The Connecticut courant, and the weekly intelligencer — Hartford [Conn.], 1781-11-13 00:00:00, page 1

PHILADELPHIA, October 24.
this morning arrived, Col. Tilghman, Aid de
Camp to his Excellency General Washing
ton, with the following dispatches for Con
£ad Quarters, near York, 19th O&. 1781.
sir, .
I Have the honor to inform Congress, that a
reduction of the British army under the com
mand of Lord Cornwallis, is most happily effe&-
cd. The unremitted ardor which actuated eve
ry officer and soldier in the combined army, on
this occasion, has principally led to this impor
tant event, at an earlier period than my most
sanguine hopes had induced me to expea.
The singular spirit of emulation which ani
mated the whole army, from the firft commence
ment of our operations, has filled my mind with
the highest pleasure and fatisfa&ion, and had
given me the haftfelt presages of success.
O the 17th instant, a letter was received from
Lord Cornwallis, proposing a meeting of Com
missioners to consult on terms for the surrender
of the post of York arid Glocelter. Ihe letter
(the firft that had passed between^) opening a
correspondence, a copy of which Ido mymyfelf
the honor to enclose , that cor/efpoiidente was
followed by the definitive capitulation, wnjch
was agre&l to, and signed on the 19th. Copy
of whicn is herewith transmitted, and which I
hope will meet with the approbation of ©eh
grefs.
I should be wanting in the feeing of grati
tude, did I not mention on this occasion, with
the warmest sense of acknowledgement, the ve
ry chearful and able afliftance which I have re
ceived in the course of our operations from his
Excellency the Count de Rochambeau. No
thing could equal the zeal of our Allies, but the
imitating spirit of the American officers,, whole
ardour would not fuller their exertions to be
exceeded.
The very uncommon degree of duty and fa
tigue, which the nature of the service required
from the officers 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.
Iwifh it was in my power to express to Con
gress, how much I feel myfelf indebted to the
Count de Grade, and the officers ofthe fleet un
der his command, for the distinguished aid and
support which has been afforded by them, be
tween whom and the army, the most happy con
currence of sentiments and views have fufifted,
and from whom every possible co-operation has
been experienced, which the most harmonious
intercourse could afford.
Return of the prisoners, military stores, ord
nance, (hipping, and other matters, I (hall do
myfelf the honor to transmit to Congress, as soon
as they can be collected by the heads of depart
ments to which they belong.
Col. Lawrence, and the Vifcount.de Noailles,
on the part ofthe combined army, were the gen
tlemen who a&ed as Commissioners for forming
and fettling the terms of capitulation, and sur
render, herewith tranfmitted,to whom I am par
ticularly obliged for their readiness and attenti
on exhibeted on the occasion.
Col. Tilghman, one of my Aid de camps, will
have the honor to deliver these dispatches to
your Excellency ; he will be able to inform you
of every minute circumstance which is not par
ticularly mentioned in my letter. Uis merits,
WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER.
HARTFORD. :. P^^t-^ ^ H U D SO N and G OODW IN, n^ar the Great Bridge.
TUESDA Y, November 13, 1781.
which are too well known, to need any observa
tions arthrs time, have gained my particular at
tention, and I could with that they may be ho
nored by the notice of your Excellency and Con
gress.
Your Excellency and Congress, will be pleased
to accept my congratulation.on this happy event,
and believe me to be with the highest refpe&
and esteem. „
Sir, Your Excellency's,
Molt obedient humble servant,
GEQRGE WASHINGTON.
P. S. Tho' I am not pofteffed of the particu
lar returns, yet F have reason to suppose that the
number of prisoners will be between five and fix
thousand, exclufiye of feamerifahd others.
His Excellency, the
President of Congress./
No. L ; r
York, Virginia, October 17, 1781.
SIR,
IPropofe a cessation of hostilities for twenty
four hours, and that two officers may be ap
pointed by each fide to meet at M'r. Moore's house,
to fettle terms for the furrendef of the polls bf
York and Gloucester. ~,
Ihave the honor to be, Sir,' four most
obedient and humble fervant,'
CORNWALLIS.
