The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-10-25 00:00:00, page 3

Philadelphia, O&o. 2g.
)/( to Morning Colonel TILGHMAN, Aid
de-Ca^p to His Excellency, Our illuf
ftrious Commander in Chief, arrived in
town, with the following DISPA TCHES
to the President of Congress
Head quarters, near York, 19th October, 1781.
SIR,
I HAVE the honour to inform Congress, that are
duHion of the British army under tae command of
lord Cornwallis is most happily effected.—The un
remitting ardour which actuated every officer aod soldi
er in the combined army, on this occasion, has prin
cipally led to this important event at an earlier peri
od than my moR sanguine hopes had induced me to
expea.. .
Tae singular spirit of emulation, which animated the
whole army, from the sirs lcommencement of our ope
rations, has filled my mind with the highest pleasure
and fatisfadion, and had given me the happiest presa
ges of fu cefs.
On the 17th instant, a letter was received from lord
Cornwallis, proposing a meeting of commissioners, to
consult on terms for the surrender of the pods of
Yorkand Gloucefler. This letter (the firft which
had passed between us) opened a correspondence :
A copy of which I do myfelf the honour to en
close/ that correspondence was followed by the
definitive capitulation, which was agreed to, and sign
ed on the 19th : Copy of which is also herewith trans
mitted, and which 1 hope will meet the approbation of
Congress.
I should be wanting in the feelings of gratitude, did
I not mention on this occasion, with the warmest sense
acknowledgments, the very cheerful and able assistance
which I have received in the course of our operations,
from his excellency count de Rochambeau, and all his
officers of ever # rank, in their refpedive capacities.
Nothing could equal this zeal of our allies, but the
emulating spirit of the American officers, whose ardour
would not fuffer their exertions to be exceeded.
The very uncommon degree of duty and fatigue
which the nature of the service required from the offi
cers of engineers and artillery of both armies, obliges
me particularly to mention the obligations I am under
to the commanding and other officers of those corps.
I wish it was in my power to express to Congress,
how much I feel myfelf indebted to the count de Graffe,
and the officers of the fleet under his command, for
the diflinguifhed aid and support winch has been af
forded by them, between whom and the army the most
happy concurrence of sentiments and views have sub
lifted, and from whom every poffibfe co operation has
been experien ed, which the most harmonious inter-
Course could afford.
Returns of the Prisoners, Military Stores, Ordinance,
Shipping, and other matters, I (hall do myfelf the ho
nour to transmit to Congress as soon as they can be
collected by the heads of departments to which they
belong.
Colonel Laurens and the vifeount de Noailles, on
the part of the combined army, were the gentlemen who
ailed as commissioners for forming and fettling the
terms of capitulation and surrender herewith trans
mitted; to whom lam particularly obliged for their
readiness and attention exhibited on the occasion.
Colonel Tilghman, one of my aids de camp, will
have the honour to deliver these dispatches to your ex
cellency ; he will be able to inform you of every mi
nute circumstance which is not particularly mentioned
in my letter; his merits,which are too well known to need
any obferva'tions at this time, have gained my particu
lar attention and I could wish that they may be honour
ed by the notice of your excellencyland Congress.
Your excellency and Congress, will be pleased to ac
cept my congratulations on this happy event, and be
lieve me to be, with the highest refpeH and esteem
Sir, your Excellency's
most obedient humble servant,
His excellency the G. WASHINGTON'
president of Congress.
p. S. Tho' I am not possessed of the particular re
turns, yet I have reason to suppose that the number
of prisoners will be between five and fix thousand, ex
clusive of seamen and others.
( No. i.)
ST R, York, Virginia, 17th Oflober 1781.
I PROPOSE a cessation of hostilities for 24 hours,
and that two officers may be appointed by each
fide, to meet at Mr. Moore's house, to fettle terms
for the surrender of the pofts,of York and Gloucefler.
I have the honor to be, fir,
Your most obedient and most humble servant,
CORN WALLIS.
-To his excellency general Washington,
commanding the combined forces of
France and America.
