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.

246 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [iET.49.
a very great number of theirs to support, and they
few of ours.
In addition to what I have said,.I have only further
to remark, that the gentlemen, who have been named
by me to execute the commission, have objections to
going upon it, unless they can meet those from the
British on fair and open terms. This can only be done
either by withdrawing the secret vote entirely, or by
adhering publicly to the resolution of detaining Lord
Cornwallis, and trying what can be effected under such
circumstances. The last would remove my present
scruples, if it should not be deemed a violation of the
capitulation; but I fear, as I before mentioned, that the
general interest would suffer by the measure. We
never can expect that such a cartel, as will be really
beneficial to us, will be acceded to while an officer of
Lord Cornwallis's high rank and family influence is
excepted, nor indeed while a power is reserved or
implied of being able to deprive of the right of exchange any other officer, who may hereafter as a prisoner of war become entitled to the advantages of a
stipulation of such a nature as a cartel.*
I ever with diffidence enter into discussions of the
above kind, and I am now more than commonly apprehensive, that my conduct may appear reprehensible, as
Congress have been pleased, upon several late applications, to adhere to their former opinions respecting
Lord Cornwallis. Had I not seen new difficulties
arising from restricting his exchange, I should have
* On a consideration of this letter, it was resolved by Congress, "That
the Commander-in-chief be authorized to agree to the exchange of Earl
Cornwallis by composition; provided that the Honorable Henry Laurens
be liberated, and proper assurances be obtained, that all accounts for
the support of the convention prisoners, and all other prisoners of war,
shall be speedily settled and discharged."- Journals, February 23d.