The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

HARTFORD. August 13.

The following is a copy of a letter from Sir Guy Carlton and Rear-Admiral Digby, to his Excellency General Washington, written in consequence of directions from England, published at the request of the inhabitants of New-York.

New York, August 2. 1782.

SIR,

The pacific disposition of the Parliament and people of England towards the thirteen provinces, has already been communicated to you, and the resolutions of the House of Commons of the 27th of February last has been placed in your Excellency's hands. and intimations given at the same time. that further pacific measures were likely to follow: since which until the present. we have had no direct communication from England: but a mail is now arrived which brings us very important information.

We are acquainted. Sir. by authority. that negociations for a general peace have already commenced at Paris, and that Mr. Grenville is invested with full powers to treat with all the parties at war. and is now at Paris in the execution of this commission.--And we are further, Sir, made acquainted. that his Majesty, in order to remove every obstacle to that peace which he so ardently wishes to restore. has commanded his Ministers to direct Mr. Grenville, that the independency of the thirteen provinces should be proposed by him in the first instance, instead of making it a condition of general treaty; however, not without the highest confidence that the Loyalists shall be restored to their possessions, or a full compensation made them for whatever confiscations may have taken place:

With respect to Mr. Laurens, we are to acquaint you, that he has been enlarged and discharged from all engagements without any consideration whatever: after which he declared of his own accord. that he considered Lord Cornwallis as free from his parole. Upon this point we are to desire your Excellency's sentiments,or those of Congress.

We are further acquainted transports have been prepared in England, for conveying all the American prisoners to this country to be exchanged here; and we are directed to urge by every consideration of humanity.the most speedy exchange-a measure in which not only the comfort, but the rights of individuals are concerned. A proposition has already been made that all exchanges of men of the same description being exhausted, sailors and soldiers shall be immediately exchanged. man for man against each other. with this condition annexed, that your sailors shall be at liberty to serve the moment they are exchanged. and the soldier so received by us shall not serve in or against the thirteen provinces for one year, and from this proposition we do not wish to recede.

We have the honor to be.

Your Excellency's most obedient humble servants,

GUY CARLTON,

R. DIGBY.