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Washington, though present at the surrender at Yorktown, deputed General Lincoln to receive the sword of Lord Cornwallis. This was done in a retaliatory spirit. When the Americans capitulated at Charleston, Cornwallis, instead of receiving Lincoln's sword himself, slightingly directed him to deliver it to Colonel St. Leger. The affront thus offered to one of his favorite officers was not forgotten by Washington; and when the appropriate time came, he resented it, by meting out a similar measure of indignity to his lordship.

My authority for this anecdote is my kinsman, the late Major Winthrop Sargent, in whose mental custody it could hardly have remained for a series of years had it not been true. Major Sargent was major of artillery at the battle of Brandywine, September 11th, 1777, and adjutant-general at the terrible battle of the Miami Villages, November 4th, 1791. On both occasions he was wounded—on the latter, severely. He shared the privations of our army at Valley Forge, and was one of a delegation sent by Washington to make a representation of them to the Congress, at Philadelphia. On the consummation of our independence, Major Sargent contemplated pursuing his military career in Europe; and Washington transmitted through General Knox the following certificate: “I certify that Major Winthrop Sargent, lately an officer in the line of artillery and aid-de-camp to Major-General Howe, has served with great reputation in the armies of the United States of America; that he entered into the service of his country at an early period of the war, and, during the continuance of it, displayed a zeal, integrity, and intelligence, which did honor to him as an officer and a gentleman. Given under my hand and seal, this 18th day of June, 1785. (Signed) George Washington, late Commander-in-chief, &c. &c.” Major Sargent subsequently received the appointment of governor of the territory of Mississippi.