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. 453
TO REUBEN HARVEY.
Head-Quarters, 23 June, 1783.
SIR,
I was yesterday favored with your letter of the 12th
of February, and this day I transmitted the papers,
which accompanied it, to the President of Congress,
with a letter of which the enclosed is a copy.
Your early attachment to the cause of this country,
and your exertions in relieving the distresses of such
of our fellow citizens, as were so unfortunate as to be
prisoners in Ireland, claim the regard of every American, and will always entitle you to my particular esteem. I shall always be happy in rendering you every
service in my power, being with great truth, Sir, your
very obedient servant.*
* Mr. Harvey was a merchant of Cork in Ireland, who had done
many acts of humanity. and kindness for the American prisoners during
the war. He sent certain papers to General Washington on this
subject, who forwarded them to Congress, and wrote to the President
as follows.
"The early part this gentleman appears to have taken in the cause
of this country, and his exertions in relieving those of our fellow citizens, whom the fortune of war threw into the hands of the enemy, entitle him to the esteem of every American, and will doubtless have due
weight in recommending him to the notice of Congress."
On receiving this letter and the papers, Congress passed a vote of
thanks, which was communicated to Mr. Harvey with the following letter
from General Washington.
"Head-Quarters, 10 August, 1783.
" SIR,
" I am honored with the care of transmitting to you the enclosed resolution of Congress, expressing the sense, which that august body entertains of your goodness to the American prisoners in Ireland. Impressed,
as I am, with sentiments of gratitude to you for this expression of your
benevolence, I feel a very particular gratification in conveying to you
the thanks of the sovereign power of the United States of America, on
an occasion, which, while it does honor to humanity, stamps a mark of
particular distinction on you. Wishing you the enjoyment of health,
with every attendant blessing, I beg you to be persuaded, that I am, &c."