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 iL. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 269
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CO:NGRESS.
Valley Forge, 12 March, 1778.
SIR,
I am happy to find, that my past conduct respecting
citizens, in the correspondence between General Howe
and myself, is approved by Congress. They may rest
assured, that their rights are strongly impressed on my
mind; and that, in all my transactions, every support
in my power shall be given to them. I know their importance; and, in my expected negotiations with General Howe, if possible, I will exempt citizens from
captivity. However, I cannot hope to effect it, as I
cannot demand it as a matter of right; since Congress
themselves, in their original resolve directing a proposition to be made for the exchange of prisoners, mentioned that of citizens, which implied a right of capturing them.
They may also be assured, that General Lee will not
be forgotten. He has all along been a principal object
in dispute; and, so far from doing any thing injurious
to him, his right to be exchanged, and his releasement,
are intended to be placed upon the most explicit, unambiguous footing. Indeed, from the spirit of General
Howe's letters collectively taken, since his agreement
to enlarge the officers on parole in the first instance,
and his extension of it in the last to an exchange,
though they are not free from ambiguities, it may be
inferred, that, on sending in Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell and the Hessian field-officers captured at Trenton,
an exchange of all officers will immediately commence.
It seems to be a point with him, that it shall begin
with them, as they have been longest in captivity. I
have taken the liberty to enclose to you copies of three
letters, which have just passed between General Howe
w