Official Correspondence Concerning Prisoners

 
1. Letter from Joseph Jones, James Madison Jr., Philadelphia, to Gov. Benjamin Harrison, Nov. 26, 1782 reporting (among other things) recent return of 200 prisoners from Canada who formerly lived in Kentucky and "the back settlements of the State."
 
2. Letter from Joseph Jones, James Madison Jr., Philadelphia, to Gov. Benjamin Harrison, Dec. 17, 1782, regarding manner of supplying captives on way to Virginia.
 
3. George Washington, Headquarters, Newburg, N.Y., to Gov. Benjamin Harrison, 13 Nov. 1782 regarding the recent release of prisoners carried into Canada and other items.
 
4. George Washington, Headquarters Newburgh, to Gov. Benjamin Harrison, 11 Dec. 1782 referring to money sent to British Commissary of Prisoners.
 
From: Lois Wark <lwark@phillynews.com>
Subject: Provisions for the returning prisoners
To: RUDDLESFORT-L@rootsweb.com
 
 
To the List:
The following two letters, from Virginia representatives at the seat of government in Philadelphia, talk about the need for funds to assist captives returning from Canada -- and worry about how to raise the money!
Enjoy.
--Lois Wark
 
Source: Library of Virginia
Governor's Letters Received,
June 29,1776-November 30, 1784
Image No. GLR04083
Link Field: http://aries.vsla.edu/GLR/04083
 
Letter from Joseph Jones, James Madison Jr., Philadelphia, to Gov. Benjamin Harrison, Nov. 26, 1782 reporting (among other things) recent return of 200 prisoners from Canada who formerly lived in Kentucky and "the back settlements of the State."
 
Philada. Novr. 26th 1782
Sir
In answer to your Excellency's letter of the 8th as far as it relates to Capt. Pierce, we enclose the late Acts of Congress making further reductions in the army, with the remarks of the Secy. at War on the operation of those acts in the case of that officer. In the latter will also be found such information as the War Office affords on the subject of clothing for the Virginia troops.
 
In pursuance of your request, we forwarded the disposition of the Superintendant of Finance as to an exceptance of Tobo. [tobacco] from Virginia at the current prices in place of cash. His reply was that his agent in consequence of instructions from him had made a proposition to that very effect to the amount of 60,000 Dollars, which had been lying some time before the Executive unanswered.
 
A letter of the 9th instant from Genl. Washington informs Congress that another account had been received at N. York of the evacuation of Charleston, the British part of the garrison having proceeded to the West Indies & the remaining part to Halifax; that the last division of the British fleet was about leaving N. York; that 25 transports from Quebec prepared before this sailing for the reception of troops, had arrived at that place and that intelligence had come to him through two channels for which, however, he could not vouch, that embarkation was actually afoot.
 
Among the captives lately discharged from Canada and now returning to their several homes are included we understand near 200 of men, women and children, who belong to the Kentucky and other back settlements of Virginia. A few of them have already reached this place through the benevolent assistance [end of page] assistance of the Commander in chief. On the application of the Secretary at War Congress have authorized such further assistance as will convey them to their own states. The letter from the Commander in chief above referred to speaks of a number of captives from the same quarter being brought to N. York in the transports from Quebec, and the same account is given by more now here. And because of the latter (?) had not been taken up where it was, it would have necessarily devolved on the hands of the Delegates. But although we have escaped this perplexity, it is not improbable that those who may be sent out from N. York will be thrown upon us, in which case draughts on the Treasury will, we foresee, be unavoidable. To resort to the Treasury of the U.S. for a supply would probably be unsuccessfull, and would certainly lead to remarks which need not be pointed out to your Excellency. We take the liberty of mentioning these circumstances, as well that the Treasury may be apprised of the contingent demand upon it, as that we may know the will of the State on this and similar cases.
 
Your Excellency's letter of the 16th will be answered by the next mail. We have the honor to be with
sentiments of our respect, Yr.
Excellency's Obd. Humble Servants,
Jos: Jones
James Madison Jr.
2nd letter:
Source: Library of Virginia
Governor's Letters Received,
June 29,1776-November 30, 1784
Image No: GLR04175
Link Field: http://aries.vsla.edu/GLR/04175
 
 
Letter from Joseph Jones, James Madison Jr., Philadelphia, to Gov. Benjamin Harrison, Dec. 17, 1782, regarding manner of supplying captives on way to Virginia.
 
Sir . Phila: 17th Dec. 1782
 
We are honoured with your Excellency's favor of the 7th. Our last communicated the measures that had been taken for supplying the unfortunate captives then on their way to Virginia, which we hope will meet the approbation of the Executive. We have heard nothing further of those emported(?) by way of New York - should they be sent out, and their situation call for our aid, it shall be afforded them in the manner recommended by your Excellency, but we fear our execitations to obtain them relief by draughts upon the State, or the Sale of Tobacco, will prove ineffectual - perhaps a similar course may be taken by them, when they arrive, as with those already gone forward. We shall make the attempt and resort to the order you advise only in case of necessity.
 
