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.