Unknown [Timeline of Prisoner Exchange Activities]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00508 Author/Creator: Unknown Place Written: s.l. Type: Manuscript document Date: 3 January 1776 - 15 July 1778 Pagination: 3 p. ; 24.6 x 18.7 cm. Order a Copy
Later copy. Listing dates on which important events occurred relating to prisoner exchanges between American and British forces. Entries detail various plans for prisoner exchange. Also specify who is authorized to exchange prisoners and the changes over time in prisoner exchange policies.
1776 Congress authorize W to offer Gov: skene in exchange for James Lovell.
Jany. 3. Jour: Cong: [K Howe]
Jany: 11 "authorize N.Y. Comp of Safety to endeavor to obtain release of Lient: Tiley of Woosters Regiment confined on board the Asia, by exchange with an Officer of the same rank in British Service." [Jour: Cong:]
The same winter, and before, they authorised Committees of Safety to release prisoners on parol. [nothing said about exchange other far.]
April "Forbids Commander of private vessels from ransoming business, without
3: authority of Congress, or committee of safety of the State where the prisoners are brought, if Congress is not in Session." Jour: Cong:
April Congress, resolve that Captain Thomas Gamble be not exchanged, there
9. being no cartel settled. Jour: Cong:
Resolve for exchange of 4 prisoners for 4. Also of 6 for 6. The exchange to be conducted by such persons as the Committee of Safety may appoint. Jour: Cong:
June Prisoners taken by Continental troops not to be exchanged by any
17. authority but the Continental Congress. Jour: Cong:
June Prisoners taken on board merchant vessels not to be exchanged for seamen
18. from men of war. Jour: Cong:
July The cartel entered into by Genl. Arnold with the British Capt. Forster,
10. and only from motives of humanity to save Americans from Indian murder [2] "was" say Congress, "a more sponsion on the part of Arnold, he
Cartel not being invested with power for the disposal of prisoners not in his
at the possession nor under his direction, and therefore subject to be ratified or
Cedars annulled at discretion."
Under the peculiar circumstances of the case however, Congress ratified the cartel. Jour: Cong:
July The Commander in chief of each department is impowered to
22. negotiate an exchange of prisoners - one Continental Officer for one of the enemy of equal rank in land or sea service Jour: Cong:
And each State to have the right to make any exchange they think proper for prisoners taken by or from them - Ibid -
[there follows the provision for the exchange of Ethan Allen and those of his men taken: to be on the same footing as those in the Continental service]
Aug: Lamb was released on parole, from Quebec in August '76- Leak's life
145.
Nov: 25 He petitioned to be included in the next exchange of prisoners.[3]
Nov: 29. Congress grant it.
77 [Jany 2d] Parole surrendered - and he exchanged.
"It was hinted in Congress that should Sir Wm. Howe continue obstinately to refuse settling an equitable cartel for the exchange of prisoners, they would be justified in ordering the fulfilling of the Convention of Saratoga to be delayed, until the United States received justice in that particular." Gordon 299.
Graydon [Dothers] exchanged in spring or summer of 1777.
Aug W authorised to negotiate exchange of prisoners, in such manner and on
7. such terms as he shall judge expedient. Jour: Cong:
Oct. Masters, Officers & seamen taken by continental vessels to be treated as
6. prisoners of war & States recommended the same course as to prisoners taken by privateers. Jour: Cong:
1778. Feby Measures to expedite exchange of prisoners- in pursuance of W. to Genl.
26. Howe of 10 Feby.- Jour: Cong:
March W. authorized to exchange prisoners without waiting for settlement of
18. accounts, and to take measures for a general cartel, as he may judge best - Jour: Cong:
1779. W. may establish a general cartel with the British Commander including
March: 5 the conventional troops: appoint Commes &c: to be final if ratified by the
respective commanders.
April Until a cartel for a general exchange of prisoners is established between
8. the Commander in Chief, the Commander of the Southern Army may exchange with the British, according to Maj: Pinckney's proposal to Lt: Col: Prevost in Feby: last. Jour: Cong:
May Colo: Davis and Harrison's conferences with British in relation to a cartel
10. for exchange of prisoners approved. - Jour: Cong:
July Seamen taken from the British to be treated in every respect as they treat
15. our seamen taken - Jour: Cong:
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