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.

210 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [LET. 45.
TO COLONEL SAMUEL B. WEBB.
Valley Forge, 8 January, 1778.
SIR,
I was this evening favored with your letter of the
29th ultimo. I had heard before of your unfortunate
expedition and captivity, and not without concern. It
would give me pleasure to render you any services in
my power; but it is impossible for me to comply with
your request, without violating the principles of justice,
and incurring a charge of partiality. You are sensible,
that we have several officers now in captivity with the
enemy, of your rank and of Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell's rank, who have been in this unhappy situation
much longer than you; some taken when General
Thompson was defeated at the Three Rivers, early in
1776; others at Long Island in August following;
others at Fort Washington; and a further number at
the battle of Germantown. These gentlemen would
surely exclaim loudly against my conduct, and with reason, were any distinctions to be made by concurrence
or authority to their prejudice. So far as exchanges
have depended on me, or as they rest with me, they
have been and ever will be conducted on one principle, namely, to release those first, who were first
captured, as far as circumstances of rank will apply.
There is no other rule by which equal and impartial
justice can be done.
I know there have been some exchanges contrary
to this rule, but they were not made with my privity,
consent, or approbation. In a word, you may rest assured, whenever circumstances will put it in my power
patience, fidelity, and zeal in the cause of their country," one month's
pay extraordinary would be given to each. - Journals, December 30th.