Revolutionary War-dated ALS signed "Th: Jefferson," one page, 7.25 x 11.75, May 13, 1780. As governor of Virginia, Jefferson sends a letter from Richmond concerning a prisoner exchange authorized by General George Washington. In full: "Permission having been granted by Sir Henry Clinton to two American officers to come out on parole on condition that the same indulgence should be granted to Lord Torphichen and Lieut. Hadden of the Convention prisoners, and these gentlemen desiring of going to New York in the flag Patsy, now lying at this place, you will be pleased to furnish them with passports & take proper paroles. Mr. Hockesley & Mr. Collier of the Convention being also exchanged will be pleased to furnish them with passports to New York, taking such parole & prescribing such route as you shall deem proper; unless either of them should choose to go by the flag in which case the same measures will be taken by you as in the case of the gentlemen first abovementioned. Gen'l Washington has informed me of these exchanges." Professionally backed and in very good to fine condition, with light toning, and tiny areas of paper loss, along the folds. Accompanied by a handsome custom-made finely bound full morocco leather case.
In the spring of 1780, General Washington arranged for the exchange of two American officers-Lieut. Robert Randolph and Lieut. Peregrine Fitzhugh, both of whom had been captured at Tappan, New York, in 1778-for British lieutenants James Lord Torpichem and James M. Hadden. Lieutenant Fitzhugh would spend the last two years of the war as an aide-de-camp of General George Washington. An exceptional war-dated letter connecting two of America's most esteemed founding fathers.
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