy at the opening of the Campaign. I should have 
 sent sooner but had not opportunity. If you think proper to men- 
 tion my being disabled from doing Marching for some time by my 
 wound, I shall be glad, though I do not offer that as a reason. — I 
 shall come to the Reg 1 , as soon as I find my self able to settle any 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 335 
 
 matters that may be necessary. I should be very glad to have my 
 Dismission forwarded to Hartford and Lodged at the Printing 
 Office. Request my Respects to Maj* Wyllys & Officers of the Reg* 
 and should think myself obiiged to have an Opportunity to divide 
 with Any my rural fare. Wish glorious and immediate Conclusion 
 to the War and an Honorable Settlement with the Army. 
 Am with the greatest Respect, Your obedient Humble Servt. 
 
 Jabez Parsons.* 
 
 FROM MAJOR WYLLYS. 
 
 Connect Camp, 18 April, 1781. 
 Dear Coll : 
 
 Major Throop yesterday arrived from the Marquis's detachment 
 and I am obliged to take up the tour upon the old appointment. I 
 set off to-morrow for Hartford in order to put myself, in some de- 
 gree, in a condition to take the field. I saw Col? Durkee, who now 
 commands the Line, this evening — he desired me to make you his 
 Compliments, & inform you that he "wished to see you in Camp as 
 soon as you can conveniently come on." Indeed the welfare of your 
 Regiment will require your presence soon — it is impossible to draw 
 H[unti]n[g]t[o]n from Connecticut. Genl Parsons is not yet able 
 to take command — he still continues at Reading. Recruits may 
 soon be expected in considerable numbers. Yourself will judge of 
 the necessity of your being here in season. I am extremely sorry if 
 my going upon this tour shall oblige you to leave your affairs in a 
 manner different from what you should wish — but I could not, con- 
 sistent with a Soldier's honour, have refused it. 
 
 I have received no letters from you, excepting one dated the 7* h 
 March. I have sent you three or four different packets — one of 
 which I apprehend was carried into N York with the post — it con- 
 sisted of a number of Letters from different persons. If I shall not 
 see you at Camp before my return from the Eastward, I will do my- 
 self the pleasure to call upon you in my way to the Southward. 
 
 I am, S* , your's sincerely 
 
 Jn? P. Wyllys. 
 
 The Field officers send CompV 5 & wish to see you. 
 
 * Lieutenant Israel Strong also applied for his discharge on the 27th, adding, 
 " I could wish to come my self But I have not money a nuf in the world to Bare 
 my Expences to the Regt nither is it in my Power to get it." 
 
336 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 COURT MARTIAL PROCEEDINGS. 
 
 7 May, 1781. 
 A Gen" Court Martial Held by Order of Major Gen" Parsons for 
 the tryal of such prisoners, as shall be brought before them. 
 Col? Sam! B. Webb President. 
 Cap 1 . [Samuel] Comstock Cap* [Richard] Sill 
 
 Cap* [Thomas] Converse Cap* Dustin [Durkee?] 
 
 Cap* [Stephen] Potter L*. [Ephraim] Kimberly 
 
 L*. Taylor L* [Thomas] Starr 
 
 L* [Nehemiah] Gorham L* [Reuben] Sanderson 
 
 L* [Samuel] Deforrest Esg? [Abner] Cole. 
 
 Thomas Langley Collyer is Committed to Guard for Correspond- 
 ing and giving or attempting to give intelligence to the Enemy. 
 The Prisoner pleads Not Guilty to the Charge. I James Darby be- 
 ing sworn do testify that the letter now before the Court Sign? by 
 the name of Thomas Langly Collyer was found on me when taken 
 and that s<? Collyer gave me that letter to carry to Long Island and 
 that Collyer advised me in My present situation to go to the Enemy 
 & s? Collyer desired me to cut out the name which I did & that I the 
 s? Darby was Virtually to inform Col? Ludlow the same particulars 
 Contained in the letter — 
 
 The Prisoner pleads in his defence that he never advised s? Darby 
 to go to the Enemy & that he wrote the letter only in part that he 
 never wrote to Col? Ludlow before & said that he had no vue in 
 writing the Letter — This Prisoner throws himself upon the Mercy 
 of the Court. 
 
 The Court after Considering the Evidence and Circumstances are 
 of opinion that the Prisoner is guilty of a Breach of the io* h Article 
 io* h Section of the Articles of War — & do there fore Sentence him 
 to suffer Death more than two thirds of the Court agreeing therein. 
 
 Sam^ B. Webb, Pres* 
 May 7* h 1781. 
 
 FROM MAJOR-GENERAL PARSONS. 
 
 Redding, 7th May, '8i 
 D» s* 
 
 I have received the Proceedings of the Court in the Trials of 
 
 Beardsly, Turner, Newman & Collier, but the last Trial is imperfect, 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 337 
 
 the Letter on which the Conviction Seems to be founded, not being 
 inserted in the Proceedings or sent with them, that the Evidence on 
 which you have convicted him does not appear ; this you will Supply 
 by sending the Letter. 
 
 To Morrow when the Provisions are ready to move you will please 
 to order an Escort for them, how large you will judge ; a guard with 
 the Prisoners to Litchfield & Symsbury must be sent to Morrow if 
 possible, and a Guard retained at Danbury with the Prisoners, until 
 the remaining Part of the Prisoners are ready to be mov'd when all 
 the Guard will escort the Provisions on, together with such Prisoners 
 as remain in the Guard House. These Directions you will please to. 
 give to the Officer who relieves you, when the Guard removes the- 
 Court martial will adjourn until they are orderd to Sit again in Camp. 
 I think it will be proper to desire Dr. Rogers to attend the Persons 
 who are capitally convicted. 
 
 I am S^ , Y\ Obed*. Serv'. . 
 
 Sam^ H. Parsons. 
 
 FROM ENSIGN BOOTH. 
 
 Stratford, 14th May, 1781. 
 Dear Colonel: 
 
 I have wrote you twice before but the persons that I sent By did 
 not Reach camp, and have Return*? them to me again. I have been 
 very anxious in haveing some direct oppertunity to send to the 
 Reg 4 . , But am fearfull that I shall not meet With any till my fur- 
 lough expires, if not I shall imbrace the Earliest I possible can. My 
 indisposition of health has been such almost ever since I left camp 
 that it has Renderd me Unfit for almost any kind of duty, I have 
 also mett with a very misfortinate accident by hurting my hand 
 and Arm so that it renders it at present intirely useless, and am fear- 
 full it will be some time before that I have the use of it Again. Also 
 the situation of my family being such that it is impossible for me to 
 continue in service, as my wife has for all the Campaign past expe- 
 rienced a long train of sickness, And it is doubtful whether she ever 
 Recovers her health again as her disorder is some what similar from 
 almost any of the female sex, Which in the first place was occa- 
 
33& CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 sioned by the fall of a horse in Octr '79. I think it my duty under 
 the Circumstances of my family to Retire from service, as I am very 
 much Reducd by the continuance of the war so that I cannot with- 
 out any pay which is remaining due furnish myself with Cloathing 
 which is decent, being destitute of Parents to Give me or family any 
 Assistance, tho it gives me great pain to leave a Reg' in which I ever 
 have been happy in serving ever since I have had the pleasure of 
 being incorporated with. 
 
 Dear Col? I send Inclosed my resignation and Commission which 
 would wish might be Compleated as soon as Possible. Under the 
 many disagreeable Circumstances Which I Labour under, I have the 
 highest expectation to think that the Col? will give me every possi- 
 ble assistance in obtaining my permission to Retire ; and it always 
 will be esteemed by me as a peculiar favour. I have not any Ac- 
 counts to settle with the publick nor Reg 1 . , only my pay. 
 
 I am sir with Every sentiment of honnor Your Humbl Serv* 
 
 Nath^ Booth. 
 
 I could wish the Col? would do me the favour to wright me soon 
 as I shall wish if possible to have my permission to Retire in a short 
 time. I shall indeavour to Join the Reg* as soon as Able but can- 
 not under my Present situation Continue in Service. 
 
 Stratford in Connecticut, May 12, 1781. 
 To his Excellency General Washington : 
 
 After Serveing my Country six years in the glorious cause of Lib- 
 erty, am at length reduced to the Necessity of Solissiting your Ex- 
 cellencies permission to retire, a distressed family now calls me from 
 the field, Being almost destitute of any [of] the Necessaries of Life 
 to support them, by Reason of sickness which they have experienced 
 all the last Campaign and is still continueing upon them, so that it 
 caJls upon me by every sacred tie of humanity to Relieve their dis- 
 tresses as much as lyes in my power, which I cannot do whilst in 
 service, as I am greatly Reducd by the continueance of the war so 
 that I am not able to furnish myself with Cloathing & other Neces- 
 saries that are decent and needfull whilst in service. Neither can I 
 do it without my pay which is Remaining due Being destitute of 
 
& 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 339 
 
 Parants to give me or my family any Assistance I have also devoted 
 up the best part of my days with Cheerfulness in the Service of my 
 Country, which has very much hurt my Constitution and much di- 
 minished my private interest. 
 
 Under these distressing Circumstances which I have mentioned, I 
 have the greatest Reason to think your Excellency will be pleased 
 to grant me permission to retire from service. 
 
 I wish your Excellency and Army under your Command and all 
 our Allies every possible success in the several departments which 
 they Command, and hope soon to see Amarican independence es- 
 tablished to her upon such lasting foundations that no power can 
 destroy. 
 
 I am with every Respect your Excellencies most Obedient and 
 Hum 1 . Serv* 
 
 NathV Booth, 
 Ensign 3* Conn 1 . Reg* . 
 
 THE CONFERENCE AT WETHERSFIELD. 
 On May 8th the Count Rochambeau learned of the arrival at 
 Boston of the frigate Concorde, with Count Barras and Viscount 
 Rochambeau. For months the American army and its French allies 
 had been reduced to inactivity, because they were not strong enough 
 to cope with the enemy. Plan after plan was conceived, only to be 
 laid aside, for the second division of the French army had been de- 
 layed, and its active co-operation was essential to success. Roch- 
 ambeau at once wrote to Washington asking for a conference, at any 
 time or place he might name, and expressed the wish that the French 
 minister, Chevalier de la Luzerne, might also be present. Washing- 
 ton named Wethersfield, Connecticut, as the place, and the twenty- 
 first of May as the day. He selected Wethersfield in preference to 
 Hartford, because the State legislature was in session at the time, 
 and might occasion some inconvenience. The French commanders 
 acquiesced in this arrangement, and set out from Newport. Wash- 
 ington left New Windsor on May 18th, accompanied by Generals 
 Knox and Duportail, and reached Morgan's tavern forty three miles 
 from Fishkill Landing, after dining at Colonel Vanderbergh's. 
 Pursuing his journey on the 19th, he breakfasted at Litchfield, dined 
 
340 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 at Farmington, and on reaching Weathersfield, went to the Webb 
 house, where he and his suite were entertained. 
 
 '•Hartford, May 29th, 1781. — On Saturday the 19th. inst. his ex- 
 cellency General Washington, accompanied by Gen. Knox, Gen. Du 
 Portail, and their respective suites, arrived at Wethersfield ; being 
 escorted into town by a number of Gentlemen from Hartford and 
 Wethersfield. As he dismounted at his quarters he was saluted by 
 a discharge of thirteen cannon, by the corps of artillery, under the 
 command of Cap 4 . Frederick Bull. On Monday the 21st. inst. his 
 excellency the Count de Rochambeau, commanding the army of his 
 most Christian Majesty at Newport, Gen. Chastelleux, and their 
 suites, arrived at Wethersfield. They were met at Hartford, by his 
 Excellency General Washington, the officers of the army, and a 
 number of gentlemen, who accompanied them to Wethersfield, where 
 they were saluted by the discharge of cannon. Every mark of at- 
 tention and politeness were shewn their excellencies, and the other 
 gentlemen of the allied armies while attending the convention." — 
 Connecticut Historical Collections, 55. 
 
 Two short diaries remain of this conference, and I give the ex- 
 tracts in parellel columns. 
 
 General Washington. 
 
 20th Had a good deal of private con- 
 versation with Governor Trumbull, who 
 gave it to me as his opinion, that, if any 
 important offensive operation should be 
 undertaken, he had little doubt of our 
 obtaining men and provision adequate 
 to our wants. In this opinion Colonel 
 [Jeremiah] Wadsworth and others con- 
 currred. 
 
 2 1 st Count de Rochambeau, with the 
 Chevalier de Chastellux, arrived about 
 noon. The appearance of the British 
 fleet, under Admiral Arbuthnot, off 
 Block Island, prevented the appearance 
 of the Count de Barras. 
 
 22<i Fixed with Count de Rocham- 
 beau the plan of campaign. * * * 
 
 23d Count de Rochambeau set out on 
 his return to Newport, while I prepared 
 
 Governor Trumbull. 
 Lord's Day, May twentieth. Went 
 with Cap* Fred. Bull in a carriage to 
 Wethersfield — attended divine service 
 with General Washington per tot diem. 
 Mr. March preached. Mat. 7, 3 — 
 blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs 
 is the Kingdom of Heaven. 
 
 Monday, twenty first. Fair — invited 
 to Col. [John] Chester's. 
 
 Tuesday, twenty second. Fair — 
 dined with General Washington, Roch- 
 ambeau, &c. at Stillman's. 
 
 Wednesday, twenty third. Fair — 
 dined at Colyer's with the Generals — 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 341 
 
 and forwarded dispatches to the gov- supra public expence. Guards — artil- 
 
 ernors of the four New England States, lery. 
 
 calling on them in earnest and pointed 
 
 terms to complete their Continental 
 
 battalions for the campaign at least, if 
 
 it could not be done for the war or 
 
 three years; to hold a body of militia, 
 
 according to the proposition given to 
 
 them, ready to march in one week after 
 
 being called for; and to adopt some 
 
 effectual mode to supply the troops 
 
 when assembled with provisions and 
 
 the means of transportation. I also 
 
 solicited the governors of Massachusetts 
 
 and Connecticut earnestly for a loan of 
 
 powder. 
 
 24th Set out on my return to New 
 Windsor. 
 
 The conclusions of the conference are printed in the Writings of 
 Washington, ix, 251, et sea. 
 
 FROM WILLIAM S. LIVINGSTON. 
 
 Beverwick, 28th May, [1781.] 
 Dear Webb: 
 
 I have not' heard a Syllable from John, Joe or yourself since you 
 left us. The Girls returned from Raritan Yesterday. Betsey is well. 
 I used when in the Army it is true to ride in the Night to get Home, 
 but I never sent 184 Miles two Men on Foot for a Letter. 
 
 I came from Phil? on Sunday. The Marquis informs Congress 
 Major-General Phillips of the Brittish is dead.* Green also writes 
 that he is again before Camden and has not a Doubt of takeing it. 
 
 There has been a Mutiny in the Pennsylvania Line at York Town 
 previous to their Marching. Wayne like a good officer quelFd it 
 soon as Twelve of the Fellows steped out & perswaded the Line 
 to refuse to March in Consequence of the Promisses made to them 
 not being complied with. Wayne told them of the Disgrace they 
 brought on the American Arms when in Jersey in general & them- 
 selves in particular. That the feelings of the Officers on that Occa- 
 
 * He died at Petersburg, 13 May, 1781. 
 
342 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 sion were so wounded that they had determined never to experience 
 the like & that he beg'd they would now fire either on him & them 
 or on those Villains in front. He then called to such a Platoon. 
 They presented at the Word, fired and killed six of the Villains. 
 One of the others badly wounded he ordered to be Bayonetted. 
 The Soldier on whom he called to do it, recovered his Piece & said 
 he could not for he was his Comrade. Wayne then drew his Pistol 
 and told him he would kill him. The fellow then advanced and 
 bayonetted him. Wayne then marched the Line by Divisions round 
 the Dead & the rest of the fellows are ordered to be hang'd. The 
 Line march'd the next Day Southward — Mute as Fish. 
 
 Please to desire Joe or Huntington to send my Trunk on by your 
 Waggon. Give my love to the Officers with you & believe me 
 
 Yours sincerely 
 
 W. S. L[ivingston]. 
 
 FROM RICHARD DEMERY. 
 
 New York Sugar house, June ye 5th, 1781. 
 Honourable Colo : 
 
 I am a poor unfortunate Soldier Entirely destitute of Money or 
 Cloathes and Cant Look for any relief without some assistance from 
 the Reigt . I must Beg you to inform Capt. Bates, and Ensign 
 Booth, (who are well acquainted with my Circumstances) that I am 
 a prisoner and that my present Circumstances Renders my imprison- 
 ment Extremely tedious and hope they wont forget me and try to 
 Get me Exchanged. Otherwise to send me some Money and 
 Cloaths as soon they Conveniently Can for which favour I shall 
 make it my Constant Care to Serve you. 
 
 Richard Demra*. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO JOSEPH WEBB. 
 
 New Windsor, June 17th, 1781. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 Inclosed is my Measure for a pair of draw-Boots [Horse -skin] to 
 
 be made of the Leather Manufactured at your Works — The Measure 
 
 is exact, and I should be glad to have the Boots well made — neat — 
 
 * He was in Captain David Parson's company, in Colonel Webb's regiment. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 343 
 
 and sent to me as soon as possible, with the price in specie, which 
 shall be immediately forwarded to you. — 
 
 Upon my return from Weathersfield I found M r . s Washington ex- 
 tremely unwell, she still continues low and weak, but will set out for 
 the Southward as soon as she can bear the fatigue of the journey ; 
 she joins me in compliments and best wishes to yourself, M? 5 and 
 Miss Webb — I cannot conclude without assuring you that I have a 
 high sense of your politeness and attention to me while I was at 
 Weathersfield — and that I should at all times be happy to see you at 
 head Q r . s 
 
 I am D? Sir, Y' Most Obed 1 . & Oblige Serv' 
 
 G? Washington. 
 
 FROM DOCTOR HENRY LATIMER. 
 
 Depty Adjj Genls Quarters 
 19th June, 1 78 1. 
 D« Sir : 
 
 It was my Intention to have called at your Regiment, to give 
 some necessary Directions respecting those who have the small Pox, 
 but the Wind blowing hard, & the Tide ebbing, has rendered it im- 
 practicable ; have therefore to request you to order such as have the 
 Small Pox (reported to be therein) to be immediately sent to the 
 Small Pox Hospl in the rear of the New Hampshire Brigade, with 
 some carefull persons to prevent them having any communication on 
 the way with such as may not have had them. 
 
 If you can also send a Person to Murderer's Creek to-morrow, I 
 will endeavour to procure some stores for their use, as well as several 
 others, who are already in that Hospital. 
 
 I am, Sir, with Respect, your H b . le Servant 
 
 Hy Latimer 
 Phy! & Surg 1 } Flying Hospital. 
 P. S. I will be particularly obliged to you, if you hear of any 
 others having the Disease besides those of your Reg* , to order them 
 also to the Hospl , that we may, if possible, prevent the Disease 
 being communicated. 
 
344 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 TO JOSEPH WEBB. 
 
 Camp at Peekskill, 
 
 Wednesday, June 27, 1781. 
 My dear Bro : 
 
 Your letter of the 18th inst. Br. Jack sent me yester- 
 day. I have wrote you several times on the subject 
 you mention and have now enclosed a letter calculated 
 for you to shew the Governor which I earnestly entreat 
 you will as soon as possible. 
 
 Mrs. Bancker can go by the way of Elizabeth Town 
 which will save a great deal of trouble ; besides, I am 
 sure it would not be agreeable to Gen'l Washington to 
 have any flags passing on this side at present, but from 
 the Jersey side there will be no difficulty. 
 
 Doct'r Cochran left the Raritan on Saturday last, 
 when he called to see Mrs. Webb and found her yet in 
 a low state of health : so much so that she is most of 
 the time confined to her bed, but has had no return of 
 raising blood since I left her. I natter myself with 
 proper care, she will 'ere long regain her health — 
 Hetty and the rest of the family were well — Brother 
 Jack has been disappointed about going after her, on 
 acc't of our taking the Field. It is fortunate on acc't 
 of Betsey's illness, and I am truly sorry her friends at 
 Wethersfield should be so very urgent for her coming 
 home this season — However, as it is, Br. Jack will take 
 the earliest opportunity to conduct her home. As for 
 me, it will be out of my power, till the compaign is 
 over, to leave my Reg't, as Major Wyllys is with the 
 Marquis, and Lieut- Col. Huntington has this morning 
 been detached to serve with Col. Scammel on the 
 Lines, and probably will be absent most of the season. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 345 
 
 This, however, gives me no pain — I can do as well 
 without him as with him. 
 
 At the close of the campaign, my present intention 
 is, if Mrs. Webb's health will permit, to see you at 
 Wethersfield and possibly pass the winter there with 
 you. 
 
 I have wrote you on several subjects since I left you, 
 which you have not noticed. It would add much to the 
 pleasure I take in writing if I could obtain answers — 
 You have twice acknowledged the receipt of my letters 
 and given no answers to many requests they have 
 contained — If you have leisure I'll thank you to look 
 them over when next you write. 
 
 I have enclosed, for the perusal of you, Chester and 
 other friends, the present order of Battle — You can 
 show it to those you think proper, and will readily see 
 the impropriety of giving out any copies. 
 
 Our march towards Kingsbridge depends on a num- 
 ber of circumstances — We are at present destitute ot 
 every necessary but provision — The Qr. Master's de- 
 partment cannot furnish horses to move a single Bri- 
 gade; beside this, our present numbers will not justify 
 our taking a critical position — Connecticut, 'tis univers- 
 ally said, for two years past has done nothing at all — 
 Her supplies have been trifling — her promises great — 
 and her exertions a Puff. Of this our present weak- 
 ness in men is a shameful proof, and I am sorry to say 
 that they are now taking every step in their power to 
 cause a total dissolution of the Line. 
 
 The Committee have returned, and was the Assem- 
 bly's conduct known, I should dread the consequences 
 — Everything, at present is quiet — The Committee 
 
346 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 have laid their report before General Parsons, he, before 
 the Commander-in-Chief, and measures are taking by 
 then that the Line may not know the present prospects 
 respecting their pay, &c, until some steps are taken to 
 shew the State the folly they are running into — Heaven 
 smiles on us and holds our Freedom and Peace while 
 our Country is doing (seemingly) everything in its 
 power to bring eternal infamy and disgrace on them- 
 selves and us. 
 
 On this you may rely — If the present moment is not 
 taken to do justice to those who are sacrificing their all 
 in the cause of justice, steps will be taken which will be 
 truly alarming — Without aggrevation I do assure you, 
 when the verdict of the Assembly is known, I fear a 
 general mutiny — All is kept secret yet, in hopes Gen- 
 eral Washington will take the matter up, and get a new 
 Assembly called. 
 
 Time will not permit my being more particular on 
 this subject. I intended writing my sister, your other 
 self, but cannot at present; yet I hope to hear from 
 her when a good conveyance offers. 
 
 Present my love to her and Abby and the two little 
 prattlers — Remember me to Chester and the good peo- 
 ple of his family & be assured I am affectionately, 
 Your friend and Brother, 
 
 Sam'l B. Webb.* 
 
 If convenient I wish you to purchase me half a 
 quintal of Good Codfish. 
 
 * From the Reminiscences of General Samuel B. Webb, 130. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB, 347 
 
 TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL TILGHMAN. 
 
 Phillipsburgh, i 1 * h July, 1781 — 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 The enclosed was presented for my approbation this 
 Morning — I truly believe the situation is as M r . 
 [Isaiah] Betts represents, — & tho' I am short of 
 officers I cannot but say I am willing he should be dis- 
 charged, as I am confident he cannot on several Ac- 
 counts make an officer like appearance, he was a Ser- 
 jant in the old Second promoted & in corporated into 
 My Reg 1 . — he has only been a few days with the Reg 1 , 
 am therefore Unacquainted with his Abilities, — how- 
 ever I sincerely wish many valuable officers may not 
 be obliged to leave the Service, for the same Reasons 
 M r . Betts offers. If some exertions are not speedily 
 made by the State to supply the Line with Money and 
 adjust their pay for 80 & c . — I am persuaded more 
 two thirds the officers will leave us, — nor are the Men 
 so easy as I could wish. 
 
 I am Sir Your Most obe<! Ser*. 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 TO JEREMIAH WADSWORTH. 
 
 Camp at Phillipsburgh, 
 July 13! 11 1 781 
 Dear Wadsworth : 
 
 It was my intention to have seen you again before 
 you left Camp, — but Duty forbids, — I have already 
 fully explained to you the motives Mr s . Bancker has in 
 going to New York — you'll will perceive it is a matter 
 of Consequences to me, I have therefore to request 
 
348 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 your personal application to our worthy friend Gover- 
 nor Trumbull for a permit for her to visit New York, — 
 the earlier the better — my hurry and our present situ- 
 ation apologize for this Scrawl, — be assured I am with 
 sincerity y r . friend & 
 
 Obed*. Sei* 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb.* 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL SMITH. 
 
