1806. | 
might have been as long, and as invete- 
rate, perhaps, as that waged by Spain 
againit Holland, had not the minority in 
Parliament at Jength triumphed, and Lord 
North been forced to refign all thofe offi- 
cial fituations which had enabled him to 
continue the ftruggles in expres eppofition 
to the withes of the people. 
Lord Cornwallis was well received on 
his return to England, where he foon af- 
ter obtained the honourable and refpecta- 
ble fituation of Conftable of the Tower. 
Doring the interval of peace that fol- 
lowed the American war, the noble Earl 
may be faid to have remained ina ftate of 
domettic privacy, if this can be properly 
oblerved of a man who, in addition to 
the duties of a legiflator, was invefted 
with an important official employment. 
He, h wever, was deftined foon after to 
be again called into a more public line of 
action, and this t.o in a different hemt- 
{phere to that on which he had hitherto 
diftinguifhed himflf. 
The Eaft India Company, from faétors, 
had become fovereigns in India, and at 
pected. Our numbers had been diminithed 
by the enemy’s fire, but particularly by fick- 
nefs; and the ftrength and fpirits of thofe 
in the works were much exhautted by the fa- 
tigue of conftant watching and unremitting 
duty. 
“¢ Under all thefe circumftances, I thought 
it would have been wanton and inhuman to 
the laft degree to facrifice the lives of this 
fall body of gallant foldiers, who had ever 
behaved with fo much fidelity and courage, 
by expofing them to an aflault which, from 
the numbers and precaution of the enemy, 
could not fail to fucceed. I therefore pro- 
pofed to capitulate, and I have the honour 
toinclofe to your Excellency the copy of the 
correfpondence between General Washington 
and me on that fibje&, and the terms of the 
Capitulation agreed on,” &c. 
[Copy of Earl Cornwallis’s letter to Gene- 
ral Wafhington. j 
‘© York, in Virginia, Of. 17, 1781. 
6¢ Sir, 
«(I propofe a ceffation of hoftilities for 
twen'y-four hours, and that two officers may 
be appointed by each fide, to meet at Mr. 
Moore’s houfe, to fettle terms for the fur- 
render of the portsof York and Gloucefter. 
** T have the honour to be, &c. 
“© CORNWALLIS.” 
[Copy of General Wathington’s anf{wer. ] 
<¢ Camp before York, Offober 17, 1781. 
** My Lorp, 
** I have the honour of receiving your 
Lordthip’s letter of this date 
** An ardent defire to fave the effufion of 
human blood will readily incline me to liften 
fo duch terms, for the furrender of your poits 
Memoirs of the late Marquis Cornwallis. 935 
this period may be faid to have poflzifed 
more fubjeéts than the King of Great 
Britain, under whom they held theit char- 
ter. But as their poffefliors extended 
their difficulties increafed ; and while they 
were threatened on one hand with a combi- 
nation of the native Princes, they were 
fuppofed, on the cther, to fuffer not a 
little from the peculations and mifma- 
nazement of ther own fervants. ‘To re= 
medy thefe evils, it was determined by 
the Government, if poffible, to fele&t 2 
chief who to military talents added a 
knowledge of dufinefs, and united wita 
an unimpeachable integrity a firmnefs of 
conduct, that mignt atone, and the fame 
time appalabule, anddefy treachery. [t 
was on this occafion that the eyes of aid 
mea were turned on Lord Cornwaliis, 
who was accordingly nominated to the im- 
portant fituation of Governor General of 
Bengal, and was invetted with the order 
of the Garter, which now, for the fr& 
time, was feen in Hindoftan. 
On his arrival, he commenced his la- 
bours by carrying on the moft difficult 
and garrifons at York and Gioucefter, as are 
admiffible. 
«* [ wifh, previous to the meeting of the 
commiffioners, that your Lordfhip’s propo- 
fals, in writing, may be fent to the Ameri- 
can lines, for which purpofe a fufpenfion of 
hoftilities during two hours. from the deli- 
very of this Jetter will be granted. 
*¢ I have the honour te be, &c. 
6° G. WASHINGTON.” 
ARTICLES OF CAPITULATION. 
Art. f. Vhe garrifon of York and Gloye 
cefter, including officers and feamen of his 
Britannic Majefty’s fhips, S&c. to furrender 
prifoners of war; the land troops to remaia 
prifoners to the United States; the navy te 
the naval army of his Moet Chriftian Ma- 
Jeity. . 
II. The artillery, &c. to be delivered une 
impaired. ‘ 
Ill. The garrifon to march out and ground 
their arms, colours cafed, and drums beate 
ing, and are then to ground their arms, &c. 
IV. V. and VI. Regimental officers to ree 
tain their fide-arms ; the general, ftaff, and 
other officers, to be permicted to go on their 
parole to Europe or Mew York, &c. &c. 
Done at York Town, in Virginia, OGe- 
ber 19, 1731. 
CoRNWALLIS. 
THomas SYMONDS. 
Done in the trenches before York Town, 
in Virginiz, O&ober.19, 1781. 
GrorGe WasHINGTOoNn. 
Le Comte de RochaMBEAU. 
Le Comie de Barras, 
En mop aom & celui du 
Comie de Ge asse, 
and 
