the regiments completed to the new establishments (and which ought to have been so by the ——­ of ——­ [Transcriber’s Note:  end parenthesis missing] agreeably to the requisitions of congress, scarce any state in the union has, at this hour, one-eighth part of its quota in the field; and there is little prospect that I can see of ever getting more than half.  In a word, instead of having every thing in readiness to take the field, we have nothing.  And instead of having the prospect of a glorious offensive campaign before us, we have a bewildered and gloomy prospect of a defensive one; unless we should receive a powerful aid of ships, land troops and money from our generous allies:  and these at present are too contingent to build upon.”

NOTE—­No.  VI. See Page 405

York in Virginia, 17th October, 1781, half past four, P.M.

SIR,—­I have this moment been honoured with your excellency’s letter dated this day.  The time limited for sending my answer will not admit of entering into the details of articles, but the basis of my proposals will be, that the garrisons of York and Gloucester shall be prisoners of war with the customary honours; and for the convenience of the individuals which I have the honour to command, that the British shall be sent to Britain, and the Germans to Germany, under engagements not to serve against France, America, or their allies, until released or regularly exchanged.  That all arms and public stores shall be delivered up to you, but that the usual indulgence of side arms to officers and of retaining private property shall be granted to officers and soldiers; and the interests of individuals in civil capacities, and connected with us, shall be attended to.  If your excellency thinks that a continuance of the suspension of hostilities will be necessary to transmit your answer, I shall have no objection to the hour that you propose.  I have the honour to be,

Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

CORNWALLIS.

His excellency General Washington, &c. &c. &c.

NOTE—­No.  VII. See Page 406

Head quarters before York, 18th October, 1781.

MY LORD,—­To avoid unnecessary discussions and delays, I shall at once, in answer to your lordship’s letter of yesterday, declare the general basis upon which a definitive treaty of capitulation must take place.  The garrison of York and Gloucester, including the seamen, as you propose, will be received prisoners of war.  The condition annexed of sending the British and German troops to the parts of Europe to which they respectively belong, is inadmissible.  Instead of this, they will be marched to such parts of the country as can most conveniently provide for their subsistence; and the benevolent treatment of prisoners, which is invariably observed by the Americans, will be extended to them.  The same honours will be granted to the surrendering army, as were granted to the garrison of Charleston.