To His Excellency General Washington, com
manding the combined forces of Trance arid
America.'?«
> No. II; ...„
tamp before York, 17th October, 1781
MyLord,. ,
I have had the honor of receiving four Lord
flop's letter Of this date./ An ardent desire to
spare the farther effufon of blood, will readily
incline me to lifted t'o such terms for the sur
render ofyouri posts of York and Gloucester as
are admissible. I with, previous to the meeting
of cornmiffioners, that your Lordship's proposals
in writing may be sent to the American lines ;
for which purpose a suspension of hostilities dur
ing two hours from the ' delivery of this letter,
will be granted.
I have the honor to be, my Lord, yous Lord-
Ihips most obedient humble servant,
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
His Excellency General Earl Cornwallis, com
manding his Britannic Majesty's forces in
York and Gloucester.
No. lit
York, in Virginia, half past 4, P. M. 17th
Slß,(October, 1781.)
Ihave this moment been honored with your
Excellency's letter dated this day. The time
limited for fending my answer will not admit of
entering into the detail of articles. But the ba
sis of my proposals will be, that the garrisons of
York and Gloucester (hall be prisoners of war,
with the customary honors, and for the convoni
ency of the individuals which I have the honor
to command, that the British shall be sent to
Britain and the Germans to Germany, under
the engagement not to serve against France, A
merrca, or their Allies, until released, or regu
larly exchanged. That all arms aml public
stores shall be delivered up to you, but that the
usual indulgence of fide arms to officers, and of
retaining private property shall be granted to
officers and soldiers ; and that the interest of se
veral individuals in civil capacities, and connect
ed with us, fhallbe attended to. If your Excel
lency thinks that a continuance of the suspension
of hostilities will be necessary to transmit your
answer, I shall have no objection to the hour
that you proporfe.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
four most obedient, and
most humble servant,
; - CORNWALLIS.
His Excellency General Washington,,
Commanding, &c/
' No. IV.
Head-Quarters before York, 061. rßth, 1781.
.My Lord,
To avoid unnecessary difeuffions and delays,
I (hall at once,'in answer to your Lord(hip'§ let
ter of yefterdafy declare the general basis upon
which a definitive treaty of capitulation must
take place. The gafrifonS of York and Glouces
ter, including the seamen as you proposed, will
be received prisoners of war ^ the condition an
nexed, of fending the British and Germans troops
to the parts of Europe to which they refpe&ively
belong; is inadmissible § instead of this they will
be marched to such parts of the country as can
most conveniently provide for their fubfiftoce ;
and the benevolent treatment of prisoners which
is invariably observed by the Americans, will be
extended to them. The fame honors will be
granted to the furrehdering army, as were grant
ed to the garrison of Charleftown. The flip
ping and boats in the two harbours, with all
their guns, stores, tackling, furniture and ap
parel, shall be delivered in their prefect Rate to
an officer of the navy, appointed to take possession
of them.
The artillery, arm's) accoutrements, military
chest and public stores of every denomination,
shall be delivered, unimpared, to the heads of de
partments to which they refpe&ively belong.
The officers will be indulged in retaining their
fide arms ; and the officers and soldiers may pre
serve their baggage and effects ; with this re
serve, that property taken in the country will be
reclaimed : With regard to the individuals in
civil capacities, whole interests your Lordfltip
wishes may be attended to, until they are more
particularly described, nothing definitive can be
fettled. I have to add, that I expert the sick and
wounded will be supplied with their own hospi
tal stores, and be attended by British surgeons,
particularly charged with the care of them.
Your Lordfllip will be pleased to fignify your de
terrhination, either to accept or rejea the pro
posals now offered, in the course of two hours,
from the delivery of this letter, that commissio
ners may be appointed to adjust the articles of ca
pitulation ; or a renewal of hostilities may take
place.
I have the honor to be,
My Lord,
yonr Lordship's most obedient, &c.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
To Lieutenant General
Earl Cornwallis, com
manding, &c.
No. V.
York in Virginia, 0&. 18th, 1781.
SIR,'
I agree to open a treaty of capitulation, upon
the basis ofthe garrison of York and Gloucester,
including fearnen, being prisoners of war, with
out the annexing thecondition of their being sent
to Europe ; but I expe& to receive a compen
sation in arranging the articles of capitulation
for the surrender of York Town in its prefers
flat© of defence. 1 shall in particular, desire that
(No. 877.)