The enclosed copy of a letter from the Secretary of Congress to Mr. Clarke on the subject of the pasports for shipping Tobacco to New York will shew the conduct of Mr. Thompson in the [can't decipher] and with you to obtain a satisfactory explanation from Mr. Clark.
[No more in this letter about captives from Montreal]
 
From: Lois Wark <lwark@phillynews.com>
Subject: George Washington Letter about Our Prisoners
To: RUDDLESFORT-L@rootsweb.com
 
 
To the List:
The most exciting document I've found in the Library of Virginia's digital copies of Letters to Virginia Governors during the Revolutionary War is one from Gen. George Washington to Gov. Benjamin Harrison of Virginia. It reports the release of the Kentucky prisoners from Canada.
A copy, with the URL, is attached.
You will recall that one of the Mahan daughters, in an interview with the Rev. John Shane, mentioned that they stopped at Gen. Washington's headquarters on their way south from Canada and were warmly welcomed by the general. I believe she said he was then camped at New Windsor. This letter is dated "Head Quarters at Newburg" New York, which is near New Windsor. I'm still looking among the Washington Papers for any direct reference to the prisoners' visit with him. Wish me luck!
--Lois Wark
 
Source: Library of Virginia
Governor's Letters Received,
June 29, 1776-November 30, 1784
Image No. GLR04011
Link Field: http://aries.vsla.edu/GLR/04011
 
George Washington, Headquarters, Newburg, N.Y., to Gov. Benjamin Harrison, 13 Nov. 1782 regarding the recent release of prisoners carried into Canada and other items.
 
Head Quarters Newburg
13 Nov. 1782
Dear Sir
I have been honored with your favor of the 25 Ult. and have the pleasure to inform you that all the Prisoners taken and carried into Canada have been lately released, upon what terms I do not know - about 170, mostly women and children, may be expected here every moment by way of the Lakes -- about 400 more, mostly men, are sent round to New York by sea.
I shall immediately write to General Muhlenberg and direct him to call my officers who may resume to place their recruiting money to their own private credit for arrearage of Pay to a severe account but I hope no other instances will be found but the one you mention.
Your Excellency has been truly informed unto the discipline of the Army under my immediate command, which has arrived to a perfection that reflects the highest honor upon the Officers and Men. I wish I could say you had been as rightly informed as to their numbers. Consider, my dear Sir, I have with me only the troops from New Jersey to New Hampshire inclusive and were the Regiments all completed, they [end of page]
 
His Excellency,
Governor Harrison
 
[2nd page]
would make far from a numerous Army.
The Southern states are, I immagine by this time entirely rid of an Enemy, and I flatter myself that their enspections(?) will not be wanting to send their quotas of men into the Field* -- with very great regard.
I have the honor to be
Dear Sir
Your most Obedient
Humble Servant
/s/ G. Washington
*but how is the
Army to be supported
If the States do not
Furnish the means?
 
[handwritten notation below this: "Washington's note"]
From: Lois Wark <lwark@phillynews.com>
Subject: Another G. Washington Letter
To: RUDDLESFORT-L@rootsweb.com
 
 
This letter from Washington to Gov. Harrison, dated 11 December 1782,follows the one previously posted by one month. It seems to be referring to money that Gov. Harrison was sending for relief of the prisoners. It would be useful if we could find a copy of Gov. Harrison's letter to Washington of November 23, or his appeal to British General Guy Carleton, presumably about the prisoners in Canada.
 
Cheers,
Lois Wark
 
Source: Library of Virginia
Governor's Letters Received,
June 29,1776-November 30, 1784
Image No. GLR04149
Link Field: http://aries.vsla.edu/GLR/04149
 
George Washington, Headquarters Newburgh, to Gov. Benjamin Harrison, 11 Dec. 1782 referring to money sent to British Commissary of Prisoners.
 
Head Quarters Newburg
11th December 1782
Dear Sir
I have received your Excellency's letter of the 23 November enclosing one to Sir Guy Carleton which I have forwarded to New York and I have directed Colonel Smith, our Commissary of Prisoners, to receive any monies that maybe sent out on that account.
I am sorry to hear that the ragged state of your Soldiers in the lines should prevent your recruiting; it cannot be attributed to any partiallity in the Secretary at War. I know that very considerable appropriations of cloathing have been made for the Southern Army but rich is [end of page]
 
His Excellency
Governor Harrison
 
[second page]
the difficulty of getting it transported thro. The Southern states, that it is normally many months on its passage and very often a great part of what is sent never arrives.
When I directed General Muhlenberg to remove to Winchester I at the same time directed him to make his arrangements with the Secretary at War for the necessary supplies for the Recruits. That should come in, and I have no doubt the Secretary at War will pay every attention to his applications that it is in his power to do.
With very great [end of page]
 
[third page]
 
regard also esteem
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your Excellency's
Most Obdient Servant
 
/s/G. Washington