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.

APPENDIx.] HOWE'S LETTERS. 537
With regard to the account for provisions and other necessaries,
which I find by General Heath's letter is become a pretext for infringing, if it is not intended as an absolute breach of, the convention
of Saratoga, I do readily agree to the immediate appointment of commissioners, on your part and on mine, to settle that account, together
with all other accounts for provisions, &c. furnished the prisoners on
either side, and to make payment of the balance.
You have only to name your commissioners (two will, I think, be
sufficient); and appoint a convenient place and time for their meeting
two gentlemen on my part, to terminate the business. The exchange
of prisoners, and the accommodation of the difference that has so
long subsisted between us upon that score, may be adjusted at the
same time by the same commissioners, upon an equitable plan as
formerly proposed by yourself.
These propositions, founded, as they in great measure are, upon
your own suggestions, I consider as now mutually agreed upon between us; and therefore I must hope to find that you are capable of
carrying them finally into execution, without permitting any set of
men to interfere, at their pleasure, with such authority as has been
vested in you, for the exchange of prisoners, and for the decision of
all matters relating to them. As I have no objection to the earliest
meeting of the commissioners for completing the exchange and
liquidating the accounts, I trust there will be no new impediment to
the release of General Burgoyne's troops, but that you will give immediately such orders for their embarkation upon the arrival of the
transports at Boston, as will remove every difficulty. With due
respect, I am, &c.
W. HowE.
Philadelphia, 14 February, 1778.
SIR,
I have received the favor of your letter of the 10Oth instant, in consequence of which I shall send two commissioners to meet those on
your part at Germantown, on the day appointed. The distresses,
which from too good authority I understand the lower class of
prisoners labor under, induce me to request. you will give such
directions as may expedite the exchange of the non-commissioned
officers and private men, in the mode you have proposed; and as the
foreigners and British must be equally desirous of their liberty, and
equally considered in the general release, I trust you will direct that
the prisoners sent in are proportioned as nearly as the numbers of
each in your possession and their situation will admit.
VOL. V. 68