Letter from George Washington Regarding the British Evacuation from New York
5/8/1783
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George Washington sent this letter to the President of Congress about his meeting with Sir Guy Carleton, the commander of British forces during the Revolutionary War. Washington and Carleton had discussed the British evacuation at the end of war. Washington enclosed the follow-up letter he had sent to Carleton, and let Congress know that he had appointed commissioners to oversee the British evacuation in New York.
The "Book of Negroes, or "Inspection Roll of Negroes" as the American version is called, listed those who were evacuated – to tally the loss of "property" for which the British government might compensate the United States at a later date. (No record of that payment has been found.) In 1792, over 1,000 of the new African Canadians continued on and settled back on the continent of Africa, establishing the city of Freetown, Sierra Leone.
The two leaders disagreed on the topic of former slaves. Washington demanded the return of escaped slaves — the Preliminary Articles of Peace signed in Paris on November 30, 1782, stipulated that the United Kingdom return all property that was seized during the War, including slaves. Sir Carleton, however, intended to keep the promise of freedom that was made to African Americans who joined and fought for the British. He argued that, under the King’s orders, slaves reaching British lines were to be freed.
The two leaders deferred the issue to future negotiations and ordered that the names be recorded of persons boarding British ships. Britain evacuated about 3,000 enslaved African Americans, indentured servants, and freedmen to the British colony of Nova Scotia in Canada along with British soldiers. These included some formerly enslaved by George Washington.The "Book of Negroes, or "Inspection Roll of Negroes" as the American version is called, listed those who were evacuated – to tally the loss of "property" for which the British government might compensate the United States at a later date. (No record of that payment has been found.) In 1792, over 1,000 of the new African Canadians continued on and settled back on the continent of Africa, establishing the city of Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Transcript
Orange Town 8th May 1783Sir
The copy of my Letter of the 21st of April to His Excellency Sir Guy Carleton, with a Copy of his reply to me, which I had the Honor to transmit to your Excellency, will have informed Congress, that the 5th of this Month was agreed upon between us for an Interview at this place.
In Consequence of this Arrangement I arrived here on the 4th. The Contingents of a Water passage in a frigate, prevented Sir Guy Carletons arrival until the Evening of the 5th. On the 6th our Interview took place at my Quarters, about three Miles from the River.
Our Conversation upon the different subjects to which my Instructions pointed me, was diffuse and desultory; and closed with a proposition on my part, and acceded to on the part of General Carleton, that the points of discussion should be reduced to writing.
I have the Honor to inclose a Copy of the Letter which I wrote to Sir Guy Carleton, the Evening of our Conference; and to which I expected to receive his Answer, being to dine with him the next day on Board the Frigate.
Coming on Board the Ship, I found Sir Guy under a very severe Fit of the fever and Ague (a previous fit of which he had experienced the Day of his Arrival). In these Circumstances, and wanting, as he said, to have recourse to some papers in New York, previous to makg an Answer to my Letter; And at the same Time urged by the Exigency of other Business, he had determined to return immediately to N. York; apologizing to me, and promising that I should hear from him soon, on the Subjects of my proposition. Thus I find myself without an Answer to my Letter, or such an Issue to our Interview as I had wished. And the Ship is this Morning gone down the River.
In this situation, willing to give Congress every Information in my power, I have desired the Gentlemen who were present at the Conversation which passed in our first Interview, to recollect & put in writing the Substance of it. This they have been so obliging as to do, and a Copy of it is enclosed.
As soon as I am possessed of a Reply from General Carleton, to my Letter of the 6th I will do myself the Honor to transmit a Copy to your Excellency, without delay.
It is my Duty also to inform Congress that, in consequence of their Resolutions of the 15th of April, & a reference to me of the Letter of Sir Guy Carleton of the 14th of April, to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs; and not thinking it proper to suffer any further Delay; I have appointed Daniel Parker Esqr. Egbert Benson Esqr. and Lieut. Colo. Wm S. Smith, as Commissioners on the Part of the United States, to attend & inspect the Embarkations that in future may be made at N. York, previous to the final Evacuation of that City. The powers with which these Gentlemen are vested, will appear from a Copy of their Appointment & Instructions, which is inclosed, and which I hope will meet the Approbation of Congress. I have the Honor to be With great Respect & Esteem for Your Excellency’s Most Obedient and Most humble Servant
Go: Washington
In Consequence of this Arrangement I arrived here on the 4th. The Contingents of a Water passage in a frigate, prevented Sir Guy Carletons arrival until the Evening of the 5th. On the 6th our Interview took place at my Quarters, about three Miles from the River.
Our Conversation upon the different subjects to which my Instructions pointed me, was diffuse and desultory; and closed with a proposition on my part, and acceded to on the part of General Carleton, that the points of discussion should be reduced to writing.
I have the Honor to inclose a Copy of the Letter which I wrote to Sir Guy Carleton, the Evening of our Conference; and to which I expected to receive his Answer, being to dine with him the next day on Board the Frigate.
Coming on Board the Ship, I found Sir Guy under a very severe Fit of the fever and Ague (a previous fit of which he had experienced the Day of his Arrival). In these Circumstances, and wanting, as he said, to have recourse to some papers in New York, previous to makg an Answer to my Letter; And at the same Time urged by the Exigency of other Business, he had determined to return immediately to N. York; apologizing to me, and promising that I should hear from him soon, on the Subjects of my proposition. Thus I find myself without an Answer to my Letter, or such an Issue to our Interview as I had wished. And the Ship is this Morning gone down the River.
In this situation, willing to give Congress every Information in my power, I have desired the Gentlemen who were present at the Conversation which passed in our first Interview, to recollect & put in writing the Substance of it. This they have been so obliging as to do, and a Copy of it is enclosed.
As soon as I am possessed of a Reply from General Carleton, to my Letter of the 6th I will do myself the Honor to transmit a Copy to your Excellency, without delay.
It is my Duty also to inform Congress that, in consequence of their Resolutions of the 15th of April, & a reference to me of the Letter of Sir Guy Carleton of the 14th of April, to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs; and not thinking it proper to suffer any further Delay; I have appointed Daniel Parker Esqr. Egbert Benson Esqr. and Lieut. Colo. Wm S. Smith, as Commissioners on the Part of the United States, to attend & inspect the Embarkations that in future may be made at N. York, previous to the final Evacuation of that City. The powers with which these Gentlemen are vested, will appear from a Copy of their Appointment & Instructions, which is inclosed, and which I hope will meet the Approbation of Congress. I have the Honor to be With great Respect & Esteem for Your Excellency’s Most Obedient and Most humble Servant
Go: Washington
This primary source comes from the Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention.
Full Citation: Letter from George Washington Regarding the British Evacuation from New York; 5/8/1783; Miscellaneous Papers of the Continental Congress, 1774 - 1789; Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention, Record Group 360; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/washington-british-evacuation, March 27, 2025]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
