Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-11-17
THE oLDEN TIME.

TIE OLDEN TIME.
n friend placed in oar hands, few .lav. ,ro.
copy Of = Tax PENNSYLVANIA GArrrrr." pub
iissed in Philadelphia, October l,h, ITS, found
among the papers Of Gen. Washington, a, Moun,
Vernon IL is printed on a sheet Of denny, very
huie larger than common writing paper; aud AZ
almost cnsirely 6ilcd ~ iih Gen GAcEs account Of
nc "aftsek Of the re,ioubts and ntrrnchmcut. on
tho Acights Of Chaies,o~n. June u, i77s,r anil
details OF events connevcsd with rcvclutio1ssy
struggle. The most Interesting rvminisccucc,
however, is n corn possisucc between General
Washinstos aud Gen. Gag. The letters u our
rcvcrcd shicftain exhibit An eioqucuce and true
pclitcnc.s which good heart and u good causc
will always inspire. We arc sure our readers wli
pcrusr them with feelings Of pride and rene we'd
vcneratioa for the character Of man Who seesncd
destined BY Heaven for deeds Ct glory and great
ness
THE following Letters are published by
order OF the Honourable Continental Con-
gresal
HrAD-QuAnrEns, Cambridge, Aug. II, I.?5.
SIR: ] understand that the officers
engaged in the cause Of Liberty and
their country, who by the fortune Of
war have fallen into your hands. have
been thrown indiscriminateiy into a
common gaol, appropriated for fclons:
that no consideration has been had for
those Of the most respectable rank,
when languishing with wounds and
sickness-tbat some Of them have been
even amputated in this unworthy stu.
alton.
Let your opinion, sir, Of the priuci.
pie which actuates them be what il
may. they suppose they act from the
noblcst OF all principles, . love Of free.
dom and their country. But political
opinions, | conceive, are foreign to
this point. The obligations arising
from the rights Of humanity. and claims
ct rank, are universally binding and
extensive Except in case Of retalia.
tIon.l These, | should have hoped,
would have dictated a more tender
treatment Of those individuals, whom
chance or war had put in your power.
Nor can l forbear suggesting its fatal
tendencyto widen that unhappy breach.
which you. and those ministers under
whom you act. have repeatedly declar-
cd You wish to see forever closed.
My duty now makes it necessary to
apprize you, that for the future I shall
regulate my conduct towards those
gentlemen, who are or may be in our
possession, exactly by the rule YOU
shall observe towards those Of ours,
now IN your custody.
If severity and hardship mark the
line Of your conduct painful as it may
be to mel your prisoners will feel its
effects. But IL kindness and humani.
~ are shewn to ours, shall with plea
sure consider those in our hands only
rs unfortunate, and they shall receive
from me that treatment to which the
unfortunate are ever entitled.
l beg TO be favored with an answer
as soon as possible, and am. sir, your
very humble servant,
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Has EreeHency, GES. GAeE.
posToS, AUG. Is. 1.75.
Sir: To the glory Of civilized IA
tons, humanity and war have been
compatible and compassion to the SUBJ
dued is become almost general sys-
tenn.
Britons, ever pre-eminent in mercy,
have OUTCOME common examnIes aud