From George Washington to Captain James Rivers, 20 December 1779
To Captain James Rivers
Head Quarters Morristown 20th Decr 1779.
Sir
It does not rest with me to enter upon such a parole exchange, as that proposed in your letter of the 2d and 21st of Novr.1 Nor while the obstructions exist that have been unfortunately thrown in the way of general and partial exchanges, can any thing take effect in this line. When these are removed, it will give me pleasure to concur in measures for your exchange, and to promote the relief of all those in captivity.
Df, in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
James Rivers served as ensign in the 43d Regiment of Foot before promotion to lieutenant on 29 Feb. 1776. He became captain in the 60th Regiment of Foot on 10 Oct. 1778. Apparently consumptive, Rivers again wrote GW on 29 April 1780 seeking permission to go to England (DLC:GW). The 60th Regiment of Foot still carried Rivers on its rolls as a captain in 1783.
1. The letter from Rivers to GW written at Rutland, Mass., on 2 Nov. reads: “You’ll pardon my boldness in taking the Liberty of writing to You, a Priveledge your Politeness (I make not the least doubt) will excuse, when You learn it’s with a View of asking a great favor. viz. I shall think myself under every obligation if Your Excellency will grant me Permission to go to York on Parole purposely to intercede with Sir Henry Clinton to procure his leave (provid’d Your Excellency has no Objection) to go to England. Upon my Arrival in York, I’ll see that there is an Offr of equal Rank immediately sent out on Parole for me” (ALS, DLC:GW). Rivers addressed his letter to GW in “New Jerseys.”
The letter from Rivers to GW dated 21 Nov. reads: “I beg the Liberty of tro’bling Your Excellency with this my third, as I suppose it will be the first, that will arrive at your hands. requesting the favor of your Excellency to grant me Permission to go to New York on Parole, to obtain leave from his Excellency Sir Henry Clinton to go to England. I’ll take care upon my immed[i]ate arrival there, that there is an Offr of equal Rank sent out for me” (ALS, DLC:GW).