(No. 2.)
Camp before York, 17th oanberg 1781.
MY LORD,
I HAVE had the honor of receiving your lord-ship's
letter of this date.
An ardent drfire to spare the farther effuffion of blood,
will readily incline me to liflen to such terms for the
surrender of your polls of York and Gloucefler, as are
admissible. „
I wish, previous to the meeting of commifhoners,
that your lordihip's proposals, in writing, may be
sent to the American lines; for which purpose a sus
pension of hostilities, during two hours from the deli
very of this letter, will be granted.
I have the honor to b-, my lord,
Your lordihip's most obedient,
and mod humble servant,
G. WASHINGTON.
His excellency lieutenat general
earl Cornwallis, communing his Bri
tannic majefly's forces in York and
Gloucefler.
(No 3.)
York, Virginia, 17th October 1781.
SIR, Half past 4, P- M.
I HAVE this moment been honoured with your ex
cellency's letter dated this day.
The time limited for fending my answer, will not
admit of entering into the detail of articles: but the
basis of my proposals will be, that the garrisons of
Y # rk and Gloucefler (hall be prisoners of war with
the cufiomary honours; and for the convenience of
*^ ^wwa# 0&m
the individuals which I have the honour to command,
that the British shall e sent to Britain, and the Ger
main to Germany, under engagement not to serve a
gainst France, America, or their allies, until releaf
ed or regularly exchanged. That all arms and public
(lores, (hall ne delivered up to you, but that the usual
indulgence of fide arms to officers, and of retaining
private prope ty, (hall be granted to officers and sol
diers ; and that the interests of several individuals, in
civil capacities, and connected with us, (hall be at
tended to. If your excellency thinks that a continu
ance of the suspension of hostilities will be necessary, to
transmit your answer, I (hall nave no objections to
the hour that you propose.
I nave the honour to be, fir,
Your most obedient and
molt humble servant,
His excellency general CORNWALLIS.
Washington, commander, &c.
(No. 4.)
Head quarters, before York, October 18, 1781.
MY LORD,
TO avoid unnecessary discussions and delays, I shall
at once, in answer to your lordfllip's letter of yesterday
declare the general balls upon wnich a definitive trea
ty of capitulation mus stake place. The garrisons of
York and Gloucefler, including the seamen, as you
propose, will be received prisoners of war. The con
dition annexed, of fending the British and German troops
to the parts of Europe, to which they refpeftively be
b-long, is inadmiifable ; inflead of this they will be
marched to such parts of the country as can most con
veniently provide for their fublifiance; and the bene
volent treatment of prisoners, which is invariably ob
served by the Americans will be extended to them.
The fame honours will be granted to the surrendering
army, as were granted to the grrifon of Charleftown.
The (hipping and boats in the two harbours, with
all their guns, (tores, tackling furniture and apparel,
shill be delivered in their present state to an officer of
the navy appointed to take poss. Ilion of them.
The artillery, arms, accoutrements, military chest,
and public stores of every denomination, (hall be de
livered, unimpaired, to the heads 01 departments, to
which they respectively belong.
The officers w.ll be indulged in retaining their fide
arms, and the officers and soldiers may preserve their
baggage and effects ; with this reserve, tnat property
taken in the country will be reclaimed.
With regard to the individuals in civil capacities,
whose interefis your lordihip withes may be attended to,
until they are more particularly described, nothing de
finitive can be fettled.
I have to add, that I expe& the sick and wounded
will be supplied with their own hospital stores, be and at
tended by British surgeons, particularly charged with
the care of them.
Your lordship will be pleased to fignify your deter
mination either to accept or reject tne proposals now
offered, in the course of two hours from the delivery of
this letter, that commissioners may be appointed to di
gest the articles of capitulation, or a renewal of hofti
litiea may take place.
I have the honour to be, my lord,
Your lordihip's most obedient servant,
G. WASHINGTON.
To leiutenant-general earl Cornwallis,
commanding, &c.
(No. 5)
York, in Virginia, 18th October, 1781.