 Headquarters, July 16th 1781. 
 My dear Sam : 
 
 I have spoke to his Excellency agreeable to your request, and 
 have obtained with great difficulty permission for you to visit your 
 amiable connections on the banks of the Raritan. Nothing, my 
 friend, but the particular situation of Mrs. Webb (which I painted 
 in as lively colours as I was capable) could possibly have induced 
 the General to comply with the request. He considers his character 
 as well as yours in some measure at stake, and therefore requests you 
 will not exceed the period you mentioned to me. 
 
 Tell the good ladies when you leave them, that they must not ex- 
 pect to see you again, until the end of the Campaign & remember 
 me to them separately and collectively as particularly as you think 
 proper, and accept of the assurance of friendship from 
 
 Wm. S. Smith. 
 
 TO THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 To his Excellency the Governor and Council of Safety, State of 
 Connecticut 
 The Memorial of Sam 1 . B. Webb humbly sheweth 
 That he is married to the Daughter of M r . s Bancker, & 
 that she was before the Warr a resident in New York 
 City, where she left behind her, as she fled in great 
 trepidation from our Enemies the British Troops, sun- 
 
 * From the Wadsworth MSS. in the possession of Mr. J. F. Morris, of Hartford. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 349 
 
 dry Papers & Documents relating to the Estate of 
 your memorialists Wife, — which being in the Hands of 
 a person going to Europe can not be recovered but by 
 M r . s Banckers going into the City of New York — Your 
 Memorialist therefore begs your Honours to grant 
 Permission to M? Bancker to go through the Con- 
 necticut Lines into said City & return into this State 
 with said Papers, as there is no other possible Means 
 of obtaining them, & the fortune of your Memorialist 
 & Wife depended on their being speedily obtained — 
 Your Memorialist therefore prays your Honours to 
 grant his request & he as in duty bound shall ever pray 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb* 
 Camp Philipsburgh 
 July 20, 1 781 
 
 TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL SMITH. 
 
 Camp, 3"? Aug 1 . 1781, 
 Dear Smith : 
 
 The day before we march' d from Peekskill I in- 
 formed His Excellency that I thought myself injured 
 in my Rank with respect to Col° [Heman] Swift, & 
 requested a Board of Officers might sit to determine 
 the justice of our Pretensions. 
 
 The Gen 1 , told me it was impossible at that time to 
 attend to matters of Rank, & intimated that my rea- 
 sons for asking a Board should be committed to writ- 
 ing, from that time to this I have waited in hopes Col. 
 Swift would submit the matter to any two or three 
 Generals of our own chooseing — but find he will not, — 
 I am led to believe that he refuses this in hopes His 
 Excelly will refuse a Board on the Subject — I cannot 
 
 * From the Trumbull Papers in the Massachusetts Historical Society. 
 
350 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 however suppose this will be the case, as my reasons 
 for asking it are I conceive better founded than any 
 others have been, — Boards of Officers were sitting in 
 'j& & '79 for the settlement of Rank throughout the 
 Army, at this time I was in Captivity & therefore could 
 not lay in my Claims, nor had I ever the most Distant 
 Idea Col° Swift would claim the Rank of me, what 
 president he has to suppose he will obtain it, I am un- 
 able to say, conscious I am if justice takes place he will 
 not. — In '75 I had the Rank of Major, in '76 that of a 
 Lieul Col° both before he held any commission in the 
 Continental Army. In '76 Col° Swift came out from 
 the State of Connect with a Reg* of Levies to serve 
 until the 25^ of Dec 1 ", following — when they were of 
 course disbanded; in Jany 1777 he was Created & I 
 promoted to the Rank of Col° in the Continental Line 
 of the Army, — it has so happened we never have been 
 in Service together untill this Campaign — had it have 
 been otherways, & I neglected haveing the Rank set- 
 tled untill the present Period — I should not be sur- 
 prized if a Board should be refused, — But when his 
 Excellency is informed of these particulars I doubt not 
 he will order One. 
 
 Let me request therefore you will be kind enough 
 the first Opportunity that offers to speak to him on the 
 subject. It injures my feelings exceedingly to have it 
 stand in the way it now does. — I am sorry to be thus 
 troublesome to His Excellency or to you, but you will 
 readily conceive it a matter of consequence & there- 
 fore excuse it. 
 
 I am, my Dear Sir, Your friend & Most obed 1 . 
 Serv*. Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 351 
 
 P. S. Had I been with the Line last Fall at the 
 Time they were Incorporateing and arrangeing the 
 officers I have reason to suppose Col. Swift would not 
 have been arranged before Me. 
 
 FROM JOSEPH WEBB. 
 
 Wethersfield, Aug. 4th 1781. 
 My dear Brother : 
 
 Our Friend J. W[adsworth] & self have hove in a Petition to the 
 Gov!: & Council & have obtained the permission for Mrs. Banker. I 
 am sorry you forget her Christian name — but We'll send it Blank — 
 there's much Delicacy to be used in the Affair, comeing from another 
 State, our Friend J. Chester wou'd not have Voted for any other 
 person — He's anxious for fear Gov. L[ivingston] & Gov. T[rumbull] 
 may differ on this very affair — say but little untill it's accomplished. 
 
 Wadsworth will forward you the Paper's. I have been this Day 
 after them j Gov. Trumbull says they shall be ready this Eveng. We 
 are extremely sorry to hear of the illness of our Dear Sister Betsy. 
 I wish she was here — will she soon be able to Ride with Hetty — you 
 had best to contrive to get here — B[arnabas] D[eane] talks of going 
 to Hartf? yet uncertain either ; untill Spring I have the refusal of the 
 House for you — Wadsworth soon goes to Camp — who can tell you 
 more particulars — The Raven is Just arrived Cut all to pieces. How 
 different our Fortunes from our Neighbors ? I hope you'll have an 
 agreeable Campaign — suppose you get Hetty to Camp with one of 
 the others perhaps I cou'd get her home. — have you Horses & Car- 
 riages provided. I cou'd send Horace on to Camp to go quite to 
 The Branch — by the bye I am excessive Angry with Rich<* He bor- 
 rowd of me a Sadie with a promise to Return by the Waggon & 
 Horse which is not done. Can you yet Spare me McDermot Mare 
 or not — do not make it inconvenient to Y* Self — send me the Sadie 
 from Rich*? , or Give orders to purchase one on his Ace* , as He has 
 used me ill, quite so — when I meant to Oblige him — 
 
 [Joseph Webb.] 
 
352 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF GENERAL OFFICERS. 
 
 Camp, neai^Dobb's Ferry, 
 ii* August 1 78 1. 
 Gentlemen : 
 
 It was my misfortune in the Fall of 1777 to be taken 
 a Prisoner by the British and detained from Service 
 until the present campaign — during my Absence several 
 Boards of Officers were appointed to Settle the Rank 
 of Continental Officers in different Lines of the Army, 
 — my Absence prevented me Laying in my Claims, 
 this I hope Gentlemen will sufficiently apologize for the 
 trouble I now give you, — Col° Swift and myself have 
 never been in Service together untill the present Cam- 
 paign, nor has it ever been determined which ought in 
 Justice to be the Senior Officer, — he in my Absence the 
 last Fall was arranged before Me, without my haveing 
 the least notice of the time or place of the Meeting, — 
 had I been present I presume it never would have 
 hapen'd, — In the first Stage of the present War I 
 entered the Field with my Countrymen, and as early 
 as July 1775 obtained the Rank of Major — in June 
 1776 was promoted to Lieu 1 . Col° : at both these 
 periods if my recollection does not fail me Col° Swift 
 was moving in the Civil spheres of Life — the latter 
 part of 1776 the States were call'd on for a number of 
 Regiments to reinforce the Continental Army — with 
 One of these from the State of Connecticut Col Swift 
 entered the Field to continue in Service untill the 25* 
 of December following, when his Regiment was Dis- 
 banded, — In January '77 Colonel Swift was Created 
 and myself promoted to the Rank of Colonel in the 
 American Army, — these Gentlemen to the best of my 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 353 
 
 Knowledge are the true State of Facts, — nor did I ever 
 Imagine Col Swift would claim the Rank of me untill I 
 saw it in the present Year, — nor do I now conceive he 
 has the least foundation in justice to suppose he will 
 obtain it — however from some hints I have rec'd Col" 
 Swift flatters himself with the Idea that you Gen 1 , will 
 consider him entitled to rank from the date of his State 
 Commission, I am convinced that you not Viewing his 
 Situation thro' the same partial mirror that produces 
 these reflections will allow nay even (I hope the ex- 
 pressions will be excused) determine that Col° Swift 
 from that Commission cannot claim rank beyond the 
 25^ of December at which period his Military rank 
 sunk in oblivion with his reduced reg 1 . — here the Gen- 
 tleman Grasping at another Straw will observe that 
 some time in November the State of Connecticut voted 
 him the command of one of the %% Battalions ; this I 
 allow but that they were to spring into existance on the 
 Morning of the first of January 1777 and in reallity 
 were not known in a millitary point of View Previous to- 
 that period, Col Swift undoubtedly [will] readily ac- 
 knowledge. I would therefore Gen 1 , infer that Col° 
 Swift was absolutely and in every sence of the Word 
 taken from Civil life and placed at the Head of a Reg 1 , 
 whilst I was promoted from the proper Millitary Line 
 to the same Grade; & consequently can with strict 
 proprietary assert that I am the Senior Officer & en- 
 tituled to every advantage that may originate therefrom 
 — I beg leave to add that it so happened that Col 
 Swifts State Commission absolutely was for him to serve 
 untill the first of Jany 1777 even that could not possi- 
 bly give him the least cause in justice to claim the rank 
 of me. 
 
354 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 You are Sensible Gentlemen, that the love of our 
 Country, — and the Hon b . le Rank we obtain are the 
 only motives which can induce us any longer to endure 
 the Fatigues of the Field, — it gives me singular pleas- 
 ure & Satisfaction, the Commander in Chief has 
 gratify' d my feeling by appointing a Board of General 
 Officers to Determine a point in which I am so par- 
 ticularly Interested, — In your good judgment, & justice 
 I have the utmost Confidence, — and am with much Re- 
 spect & Esteem 
 
 Gentlemen Your Most Obed*. 
 Hum e . Serv 1 . 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 Mr. President and Gent of the Court : 
 
 I was asked the other day by a member of this 
 Hon b . le Board, with particular emphasis, whether I ac- 
 knowledge Col. Swift to be appointed by the assembly 
 of the State of Connecticut in October to the Command 
 of one of the 88 Battallions, I gave him to understand 
 that I did not doubt it. Upon retireing, calmly con- 
 sidering the Question, Viewing the Objects to which it 
 might tend; and the trifling baubles that Co 1 . Swift has 
 bouy'd himself up with, It immediately occurred to me 
 that he might possibly also catch at this shadow, and 
 date his Existence as a Continental Co 1 , from the per- 
 iod upon which the resolution passed. 
 
 Considering it my duty Gen 1 , to endeavour to obviate 
 any reasons that Col Swift may offer in support of his 
 usurped rank (which I flatter myself I have hitherto 
 fully accomplish'd) as well as to counteract the force of 
 any observations that the reduced State of his re- 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 355 
 
 sources may hurry upon his imagination, and induce 
 him to make, I would upon this subject observe (tho' 
 it in some measure appears too absurb to merit atten- 
 tion) that should Col Swift once more float on the sur- 
 face of Ideal Superiority supported by this vote of Oc- 
 tober 76 and claim rank from the date of it, I request, 
 nay I am Confident Gen 1 , that your delicacy will induce 
 you to convince him that his opinion is erroneous with 
 as much tenderness as you are capable and for myself 
 I promise not to smile tho' it is a laughable Claim, for 
 should this Circumstance be attended to, that State 
 that convened their assembly first after the recommen- 
 dation from Congress to raise the new army, would 
 have insurd to its officers seniority of rank to all others 
 upon the Continent and the order of Congress fixing 
 the first of January 77 as the period from which the 
 Commissions of the army were to be dated, would not 
 have claim'd nor even merited our attention. I will now 
 beg your attention while I relate a circumstance that 
 occur'd in the Pennsylvania Line exactly similar. Viz 
 whilst that line was serving under Gen 1 . Wayne to the 
 northward in the Campaign of j6, Cap 4 . Menzies either 
 Lead by duty or inclination return'd to Philadelphia 
 where he apply'd for a Commission as Major on the 
 New Establishment (the assembly being at that time 
 setting) which he obtain'd & when he return'd to the 
 Line and the Commissions in General were forwarded 
 Menzies appeared the elder instead of the youngest 
 Major, this was considered and complain'd of as a 
 Grevience, and I think the resolve of Congress passed 
 in consequence of it, this Gen*, was then presented with 
 a Commission agreeable to the resolve dated the first 
 
356 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF , 
 
 of January when instead of his being the Senior he 
 became the Junior Major in the Line. 
 
 From these Circumstances Gentlemen should Col 
 Swift make this Claim, you must be convinced of the 
 impropriety of attending to it. 
 
 As for the Certificate he produces and his observa- 
 tions upon it with respect to my pretentions, It is very 
 plain that this Gent is his last feather, which I am con- 
 fident is in my power to pluck from his crest with as 
 much ease as I have done those with which he at first 
 appeared plumed. I am also convinced that the obser- 
 vation will strick you Gen 1 , so forcibly that you will not 
 hesitate one moment in giving a decided opinion. It is 
 but a slender thread that now supports him, i. e. a Cer- 
 tificate obtained of my appointment, this I will venture 
 to say does not merit and I am confident will not meet 
 with attention from this Board as it is not Certificates 
 or appointments, that you Gen 1 , will form your opinion 
 upon for they have too frequently appeared to be 
 erroneous & are only rectified by Subsequent Commis- 
 sions, it is Commissions & those only that must guide 
 your opinions, the articles of War, which are handed to 
 us as a rule for our conduct in the Settlement of rank 
 &c particularly point out an attention to the date of 
 Commissions, & have nothing to do with far fetched 
 Certificates or appointments, when Commissions have 
 an existance. 
 
 With permission Gentlemen I will a moment for the 
 sake of argument allow the validity of the Certificate 
 produced and observe that Circumstances at the time 
 might not admit of its being given previous to the date 
 with which it appears. But as it was the intention of 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 357 
 
 the power from whom the appointment originated that 
 it should have rec'd an existance six or 7 days before 
 it did had it been at that time consistant with the pub- 
 lic interest, the power referr'd to removes the incon- 
 venience that may originate therefrom, by giving a 
 Commission bearing a prior date to the Certificate ; 
 which buries the Certificate in oblivion; and nothing 
 but the Commission in a Military point of View has or 
 can afterwards have an existence. 
 
 You will undoubtedly Gen 1 , from hence conclude that 
 as Col Swifts Commission and mine bear the same date 
 of January the first yy & that my prior pretensions to 
 rank in the Continental Line (which have been pro- 
 duced & clearly proved) are superior to his, that sen- 
 iority of rank was originally & is at present my just 
 one. I have not the least doubt but I shall have it 
 confirmed by the unanimous Voice of this Hon b . le 
 Board; & shall not unless Col Swift starts some new 
 Phantom tresspass any longer upon your patience but 
 submit it as it now stands to your impartial Judgment. 
 
 L l . Col Sprout was serveing as a Major in the Line 
 of the Army after the Battle of Princeton, & while the 
 Army lay at Morris-town and Chatham, after which he 
 rec^ his appointment as Lieu 1 . Col? & takes Rank from 
 the i\ of Jan'y 1777 with other Instances that can if 
 necessary be produced. — 
 
 Generals Glover & Patterson will I presume recol- 
 lect knowing of my appointment while at Trenton ; the 
 latter If my recollection does not fail me .1 conversed 
 with on the Subject. U. Col° Scull was offered by me 
 when at Trenton a Company in my Battallion, which 
 he would [have] accepted, but was offered a Majority 
 
358 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 directly after. It cannot be supposed that His Excel- 
 lency intended Major Lee to have the Rank of me in 
 the 1 6 when I was then serving as a Lieut. Col° . The 
 Instance between h\ Colonels M. Jackson & Weston 
 & Colonel Marshall are instances which claim the At- 
 tention of this Board. 
 
 If I mistake not Col° Putnam is another instance. 
 Indeed I can claim as a Pres* the settlement of Rank 
 throughout the Massachusetts & every other line of 
 the Army. 
 
 Read Over — that part where I say circumstances 
 would not permit its being given sooner. — then name 
 the Reasons of my continuing at Head Quarters so 
 long after my appointment &c. &c. These particu- 
 lar^] I conceive are necessary to convince the Board 
 my appointment was on the I s . 1 of Jan? Co\°. Swift en- 
 deavoring to make it appear it was not till after the 5* . 
 
 I believe I was officially appointed the same day with 
 Major Lee. 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WILLIAM S. SMITH. 
 
 Camp Dobb's Ferry, 18th Aug., 1781. 
 Not a stone, my dear Sam, shall be left unturned, that can possi- 
 bly tend to promote your interest. While I think justice holds the 
 reins of government and rules your actions, which I am confident it 
 has hitherto done, every exertion that can possibly be made you 
 may expect from your friend Wm. S. Smith, 
 
 Saturday morning A. D. C. 
 
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SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 359 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WILLIAM S. SMITH. 
 
 Head Quarters, King's Ferry 
 August 22d, 1 78 1. 
 Dear Sam^ : 
 
 Yours of the 19* I rec<? at Croton River, therefore totally out of 
 my power to pay you the visit that you in your usual friendly manner 
 requested. 
 
 I should have been happy had duty admitted of my following my 
 plan, which friendship dictated, viz : of paying you one more visit 
 previous to my departure, but I found it impossible. As to renew- 
 ing the matter with Swift, I will give you my opinion fully upon the 
 subject, after I have had some conversation with the Gen 1 , upon our 
 route. If anything upon the subject turns up favorably, I will waft 
 you the earliest intelligence of it. Should I see your friends in the 
 Jersey's, I will report to them what you wish, if I can with propriety 
 express my Ideas upon that Subject. You will much oblige me 
 Webb, by paying some little attention to my Brother, should it be in 
 your way. 
 
 Forward the enclosed to my father ; & you will oblige, your friend 
 
 W. S. Smith. 
 in a hurry. 
 
 FROM MRS. JOSEPH WEBB. 
 
 Wethersfield, 31 August, 1781. 
 My dear Brother : 
 
 Your friendly Letter dated August 2d came safe to hand and met 
 a grateful wellcome. I began an answer by Colonel Wadsworth, but 
 a bad pain in my head obliged me to Leave it unfinished. Let me 
 now assure [you] it afford' d me much pleasure tho' am truly grieved 
 to hear you speak so discoragingly of poor Mrs. Webb's situation : 
 and am anxious least your fears should have too much foundation in 
 reality — it is no doubt a great agrevation to her in her present 
 troubles that you should be obliged to Leave her and to share the 
 Hazards of this too cruel War, tho' her anxiety on your account I 
 dare to say cannot eaqueal what you Must necessarily feel on hers- 
 I pray Heaven to remove it by restoring her to Health and preserv 
 ing a Life so truly and deservedly valuable to you and to all her 
 
360 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 friends. I very much Esteem her Character, tho' have never had 
 the happiness of a personal acquaintance I cannot but flatter my self 
 I shall have the Felicity of seeing her att Wethersfield this fall. Our 
 last accounts being more favourable gives us room to Incorage an 
 expectation so pleasing — you will not neglect leting us hear through 
 you from Both Sisters as often as in your power. Hetty has not 
 wrote a Line for many Months past. I feel the dear Girl's Absence 
 severely — but perhaps ought not to complain since no one is in fault 
 — I am as I may say alone — Mr. Webb's Buisiness is such that he 
 can devote but a small pittance of time to me or the family — he is 
 more perplex'd and hurried than ever — Sister Sally has been Absent 
 some time upon a Visit to Norwich and I 'do not expect her return 
 for many weeks, perhaps months, so that I am ever thinking of her 
 and wishing for her ; but since she must be absent am happy that 
 she is in a situation to contribute to our good Sisters pleasure and 
 Consequently to yours — present my Love to them when you write — 
 remember me affectionately to Brother Jack and tell him he must 
 Let us know where he is — and ^ow he does — we dayly and hourly 
 expect Mr. and Mrs. Barrell his Buisiness requires his presence or I 
 should not put much Faith in his Intending to come, she has so 
 often disappointed us. I should have been happy could the Family 
 have met together att the Old Mansion, but that is a pleasure I fear 
 I shall never Live to Enjoy — Mr. J. Lockwood the Bearer can tell 
 you what is passing with us — I do not think of anything material — 
 Abby desires Love to both you and Jack the Little Girls Sally and 
 Harriet are well — grow Tall fast and begin to be something Like 
 Company — I am told Mr. D[eane] is certainly going to Hartford to 
 Live — we should have a happy Little Circle could you Transport 
 your family to Wethersfield. I hope it will be in your power — in 
 which case you will not hesitate — I should write more frequent but 
 the risque is great, and I wish what Letters you may receive from 
 me may be destroy'd for fear of accident — my many cares have 
 made me Less familiar with my pen than I used to be. but whether 
 I write or am silent be assured I think of you with sincere esteem 
 and am with unfein'd affection your Sister 
 
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SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB, 361 
 
 FROM GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON. 
 
 Trenton, 31 Aug* , 1781. 
 Sir: 
 
 I just now receiv'd your Letter of this day's date inclosing one 
 from Governor Clinton. 
 
 As to my Sentiments respecting the obtaining a pass from the 
 British for M? 5 Webb to go under the Sanction of a Flagg from 
 Tom's river to Connecticut, it is a matter so much out of my de- 
 partment that I do not chuse to give any Opinion upon it. But as 
 M T . S Webbs health is in question, I will most cheerfully give her a 
 pass to go to any place in the Enemy's lines which the Physicians 
 you mention, or any other Gentlemen eminent in the Profession shall 
 certify to me, will in their opinion, contribute to its restoration in 
 preference to any place in our Own lines. 
 
 M r . s Banker I cannot permit to go to New York consistent with 
 my duty to the public, & my reasons for the refusal, I shall assign to 
 Governor Clinton who is a Gentleman I would as soon oblige as any 
 man in the world, & who, I am persuaded will entirely acquiesce in 
 the line of Conduct I observed upon this occasion. I am 
 Sir Your most humble Servant 
 
 Wil. Livingston. 
 
 TO GOVERNOR CLINTON. 
 
 North Branch, Raritan, 3? September, 1781. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 On my arrival at this place a few days since I found 
 Mrs. Webb still in a declining state of Health. Doct r . 
 Cochran and Doct r . Craig both recommended an im- 
 mediate change of Air as the only probable means of 
 her ever recovering. Sailing they prefer'd to her 
 moveing by land in her present weak state. — I should 
 long since have removed the whole family into Con- 
 necticut, but was in constant expectation that New 
 York might soon be in our possession; finding no im- 
 
362 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 mediate probability of that event takeing place, it was 
 strongly recommended I should obtain a flag and re- 
 move immediately from this by water to Connecticut 
 River, — knowing the Season was fast advanceing when 
 this plan could not with safety be put in Execution, 
 without loss of time I dispatch'd a Man to Governor 
 Livingston with your Excellency's letter, and at the 
 same time wrote him requesting he would forward the 
 Permit for Mrs. Bancker to go into New York and 
 added the dangerous situation Mrs. Webb was in, & 
 my desire to convey her by water to Connecticut — 
 There was no room in my mind to doubt his approba- 
 tion & immediate compliance ; — but to my great sur- 
 prise and Disappointment I received his absolute re- 
 fusal — A Copy of his letter I have taken the liberty of 
 incloseing for your Excellency's perusal. — To me it ap- 
 pears his refusal is a mere piece of ill-nature; that it 
 can be of no injury to the public I am confident, his 
 only insinuation by this expression is I conceive that 
 Mrs. Bancker may do or say something injurious to the 
 public good, — if this is his meaning, it is cruel & un- 
 generous, for I do positively assert that Mrs. Bancker's 
 sentiments are those which animate the breast of every 
 honest American, her conversation and conduct ever 
 since evinced it, — I should in the present case treat his 
 refusal with the silent contempt it deserves but in that 
 refusal is blended the Health perhaps the Life of my 
 first friend & Mrs. Bancker's only Child. 
 
 [Sam 1 : B.Webb.]* 
 
 * Endorsed " not sent." 
 

