To George Washington from Abraham Skinner, 4 September 1781

Sir,	Elizth Town Sept. 4th 1781

At a meeting with the British Commissary yesterday, I have made the Exchange of all our Officers Prisoners to the Enemy, (except those taken to the Southard) for those in our possession, as per the inclosed List No. 1, and shall immediately proceed to carry it into effect, agreable to your Excellency’s Commands.

I proposed the Exchange of Lt Genl Burgoyne, but the Enemy aware of the proposal for his Release for The Honorable Mr Laurens wou’d not assent to the measure for the present.

Your Excellency will be pleased to Observe from my last Letter and the inclosed Return, that all our Officers as well as Privates, are now Released; what remains Still to be done is to exchange some few Citizens [remaining] with the Enemy, and a few who they claim a[s] holding Military Rank.

With respect to Exchanging the Cedar Prisoners claimed by the Enemy, it now rests upon their making a proper allowance for the Canadian Officers and nothing more will be done in this Business until I have your further Orders.

I have inclosed for your perusal No. 2. and 3. to shew that the Enemy wish to Exchange General Burgoyne against the Cedar Prisoners & a Brigadier General & a Colonel taken at Charles Town.

I am now on my way to the Eastward agreable to the request of the Honble the Board of War and your Excellency’s permission to make some arrangements in my Department in that quarter relative to the Naval Prisoners and shall immediately repair to Camp on compleating my Business. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Your Excellency’s mo. obt Servt

Abm Skinner

Commissy Genl P[ris.]

DLC: Papers of George Washington.

Enclosure

Copy

Sir	Dockers Ferry Staten Island Sept. 3d 1781

I am to propose to you the Exchange of Lieutt General Burgoyne against Brigadier General Irvin, and seven Colonels now Prisoners to you, the Ballance to be paid me in Officers now upon Long Island agreable to their Order of Capture.

With respect to your Claim of the Prisoners taken at the Cedars, I beg leave to remark that their Exchange must depend upon an Allowance of the Canadian Officers taken in 1775 and Sent to you on Parole in 1776. I am Sir with due respect Your mo. Obt Servt

Abm Skinner

Commissy General Prisoners

Enclosure

(Copy)

sir	Staten Island 3d Sept. 1781

In answer to your proposal of an Exchange for Lt Genl Burgoyne, I beg leave to say that Brigadr General Irvine & the Seven Colonels are otherwise applied alluding to the proposal made the 1st August 1781, and at the same time to make you the following proposal for his Exchange vizt

	The Prisoners taken at the Cedars, Value by Tariff		747
	One Brigadr from the Charles Town Prisoners		200
	One Colonel from ditto		100
			1047
	Value of Lt Genl Burgoyne by the Commissioners at Amboy		1044
	If acceded to, will be due the British		3

I am with respect your mo. Obt Servt

(Signed) Josa Loring

Commissary General Prisoners

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