From George Washington to Major James Valentine Gardner, 2 January 1780
To Major James Valentine Gardner
Head Qrs New Jersey Jany 2d 1780
Sir
You have permission to remain in New york untill the return of Colonels Magaw & Mathews, who are now out with some propositions respecting an exchange of prisoners.1 I have the honor to be sir Yr Most Obedt Sert
G. Washington
Df, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. GW is responding to the request of British major general William Phillips for an extension of Gardner’s parole (see Phillips to GW, 29 Dec. 1779, and GW to Phillips, this date). For the propositions, see GW to Samuel Huntington, 4 January.
The length of Gardner’s parole became tied to the return of colonels Robert Magaw, George Mathews, and John Ely, and Lt. Col. Nathaniel Ramsay from their parole to deliver the propositions to Congress. GW’s request for an extension of their parole (see GW to Henry Clinton, 19 Jan.) apparently prompted him to grant Gardner a further extension.
On 20 Jan., GW’s secretary Robert Hanson Harrison wrote Gardner from Morristown: “His Excellency, General Washington has directed me to inform You, that You have permission to remain in New York on parole, till the Twentieth of next month” (DLC:GW).