S I R,
I Agree to open a treaty of capitulation upon the ba
lls of the garrisons at York and Gloucefler, including
sea men, being prisoners of war, without annexing the
condition of their being sent to Europe; but I expect
to receive a compensation in arranging the articles of
capitulation for the surrender of Yorktown in its pre
sent state or defence. I (hall in particular dOire that the
Monetta sloop of war may'be left entirely at my dispo
sal from the hour that the capitulation is signed, to re
ceive an aid de camp to carry my difpaches to fir Hen
ry Clinton, and such soldiers as I may think proper to
fend as palfeogers in her, to be manned with 50 men of
her own crew ; and to be permitted to fail without ex
amination, when my dispatches are ready; engaging
on my part that the (hip (hall be brought back and de
livered to you, if (he escapes the danger of the sea; that
the crew and soldiers sent as p&ffengers (hall be ac
counted for in future exchanges as prisoners; that (he
shall carry off no officer without your consent, nor
public property of any kind. And I (hall likewise de
sire chat the triders and inhabitants may preferve.their
property and that no perfoil may be punished for hav
ing joined tae British troops.
If you choose to proceed to negotiation on these
grounds, I (hall appoint two field officers of my army
to meet two officers from you. at any time and place
that you think proper, to digest the articles of capitu
lation. I have the honor to be,
Sir, your most obedient
and moll humble servant,
CORNWALLIS.
His excellency general Washington,
commanding, &c
ARTICLES of capitulation fettled between his Ex
cellency General Washington, commander in c^ief of
the combined forces of America and France; his Ex
cellency the Count de Rochambeau, lieu enani generd
of the armies of the king of France,-Great cross of
the royal and military order S . L>uis, commanding
the auxiliary troops of his most cnridian mrjefty in A
merica, and his Excellency the count de Graffe, lieute
nant general of the naval armies of his mod chriftian ma
jesty, commander of the order of St Louis, command
ing in chief the naval army of France in the Chefa
peate —on the one part —And the right honourable earl
Cornwallis, lieutenant general of his Britannic majes
ty's forces, commanding the garri ons of York and
Gloucefler, and Fhomas Sym'onds, efqurie, command
ing his Britinnic majefly's naval forces in York river,
n Virginia—on the other part.
Art. 1.
The garrisons o' York and Gloucefler, including the
offi ers and seamen of his Britannic majelly's (hips, as
well as other mariners, to fur^nd'er themselves prisoners
of war to the combined forces of America and France,
the land troops to remain prisoners to the United
States, the navy to the naval army-of his most chrifti
an majefly. [Granted.]
Art. 2.
The artillery, arms, accoutrements military chefl,
and public ito^s of every denomination shall be deli
vered uninrpar.d to the heads of departments appoint-
ed to receive them. [Granted.]"
Art. 3.
At twelve o'clock this day the two redoubts on the
left flank of York to be delivered, the one to a detach
ment of American infantry, the other to a detach
ment of French grenadiers. The garrison of York will
march out to a place to be appointed, in front of the
posts, at two o'clock precisely, with shouldered arms,
colours cased and drums beating a British or German
march. T ey are then to ground their arms, and re
turn to theii encampment, where they will remain un
til they are dispatched to the place of their destinati
on. Two works on the Gloucefler fide will be delivered
at one o'clock to detachments of French and Ameri
can troops appointed to possess them. The garrison
will mirch out at three o'clock in the afternoon, the
cavalry w th their swords drawn, tr.mpets founding,
and the infantry in the manner prescribed for the gar
rison of York: They are likewise to return to their
encampment until they can be finally marched off.
(Granted.)
Art. 4.
Officers are to retain their fide arms: Both officers
and soldiers to keep their private property of every
kind, and no part of their baggage or papers to be at
any time fubjeft to search or iiifpeftion. The baggage
and papers of officers and soldiers taken during the
siege to be likewise preserved for them. It is under
flood that any property obviously belonging to the
inhabitants of these dates, in the possession of the gar
rison, shall be fubfea to be reclaimed. [Granted.]
