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.

532 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [APPENDIX.
Your Lordship will be pleased to signify your determination,
either to accept or reject the proposals now offered, in the course
of two hours from the delivery of this letter, that commissioners
may be appointed to digest the articles of capitulation, or a renewal of hostilities may take place.
I have the honor to be, &c.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
EARL CORNWALLIS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
York, 18 October, 1781.
SIR,
I agree to open a treaty of capitulation upon the basis of the
garrisons of York and Gloucester, including seamen, being prisoners of war, without annexing the condition of their being sent.to
Europe; but I expect to receive a compensation in the articles of
capitulation for the surrender of Gloucester in its present state of
defence.
I shall in particular desire, that the Bonetta sloop-of-war may be
left entirely at my disposal, from the hour that the capitulation is
signed, to receive an aid-de-camp to carry my despatches to Sir
Henry Clinton. Such soldiers as I may think proper to send as
passengers in her, to be manned with fifty men of her own crew,
and to be permitted to sail without examination, when my despatches are ready; engaging on my part, that the ship shall be
brought back and delivered to you, if she escapes the dangers of
the sea, that the crew and soldiers shall be accounted for in future
exchanges, that she shall carry off no officer without your consent,
nor public property of any kind; and I shall likewise desire, that
the traders and inhabitants may preserve their property, and that no
person may be punished or molested for having joined the British
troops.
If you choose to proceed to negotiation on these grounds, I shall
appoint two field-officers of my army to meet two officers from you,
at any time and place that you think proper, to digest the articles of capitulation. 1 have the honor to be, &c.
CORNWALLIS.*
* Commissioners met accordingly, and arranged the articles of capitulation.
Colonel Laurens and the Viscount de Noailles were the commissioners on the
part of General Washington; and Colonel Dundas and Major Ross, on that
of Earl Cornwallis.