Marriot Arbuthnot to George Washington regarding the treatment of American naval prisoners of war - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC04758
From Archive Folder	Documents Relating to 1781
Title	Marriot Arbuthnot to George Washington regarding the treatment of American naval prisoners of war
Date	21 April 1781
Author	Arbuthnot, Marriot (1711?-1794)
Recipient	Washington, George
Document Type	Correspondence
Content Description	Written by Admiral Arbuthnot as commander of British naval forces in America to Washington as commander of the Continental Army. References Washington's letter of 25 January 1781 where he expressed anger over the treatment of American naval prisoners of war. Arbuthnot claims an inquiry was held that vindicated their treatment and feeding, which he validates on "my honor." Claims Washington "must have seen" the testimonies of the inquiry. Retorts with accusations against British naval prisoners in Philadelphia by Commissary General of Prisoners Thomas Bradford. Claims prisoners are experiencing "inhumanity" under Bradford. Will not burden Washington with a list of grievances, but asks that the sailors be fed more than salted clams. One of the long edges has tape about three-fourths of the way down.
Subjects	Revolutionary War Revolutionary War General Military History Continental Army Prisoner of War Prison Camp Global History and Civics Foreign Affairs Military Provisions Diet and Nutrition Navy
People	Arbuthnot, Marriott (ca. 1711-1794) Washington, George (1732-1799)
Place written	HMS Royal Oak off New York, New York
Theme	Naval & Maritime; Foreign Affairs; Government & Politics; Law; The Presidency; The American Revolution
Sub-collection	The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide Royal Oak, Off New York, 21st: April 1781. Sir, If I had not been very busy when I Received your Letter dated the 25th. of January last, complaining of the treatment of the Naval Prisoners at this place, I certainly should have Answered it before this time; And Notwithstanding I then thought, as I now do, that my own Testimony would have been sufficient to have put the truth past a doubt, I ordered the strictest Scrutiny to be made into the Conduct of all parties concerned in the Victualling and treatment of those unfortunate people. - Their several testimonies you must have seen, And I give you my honor, the transaction was conducted with such strict care and impartiality that you may rely on it's Validity. - [2] Permit me now Sir, to request that you will take the proper Steps, to cause Mr. Bradford your Commissary, and the Jailor of Philadelphia, to abate of that inhuman which they have, and do exercise indiscriminaly upon all people, who are so unfortuna as to be carried into that place. - I will not trouble you Sir, with a Catalogue of grievances further than to request that the unfortunate may feel as little of the Severities of War, as the Circumstances of the time will permit, that in future they may not be fed in the Winter with salted Clams, and that they may be afforded a Sufficiency of Food. - I am Sir, Your most obedient & humble Servant Mt. Arbuthnot General Washington & c. & c. & c.

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