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SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 363 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WILLIAM S. SMITH. 
 
 Head Quarters, Head of Elk 
 Sept. 7th, 1781. 
 Dear Colo : 
 
 The long expected fleet from France is at last arrived, they made 
 their appearance in the Chesapeake, the 26* h ult? with 28 ships of 
 the Line, and 5000 Land troops which have joined the Marquis, & 
 we hope effectually prevented Cornwallis's retreat to the Carolinas. 
 He observes this and is fortifying himself with the greatest industry. 
 We shall look as stern as the grave upon him about the 14^ His 
 position is at York & Gloster, in Virginia, on the South and North 
 margin of York River. The fleet on their passage fell in with and 
 captured a Packet from Charlestown bound to Europe, on board of 
 which was Lord Rawdon, the plunderer of the South, returning to 
 bask in the sunshine of Ministerial favours for butchering the patri- 
 otic sons of America. 
 
 Inclosed I send you a Letter which I wish you to forward. Re- 
 member me to Mrs. Webb and Miss Hetty, & believe me, D* Sam 1 . , 
 Your friend &c Wm. S. Smith. 
 
 FROM BRIGADIER-GENERAL HUNTINGTON. 
 
 Peekskill, i 6 Sepr. 1781. 
 My dear Sir : 
 
 I am very sorry to find by your Letter that Mrs Webb continues 
 unwell. I have shewn the Letter to the General, who has no Objec- 
 tions to your Request but says he has not Power to grant Flags to 
 citizens except on the Recommendation of the chief executive Au- 
 thority of the State to which such Citizens belong. You will easily 
 obtain Permission of Gov 1 ; Livingston. If you will send it to me, for 
 which there will be Time whilst you are putting things in Train, I 
 will get the General's Sanction added to it, — without Delay. 
 
 Please to give my Compliments to Mrs. and Miss Webb. I de- 
 voutly wish them the Restoration of Health, & you & them, my dear 
 Friend, every Kind and Degree of Happiness — assuring you I 
 am most Sincerely your Friend & 
 Obdt Servant 
 
 J Huntington. 
 
364 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 FROM CAPTAIN BULKLEY. 
 
 Camp on Thunder Hill, 
 
 17 September, 1781. 
 Dear Colo : 
 
 I am to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 2? and 13 111 In- 
 stant by Chadwick and Belding, the latter arrived on the i5 lh verry 
 unwell, the reason of stay hear so long. 
 
 By both of your letters I find M r . s Webb remains in a declin[in]g 
 state. My dear Col? I feel most sensibly for you, and fear ere long 
 you must taste the bitter Cup that I have Drank so largely off. 
 Heaven forbid that so great a blessing should be snatcht from you in 
 the blume of Life — Your letter for Cap 1 . Webb have sent to him. 
 Last Tusday we encamped on this Thunder Hill and the same even- 
 ing marcht for Stamford in Conn 1 , with one Brigade. After we ar- 
 rived within about 7 or 8 miles of our post was Inform'd that the 
 Burning Murdering poor Pittifull set of Dogs had weighed Anchor 
 and made the best of their way to York. As the particulars of this 
 burning expedition is not got to hand I shall refare you to Public 
 accounts for them, reports say 60 or 70 kilFd of the inhabitants in 
 Groton Fort, the greatest part Murdred after they had laid down 
 their Armes. The greatest part of New London in Ashes. We re- 
 turn'd to our incampment three day since. The West Point de- 
 tachment joins us this week. Orders are out for the Army to hold 
 themselves in readiness to march at the shortest Notice. I have 
 rec^ a letter from Col? Smith for you, which I have taken the liberty 
 to open. The one inclosed in it to his Father I shall forward the 
 first opportunity. Inclosed I send you four letter with the one from 
 Col? Smith. It contains good news. I think M T . Cornwallis will git 
 the Thorough put taken out of his Eyes this heat. Should this be 
 the case I think M T . Arnold Burning expedition will be at an end. 
 
 I hope M^ & Miss Webb's health may be so far recovered as we 
 may be hon? with your agreeable Company soon. My most respect- 
 full compliments waits on your agreeable Family, who has my best 
 wishes for their prosperity and hapyness. 
 
 The Gentlemen of the Reg 1 are well except Cap* Riley who is 
 been for 2 or 3 Day unwell — business calls and I must break short 
 off. lam Dear Col? with every sentiment of esteem your most obe- 
 dient Serv 1 E B[ulkley.] 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 365 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL SMITH. 
 
 Head Quarters, Williamsburg, in Virginia, 
 Sept. 23d 1 781. 
 My dear Sam : 
 
 Fortune Courts us with her smiles, our Troops from the Head of 
 Elk are arrived & landed. We shall advance firmly upon his Lord- 
 ship in a few days, with near twenty thousand Men. 
 
 He is intrench'd but it will not save him. When anything mater- 
 ial occurs, if I survive, you shall have the particulars. 
 
 Remember me particularly to your friends & believe me to be as 
 usual Your friend Wm. S. Smith. 
 
 TO JOSEPH WEBB. 
 
 North Branch, Rariton 
 5 October, 1781. 
 My dear Brother : 
 
 This day twelve months I supposed myself one of 
 the happiest men in life. I flattered myself with future 
 peace, domestic ease, and happiness for many years to 
 come ; but, alas ! I fear my most pleasing hopes are 
 soon, very soon, to be at an end. 
 
 I returned last evening from Philadelphia with a flag 
 of truce to take my sick friend, Mrs. Bancker, Sister 
 Hetty and Miss Duyckink to Wethersfield by Water, 
 and have this day sent for a flag for the same purpose 
 out of New York, having previous to my late journey 
 had assurances from General Robertson the flag 
 should be granted ; but Mrs. Webb has declined so 
 very fast of late, that I fear it is too late even for the 
 sail and change of air to restore her to health. 
 
 While life remains there is room for hope, and both 
 duty and inclination lead me to take every step which 
 may be beneficial. The vessel is ready, and if I can 
 
366 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 get the permit from New York, and Betsy's health will, 
 permit, in ten or fifteen days they will embark for 
 Wethersfield. I have requested leave to accompany 
 the flag. If gratified, or otherways, the day we are 
 ready to sail I shall dispatch a boy with my horses by 
 land. 
 
 I shall write Mr. [Barnabas] Deane by this convey- 
 ance, and sincerely hope he will not refuse the House, 
 with such furniture as he will not want him self — such 
 as can be transported will be taken with us. 
 
 Remember, my Br., that my whole winter supplies 
 depend on you. 'Tis needless to name particulars 
 when I tell you nothing can be carried in by the flag, 
 and when you must be a better judge than myself. 
 
 Hetty has had a severe fever, but is again able to 
 walk about. The intended sail will, I think, be bene- 
 ficial to her. 
 
 There is a report that General Greene has had a 
 severe action in South Carolina, in which he gained a 
 very signal victory over the main body of the enemy, 
 but as this wants confirmation, I shall not even name 
 the particulars, further than 'tis said Colo. Washington 
 and every officer of his Reg't save one, is killed or 
 wounded, and that but twelve of his men remain 
 unhurt. 
 
 I shall write you again by the Lad who takes on my 
 horses. 
 
 Remember me affectionately to all our friends, and 
 be assured of the sincerest affection of 
 
 Y r . Friend and B r . 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 367 
 
 October 6th. — Mrs. Webb is so ill this morning and 
 continues to grow weak so fast, that at times I am ap- 
 prehensive she never will be able to move from this. 
 However, I cannot but hope a few days will make her 
 better.* 
 
 TO HON. WILLIAM SMITH. 
 
 North Branch, Rariton, 5* h OoXo\ 1781. 
 Sir: 
 
 I returned last evening from Philadelphia where I 
 have obtained on our part a Flag of Truce for the pur- 
 pose of conveying M r f Webb by water to Connecticut, 
 agreeable to your directions to Mrs. Bancker I enclose 
 the Vessells name & Burthen, the Navigator & Sea- 
 men, and the family who are to accompany her, among 
 them my name is mentioned, as M r . s Bancker tells me 
 General Rober[t]son was kind enough to offer that I 
 should accompany M r . s Webb. I am under particular 
 obligations to the Gen 1 , as well as yourself for this 
 mark of politeness, as it will add to M r f Webb's peace 
 of mind to have me attend her, I have no view but to 
 make her passage as convenient and easy as possible, 
 — shall therefore most chearfully acquiesce in any re- 
 strictions the General may think proper to lay me 
 under. The Physicians observe that the Season is so 
 far advanced that on M r f Webb's account I have't a 
 moment to loose in geting away, I am therefore to 
 request the favor of you to get the Flag & enclose it 
 to Maj r , [John] Adam Commissary of Prisoners at 
 Elizabeth Town as soon as possible, in the mean time, 
 
 * From the Reminiscences of General Samuel B. Webb, 132. 
 
3 6S CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 I shall be preparing everything on this side with all 
 possible Dispatch. I am truly sorry to be thus trouble- 
 some to you, — the unhappy situation of M r f Webb I 
 hope may be a sufficient apology. 
 
 Be kind enough to present my most Respectfull 
 Compliments to His Excellency Gen 1 . Rober[t]son & 
 to your good Lady. With much Esteem & Respect, I 
 have the 
 
 Honor to be your Most Obed 1 . Serv 1 . 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 P. S. As the whole family move with this Flag, M r . s 
 Bancker would wish to take with her part Her House- 
 hold furniture — rather however than this should by any 
 means be disagreeable to The Gen 1 , it shall be left. 
 
 Sloop Burthen about 40 Tonns. 
 
 Samuel Lee, Navigator 
 
 Moses Griswould ) 
 
 wrw \\r r Seamen - 
 
 William Winons J 
 
 In the Flag 
 
 Col° Webb & Lady Two White Men Servl 5 & 
 
 M r . s Bancker Two Negro Wenches 
 
 Miss Duyckinck 
 Miss Webb 
 
 With Houshold furniture wearing apparrel & neces- 
 sary Stores. 
 
 FROM MAJOR JOHN ADAM. 
 
 Elizth Town, 6th October, 1781. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 I this moment rec<? yours observes its Contents and attention 
 
 shall be paid to it, when the Sloop was hired for the Service I 
 

SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 369 
 
 laboured under the same difficulty but finding it immaterial, I 
 named her the Elizabeth which I now mean to call her. 
 
 I shall send on your Letter for M* Smith * this day by a Flag on 
 purpose that no delay may be in procuring the pasport. 
 
 The News from General Greene I have by Letters from M r , Eradr 
 ford, it seems to be no wise doubted in Philad? The Enemie have 
 shifted their Incampment on Staten Island and gon to the West end, 
 near to Amboy — some reports prevail that the French Fleet is cf 
 the Hook — they seem to be very much Pusseld in New York and on 
 the Island, they have shiped a large quantity of Horses & waggons, 
 which they Pressed from the Inhabitants of Long & Staten Island. 
 
 Please to excuse haste I am with all due Respect 
 
 Dear Sir Your Obedient Humble Servant 
 
 John Adam 
 
 P. S. I have no late paper from New York, the last I seed was not 
 worth the reading. 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WILLIAM S. SMITH. 
 
 Head Quarters before York. 
 October 10th 1781. 
 My dear Webb : 
 
 Our old friend Scammell paid the last debt of nature on the 
 6* h instant, at the Hospital at Williamsburg. I have informed you 
 of his being made a Prisoner and wounded — which wound proved 
 fatal, and he is no more to be found in the walks of men. On the 
 morning that the Enemy evacuated their advance redoubts, he 
 being officer of the day, reconnoitred rather too far, fell insensibly 
 among a number of Horse men; who were patroling the front of the 
 lines they had retired to. Two of them address'd him rather in 
 harsh terms. The one seiz'd his Bridle and the other presented a 
 pistol to his breast. Thus situated, he acknowledg'd himself a 
 prisoner; when a third rode up presented his pistol close enough to 
 burn his coat, and shot him in the back, a fourth made a stroke at 
 him with his sword, but the shot having weaken'd him, he fell from 
 his Horse and the intention of the villian was frustrated. They 
 
 * Williaru Smith. 
 
370 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OE 
 
 plundered him of everything he had, and hurried him into their 
 Lines. The officers who were present never interfered, nor even 
 after he was carried in did they treat him with any kind of civility 
 or respect. So much for the boasted Humanity of Britains. 
 
 1 Mark it. 
 
 Our first parellel is now compleat and our Batteries in full roar. 
 We opened upon them yesterday, 3 o'clock P. M., and have kept 
 up the most sprightly peal ever since that you can form an Idea of. 
 
 I think we shall be able to give a good account of them before 
 long. You may depend upon hearing from me when anything 
 material happens. I am as yet well, but like to have lost my Hat 
 by a 12 p 1 : yesterday. Remember me particularly to the Good fam- 
 ily on the Banks of the Raritan and at Wheathersfield, and consider 
 him as your friend, who is known by the name of 
 
 Wm. S. Smith.* 
 
 TO HON. WILLIAM SMITH. 
 
 North Branch, Rariton, 17 th Octo* , 1781. 
 Sir: 
 
 I wrote you the 5* Ins 1 , from this place requesting 
 a Flag for the purpose of conveying M r f Webb M r 5 
 Bancker and family from Brunswic to Connecticut 
 River, haveing received no answer I am apprehensive 
 my letter has not reach'd you. with much difficulty 
 we have already removed M r . s Webb to Brunswic to 
 have her ready to embark so soon as the Flag could 
 be received. She is in a very low state of Health, and 
 
 * Endorsed. 
 
 "Colo Miles by forwarding this by. the first Express to Gen'l Heaths Camp 
 will much oblige 
 
 His Humble Servt 
 
 Wm. S. Smith ADC. 
 
 to ye Comr in Chief." 
 
SAMUEL B LAC H LEY WEBB. 371 
 
 sailing- recommended by die Physicians as the only 
 probable means for her recovery. I shall ever ac- 
 knowledge it a particular favor if you will be so oblige- 
 ing as to speak to His Excellency General Robertson 
 on the subject and forward the Flag to me at Elizabeth 
 Town as soon as conveniently may be. The Season 
 is fast approaching when it will be too late to remove 
 M r . s Webb by water, which makes me extremely 
 anxious to have the Flag as early as possible. I will 
 thank you Sir to direct for one to the care of Major 
 Adams at Elizabeth Town who will immediately send 
 to me. with Compliments to your Lady I have the 
 Honor to be with sentiments of respect & Esteem 
 
 Your Most Obed 1 . Servl 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb 
 
 FROM HON. WILLIAM SMITH. 
 
 New York, 22? Octr 1781. 
 Sir: 
 
 The moment I received your first Letter, it was communicated to 
 the General, and the Gratification of your Request only postponed, 
 for Reasons that are not now in your way. 
 
 Your two last Letters came to me yesterday, and in answer to a 
 note, I am informed from Head Quarters, that M T . [David] Sproat 
 will have your Pass port this morning, with Directions to forward it. 
 
 I can assure you that General Robertson shewed all that attention 
 to be expected from his Politeness, with the sympathy which so 
 tender a case will always excite in generous minds. 
 
 I shall be very happy to hear of M™ Webb's perfect Recovery; 
 and with best Compliments to her M? Bancker and yourself, in 
 which M T . S Smith joins me, I am, Sir, 
 
 Your most obed*. humble Serv* 
 
 W? 1 Smith. 
 
372 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 FROM ABRAHAM SKINNER. 
 
 Elizabeth, 25 October, 1781. 
 Dear Colonel : 
 
 I congratulate you on the good news from the Southard and I am 
 happy also to find you have your Permission from New York agree- 
 able to your wish ; I forwarded it to you yesterday thro the hand of 
 my friend Adams. 
 
 Loring is desirous of your bringing a few Extra Turkeys as your 
 Sea Stores & I have promised him to get you to do it, he has be- 
 haved so politely on this occasion that I think we shou'd not be be- 
 hind with him. I shall pass thro Brunswick on Tuesday when I 
 hope to have the pleasure to see you. if I shou'd be disappointed 
 .permit me to wish you a pleasant Passage & a happy Sight of your 
 friends in Connecticut. 
 
 I am Dear Colonel Your Mo. Ob 4 . Hble Sr* 
 
 Abm. Skinner. 
 
 FROM CAPTAIN WILLIAMS. 
 
 Camp Peekskill, Novbr 2d 1781. 
 Dear Colonel : 
 
 I am informed by Belden, who arriv'd this Evening with your 
 horses — that you sail'd for Wf d on Wednesday last — if your Voyage 
 has been as agreeable as I could wish, your self & family are now 
 very happy in a Circle of Wf d friends — Am very happy to hear that 
 your Lady enjoys a much better state of health than when you wrote 
 last.— 
 
 A few days since I enclosed a letter of yours from L*. Col? Hunt- 
 ington to Capt. Bulkley, which conclude you will receive before this 
 finds you. 
 
 With this is enclos'd one from Col. Smith ; those he wishes to 
 have forwarded to his Father, are gone on — you will excuse our 
 breaking open Letters, as we were very anxious for all the Southern 
 news. — 
 
 The Surrender of his Lordship was celebrated here on Wednesday 
 last — an Entertainment was provided in the open field for all the 
 Officers of the Army — where we made use of 120 Gallons of Madeira 
 with a Quantum Sufficit of Spirit &c. A more Sociable time I never 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 373 
 
 experienc'd — every one was happy — many perfectly so — indeed the 
 whole week has been but one continued Hurra — from Right to Left. 
 
 As to Regimental matters, they are much in statu quo. — Cap* 
 Parsons join'd us in a few days since, is now in Command at new 
 bridge — L l . Taylor with a small Command of chosen men, alias Non 
 Com 1 ? Officers, has been absent near ten days — what the object ot 
 his Expedition is, remains a secret — but as we have heard nothing 
 from him yet — except that he was at Stamford we conclude he will 
 effect nothing. 
 
 We most sincerely wish to see you here as soon as the Circum- 
 stances of y* family will admit. Friend Ned [Bulkley] we expect 
 will return within a few days as he propos'd being absent but a short 
 time 
 
 We have Reports here that the British fleet is Returned much 
 damaged — and that is all we know about it — however it is the gen- 
 eral Opinion that the young Prince will have but a poor Story to tell 
 his Dada when he returns. 
 
 With my best Compts to your Brother & family, and the dear 
 Circle about you. 
 
 I am with Esteem & friendship Y\ most humble Serv* . 
 
 S. W. Williams. 
 
 FROM CAPTAIN JOHN WEBB. 
 
 Lower Salem, 9th November, 1781. 
 Dear Brother : 
 
 Upon my joining the Regiment, I was order'd to this place with 
 Sixty Invalid Horses and Men belonging to the Reg 1 . I expect I 
 shall Command here till we march to Winter Quarters. — 
 
 The next day after I sent your Servants from Camp, I wait on 
 Generals Heath and Huntington, they were very happy to hear that 
 you had obtain'd leave to carry your Family to Wethersfield — Gen 1 . 
 Heath asks me when you thought of comeing to Camp ; I told him 
 if Mrs. Webb was better, you would come as ever you got settl'd in 
 your Bouse — They both wish the Voyage might restore them their 
 Healths — Make my Love to M? Webb, M T . S Bancker and aunt 
 Polly — and write me how the first is in Health — Also recollect the 
 
374 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 affair with Col. Hay, some answer ought to be retfirn'd imme- 
 diately — 
 
 I spent an Evening with Captains Bulkley & Hopkins — they said 
 the officers wish'd for you, but at the same time, did not wish you 
 to leave M* 8 Webb in her present state of Health — they were all 
 well. 
 
 Tomorrow I move from this to upper Salem — I shall be one mile 
 and a half only from the main road that leads from Danbury to 
 Peekskill — my Quarters are right South from the Court House in 
 upper Salem. 
 
 I am yours Affectionately, 
 
 John Webb. 
 
 TO MR. AND MRS. BARRELL. 
 
 Wethersfield in Connect 
 Sunday Even? 25 November, 17 81. 
 
 Those only who have felt, know how to pity & con- 
 dole with the afflicted, — to God that I was now with 
 you. I am sure it would afford me much consolation. 
 — I was as completely happy as this World could make 
 me, I am as miserable as Man can be — my Dear Part- 
 ner, all that was Dear to me in Life is no more to be 
 seen among the Walks of Men.* She has left us in the 
 early Bloom of life, & I veryly believe is now singing 
 Hallalujahs with the just in Heaven, this my Dear 
 friends is my only consolation in this hour of Affliction. 
 — I wish'd her life for my own sake, I wish't it for the 
 sake of my friends — they must have lov'd her, but 
 Heav'n has forbid it, — the subject is too painfull for 
 me to dwell on, hereafter when the mind is less agi- 
 tated I may renew it, at present my friends must take 
 
 ♦Mrs. Webb did not live to see Wethersfield, dying on November 18th. 
 Colonel Webb appears to have embarked with her on a sloop, and attempted to 
 reach Hartford, but it was the 13th of the month before he was in Middletown, 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 375 
 
 upon them to be more particular. I can only add that 
 I do most fervently wish you my Dear friends ev'ry 
 felicity that this world can afford, and perfect happiness 
 hereafter. — Mrs. Bancker and her Sister beg me (tho: 
 unknown) to tender you their love. Pity & mourn 
 with your afflicted Friend & most affectionate Brother 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 FROM CAPTAIN WILLIAMS. 
 
 Connecticut Hutts, Novbr 30th '8 1. 
 Dear Colonel : 
 
 Some weeks since I wrote you by Belden, which letter I expected 
 wou'd have found you at Wfd. ; but Lieut. Strong informs that you 
 arriv'd there but a few days before he saw you, from which I fear 
 you must have had a long tedious passage. 
 
 He likewise brings the melancholly news of the Death of your 
 Lady — whose amiable Character, without the pleasure of a Personal 
 acquaintance, I find sufficient to Interest me in the Affliction of her 
 friends, whose grief must be exceeding great ; but the sorrows of 
 one possess'd of the most Susceptible feelings, and in that near Con- 
 nexion which you had but lately form'd must be such, as will require 
 every Virtue to support. 
 
 For me to suggest the propriety of an humble Submission under 
 the most afflictive Events, or endeavor to alleviate your present sor- 
 rows, with reminding you, that those Virtues and desirable Accom- 
 plishments, which so greatly Endear'd your departed friend, are 
 sufficient grounds to believe that they have attended her to those 
 happy Mansions, where only, they cou'd receive their Reward ; 
 would as improper, as unnecessary — since the same disposition on 
 which inclin'd you form the Connexion, which is now disolv'd, will 
 lead you to such Reflections as are becoming the occasion of your 
 sorrows. 
 
 But least I should increase that grief, which I wou'd wish to 
 soften — I will only add to this melancholly Letter — that I most 
 Cordially share with you, in your present Affliction — and my sin- 
 cerest wishes that your sorrows may receive every consolation which 
 
376 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 the necessity of your grief can admit — and am with sincere friend- 
 ships & Esteem Y r . Humble Servt. 
 
 S. W. Williams. 
 
 P. S. please to present my most friendly Comp^ to your good 
 Brother & family. 
 
 The enclos'd letter to my afflicted friend, I expected to have for- 
 warded by Capt. Bulkley, but as he has postpon'd the journey for a 
 few days — shall send it by Belden, who arriv'd last evening and 
 leaves Camp tomorrow. 
 
 The friendly manner in which you mention the reception of my 
 former letters, confers the obligation upon myself — if they afforded 
 the least satisfaction in the distress'd Situation in which they found 
 ycu, it is all I could wish. And in your present affliction to deny 
 that Consolation which the most Sympathetic feelings of a friend, 
 cou'd afford, wou'd be unfriendly indeed. I am sensible it is only 
 those who have experienc'd the loss that can reallize your sorrows — 
 we know them to be severely great, and most sincerely share with you 
 in grief. 
 
