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 II.] THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 195
TO EARL CORNWALLIS.
Camp, near York, 27 October, 1781.
MY LORD,
In answer to your Lordship's letter of this date, I
can only express my surprise, that any of your officers object to a clause, which is essential in every
parole, and repeat, that, however inclined I am to
comply with your Lordship's wishes, I find myself in
the impossibility of doing so on the present occasion.
I request, therefore, that you will be pleased to communicate my final determination to the gentlemen, who
have made difficulties on the subject, and exhort themto sign the form of parole which has been already
adopted, if they are really desirous of going to New
York and Europe. I have the honor to be, &c.
TO THE PRESIDENT AND PROFESSORS OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF WILLIAM AND MARY.
27 October, 1781.
GENTLEMEN,
I accept very kindly the address of the President
and Professors of the University of William and Mary.
The reduction of the British force in this State, for
which I feel myself highly indebted to the noble exertions of our brave and generous allies, is a circumstance which gives me great pleasure, not only as it
affords a return of peaceful security to many of my
fellow citizens, but as it will, I hope, in its event be
productive of more extensive good consequences. The
seat of literature at Williamsburg has ever in my view
been an object of veneration. As an institution important for its communication of useful learning, and