To George Washington from Abraham Skinner, 18 February 1782

Sir	Phila. Feby 18th 1782

At a late meeting with the British Commissary, I have effected the Exchange of Sundry Officers as per the inclosed No. 1 and 2.

I proceeded to Negociate this Business agreable to your Excellencys Instructions of the 5th Decembr last “Rank for Rank as far as they woud apply and then by Composition,” but the Enemy Solicitous for the Release of Lord Cornwallis refuse to Exchange the whole of our Officers without reserving a certain Number of them, equal to the Value of His Lordship as the inclosed proposal No. 3.

I shall thank you Sr for your instructions whether I am to assent to this proposal and thereby Exchange our Officers by Composition leaving a reservation of Officers for the Future Release of Lord Cornwallis. I have the honor to be with the highest respect Your Mo. Obt Hume Servt

Abm Skinner

Com. Gen. pris.

DLC: Papers of George Washington.

Enclosure

[9 February 1782]

Exchange of American Officers for British Rank for Rankmade at New York Feby 9th 1782.

American		British
Brigr Genl McIntosh	for	Brigr Gen. O’Hara
Lieutt Colo. Archd Lytle		Lt Colonel Abercromby

We do hereby ratify and Confirm the above.

Josa Loring

Brit. Com. Gen. pris.

Abm Skinner

Com. Genl pris.

[Not transcribed is "An Exchange of an equivalent of American Officers and Privates prisoners of War for Lieutenant General Burgoyne," 9 Feb. 1782.]

Enclosure

Sir	New York 12th Feby 1782

As you have not been able to give me any sufficient reason for refusing to Exchange Lord Cornwallis, I am directed to make a reservation of the highest in Rank of your Officers prisoners, equal to the Value of His Lordship. Vizt.

1	Brigadier General	200
7	Colonels	700
2	Lieutts Colonels	144
		1044

I am with due respect Sir Your Mo. Obt & Mo. Hum. servt

Josa Loring

Com. Gen. Pris.

Memo: Mr Loring assured me on receiving his Letter (of wh the above is a Copy) that he wou’d very willingly assent to the Exchange of all our Officers prisoners (Rank for Rank and by Composition) provided we woud for the present Waiver the Exchange of the above mentioned Ranks.

Abm Skinner

This early access document derives from raw transcriptions, prior to editing and publication in Rotunda's American History Collection. If this document is cited in formal research, it should be noted that it is not a final version, and that the URL you used to access it is not permanent.
Please report any errors or problems you notice in documents.