Penn, John (1741-1788) to Theodorick Bland
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04455 Author/Creator: Penn, John (1741-1788) Place Written: York, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter Date: 18 February 1778 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket : free frank ; 29.4 x 19 cm. Order a Copy
Written by Penn as North Carolina delegate to Continental Congress and Declaration of Independence signer to Bland as a Colonel of Virginia Calvary. Says nothing has happened other than General Sir William Howe's agreement to exchange prisoners of war. Since General Howe did not purchase clothing for American prisoners of war in Philadelphia he says Congress has resolved not to purchase "any necessaries for his prisoners with us." Says British prisoners will get same treatment as American prisoners. Claims that Howe praised General Washington, but castigated Congress. Washington defended Congress in his correspondence with Howe though. Says he has not received a letter since Bland left York. There are some repairs to the paper which have caused some minor text loss. Penn's signature is not at the end of the letter, only at his free frank on verso.
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