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.

382 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [IET. 46.
Fort Washington, if they mean to keep the city, especially the latter, which is the key to the Island.
I would have you by all means exchange the British
convalescents, and direct our deputy-commissary of
prisoners to receive those in return for them, who have
been longest in captivity. You will undoubtedly take
the proper precautions when the prisoners pass our
posts upon the river. You may depend upon having
constant intelligence of the motions of the enemy in
this quarter from me, and I shall depend upon the
same from you. I am, &c.
TO BRIGADIER-GENERAL MCINTOSH.
Camp, Valley Forge, 26 May, 1778.
SIR,
The Congress having been pleased to direct me to
appoint an officer to command at Fort Pitt, and on the
western frontiers, in the room of Brigadier-General
Hand, I am induced, but not without reluctance, fi'om
the sense I entertain of your merit, to nominate you,
as an officer well qualified from a variety of considerations to answer the objects they have in view. I do
not know particularly what the objects are, which Congress have in contemplation in this command; and I
therefore request that you will, as soon as you conveniently can, repair to Yorktown and receive their
instructions respecting them. I have only to add, that
I shall be happy to hear from you as often as opportunity will permit, and my warmest wishes, that your
services may be honorable to yourself and approved
by your country. I am, Sir, with great esteem and
regard, your most obedient servant.