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.

PART II.] THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 427
It is also submitted to your option to send or not,
as you shall think proper, an additional number of officers to attend the march of the prisoners through the
country, and to prevent any irregularities that disorderly persons may be disposed to commit.
In either alternative respecting the receipt of the
prisoners, you will be pleased to give the earliest information, to the minister at war in Philadelphia, of your
determinations, that he may be able to make the necessary and timely dispositions to pay all proper attention
to your choice. To expedite this purpose, and for the
convenience of transportation, I enclose a passport for
such officers as you shall think proper to charge with
your despatches on this occasion.
Respecting the other subjects contained in the enclosed resolution of Congress, as they may be discussed
with more precision and despatch by a personal interview between your Excellency and myself, at some
convenient time and intermediate place, such as may
be agreed upon between your Excellency and Colonel
Humphreys, my aid-de-camp, who will have the honor to deliver this letter, I would only suggest, that, in
point of time, the earliest day you can name will be
most agreeable to me. Should an interview be consented to on your part, the governor of this State,
being particularly interested in any arrangements, which
respect the restitution of the post of New York, will
attend me on this occasion. I am, &c.*
* To the principal points in this letter, Sir Guy Carleton wrote in
reply;
" Considering the quantity of tonnage necessary for the evacuation of
this place, and that most part of what we have at hand is now actually
employed in this business, and in the removing of incumbrances, which
must be sent off previous to our departure, I am reduced to the necessity
of adopting the march of those prisoners by land; and I shall accordingly
avail myself of your Excellency's passport, and acquaint the minister at
war of the choice I am obliged to make, and the reasons of it. I cannot