To George Washington from Abraham Skinner, 23 December 1781

Sir	Philada Decr 23d 1781

In Obedience to Your Excellencys Commands Signified the 5th instt, I have been to Elizabeth Town and had an interview with the British Commissary-- I proposed to him, (and endeavoured to effect) the Exchange of such of our Officers as remain unreleased for part of the British and Foreign, lately taken at York in Virginia; but the detention of Lord Cornwallis whose Exchange I am not Authorized to enter into, prevented my compleating Your Excellency’s design.

I endeavoured to wave the Release of His Lordship for the present, but as Mr Loring had no Authority to enter into the Business without my consenting to Exchange Lord Cornwallis, an end was put, to our Negociations. I have the honor to be with the highest respect Your Excellency’s Mo. Obt Servt

Abm Skinner

Comy Genl Prisr

DLC: Papers of George Washington.

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