 As Capt. Bulkley writes you, it will be unnecessary for me to be 
 particular in Regimental matters — indeed I cou'd only say that the 
 men are destitute of Cloaths even to a greater degree than they 
 were last winter — we expect to draw cloathing shortly but it may be 
 several weeks first. — I hope Col? Huntington will come on as soon 
 as he can make it convenient, as it is a matter of consequence to 
 have a field off* with the Reg 1 . * We expect the Lads from the 
 Southward will soon be here — the Invalids fom Colo. Scammell's 
 Detach 4 , have arriv'd — we are just beginning a furlough — the Orders 
 are very strict — there is to be i field off 1 : to each Reg 1 . , & a 
 
 * " Captain Williams doubtless gives you the situation of the Regiment — I am 
 sorry it is necessary for you to be troubled with such affairs now — a Field Officer 
 must be with the Regt this Winter. I shall tarry some time longer than I other- 
 wise should, had Colo Huntington been present at my arrival, — (but I shall not 
 remain for more than a fortnight). I should imagine he ought not now to be 
 critical as to the expiration of his furlough. — The condition of our whole Line is 
 at present very disagreeable — the soldiers uneasy for want of pay and cloaths — I 
 wish our Friends in Conne* were properly sensible of the consequences which 
 may attend it." Major Wyllys to Colonel Webb, 10 December, 178;. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 377 
 
 Comras"? offr to each C? constantly present — & only two men from 
 a C? on furlough ; we have heard nothing from the SergV 5 which 
 were with you on the passage — it wou'd be injurious to those here 
 for them to be long absent — you have probably heard that Capt. 
 Parsons has Retir'd — & that Rogers succeeds him in the Regt. so 
 that we have only three Capts. on the Staff — Gen 1 . Parsons is very 
 sick at Danbury — his Excellency is expected here in a short time, 
 which will afford pleasure to those who have already too long been 
 under the Command of some, we wou'd wish to be clear of. 
 
 I will close this letter with the request of the Gent? of the Regi- 
 ment, whose best wishes attend you, & who sincerely lament your 
 misfortunes — and am with the sincerest Esteem — 
 
 Yr affectionate friend — 
 
 S. W. Williams. 
 
 Connt. Hutts, December 1st, 1781. 
 
 FROM WILLIAM S. LIVINGSTON. 
 
 Beverwycke, 5th Deer, 1781. 
 Was I writing to you my dear Webb in the usual Stile of Friend- 
 ship, and had no other Feelings to express than my own, I should 
 be at, but little Loss, to convey my Ideas ; But to feel, as I now feel, 
 and to write you what all of this Family feel, (particularly Cornelia) 
 on the Subject of your late Misfortunes, is a Task for which I confess 
 I am inadequate. You have lost a fond and affectionate Wife, we a 
 sincere and inestimable Friend. Acquainted with her Younger 
 Years we trace the Remembrance of her Virtues with Pleasure, 
 which seem, on recollection to be numbered equal with her Days. 
 Pleased with the Connection she had formed, Scenes of Bliss (the 
 Reward of her MerriO opened to Our View, and Happiness on Earth 
 (which all who knew her wish'd to be her Lot) seem'd to have been 
 destined thro' you to have been her Portion. If there is a possibil- 
 ity of being so here, I'm sure she was in the proper Channel to re- 
 ceive it. You knew very early My Sentiments respecting her, you 
 know the Affection of Cornelia, & this whole family for her ; and can 
 therefore judge how our feelings must be at the News of her Death ; 
 especially when the Distress of one, who has ever been (and we hope 
 ever will be) our sincere Friend, is Connected with the Melancholy 
 
378 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 Tale. And while we have lamented with the Husband, I assure you, 
 not a few Tears have fallen for the afflicted Parent, Deprived of a 
 fond and affectionate Husband, a Dutiful & Obedient Daughter was 
 her only Comfort, She too Providence has thought fit to remove, 
 only because perhaps she was too much lov'd, and had not Fate or- 
 dained, that all who knew should love, why would she have been so 
 lavish of her Virtues. It is a Comfort however she liv'd to see Con- 
 necticut, & your friends. Death on the Passage would have been 
 insupportable. We believe with you she has made a good Exchange 
 & this must prove a Source of Comfort to you & her afflicted 
 Mother. Every wish'd for Consolation in the Power of your Friends 
 to give we know you will receive. Our warmest Sentiments of Es- 
 teem & Regard for you & every Branch of your Family is herewith 
 sent you (to which Miss Cornelia adds her Love & Thanks for her 
 Letter) and in particular those of Mrs. Livingston & 
 
 Your Sincere & Affectionate Friend, 
 
 Wm. S. Livingston. 
 P. S. Write me as often as Opportunity offers. 
 
 FROM CAPTAIN WILLIAMS. 
 
 Connt Hutts, December 9th 1781. 
 Dear Colonel : 
 
 The Sergt. which was sent into Jersey with your Letters return'd 
 this day, he bro't only one, which will be handed you with this — 
 M? Lott did not write, but says you may expect a letter from him 
 very soon — as the Sergt who carried your Letters belongs at N. 
 Haven, it will be inconvenient to send him to Wf? . shall therefore 
 send another Lad with this — as Capt. Bulkley is with you, it will be 
 needless for me to be particular on Regimental matters ; our Lads 
 are so intirely destitute of clothing, that it is difficult to persuade 
 them to take furloughs — which is a sufficient proof that their Uniform 
 is not compleat. 
 
 The Light Infantry, and a part of Colo Scammell's Command 
 arriv'd here yesterday. Major Wyllys will write you — Capt Betts is 
 not arrived, but is expected within a few days — the other Gent, of 
 the Regt from Virginia are with us, but all expect to be in Connt 
 very soon — if Col? Huntington cou'd make it convenient to come 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 379 
 
 before the Cloathing is drawn, (which it is probable will be within 
 fifteen days at farthest) I think it wou'd be of real advantage to the 
 Reg 1 . . Indeed there is not a ncnth in the year in which it is of 
 more consequence to have a Field Off* with the Reg' than the pres- 
 ent — and maj' Wyllys will remain with us but a very few days — We 
 have nothing of consequence to acquaint you with — we expect a new 
 arrangement of the Army will shortly take place, & it is probable the 
 number of Regt* will be reduc'd. — Genl Lincoln has accepted of his 
 appointment of Minister of War — & remains at Philadelphia with 
 his Excellency, the latter it is probable will not be with us untill late 
 in the Winter — I think it probable that several SergV 5 in the Line 
 will soon be promoted — wish you to speak to Col? Huntington upon 
 that Subject, that if you shou'd think it proper to promote any of 
 ours, we may not be behind hand — at present the want of orTr! in 
 the Regt is a real injury to those of us who are with the Reg* — but 
 I have only room to request my most friendly Compt* to y* Brother 
 & family, & other Wf? friends and am with sentiments of Esteem 
 Y r . s S. W. Williams. 
 
 TO JOSEPH BARRELL. 
 
 Wethersfield, JanY 4*, 1782. 
 Dear Barrell : 
 
 Believe me my friend and Brother when I tell you, 
 your letter of sympathy and advice which has been 
 with me some time, has afforded me hours of Consola- 
 tion ; the very tender and affectionate manner in which 
 you mention my Dear departed Eliza, and your ardent 
 wishes for this afflicting stroke of Providence, being 
 properly sanctifyed to Us, merit and receive our warm- 
 est thanks. — But the Glorious Idea you have given me, 
 of again meeting the Idol of my Soul in the Realms of 
 Bliss has afforded me more real consolation & happy 
 reflections than every other circumstance since her 
 biding me a last Adieu. — Tis that which has given me 
 
380 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 pleaseing Ideas of Death, and a glorious immortality, 
 and if I know my own Soul he would be a wellcome 
 messenger this very hour, provided I am properly fitted 
 for those rewards in Heaven, which I am confident my 
 Dear Partner will receive. — This World truly appears 
 a mighty void, nor have I the least relish for its great- 
 est enjoyments. — Time no doubt will soften my afflic- 
 tion, otherwise nature could not support the shock, but 
 to forget my once Dear Eliza is as impossible, as it is 
 for me ever to enjoy her company here on Earth again 
 — nor would I wish it — her life and conduct was such 
 as to give the most pleaseing reflections, — her mind 
 and Soul was too great and good to be confined to this 
 scene of trouble and Misery, 'tis therefore I trust our 
 Heavenly Father summoned her attendance to receive 
 the rewards due to the good and Virtuous. — We there- 
 fore ought to acquiess, when in full confidence in her 
 Eternal gain, but alas how hard the task! time and 
 that only must soften our Affliction, & with patience 
 and resignation we must wait that happy, happy period 
 when we shall have a pleaseing reunion with our Dear 
 Departed friend in the Heavenly Mansions of Bliss, 
 never again to be separated. — I could dwell hours on 
 the subject, but it only awakens my grief anew, and will 
 to a Soul of your sensibility be Distressing — a day e'er 
 long will come I hope when I may sit down with you, 
 when in the Bosom of Friendship it will be pleaseing 
 to relate my misfortunes, and name the innumerable 
 Virtues of my Dear Eliza. 
 
 Mrs. Bancker and her sister beg me to thank you 
 sincerely for the Affectionate manner in which you 
 mention them — they both flatter themselves the sattis- 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 381 
 
 faction of a personal acquaintance with you & my Dear 
 Sister, to whom tender my warmest Love. — I should 
 write her but hear she has just presented you with an- 
 other fine Daughter, on which pleaseing event I heart- 
 ily congratulate you both, that you both may spend 
 many happy days of Domestic felicity, and live to see 
 your dear little ones introduced properly into life is my 
 fervent prayer. 
 
 Mrs. Cary and my Eliza from Infancy were strongly 
 connected by the ties of Friendship — from that circum- 
 stance (if no other) Mrs. Bancker has a great Love for 
 her. Cary promised to bring her up, but I suppose the 
 want of Snow prevents — I wish it, as I think her com- 
 pany would be a consolation to Mrs. B. — should this 
 take place, I shall endeavor to persuade the latter to 
 return with her to Boston, a ride and variety will cer- 
 tainly be of service to her. I shall in this case accom- 
 pany her, & of course pass a few days at your Man- 
 sion, where I am sure I shall find as much Friendship 
 and Hospitality as any where in Life. 
 
 I would have wrote you before, but my mind has not 
 been in a situation to permit it — let me hear from you 
 frequently and be assured that I am very sincerely 
 Your friend and Very 
 
 Affectionate Brother 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 P. S. Eleven oClock at night — Colo & Mrs. Cary 
 arrived here about two hours past, our Sleighing is 
 quite gone, if it should be good again soon, I know not 
 but I may have the pleasure of seeing You — I wish it 
 — Adieu — 
 
382 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 FROM CAPTAIN HOPKINS. 
 
 Connecticut Hutts, 9th Jany , 1 782. 
 My dear Colonel Webb : 
 
 I omitted answering your Letter untill this time for the oppor- 
 tunity of giving you a satisfactory account respecting the Clothing, 
 as I observed you was anxious concerning it. The matter is deter- 
 mined, the N Hampshire io* h Massa. N York & N Jersey Lines are 
 to receive the British Dyed Coats — We have already got a propor- 
 tion of Shoes, Hose, Blankets & Cloth for Vests & Overalls, the 
 whole is of an excellent quality — I have sett the Taylors at work 
 under the direction of the Serjeant-Major. Have ordered the Over- 
 alls made first as they were most wanted, reserving the Vests to de- 
 liver with the Coats, as I judged it would be most agreeable to your 
 wishes, as it will have at least the appearance of uniformity — there 
 is no plan that can be adopted to deliver the whole at once, the ne- 
 cesitys of the Men are so great. The Reg* has met with a change 
 in regard to Officers, Mr [Timothy] Taylor & Mr. [Peter] Robert- 
 son have left us for promotion ; [Isaac] Strong has gave a finishing 
 stroke to his rascality by Deserting from his arrest — 
 
 The Settlement of the Rank of the Subs in the Line, has given the 
 Reg 1 , three, viz. Mr. [Martin] Denslow Mr. [Matthew] Gregory & 
 Mr. Lord, who have the Rank of Lieutenants — Mr. Denslow I have 
 directed to join the 4^ Compy Mr. Gregory the 6 l . h & Mr. Lord the 
 8 l . h whenever they return to Camp, at present they are all absent, I 
 hope it will meet your approbation — In my haste I made a mistake 
 & wrote on this side you will please to turn back — Agreeable to the 
 Gen 1 . Orders of yesterday this day all the Men in the Line that has 
 not had the small-pox will be innoculated in their respective Regi- 
 ments. I have given directions respecting the Hutts they are to 
 occupy in ours — I cannot omitt mentioning the real necesity there 
 is of Doctr. [Jeremiah] West's coming on immediately, & I could 
 wish that Capt. Riley & Mr. Meigs might be informed of the pro- 
 priety cf their coming on also. The Gentl? Present have as much 
 as they can possibly attend too exclusive of what the inocculation 
 will throw on them ; they complain, & request me to mention the 
 matter — The closing of the last Years ace 1 , has giveD us trouble 
 when there has been no officers to the Companys The number that 
 goes into the inoculation in the Reg 1 , is One Hundred and twenty 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 383 
 
 one — I don't know if I fully comprehend you respecting the Coats, 
 you say in the same manner as the officers — do you mean to have 
 the pocket open on the outside ? I wish to be informed of that cir- 
 cumstance — I conclude My D r . Col? with every Consolable senti- 
 ments for your unhappy situation. 
 
 Your sincere Friend & very Humble Serv'. 
 
 E. Hopkins. 
 I must beg you to make my respectful Compliments to Mrs. 
 Banker & Miss Duyckinck. I sincerely thank them for their Polite 
 attention : 
 
 FROM CAPTAIN WALKER. 
 
 Stratford, 13th Jany , 1782. 
 Dear Colonel : 
 
 This letter will be handed you by Lieut. Gorham, who is on his 
 way to Hartford, beg you to notice him as he is in my opinion a 
 Gentleman of merit. Had promised myself the pleasure of spend- 
 ing a little time with you when I went with the General to Hartford ; 
 but the weather unfortunately prevented ; & my business obliged me 
 to return to this Place so soon after that it was impossible for me to 
 make you a Visit, how long before I shall be that way again unless 
 business should call, is uncertain — Was inform'd when at the East- 
 ward that you had thoughts of quiting the service, what new reasons 
 you may have to me are unknown, the one respecting your Rank I 
 cannot conceive of any importance, as it was determined by a Board 
 of General officers, approved by General Washington, & certainly in 
 the Line of the Army it is not Judged to your dishonour : As to the 
 late unforeseen Misfortunes in your family, perhaps may in your 
 Mind at present be thought a sufficient reason. Be assured Sir I 
 feel for you and sincerely lament your Situation. Your prospects 
 were doubtless great and very pleasing : you had arrived at a Situa- 
 tion in life which promised much happiness, & to have them all 
 blasted in a moment must deeply wound your feelings. However 
 Melancholy & distress*? you may at present feel : yet I must say 
 should be exceding sorry to have you leave us at this interesting 
 Period, if you can anyway make yourself & friends contented. 
 
384 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 My most respectfull Compliments to your Brother & Family also 
 Col : Chester's 
 
 I am Dear Sir with respect & esteem 
 
 your Obed 1 ? 1 Serv?* 
 J. Walker. 
 
 FROM CAPTAIN JOHN WEBB. 
 
 Kensington, 3d February, 1782. 
 Dear Brother : 
 
 On my arrival to my Quarters I found a letter directed to you, 
 and by the appearance of the Seal, I am lead to believe that it has 
 been open'd — I shall enquire of the Dragoon who brought it, tho' 
 he is a very honest clever fellow perhaps its owing to the badness of 
 the Wax & bringing it in his pocket — I now send you it by W? 
 Clark of my Troop. 
 
 When I was with you I forgot to mention to you the ungentleman- 
 like behaviour of a Major who I came in with to mess the particu- 
 lars I'll give you when I come in — I impute it to his ignorance of 
 the polite world — nothing (I may say) but my Damnable Situation 
 in this Corps, would have made me put up with his treatment- -He 
 is in my opinion (If Brothers ought to resent any Insults cffer'd to 
 their Familys) a Character that our Family ought to despise — I 
 have several times experienced this kind of treatment — If it was 
 such an affront as to justify me to call him to an account, I should 
 soon settle the matter. He has so good an opinion of himself, that 
 he begins to think every person who he visits are highly honor' d by 
 his Company — The lad has by some means or other got a few hun- 
 dred pounds in his pocket, which is so much beyond anything he 
 ever expected, or had a right to expect, that he don't know how to 
 behave — I was in hopes no one took notice of his impoliteness to 
 me, but I found that several did — I think I have done the Puppy to 
 much honor to have wasted so much time & paper on his Rascally 
 Name — Had not the Miss Smiths been in the Stage I should have 
 given him my sentiments fully on his conduct, but I thought deli- 
 cacy forbid me to take notice of it before them. 
 
 I think a Copy of the letter to Clarkson ought to be copy'd & 
 sent on. Spring is advancing fast, & I think the Sloop ought to be 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 385 
 
 as soon as the River breaks up ready to sail — Also that Letter to 
 Egbert Benson Esq!; ought to be copy'd & sent, for fear that the 
 first has not reach'd him — 
 
 Present my love to M T . S Bancker Aunt Polly and my Brothers and 
 Sisters and believe me to be as usual 
 
 Yours sincerely 
 
 J. W. 
 
 FROM CAPTAIN BETTS. 
 
 [Highlands, February, 1782.] 
 Sir: 
 
 Notwithstanding I joined the Regiment the 2ot h of Dec 1 : yet the 
 prospects of a field officer's being on soon — has prevented my Writ- 
 ing till this time. 
 
 And it is by no means fatigues or any trouble that falls upon me 
 in consequence of Commanding the Reg 1 . — that Induces me to 
 Write with respect to it. 
 
 but it is the perticular disadvantages ariseing from its being Cam- 
 manded by an inferior officer — Especialy at a time when there is so 
 much depending, and it Cannot be Expected that an officer — who 
 has never extended his Ideas beyond the Command of a C? should 
 be able to digest Matters of a Regimental Concern with that decis- 
 ion, which is looked for from those whose interest Consists in study- 
 ing it. Consequently all the exertions of under officers will not 
 support the Reputation of a Reg 1 , nor prevent the sacrifice of their 
 own. Request you will pleas to send such Instructions as you shall 
 think necessary from time to time which shall be as accurately Com- 
 plied with as my abilities will admit of 
 
 Am with Esteem your Ob"? Serv* 
 
 S. Betts. 
 
 Gen 1 . Heath Informs me that L l . Col? Huntingdon], has his per- 
 mission to Continue with his Brother. 
 
 Capt. Hopkin's destitute Circumstances with respect to Cloathing 
 — renders it Necessary for Capt. Riley to join as soon as his busi- 
 ness will possibly admit. 
 
3 86 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 FROM MAJOR-GENERAL HEATH. 
 
 Headquarters, Highlands, Feby 4, 1 782. 
 My dear Sir: 
 
 Your regiment has been without a field officer present to command 
 it, for a considerable time. A large proportion of the regiment being 
 under inoculation for the small pox, and the clothing of the whole to 
 be made up, as well as many other considerations absolutely require 
 the constant presence of one of the field officers. I must therefore 
 request that you or lieutenant colonel Huntington repair to the regi- 
 ment as soon as possible. You may agree which shall come ; but 
 one is indispensible. 
 
 I am with very great regard, Dear Sir, Your obed* Servant, 
 
 W. Heath. 
 
 FROM RICHARD CARY. 
 
 Boston, 21 Febry 1782. 
 Dear Webb : 
 
 I have this moment rec^ yours, and heating that young M T . Blagg 
 is just setting off for Connecticut, I embrace the opportunity of 
 scribbling one line to you just to cover the abbe Raynal's perform- 
 ance * for you, and the new Constitution f for Col. Chester, which 
 last you will please to present to him with my best regards. 
 
 I am sensible your charges against me are too just, but I know 
 you will believe that I am not wanting in affection to my friends. 
 Indeed, I am naturally too averse to writing, but at present my 
 mind is far from being in a state of tranquility — which must be my 
 apology. M^ Woodward is afraid to undertake your Ring, so I shall 
 commit it to the care of M* Blagg. — As to the shoes, I don't recol- 
 lect anything about them, but perhaps Mrs. Cary does, and they 
 shall be forwarded. M r . Barrell tells me you think of coming down 
 here before you go to camp, which I am happy to hear. Your 
 
 * " The Revolution of America," by the Abbe Raynal. An edition was printed 
 n Boston in 1781. 
 
 f It was in March, 1 780, that a convention in Massachusetts completed a State 
 Constitution. 
 
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SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 387 
 
 Barrell of Port is gone ; tell your Bro : I shall forward his Madeira 
 by the first good opportunity. Give my best love to everybody, and 
 believe me most affectionately yours. 
 
 R. Cary, Jr. 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HUNTINGTON. 
 
 Connecticut Village, i6*h March, '82. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 Your favor of the 3? Instant was handed me by Captain [Samuel 
 William] Williams ; as he brought me a large Packet, he was doubly 
 welcome to Camp, I was Glad of his Arrival both on Account of the 
 Packet & his Company. To pay him for his kindness I reported 
 him to the Command 1 , of the Brigade for overstaying his furlough, 
 in Consequence of which he has had an hearing before a Court of 
 Enquiry & acquitted with honor ; his reasons appeared to me suff 4 . , 
 but by Genl Orders all who transgress must be reported & heared by 
 a Court of Enquiry or C. Martial, however good and Satisfactory 
 their reasons may appear. — By Doctor [Jeremiah] West I informed 
 you of the Surgeoncy being vacant, and requested you to apply to 
 the Gov!: & Council, but it will be needless, as Doct^ [John] Coch- 
 ran is vested with that power on your recommendation to him, & 
 without it can not make an appointment. — The business I expected 
 to have been engaged in when I left Weth? is become a matter of 
 very great doubt to me, but at present am not able to say how those 
 
 matters will be whether my * Expectation will be answer*? or 
 
 not. The Certificates & information about the Sick mentioned in 
 your letter will be noticed, but I had previous thereto sent for them 
 & all others who are to be Called by the Generals Order to join their 
 Regiment. I have wrote Gen W — about Mr. Sands' issues, at 
 present we are much disatisfied and are led to believe we must surTer 
 every inconvenience that is in his power to inflict. Cap 1 . [Richard] 
 Sill will be able to inform you about the difficulties Complain? of, 
 and which as yet we are not able to get Redress? we Expected an 
 Interview with the Secretary at war on the Subject, but bis tarry in 
 Camp was so short, that we were disapointed.— I am happy to hear 
 of your intended Reformation which you mention in your letter is 
 
 * A word illegible. 
 
3S8 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 about to take place, & that your Correspondents shall not have that 
 just reason to Complain in future which for a long time they have 
 had. The resolves of Assembly in regard to Compleeting their 
 Quota in the field Appears to me inadequate for the purpose — if as 
 last Campaign they send down their Six or twelve Month Men, they 
 will do Essential injury — they come into the field & spend the three 
 first Months in learning their duty & the rest of their time lie in their 
 hutts unfit for duty for want of Clothing, in hopes by their remaining 
 in that situation the Publick will be induced to discharge them, as 
 they are eating the Provision of the Publick without rendr? them 
 any Service, nor will they tho' within forty Miles of their Parents & 
 friends send for any Clothing — you have Six in your Reg 1 , belonging 
 to Hartford, who are nearly as naked as when they came into the 
 World, they will not send for Clothing in hopes I shall be induced to 
 discharge them for want thereof, or else give them furloughs to go & 
 obtain it — but instead of that I have directed them to daily fatigue 
 on the Parade of the Reg 1 . , nor shall they be discharged one Minute 
 before their time expires on any account. I will punish them in that 
 way as a terror to tnose who may come after, as an inducement to 
 Clothe themselves (for the term they engage) out of the large 
 bounty's they receive. Is it not possible to oblige them who shall 
 enlist on the resolve of the Assembly to be so provided with Cloth- 
 ing as to be able to do duty during their Service ? I have enclosed 
 a letter to you Sister Hetty which you will be so good as to Deliver. 
 Please make my Compliments to M r . s Bancker & Miss Duyckinck, & 
 believe me to be yours Eben Huntington. 
 
 I am in hopes something will turn up so as to Oblige us to quit 
 this Cursed Vale soon, otherwise we shall be afflicted with greater 
 Punishment, than an Enlightened people ought to suffer. Adieu, 
 Adieu. 
 
 TO .EVERT BANCKER. 
 
