Note 295. Letters between General Washington and Sir Guy Carleton.

From Sir Guy Carleton to General Washington.

SIR,

Head-Quarters, May 7th, 1782.

Having been appointed by his Majefty to the command of the forces of the Atlantic Ocean, and joined with Admiral Digby in the commiflion of peace, I find it proper, in this manner, to apprize your Excellency of my arrival at New York.

The occafion, Sir, feems to render this communication proper, but the circumstances of the prefent time render it also indifpenfible, as I find it just to tranfmit herewith to your Excellency certain papers, from the perufal of which your Excellency will perceive what dispofitions prevail in the Government of the people of England towards those of America, and what farther effects are likely to follow; if the like pacific difpofitions fhould prevail in this country, both my inclination and duty will lead me to meet it with the most zealous concurrence. In all events, Sir, it is with me to declare, that, if war muft prevail, I fhall endeavour to render its miferies as light to the inhabitants of this continent as the circumstances of fuch a condition will poffibly permit.

I am much furprised to find that private and unauthorised perfons have on both fides given way to those paffions which ought to have received the strongest and most effectual controul, and which have begot acts of retaliation, which, without proper prevention, may have an extent equally calamitous and difhonourable to both parties, though, as it fhould feem, more extenfively pernicious to the natives and fettlers of this country.

How much foever, Sir, we may differ in other respects, upon this one point we muft perfectly concur, being alike interested to preserve the name of Englishmen from reproach, and individuals from experiencing fuch unneceffary evil as can have no effect upon a general decifion every proper measure that may tend to prevent thefe criminal excesses in individuals, I shall ever be ready to embrace; and as an advance on my part, I have, as the first act of my command, enlarged Mr Livingston, and have written to his father on the fubject of fuch exceffes as have paffed in New Jersey, defiring his concurrence in fuch measures as, even under the conditions of war, the common interests of humanity require.

I am further to acquaint you, Sir, that it was my intention to have fent a fimilar letter of compliment to Congrefs, but am informed it is previously neceffary to obtain a paffport from your Excellency, which I therefore hope to receive, if you have no objection,

for

for the paffage of Mr Morgan to Philadelphia, for the above purpofe.

I have the honour to be, with great refpect, your Excellency's most obedient humble fervant,

(Signed)

GUY CARLETON.

SIR,

General Washington's Anfwer.

Head-Quarters, May 19th, 1782,

I had the honour to receive your Excellency's letter of the 7th, with the feveral papers inclofed.

Ever fince the commencement of this unnatural war, my conduct has born invariable testimony against thofe inhuman exceffes which in too many inftances have marked its various progress.

With respect to a late transaction, to which I prefume your Excellency alludes, I have already expreffed my fixed refolution—a refolution formed on the most mature deliberation, and from which I fhall not recede.

I have to inform your Excellency, that your request of a paffport for Mr. Morgan to go to Philadelphia, will be conveyed to Congress by the earliest opportunity, and you may reft affured that I will embrace the first moment to communicate to you their determination thereon.

Many inconveniences and diforders having arisen from an improper admiffion of flags at various pofts of the two armies, which have given rife to complaints on both fides-to prevent abuses in future, and for the convenience of communication, I have concluded to receive all flags from within your lines at the posts of Dobb's Ferry, and no where elfe, fo long as the head quarters of the two armies remain as at the prefent.

I have the honour to be your Excellency's &c.

GEO. WASHINGTON.

Note 296. Articles of Capitulation of New Providence, entered upon between Don Antonio Claraco y Sanz, Governor of the Bahama Islands, &c. and his Honour Andrew Deveaux, Colonel and Commander in Chief of the Expedition.

I. The government house and public ftores to be delivered to his Britannic Majefty.

II. The Governor, and Garrifon under his command, to march to the Eastern Fort, with all the honours of war; remaining with a piece of cannon and two shots per day, in order to hoift his Catholic Majefty's flag. Provifions for the troops, failors, and fick in the hofpital, to be made at his Britannic Majefty's expence, as alfo vef

fels

1

fels prepared to take them to the Havanna, particularly a veffel to carry the Governor to Europe.

III. All the officers and troops of the garrifon belonging to his Catholic Majefty are to remain in poffeffion of their baggage and other effects.

IV. All the veffels in the harbour belonging to his Catholic Majefty are to be given up, with every thing on board the said vessels, to his Britannic Majefty.

V. All effects appertaining to Spaniards, to remain their property, and the Spanish merchants to have two months to fettle their ac

counts.

(Signed)

Antonio Claraco Y Sanz.
A. Deveaux.

New Providence, April 18. 1783.

Note 297. Lift of the French Fleet under M. de Vandreuil.

Note 298. Lift of the Fleet under the command of Admiral Pigot, which arrived at New York from Jamaica, in Sept. 1802.

Note 293. Letters between Baron de Viomenil, and Capt. Elphinstone, Commander in Chief at the Delaware.

Letter from Baron de Viomenil, to Captain Elphinstone, dated Sept. 15, 1781.

SIR,

The Comte de la Touche, commanding the L'Aigle frigate, which fortune has just now thrown into the hands of your Excellency, is to fuch a degree my friend, and is fo particularly dear to the Duc de Lauzun, the Marquis de Laval, and all the other French

officers,