8969. WAR (Prisoners of), Relief of.—
Be assured there is nothing consistent with the
honor of your country which we shall not, at all
times, be ready to do for the relief of yourself
and companions in captivity. We know that
ardent spirit and hatred for tyranny, which
brought you into your present situation, will
enable you to bear up against it with the firmness
which has distinguished you as a soldier,
and to look forward with pleasure to the day
when events shall take place against which the
wounded spirits of your enemies will find no
comfort, even from reflections on the most refined
of the cruelties with which they have
glutted themselves. [512]
—
To Colonel George Matthews. Washington ed. i, 235.
Ford ed., ii, 264.
(Wg.
1779)
