ther wished nor
approve. Upon the first intimation of his complaints, I wrote upon the
subject, and hoped there would have been no further cause of uneasiness.
That, gentleman, I am persuaded, will do me the justice to say, he has
received no ill treatment at my instance. Unnecessary severity and every
species of insult I despise, and, I trust, none will ever have just
reason to censure me in this respect." At this time Colonel Campbell was
not in the gaol but in the jailer's house. On June 2d Congress ordered
that Colonel Campbell and the five Hessian officers should be treated
"with kindness, generosity, and tenderness, consistent with the safe
custody of their persons."

Congress finally decided that General Prescott, who had been recently
captured, should be held as a hostage for the good treatment of General
Lee, and Washington was authorized to negotiate an exchange of
prisoners.

March 10, 1778, in a letter addressed to Washington by Sir William Howe,
he concludes as follows:

"When the agreement was concluded upon to appoint commissioners to
settle a general exchange, I expected there would have been as much
expedition used in returning Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, and the
Hessian field-officers, as in returning Major-General Prescott, and
that the cartel might have been finished by the time of the arrival
of General Lee. If, however, there should be any objection to General
Prescott's remaining at New York, until the aforementioned officers
are sent in, he shall, to avoid altercation, be returned upon
requisition."

To this Washington replied:

"Valley Forge, 12 March, 1778.

Sir:--Your letter of the 10th came to hand last night. The meeting of
our commissioners cannot take place till the time appointed in my
last.

I am not able to conceive on what principle it should be imagined,
that any distinction, injurious to Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell and
the Hessian field officers, still exists. That they have not yet been
returned on parole is to be ascribed solely to the remoteness of
their situation. Mr. Boudinot informs me, that he momentarily expects
their arrival, in prosecution of our engagement. You are well aware,
that the distinction originally made, with respect to them, was in
consequence of your discrimination to the prejudice of General Lee.
On your receding from that discrimination, and agreeing to a mutual
releasement of o