 Wethersfield, in Connect, March 17, 1781 [1782]. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 Haveing received no answer to my letter of the 
 
 24th Deer I am led to think it has never reached you, 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 389 
 
 — therefore apprehensive you may think us unmindfull 
 of you, I again acquaint you that we arrived at this 
 place on the 15th of Nov. in a Flag of truce from 
 Jersey Via New York — it was obtained on Ace*, of my 
 Dear M r . s Webb who had been in a Decline most of the 
 Summer, it was recommended by the Physicians as the 
 only probable means left to restore Her to Health, — 
 our hopes were highly flattered that Sailing & a 
 Change of Air would be a means of her again obtain- 
 ing that best of Blessings, but alas, how were we dis- 
 appointed, but three days after we landed (the 18th 
 Nov) The Dear Amiable Girl resigned her Breath to 
 him that eave it. & I doubt not has made a o-lorious 
 change from a World of trouble, disappointment and 
 Misery, for a seat in the Heavenly Mansions of Bliss 
 — But for us the stroke was too heavy — her Mamma 
 here lost her only Comfort, to Betsy's tenderness and 
 filial Affection — the loss of her Pappa, was in a great 
 measure alleviated, — but Cruel Death has deprived 
 her of the Idol of her Heart, — and for myself I was as 
 happy as this World could make, the Scene is Changed, 
 81 I am wretched. She was all that Man could wish, — 
 she lov'd her friends and among them you was ever 
 named as one of the first, — but why should I dwell on 
 a so painfull Subject, she's gone and is beyond a doubt 
 happy, her life from Infancy to Death sanctify's the as- 
 sertion, this is a glorious Consolation, & e're long I 
 hope we may meet her in that World where Sorrow 
 Grief & Pain is never known. M r . s Bancker is very 
 desireous of writing you herself, but the Subject is 
 more than she is able to bear, her warmest affection 
 attends you your Lady and the family, Miss Duyckinck 
 
3QO CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 who is with us begs to [be] remember'd — for myself; 
 though unknown^ on your own Ace 1 . — on acc fc . of your 
 Connection with her who was once the Dear Partner 
 of my Heart — and with my good Mother, I feel sin- 
 cerely an Affection which from your merit I am confi- 
 dent will ever increase — that I may be deserving a re- 
 turn of yours is my ardent Wish. Accept my Dear 
 Sir my hearty good Wishes for Your Health & pros- 
 perity 
 
 I cannot close without Requesting if in your power 
 you will endeavor to visit your Sister at this place, the 
 Season is comeing on when the Rideing will be pleas- 
 ant & agreeable, & be assured that your presence will 
 add much to the Comfort of your too afflicted Sister. 
 I would myself take her, in the Carriage and go, imme- 
 diately to Kingston to pay you a Visit, but my Profes- 
 sion forbids. — I am obliged to be with my Regt before 
 the ioth of April, — till when I was busily employed in 
 rangeing my Domestic concerns. 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 FROM CAPTAIN WALKER. 
 
 Middle Town, 28th March, 1782 
 Dear Col : 
 
 I have got so far on my way to Wethersfield, where I flattered 
 myself should have the pleasure of seeing you before my return to 
 Camp ; but upon my arrival here find the General [Parsons] sets 
 out for Camp tomorrow in order to resign his Commission, shall 
 therefore return with him as far as Stratford and prepare myself to 
 join the Regiment by the ioth of April where I hope to meet you. 
 So you see we go from one degree of grace to another, from the 
 Horse to the Foot. However you well know it is no more than 
 what I have done before, & thank God am able yet and not above 
 doing the duty of Captain. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 391 
 
 [Timothy] Bevins who has been with me for a year past will hand 
 you this; he is a Soldier in your Reg 1 a good honest Lad, has 
 served in the Regt from the first, though has not been able to dis- 
 charge the duty of Soldier, by reason of a Pain at his Brest which he 
 is subject to, he has a Brother who will enlist to take his Place. 
 The lad is about seventeen years of age, & am informed is a strong 
 hearty Boy. should think [he] might be more beneficial in the 
 Regt. than one : wish you would inform Bevins whether you will 
 accept of his Brother or not. also must request you to inform me 
 what your opinion of the matter may be — Suppose you will go on to 
 Camp soon — wish if you would make it convenient you would come 
 by the way of Stratford & I will be your company. 
 
 Our good Friend Sally Johnson is on the decline & I fear is not 
 long for this world. Was there yesterday ; the Family desired there 
 compliments to their Wethersfield Friend. My best respects to 
 your Brother Family and all Friends 
 
 I am Dear Sir your sincere Friend & Humble Serv* 
 
 J. Walker. 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL TRUMBULL. 
 
 Head Quarters, 15th April, 1782 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 The Salmon came safe and in excellent Order. His Excellency 
 requests your Acceptance of his best Thanks for the favor. The 
 Genl & Lady are this Day engaged to Dine with my Lord Stirling 
 on the other side the River — upon an Invitation given last week. 
 The Gentlemen of the Family, who will be at Home, will be very 
 glad to see you this Day, & if you come, you will be so good as to 
 stay 'till tomorrow, when His Excels will be Home. 
 
 Your most ob* Ser* 
 
 J. Trumbull, Jr.. 
 Hump [Humphreys] is gone with the General. 
 
 FROM LORD STIRLING. 
 
 Fishkill, April 23d 1782.. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 I have your letter of yesterday evening accompanying one from 
 
392 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 r — 
 
 General Patterson on the subject of the Contract and Contractor 
 [Comfort Sands].* 
 
 In Consequence of the letter you mention from His Excellency 
 the Commander-in-Chief to General Heath, I do suppose some 
 Order has by this time issued, to which we must conform ourselves 
 in our proceedings ; but in whatever mode it is to be conducted, the 
 officers of the army may be assured I shall give them the best as- 
 sistance in my power in fairly stating their grievances, and in 
 detecting the impositions of the contractor. Whoever is appointed 
 to represent the officers on this occasion, should immediately possess 
 themselves of a copy of the contract, for without it they will be grop- 
 ing in the dark. General Heath has one, which I doubt not he will 
 communicate. They should also possess themselves of every fact, 
 wherein the contractor has deviated from the contract, or attempted 
 it. With these materials, I doubt not their case may be fully and 
 fairly stated, and redress of grievances be obtained. 
 
 Be pleased to present my compliments to General Patterson and 
 communicate this to him, in answer to his letter in behalf of the 
 officers. 
 
 I am, with much affection and esteem, your most obedient & most 
 humble serv 4 . 
 
 Stirling. 
 
 TO GOVERNOR TRUMBULL. 
 Connecticut Hutts, Highlands, i* May 1782. 
 It has been the misfortune of the Reg 1 , under my 
 Command, as well as my own, to loose by resignation 
 my Surgeon, — an officer which never ought to be 
 Vacant. Doct r . [John] Rose who has serv'd as a 
 Mate for long time with reputation to himself, and 
 with perfect satisfaction to the Regiment, — is with 
 propriety a Candidate for the Vacancy. Your Ex- 
 cellency too well knows the absolute necessity we 
 have for experienced Men of this profession to need 
 
 ♦See Writings of Washington, X, 17, 31. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 393 
 
 any comment from me. I do heartily recommend him 
 for the present Vacancy, and really wish his appoint- 
 ment may soon take place, that I may have an oppor- 
 tunity of looking out for a Mate. A Young Man who 
 has served his time with Doct r . Turner is recom- 
 mended, after sattisfying myself on the subject I will 
 write Your Excellency, — in the Interim, I shall be 
 happy to hear from you respecting Doct r . Rose, — with 
 real Esteem & respect I have the honor 
 
 to be Y r . Excellency. 5 Most Obed*. Serv f . 
 
 Sam 1 ; B. Webb. 
 Col° 3^ Connect Reg 1 . 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HUNTINGTON. 
 
 Weth., 4th May, 1783. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 Stephen Kellogg of your Reg 1 , has this day called on me & in- 
 formed me he has rec? a letter from Cap' Hopkins to join the 
 Reg 4 , immediately ; Doctor Olcott tells me he is not able to join if 
 he attemps it, as his Leg is not healed, & if he walks on it at this 
 time he will have a Stiff Ancle, I do not believe it best for him to 
 attempt it, but I have told him I could not intermeddle in the 
 matter or give any Encouragement. 
 
 A Certain M T . Calpin (If I recollect of your Reg* ) is now sick 
 at Glastenbury has once attempted to join and failed & Return 1 ? I 
 think he has been returned a deserter, he will join when able but at 
 present is under Sallivation for misfortunes of this world. John 
 Goodrich has delivered himself on the Generals Proclamation & will 
 Join in the Course of next week. 
 
 I have wrote Bulkley that I am in want of the Horse I had in 
 keeping at New Fairfield & wish him sent me, I wish you could 
 permit Kirtland who was taking Care of him when I left Camp to 
 bring him to me & give him leave of Absence for twelve or fourteen 
 days, for Particular reasons — we have a Report from N York that 
 Great Britain has acknowledged the Independance of these States, 
 
394 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 & its Coming so Particular & Circumstantial has induced many 
 people to believe it. I hope it will not discourage the people, 
 already feeble in their attempts to recruit, from any further Exer- 
 tion, the Story is Plausibly told & Greedily swallowed — I wish 
 Col? Grovenor to know that we have Concluded to muster no 
 Negroes & for that Reason I expect that some of them will march 
 to Camp in hopes to be received there as usually they have been, if 
 he knows the reason he will not receive them. Your Sister Hetty 
 has been unwell for some days past but has now got nearly well 
 again. M T . S E. Chester is unwell & Aunt Polly is afflicted with a 
 bad Cold the rest of the Family are as usual. Col? Belden is very 
 ill & not expected to live long. Polly Root is dead as I was in- 
 formed yesterday. Your Sister Hetty desires me to give her love to 
 you & to tell you she has received your favor & will acknowledge it 
 soon. Sally Chester sends her Compliments to you 
 
 I am dear Sir Yours &? 
 
 Eben Huntington 
 Since writing the above Cap* Riley has called on me with my 
 horse. I understand that no allowance will be allowed me for one 
 Ration & a half if not drawn, if that is the case, I wish some of you 
 who want any Ration & half would draw it & give me the worth of 
 it, as I would not wish Sand benefitted by my omission. 
 
 FROM BARNABAS DEANE. 
 
 Wethersfield, 14th May, 1782. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 I Duly Rec? yours of the 8 4 . h Inst* & Observe what you Say in 
 Regard to writing Each Other, I have not the Same Excuse to make 
 for myself which you have. The reasons of my not writing has been 
 that I had nothing of Consequence En? to take up your attention, 
 or to fill the Side of a Letter, & I am a Verry Poor hand to write 
 Except on Business, I have not the happy Faculty of Writing a 
 Long Letter Aty Nothing So as to be Entertaining. 
 
 I am Exceeding Sorry to hear of the Mutiny in Camp & That 
 Sergt [Jared?] Bunce is So Deeply Concern'd in it.* The 
 
 * " Minds soured by distresses are easily rankled — as a specimen of it, the 
 privates of the Connecticut Line were the other day upon the eve of a general 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB, 395 
 
 Wretched management of the Publick in Fullfilling their Promisses 
 & Engagements to the Armey is the Cause of infinite mischief & 
 They Are Justly Chargeable for the Blood of Those who Suffer by 
 their Neglect. No Country or people Ought to be Free that will 
 not Support the Army that is fighting for their Liberties. I am Sick 
 & Disgusted at the Conduct of our Assembly & the Honest Be- 
 havior of Congress. 
 
 I Can find no Disposition in Either of These bodys to pay their 
 Just Debts, Those who have serv'd them most they Treat the worst 
 & indeed they Cheat all who have anything to do with them. I will 
 not add on this Disagreeable Subject for I should be Branded as a 
 Tory, Traitor & Every Other Odious Epithet Can be Express'd, 
 which is the Case where a man writes Only Truth & his Letters 
 happen to be intercepted & Get into the hands of one of our 
 Printers who are such Violent Fellows that those who will not Lye 
 as bad as themselves & Swear that we are the most Virtuous & best 
 people in the World, Pay Our Debts best & Can Beat all the powers 
 in Europe if we please, That Our Friendship is Sought for all Over 
 the World & Every Power in Europe wishes our Friendship & to be 
 an alliance with us, That Our Congress is the most Respectable 
 Power on Earth &? &<? 
 
 Now if a man happens to think Different from the Above & Be- 
 lieves the Reverse & Should write his Friends his Sentiments Freely 
 & it Should be known, he is at Once without Further Enquiry held 
 up as the Vilest Traitor & Villain on Earth, which is the Case with 
 my Brother S[ilas] D[eane]. 
 
 I am determined for my part not to Plague my head with Poli- 
 ticks, yet at the Same Time I cannot help Speaking when I See 
 Such Cursed managements. 
 
 I have Reed a Letter from my Bro. S. D. Dated in Gent, Octor. 
 2 1 st : he wrote Gov. Trumbull at the Same time & Several Others 
 here, his Letter to the Gov r . he Desired might be Read to the As- 
 sembly & kept on their files as a proof for or Against him in a future 
 Day, when it will be made to Appear whether he is acting the part 
 
 Mutiny. The vigilance of the officers discovered it a few hours before they were 
 to parade, and the ringleaders have been tryed and executed." Washington to 
 Robert Morris, 1 7 May, 1 782. 
 
396 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 of a Faithful Citizen in Warning them of their Danger, or the part 
 of a Traitor & Enemy to his Country.* 
 
 Baron Steuben informs me that his Friend Writes him from Paris 
 that Mr. Deane was Lately there & Staid but Three Days in that 
 City & That he had the Emperor's Protection & staid at the House 
 of his Ambassaders while in Paris. I was exceeding happy that he 
 was on his Guard, & knew the Danger he was in from his Enemies. 
 
 Mrs. Banker & Your Sister Hetty Set out for Norwich this Day in 
 
 * It becomes necessary to recall a circumstance that, while not conclusive, points 
 strongly to a lapse of virtue on Silas Deane's part. Dishonored and neglected by 
 the American Congress, his services in behalf of American Independence forgotten, 
 and his offers of continued efforts slighted; in great poverty and distress, he sought 
 occupation in Paris. From this place, either he was approached by agents of the 
 British ministry, or he himself made advances to them, to serve as a negotiator 
 with the rebellious colonies — now independent States. The evidence on this 
 point consists in a letter from George III. to Lord North, dated 3 March, 1781 : 
 — " I think it perfectly right that Mr. Deane should so far be trusted as to have 
 three thousand pound in goods for America; the giving him particular instruc- 
 tions would be liable to much hazard, but his bringing any of the provinces to offer 
 to return to their allegiance on the former foot would be much better than by joint 
 application through the Congress; for if, by breaking off of some, the rest are 
 obliged to yield, no farther concert, or perhaps amity, can subsist between them, 
 which would not be the case in the other mode, and the fire might only be smoth- 
 ered to break out again on the first occasion." In July the British intercepted 
 some letters from Deane for America, which were laid before the King. His 
 comment after reading two of them was, " too much appearance of being con- 
 certed with this country, and therefore not likely to have the effect as if they bore 
 another aspect." It does not necessarily follow that these letters were prepared 
 with the advice of the British ministry. In August Lord North sent copies to Sir 
 Henry Clinton, the King noting this as the " most likely means of rendering them 
 of some utility." He added : " I owne I think them too strong in our favour to 
 bear the appearance of his spontaneous opinions, but that, if supposed to be 
 authentick, they will see they have by concert fallen into our hands. The means 
 Mr. Deane should have taken as most conducive of the object he seems now to 
 favour would have been first to have shewn that the hands of France are too full 
 to be able to give any solid assistance to America, and to have pointed out the 
 ruin that must attend the further continuance of the war; and after having given 
 time for these opinions to be digested, then have proposed the giving up all ideas 
 of independency, and have shewn that the country is not in a state to subsist 
 without the assistance of some foreign Power, and that consequently so mild a 
 Government as the British one is the most favourable that America can depend 
 upon." Deane had gone to Ghent, an act which, the King thought, showed his 
 conduct to be sincere. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 397 
 
 C? with Gen 1 . Huntington & his Lady, they have had a bad Day of 
 it & I fear will not get through as it's Verry Rainy. I have No 
 News but what you will hear before this Reaches You, I was in hopes 
 that the British Parliament would have put a Stop to the War in this 
 Country this Summer, but from the Last ace 4 , we have Little Reason 
 to Expect it. 
 
 I have wrote you a Long unconnected Letter which I dare say 
 you will be Tired on before you have half Read it, however it will 
 
 Whether the alterations in the text in Deane's letters were made in England or 
 after they reached America is immaterial; yet Deane claimed that alterations of 
 serious import had been made before Rivington printed them. In this garbled 
 condition they first reached the hands of Deane's correspondents, and naturally 
 excited great surprise. That Cornwallis had surrendered was not known to Deane 
 when he wrote that the war had been a failure, and urged a reconciliation with 
 the mother-country. Governor Trumbull replied, and laid both letters before the 
 Connecticut Assembly. 
 
 On November 26th, 1781, Robert R. Livingston wrote to Franklin, asking 
 whether any intercepted letters from Deane to persons in America had been pub- 
 lished in Europe. " Rivington has given us many, which are generally believed 
 to be his." And before a reply could be given, he again wrote (23 January, 1782,) 
 of letters from Deane, delivered by a messenger, confirming the authenticity of 
 those published by Rivington. To John Jay, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs was 
 more full : " Enclosed you have copies of two original letters from Mr. Deane, in 
 which he acknowledges others that Rivington has published, which speak a still 
 more dangerous language. No doubt is entertained here of his apostacy, or of his 
 endeavor to weaken the efforts of the United States, and to traduce the character 
 of the people and their rulers, both in Europe and America. You will doubtless 
 use every means in your power to destroy the ill-effects which his calumnies may 
 have had upon the minds of people with you." 
 
 Unfortunately it was no reassuring report that came from Europe. Francis 
 Dana wrote in January to John Adams of an interview with Deane, in which the 
 latter had expressed himself with painful freedom on men and measures in Amer- 
 ica, and ending with " an apology for the infamous apostate Arnold ! " Pranklin 
 returned much the same reply. " He resides at Ghent, is distressed both in mind 
 and circumstances, raves and writes abundance, and I imagine it will end in his 
 going over to join his friend Arnold in England." This prediction came true, 
 though Deane took the step of first consulting Jay through Dr. Bancroft on the 
 expediency of his visiting England. This was early in 1783, and gave Jay an 
 opportunity to say that he was no longer a friend of Deane's, that he had heard 
 of his being in the British interest, and that he attributed to a nervous disorder 
 the opinions expressed in the intercepted letters. Deane came to England and 
 there compleated the breach between himself and Jay by being on terms of famil- 
 iarity with Benedict Arnold. 
 
398 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OE 
 
 Serve to make my Promise good that I would write you & at the 
 Same time give you the Satisfaction in Thinking that you are not 
 often having such kind of Stuff Sent you. 
 
 I Shall not Subscribe my Name for fear of Accidents as I have 
 wrote Freely — 
 
 I am Dear Sir, Your Friend And Humble Servt. 
 
 [Barnabas Deane.] 
 Miss Duyckinck Sends her Love to you. 
 
 FROM CAPTAIN ROGERS. 
 
 Farmington, May 17th, 1782. 
 My dear Sir : 
 
 By order of General Huntington, I do myself the honor of enclos- 
 ing you a return of the County of Hartford as made out and com- 
 pleted by a Committee from said County. The General has 
 doubtless wrote you on the Subject. 
 
 Yours of the 7 l . h Inst : was but yesterday received, for which am 
 much obliged to you. 
 
 We deeply regret that the Line should be so lost to all sense of 
 honor and military decorum, as to fix a Stigma upon their Character, 
 that time can never wipe away, but we hope the spirited exertions 
 of the Officers will effectually check it, before they proceed to any 
 further measures. 
 
 Notwithstanding the low estimation placed by an ungrateful 
 Country upon their Officers yet to them they owe the existance of 
 the Army, and consequently the existance of their Liberty. 
 
 Yesterday we had a general Committee of the State to discuss and 
 decide some disputable points, and am very sorry to inform you, 
 that every debate was closed with a hearty negative on the part of 
 the State. Today we commence humble supplicants at the Shrime 
 of democracy and with trembling hand and quaking hearts implore 
 their \_rest of letter missing]. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 399 
 
 FROM RICHARD VARICK.* 
 
 H» Qurs, May 18, 1782. 
 Dear Colonel : 
 
 Agreeable to promise & Duty I will send down David Gardner of 
 your Regiment, at present my servant, to be inspected on Tuesday 
 next. 
 
 The Gentlemen of the family inform me that there will be no Im- 
 propriety in your permitting him to return to me, and as I have no 
 other, nor will Congress's Finances furnish the Means of getting an- 
 other, you'll oblige me greatly by ordering him back to me as soon 
 as possible after Inspection. 
 
 He will want a Shirt or Shirts which I have not in my Power to 
 procure, & if you will permit him to have any other of his Clothes I 
 will attend to it that they shall not be parted with, or even worn, but 
 when Decency requires a Change of his old Clothes. Col? s Trum- 
 bull & Humphreys will speak to you on the Subject. 
 
 I am with respect yours 
 
 Rich? Varick. 
 
 FROM JOSEPH BARRELL. 
 
 Boston, 19th May, 1782. 
 Dear Sam. : 
 
 I was disapointed in not seeing you before you joined the army, 
 as you promised us that pleasure. I now give it over until the close 
 of the Campaign, which I trust will be the last ; but if not, I hope 
 the exertions of this season will drive from our doors the common 
 disturbers of our peace, and if they must wrangle, let it be on British 
 ground. 
 
 I wish the Employment of the army may drive from your mind 
 the painful past of the remembrance of your dear friend. Time 
 must befriend us in those calamities, or nothing. A letter lately 
 from Wethersfield tells us Mrs. Bancker's grief is still fresh. I pity 
 her from my heart, but I greatly wonder she grieves so much when 
 in all probibility it is but a little while she will be separated from her 
 darling child. Her loss none but a parent knows, and you can be 
 told by none. I have lately buried my youngest child, a baby too, 
 
 * Recording Secretary at Head Quarters. 
 
4 oo CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 as sweet a babe as I ever had and one that promised fair to answer 
 my fondest hopes. He was 4 mos. old, and tho' so young 'twas 
 taking a piece of the heart, but there are things that have to be sub- 
 mitted to. 
 
 By a vessel yesterday, in 40 days from Amsterdam, we have as- 
 surances that in a few days the Independence of America will be ac- 
 knowledged by the States of Holland. 
 
 We have various reports of the Engagements in the West Indies 
 between the two fleets, but from what I can gather, my opinion is 
 that the French have got the best of it. If this be the case I think 
 the chance is ten to one that Jamaica falls, as I wish it to most 
 ardently. 
 
 Friday we had a certain acc't that the Hound, a British 36 gun 
 Frigate ran on shore at Cape Bersue, [ ?] and is lost. I havent shed 
 a tear on this acc't and I don't believe I should if half .their fleet 
 was as safely moored. 
 
 The Chatham, a new 50 gun ship is cruising in our Bay and no 
 doubt will do us much damage. 
 
 The arrival of the Frigate's Alliance and Dean may be looked 
 upon as a fortunate event. I think we are acting a very stupid part 
 in retaining the lands belonging to the estate. They might be sold 
 for large amounts now, and if you don't want the money it might be 
 laid out in Government securities wh' might be purchased at x /s 
 their value, and upon a peace they no doubt would rise greatly. 
 You would I think do well to insist on it. 
 
 Jo. wants a little spurring in this matter. I have turned it to him 
 and there are difficulties he says in the way. Well, if there are, they 
 might be removed for the present opportunity if lost cannot be re- 
 gained. 
 
 Sally is well and joins in love to you.* 
 
 I am Your friend, &c, 
 
 Jos. Barrell. 
 
 * From the Reminiscences of General Samuel B. Webb, 373. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 401 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HUNTINGTON. 
 
 Wethd , 3d June, 'S2. 
 Dear Webb : 
 
 This will be handed you by Richard and will serve to acknowledge 
 yours by Cummings, a lad mustered out in Camp after I had re- 
 ceipted for him, I am very sorry the Lad was mustered out in Camp, 
 as I firmly believe him Competent to the duties of a soldier & have 
 receipted him accordingly, & the Class will be excused during the 
 three Years for which he enlisted, & very justly in my opinion — The 
 Size Established for recruits will exclude many who have already 
 served three years in the Continental Army and are fully Capable of 
 doing Soldiers duty as those five feet & Six inches high, the Sending 
 such men back discourages Recruiting & puts the Characters of 
 Mustering Officers in the Country in a very Contempible point of 
 View — If those Officers sent on that business are unworthy of the 
 Confidence reposed in them let them be recalled & censured as un • 
 worthy servants, let them make the first example of me, I will not 
 Complain ; the mode adopted for filling the Regiments will be in- 
 competent at best but much more so upon the Rules of Measuring, 
 as nearly |* s of the Men obliged by law to do Military Duty are 
 under that size, it is in vain to make an attempt to fix Certain Rules, 
 as no good can arise — I can say without boasting I am as proper a 
 Judge of a Man for a Soldier as those who muster after me, I shall 
 take Cummings to Camp with me & make another attempt to intro- 
 duce him, I should be willing to Command such men & feel no 
 doubts as to his Ability — The Assembly are displeased that you 
 should send Officers into the Country to muster the Recruits & that 
 you should put so little Confidence in. them, as to muster them over 
 again, but as I conceive the Letter from Col? [Thomas] Grosvenor 
 giving an account of the size to be binding on me & the other Offi- 
 cers to whom I have Communicated them, shall obey them & in 
 Compliance therewith several have been mustered out who have had 
 a regular discharge after serving three Years, which has given great 
 & just uneasiness to the people — 
 
 Kellogg will go on with the Waggon but in no measure fit for duty, 
 Sergeant [Francis] Nicholson I saw two days since, he is very thin 
 & feeble I advised him to get to Camp as soon as he Could, tho I 
 am sensible he is not at present fit — I had a line from Winchel yes- 
 
402 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 terday informing me of his situation, I have directed him to come in 
 & see me, if he's able I shall send him on — I think as fast as a Serj 
 arrives in Camp with a party he ought to be sent back or another in 
 his place as they are extremely essential at the Rendez-vous and to 
 take charge of the Recruits on their March. 
 
