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.

524 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [APPENDIX.
of prisoners from you shall have liberty to visit the ships, inspect
the situation of the prisoners, and make a report from an actual
survey.
I take leave to assure you, that I feel for the distresses of mankind as much as any man; and, since my coming to the naval
command in this department, one of my principal endeavours has
been to regulate the prison and hospital ships. The government
having made no other provision for naval prisoners than shipping,
it is impossible that the greater inconvenience, which people confined on board ships experience beyond those confined on shore,
can be avoided, and a sudden accumulation of people often aggravates the evil. But I assure you, that every attention is shown
that is possible, and that the prison-ships are under the very same
regulations here, that have been constantly observed towards the
prisoners of all nations in Europe. Tables of diet are publicly affixed, officers visit every week, redress and report grievances, and
the numbers are thinned as they can provide shipping, and no attention has been wanting.
The latter point cannot be admitted in its full extent; but, if
you think fit to send an officer of character to the lines for that
purpose, he will be conducted to me, and he shall be accompanied by an officer, and become a witness of the manner in which
we treat the prisoners. And I shall expect to have my officer
visit the prisoners detained in your jails and dungeons in like
manner, as well as in the mines, where I am informed many an
unhappy victim languishes out his days. I must remark, had
Congress ever been inclined, they might have contributed to relieve the distresses of those we are under the necessity of holding as prisoners, by sending in all in their possession towards the
payment of the large debt they owe us on that head, which might
have been an inducement towards liberating many now in captivity.
I have the honor to be, Sir, with due respect, &c.
EDM. AFFLECK.