Peak season notice: Shipping for this category may take 14–21 business days after cleared payment. Thanks for your patience.
LOT #42034 |
Starting Bid: $20,000
George Washington Letter Signed Twice...
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Description
George Washington Confronts British Attempts to Reshape Prisoner Exchange Policy: "It is inadmissible, and what I will not accede to."
George Washington Letter Signed Twice ("G:
Washington" and "Go: Washington"). Four pages of a
bifolium with integral address leaf, 8 1/4 x 13 inches; "Head
Qrs" [Bergen County, New Jersey]; July 24, 1780. Written in the
hand of Washington's aide-de-camp, Robert Hanson Harrison
(1745-1790). Docketed on address leaf with franking signature,
"Go: Washington."Written to Abraham Skinner, Deputy Commissary General of Prisoners, concerning the negotiation of prisoners of war exchanges, including proposals for Generals Duportail and Burgoyne. Washington writes, in part:
"...I find by [Joshua Loring's] Letter that the Enemy intend now or at least wish to effect it if they can, to connect the exchange of our Officers and privates, prisoners at New York and Long Island, and to make the release of the former depend on that of the latter. This is evidently the Object at which they now aim. It is inadmissible, and what I will not accede to. Exchanges, from the first that took place between us to the present time, have been conducted on a very different principle, and it was never attempted in any case before to combine the release of Officers and Men together, except in the instance of the Convention Troops...
As to the privates, prisoners in New York, about whose exchange the Enemy appear solicitous at present, it might be remarked that humanity required the measure much more strongly when it was proposed and urged on our part on the 3d of Feby...But waiving all consideration of the motives which induced them then to decline what they now would accede to...
In consequence of directions I have just received for the purpose, You will propose to Mr. Loring to exchange any Brigadier Genl belonging to them in our hands for Brigadier Genl du Portail, who was taken at Charles Town, and, if the proposition is agreed to, You will take immediate Measures for releasing the Officer given on our part, and will obtain an order for the liberation of Genl Portail and for his safe conduct to Philadelphia, or some part of Jersey, if Sir Henry Clinton will indulge him with a passage by Water, or if not, 'till he arrives at such a place in North Carolina as he may mention.
As Lt Genl Burgoyne is not with the Convention Troops, and the Enemy have no Officer of ours of his rank to exchange for him; and as they have several of our Colonels prisoners to them, who can never be exchanged on the principle of equal rank; I wish You to propose for the mutual relief of the parties, his exchange for Our Colonels, as far as it may extend, according to the tariff or grades which were discussed and thought reasonable by our respective Commissioners when at Amboy last; beginning first with the Officers of this rank prisoners in this quarter, reserving One to be exchanged for Colonel Cockler [Col. Johann Wilhelm Kochler of the Regiment Trumbach, German allied troops] and extending it to the relief of those in the Continental line prisoners at the Southward...
I am Sir yr Most Obed Servt.
G: Washington."
A full transcript of the letter is available in the extended description online.
Written in the summer of 1780, at a moment when the war had hardened into stalemate in the North and crisis in the South, this letter finds Washington engaged in a quieter but no less consequential struggle. The battlefield here is negotiation, and the issue-the fate of prisoners-touches rank, honor, and leverage on both sides.
A proposal from British commissary Joshua Loring had introduced a shift in the rules: the release of American officers was now to be tied to that of enlisted men. Washington immediately recognized the danger in the arrangement. Officers carried far greater strategic value, and to bind their exchange to that of common soldiers was to concede an advantage. His response was firm and unequivocal, stating that such a measure was, plainly, "inadmissible."
Washington goes on to propose specific exchanges, including that of Brigadier General Duportail, recently captured at Charleston, and even entertains a broader arrangement involving Lieutenant General Burgoyne, who had been captured following his surrender at the Battle of Saratoga. He writes as a commander who understands that advantage in war is not won by force alone, but by maintaining control over its terms.
Condition: Please see high resolution images for this lot. Flattened folds and moderate toning, with outer pages possibly treated from prior restoration. Moderate to full separations to all folds, including full separation to integral fold; all affecting text; separations reinforced with Japanese tissue on pages 2 and 3. Dampstaining throughout. Evidence of prior mold contamination; treated and inactive. Areas of chipping, tears, and loss mainly along outer right margins of both leaves, affecting text. A few areas of loss have been filled with contemporary paper. Wax seal is partially present but flaking.