 Pratt Called on me about the Drums & M r . Pomroy has furnished 
 him with an order for them, in which he promises payment to the 
 man when he is able, but whether it will answer I am in doubt. 
 Col? Durkee died last Week on Wednesday,* possibly you may not 
 have heard of it — last Thursday we Celebrated the Birth of the 
 Dauphin of France in a pretty Clever way, after a feu de Joy & 
 Salute we made ourselves decently merry & had a pretty Collection 
 in the Eve? at Bull's, your Brother Jos. & Myself got home to Break- 
 fast — If in my power to obtain shall inclose you some papers & 
 possibly make an addition which you have no Reason to expect 
 Considering the Prolexity of this, nor have you any reason to wish it 
 — Col? Cary & Lady, Miss Brasher & Grand Son Cornelius are at 
 your house, I can't say M* s Bancker is Well but is moving, she suffers 
 Melancholly to take too great hold of her, I fear the Consequences 
 unless she gets the better of it soon, it preys on her Constitution and 
 will prove the Consumption, the rest of our Circle are as usual — 
 must request you to give my Compliments to Col? Swift & the Gen- 
 tlemen of the line, & to the Gentlemen of the 3? in particular. — Our 
 Assembly have granted the 5 p* Cent impost requested by Congress 
 with several Reservations as to the application of the monies arising 
 thereon, among the rest that none be applied to the payment of half 
 pay Officers, they have a great Spleen against that Class of Locusts 
 as some call them — M* Aaron Lopez the Jew was drowned last week 
 & his horse in the presence of his wife & Daughter very shockingly — 
 
 Adieu Adieu 
 
 Eben. Huntington. 
 
 P. S. Will it not be best that the Mustering should be left discre- 
 tionary with the Mustering Officer & those of us disqualified for that 
 business be ordered to return & answer for our Unfaithfulness & 
 neglect, as the House of Assembly have directed the Governor to 
 write his Excellency on the Subject.! 
 
 *29 May, 1782. 
 
 t From the collection of Dr. John S. H. Fogg, of Boston. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 403 
 
 FROM MAJOR-GENERAL ROBERT HOWE. 
 
 Robinsons, 6th June, 1782. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 General Washington dines with me To morrow he is Exceedingly 
 fond of salt fish ; I have some coming up & tho' it will be here in a 
 few days it will not be here in time. If you could conveniently lend 
 me as much Fish as would serve a pretty large Company for Dinner 
 Tomorrow (at least for one Dish) it will oblige me & shall in a very 
 few days be returned in as good Dam Fish as ever you saw. Excuse 
 this freedom & it will add to the favour. Could you not prevail 
 upon some Body to catch some Trout for me early Tomorrow morn- 
 ing. I am D r . Sir with great Regard 
 
 your most ob* se 4 . 
 
 R. Howe. 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT- COLONEL TRUMBULL. 
 
 Head Quarters, 13 June, 1782. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 The General [Washington] is this day at the Point, so I cannot 
 decide for his accepting your invitation any further than 'tis very 
 probable he will attend your feast on that day, and will doubtless be 
 glad of a good dinner. 
 
 Myself you will probably see if circumstances will admit. Some 
 of the family will, no doubt, attend the General — particular, I cannot 
 determine. I am, yours most devotedly 
 
 J[onathan] Trumbull [Jr.] 
 A. D. C. 
 N. B. General Lincoln is with us, and will come with the Gen- 
 eral if he attends you.* 
 
 ♦From the Reminiscences of General Samuel B. Webb, 301. A second note 
 from Trumbull is printed on p. 302 of the same work, but with a wrong date. It 
 said: "The General and lady return their compliments; they are going tomorrow 
 on a visit to Governor Clinton and lady, at Poughkeepsie ; their return is uncer- 
 tain. Should it be the same day, and Mrs. Washington is not too fatigued, she 
 will be happy to accept your invitation. 
 
 " Enclosed are the replies to your notes to Generals Knox and Hand. Should 
 the General and lady not be able to attend you, 'tis probable you may see the 
 muzzles of some of the family." 
 
4 o 4 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT- COLONEL HUNTINGTON. 
 
 Wethd , 20th June, 1782. 
 Dear Webb: 
 
 By Doctor Ellis I was favored with yours of the io 1 . 11 June with one 
 enclosed for M r . s Bancker, which I sent her that Even? I rec^ 1 it. I 
 am very unhappy that the recruits which have been sent on, have 
 been so bad as to have so great a number rejected as you mention 
 there has been greater neglect in some of the Mustering Officers I 
 suspect than in myself — since I have introduced the Subject of Mus- 
 ters I would wish to suggest one thing which the Assembly did before 
 they Adjourned, which was this, that in all Instances, where any 
 Recruits have been Mustered out by the Mustering Officer sent from 
 Camp for that purpose for want of Size, they shall be remustered by 
 the Colonels of Militia Reg l . s & if they shall appear to them to be fit 
 for the duties of a Soldier excepting wanting size, they are to be sent 
 into the State Reg 1 , or to one of the State Guards & the Class shall 
 be exempt from all fines or other penalties arising from such Muster- 
 ing out. the Consequence will be this, they will be sent to Horse- 
 neck, & on any Requisition to this State for Men that Reg* will be 
 ordered to Join the Line, in lieu of other Men, that in fact they will 
 answer every purpose to the State, as if they joined the lines. Had 
 Directions been sent to the Mustering Officers to be more particular 
 in their Musters, & broke one or two of us who had been neglectful 
 in our duty, better purposes would have been answered, as the 
 Assembly would have not then taken it up, but they took it up with 
 such Spirit, as to have nearly a Vote for enabling the Colonels of 
 Militia in all Instances to Muster the Recruits, & to Prohibit any 
 Musters by us in any Instances whatever ; Since Receiving those In- 
 structions I have Mustered out those who have served two Cam- 
 paigns in the Connecticut Lines, & one of them a very good Lad 
 who was five feet five Inches high, well made & in my Opinion a 
 good Soldier. By a letter from Capt? Williams to M* Burnham, I 
 am informed that you gave him some Encouragement for an En- 
 quiry, if you intend he shall have it the sooner the better. By an 
 Agreement among the Commanding Officers of Reg* last Winter it 
 will be necessary that a Majority of them be United in such Recom- 
 mendation, will it not be best to recommend Searg* Maj? White at 
 the same time, I only suggest the matter to you to think of, you will 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 405 
 
 best Judge whether your Reg* stands in need of any more officers, 
 the Governor & Council have filled the Vacancies recommended last 
 Winter by Gen 1 . Parsons, have Given Grosvenor the Command of 
 Durkee's Regt & Promoted Capt. Warner to be Major of the same, 
 the other Vacancies are not filled, as Gen 1 Huntington did not know 
 who were entitled to Promotion among Subalterns, I think in the 
 same Recommendation for filling of Vacancies, that of new Ap- 
 pointed Officers ought to be Subjoined — I hear that Col? s Greaton, 
 Swift & three other Col? s are Promoted to be Brigadiers, if so it will 
 make a Reg 1 , vacant for L\ Col? Johnson & another Capt? to be 
 promoted. 
 
 Your Brother Jos & Lady, Sister Hetty, Mr. Merrill & Mr. S. 
 Chester set out for Boston last Saturday by the way of Norwich, 
 where they proposed keeping the day of our Lord. I expect to get 
 time to be at Norwich a day or two before I go to Camp, but at 
 present it is uncertain. 
 
 The wafers you mention I will endeavor to procure & bring to 
 Camp with me, which will not be long first. From the best Infor- 
 mation I can Obtain from the different Mustering Officers & from 
 my knowledge of this County I think you may not expect more than 
 500 Men from this State, as the Assembly have affixed a Penalty of 
 Non-Compliance to the Act for filling up to the Line of 50 Dollars 
 only, which is less than had been given in many Instances for 
 bountys, & when ever the Penalty is less than the bounty to be 
 given, you may rely on it they will spare the purse if they Damn the 
 Country, besides, they save themselves the trouble of looking for 
 Soldiers. As the Women appear to be more zealous for recruiting 
 & keeping up the Army than the men I have proposed to some of 
 my friends that the Classes should have the liberty to hire Women, 
 & that I will not be so strict as to their Measure, as I am sure in 
 the present distressed Situation of the Armey a Court Martial could 
 not be Convened who would Censure me, tho at same time I would 
 recommend that tall Girls be procured that the Offspring may be 
 five feet Six Inches high. I have tired your Patience — & will Close 
 with Compliments to my friends with you 
 
 Yours Eben Huntington.* 
 
 * On the 24th Lieut. Col. Smith wrote urging Col. Webb to spend a day with 
 
4 o6 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 TO MAJOR-GENERAL HEATH. 
 
 June 29, 1782. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 Enclosed you have a number of Certificates of the 
 expiration of the term of enlistment of several of my 
 Soldiers, — I have several more whose engagements 
 will be out between this & the 25 of July, however as 
 they may be of some little service, I did not think 
 proper to recommend them at present, — I will thank 
 you Sir to enclose me by the Bearer the several Dis- 
 charges, some of them will not be due untill the latter 
 end of next week, if its your direction I will keep the 
 Discharges in my hands untill the day they are en- 
 tituled to them, tho: they are only a trouble to the 
 Regiment. I am Dear Sir with respect 
 
 Your Most obed Serv*. 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb.* 
 
 FROM LORD STIRLING. 
 
 [Fishkill], July 6th, 1782. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 I shall be obliged to you if you will get some person of Judgment 
 to examine the ground on the west front of the ground the troops 
 manuevre'd on this morning, in order to discover a good Spring of 
 water, near a Convenient Spot for me to pitch my tent upon, and if 
 necessary, to order a party to open and improve the Spring 
 
 The behaviour of the troops this morning, has gained the appro- 
 bation of the Commander-in-Chief and all our Visitants. I now 
 send it to Col. Swift in Order to be Communicated. 
 
 With much Esteem, I am very Sincerely yours &c 
 
 Stirling. 
 
 him at Head Quarters, adding: "The Gen* and his Lady with 3 of the Buff 
 Heroes are gone upon an expedition up the River, not to return in less than 10 
 Days." Washington made a visit to Albany and the neighboring posts. 
 
 * From the Heath Papers in the Massachusetts Historical Society. General 
 Heath returned the proper discharges, and approved Colonel Webb's resolution. 
 
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SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 407 
 
 TO JOSEPH BARRELL. 
 
 Wethersfield, Sunday Morn?, 4* h Aug 1 . 1782 
 My dear Brother : 
 
 I have lone* intended to have devoted a leisure hour 
 or two to you, in answering your several friendly 
 epistles, but want of conveyance at one time and 
 leisure at others has deprived me of that pleasure, — 
 and sorry I am now to tell you this will only be an 
 apology for a letter. Mr. Craik* the bearer (Son to 
 the Physician-General of the Army) sets out imme- 
 diately for Boston, he has been in a bad state of 
 Health and is travelling to the Eastward in hopes of 
 reaping benefit from the change of Air, for the sake of 
 his good Father as well as on his own account I will 
 thank you to notice the Youth while in Boston. — I 
 have been home about Ten days, and set of again to- 
 morrow morning for Camp — my Health the former 
 part of the summer was much impaired, but at present 
 think myself better, while in Camp I was member of a 
 General Court Martial for the tryal of Major General 
 McDougall from the 15th of April untill the 2 2d of 
 July, I mention this by way of apology for my long 
 silence, and at the same time do assure you in future 
 you shall hear from me more frequent, — what the 
 operations of this Season will be is yet very uncertain, 
 the french Army is near at hand and ours is to move 
 down to the White Plains this or the next week, if a 
 Fleet comes New York will be our object. — I hope to< 
 be early in Winter quarters, when if nothing material, 
 happens I intend with Mrs. Bancker to pass a few 
 
 * George Washington Craik, son of Doctor James Craik. 
 
4 oS CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 days with you in Boston, — good woman she yet feels 
 very sensibly our too heavy affliction, — the subject 
 will ever be painfull to me, — my loss is irrepareable, 
 nor do I ever expect to see that happiness on Earth I 
 have once experienced, — tell my good Sister Sally I 
 receiv^ her letter in Camp and will the first leisure 
 write her. at present time will not permit, remember 
 me to Hetty I think she might inform us how her 
 health is, I wish much to see you all, Brother Joe: is 
 gone with a flag into New York, B r . Jack march' d three 
 days since for Camp, the rest of the circle desire their 
 Love to you all. Mr. Craik's hurry obliges me to 
 close, after assureing You that I am with sincerity 
 your Affectionate Brother 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 I shall be happy to hear from you when your leisure 
 will permit, — the Jason is safe arrived at New London, 
 Capt. Riley was taken on his homeward bound pas- 
 sage and carried into Bermuda, from there he has 
 returned in a flag. My Comp 1 ? to Col° Carey. 
 
 FROM MR. JACKSON.* 
 
 Tallers, August 19th, 1782. 
 Dear Sir; 
 
 Lord Stirling's servants are all sick, & have been for some time — 
 He desires me to request of you the favor of a careful trusty non- 
 commissioned Officer or Soldier, for a few weeks, who is capable of 
 provideing for a Table that would admit a few Friends, & who may 
 be entrusted with those Little concerns, though not important are 
 very essential to happy existence. His Lordship ask's it as a favor 
 in you to send him such a Man, either from your Regiment or from 
 the Brigade you Command. 
 
 * Aid-de-camp to Lord Stirling. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 409 
 
 Your Horse is in very fine order & in pasture with our Horses, he 
 can remain with them as long as you please. 
 
 I am with great Respect, Sir Your Most Humble Servant 
 
 Tho? Fred? Jackson. 
 
 FROM CAPTAIN JOHN WEBB. 
 
 New Town, 21st August, 1782. 
 My dear Brother : 
 
 I am happy in having it in my power to contradict the news you 
 had by Major Warner — My B T . the same day Major W — left Middle- 
 town arriv'd home — there was nothing on board the Flagg except 
 two bundles for M\ John Smith from M r . McCormick — except a few 
 Maggazeens & few other Books sent to Mr. W[ebb] from our Friends 
 in New York — also some trifles sent by your friend Mr. [Miles] 
 Sherbrook to the Children — This shows us how happy our Enemy 
 are to ketch at any thing to injure our Characters — tho' they are 
 contemptible and unworthy of our notice — I think (As there has 
 been so much said about the matter) that he had better publish 
 something in the Paper in Vindication of his Character — you had 
 better write him on this Subject — I have the particulars from Lieut 
 Col? Jameson, who had them from M* John Smith, which place left 
 yesterday at 12 ? Clock — I have wrote you one or two letters since 
 you left this, which I wish you would answer if possible by the first 
 opportunity. I have not been able to hear anything about your 
 Pistols — please to remember me to all Friends, and believe me to be 
 yours Affectionately J[ohn] W[ebb] 
 
 My Bi: left Wethersfield the Next Morning after he arriv'd home, 
 for Lebanon at which time, the Flagg was detain'd at Saybrook. 
 
 FROM JOSEPH WEBB. 
 
 23 August, 1782. 
 My dear Brother : 
 
 It gives me pleasure to find your Regard so great for my Honor 
 
 & Welfare & I might answer further my Interest. As to the Seizure 
 
 of the Flag at Saybrook it's as rascaly affair as you have possibly ever 
 
 heard of — I arrived there in a run of about Twenty hours — Got a 
 
 Ground on Saybrook bar lay there about three hours, about Ten 
 
4 io CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 Minutes after I got off — we were boarded by a whale Boat com- 
 manded by a Certain small-beer young Quack doctr Fields — who 
 said he had heard of our Flag, that she was loaded with British 
 Goods. He had been cruiseing for her Ten Days. I told him that 
 it was an entire mistake as I could convince him — (without hesita- 
 tion, after asking him to shew his Commission which was signed by 
 Colo McClanan* commanding New London Forts by Authority from 
 His Excellency) — I shew'd him my trunk & the trifles, supposeing 
 them of no consequence — nothing like Merchandize — (but pres- 
 ents of trifles sent out to distressd Inhabitants) — without trade or 
 Barter or the cost of any Cash on our Side — I enclose you a List for 
 your satisfaction — I know not what the Law will do — but I find 
 Everybody this way my Friend, & they think I am cruely used, after 
 fatigueing my self almost to Death & run the risk of my Life in Vis- 
 iting Hospitals, Provost, &c, & to bring out Sixty Navy Prisoners. 
 
 I wish I had more time to Write you — but as I know you must be 
 anxious I write you this — I wish to know your Sentiments — can the 
 Vessel be liable — I should think the Vessel might be Clear'd In- 
 stantly, but possibly the Goods may be lost — I have waited on the 
 Gov 1 : & Council but they have no power — The Govern 1 : is hurt be- 
 yond description, thinks He's abused, that damages ought to be 
 recov'd of them for hindering the Sick people & Flag comeing to 
 their destin'd port of Mid[dletown] or Wethersfield. The Vessel is 
 stript & laid up by those rascals at Saybrook, the Sick sent home in 
 Boats those not well enough to be sent up in open Boats, put ashore 
 to Die or Live at Saybrook — Thus remains the affair at present, I 
 will Soon Write you again — the Saybrook Point people are deter- 
 mined if possible to condemn the articles & Vessel — do Write me 
 fully — when The people come fairly to understand it, I am clear'd & 
 thank't — but the Robbers & pirates condem'd — let the Vessel & 
 Cargo be lost & I can't be blamed by my Friends — I have realy been 
 extremely cautious & prudent. As I have said above I tho 1 . no one 
 coud find Fault with my conduct — I own to you the Jaunt has cost 
 
 ♦Probably Samuel McLellan of the Connecticut militia. In 1775 he entered 
 the service from Woodstock as Major; promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in De- 
 cember, 1776, and to Colonel in January, 1779. He served in Tyler's brigade, 
 under Sullivan, in Rhode Island, 1778, and after Arnold's raid, was placed in the 
 New London forts, with about two hundred and fifty militia. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 411 
 
 me more pain, Anxiety, trouble & Vexation, & even danger of Health 
 than I can paint to you — yet had I got home well, I can't but say I 
 met with many civilities & enjoyed much Satisfaction, &c — and upon 
 ballanceing the Acco* I shou'd not have Repented the Journy, for 
 the reflection of helping so many Prisoners is great — but take this 
 with all that these Saybrook point maroon Cttrser's are the least of 
 Gods Mercies, & if possible will do me all the damage in their power 
 & Condemn & make as much Noise as they can — I wish you to set 
 the affair to rights amongst those that wish us well — Write me fully 
 on the Subject — with your Advice & Assistance. 
 
 I am Dear Bro Yrs Sincerely 
 
 J[oseph] W[ebb.] 
 
 I have the pleasure to tell you that the Assembly have always 
 Given even to Tories more than I had in the Vessel — is this Cruel 
 treatment to be put up with? not a Vessel arrives but what brings 
 more Even from the West Indies — is every Whale Boat to search all 
 Vessels from Sea that may have three British trifles & condemn 
 Vessel & Cargo — is this the intent & meaning of the Law? shurly 
 No — Yet what can we depend on in such distracted Times as these ? 
 I find no body this ways seems to be acquainted with the Nature of 
 flags — how do they conduct with Seizures at Elizabeth Town — sup- 
 pose a king's flag — She Cant be liable : tho the Goods may I should 
 think. How do they practice — will not Damages lie ags* these 
 pirates for detaining the Flag from going to her Destin'd Port of 
 Midd* — in short make yourself easy ; the loss is cruel even shou'd I 
 finely loose, but yet not so as break us of one hours Sleep. I have 
 the satisfaction to think I can paint it in such a light Every one will 
 be hurt — & think I am treated beyond Everything bad — & the Con- 
 sequences Serious to the public ; for who will again go their flag — 
 provided 2 British trifles secreted may Condemn them ? after ap- 
 prizing poor John Smith ; * Hazard | & in short Every thing by 
 presents &c belong? to everybody — they make ^15 7 — in which is 
 included Medicins for the Sick — & a Suit of Clothes for me — I am 
 Just going off to New London — & Cant add only I am wishing for 
 
 * John Smith is described as a refugee, " burnt out of a large property." 
 t Richard J. Hazard, " a hearty Whig," who had served long in the Continental 
 army. 
 
4 i2 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 knowledge how to Conduct & Your Sentiments how far Flaggs are 
 Sacred, &c &c &c. 
 
 Adieu says your afft. 
 [Joseph Webb]. 
 
 TO COLONEL TIMOTHY PICKERING. 
 
 Lt. Infantry Camp, Peeks-Kill, 26^ Aug., '82. 
 Sir: 
 
 The Commander in Chief has directed Me to apply 
 to you for Waggons — and other Matters which may be 
 wanted for the Corps of U. Infantry — with which I am 
 to request we may be furnished with all possible Dis- 
 patch, — we cannot do with less than two Covered 
 Waggons and Three teams to a Regiment, — one Cov- 
 ered Waggon and Two Teams to the Battalion formed 
 from the York & Jersey Line — making in the whole 
 Five covered Waggons and Eight Teams proper for 
 transporting the Tents ; — it will be impossible to do 
 with less than the number mentioned, unless we over- 
 load them. The Quarter Master of the Reg 1 , waits on 
 you he has a list of other Articles which are wanted — 
 he accepts the birth on condition he can have a Horse 
 & Tent from the Public, — I can get none to accept on 
 any other conditions, — A Quarter Master to the Bri- 
 gade is hourly wanted, I am directed by His Excellency 
 to apply to you for one, 
 
 I am Sir Your Most Obe^ Serv 1 . 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb Col ! Comm d s 
 
 Light Infantry. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 413 
 
 FROM COLONEL TIMOTHY PICKERING. 
 
 New Windsor, Aug 27th, 1782. 
 Sir: 
 
 I have received your favor of yesterday. I shall see the Genl 
 this morning & know whether a full complement of waggons is to be 
 allowed the Infantry, if he answers in the affirmative, you shall be 
 furnished in the best manner our circumstances will admit : tho' I 
 see no prospect of giving you more than one covered Waggon for 
 the spare ammunition. 
 
 Such articles as are in Store will be furnished — camp Kettles as 
 soon as a farther supply arrives, which ought to be this week. 
 
 The Adj*. & quarter master of each Reg 1 : must live together in one 
 Tent. I will give them horses while they hold those offices. 
 
 Considering that the separate service of the light infantry, will be 
 but of short duration, and that no active service is expected, I 
 wish to avoid as far as possible an accumulation of expense, as I am 
 unable to obtain what is necessary to satisfy demands that are in- 
 dispensable. 
 
 If a brigade quarter master be appointed, he must have a horse, 
 saddle and bridle, and camp equipage. Can not the regimental 
 quarter Master do each for himself, or by turns for the brigade, what 
 would otherwise be required of the brigade quarter Master? Be 
 pleased to think of this and favour me with an answer. 
 
 I am Sir Your Most Ob 1 . Ser 1 . 
 
 Tim. Pickering 
 
 Q. M. G. 
 
 FROM COLONEL STEWART. 
 
