who were very clever fellows and some of the better sort of soldiery, to proceed immediately on board the Vulture sloop of war, as a flag, which was lying down the river; saying that they must be very expeditious, as he must return in a short time to meet me, and promised them two gallons of rum if they would exert themselves.  They did, accordingly; but when they got on board the Vulture, instead of their two gallons of rum, he ordered the coxswain to be called down into the cabin and informed him that he and the men must consider themselves as prisoners.  The coxswain was very much astonished, and told him that they came on board under the sanction of a flag.  He answered that that was nothing to the purpose; they were prisoners.  But the Captain of the Vulture had more generosity than this pitiful scoundrel, and told the coxswain that he would take his parole for going on shore to get clothes, and whatever else was wanted for himself and his companions.  He accordingly came, got his clothes and returned on board.  When they got to New York, General Clinton, ashamed of so low and mean an action, set them all at liberty.”

This closes the account.  It terminates also the use I have been permitted, through the valued friendship of Mrs. Lear, to make of these manuscripts.

R.R.

FOOTNOTES: 

[Footnote A:  Alluding probably to the Nootka Sound controversy then pending between these courts.]

[Footnote B:  The affectionate interest General Washington took in this adopted son is well known.  Mr. Custis still lives (1856) and still dispenses the hospitalities of Arlington, his estate and home in Virginia near the city of Washington; which it overlooks from its beautiful heights.  His house exhibits paintings, illustrative of our revolutionary annals, the work of his amateur pencil; whilst the productions of his patriotic pen have charmed the public by the anecdotes they record in attractive ways of the personal, rural, and other habits of the great Chief.]

[Footnote C:  The latter mean his slaves.]

[Footnote D:  Alison]