Art. 5.
The foldirs to be kept in Virginia, Maryland or
Pennsylvania, and as much by regiments as possible,
and supplied with the fame rations of provisions as are
allowed to soldiers in the service of America : A field
officer from each nation, viz. British, Anfpach and
Hessian, and other officers on parole, in the proportion
of one to fifty men, to be allowed to reside near their
refpeflive regiments, visit them frequently, and be wit
nefies of their treatment; and that these officers may
receive and deliver eloathing and .other necessaries for
them, for which passports are to be granted when ap
plied for. (Granted.)
Art. 6.
The general-flaff and other offices, not imployed as
mentioned in the above article, and who chufe it, to be
permitted to go on parole to Europe, to New York, or
any other American maritine ports,at present in the pos
session o' die British forces, at their own option,and pro
per vessels to be granted by the count de Graffe to carry
them, under flags of truce, to New-York, within ten
days from this date, if possible, and they to reside in a
diftict to be agreed upon hereafter, untill they embark;
the officers of the civil department of the army and
navy to be included in this article: Passports to go by
land to be granted to those, to whom vessels cannot be
furnifheJ, [Granted.]
Art. 7.
Officers to be allowed to keep soldiers as servant",
according to tie common practice of the army. Ser
vants not soldiers are not to be considered as prisoners,
and are to be allowed to attend their masters.
[Granted.]
Art. 8.
The Bonetta sloop of war to be equipped and navi
gated by its present captain and crew, and left entire
ly at the disposal of lord Cornwallis, from the hour that
the capitul tion is signed, to receive an aid-de camp to
carry the dispatches to fir Henry Clinton, and (uch
soldiers as he may think proper to fend to New-York,
be to permitted to fail without oxamination when his
dispatches are ready ; his lordship engaging on his part,
that the ship shall be delivered to the order of count
de Graffe, if (he escapes the dangers of the seas : That
fhefhall not carry off any public stores. Any part of
the crew that may be deficient on her return, and the
soldiers passengers, to be accounted for on her delive
ry. [Granted.]
Art. 9.
The traders are to pteferve their property, and to
be allowed three months to dispose of or remove them;
and those traders are not to be considered as priso
ners of war. Answer.
The traders will be al owed to dispose of their eftfts,
the allied army having the right of pre emotion. The
traders to be considered as prisoners of war on parole.
Art. 10.
Natives or inhabitants of different parts of this
country, at present at York and Gloucefler, are not
to be punilhed on account of having joined the British
army. Answer.
This article cannot be assented to, being altogether
of civil resort.
Art it.
Proper hospitals to be furnifhed for the sick arid wound
ed J hey are to be attended by their surgeons on pa
role, and they are to be furnifhed with medicines and
stores from the American hospitals.
Answer.
The hospital stores now in York and Gloucefler,
shall be delivere 1 for the life of the British sick and
wounded. Passports will be granted for procuring them
further fupplits from New York, as occasion may re
quire ; and proper hospitals will be furnifhed for the re
ception of the sick and wounded of the two garrisons.
Art. 12.
Waggons to be furnifhed 10 carry the baggage of the
officers attending the soldiers, and the surgeons when
travelling on account of the sick, attending the hospi
tals, at the public exper.ee.
Answer.
They will be furnifhed if possible.
Art. 13.
The (hipping and boats in the two harbdhrs, with
all their fores, guns, tackling and apparel (hall be de
livered up in tneir prelent flare, to an officer of the na
vy appointed so take possession of them, previously un
loading the private property previously unloading tee.
private property, part of which had been on board for
security during the siege. [Granted.]
Art. 14.
No arti le of the capitulation to be infringed on
pretext of reprisal, and if there be any doubtful ex
preffians in it, they are to be interpreted according
to the common meaning and acceptation of the words.
(Granted)
Done at York in Virginia, this 19th day of Octo
ber, 1781. CORNWALLIS.
(Copy) THOS. SYMONDS
Publithed by order of Congress,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
Printed by DAVID C. CLAYPOOLS