 V. P. Point, Sept. 3, 1782. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 The York & Jersey Infantry Companys not having been Inspected 
 for the Month of July, I must request you would Issue an Order for 
 their being ready on the 5* h Inst, & on the 13^ of this month the 
 whole Corps will be Inspected ; when I presume the Comm r in 
 Chief, &ca, will be present. The rolls for the York & Jersey Compy s 
 
4 i4 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 I now send, & shall in a day or two forward a suffy for the whole for 
 the month of August. 8 o'clock will be the hour on the $*}* 
 
 I am y r . s sincerely 
 
 W. Stewart 
 Col? I. N. Army. 
 
 TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 LT Infantry Camp, 4? 1 Sept 1 : , 1782. 
 Immediately after your Excellency's orders of the 
 21 s * of August organizing the Battalions and Reg 1 ? 
 which composed the Corps of Light-Infantry, we as- 
 sembled on the Heights of Peeks-Kill, — by the unani- 
 mous Voice of the Field Officers then present, we 
 posted the eldest Captain of a Battalion on the right, 
 the Second on the Left, & so on agreeable to their 
 Rank, having no reference to the States or Regiments 
 from which the Companies were detached — this Mode 
 was in our opinion the only consistent one, no other 
 would have given satisfaction. The York and Jersey 
 Battalion had before their joining us proceeded on the 
 same principle, — Capt. Blicker of the N York Line 
 being eldest has the right, the second New York the 
 Left the two Jersey Companies the Centre. — on their 
 arrival the Brigade was form'd agreeable to the above 
 principle, — my Regiment on the right Col° Jacksons 
 Regiment on the Left and Major Formans Battalion in 
 the Centre. — Some days since I found an uneasiness 
 existed among some of the officers of Major Forman's 
 Battalion, that they were not on the Right, claiming it 
 (against every other principle on which they had 
 formed their Battalion) upon the Geographical plan of 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 415 
 
 encamping, — I have promised Major Forman to lay 
 the matter before your Excellency, but told him unless 
 I received your positive orders I could not think of 
 altering his position, as it was against every rule laid 
 down in the regulations, for a Major Commanding a 
 detached Battalion, to take the right of Colonels Com- 
 manding Regiments. Your Excellency's sentiments 
 may prevent much uneasiness. 
 
 We are at present obliged to draw our provision 
 from Stony-point, by draughts of two days, the Com- 
 missary will not Issue it until the day the provision is 
 due, and then frequently at the close of it — by this 
 means we are out of Provision from the middle of the 
 Second to the close of the Third day, which causes un- 
 easiness among the Troops, — and Might in case of a 
 Sudden Movement be injurious to the service, — If Mr. 
 Sands would order the cattle to be drove near us, the 
 Flour might be transported by water which would 
 remedy the Evil complained of. 
 
 The Companies of Infantry being detached from dif- 
 ferent Regiments, we have requested Due Bills to be 
 given by Companies to prevent trouble and Confusion 
 when the Infantry are disbanded, — this is refused by 
 the Issuing Commissary. 
 
 With respect & esteem I am Your Excellency's 
 Most obed*. Hum e Serv 1 . 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 Armourers wanting. 
 
4 i 6 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 FROM EDWARD HAND. 
 
 Camp Verplanks Point 
 6 September, 1782. 
 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 By direction of the Commander-in-chief I send you two of the 
 L* Infantry Standards, one for the use of your own and the other for 
 Col. Jackson's Reg 1 . 
 
 I am very sincerely yours 
 
 Edw? Hand 
 A. Genl 
 
 FROM MAJOR DAVID SMITH. 
 
 Quarters, near Pinesbridge, Sept . 7th, 1782. 
 Dear Colonel : 
 
 Lieu 4 . Mansfield return? last evening from a tour down towards 
 Kingsbridge — he lay one day within two Miles of the Bridge, con- 
 ceal? his party with a View of intercepting some of the Enemy's 
 small parties, but could not get sight of them. 
 
 By an inhabitant which he took up he was inform? , that the 
 Enemy were seldom on this side the Bridge, and then in parties of 
 three or four hun? strong — That the inhabitants and Army were 
 much distress? for water, the drouth being very severe there — A new 
 Camp was forming on the heights south of Harleam plain, extending 
 from River to River — The paper of the 4* inst is the only one I 
 have been able to obtain 
 
 I am dear, Col? Your very humble Serv* 
 
 D. Smith.* 
 
 *In 1775, David Smith, of Waterbury, was an ensign in the 8th company of 
 Colonel David Wooster's Connecticut regiment. In April, 1776, he was made a 
 Captain and given a company in Colonel Elmore's regiment, doing service at 
 Burnetsfield, German Flats. At Valley Forge he acted as sub-inspector of Var- 
 num's brigade, promoted to Major in March, 1778, in the 5th Connecticut regi- 
 ment, and served as sub-inspector of the 1st Connecticut Brigade to July, 1781. 
 In 1782 he was attached to the Light Infantry under Colonel Webb. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 417 
 
 FROM JOSEPH WEBB. 
 
 Wethersfield, 14 September, 1782* 
 Dear Brother : 
 
 I have your's before me — I am sensible our Enemies may for an 
 hour or two be pleased with the late attack upon me — but it's im- 
 possible that a good feeling mind can long retain even a thought 
 that I was imprudent — unless they ungenerously Judge by Events.. 
 
 The Gov* & all ranks of people pity & say I am cruely used — 
 What the Law will do is uncertain — Thursday fortnight will most 
 likely determine — I have long since found out that Lt Col H[unt 
 ington] not too much our Friend — yet it's not of the worst kind— 
 it rather rises from his pride & ambition of wishing to Command 
 equal to you — He thinks quite enough of Himself as a Gent n or a 
 Soldier — I will write you when I may have more leisure — The par- 
 ticulars of the Seizure of the jfersey — it strikes me as a thing out of 
 all rules of Laws of Nations that Flags shou'd be trifled with — I 
 shall dispute them Inch by Inch. Barny [Deane] has moved to 
 Hartford & behaves friendly & Clever — He has lately met with a 
 Heavy loss of a fine Sloop Cap* Neason bound to the Havana — 
 taken by a British Frigate & Carried into Jamacia — Cap 1 . Charles 
 Bulkley in a 14-Gun Frig* from New London (in the Employ of 
 Rogers Hurlburt Gelson & the Refugees living at Haddam — has 
 been fortunate Enough to take a Ship, Brig & Schooner, loaded with 
 Rum, Sugar & Coffee from Jamacia — Total Will be Equal to ab* 
 100 HEP? Jam* Sugar — it makes N. London lively & Clever — I wish 
 you would write me fully what my Friends & Enemies say on the 
 Subject of the Flag — do collect what you Can to help the Cause — I 
 do not believe even in the Jersies they take the Vessel — they must 
 be too sacred (?) — I have wrote the above on a full Gallop — may 
 Heaven bless you, says all your Friends & Connections this way — 
 do Write me directly on the Rec 1 . of this & continue to untill I have 
 
 more leisure. As to M debt — it has long been paid into abl ^10 
 
 — would you wish me to move half the old Barn on Deane's Lott. 
 
 Yrs Sincerely 
 
 [Joseph Webb]. 
 
 Hetty is geting well 
 
4 i 8 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 JOSEPH WEBB TO GOVERNOR TRUMBULL. 
 
 Wethersfield, 17 September, 1782. 
 Sir: 
 
 After I left Lebanon I went to New London, — & found The 
 Whale Boatmen there, Ready for the trial — but I thought it prudent 
 to have it put offuntill I had M* Elsworth — I think your Excellency 
 feels for me, I am ill used ; I am hurt — The Sacredness of the Flag 
 is not violated on my side — but much so on theirs — I have been a 
 most faithful Servant in this last Voyage to New York to the State of 
 Connecticut — I have deserved better treatment than I have met 
 with — The late Law was made while I was gone to Boston, I never 
 heard of it, untill the Seizure — but yet I can't even think I have of- 
 fended the meaning of even the last Law — as Colo M? Clanan has 
 sent you an Extract from one Josiah Smith a bad fellow — which I 
 give you my word is a bad fellow — , I take the Liberty to enclose 
 your Excellency, Copies of one or Two Evidences open'd in Court 
 unknown to me — I have the pleasure to tell you The Friends, — in- 
 deed I may say all ranks of people in Hartford Weth? Mid 1 , think 
 me injur'd — is it possible that your Flag shou'd be thus treated ? — 
 am I thus to be abused ill treated & no remedy. — the Expense is 
 great — This is the 7* Time I have been into York, if I have not 
 done to your acceptance — if I have not done well, pray Write me 
 so — blame me fully without reserve — let me urge your Excellency to 
 
 Write me on the Subject as for. M T . Halsey — . He has taken 
 
 up against me altho : I Wrote him Two Letters on my first getting 
 home — He possibly will say He was first Engaged on the other side, 
 I may think for myself. The Court is adjourned to the 25^ Ins 1 , 
 at Norwich — What said M* Hill — h — [Hillhouse?] to Your Excel- 
 lency when He last saw you? — it will not bear reflection, I am 
 unjustly treated. — can it be the Spirit of the Law? No .writs im- 
 possible — the Letter of the Law will condemn any & Everything — 
 what said Halsey — ? but why shou'd I trouble your Excellency — I 
 feel too susceptably — my innocent Character handled — & my pro- 
 perty by a set of Robber's — they say with a Commission — cool Re- 
 flection will see how deeply I am wounded 
 
 has not our family sacrifis'd Enough? have we not taken a warm 
 decided part ? — did I go on to York to please my self or to please a 
 Number of people of all Ranks ; but more particular the friends of 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 419 
 
 the distressed American Prisoner — I have only to say I am sensible 
 
 of Col? W™ Williams, & your politeness — & that I wish for a line 
 
 from you — & that I am with Complim 1 . 5 
 
 Y r Most Ob H Sev*. 
 
 J. Webb 
 I find on Examination including my Clothes, & all the Articles 
 
 realy trifling 
 
 I suppose y\ Excellency well remembers the List — 
 
 is our Government so wanting of power as to give a Subject all 
 
 this unjust trouble — ?* 
 
 FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Head Quarters, Septr 24th 1782. 
 Sir: 
 
 You will cause two days provision to be drawn & cooked for the 
 Light Infantry by tomorrow night ; and hold that Corps in perfect 
 readiness to march at day break on friday Morning next. You will 
 select a sufficient number of Men least capable of Marching, or oth- 
 ers, to take care of your Camp. 
 
 I am Sir Your Most Obed 1 . Serv*. 
 
 G? Washington. 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HUMPHREYS. 
 
 Head Quarters, Septr 2 6th, 1 782. 
 Sir: 
 
 The Commander in Chief has directed me to inform you he would 
 have you commence the March of the Light Infantry at Day break 
 tomorrow Morn? & proceed on the route by the River to the Fork 
 of the Road, just above the Redoubt at Dobb's Ferry (where the 
 Sheldon's Legion was quartered last Campaign,) from whence you 
 will please to detach one Battalion to the height immediately above 
 the Redoubt on the left side of the road — this Battalion is to post 
 Sentinels & keep lookouts on the most advantageous Places — besides 
 these a small scout is to be sent down that Road at least a mile. 
 
 * From the Trumbull Papers in the Massachusetts Historical Society. 
 
4 20 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 With the remainder of the Corps the General desires you will pro- 
 ceed to the Height near the small House where you begin to de- 
 scend the Hill to the Bridge between Dobb's Ferry & our old En- 
 campment, from thence Sentinels are to be kept out, & a party 
 advanced a mile or more on the Saw Mill River Road — A Party is 
 also to be sent along the Road leading to the Camp occupied by the 
 French last year, as far at least as Lord Stirling's Quarters — The 
 movement & disposition should not be made a matter of Notoriety 
 beforehand — you may expect to receive his Excellency's farther 
 orders, at your positions — 
 
 With great respect and esteem 
 
 I have the honor to be &? 
 
 D. Humphreys 
 Aid de Camp. 
 
 TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Light Infantry Camp, October i**, 1782. 
 
 On my March from Dobbs' ferry I fell in with five 
 or Six Non commissioned officers and several Privates 
 who had gone down in a Boat from Verplanks Point 
 and landed near Tarry-town, — on examination found 
 they had a pass from Lieu 1 . Col. Sherman to go into 
 the Country and return at Evening roll call, — these 
 parties have an opportunity of plundering the Inhabi- 
 tants or deserting to the Enemy — it being [a] practice 
 which I conceive dangerous and unmilitary has induced 
 me to report it. 
 
 With Esteem I have the honor to be Your Excel- 
 lency's Most Obed 1 . Serv 1 . 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
SAMUEL BLA CHLE Y WEBB. 42 1 
 
 FROM JOSEPH WEBB. 
 
 Oct? 1, 1782. 
 My dear Brother : 
 
 I snatch a moment to acquaint you that I had the Vessel Clear'd 
 without much difficulty — it was tried at Norwich Meeting House 
 took up part of Two days — the Small presents given Mrs. Webb & 
 some others were Condem'd unexpectedly to every one. Doc 1 . 
 Johnson & Elsworth Shin'd — they beautifully plead my Cause — I 
 met with many Valuable Friends — indeed the vox populi was finely 
 in my favor — the Whale Boatmen had to pay the Cost (except my 
 own Lawyer's) it wou'd please you to see the Approbation of all 
 rank of people that I beat those fellows — they wish they had never 
 met with me. I have had much trouble & vexation with those 
 robbers — I find Mrs. W is not a little chagrin'd at the disap- 
 pointment of the present — but shews as much firmness as its possible 
 for a Lady to do — you know her noble turn of mind & steadiness. 
 
 Pray write me a long Circumstancial Letter from you, all the News 
 you Can think of — is our Friend Col. Smith at Head Q r . or near you, 
 is He Commissary G r . of Prisoners ? — who are his Deputies ? What 
 is going forward at Camp ? who are the Commiss. on the side of the 
 British? — who from us? How long are they likely to be out? what 
 is said about my Flag — what said E. H* & others ? — all these Ques- 
 tions I want answer'd — these last Two or Three Years I have hardly 
 heard from you by Letter as formerly. I am now extremely Anxious 
 to have a lovely long Letter from You — as to family matters I con- 
 clude you hear the Whole from Mrs. B[ancker] who is a constant 
 Writer to you, She appears pleas'd & Happy — as for Hay I realy feel 
 Anxious enough — the Drowth is very Great, I hope to have but little 
 Stock — can I send you two Horses to Sell if they fall choice of Good 
 for Waggon — do Write me on this the first moment you can after 
 Rec* this — how is the Army suplied with Provisions — Roots & Vege- 
 tables. I suppose there is no such thing — wou'd Ten or 15 Loads 
 of Onions sell well if our farmers come down with their Carts Loaded 
 — what can they bring back — perhaps Iron if they can clear five 
 Coppers for four pounds [ — ] they wu'd be content — do turn your 
 Attention to think what shall be done for Butter ; there is but a little 
 
 * Probably Ebenezer Huntington. 
 
422 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 now and there will be much less I fear this fall, perhaps in your 
 Vicinity you Can meet with Some — it's an Object, for a family with- 
 out Butter is distressing — we must renounce Fish & all good Cook- 
 ery — it's very Healthy and all of our Friends are well — The Jersey 
 will be up in i or 2 days, when I shall have her Gompleatly over- 
 hauled — I send you a Copy of Mr. Clarkson's last Letter — I have 
 thoughts of sending of her to Curaso but am not determined — We 
 have not heard as yet from FredV Jay who was Expected Here be- 
 fore this to live in the House of Moses Tryon's late B D[eane's]. 
 The Dancing School goes on quite Clever — Sally shines as one of 
 the first Misses — I cant close without acknowled? the Rec 1 . of sev- 
 eral very Affectionate Letters from you and can truly say I feel a 
 most grateful Heart for them and am happy if I any ways give you 
 the pleasure yours give me — do write most minutely all you can 
 
 think of. 
 
 Y\ Aff Br? 
 [Joseph Webb.] 
 
 FROM FREDERICK JAY. 
 
 POUGHKEEPSIE, 7th Octob : 1 782. 
 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 Your very obliging favor of the 22? ult? covering one from M? 
 Bancker came safe to hand — they would have been answered had I 
 not at the time of their being received labour'd under a very violent 
 remitting fever which lasted me upwards of three weeks. I am now 
 thank God recovering, tho' still confin'd to my House. The fever 
 has left me in a very weak state, tho' I find my strength daily in- 
 creasing. You will please to make my best respects to M\ s Bancker 
 & inform her that my late indisposition has prevented my answering 
 her Letters & that it is still out of my power to do it. You will also 
 inform her we are obliged in consequence of my illness to give up 
 all thought of taking the house at Whethersfield, but are in hopes of 
 paying her a visit some time this Fall. 
 
 I could wish it were in my power to pay you a visit at Camp. I 
 believe it would tend to my advantage, but my present situation will 
 not permit. I must however beg a favour of you, which I make no 
 doubt you'l readily comply with if in your power. I am informed 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 423 
 
 that Col? Wadsworth has not only the supplying the French but 
 American Army's with every necessary, and as I am entirely out of 
 business and being disappointed in receiving any Interest from the 
 Loan office (which Congress in their great Wisdom have thought 
 proper to stop) and upon which I intirely depended, I shall take it 
 kind in you to endeavor to obtain from Mr. Wadsworth some place 
 under him either in the purchasing of flour or other wise, so that I 
 may be enabled to keep myself employed & have it at the same time 
 in my power to do something for the family. If the French Army 
 should move to Hartford (& I am informed they will) I should have 
 no objection of moving there with M r . s Jay provided I could make it 
 turn to advantage. You will excuse my writing thuse freely to you, 
 but I do assure you this last Damnable Act of Congress has quite 
 unhinged me. I would have wrote to M* Wadsworth, but my Ey's 
 at present will not allow me to do it. 
 
 I sincerely thank you for the N Y Paper contai'g M r . Coopers Ad- 
 vertizement, but there is no relief to be had from that quarter at 
 present. 
 
 I shall be happy to hear from you soon. M r . s Jay is very hearty 
 & joins me in assuring you of our sincerest affection & best wishes 
 for your health and happiness. Adieu my D* Sir and believe me 
 to be Yours 
 
 Fred. Jay. 
 
 FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 [private.] 
 
 Head Quarters, Octr 7th, 1782. 
 Sir: 
 
 I was surprised to learn that a CompY of Light Infantry being 
 down the River yesterday without proper orders & without giving 
 notice to the commanding officers of the Post or water guards ( ?) 
 occasioned an alarm in that Quarter — especially after the General 
 Order of Wednesday last was issued in consequence of your repre- 
 sentation of the evils which would arise from such practices — Altho 
 Capt Webb might have left camp before the Order above alluded to 
 was made public, yet as you were well apprized of the impropriety 
 of such proceeding (as appeared by your representation) I cannot 
 
4 2 4 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 think the conduct by any means Soldier like or conformable to good 
 discipline — A repetition of it, I am persuaded will not happen, as I 
 have given positive Orders to Capt. Pray, to apprehend & send to 
 Head Q r . s under guard, All Persons who may hereafter be found 
 down the River in the same Predicament. 
 
 G°. Washington. 
 
 TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Light Infantry Camp, 8* Octo., 1782. 
 
 The enclosed report from Cap 1 . Webb will convince 
 your Excellency that his late movement by water was 
 without my knowledge or consent. 
 
 The orders to the officer commanding at the New- 
 Bridge have in some degree been discretionary about 
 moving down with the whole or part of his Company, 
 always to leave the proper guards at the New Bridge 
 and the Mouth of Croton, and to give me previous 
 information of his movement. — No orders were given 
 respecting his moving by water, as there never has 
 been a Boat left there on any pretence, — the Boats he 
 had were some which had gone adrift from Verplanks 
 point. 
 
 Yesterday morning Cap 1 . Webb reported to me the 
 circumstance of his going down by Water, which I was 
 sensible was unmilitary, but Knowing his intentions 
 were good, — I directed him immediately to go to Head 
 Quarters and report the Circumstances to Your 
 Excellency — he saw Col. Tilghman who assured him 
 he would represent it. 
 
 I have had occasion several times to send Boats to 
 Tappan and the Sloat for Forage — always with strict 
 orders not to go within shot of the Eastern Shore, — 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 425 
 
 Your Excellency will please to rest assured no im- 
 propriety of this Kind shall take place under my 
 orders. 
 
 I have the Honor to be with Esteem 
 
 Your Excellency's Most Obed*. Serv*. 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 The officer now at New Bridge has positive orders 
 not to send any part of his Command more than five 
 or six miles in Front of Croton without particular 
 orders for that purpose. 
 
 CAPTAIN GEORGE WEBB'S REPORT. 
 
 Light Infantry Camp, Octobr 7, 1782. 
 Sir: 
 
 On the 3? Instant while I had the Command at the New Bridge — 
 I was informed by the Inhabitants that two Boats were ashore at 
 Sing-Sing, whereupon I sent a party of Men under the Command of 
 L* Spring to take and bring them to me — On the 5* a Number of 
 Militia Horsemen came to the Bridge in Order to pass below — and 
 I having discretionary Orders concerning going with my Party at any 
 Time without extending the Time beyond 24 Hours thought it best 
 for the Sake of procuring Intelligence to take this Opportunity and 
 that I might not weary my men to put them into those two Boats 
 which L l . Spring brought from Sing-Sing — I embarked on the 5* h 
 about two OClock in the afternoon leaving a Serg 1 . and six at the 
 Bridge a Corporal & 4 at the Ferry with 4 more who were to join 
 those 2 guards as soon as they returned from getting Provision — 2 
 went down as far as Tarry town unmolested in fair view of Captain 
 Pray without his taking any notice landed before Sun down, and re- 
 mained there until 7 OClock at which Time I again embarked & 
 went as far as Dobbs ferry, from whence after leaving 4 men as a 
 guard to the Boats I March'd down in order to see what I could 
 discover and return'd to Dobbs about 8 oClock the next morning 
 and again embark'd to return back — all which Time I could not dis- 
 cern that Major Oliver or Capt? Pray had any Knowledge of my 
 
426 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 being there or making any Signals of Alarm until I had passed Tarry 
 Town on my way back, when Captain Pray fired a gun — I immedi- 
 ately put the Boat about and stood for him — he then fired two more 
 — I still kept on towards him & made Signals to acquaint him who I 
 was — he then pushed off with his Boat & rowed up the River — I still 
 rowed towards him 'till we had got within Call of one another. I 
 hailed him told him who I was and not to be concerned — He upon 
 that gave me Another Shot — I did everything in My Power to make 
 him acquainted. — but all I could get from him was — "To go back 
 again " — I then lay on My Oars until he came up to Lt. Spring and 
 was Satisfied Concerning the Matter — after this I proceeded up the 
 River and returned safe back to my Post. 
 
 My Intention Sir was perfectly innocent and the Reason of my 
 putting the men on board the two Boats was to make it more easy 
 for them — the Horsemen kept slowly along the Shore in a line with 
 me so that had any Discovery been made of the Enemy I should 
 have had Immediate Notice from them. 
 
 This Sir is all the Report that I can recollect of the Matter — 
 I am Sir Your most obed* Most humble Servant 
 
 Ge? Webb, Cap* * 
 
 TO JOSEPH BARRELL. 
 
 Light Infantry Camp, near Croton River, 
 
 Oct' 8*1782. 
 Dear Barrell : 
 
 Your letter of the 23d ult° by M r . Sandy and M r . 
 
 Taylor, was handed me some days since — as I lie three 
 
 Miles from Kings ferry they did not call on me, had 
 
 they I would have been happy in shewing them every 
 
 attention as your friends. I should likewise have been 
 
 pleased to have had an Opportunity of asking them 
 
 many questions about my Boston friends. — I acknowl- 
 
 * George Webb, of Massachusetts, was the first lieutenant in. the third regiment 
 of the line of that State; promoted, I January, 1776, to be a captain, in which 
 rank he remained till the end of the war. 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 427 
 
 edge my friend that I have been guilty of a seeming 
 inattention to you and my Two Sisters but rest as- 
 sured of my warmest Friendship and Esteem, my 
 cares as a Soldier with a large command, want of con- 
 veyance when leisure would have permitted my write- 
 ing and want of subject matter that could have been 
 pleaseing to you and my Sisters, are I think the prin- 
 ciple causes of a long silence. — Promiseing reforma- 
 tion & more attention would perhaps only add to the 
 fault, for such is my situation I can promise nothing. 
 The hurry and Bustle of a Camp life has been more 
 pleaseing & necessary in my late too melancholly situa- 
 tion, than any other could have been, but yet many 
 are the hours I find to reflect on my misfortunes — I 
 see and know the impropriety of repineing at the 
 events of an overuleing power, — yet 'tis hard to prac- 
 tise. 
 
