A year after being taken prisoner by the British in
Charleston, South Carolina, Commodore Whipple wrote to General Washington,
requesting that a British officer imprisoned by the Colonists be exchanged
for himself. Here is that letter. (Submitted to the Whipple Website by Ralph W. Lange [ralsal@eriecoast.com].)
Transcript | Facsimile,
p. 1 | Facsimile, p. 2
Providence March 5th 1781
Sir:
Having been in the War ever since June 1775 invested with a Command by Sea which held in service of the United States on board their Ships Columbus &
Providence who when
felt the surrender of Charlestown So. Carolina by
capitulation to the British Armie when became Prisoner to Vice Admiral Arbuthnot who admitted me to
Parole as Commanding Officer of the Ships of the United States on that station
and allowed me the liberty of returning home to wait an exchange as should be effected. Which
Exchange I would beg leave to acquaint your Excellency have not been able as yet to procure
although have made every Application. No prospects presenting of facilitating an Exchange.
The United States having noted Officers of my Rank in their population. I finally
addressed myself to his Excellency the French Admiral at Newport desiring the favour of being exchanged for Captain
Geo. Gayton of the Romulus forty Gun Ship late taken by a part of his Most Christian Majesties
Fleet from Rhode Island, to which was pleased to return for an answer by the Major of the Fleet,
that he could not effect it without your Excellencys permission as he concieved your concurrence
necessary for his justification.
My
[Page 2]
My situation being such as mentioned and having been a Prisoner so long I cannot but flatter myself with the hopes that your Excellency will grant me the
favour of your kind interposition with the French Admiral and restore me again to all the
immunities of a free Citizen by processing my ability to Exchange for Commod. George Gayton
inclosed I have a copy of my Parole and have the honour to remain with every
Sentiment of the Deepest Respect
Your Excellencys
Most Obedient
Very humble servant
Abraham Whipple
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11/25/00
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