The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

PHILADELPHIA, June 1.

Extract of a letter from his Excellency General Washington to Congress, dated Head-Quarters, May 10.

'JUST as I am closing these dispatches, a letter from Sir Guy Carleton is handed me, covering sundry printed papers; a copy of which, with the papers, I have now the honor to enclose to your Excellency, together with the copy of my answer to him; and I flatter myself my conduct herein will be agreeable to the wishes of Congress.'

Head Quarters, New-York, 7th May, 1782.

SIR,

HAVING been appointed by his Majesty to succeed Sir Henry Clinton in the chief command on this continent, to cruise on the Atlantic ocean, and joined with Admiral Digby in the commission of peace, I find it proper in this manner to apprize your Excellency of my arrival at New-York.

The occasion, Sir, seems to render this communication proper, but the circumstances of the present time render it also indispensable, as I find it just to transmit herewith to your Excellency certain papers, from the perusal of which your Excellency will perceive what dispositions prevail in the government and people of England towards those of America, and what further effects are likely to follow; if the like pacific disposition should prevail in this country, both my inclination and duty will lead me to meet it with the most zealous concurrence. In all events, Sir, it is with me to declare, that if war must prevail, I shall endeavour to render its miseries as light to the people of this continent as the circumstances of such a condition will possibly permit.

I am much concerned to find, that private and unauthorized persons have, on both sides, given way to those passions which ought to have received the strongest and most effectual controul, and which have begot acts of retaliation, which, without proper preventions, may have an extent equally calamitous and dishonourable to both parties; though, as it should seem, more extensively pernicious to the natives and settlers of this country.

How much soever, Sir, we may differ in other respects, upon this one point we must perfectly concur, being alike interested to preserve the name of Englishmen from reproach, and individuals from experiencing such unnecessary evils as can have no effect upon a general decision; every proper measure which may tend to prevent these criminal excesses in individuals, I shall ever be ready to embrace, and as an advance, on my part, I have, as the first act of my command, enlarged Mr. Livingston, and have written to his father upon the subject of such excesses as have passed in New Jersey, desiring his concurrence in such measures as, even under the conditions of war, the common interests of humanity require.

I am further to acquaint you, Sir, that it was my intention to have sent this day a similar letter of compliment to Congress, but am informed it is previously necessary to obtain a passport from your Excellency, which I therefore hope to receive, if you have no objection, for the passage of Mr. Morgan to Philadelphia, for the above purpose. I have the honour to be, with great respect, your Excellency's most obedient humble servant,

(Signed) GUY CARLETON.

His Excellency General Washington.

SIR, Head Quarters, 10th May, 1782.

I HAD the honor last evening to receive your Excellency's letter of the 7th, with the several papers enclosed.

Ever since the commencement of this unnatural war, my conduct has borne invariable testimony against those inhuman excesses which, in too many instances, have marked its various progress.

With respect to a late transaction, to which I presume your Excellency alludes, I have already expressed my fixed resolution—a resolution formed on the most mature deliberation, and from which I shall not recede.

I have to inform your Excellency, that your request of a passport for Mr. Morgan to go to Philadelphia, will be conveyed to Congress by the earliest opportunity; and you may rest assured, that I will embrace the first moment to communicate to you their determination thereon.

Many inconveniences and disorders having arisen from an improper admission of flags at various posts of the two armies, which have given rise to complaints on both sides—to prevent abuses in future, and for the convenience of communication, I have concluded to receive all flags from within your lines at the post of Dob's ferry, and no where else, so long as the head quarters of the two armies remain as at present.

I have the honour to be, your Excellency's, &c.

(Signed) G. WASHINGTON.

His Excellency Sir Guy Carleton.

By the UNITED STATES in CONGRESS assembled, May 14, 1782.

THE letter of the 10th, from the Commander in Chief, being read, enclosing a copy of the letter to him from Sir Guy Carleton, dated head-quarters, New-York, 7th May, 1782:

Resolved, That the Commander in Chief be and hereby is directed to refuse the request of Sir Guy Carleton, of a passport for Mr. Morgan to bring dispatches to Philadelphia.

Published by order of Congress,

CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.

N. B. The certain papers transmitted to General Washington by Sir Guy Carleton, 'from the perusal of which,' he says, 'your Excellency will perceive what dispositions prevail in the government and people of Great-Britain,' were only news papers, votes of the House of Commons for Monday, the 4th of March, and a printed paper entitled:

'A bill to enable his Majesty to conclude a peace or truce with the revolted colonies in North-America.'