References: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press), vols. 27-28 (1780); Mark M. Boatner III, Encyclopedia of the American Revolution (New York: McKay, 1966; rev. ed. 1974).
More Information: Full transcript:
"Sir
I have received Your Letter of the 22d Instant inclosing a Copy of one from Mr Loring the British Commissary of prisoners of the 19th. I find by his Letter that the Enemy intend now or at least wish to effect it if they can, to connect the exchange of our Officers and privates, prisoners at New York and Long Island, and to make the release of the former depend on that of the latter. This is evidently the Object at which they now aim. It is inadmissible, and what I will not accede to. Exchanges, from the first that took place between us to the present time, have been conducted on a very different principle, and it was never attempted in any case before to combine the release of Officers and Men together, except in the instance of the Convention Troops; and the propositions contained in Mr Loring's Letter of the 21st. of June whatever communications he may have thought proper to give since are separate and distinct with respect to the business, and do not in the most distant manner hint at any relation between them. You are therefore to govern yourself entirely by his proposition of the 21st of June and by my Letter of the 12th Instant, with respect to the Officers. [transcript of Washington's July 12, 1780 letter is present]
As to the privates, prisoners in New York, about whose exchange the Enemy appear solicitous at present, it might be remarked that humanity required it much more strongly when it was proposed and urged on our part on the 3d of Feby, and that they thought proper then to decline it and not to give any answer upon the subject till the 6th of May. But waiving all consideration of the motives which induced them then to decline what they now would accede to. You may ascertain with Mr. Loring and obtain Lists from him, of such are really prisoners whom we shall deem as such and fit subjects of Exchange. This will be a good and necessary preliminary step, and such as will facilitate their relief.
In consequence of directions I have just received for the purpose, You will propose to Mr. Loring to exchange any Brigadier Genl belonging to them in our hands for Brigadier Genl du Portail, who was taken at Charles Town, and, if the proposition is agreed to, You will take immediate Measures for releasing the Officer given on our part, and will obtain an order for the liberation of Genl Portail and for his safe conduct to Philadelphia, or some part of Jersey, if Sir Henry Clinton will indulge him with a passage by Water, or if not, ‘till he arrives at such a place in North Carolina as he may mention.
As Lt Genl Burgoyne is not with the Convention Troops, and the Enemy have no Officer of ours of his rank to exchange for him; and as they have several of our Colonels prisoners to them, who can never be exchanged on the principle of equal rank; I wish You to propose for the mutual relief of the parties, his exchange for Our Colonels, as far as it may extend, according to the tariff or grades which were discussed and thought reasonable by our respective Commissioners when at Amboy last; beginning first with the Officers of this rank prisoners in this quarter, reserving One to be exchanged for Colonel Cockler [Col. Johann Wilhelm Kochler of the Regiment Trumbach, German allied troops] and extending it to the relief of those in the Continental line prisoners at the Southward, as far as it will reach according to the seniority of their capture and where this is equal the dates of Commission must govern. There were Two Officers of the name of Robinson, Sons of Colonel Robinson, taken at Stony Point. You will permit them to go to New York on parole, and remain till called for or exchanged.
I am Sir yr Most Obed Servt.
G: Washington."
Auction Info
2026 June 19 The John H. Freund Americana Collection Signature® Auction #6331 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
June
19th
Friday
10:50 am CT
Auction Dates
June
19th
Friday
Proxy Bidding Time Remaining
15 Days
19h 45m 38s
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 0
Lot Tracking Activity: 14
Page Views: 105
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% of the successful bid (minimum $49) per lot.
This lot is in: 1 -
Signature® Floor Session (Live Floor, Live Phone, Mail, Fax, Internet, and Heritage Live):
(Lots 42001-42298) - 11:00 AM Central Time, Friday, June 19, 2026.
[Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session.]
Exhibition Viewing Times, Title Page, Floor Session and License Information
Additional Location Info:
Heritage Auctions - Dallas
2801 W. Airport Freeway
Dallas, TX 75261
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms