Samuel Huntington to Thomas Sim Lee

By the enclosed Act of Congress of the 3d Instant¹ your Excellency will be informed that all the Convention Troops both in Virginia & Maryland are to be removed to Yorktown & Lancaster, or such other Places in the State of Pennsylvania as the Executive of that State shall assign for their reception: and the State of Maryland is requested to superintend the removal, Safe keeping & Supply of the German Corps, from Nolands Ferry on Potowmack, and the British now at Frederick town, through Maryland to the Borders of Pennsylvania, and to continue the Guards until the British Prisoners arrive at Yorktown & the Germans at Lancaster, or such other Places as the Executive of Pennsylvania shall appoint for their reception. The Supplies both for the Prisoners & Escort are to be furnished by Pennsylvania after they arrive within the Borders of that State.

If the Prisoners taken by Genl Morgan in the Action at the Cowpens should be removed to the Northward through Virginia, it is necessary to include them also.

I need not point out to your Excellency the Necessity & Importance of supplying a sufficient Guard, & especially a Commanding Officer equal to the Task, to prevent Desertion or any other Impediment to the Execution of these Orders.

I suppose the Prisoners in Virginia are now on their Way to Nolands Ferry, as Governor Jefferson hath already advised me that the Situation of Affairs in that State compelled him to put them in Motion; and I have desired him to give your Excellency the earliest Notice of their Movement, that a Guard might be ready prepared to receive them at the Borders of Maryland.

It will also be necessary that President Reed have previous seasonable Notice of the Time when the Prisoners will enter the State of Pennsylvania.²

I have the Honor to be, with very great respect, your Excellency’s most obedient & most humble Servant,

Sam. Huntington President