Letter from General Washington to General Howe

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Head Quarters, New York, August 17, 1776.

SIR: I do myself the honour to transmit the enclosed letter from Major French, and at the same time to inform you that his exchange for Major Meigs, whose parole I am advised you have, will meet my approbation. I would take the liberty also to propose an exchange of any Captain you may choose for Captain Dearborn, whose parole I have heard was delivered you with Major Meigs' s.

Give me leave to assure you, sir, that I feel myself greatly obliged by the polite conclusion of your letter of the 1st instant, and have a high sense of the honour and satisfaction I should have received from your personal acquaintance. The different state of the Colonies from what it was last war, and which has deprived me of that happiness, cannot be regretted by any one more than, sir, your most obedient servant,
GO˙ WASHINGTON.

To Lieutenant-General Howe.