Philadelphia, April 12th, 1783.
Sir,
I received your letter, enclosing a Proclamation for the suspension of hostilities, and informing me of your design to recall your cruisers and release your prisoners. In return, Sir, I have the pleasure to enclose a Proclamation by the United States of America for a suspension of hostilities. Congress have the measures necessary for the return of their prisoners under consideration; I shall acquaint you with those they adopt.
The resolution transmitted in my last, has already informed you, that the humanity of Congress induced them, on the first intimation of the cessation of hostilities, to recall their cruisers. It is to be hoped, Sir, that no difficulties will arise on either side as to the restitution of such vessels as may have been taken after the epoch mentioned in the Proclamations of his Britannic Majesty and the United States. For though this may be of no great moment when considered in a national light, yet it becomes important, from the number of captures made on this coast within the latitude of the Canaries, since the 3d of March last, as well as from the presages, which the first steps may furnish, of the respect that will in future be paid to the stipulations in the treaty.
The gentleman, who delivered me your letter, will inform you, that it came open to my hands from a mistake in the direction. I am so fully persuaded, Sir, that I do not deceive myself, when I impute this rather to mistake, than to the principle followed, in some instances, in an early period of the late war, that I should not have noticed it now but to prevent, in future, the inconveniences, with which it has been in this instance attended.
I am, &c.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Philadelphia, April 12th, 1783.
Dear Sir,