Cornwallis, Charles Cornwallis, Marquis, 1738-1805 to Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de Lafayette
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04775 Author/Creator: Cornwallis, Charles Cornwallis, Marquis, 1738-1805 Place Written: Green Spring, Virginia Type: Letter signed Date: 18 July 1781 Pagination: 2 p. ; 22.5 x 18.8 cm. Order a Copy
Written by Cornwallis as commander of British forces in the South to Lafayette who commanded American troops in Virginia. Says some of the prisoners settled on for exchange have been sent to Lafayette and that the remainder will be sent on Lafayette's assurance that he will release an equal number of British prisoners and send them to James City Island where the Flag vessels will remain to rescue them. Trusts that Lafayette will keep the newly released prisoners inactive for a reasonable interval until returned British prisoners can be put back into active duty. Separate note written in different hand (the signature cannot be deciphered) says this letter came into his possession through John Armstrong, James Madison's Secretary of War. Written near Green Spring, Virginia.
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