The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

PARTII.] THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 325
TO SIR GUY CARLETON.
Head-Quarters, 30 July, 1782.
SIR,
In pursuance of an act of Congress, directing me
"to remand immediately Lieutenant-General Earl Cornwallis to the United States, unless the Honorable Henry
Laurens be forthwith released from his captivity, and
furnished with passports to any part of Europe or
America, at his option, or be admitted to a general
parole," I have to request your Excellency, that orders for this purpose may be communicated to Lieutenant-General Earl Cornwallis by the first conveyance, informing him, that, as this order is strictly conformable to the tenor of his parole, I have the fullest
expectation of his immediate return to the United
States, unless the conditions mentioned in the act of
Congress are speedily complied with.
I have the honor to be, &c.*' In reply to the above, after mentioning that he had just received advices from England, which would shortly be the subject of an important
joint despatch from Admiral Digby and himself, Sir Guy Carleton said;
" I may venture so far to anticipate, as to acquaint you, that Mr. Laurens
has been for some time in perfect freedom, and has declared, that he considers Lord Cornwallis as exchanged; but I shall wish, in consequence
of the communications to be made, to receive also your sentiments or
those of Congress on so delicate a point." —August 1st.
Sir Guy Carleton had recently written to the ministry, that he had hitherto declined evacuating New York, for the want of victuallers and transports, and also on account of the difficulty of maintaining a defensive
position while weakening his forces. Mr. Townshend, the secretary at
war, wrote to him, that transports would be immediately supplied from
Quebec, that Admiral Pigot was ordered to take from New York to the
West Indies a part of the troops, and that the remainder were to be embarked for Halifax.
"His Majesty," said Mr. Townshend, " having more maturely considered the importance of the service in the West Indies, is determined that
the war in that quarter shall be confided to you. I am, therefore, to signify to you his Majesty's pleasure, that you embark for Barbadoes, and
VOL VIII. BB