 In September the Light Infantry were embodied in 
 Five Battallions, makeing about Twelve Hundred Men 
 and the command given to Me ; it placed me in an 
 enviable, but very honorable situation — and I flatter d 
 myself the Field of Glory was full in view — but the 
 prospect seems vanished — Campaign is nearly pass'd 
 without our seeing the Enemy — they do not think it 
 prudent to quit their strongholds, nor will the Finances 
 of these United States furnish Money for Horses to 
 drag our Artillery, or Forage to subsist them. — I hope 
 devoutly the War is nearly over, & the next time I 
 enter the lists of an Army, of Republican States, I wish 
 I may be a Corporal. I believe we shall soon get clear 
 of the War with the British myrmidons — but if we 
 (America) deserve liberty, I am Damnably mistaken — 
 
428 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 We poor Dogs shall retire with broken Constitutions 
 & Empty purses, and the Cursed Sin of Ingratitude 
 has taken such deep hold of our Virtuous Countrymen 
 that I expect a chosen few only will know Us. but 
 away the subject it only puts me in a Pet. I intend if 
 Possible to take with me M r f Bancker and spend a few 
 weeks with you in Boston between this and Spring, a 
 winter Evening pass'd at your Hospitable fireside will 
 ever give me a heart felt sattisfaction — tell Sally & 
 Hetty I love them and the little ones about you, — re- 
 member me with the most friendly sentiments to our 
 good friend Russell, Otis, &c &c I enclose you sev- 
 eral New York Papers, they are the latest I can give 
 you, the others up to the 6th Inst. I am obliged to 
 transmit to Head Quarters — none contain any matters 
 of Importance, — no man on Earth wishes you more 
 real Happiness than your 
 
 Affectionate Brother 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Head Quarters, Ver Planks Point, 
 Octr 25th, 1782. 
 Sir: 
 
 After the right wing of the Army has Marched, On Sunday the 
 27* inst — you will remove the Camp of the Light Corps to a con- 
 venient & warm position just in the rear of the Continental Village, 
 where you will remain until further Orders, continuing to do the 
 duty of the Lines & advanced Posts in the following manner : One 
 compleat Company to Mount at the Post of Dobbs Ferry, one Com- 
 pany to be divided between the Block Houses of Ver Planks & 
 Stoney Points, and two Companies to be kept constantly in your 
 front on this side the Croton, these latter should be continually re- 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 429 
 
 moving from place to place, & keeping up Patroles incessantly in 
 such manner, as you shall think best calculated to cover the Country 
 & prevent surprize. 
 
 The Garrison of Ver Planks' & Stoney Point must be relieved be- 
 fore seven o'Clock on Sunday morn? next and all your detached 
 Commands may hereafter be relieved weekly. 
 
 You will Keep up, as far as your situation will admit, a communi- 
 cation with Col. Sheldon who commands at Bedford, & send out 
 Scouts towards the Enemy's Lines, whenever you may judge there is 
 occasion ; reporting to me every remarkable occurrence which shall 
 come to your Knowledge & sending all Deserters who may arrive at 
 any of your Posts to Head Quarters — 
 
 I am Sir &<? 
 
 G? Washington. 
 
 P. S. Altho there will not be a field officer's Command at Dobb's 
 Ferry, yet the importance of the post renders it essential, that the 
 Major whose Battalion is on duty, should be there to Superintend 
 the general business of that Post — 
 
 FROM MAJOR DEXTER. 
 
 Camp, Rhode Island Regj , Novr 2nd, 1782. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 It was in the evening before I reached this place yesterday not- 
 withstanding no time was lost in coming hither. 
 
 The Light Company of our Regiment is to go to the northward, 
 but will be the last Company to embark, and orders will be sent you 
 timely for their detachment. 
 
 I have seen the Soldier who owns the letters of Eloisa & Abelard 
 and no arguments or offers of Satisfaction could prevail on him to 
 part with them. 
 
 I forgot my Sheets which are in your chest at Miss Sweet-lips, and 
 would thank you to deliver them to Capt? Allen who will give him- 
 self the trouble of restoring them to me on his junction. 
 
 I beg you to conceive, that I esteem it one of the pleasures of my 
 life that I have been detached under your immediate command for 
 a campaign and although I Sincerely deprecate the further continu- 
 
430 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 ance of this war, I should be happy hereafter to be plac'd in the 
 same situation. 
 
 My love to Majors Smith, Wright & Capt? Carlile and believe me 
 
 Your most 
 
 Obed* Servant 
 
 J 1 ? S[inger] Dexter. 
 
 TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 Light InfY Camp, Fryday Even? , 8! h Nov 1 ; , 1782. 
 The arrangement of the Connecticut Line has been 
 so Managed that Lieu*. Colonel [Ebenezer] Gray and 
 Major [Benjamin] Throop are in My Regiment, with 
 these Characters (which with freedom I named to your 
 Excellency a few days since) it is impossible the Regi- 
 ment can ever make a Military appearance — 'tis there- 
 fore I am under the disagreeable necessity of earnestly 
 soliciting your Excellency to interfere and give such 
 directions as may tend to the good of Service, — Major 
 [David] Smith (a valuable officer) would have been 
 arranged in my Regiment, but that Col° Swift held him 
 to a promise made at a time when he Major Smith 
 supposed that Lt. Colonel Huntington and Major 
 Wyllys would have continued in my Regiment. — Lieu 1 , 
 Colonel Gray has got unlimited leave of absence from 
 Your Excellency for the recovery of his Health, his 
 disorder complained of, Swell* d legs owing as is uni- 
 versally supposed and believed to too free a use of Spir- 
 its, and he gives out he has no expectation of joining 
 until the opening of next Campaign — when to appear- 
 ance he is in perfect Health — I have this day personally 
 told him the general opinion of him, and that he could 
 never be happy in a Regiment under My Command. — 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 431 
 
 it had that influence on him, which May be expected 
 from a Man who from an immoderate use of Liquors 
 becomes a Brute, — was he to continue with us some 
 steps might be taken, either to rid the Army of, or re- 
 form him, this is not a sentiment of mine singly, but 
 that of General Huntington and a Majority of the Field 
 Officers of our Line. — too Many officers have been 
 keep on our Muster Rolls — Sick Absent, & I have no 
 reason to suppose but that this will be the case with 
 Col. Gray to the end of the War, if he is permitted to 
 retire on furlough — I Mentioned to him he Must pre- 
 pare to return by the i s . fc of January as I should procure 
 an order for that purpose, his answer was he should 
 not attend to it, as his Health would not permit, — I 
 mention this only to show your Excellency the benefit 
 that might arise from his continuing in Camp. 
 
 Major Throop is I believe an Honest Man with 
 personal Bravery. I wish I could add other Qualifica- 
 tions requisite for an Officer. — 
 
 In this disagreeable Situation I am obliged for my 
 Honor and for the good [of] Regiment to request 
 Your Excellency will order me relieved from the Hon- 
 orable and pleasing Command I am now in, that I 
 may attend in person to the new arranging and form- 
 ing of My Regiment, which will be collected at West 
 Point in the course of Two or Three days. — 
 
 When the Regiment is put on a proper footing I 
 shall be induced to request of Your ExcellX leave of 
 Absence, and if the situation will admit, doubt not 
 my reasons to be offered are such that I shall be grati- 
 fy 'd — this is an additional cause of My request to be 
 relieved, as it will take a Month or Six Weeks to put 
 
432 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 the Regiment in that order for Winter Quarters, which 
 I wish to leave it. 
 
 I beg the subject of this letter may be a sufficient 
 apology, for the freedom with which it is wrote, and 
 that Your Excellency will be assured that 
 I am with Much Esteem 
 
 Your Excellency's Most Obed*. Serv 1 . 
 
 Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Head Quarters [Newburgh], Nov* nth, \^%2. 
 Sir: 
 
 As there has been no official Report made to me of the Arrange- 
 ment of the Connecticut Line, I cannot interfere in the matter ; — 
 Nor would I choose to make alterations in it, before the first day of 
 January, when it is to become final, — if there does not appear to have 
 been some deviation from the principles contained in the Act of 
 Congress of the 7 l . h of August, or injurious to the public interest. — 
 The good of the Service, I hoped, would have been the governing 
 principle in arranging the Officers ; and I cannot but flatter myself, 
 the agreements among the several grades of Officers, may yet be 
 rendered subservient to that end. 
 
 As soon as Col [Henry] Jackson shall be able to join the Light 
 Corps, (which it is expected will be the case in a few days) I shaH 
 have no objection to your attending to the particular interests of 
 your Regiment in the Line. 
 
 I am Sir 
 
 Your most Obedient Servant 
 
 G° Washington 
 
 FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Head Quarters, Newburgh, 
 
 Novr 19th 1782. 
 Sir: 
 
 As Lieut Col. Smith is to reside near the Post of Dobb's Ferry, 
 
 for the purpose of transacting the business of his Department with 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 433 
 
 more accuracy facility & dispatch ; he will of consequence have the 
 charge of sending & receiving Flags — and therefore the presence of 
 the Major of the Battalion of light Infantry on duty will not be 
 necessary in future at that Post — You will be pleased to direct the 
 Major on duty to take the immediate superintendency of the 3 
 companies posted at Kings Ferry & on the Lines in such manner as 
 you shall judge expedient ; also give directions to the Captain of 
 the Company stationed at the Beach House at Dobb's Ferry to con- 
 sider himself under the Orders of Lieut Col Smith. 
 
 I am Sir 
 
 G? Washington. 
 P. S. In future the relieving Officer will receipt to the Capt? 
 Command? at the Post for all the Provisions public stores &c. & 
 deliver a duplicate to Col. Smith. — The present Command? Officer 
 will likewise in the first instance deliver to him the Papers relative 
 to the Command of the Post— After the next relief Col. Smith will 
 regularly report to Head Quarters — 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLONEL WEBB. 
 
 At a meeting of the Officers of the Connecticut Regiment, 
 
 Nov. 22? 1782, agreeable to the request of Brigadier- General 
 [Jedidiah] Huntington in the Orders of the 20th Instant, they came 
 to the Election of an Officer to represent them in a Convention to 
 be held at West Point on Sunday the 24th Instant, for the purpose 
 of devising some mode for the Redress of the many Greviances, 
 under which the Army now Labour, when Colonel Samuel B. 
 Webb was Unanimously chosen for the purpose. We are therefore at 
 the request and in behalf of the S<? Officers earnestly to request his 
 attendance accordingly — 
 
 To enter into a minute and particular detail of the many and 
 almost intolerable Grievances through which the Citizens of America 
 in the Field, have struggled, and under which they now groan, must 
 give pain to the mind of sensibility, and call up a train of reflections, 
 upon the suppression of which our happiness depends, and as they 
 must be fresh in the mind of every Officer, the Attempt would be 
 superfluous. 
 
434 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 Notwithstanding we are fully impressed with the Idea, that our 
 Necessities call for the most immediate and effectual relief, yet we 
 wish that our Conduct on this Occasion may not be marked with an 
 Intemperate Zeal, and as the Army have exhibited to the World the 
 most Astonishing Spectacle of persevering Patriotism and Virtue in 
 distress we wish not at this late Period, when our troubles appear 
 Verging to a happy termination to cast a shade upon that fame, 
 which we hold equally dear with our Lives, but that our Conduct 
 may be dictated in prudence, and supported with firmness. 
 
 Colonel Webb will be pleased after meeting s? Convention and 
 Agreeing upon some mode of Redress, or Adopting some system to 
 be pursued, to make report of the same, for the Approbation of the 
 Regiment as soon as may be. 
 
 For and in behalf of the Officers of Colonel S. B. Webb's Regt. 
 
 Step? Beits Cap 4 . 
 
 Hez? Rogers Cap 1 . 
 
 Nathan Beers, Lieu* 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL TILGHMAN. 
 
 Head Quarters, 26 Novem. 1782. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 I have your favor of yesterday, I am of opinion that your inform- 
 ants deceive you as to an embarkation of any consequence of the 
 foreign troops. I believe three or four Reg 1 . 5 of British are certainly 
 under orders. 
 
 Our Finances are not equal to the demands of those persons who 
 are obliged to reside within the Lines. You must therefore endeav- 
 our to make your intelligencers content with the little matter they 
 make by going backward and forward with small Articles. 
 
 The General has nothing just now but to ascertain the sailing of 
 the Fleet and what number of Troops go with it. 
 
 I am, Y* 8 sincerely 
 
 T. Tilghman. 
 
 FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Head Quarters, Deer 2 nd, 1782. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 You will be pleased to order two complete Compy 5 of Light In 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 435 
 
 fantry, to March on tuesday the 3? Ins 1 , to Bedford to assist in cover- 
 ing a Foraging Party, they will remain at that place, untill they 
 receive orders from Maj 1 : Talmadge, who has directions for the pur- 
 pose ; — the men that are detached on [this ser]vice should have 3 
 or [4 da]ys provision ; and I think it will be best to send the two 
 Companies who are stationed near the Crotori — as The Corps of 
 Light Infantry will be relieved, some time the latter part of this 
 week — I am D r . Sir 
 
 Your Most obed* Serv* 
 
 G? Washington. 
 
 P. S. it will not be necessary for the Major of the Battalion which 
 is on duty to go to Bedford with the two Companies. 
 
 TO MAJOR-GENERAL JEDIDIAH HUNTINGTON. 
 
 West Point, Dec 1 ; 2? , 1782. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 In behalf of Col ? Swift and myself & in the Name of 
 the Officers of the Regiment we respectively Command, 
 I this day waited on His Excellency Gen 1 . Washington 
 on the subject of Numbering the Regiments — I ex- 
 pressed to him my own and the united Sentiments of 
 the Officers of the two Regiments, that they ought upon 
 every principle to be numbered according to the Rank 
 of their Commanding Officers — and asserted that it 
 was agreeable to the principles adopted in the De- 
 rangement of 1 780, and that it was a matter fully as- 
 sented to by all the Field Officers of the former five 
 Regiments on the day we were to, & did determine, 
 What Field Officer should continue in Service. After 
 some conversation on the subject — his Excellency, told 
 me it was a matter of perfect indifference to him how 
 they were Numbered; and desired me to present you 
 his Compliments and request you would have the mat- 
 
436 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 ter Determined in the Line — and finally if we could 
 Not determine With you, the matter must be fully 
 Represented to him in writing by both parties — Your 
 Brother Lieu* -Col° Huntington was the Man who first 
 proposed the mode of Numbering the Regiments the 
 day above alluded too. Col° Swift, Butler, & my self 
 one and all replied it was agreeable to the principle 
 fixed on in the year 1780, and all the Field Officers 
 present either said, or agreed to the principle — No ob- 
 jections in any one instance being made, I am therefor 
 to request a meeting may be had of the Officers gen- 
 erally (if possible) before Col° Swift leaves Camp, and 
 with your voice determine this (I conceive important) 
 point, — which at present makes the Officers very Dis- 
 satisfied. 
 
 With real Esteem I am, Dear Sir, Y r . friend & 
 Obed*. Serv 1 . Sam 1 : B. Webb. 
 
 FROM MAJOR-GENERAL KNOX TO COL. SWIFT. 
 
 [West Point], Friday, 6 Dec, 1782. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 The General Committee are requested to meet at Norton's Tav- 
 ern to sign the address and take the last steps respecting its being 
 forwarded to Congress. Will you please to inform Colonel Webb. 
 We shall go from hence about ten o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 I am, Dear Sir, your obe* Serv 1 . 
 
 H. Knox. 
 
 FROM CAPTAIN CARLILE. 
 
 Lf Infantry Camp, Saturday Morning 
 Continental Village, 7 Deer , 1 782. 
 Dear Colonel : 
 
 I cannot take leave of you, without expressing the high sense I 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 437 
 
 have of your attention and Politeness to me while acting under your 
 Command. 
 
 Nothing can add to the happiness I have had with you during 
 the campaign but your testimony of your having discharged the 
 duties of my office to your satisfaction. Be assured my Dear 
 Colonel that I esteem you, and shall with your Permission enroll 
 you among the number of my Dearest friends. 
 
 As I ever regard the recommendation of my friend as an obliga- 
 tion which I am bound to fulfill, I must beg that, if my conduct 
 whilst in the field has been satisfactory to you, that you will take 
 occasion to mention it to my friend General [Edward] Hand. 
 
 Wishing you every species of happiness which the field of Glory, 
 or the tranquility of a domestic life can afford, I beg leave to sub- 
 scribe myself, Dear Colonel, your affectionate Friend and very Hble 
 Serv* 
 
 J[ohn] Carlile 
 
 Please to make my complim! acceptable to Cap 1 . J. Webb. 
 
 FROM COLONELS SWIFT AND WEBB TO GENERAL 
 WASHINGTON. 
 
 West Point, December nth, 1782. 
 It is with pain we are obliged to trouble your Excellency on the 
 subject of numbering the Regiments, had the principles which we 
 adopted in 1780 which has ever given general satisfaction — and the 
 agreement made by all the Field Officers on the first of November 
 last when we met to make the derangement, been adhered to by 
 Col? Butler, we should not at this time had cause to address your 
 Excellency. General Huntington knows and acknowledges that two 
 Thirds of the Officers of the Line are for continuing the principle, 
 he is likewise fully acquainted with the agreement made by the Field 
 Officers on the first of November last, and we presume to add that 
 it ever has been fully his sentiment that the principle was a just one, 
 — one which he approved of and knows has given perfect satisfac- 
 tion in the Line, — he likewise knows to deviate from it at this time 
 will cause the greatest uneasiness with Two Thirds of the Officers of 
 
433 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 the Line, — he prefers the dispute being refer'd to your Excelly — 
 though we conceive it a business which ought to be determined as 
 formerly by an agreement of a Majority of the Line. 
 
 We think it necessary to be particular in informing your Excel- 
 lency that when the reform of 1 780 took place The Field Officers 
 met and agreed that the Regiments should be numbered agreeable 
 according to the Rank of their Colonels or Commanding Officers, 
 this mode was approved of by General Parsons and declared in 
 Division Orders, — had other principles been adopted, the late 5* 
 was and might have continued the i! 1 — in this situation we have 
 since continued in perfect harmony, — at our meeting last November, 
 when every Field Officer of the Five Regiments was present it was 
 agreed, (prior to our determining who were to retire & who to con- 
 tinue in Service) that the Three Regiments when formed should be 
 numbered according to the Rank of the Commanding Officers, — and 
 we are surprized to find those Gentlemen who were most forward in 
 establishing and renewing this agreement should be the only ones, to 
 request a deviation. Had no principle ever been established before, 
 we conceive this was sufficiently binding, but more so when it was 
 continuing a principle which had been solemnly established Two 
 Years since. We take the liberty of enclosing to your Excellency 
 our letter to General Huntington on the subject, and one wrote Col? 
 Butler of this days date, notifying him of this our application, that 
 he or in his absence the commanding Officer of his Regiment may 
 offer reasons (if any they have) why our request should not be com- 
 plied with. We beg leave to assure your Excellency we should not 
 trouble you on this occasion, were it possible we could have justice 
 done Us in any other way, and were we not fully sensible that the 
 happiness of a large Majority of the Line, and the good of service 
 required, a continuation of the Principles agreed upon. 
 
 With perfect Sentiments of Esteem we are. for ourselves and the 
 officers of our respective Regiments 
 
 Your Excellency's 
 
 Most Obed 1 . Servants 
 
 Heman Swift. 
 
 Sam? B. Webb. 
 
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SkMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB. 439 
 
 FROM MAJOR-GENERAL M c DOUGALL. 
 
 R. House, 15 December, 1782. 
 D» Sir: 
 
 I received your note this Evening by David Gardner, and am 
 much obliged to you for the trouble you have taken to furnish me 
 with a Lad for my Journey. I can with great truth assure you I had 
 no suspicion of your wanting inclination to serve me ; but I know 
 officers in general are reluctant to part with their men, and this in- 
 duced me to conclude they might not be as particular in their re- 
 ports to you of the Qualities of the men as I wished. 
 
 David Gar[d]ner must do, as my time will not now admit of other 
 arrangements. Please to cause him to return with his Cloaths as 
 soon as he can. His assistance will be wanted tomorrow, whenever 
 he can return. I am obliged to you for the information respecting 
 Hector Williams, but for the reason above mentioned, I shall not 
 make the application. I expect we shall set off on Tuesday morn- 
 ing, if the weather is fair. I know of nothing that can detain me ; 
 but the shoeing of my Horses. I wrote General Knox yesterday by 
 Cap 1 . Frothingham of the train, to know whether the Commander- 
 in Chief had been applied to for his permission to the Committee to 
 go to Phil? — But not hearing from him to day, I suspect the note 
 has miscarried. Will you be so kind as to know of him whether he 
 received that note ? and if he has to drop me his answer. 
 
 I am, D* Sir, with great regard, your affec't Humble Servant 
 
 Alex M? Dougall.* 
 
 ARRANGEMENT OF REGIMENTS. 
 
 [Murderer's Creek, 19 December, 1782.] 
 On the i*. of Nov 1 : last by order of Gen 1 . Huntington the Field 
 officers of the five Connect Reg 1 . 8 met to determine which of them 
 were to continue in service after agreeing to a mode to proceed in. 
 L*. Colonel Huntington requested the number? of Reg 18 might be 
 determined on prior to our writing our names and proposed that 
 they should be 1. 2. 3 according to the Rank of their commanding 
 Officers, — to which Col? Swift replied (then holding the Pen in his 
 
 * McDougall wanted a waiter to accompany him to Philadelphia. 
 
440 CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNALS OF 
 
 hand) that it was agreeable to the principles established in the Line 
 and from which he imagined no one would think of deviateing, — 
 Col? Webb and several others spoke to the same purpose, whether 
 every one present absolutely said Yes is not material, the greater 
 part however did — and several added, that principle was established 
 by the general voice of the Line in 1 780. 
 
 And we do positively declare that not a officer present made the 
 least objection to the principle, but assented to it, nor did we ever 
 know any attempt to introduce the principle now pressed by Col? 
 Butler untill 12 or 14 days after when Colonels Butler, Swift & Webb 
 were makeing out a report to General Huntington in which we an- 
 nexed the number of regiments. Colonel Butler said he would sign 
 no paper by which it could appear that he was the cause of haveing 
 the number of the Regiment he then commanded, altered, — could it 
 have been supposed by us that a dispute of this kind would have 
 arose after this our agreement, & which was agreeable to the princi- 
 ples on which the Line was formed, we should undoubtedly had it 
 made in writing — for with confidence we presume to say had a mat- 
 ter of that kind been proposed it would have been agreed to, unless 
 it had been acknowledged that an agreement made in that way was 
 equally binding as though it had all our Signatures to it. present 
 Colos Majors L* Colonels 
 
 [Heman] Swift [David] Smith [Jonathan] Johnson 
 
 [Samuel B.] Webb [Benjamin] Throop [Ebenezer] Huntington 
 [Zebulon] Butler [John P.] Wyllys [Ebenezer] Gray. 
 
 L*. Col Com^ [Isaac] [Wills] Clift 
 
 Sherman [Joseph A.] Wright 
 
 [Thomas] Grosvenor [Robert] Warner 
 
 FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL SMITH. 
 
 Dobb's Ferry, 25th Dec'r, 1782. 
 My D'r Webb : 
 
 You are too well assured of my friendship to attribute my silence 
 to anything that can be injurious to the sentiment upon which it is 
 founded. The true reason is, that I am so pressed, Front, Flank & 
 Rear, with official business, that my pen is constantly imployed. I 
 have not since I saw you, had the least intermission, but have been 
 
SAMUEL BLACHLEY WEBB, 
 
 confined almost as closely as Mars, that Harsh murdering deity of 
 war, as I formerly was by the God of Love, who assisted by his 
 mother, spread the silken net with an enchanting grace, & proved 
 more successful in his capture than I believe his intentions were en- 
 titled to. However the Little Villain being almost conquered, I have 
 re-enlisted under the banners of Mars, & shall continue his faithful 
 soldier as long as he keeps them displayed. 
 
 Under whose shadow should I conquer or prove 
 I'll rest — Superior to the arts of Love. 
 
 I find myself running into such a singular train of thought and ex- 
 pression, that I must check myself in pursuing the Labyrinth ; I 
 shall not only involve myself, but lead my friend into difficulties from 
 which we may have trouble in extricating ourselves. Therefore, 
 altering my phraseology, I shall in as plain terms as the English lan- 
 guage will at present furnish me with 
 
 what I intended ab origine, Imprimis — damn it, here creeps in 
 Latin, what will you expect next ? I think I hear you say with the 
 sprightly Frenchman — Vive la Lafayette — well, agreed. For it 
 affords them much mirth & as allies, what makes them laugh should 
 at least in us produce a grin. 
 
 I will, however, attempt to inform you of that which I intended 
 when I sat down should be the subject of this Letter. It is that the 
 prospect of accompanying you to Connecticut has vanished. I have 
 expressed a wish to the Gen'l to be relieved, but he strokes my back 
 with the idea of command, &c, and thinks I had better stay, to 
 which you know I must submit. Inclosed is a letter for Dady. If 
 you visit our friends shake the males by the hand, salute the females 
 for me with your usual delicacy, and tell them it is the present I 
 send accompanied with the compliments of the season. 
 
 I am, D'r Sam, Your friend, 
 
 [William Stephen] Smith, 
 A. D. C. 
 
 * From the Reminiscences of General Samuel B. Webb, 279. 
 
 End of Volume II. 
 
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